Beg Me (Mess with Me 1)

My shoes and dress pants are still in a heap in the middle of the room, so I dress quickly and then turn around looking for a shirt. The one I was wearing is missing buttons from when Mya tore it off me and I’m for damn sure not putting on the one she was wearing. Having her scent on my skin is definitely not going to help me break free of whatever spell I’m under.

Finally I grab a clean T-shirt from my bag and throw it on. I look a little odd I’m sure wearing dress pants and shoes and a casual shirt but this is Vegas. You can get away with anything here.

Except it seems your heart.

I’m settled at the hotel bar with my second drink when I see him.

Andre Lavin walks through the casino with the assurance of someone who is used to getting everything he wants. Warning bells are blaring in the back of my mind. Talking to the client alone would be a red flag on any given day when I’ve been drinking but especially after everything that went down earlier.

I still haven’t forgotten how he looked at Mya. He wants her.

Get in line, buddy.

“Mr. Hamilton. I wasn’t expecting to see you again before you left.”

Without waiting for an invitation he takes the seat next to me. The bartender immediately brings him a drink, as if they’ve just been waiting with his favorite in case he should happen to drop by. The life of a high roller.

Is this what he’s used to, having people fawn all over him all the time? Bring him whatever he wants. Whoever he wants.

Anger storms through my system, aided by the amount of alcohol I’ve had in the past twenty-four hours. I’m not thinking about what’s good for my career right now. I’m thinking about what’s good for Mya.

“I’m not going to let you treat her like she’s some delicacy to be brought on a silver platter,” I mumble accusingly.

His lips quirk up at the corners. “Is that right?”

Was I this smug when going after women? God, I hope not because I really want to punch that grin off his face.

“How long have you worked with your fiancée?”

There’s nothing inappropriate about his question but it feels like a challenge somehow. Like he’s testing me.

“Two years. She kicks my ass at work, too.”

He takes a sip of his drink. “I bet. She seems like a formidable woman. And quite beautiful. The kind of woman a man has to keep happy.”

My fingers clench around my shot glass. “Oh, I keep her happy. In the office and out of it.”

His eyes flash as he catches my meaning. His gaze takes in my sloppy dress and I’m sure he can put two and two together. I look like I’ve just had sex quite frankly with my bed head and haphazard outfit.

“That’s good. Very good. Because there will always be another man waiting if you mess it up.”

“I won’t be messing up.” Now he’s just asking to get popped in the mouth.

“Of course not but I felt it only fair to give you notice. It doesn’t hurt to let a man know he has some competition. Good night, Mr. Hamilton.” He leaves a few twenties on the bar and then walks off the way he came.

While I’m left with an empty shot glass and no idea what the hell just happened. This whole situation has gotten completely out of hand. I invented this engagement to get the job and now jealousy might prevent Andre Lavin from hiring us anyway. I wouldn’t think he’d allow his personal feelings to play a part in his business decisions but he’s only human.

What if this conversation was his way of warning me that Mirage won’t get the job?

James can never know about this. I don’t think he would encourage Mya to flirt with a client to secure a job but this is too important to gamble on. I don’t want there to be any chance she might be put in that position. This sex thing between us scrambled my brain a bit but I have enough wits left to know that work is the most important thing to Mya.

Hell, it’s the most important thing to me, too. I might have been feeling sentimental after tha

t intense round upstairs but that doesn’t change who I am or what I want for my future. I put a shaky hand to my chest, trying to calm my suddenly racing heart. So, it’s settled. I won’t say anything to Mya about this either. She doesn’t need that pressure. I need to protect her from this.

And not because I feel anything for her beyond desire and friendship. It’s just the right thing to do.

Obviously.