Wild Luck (Vegas Billionaire Obsession #2) (6 page)

“No. Drew, you stay. Brad was just leaving.”

Brad’s shock was almost funny. He never thought I’d have the courage to kick him out, I suppose. He didn’t understand I was doing what was best for me now. Drew was more of a friend that Brad, and in less than two weeks of knowing him, he had done way more to show me he cared than Brad had done in five years.

“Are you kidding me?” Brad asked quietly, moving toward me.

“I’m not kidding at all. Get out. Now.”

He shook his head and didn’t move. “I am amazed right now.”

“And I was amazed that you had the nerve to show up here.”

Slowly, he moved toward the door, gave Drew the evil eye, and left. I felt so strong, kicking him out. I had made the right decision—although, even if it was for a fleeting instant, I thought I might have fallen back into his arms and forgiven him. Hell, I nearly did.

“Have a goodnight,” Drew said, waving him toward the door.

I shut the door behind Brad—it was a touch too hard, but I was feeling satisfied.
But what was Drew doing here?
I put my hands on my hips and turned around to face him.

“So...tell me. Why are you really here?”

***

Drew

I
hadn’t expected to find another man at her apartment. The man’s eyes moved up and down her body, and it didn’t settle well with me. I took a guess at what I might have encountered had I arrived just minutes later. Looking over at her now, her hair was out of her ponytail, and hung wildly around her shoulders. Her once-tucked in top—with the crease marks to prove it—was now hanging loose. There was no doubt that I walked into something intimate.
God, they’d be having sex right now if I hadn’t interrupted them
.

The thought of breaking something up satisfied me more than I would ever admit. Leslie wasn’t someone I could share with anyone. Even if we weren’t really dating yet.

“I really am sorry for interrupting,” I lied.

She rolled her eyes and shrugged. “Whatever. Anyway, you wanted to see me because?”

I had nearly forgotten why I was there, and then it dawned on me. But before I launched into my reason for showing up unannounced, I had to know who that guy was.

“First of all, who was that?”

“Someone that you shouldn’t worry about. An acquaintance,” she said, pulling her hair back in the ponytail.

“He sure looked like more than just an acquaintance,” I chuckled.

“Acquaintance is code for none of your business, but if it will get you to tell me why you’re here... he’s an ex-boyfriend.”

“An ex?” It was interesting to hear her admit it, and I felt a little jealousy creeping up in my chest.

“Yes. More like a jerk I dated for way too long.”

When she explained that, I felt a lot more reassured telling her about my reason for coming over. 

“So, he was
congratulating
you on winning the lottery, wasn’t he?”

She groaned. “This had nothing to do with the lottery. He didn’t even mention it.”

“Of course he didn’t, because
that
would be too obvious.”

Anger washed over her face. “How would you know, Drew? You don’t have a clue.”

“You just don’t want to admit I was right.”

I could see the anger in her eyes. “What would you know, Drew? You’re just someone who floats from one woman to the next, never even giving them any thought.”

“
Now
who’s jumping to conclusions? And if you feel that way, Leslie, why did you let me make love to you?”

“I’m still trying to figure that out.” She was seething now. “Actually, I’ll tell you why. I was using you, okay? You’ve got a rock hard, sexy body and I couldn’t resist your charm. So I caved, okay? I told myself I might as well enjoy you.”

“You don’t really mean that?” She had to have been saying that to get a rise out of me.

“I do. Look at you. You’re hot. And don’t deny you wanted it as much as I did. Besides, what would be the use if I held on to a deluded fantasy that you want anything more from me than sex, Drew?  You’ve probably never had a relationship that lasted more than a few days.”

I listened to her cutting words. When she finished, I used my turn. “You’re making a lot of assumptions. You are wrong. Very wrong, Leslie. I’ve only been in long-term, committed relationships before. I know exactly what it’s like, to fall in love so deeply, it hurts when you think about the other person. And when they hurt you, that pain feels like it could kill you...”

I stopped there. I didn’t want to argue with her. I hated arguing—it was pointless, and reminded me too much of my ex-wife. I knew she didn’t mean a word she said about using me. There was something deeper driving her insults. It was pain. Probably from that jerk who just left. But this visit wasn’t about me. So I got back to the point.

“Look. I care about you, okay? And I’m not afraid to admit it. I know things have happened quickly between us, and I don’t regret a moment of it. The only thing I’d probably change is I’d get to know who you are first. I’d want you to know me—to really know me, not have all these assumptions. I’d make sure you trusted me first. Because that way, what I had planned to tell you would be taken to heart.”

“And what was it you came to tell me?”

“For starters, that when money is involved... people tend to get hurt.”

“Hold on, back up a bit. Did you just say I’m making assumptions? Aren’t
you
?” she asked, challenging me. “You’re assuming the only reason my ex would come back into the picture is to use me. That doesn’t seem very fair, does it? Are you saying he couldn’t possibly want me? That he couldn’t be here to admit he had made a mistake?”

I knew how it sounded, but she had it wrong. I would never say that... not about her.

“I didn’t say that. I just meant that being too careful isn’t such a bad thing. You say he didn’t mention the lottery. Don’t you think it’s an awfully big coincidence? How long have you been apart?”

