The Return of the Rebel

She turned a sympathetic gaze his way. “I can get you some aspirin.”

“Stop fussing over me.” The hurt expression on her face had him regretting his outburst. She was only trying to be nice. “Thank you, but I’m fine.”

Her brow arched as she pressed her hands to her hips. “If you’re so fine, prove it. Let’s head over to the casino and see if you can win back some of that money you lost yesterday.”

Actually that sounded like the best suggestion he’d heard in a while. Because there was no way he was going to fall asleep again anytime in the near future. “Lead the way.”

Surprise lit up her eyes, but for once she didn’t argue. She turned on her stilettos and headed straight for the door. His gaze drifted to her derriere, nicely displayed in a red skirt that showed off her curves. He had no idea where she bought her clothes, but it was as if they were tailored just for her.

His throat grew dry and he gulped down the rest of the water. She’d certainly grown up to be a knockout. He couldn’t believe Kurt let her out of his sight. If she was his little sister, he’d definitely keep her under wraps—away from men like himself.

Then again he wasn’t anyone that her brother should be worried about. He was far from being classified as a ladies’ man these days. That was one of the reasons he’d decided to come to Vegas—to distance himself from the stark reality of his diagnosis. Here he could be Mr. Smith—Mr. No Worries.

He rushed to catch up with her on the footpath. For just a bit longer he could hang on to the illusion that he was the man he’d always been—a man with a promising future. Now that future was littered with uncertainties.

“Have you lived in New York long?”

“Ever since I finished college.” He glanced her way. “Did you move here after you graduated?”

Sadness filled her eyes and she nodded. “My family wanted me to return home. They’d even made arrangements for me to work for Mr. Wetzel in town, processing taxes.”

“I take it that wasn’t what you had in mind for your future.”

She shook her head. “I thought I knew everything when I finished college. At last, I was free to make my own choices—to forge my own direction wherever it led me.”

“It looks like you did well with those choices.”

Her shoulders drooped. “Looks can be deceiving.”

He concurred wholeheartedly. Things were never quite what they seemed from the outside. He was just sorry that Cleo had to learn that lesson the hard way.

“Hang in there. I’m sure life has some amazing things in store for you.”

“We’ll see.”

The fact that she felt comfortable enough to open up to him warmed a spot in his chest. But he couldn’t let himself read too much into it. She was probably lonely being so far from her family. And it wouldn’t do either of them any good if he tried to fill that empty spot. It’d only make it that much harder to walk away.

“You know, I can be on my own today. I don’t want to take up all of your time. I’m sure by now you have other guests to look after.”

“Actually you’re my one and only guest. Mr. Burns has me on a very short leash.” Her cherry-red lips lifted and her eyes sparkled. “So name your pleasure and I’ll make sure it’s provided.”

The sweet lilt of her voice and the sight of her tempting lips sent his mind spiraling back in time. He clearly remembered the one and only kiss they’d shared. He hadn’t even seen it coming and it was over before he could react. The strange thing was that after all of these years, he had never forgotten that innocent moment.

He’d been kissed countless times since then and by experienced women who knew how to turn a kiss into an adventure. So why had the memory of those other kisses faded while hers stood the test of time?

Every detail of that moment stood out in his mind. He recalled how the morning sun peeked over Cleo’s shoulder. The golden rays made her hair glisten, giving it the illusion of a halo. Her cheeks were rosy with color and her eyes sparkled like fresh-cut emeralds.

He’d been so mesmerized by the stunning image that he hadn’t expected her to lift up on her tiptoes. Her gaze met and held his as she leaned forward. Her puckered lips pressed to his mouth. In the next heartbeat, she pulled away. And then, as if horrified, her eyes grew round. She’d pressed a hand to her mouth and run off.

The buzz of his phone drew him back to the present. At last, it had to be his doctor with the confounded test results. He glanced at Cleo. There was no way he was having this conversation in front of her.

He never wanted her to know that he had...Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

He swallowed hard, still not comfortable with the “C” word.

He held up a finger to Cleo. “You can go ahead. I’ve got to get this.”