As Luck Would Have It (2 page)

It wasn’t until the flight attendant began to talk to him that she felt all tingly inside. It was an unusual feeling for Sydney. She’d never been a jealous person and she hadn’t felt the tinglies since college.
What the fuck? I go from wanting to bring a security pillow to having impure thoughts about a total stranger. What the hell’s wrong with me?

This was the first time in the last six months that she wasn’t totally preoccupied with memories of Philippe. Maybe this trip was exactly what she needed. She needed to take this opportunity to turn her life around.

When the plane finally landed in Nevada and began unloading, Sydney didn’t waste any time. She retrieved her bag from the overhead compartment and took one last glance back to witness him bending over to get his own bag. He had the tightest ass she’d ever seen.

Enough was enough! She hustled to the front of the aircraft. She just wanted out at this point. She couldn’t continue to wonder about the mystery guy who hadn’t spoken to her since she explained her seating arrangement. After all, Philippe had only been gone six months.

The temperature difference outside was more than Sydney could handle at this moment. She was totally feeling hot and bothered. Hailing the first taxi she saw, Sydney flung open the door and began giving instructions to the driver before she was even seated.

*              *              *              *

So many times, he had wanted to introduce himself but couldn’t get his mouth to move in sync with his brain. There was something in her eyes that paralyzed him. If he didn’t get her name and where she was staying he would spend his entire trip trying to find her.

He bent down to grab his own bag from under the seat, and before he knew it, she was gone. That empty feeling he didn’t realize he’d had before the flight was back.

CH
APTER two

The five star hotel was more beautiful then she had imagined. The Venetian was the perfect choice more than six months ago, but now Sydney wasn’t too sure. As she meandered around the grounds, she noticed couples hugging and kissing on the Rialto Bridge, more couples on the Gondola rides, and even more couples in St. Mark’s Square. This had to be the most romantic hotel on the strip. How could she stay here alone?

After finally checking in and arriving at her suite, she was more than convinced she couldn’t stay there. The room was exquisite. It reeked of romance. She needed to get out immediately.

While originally checking in, the clerk questioned why she was alone when the reservation had been made for a couple. Sydney had managed to simply reply, “I’m alone.” The gentleman at the counter could obviously see how uneasy she had become and quickly retrieved the room card.

Now she had to go back down to the guest, explain to them the situation, and pray they would help her find a new room in a different hotel. After hearing Sydney’s heart-wrenching story about how she and Philippe were supposed to be in Vegas celebrating twenty years of marriage, and how romantic it would have been to renew their vows on the Gondola, the man regarded her with sympathy.

Sydney couldn’t hold it together any longer. The tears just began rolling down her checks as she blurted out, “And now he’s dead, and I just can’t bear staying here without him.”

Without hesitation, the man grabbed the phone and began calling other hotels on the Strip. It wasn’t long before Sydney had new reservations. She would be staying at the Bellagio now. It was just a ten minute walk down the Strip.

She was already walking away before the man could ask her if she needed help with anything else. “No, thanks for all you’ve done,” she said as she waved her hand in the air, continuing to walk out the door.

The walk was a piece of cake. It was less than a mile, and she wasn’t completely out of shape. She still had something of an athletic figure.

She didn’t know much about the Bellagio, but she really didn’t need anything special. A room with a bed, a tub in case she felt like soaking herself, and an internet connection.

There was a young girl at the front desk when she arrived. Sydney gave her name and was hoping there wouldn’t be any issues with the check in process

*              *              *              *

When Marcus exited the elevator, he almost hit the floor. She was standing at the front desk. He literally rubbed his eyes, unable to believe she was there.

He was just leaving his hotel in his search to find her, and she was standing right there. He must have done something right in his life for the big man upstairs to drop her right in his lap. Boy, what he wouldn’t do to get her in his lap. Actually, he couldn’t stop thinking about what he would do to her if he had the opportunity to actually touch her.

