Las Vegas Honeymoon (6 page)

A cold knot of anger formed in Dan’s gut that Pete would suggest Mary be part of such a group. But then, Pete didn’t know how special she was. “Nope. This woman is an old friend, and I’m watching out for her. Keep your grubby hands off.”

Pete blew a low whistle. “Must be serious.”

So as not to give Pete any reason to continue the conversational thread, Dan shrugged. “We met by accident at the airport. She’s here alone and it seemed like the polite thing to do to invite her. Don’t make more of it than it seems.”

Dan and Pete had been friends for years but he didn’t want to say too much about Mary. Maybe because he wanted to be sure where he stood with her, or maybe because Pete represented a side of his life better left behind. If he and Mary were to build anything together—and that was what he wanted to begin exploring—then all things wild and degenerate had to be left behind.

It was time, anyway. Dan hadn’t felt the urge for the kind of night Pete offered for a long time. He knew Mary had reached the stage where she wanted to settle down. Thank God she hadn’t gone through with that wedding. Dan prayed she didn’t think all men were like her former fiancé. He hoped she could be serious about a man again, this time putting him in the lead role.

He finished his drink and wandered off, once again counting the minutes until he could leave.

Chapter 5

“Oh my God, you look beautiful.” Dan took in the vision in red standing in the middle of the suite living room. Mary fiddled with a jeweled bracelet he had bought on impulse on his way out of the MGM.

“I love this dress, Dan. Thank you. And the bracelet is really too much.”

“My pleasure. The dress is perfect, but I wish you hadn’t sent back the other outfits. Especially that black dress.” He waggled his brows suggestively.

When Mary opened all the boxes Betty sent, she’d insisted on returning everything but the nightgown. He wondered if it wasn’t the soft femininity of it that made her want to keep it. That he’d had a pornographic daydream about her wearing it didn’t bother him in the least.

She laughed. “The black number is a man’s dress.”

“What?”

“The kind of dress a man buys for a woman because
he
likes it. Like lingerie for an anniversary gift.”

He skimmed a look down her body. “Any man would love giving you lingerie.”

“And from the right man, I’d love to receive it.” He snapped his gaze back to her face where sadness shone in her eyes. “I hope I find the right man someday.”

“You will.” He sounded blatantly confident because he intended to show her how it felt to be with someone a far-sight better than the scum she’d almost married

She gave a short laugh. “I haven’t done well so far.”

“The problem—and the loss—is What’s-His-Name’s, not yours.” Dan offered his arm. “Shall we go,
madame
? The limo awaits.”

She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. Her smile made him forget everything, and he had to remind himself to breathe. His cock came to life, too, and he forced visions of Mary writing in ecstasy beneath him, her lips swollen from kisses and her nipples peaked from his suckling, to the back of his mind.

He had to stop thinking like that or he’d be hard all night. Though how he could stand beside her, smelling her perfume and touching her as they mingled and chatted, and not sport a hard-on, he didn’t know. This party promised to be longer than any other he’d ever attended.

* * * *

The cocktail party was held in the ballroom at the MGM. In one corner, a jazz quartet had set up space and a few couples danced in front of the makeshift stage. Tables of food lined one wall, and a bar had been put together along another. Chandeliers glistened, the murmur of conversation and laughter filled the room.

Mary stood on the balcony, listening to the music and sipping a Mai Tai. Across Las Vegas Boulevard, the roller coaster at the New York, New York hotel-casino whisked screaming riders along the tracks in front of the building and then around out of sight. Traffic was at a standstill on the street below her, and everywhere, lights flashed, twinkled or, as in the case of the
Luxor
pyramid, blazed through the darkness.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” The voice came from close behind her. She turned, expecting Dan. He’d been the perfect host, making sure she met everyone and that she had a bit of food and a drink, but then he’d had to leave to see to duties for Higgins Enterprises.

The speaker wasn’t Dan, it was his close friend, Peter Saunders. His eyes were soft gray below full brows. Blond hair fell onto his forehead in an endearing way that made her want to brush it back. She imagined he used that ploy with women. She also thought it would work quite well.

“Hello again…Peter? That’s right, isn’t it? Manager of the Kansas City office?”

