Bet Me Something (Something Series Book 3) (30 page)

“I never thought
I’d ever say these words, but I’m officially sore from having this much sex. So,
I guarantee you have to be.” The morning before heading to Vegas, he helped me
off the kitchen counter where we’d christened the granite with this latest
round.

“Really? Not
me,” I lied, knowing full well I’d feel the delicious soreness for days to
come.

“Yeah, right.
We’ve been at it like bunnies all week long. But once we get on the plane in a
few hours, you have to promise there won’t be any innuendos, butt grabs, or
cock gazing.”

I was mildly
offended. “You make it sound as though I objectify you.”

He kissed me
deeply. “I love when you do. And Vegas will be torture enough without you
making it any harder.”

I quirked a
brow, causing us both to laugh.

“See, I can’t
say
harder
with you making it dirty.”

“I have no idea
what you’re talking about,” I deadpanned, hoping like hell I could actually
rein it in. The challenge would be watching other couples in love and all
touchy-feely the whole weekend. I knew that would make it even harder—I mean,
more difficult. Great, I couldn’t manage to keep it clean even in my head.

I finished
packing my clothes in my suitcase and felt his arms come around me from the
back. “I promise to be good, starting now, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be
thinking about it,” I murmured.

“Me, either.
When we return to our own little world, we can go back to being bunnies.”

Our own little
world with only the two of us was amazing, but now that we were leaving it, I
couldn’t help but be slightly nervous.

Friday evening
in Vegas was a girls’ night and I was having an awesome time with Haylee,
Sasha, and their friend Catherine. Because we didn’t want to take a chance on
the men finding out early that we’d crashed Vegas, we were staying a few blocks
down from Josh and Colby’s hotel until tomorrow when we’d change
accommodations. We sat in the sky lounge of our hotel, sipping cocktails and
enjoying one another’s company.

Both Sasha and
Haylee were excited about surprising their significant others tomorrow
poolside.

“How do you know
they’ll be there for sure?” Sasha asked.

Haylee flashed a
smile. “Because I enlisted the help of Colby, and he’ll make it happen. I can’t
wait to see the looks on their faces.”

“You should walk
by them all nonchalant in your bikinis and check them out. See if they notice
you,” I suggested.

Both ladies
smiled, deciding to do just that.

Catherine was
seated next to me, and we’d been chatting it up since going shopping earlier.
I’d really enjoyed getting to know her. For a fashion magazine editor, she
definitely wasn’t as intimidating as I’d expected.

“So what’s the
plan tomorrow night?” she asked.

Haylee spoke up.
“I figured we’d start with dinner to celebrate the happy couple then continue
with an after party. Maybe go to a club or bar. I haven’t been out since the
baby was born, not that I’m complaining, but I want us all to have an evening
of fun. And who knows? If I get a couple drinks in Josh, I may even get him out
on the dance floor for a second time in his life.”

Everyone knew Josh
had only ever danced during their wedding reception. “If you can get him moving
with the club music, I would be amazed.” I couldn’t picture her mostly-serious
husband shaking his hips to the music.

Haylee laughed.
“Me, too, however that’s what Vegas is for.”

We all toasted
to that.

While returning
to our rooms, I walked a few steps back from the other ladies, next to Sasha,
allowing me to say a few words to her in private. “I’m excited to have a
sister-in-law I actually like.”

She smiled
sincerely. “Thanks. Me, too, although I’m sure the rest of your family doesn’t
feel quite the same way about me that you do.”

I scoffed.
“Believe me when I say Brian and I are the only normal ones, so you should take
any rejection by the others as a compliment. You two are perfect for each
other. I realize we haven’t really known one another very long, but I already
kind of think of you as family.”

“I feel the
same. So what’s new with you? Last I saw you, Colby was beside himself taking
care of you any way he could after the accident.”

Oh, boy. I
didn’t wish to lie, but I couldn’t go and spill the truth, taking a chance that
my brother would find out before Colby could speak with him. “How about I take
a raincheck on answering your question for a few more weeks?” By then, we’d surely
be ready to tell people.

She looked at me
curiously. “What’s happening, then?”

I tried to play
it cool. “Hopefully something worth telling you about.”