He felt possessed. His legs were moving him right in her direction. “Shit, what am I going to say?” He wasn’t sure if he said it out loud or to himself. Ever since he’d seen her sitting in his seat on the plane he hadn’t been able to get his thoughts straight.

Before he knew it, he was standing beside her, almost on her because she sidestepped when he finally stopped moving.

*
              *              *              *

“Geez, personal space!” She hadn’t meant to just blurt that out, but when she turned and looked at the person who had almost knocked her over, her brain shut off.

He stood there in a muscle shirt with denim shorts and high top sneakers untied. Her first thought was,
what’s with the sneakers?
As soon as her eyes started to make their way up his body, her thoughts changed.
Holy Shit, he must have the biggest dick to make a bulge like that, and his legs are just as toned as his upper body
. He had a few tattoos on his legs, but there was no time to make them out. Her gaze continued up his torso and to his chest where more ink oozed from the shirt he was wearing. Still not enough skin showing to make out those tattoos either.
How can one person be so hot?

“Are you staying in this hotel?” she asked without knowing why. Why did it matter if he was staying in the same hotel? She had every intention of spending all of her time in her room.

“Yeah.” He would have to think quick, or she’d be gone again. “Do you need help taking your luggage up to your room?”
Good thinking
, he thought
this way I’ll know what room she’s in
.“This is the only bag I have, and I’m pretty sure I can handle it,” she replied with a smirk.

“I don’t mean to get personal, but unless you’re only staying overnight, how do you only have one bag?” he rebutted.

“I wouldn’t come all the way to Vegas to stay one night. I’m here for the week. Besides, sweats and t-shirts don’t require much more than this.” Sydney pointed to her duffel bag.

She’s here for the week?
He could almost feel the excitement growing in his pants as he stood there. He’d have the entire week to get to know her if he could just coordinate his brain and lips to work together and intelligently talk to her.

“Have dinner with me tonight!” he blurted.

Without hesitation, she replied, “Yes.”
What the hell was that? Did I just agree to have dinner with this man I don’t even know? What is wrong with me? I can’t even control my own lips.

He must have been just as surprised she’d said yes, because there was an uncomfortable moment of silence. In order to regain control of the situation, Sydney stated, “I can meet you in the hotel restaurant.”

“Great, I’ll meet you there at nine?” he asked.

“Fine.” At this point Sydney just needed to get to her room so she could figure out why she was acting so bizarrely.

When she got to her room she realized it wasn’t just any room. Somehow, she had managed to get yet another suite. Boy, the man at the Venetian must have been owed a huge favor, or her story really heart wrenching. Either way, she was going to settle herself in. She had lots of thinking to do.

As she was going through her bag to retrieve her Kindle, an alarming thought dawned on her. She just agreed to have dinner in a restaurant, and the only clothes she had were sweats and denim shorts.

*
              *              *              *

The weirdest things were going on in his head. He couldn’t believe she had agreed to have dinner with him. She hadn’t asked his name, nor did he ask hers. He had just remembered her telling him that the only thing in her bag was sweats. Would she really show up to dinner in sweats?

That’s when he had the most outrageous thought. He went right to the concierge and asked to Google the location of the closest boutique. This way, if she did the same, it would retrieve the same store.

It had taken some searching through all the casual clothes to find her Kindle. She took it out of the quilted case and immediately went to Google. She needed to find something to wear for tonight and hadn’t a clue of where to go. The closest boutique was only two blocks away. There was a boutique in the hotel but it was too expensive. She changed from her capris to shorts and headed out the door.

His first thought was to buy her an outfit, but then he thought that would be to forward. So instead, he described what she looked like to the salespeople and instructed them to match a pair of pumps to whatever she had purchased. He left his credit card number and bolted from the store.

Just as he was turning the corner, he noticed her leaving the hotel. He couldn’t stop looking at her legs. Hoping she was headed to the boutique, he crossed the street to avoid her.

Sydney wasn’t looking for anything very fancy, so when she saw the sleeveless navy dress, she thought,
this will have to do. I can wear it with my flip-flops.
She didn’t notice the back was completely open until she tried it on. It also had a draped neckline and ruching sides. Surprisingly, it fit perfectly.

