Vegas Virgin (Nevada Bad Boys 1)

“He offered to show me around Vegas. You weren’t returning my messages and he seemed nice—outside of being a thief.” I sat down on the edge of the bed and picked up my camera. “I got a few pictures of him.”

“Great, I’ll know who to tell the cops to look for if you go missing.” She rolled her eyes and walked over to look at the screen. “Okay, he’s kind of hot.”

“Isn’t he?” I couldn’t help but giggle. “Remember how you said we might find someone in Vegas and...”

“Peoria, you didn’t!” Her eyes bulged again. “You fucked him? You lost your virginity?”

“I did.” I sucked wind through my teeth and slowly grinned.

“I was so kidding about that. Oh my god, no wonder your parents didn’t let you out of the house!” Fiona took a seat beside me. “This is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“What happens in—” I tried to recite the phrase, but she held her hand up.

“Yeah, what was it you said? The STDs follow you home? I need a drink.” She looked at the mini-bar.

“We used protection.” I put the camera back on the table next to my bed.

“You probably should have double bagged him—no, triple bagged him.” She shook her head as she opened the mini-bar and pulled out two small bottles of vodka.

“I’ll consider that next time.” I lay back in the bed.

“Next time?” Fiona almost choked on the vodka as it went down her throat. “What do you mean by next time?”

“I hope to see him again.” I looked over at her. “You agreed he was hot. I already slept with him—what’s the harm in doing it again?”

“There can’t be a next time.” Fiona sat down on the edge of the bed and started to unscrew the cap. “Please promise me you’re not going to see him again. He could be dangerous!”

“I don’t think he is.” I rolled over and faced the opposite direction.

Fiona wasn’t completely off base. I knew that. I didn’t want to believe the man I had slept with after only knowing him for a day was dangerous, but there was no way I could know it for sure. I had put a lot of trust in him and I let him seduce me, even if I wanted it more than anything else when his lips were against mine. Fiona seemed to be making racket to spite me as she got ready for bed. As much as the potential existed for her to be right about what she said, I did want to see Vincent again. There was something about him that unlocked desires I never knew could exist before I was in his arms. Even though he was a thief, there was a lot of kindness in him. He didn’t have to show me around the city. He could have left me standing outside his apartment with none of my stuff. When Fiona finished getting ready for bed and cut out the lights, I was finally able to close my eyes.

“You’re not seeing him again.” Fiona’s tone was firm.

“No promises...” I let out a sigh and pulled the covers tight around me.

F IONA CONTINUED HER rant the next day, trying to convince me that I shouldn’t see him. While she was going off on me, I was secretly sending messages to Vincent and making plans to do the very thing she was warning me against. I just couldn’t explain my attraction to Vincent. I felt like Fiona would understand if she met him and spent time with him, but there was no time for that. I didn’t think she would agree, even if I could bring him to the hotel and introduce them.

Fiona and I got dressed for the day and spent several hours at a casino, which only made me think of Vincent more. It didn’t take us long to lose the money we had gotten in chips, so we played slots and gambled nickels instead of dollars. It wasn’t as exciting as winning Blackjack, but I was a terrible player with Vincent giving me hints and Fiona really had no idea how to play. We ate an early lunch and talked about going back to the hotel so we could try out the indoor pool, but I really wasn’t feeling it. Fiona seemed to get a sense that I wasn’t really interested in going with her once we were dressed.

“I’m guessing you’re not texting your mother?” Fiona glared at me across the room as she picked up her towel.

“No.” I admitted and shook my head.

“You know what—if you want to see him, then see him. I’m going to the pool.” Fiona walked towards the door with an angry scowl on her face.

Once Fiona was gone, I walked to the mirror with my cell phone and snapped a picture of myself in my bikini, making sure that my face was hidden. I sent it to Vincent and got a quick reply commenting on how gorgeous I looked. I asked him to come over and he agreed—if I kept the bikini on. Knowing he was on the way made me a little nervous, so I dug around the mini-bar looking for something to drink. There was a small bottle of wine that appeared to be enough for one glass. It was the only thing I felt safe drinking, so I poured it into a plastic cup and sipped it while I waited for him to arrive.

When I got a message stating he was in the lobby, my heart started beating faster in my chest. I finished the wine and walked over to the door, constantly peeking out the peephole until I saw him outside. Before he had a chance to knock, I pulled the door open with a smile on my face.

“That looks even better in person.” He stepped into the hotel room and wrapped his arms around me.

“Next time I send you a picture of me in my swimsuit, I expect one from you in return.” I winked at him.

“Not a chance.” He shook his head and pulled me closer. “I did bring you your tablet and a few more things.”

“Thank you, I thought they were gone.” I took them from him and put them on the table by the door.

“I got them back.” He smiled and kissed me on the forehead.