***

After arriving
back in my room, it was tempting to text Colby to ask how his night was going
or innocently say I was in my bed thinking of him. Ha. Who was I kidding?
There’d be nothing innocent about it. How funny that the last time we’d been in
Vegas nothing had happened between us, either.

Needing a
distraction, I took a long bath before settling down into my king-sized bed.
Damn. I had it bad when I couldn’t go one night without wanting to feel or, at
the very least, talk to him. Tomorrow when we moved into the same hotel as the
men, it would be torture having a room down the hall from him as Haylee had arranged
everyone on the same floor.

On the brink of
finally falling asleep, I heard my phone buzz. Reaching for it, I was
disappointed to see it was only a text from Haylee with a time and place to
meet tomorrow. Deciding I’d send a quick message to Colby, after all, I typed:

“One night down
with one to go. Miss you. Now delete this message or it will self-destruct in
3-2-1.”

I was too sleepy
to wait for his response but noticed in the morning I’d yet to receive one.

***

Because Vegas in
August was brutally hot, we girls were checked in and poolside at the boys’
hotel by ten o’clock the next morning. It was hilarious watching Haylee and
Sasha stroll by Brian and Josh as the men were ordering drinks at the bar. The
looks on the guys’ faces were priceless, and they both practically tripped over
themselves when they realized the gorgeous women in bikinis were, in fact,
their significant others.

The surprise was
sweet and it was obvious that both men were genuinely thrilled to have had
their weekends crashed. It momentarily distracted me from searching for Colby.
So when I heard his voice, I practically jumped.

“Hi, ladies.” His
eyes twinkled when he saw my reaction, but he quickly turned towards Catherine.
“Since we’re in Vegas where drinking in the morning is not only accepted, it’s
expected, can I get you anything from the bar?”

“Nice to see you
again, Colby.” She got up from her lounge chair and kissed him on the cheek.
She’d known him for a number of years, having been a friend of Josh’s. “I’d love
a Bloody Mary.”

He turned
towards me, flashing the PDG. “And for you, Kenz?”

“A beer would be
great, thanks.”

He was wearing
nothing but board shorts, and as he walked away, it was clear women were taking
notice. Who could blame them with his fine body on display? It would sure be
nice to be able to show everyone he was my man. Deciding this was torture, I
smiled at Catherine and excused myself to go in search of a snack.

After walking to
the other side of the pool, I ordered a hot pretzel, pleasantly surprised when
Colby came over to deliver my beer.

“Hi,” I greeted,
hearing my voice go husky.

The look on his
face made me realize it hadn’t gone unnoticed. “Hi.”

“You didn’t
answer my text,” I whispered, accepting my pretzel and walking with him along the
pool towards the other side where everyone else was.

He sighed. “I
wanted to, but I we were at a bar and I didn’t want anyone asking who I was
texting.”

I swallowed
hard, not liking the reminder of our secret, yet knowing it was ridiculous that
I couldn’t have gone one night without hearing from him. “Right. Guess that
makes sense.”

He gave me a
sideways glance. “Don’t be mad.”

“I’m more
annoyed with myself that I sent it at all. The dumb thing is we’d normally be
playing around right now instead of acting weird.”

I should’ve
known when his devilish smile flashed my way, he was up to something.

“You’re right,
so in the spirit of getting back there and showing everyone we’re acting like
we typically would, let me take your beer and pretzel. And in you go.”

And just like
that, he hip checked me into the pool.

I came up for
air, glaring at him despite my grin. Yeah, that would be something he’d do to
me before we’d become a couple. At least he’d saved my beer and snack.

Everyone else
shared the amusement. As they laughed, I caught Mark and Will’s nods from
behind Colby.

When I reached
my hand up for help, Colby was smart enough to grab onto the rail, knowing I’d
try to pull him in. But he was unprepared for the assistance of two strong guys
pushing him from behind.

He laughed, making
a show out of dunking me, except this time when I went under, I felt an
undeniable butt grab. I caught his wink when I broke the surface.

My brother
jumped in to give me a hug while the rest of the group joined soon after. We
hung out there until noon and then retired to our rooms with the plan to meet
up for dinner by five o’clock.

I was jealous of
the couples getting some alone time and tried to figure out what I would do
with my afternoon. Hearing the knock on my door sent my heart into overdrive,
so when I saw Will standing there, I tried not to look disappointed.