When she went to check out, Sydney noticed an extra bag with a shoebox in it. She mentioned to the salesperson that she didn’t purchase them. When the salesperson explained to her that an extremely nice looking gentlemen had informed them that she might be in and advised them to match pumps to whatever she picked out, Sydney was a little shocked.

She examined the box a little closer.
How does he know what size shoe I wear?
Sure enough, they were exactly the size she wore. In her haste to get back to the hotel and get ready, she just shook her head and left with the extra bag.

CHAPTER three

Sydney stood in front of the full length mirror checking herself over for the hundredth time. She wasn’t wearing any make-up, her hair was still damp, but with the little wave her hair had she could get away with it. The only thing was the shoes. What was the deal with the shoes? She just couldn’t bring herself to wear them.

By 8:45, she was at the door contemplating whether to go or not. This was so out of character for her. She was in Vegas to mourn the loss of her husband. She hadn’t dated in over twenty-five years. A million other doubtful thoughts rushed through her head. Despite her doubts, Sydney declared, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” grabbed her shoe bag, and exited the room.

When she arrived at the restaurant, he was already sitting at the bar. He wore blue pin-striped slacks, a gray button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and two of the top buttons opened and black loafers with no socks. It looked like they had planned their outfits. She giggled, remembering how she had always tried to match her outfits with Philippe’s and how he’d always changed something.

That giggle immediately raised the flag in his slacks. He could barely turn around to look at her, but when he did, he saw the slightest smirk on her face.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“Just a thought I was having.” She couldn’t help but stare at him. He was mesmerizing.

“We seem to have gotten off on a very unusual start. I’m Marcus, Marcus Matthews.” He extended his hand as a polite gesture. He wanted to embrace and kiss her, but the bulge in his pants was preventing him from even standing up.

Sydney extended her hand to shake his, and as soon as their skin touched, she felt a tingle that started in her crotch and spread in all directions. She’d never felt anything like it in her life. “I’m-I’m Syd Sant. I’m Sydney Santarelli.”

“Are you sure?” Marcus questioned as he tried to shake the lust that was working its way through his body.

“Yeah, I’m sure. There is one thing I’m not sure about. These shoes, I’m not sure why you would let me pick my own clothes but then have the salesperson pick the shoes?”

“I noticed you have incredible calves and I’ve only seen you in flip flops.”

“What is it with men and heels? My husband used to say the same thing to me. Well, not exactly. He would say ‘You never wear heels.’” Philippe had never complimented her about her legs. “Have you ever tried running after twin eighteen month olds in heels? Not happening. Plus I’m very comfortable in my flip flops.”

The look on Marcus’ face warranted some explaining.

“Although I traveled to Las Vegas with only one bag, I’ve got quite a few bags back home. Four, to be exact,” she said sheepishly. “I have twin eighteen year olds, a sixteen year old, and a ten year old.”

It didn’t take long for Marcus to process what Sydney was saying. “You’re joking, right? There’s no way a woman can have that many kids and look the way you do. You must have started really early popping out those babies. You can’t be any older then thirty-two.”

Now she was laughing. “Marcus, I don’t think I’m old enough to be your mother, but I’m older than thirty two. Add ten years to that.”

He just couldn’t get over it. In that dress, he could see just the tips of her breasts through the fabric. She had the perfect amount of cleavage, the dress hugged the curves of her body in all the right ways, and she had the sexiest arms. They were perfectly toned.

Sydney could see he was totally overwhelmed by this, so she decided to give him an out. “Here are the shoes. They’re beautiful but not necessary. And I totally understand if you want to bail.”

“You know what I really want?” he replied more as a statement than a question. “I really want you to put these shoes on and have dinner with me.” Not waiting for a reply, he gently put his hand on her mid back to direct her to a chair so she could change her shoes.

