Vegas Shuffle (Vegas Series) (6 page)
Stop thinking about him!
Taking her own advice, she blocked those wayward urges and focused on Lisa. “Speaking about letting loose… just a warning. You hook up with one more loser, and Ham and I will lock you up every night in one of holding cells to keep you from wasting your time. Every down-on-his-luck, poor-me misfit in this crazy city seems to find you; and being the softheaded, easy touch that you are, you take them home and lay down for them to walk all over you. It’s got to stop.” By the time she’d finished her lecture, Aurora had advanced to stand over her partner still draped across the pink velvet chaise lounge.
“Got it, boss. I’m off men for good. Cross my heart.”
Rikki, who’d just re-entered the room carrying a handful of glittery jewelry, laughed and added. “Heard that one before.”
The intercom rang announcing the arrival of the taxi and Aurora gathered up her full chiffon skirt and a beautiful black beaded evening bag and headed out of the room before Rikki could attack with her baubles.
At a safe distance, she stopped and turned toward the willowy, glamorous beauty. “You’ve been a lifesaver, Rikki. I really do appreciate it.”
“Relax and have a good time, Aurora. “I’ve seem Jeff Waters and he’s every woman’s dream. Go have fun, and give the guy a break.”
Taking the advice of her friends, Aurora actually enjoyed the evening. Meeting the big shots and finding them likeable surprised her somewhat. Guess she’d always thought that anyone with a lot of money didn’t live in the real world.
Tonight she found that to be untrue. Being a good listener, having the ability to shift through lies and recognize sincerity, she found women whose reality shadowed hers. They feared for their children. They loved their husbands and wanted to be important to them. And they worried they didn’t have enough going on to be interesting to others.
Of course there were some who cared only about themselves, but those women—and men—exist in every walk of life, they aren’t simply creations of the well-to-do section of society.
In his own way, Jeff was the perfect companion. He allowed her space when she had company and appeared from out of nowhere as soon as she found herself alone. At first, he offered her champagne, but soon gave that up and brought her a variety of sparkling waters instead. By the time the evening had ended, he insisted he would accompany her home, and relaxed from a deservedly wonderful evening, she agreed.
She even agreed to his coming up to her apartment for coffee. Their unspoken “friends” truce provided her with a feeling of warmth towards him. Not once did he make her feel uncomfortable. The opposite in fact. They laughed and joked as if they’d known each other forever.
He even mentioned the Rhondo shooting that had happened the previous year. It had appeared in all the papers, and though she’d been harassed by reporters and various media outlets for her story, she’d refused to discuss the particulars. Death by cop interested everyone. Once the truth had come out, she’d been forced to take a hard stance on keeping her distance. Gladly, the department and Internal Affairs had backed her to the hilt, and the furor eventually died down.
“You don’t have to say anything, Aurora. But I wanted to tell you how very much I admire a person who can take the steps she’s forced to when up against the wall. From my experience in the army, I know it’s not easy.”
“Because I don’t talk about it,” she said, “doesn’t mean I don’t wish with all my heart that it hadn’t happened. Sometimes we have no choice.”
Jeff put his mug down on the counter in the kitchen where they sat on the stools. He stood and walked towards where Aurora perched, her long red dress flowing out around her.
He’d removed the black tie and opened the collar of his white silk shirt and looked relaxed in his clothes as if he’d been born to wear such finery.
Without any hesitation, he gathered her into his arms and bent to take her mouth in a gentle kiss. She shoved him back, her hands rough and her push serious.
“Don’t.”
“Why not?” His voice sounded husky with emotion. I know I can make you like it.”
“Hell, I know I can shoot you in the balls but it doesn’t mean I should.”
He backed away, a grin forming. “Makes sense to me.”
“I thought you’d see it my way”
His hands slid into his tux’s jacket pockets as he nonchalantly leaned against the counter. “Well you are very convincing. Just gotta ask. There’s two reasons a woman pushes a man away when her eyes are hungry. Either she doesn’t like the guy, or she likes someone else better. Now I know you’ve enjoyed my company tonight. Hell, I even caught you laughing more than a few times. Therefore I’m taking it that I’m not the problem. So who’s the other guy?”
“No one you know. He’s a bastard and a cheat, a low-down slimy—”
“Whoa! As a favor to you, and the world in general, I’d shoot him myself. Just one thing has me scratching my thick, glossy locks.”
His silliness made her almost smile. She searched his eyes and waited.
“If he’s so horrible, how come you love the dirtbag?”
“Hey, I never said—”
“No, but your rejection did. You were with me until I tried to kiss you and bam! You became a ‘hand’s off’ girl. Just wish my body would stop whimpering and take your refusal like a man.”
Aurora grinned at the way he worded his position. “Maybe you have a thing for pregnant women.” She actually laughed when he tripped over his feet to back away. “Pregnant?! Whaddayamean pregnant?”