“Good memory,” he said. “And I just figured out a little while ago that you’re Dan’s friend from high school.”

“He’s mentioned me?” Beyond the wonder that Dan even remembered her much less talked about her, was that Pete recalled the conversation.

“Oh, you’d be surprised what guys discuss late at night after way too much to drink. You’re in town alone, right?”

If the balcony had been lighter, her heated face would have shown red. As it was, Peter wouldn’t be able to see her blush. “It’s a long story about a wedding that didn’t take place. Boring stuff.”

“Hmm, doesn’t sound like it.” He waited for her to speak, and when she didn’t he said, “Let me freshen that drink for you.” He slipped a new Mai Tai into her hand and deftly set her half-finished drink on the tray of a passing waiter. “Cheers.” He tapped glasses. His didn’t have an umbrella in it, indicating he drank something stronger than the fruity cocktail Mary enjoyed.

“So,” he continued in a smooth voice, “have I mentioned how gorgeous you look?”

Dan had told her several times, both in words and with his eyes. “I believe you just did.” She had to laugh. “Does that line really work on women?”

He had a lopsided smile. “Sometimes. But in your case, I really mean it.”

“And does
that
line really work on women?”

Peter laughed. “You’re tough. Dan said you were smart as well as beautiful.”

At the mention of Dan, Mary rose on tiptoes and made a quick search of the room for him.

“Dan’s off helping his brother with a couple of clients. He asked me to find you and make sure you weren’t in need of anything.”

“I’m fine, thanks. I didn’t think Dan was in sales.”

“He isn’t, not exactly. He’s what they call a closer. Any deal that’s set up but in trouble, they call in Dan. The man could sell condoms in a convent, he’s that good. If he ever left, his dad would have a hard time replacing him.”

She stirred her drink with the umbrella handle. “What does the manager of a district office do?”

“Oh, a little of this, a little of that. Mostly I’m responsible for making sure our current clients remain happy.”

“And do you like it?”

“Yeah.” He turned her toward the balcony, his hand on her lower back. When they stood at the railing, their legs brushed. Mary felt a thrill of attention she’d experienced all night wearing the beautiful gown, but not the burning fire that had raced through her at Dan’s touch.

Pete continued, “I get to do a bit of everything, which keeps life interesting. How about you? What do you do?”

“I’m a chemist at Dow in Atlanta. Or at least, I used to be. That’s rather uncertain right now.”

“What do you mean?”

A healthy gulp of rum and fruit juice bolstered her confidence. “I found out this afternoon that the company cancelled my project. When I go home I may be job hunting.”

“Bad luck! I wish I could help, but Dan’s in a better position since he lives in Atlanta, too.”

“It’s okay. I can handle it.”

“I’m sure you can handle a good many things.” His smile flashed like the morning sun and her knees weakened. A girl could get lost in that smile. But it didn’t melt her insides like Dan’s.

Pete moved a little closer.

“Um, you know I’m here with Dan, don’t you?”

“Dan and I are good friends. His mother taught him to share.” His finger stroked her arm, leaving goose bumps in its wake. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if we were good friends, too.”

Really?
“Well, of course.” Mary deliberately ignored Pete’s staring at her lips and the way his finger had moved from her arm to her cheek. “Right now you can be a friend and tell me where the little girls’ room is.”

Pete smiled and stepped back. “Just go out the door and hang a right. It’s a short distance down the hall.”

“Thanks. Maybe I’ll see you later.”

“Count on it.” His eyes caught hers and held. Then very slowly, he lowered his gaze to her lips. They parted on her sharp inhalation. His eyes blazed, and suddenly, Mary was hot from more than the desert heat.

“Excuse me.” She skated by him, left her glass on a nearby table and found the bathroom.

She checked her makeup and looked around the plush vanity area. Not seeing anybody else, she viewed herself in the mirrored wall and said, “Wow. When have you even been in a position where two men are handing out compliments like they were candy?”

A toilet flushed. She jumped and turned at the sound of a stall door opening. Her face blushed as scarlet. “Mrs. Higgins. I didn’t know you were there.”