Fuck! The dress is backless, she’s not wearing a bra, and her tits look that good. Damn!
Marcus’ mind was going a mile a minute now.

His hand on her bare back felt so good that she couldn’t refuse. What harm could come of it? As she sat down, Marcus removed a shoe from the box and started to kneel in front of her. She immediately grabbed the shoe from him. “I’m not Cinderella. I can put a shoe on myself.”

It amazed him that a petite women like Sydney had such a spitfire attitude. It was clear to Marcus that it would be a battle of wits to get close to her. She had walls up all around her. Steel walls, but he was strong willed and determined to be with her.

At the table, Marcus sat across from Sydney. He wanted to be able to look at her but not have the opportunity to maul her. He wanted to make sure this relationship started out right and needed her full attention as well as his own.

Simultaneously, they both said, “So.”

Sydney laughed. “You go first.”

Marcus insisted that she start the conversation. He wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to say anyway. He was still struggling with coordinating his brain and lips. She was so extremely distracting to him, and he just couldn’t function properly.

“So, how young are you Marcus?”

Now Marcus was smirking. “I’m not as young as you imply. I just turned thirty-four last month.” She did not respond to his answer, so he continued speaking. “I’m gonna cut to the chase and put it all out there. When I first saw you on the plane, my body had this weird reaction. I mean, my body got stiff, but my mind went limp. You actually took my breath away.” He waited for some kind of reaction, but there wasn’t one.

“I’m not sure we’re on the same page here. Were you not checking me out on the plane? Did you not feel something when our hands touched? Hello, Sydney?”

On the same page? I don’t even think we’re in the same book. What is happening to me?
“Marcus, this seems a little strange to me. I’m not saying I don’t feel something. My god, just look at you.”
Where do I start?

“Your body makes me want to wrap myself around it. And those eyes…I could look into your eyes all day long. Your lack of upper lip has me wanting to find it with my tongue, your tattoos blow my mind, and your ass is as tight as a safe. I just want to crack it open with my bare hands. How could I not be staring at you?”
Hello, whoever is in my body and working my lips, get the fuck out!

“Wow. If you keep talking like that, I can promise you I won’t be able to control myself much longer.” Looking down at the bulge in his pants, Marcus said, “My pants just got about two sizes too small.”

“Yeah, I didn’t even want to mention that part. Let’s just say I didn’t pack enough pairs of panties to last the rest of the day sitting here with you.”

Marcus was full out laughing now. He leaned over the table and whispered, “You won’t need panties for the rest of the week if dinner goes as planned.”

“Well, there goes another pair,” Sydney replied with a big grin.

Dinner consisted of nothing but heated glances and sexual innuendos. By the time dessert arrived, all Marcus wanted to do was cover Sydney’s body in whipped cream and remove it with his tongue.

Sydney was already overcome by the way the evening had turned out, and her heart was starting to palpitate thinking about how it would end. The person at dinner tonight was not the person she’d been for the past twenty-five years, and she wasn’t sure if she could keep up the masquerade. Actually, she wasn’t sure who she was anymore.

Maybe she wasn’t the person everyone thought she was. She had a past. Not one she was so open about. Before she met Philippe, she’d had her fair share of fuck buddies. But once Philippe was in her life, he became her life. He had fulfilled all her needs and wants.

She behaved the way people expected her to behave but rarely as her true self. On rare occasions, the real Sydney would slip out. However, most of the time, that Sydney went unnoticed.

Marcus noticed that see she was in deep thought, “What’s on your mind? Remember, we’re being up front and honest.” Again, no immediate response.

“I know this must be weird for you, being married for so many years. I’m not sure if it feels wrong to you, but it totally feels right to me.” He continued hoping she would interject at some point. “I can’t help that when I look into those eyes, they just cry out to me for help. Your body screams for me to hold you, but your demeanor is sending out mixed signals. I just don’t want to fuck it up.”

“Yes, it is weird, but not my feelings. If we’re putting it out there and being totally honest, I have never felt like I needed to be taken care of as much as I do now. It scares me how attracted I am to you. And don’t worry, you couldn’t make me more fucked up than I already am.”

