that was kept hidden. Growing up in the spotlight had made Scott something of a chameleon. In fact, Hayden had never seen his friend in a situation that he wasn’t at home in.
Scott was one of the few people who’d seen him at his lowest. And that had forged a relationship in which both men felt comfortable with each other. Scott was one of his closest friends and Hayden was glad he would be visiting soon. Also, talking with the television people was a distraction. Seeing Shelby this morning, flirting with her on the phone and watching her like some lust-crazed man…well, it wasn’t conducive to work.
His cell phone rang as he entered his private elevator. “MacKenzie.”
“Hey, Mac Daddy. You up for poker tonight?” Deacon asked.
“Can’t. Maybe next month when Scott is here.”
“Next month? How about tomorrow night?”
“I’m busy.”
“With whom?”
“Why do you suddenly need something to do in the evenings?”
“Ah, let’s just say that it’s better if Kylie thinks I’m busy.”
“Lying to your wife?”
“No. What are you doing? Dating that redhead in the lingerie store?”
Hayden wished sometimes that he and Deacon weren’t such close friends, but the truth of the matter was, Deacon was one of the few people Hayden allowed himself to care about. “Maybe.”
“Great. Bring her over. We can all have dinner.”
“Can’t. We have plans.”
“Please?”
“What does Kylie have you doing tonight?”
“Dinner with the Vegas Preservation League. A bunch of wealthy do-gooders.”
Hayden felt for his friend. Deacon had grown up on the Vegas streets being looked down on by the very people Kylie had invited into his home. “Sorry, I can’t help you.”
“Page me at eight-thirty.”
Hayden laughed. He knew Deacon might want to leave but wouldn’t. He wanted to be with his wife. He was besotted with the woman and wouldn’t leave her side in spite of the VPL.
“Later, Deac.”
“Later.”
Hayden rubbed the back of his neck as he stepped off the elevator. God, he hoped he was never so wrapped up in a woman that he was willing to sit through something like that dinner.
Shelby was waiting for him by his penthouse door.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
He dropped his hands, walking toward her. “I am now.”
He leaned down to claim the kiss he’d been craving all day. She stood on tiptoe, leaning into his body. He cradled her to him, cupping her face in both hands and angling her head for deeper penetration.
His entire body tightened in anticipation. God, he wanted her. This wasn’t a lust thing that could be satisfied with any other woman. He craved her taste on his tongue. Her soft skin under his hands. Her soft curvy body against his muscular frame.
He whispered her name against her skin, skimming his mouth down the line of her neck and nibbling on the pulse beating so strongly at the base. She said his name in a throaty voice.
He bit her gently and she arched closer to him. He licked the spot and then suckled her there. He wanted to brand her as his. To make sure that any other man who saw her knew she was taken. That she already had a man.
She sighed, tunneling her hands into his hair and pulling back from him.
He raised both eyebrows at her. “Please say we’re staying in.”
“Not quite,” she said. Her face was flushed and her lips were wet and swollen. She looked as if he’d done so much more than kiss her. He skimmed his gaze down her neck and was pleased to see the mark of his possession there.
“I figured out something for us to do, but I couldn’t catch you before you left your office.”
She wore a pair of khaki-colored capri pants and a black tank top. Her hair was twisted up and tendrils curled softly around her face. Her eyes were wide and questioning. Clearly she was unsure if she’d made the right choice.
“Great. What’d you decide? Do you want to take me to a private gentleman’s club?”
“Has any woman ever suggested such a thing?” she asked in that haughty way of hers. This was part of the new Shelby. The old Shelby was very pliable. She’d done whatever he said and never stood up to him. But this new woman had a backbone and too much sass.
“I’ve seen it happen in movies,” he said with a grin. She made him happy deep inside where he’d been alone for too long.
“What kind of movies?”
He tipped his head to the side. “Come to think of it, not the kind of movie you’d watch.”
“Sex movies?”
“Uh, I’m pleading the Fifth on this one,” he said, taking her hand and leading her into his home.
Her deal with Alan had some pluses to it. Shelby had made arrangements to have Hayden’s yacht readied for them. Lake Mead was located just east of Vegas and Shelby had gotten driving directions from the bell stand earlier before going to get Hayden.
Shelby felt a little bit of dread at the thought of someday having to reveal to Hayden that his father was once again behind the scenes manipulating things. She made the decision right then to stop talking to Alan. She wanted to learn about Hayden on her own, not through his father’s scrutiny.
She shook off those fears for tonight. The sun was setting and a warm breeze blew through the open windows of her SUV. Hayden had a slight smile on his face.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“It’s a surprise.”
“Baby, I’ve lived here my entire life. I’m not going to be easily fooled.”
“I’m prepared for that.” She’d spent most of her childhood in Vegas and there was still so much she didn’t know about her hometown. Of course, she’d frequented places that Hayden would never have gone to. Places that were saved for the poor and addicted.
“How?” he asked.
She shook off the feelings evoked by her childhood memories and focused instead on Hayden. Focused on the fact that after all this time she was determined to make a relationship work with the man she’d promised herself she’d marry.
She signaled and pulled off the interstate onto the shoulder. The interstate was busy with traffic and she was pleased that Hayden looked a little unsure.
