Lusted in Las Vegas

Copyright © 2012 by Sandra Bunino

ISBN: 978-1-938076-17-6

All Rights Reserved

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and is punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

Prologue

It should’ve been a savory little morsel of a memory she could tuck in the “once in a lifetime” section of her life. However, she wasn’t able to file it away and move on. She just couldn’t get him out of her mind. She needed a second helping of Jason Royce. That’s how Stephanie Thomas ended up in the swanky La Luna Lounge on the Las Vegas strip, waiting for the same man she met five weeks ago. The same man who was still under the impression that she was married. That was her shield. It was her way of not getting too close. After all, Jason was a confirmed bachelor. He had the looks and resources to play the field. Stephanie was sure he left a trail of broken hearts in his path and she sure as hell wouldn’t be one of them.

She closed her eyes and savored the first sip of her sugar-rimmed pomegranate martini. It was just one night, but what a delicious night it had been. She smiled and recalled how he brought her to sexual peaks she never knew existed. Her body hummed with thoughts of his touch and the last thing he said to her,
“I haven’t tasted you yet.”

Her heart raced at the thought of seeing Jason again. But as quickly as the panic set in, it dissolved the moment she sensed a presence from behind. His warm hand caressed the bare skin low on her back sending sparks from his touch to the nape of her neck. The vibration of a husky voice rumbled from her ear to the tips of her toes.

“Stef.”

With a flick of her foot against the bar, she swiveled in her chair to meet Jason’s gaze. God, it was good to see him. Masculinity exuded from his rock hard body under a perfectly tailored black suit. His dark skin and features made him look almost dangerous, but his eyes sparkled as they seared into her flesh. Taking a deep breath, she instantly relaxed. She had been anxious to see Jason, but all doubts melted as he stood before her.

Slipping off of her seat, Stephanie reached for his chest, fingering the edge of his jacket lapel and tracing the planes of his strong shoulders with her fingertips. Enjoying the electricity coursing through her body, she moved closer to Jason until the heat of his mouth melded with hers.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

Cupping her cheek with one hand, he encircled her waist with the other and pulled her close. Their lips touched and she kissed him slow, savoring every second. The contour of his mouth was instantly familiar and intimate. Memories of their Miami night flooded back as the tip of her tongue found his bottom lip.

Jason pulled away from their kiss and placed his forehead against hers. His growing black pupils awoke a garden’s population of butterflies within her stomach.

“I’ve missed you too, Stef.”

Raking her fingers through his hair, she wanted to take his hand and lead the way back to their villa.

“Let’s go,” she smiled and winked.

“All in good time,” he said while kissing the inside of her palm. “We have five days and five nights together, besides, I have a few surprises up my sleeve.”

“Okay. We’ll play it your way, but I need to tell you something.”

“Anything, Stef, you can tell me anything.”

Stephanie tilted her face to his ear and whispered, “I don’t have any panties on.”

“Damn, I knew it.”

Chapter 1

Las Vegas. Sin City. A place known for glitz, glamour, excitement and fantasy. IT was a premier adult playground where one can pretend to be anything or anyone because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Jason held her hand and gestured toward the lobby with his other. As he escorted her through the hotel to the waiting limousine, people stared as they passed. By herself, she was exposed and vulnerable, but at Jason’s side she was strong and empowered. Yes. She was in Sin City and Stephanie was going to play the part and enjoy every minute.

“Where are we going?” she asked sliding into the limo.

“One of my favorite restaurants and I have a surprise for you after dinner.”

“I love surprises, and I have one for you too.” Stephanie leaned over and brushed her lips against his. Her fingertips grazed his thigh and traveled slowly up his leg. A strong hand encircled her wrist at the same time a low growl emanated from his mouth. Her eyes sprung open and locked on his darkened stare. The intensity took her breath away.

He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “It’s taking all of my self-control not to take you right here in the back of the limo.”

“What’s stopping you?” she whispered back.

“Damn, we are going to have a fun five days together,” he said in a husky voice, raising his eyebrow.

Stephanie giggled and shifted in her seat as Jason loosened his grip on her wrist and interlaced his fingers with hers. They sat in silence for the rest of the short ride. The limousine turned at the François Hotel and Casino and came to a stop at the private entrance to Le Cote Noir.  

The tinkling of piano keys, flickering candlelight and the deep shades of red took over Stephanie’s senses like a soft warm blanket as they walked into the restaurant.           “Mr. Royce, it’s so good to see you this evening. Right this way.”