“Oh, you’ve never been fucked by Marcus Matthews.”

“There’s no hope for these panties. I’ll be dripping down my legs if we don’t get out of here right now.”

Without wasting time, Marcus threw a couple of hundreds on the table and escorted Sydney out of the restaurant and into the elevator.

I hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew. This man is going to eat me alive…If I’m lucky.
The heat generating off Marcus’ body had Sydney thinking she was starting menopause. She could barely keep the little bit of clothing she wore on with the hot flashes. She instinctively pushed the button to her floor as Marcus reached over and did the same.

“We need to get off at the first floor this elevator reaches. If I don’t get these clothes off me, I’m going to combust,” Marcus stated.

The elevator halted at the selected floor, thrusting Sydney right into Marcus’ arms. One look into each other’s eyes, and it was all over. Marcus grabbed the nape of her neck, leaned her back, and covered her entire mouth with his. His tongue vigorously explored hers.

When the elevator doors opened, they didn’t even bother to separate. Marcus just scooped Sydney up by the bottom of her ass and carried her out. Not sure which way to go, he pulled his mouth away from hers to get the room number and immediately returned to passionately exploring Sydney’s mouth.

They fumbled in front of Sydney’s room for a few seconds. “My key is in my dress,” Sydney explained.

“You’re just one surprise after another, woman,” he exclaimed. “Do you want me to search for it, or are you going to give me a hint?”

Sydney pulled back from Marcus to reach into the top of her dress. She retrieved the room key and handed it to him. With one swift swoop, the door was open and they stumbled into the dark room.

“Wait!” Sydney cried out. “Before you switch on the lights, I have a request…Don’t!”

“Are you shitting me? This can’t be about embarrassment. You are the hottest forty-two year old I’ve ever seen, with that little athletic body of yours.” Marcus sounded a little peeved but he said, “Fine, this time, but next time, I get to call the shots.”

Struggling to undress each other and stumbling in the dark, hitting every piece of furniture in their path, they finally made it to the bed. Marcus instantly pinned Sydney on her back. “Not so fast, Hotness. I may not have sight, but I sure as hell can still feel, and you’re not going to move until I have felt every inch of this tight body.”

Sydney began to squirm, but Marcus straddled her, pinning her arms above her head. He ran his fingers through her silk brown hair, brushing his lips across her ear, passing the pad of his thumb over her lips. He moved his way down her neckline with his tongue while caressing the sides of her body with both hands.

Teasing her, he ran his index finger against the bottom of her neck, between her breasts, and over her stomach. His finger circled her navel before halting just short of her mound. Sydney whimpered in frustration. Marcus brought both hands back up to cup her breasts. He flicked both nipples, and then circled each areola with his thumbs.

Marcus rolled Sydney to her side, kissing behind her ear in small pecks. His lips followed the same path his finger had taken, not stopping until he reached the tips of her toes, and returned to give special attention to her sex.

Sydney couldn’t remember the last time someone had touched her like this. In fact, she couldn’t remember ever being touched so extensively. The sensations that ran through her body every time Marcus’ skin came in contact with hers were almost excruciating.

She couldn’t help but rub the top of his bald head as he touched her, imagining how it would feel to have her hands on the similar bald head between his legs. As soon as his lips reached the top of her strip of pubic hair, she clenched the duvet cover with all her strength. She was going to lose it, and he hadn’t even entered her yet.

Her body quivered, causing Marcus to come to an abrupt stop. “Syd, are you alright?” he asked, panicked. Propping his elbows on the bed to hold his own weight, he now had her face cupped in his hands and tried to look in her eyes. He could feel wetness on his fingers. She was crying. “Did I hurt you somehow?” He felt her shake her head no but didn’t make a sound. “Is this too much for you?”

“I was married for almost twenty years and have never felt so glorified.” She sniffled. “I haven’t even known you twenty hours and already feel totally cultivated by you.”