“Whaddayamean, what do I mean?” With this foolishness, she actually giggled and a weight disappeared off her shoulders that had been building since she realized her predicament. She was pregnant, alone, and still she was happy.
Chapter Twelve
Three months later, Aurora sat in her spare bedroom surrounded by pieces of wood of all shapes and sizes, plastic bags brimming with screws and two pages full of instructions. Earlier that day, she’d decided that tonight the crib would be set up because the baby’s room needed to take shape.
Shopping bags full of baby paraphernalia filled the closet while other pieces of furniture, delivered earlier, took up their positions in the newly painted space. All that was left to attack was the fancy crib she’d chosen.
She’d refused Cory and Debbie’s assistance since they had Debbie’s parents visiting. Said no to Lisa coming over because the girl was a klutz, and would probably break something valuable while trying to help. And when Jeff had called out of the blue saying he’d arrived back in town, she’d gently declined to see him also. Glad they’d stayed friends, although she seldom saw him due to his busy schedule, she didn’t want to impose.
Left alone to face this nightmare, she decided one thing.
If a man can do this, so can I. Right?!! How hard can it be to use a screw driver and a hammer?
Hours later, frustrated beyond caring, she called Hampton, who said he’d be right over.
Then she made one last call to the man who still haunted her dreams.
“Kai, in case you give a shit, I’m going crazy trying to put our baby’s crib together. I have no doubt a lunatic—most likely a man—wrote these directions when he was either drunk or high. You are a piece of shit and if our baby falls when this son-a-bitchin’ thing breaks, it’ll be your fault. I hope you rot in hell for leaving me alone to deal with all this.”
She prayed he hadn’t heard her sob before she slammed the receiver down.
High Stakes Gamble
The sequel to Vegas Shuffle – to be released in late March 2013.
Aurora and Kai will be back together in this thrilling romantic suspense called “High Stakes Gamble.” Conflict throws a wrench into the love affair that began in “Roll the Dice,” and it isn’t certain these two characters will overcome their differences. Kai, stuck as an undercover agent to clear the streets of L.A. from the power of a dangerous mob, is finally free. He returns to Vegas with the intentions of taking up a parenting role with his and Aurora’s child—if she doesn’t shoot him first.
Aurora questions how Kai could leave her without any discussion as to why she did what she had to. She tries to believe in him but as the months pass and he stays away with no word, her love turns to hate and her trust withers. Sick predators who steals babies for profit interferes with their personal dispute and draws them back into being partners. A bizarre thief decides she wants Aurora’s newborn to be her mission on the dark side. She’ll make this beautiful baby her own, before disappearing completely.
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading
Vegas Shuffle
, book three of the Vegas Series. The sequel “
High Stakes Gamble
” will be released in March 2013.
If you enjoyed reading this novel, it would be a very kind gesture for you to leave a short, honest review on Amazon. Authors thoroughly enjoy knowing that readers like their stories. Hopefully, others will read your words and choose to buy the book because of your sentiments—and that would be real sweet!
About the Author
Mimi Barbour lives on the beautiful east coast of Vancouver Island and fills her days with writing and promoting her work. The rest of her day is spent in her garden, doing minimal housework, and visiting with her husband while he cooks their dinner.
“The favorite part of my job is meeting the characters from each new book. Designing them the way I want and having them act however I think they should. It’s thrilling, especially when most of my make-believe folks are so very interesting. They’re fun and surprising, and in most cases people I would love to interact with in reality.”
Other Works by Mimi Barbour
The rest of the Vegas Series
Book 1 of the Vegas Series
Hot Sassy and Intriguing! What's Not to Like?
~ Reviewed by – Windigo
Tough cop meets her match
~ Reviewed by – Clare Chu
Fast paced thriller with a heart of gold
~ Reviewed by – Gail MacMillan
Just a taste for greater things to come
~ Reviewed by – Beverly Wells
To purchase
Partners
on Amazon, click
here
.
Book 2 of the Vegas Series
Action and hot romance
~ Reviewed by – Kelsey Tanner
Cops, romance, and drama you'll love this amazing new romantic suspense series
~ Reviewed by – luvbooks
You will not be rolling the dice on this book- it is a winner already!
~ Reviewed by – Busy Happy Mom
Suspense and sparks
~ Reviewed by – Reader Forever
To purchase
Roll the Dice
on Amazon, click
here
.
Angels with Attitude Series
Paranormal Romances
Book one of the Angels with Attitudes series
From a lonely tomboy to a hotshot businesswoman, baggy jeans to suits and stilettos, we unravel the story of Annie and her path to finding not only herself but also true love.
To purchase
My Cheeky Angel
on Amazon, click
here
.
Book two of the Angels with Attitudes Series