“You interested
in shooting some guns and hanging out with the boys this afternoon?”

I smiled,
thinking it did sound like a lot of fun. “I’d love to. Who else is coming?”

“Both Colby and
Mark. Catherine booked a spa appointment as she wasn’t really into it.
Meanwhile, we have reservations at an indoor range and, I believe, go-cart
racing afterwards.”

Sounded like a
good time to me.

***

After a great
day of hanging with the guys, one of which was my secret boyfriend, I returned
to my room with a lasting smile. We’d all four bet on everything from shooting
to who’d win the best out of five races. Mark, who was the quieter guy of the
group, was no match for the outgoing personalities of the other three of us but
admitted he hadn’t had such a good time in ages. Even if I didn’t get to touch
Colby all day, at least we’d been able to spend time together, having fun like
we’d always been able to do.

Donning a black
romper that belted at the waist, I hoped Catherine was right about the garment
showing off my legs, a claim she’d made when I’d tried it on yesterday. I wore
my hair down with large chunky curls, quickly put on some makeup, and met the
others at the appointed time downstairs in the lobby.

Everyone was in
a good mood, especially Josh, who’d found out that in addition to his wife
coming to crash the weekend, she’d brought the baby with their nanny. As she’d
said last evening, it was the best of both worlds to be able to enjoy the adult
celebrations and then come back to their daughter afterward.

A limo whisked
us all to a wonderful Italian place where both the alcohol and conversation
flowed. I noticed Colby was careful to keep his distance from me. Despite knowing
I’d agreed to this for the weekend, it still sucked. Big time. I needed another
drink, but not so many I got to the point of accidentally trying to dry hump
him in a corner of the club later.

 At the
conclusion of a great dinner, we walked the Strip a couple of blocks to our
next destination which was a happening night club. As soon as we made our way
in, Sasha and I excused ourselves to the ladies room, where she turned in front
of the vanity, complimenting me.

“You look really
great tonight. I swear you have the best legs, and Catherine was right about
that outfit showing them off.”

“Thank you.
Sometimes it’s nice to dress up my inner tomboy.”

She scoffed.
“Uh, nothing tomboyish about you tonight. And I can’t help but notice that
Colby is being very careful not to pay too much attention to you.”

I smiled,
appreciating her solidarity and wishing I could confide in her. But it wouldn’t
be fair to put her into a position where she’d be keeping secrets from my
brother.

After walking
back out, we made our way towards the VIP section where we had tables a floor
above the action on the dance floor. The place was starting to fill up, so our
exclusive area was nice in that we didn’t have to fight the growing masses.

I watched as two
beautiful women approached Brian and Colby, who were both standing by the
balcony. The women looked as though they were familiar with them.

Sasha’s brow
arched. “Do you know who they are?”

“No, I sure
don’t. Is it me, or are they kind of touchy?” Both women had hugged the guys.
Now they were unsubtly brushing their arms with their hands in a way that said
this wasn’t the first time they’d met each other.

“Definitely
touchy and flirty.”

Much to my
brother’s credit, he appeared instantly uncomfortable. My man, on the other
hand, was harder to figure since he laughed at something the brunette said to
him and didn’t seem to mind she was only inches from him.

“Come on, we’re
going in,” Sasha said, taking me by the arm and then leading me over to them.
Clearly, she intended to have the blonde standing way too close to Brian know
that his fiancée was here.

“Hey, Bri,”
Sasha said with a smile.

My brother
looked relieved, putting his arm around her immediately. “Uh, Simone, Rachel,
this is my fiancée, Sasha, and my sister, Kenzie.”

Both women
smiled, and we murmured our pleasantries, but it was obvious that Rachel, the
blonde, was a bit disappointed to learn Brian had a fiancée. She was quickly
consoled, however, with Will and Mark joining the group.

Now that I was
closer to Colby, I realized his smile was a bit strained.

“Are you from
here?” Sasha asked the girls, to which they replied they’d both lived here a
few years and worked in the city.

As I tried to
figure out why the name Simone sounded familiar, it suddenly dawned on me.
Crazy, aggressive Simone from the strip club, Lucky Ladies. She was the woman
Colby had been involved with albeit only for her pleasure if I remembered
correctly. As if confirming my thoughts, he looked away quickly, while turning
pink around his ears when I met his eyes.