“Well, hello, Mary. How did I miss seeing you when you arrived?” She waved her hand before Mary could answer. “Never mind, I’m seeing you now. I hated to miss your wedding, but there’s always so much to oversee here before the conference.” Her brow wrinkled. “Speaking of your wedding, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be on your honeymoon? ”

“I am.” Mary glanced away. “Kind of.” She looked back. “Not really. Dan brought me to the party. He’s staying in the extra room of my suite.”

“
Oh?
” The woman packed a lot into one word.

“Yes.” She waited for Mrs. Higgins to finish washing her hands, taking every moment to think of how to explain the situation. There was no good way.

“There was no wedding.” Her cheeks heated. “I found out my fiancé was cheating, not with one other woman, but two.”

Mrs. Higgins clucked her tongue. “My dear, you must have been devastated. I’m so sorry.” She tossed the paper towel away and then stared at Mary in the mirror, as though judging her ability to take bad news. “If you don’t mind my saying so, you deserve much better and you’re well rid of whoever he is. I do hope you’re not wasting any tears on a man who would do that to you.”

“Well…” She ducked her head before facing Mrs. Higgins’ reflection. Somehow, talking reflection-to-reflection was easier than face-to-face. “Where does a girl find a nice man who’s fun to be with, smart, uh—” she took a breath, “—sexy and honest? Someone who will appreciate me as I am, and who knows what being faithful means. Good looking and rich would be nice, too, but I’m not greedy.” Mrs. Higgins chuckled and so did Mary. “If he just wanted to make me happy, and was someone I could make happy, it would be great. But I’m beginning to think those men only exist in the minds of romance fiction writers.” A tear slipped to the corner of her eye.

Mrs. Higgins handed her a tissue. “I’m sure you’ll find your prince, my dear. You’re a sweet girl. I always liked you. I’d always hoped for someone like you for my Dan, but until recently he tends to run toward birds of paradise types, rather than sweet violets like you.”

Mary’s mother spoke in garden club comparisons, too, but had never referred to Mary as a “sweet violet.” Honestly, she’d always wanted to be like a bird of paradise, boldly posing, showing her color and flair. Flowers of the tropics were sultry and temperamental. How wonderful to be a woman who demanded attention—and received it—simply by her nature. Violets were evidently too nice to command and too demure to be noticed. Just her luck.

“That dress looks smashing on you, so just walk back out there with your shoulders back and act like you feel as good as you look. You’ll have to beat the men off with a stick.” Linking her arm with Mary’s, the older woman guided her out into the hall where almost as many people stood as inside the ballroom. “When you get your composure back, let’s get together. We should go out and have some fun. This
is
Las Vegas.”

“I’d like that, thanks.”

“Good girl. Now, I’ll get you back to Dan.”

Mary sighed, liking the sound of that very much.

* * * *

They found Dan with Pete, standing at the bar. “Hello, Mother,” Dan said.

“Hello, darling boy. Look who I found. She says she’s with you, but perhaps you’re more with her?”

“True.” Dan shifted his gaze to Mary. “I came looking for you. Pete told me where you’d gone. Want to dance a little?”

Pete stepped forward. “Oh, no. I claimed the next dance.” He shot Mary an intense gaze. “Let me take you away from this loser and we can have some fun.”

“I’ll stay out of this argument. Mary, I leave you with two handsome men.” Mrs. Higgins leaned in confidentially but spoke in a stage whisper. “But watch that scoundrel Peter Saunders. He’s a letch.”

“Mrs. Higgins, you wound me. All I know about women I learned from your son.”

“I don’t doubt that a minute. Now, Dan, have you seen your father?” She strained her neck looking over the crowd. “Oh, there he is. If you all will excuse me, I’d better find out what kind of trouble he’s getting into.”

Dan said, “See you later,” at the same time Pete and Mary said, “It was nice to see you.”

“So, Mary, dance with me?” Persistent, Pete cupped her elbow. His assumption of possession irritated her slightly, but not as much as Dan’s seeming not to mind. Had Pete’s earlier reference to sharing been serious? Technically, she shouldn’t be out with one man, much less escorted by two. Or maybe Dan was tired of her and wanting to pawn her off on his friend?

Her heart hurt at the possibility.

Mary looked at Dan. “Watch out, or your friend will sweep me off my feet.”