The maître d swiftly escorted them to a secluded table next to floor to ceiling windows overlooking the spectacular view of The Strip.

“I know I said it before, but I’m glad you took me up on my offer and arrived early. We have a lot of time to make up.”

“Speaking of offers, Jason. The clothes, the jewelry, you know I can’t accept any of it.”

Jason reached across table and took her hand in his. “You think too much. Just allow me to take care of you for a few days. Relax and let go, we’ll figure out everything else later.”

Stephanie opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. She knew it was a losing battle to spar with Jason about his gifts. At that moment the only thing that mattered was that she was with him. It was enough for her.
Yes, we will figure the rest out later.

“Are you ready for surprise number one?” Jason asked as the server removed their dinner plates.

He rose and walked to her side of the table. She closed her eyes as a finger grazed the nape of her neck before he pulled her chair out and took her arm in his. She trembled in response to his sizzling touch on her bare back as he lead her through the doorway to the outside terrace. The maître d handed Jason and Stephanie each a glass of port as they walked onto an outdoor patio that jutted over the edge of the building. A cool breeze blew through her hair but was instantly warmed by a sip of the rich liquid.      

“It’s beautiful. I’ve seen the fountains at street level before but never this high up,” Stephanie said walking up to the railing. She couldn’t actually hear the activity on the busy boulevard from their location high above The Strip, but the intensity in the air was evident. She gazed down at the famous fountains of The Castillo Hotel & Casino.

Jason took the port from her hand and placed the glasses on a nearby table. Stephanie instinctively leaned into the warmth of his palm on the bare small of her back. A sigh escaped her lips as his hand slipped inside the fabric of her dress and ventured lower until his fingertips brushed the top of her ass.
The lights on the terrace dimmed and music began to play. A flash of light from the water below signaled a single long spray from the middle of the lake. It multiplied and set off a continuous line of water in the air that moved forward and back with the music. As the water danced in the air, the music’s volume increased. Stephanie placed both hands on the railing. He moved behind her and ran his fingers up the planes of her back and down both of her arms. Continuing his assault of warm kisses down her neck and between her shoulder blades, the tip of his tongue followed the trail back up her neck and stopped at her ear. Stephanie gasped and leaned into his body for support. His arms provided the stability she needed to remain standing.

“My self-control is giving out,” Jason whispered in her ear as his hand inched upward taking her dress hem along with it. Stephanie felt the evidence of his arousal pressing firmly against her back. She tilted her head up to meet his gaze.

“Let’s go,” she said with a coy smile.

Chapter 2

The limousine whisked them to the Porta del Castello, known as “The Gates”. Massive wrought iron gates opened to the concealed property and the limousine wound around the dimly lit narrow cobblestone path to the last of three villas.

“I still can’t believe this little oasis is hidden in the heart of The Strip right behind The Castillo. It’s like another world back here,” Stephanie said facing the window.

The driver stopped in a wide courtyard lined with flowers. A grin crossed Jason’s face as he ushered Stephanie through the front door. His instructions were followed perfectly. The living room flickered with candlelight and soft music played in the background. Sinatra, of course, they were in Vegas, after all.

“I see you’re working your magic again, Mr. Royce,” she said as she turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck. A groan escaped from his mouth and he slipped his hand down her dress to cup her ass.

“I’ve wanted to do that all night,” Jason said between an on slaught of soft kisses.

“You
have
been doing that all night,” Stephanie giggled and swatted him playfully.

He pulled away and led her to the bedroom where a bottle of champagne was chilling in a silver canister next to the turned down bed.

“Champagne?” Jason asked, lifting his eyebrows.

Stephanie nodded. "But give me a minute. I need to get ready for your surprise, stay right where you are.”

Stephanie sashayed into the bathroom as he popped the cork on the champagne bottle and poured two glasses. Why was his heart racing? He’d never had a problem keeping his composure with women. But from the moment he saw her in La Luna his mood changed. She melted his usual gruff personality and he couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

“Jay.”

His eyes darted toward her voice. He sucked in his breath as his gaze skimmed up and down her body. Her long dark hair fanned across her shoulders in sharp contrast with the short white translucent baby doll negligee. Handing her a fluted glass of champagne, he hungrily surveyed her white g-string peeking through the lace. His gaze moved to her taut belly and finally up to her full breasts. There was a neat little satin bow tied in the sweet valley. Jason desperately wanted to pull the ribbon. He reached up to grab the end when Stephanie wrapped a thumb and index finger around his wrist.