She looked down at the floor. “Long enough. And now, I think you should leave.”

I figured she wouldn’t come out and say it. She looked so upset I knew my time was running out to tell her what I had to say.

“I’m just going to tell you what I came to speak to you about, and then you can kick me out too.”

“Fine.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a business card.

“Okay, here goes. I have a lawyer. She’s really sharp, and she cares about her clients. I think you should talk to her. About winning; about planning and protecting yourself from the people who will be seeking you out to take advantage of you. All I’m asking is for you to talk to her. If you decide you don’t need her, fine. But I can guarantee you Brad is not the last person who’ll emerge from your past to make nice. Consider doing it for you own peace of mind.”

I kept my hand out with the card, and eventually, she took it.

“I’ll think about it. So that’s all you came for?”

“Well, yes and no,” I admitted, stepping closer to her. “I also wanted to see you. And tell you that you really surprised me back in my dressing this morning. And that I’m looking forward to Thursday night.”

She stopped in her tracks. For a minute or longer, she didn’t say a word. She seemed pensive, and her expression turned apologetic after that.

“Drew, I—I’m sorry for saying I was only using you,” she said.

She walked to the sofa and slumped down on it.

“I was a little upset about Brad’s visit. You’re right. He only showed up because I won. He may not have said it, but it’s true. He may have loved me once, but love doesn’t break up with you in a text message the way he did.”

My chest ached for her, and all of a sudden the anger rose up inside me. I wished I had clocked that guy. No one deserved to be dumped on a text message. Especially not Leslie.

“If he broke up with you like that, he doesn’t deserve you, Leslie. He’s not a man. He’s a fucking coward. And he’d better not come back around you, because he’ll have to deal with me.”

“Don’t start thinking about fighting. You men always go down that road with the testosterone, don’t you?”

“Not at all. I’m not a brawler. It just makes me angry that he could have treated someone like you that way.” 

“I guess you’re right. He came by to make good so he could start using me. I’m sorry I lashed out at you, and I want to say thanks.”

“Thanks for what?” I asked, sitting beside her in the sofa.

“For a few things, actually. First, for showing up when you did. I almost made a big mistake with Brad tonight, and I know I’d regret it. Second, for being real. Other than Monica, you’re the only one who hasn’t been treating me differently because I won. Third, for thinking about me enough to suggest getting professional legal help. It’s like how you went ahead and fixed my car as a surprise, just for
me
. No one has ever cared enough to do something like that for me. And you didn’t ask for anything in return. So I know you’re different. And last, for this.”

She leaned over and pressed a soft kiss on my lips. I wanted more, but she pulled back and stood up.

“I’m looking forward to our date on Thursday, Drew.”

“Me too. I want it to be a special night for you.”

She smiled so sweetly I could hold her and never let go.

“Maybe I should get going,” I answered. I stood up and faced her. I couldn’t leave. I saw the need in her eyes.

“I’d like you to stay, Drew. I—I was about to start dinner. Maybe you could stay and have something to eat?”

I thought she’d never ask. “Sure. I’d love to. Do you mind if I come back in about a half hour? I’d like to get out of these work clothes. And I’ve got a nice bottle of wine we can share.”

“Sounds great.”

“Okay, I’ll be back soon.” I kissed her on the cheek and left. I could barely wait to come back and spend time getting to know her.

I hurried to the parking lot, in a rush to get home to change and find that bottle of wine so I could head right back to her. Fate did not seem to want that to happen. That shithead of an ex-boyfriend was standing outside the exit door, waiting for me.

“You need to leave Leslie the fuck alone,” he said to me, standing in my way. He took a broad stance, as though he was ready to take a swing at me at a moment’s notice.

“I think you should get out of my face, buddy,” I replied. I had no patience for his bullshit, and was already pissed that he could treat Leslie the way he did.

“And what if I don’t?”

“Then I’m really gonna enjoy kicking your ass—twice. Once for blocking my path, and another time for treating Leslie like shit. You’re a coward, man. You don’t deserve a woman like that.”

I wish Leslie had told me that Brad knew jiu-jitsu. Before I could get my hands on him, he pinned me on the sidewalk, maneuvered me into a headlock and I could slowly feel myself losing consciousness.

Drew

I
saw her hurrying into the studio the next day. After getting my ass kicked and passing out, I had woken up spread-eagle in Leslie’s building parking lot. I managed to make it to my car, and tried phoning when I got back to my place, but she didn’t take my calls.  I considered going back to her place, but it was hours later. I knew she’d be pissed. I’d have to find another way to make it up to her.

As she passed by me, she had a broad smile on her face. It took me by surprise, considering she probably felt I had intentionally stood her up last night. I wondered whether she was really in a good mood or just putting on a show to make me feel insignificant. I tried to focus, but it was hard. Whatever Brad had done to me, it still hurt like hell, and I had a splitting headache.

I sat down behind the news desk on the stage. My speaking points were a blur in front of me.
Focus
. I gave myself a pep talk, trying to shake the aftermath of the serious beat down I had taken defending Leslie. I looked back up, but saw Leslie heading to Monica’s dressing room door in the hallway.

She was definitely avoiding me now. She hadn’t so much as looked at me that morning. She had a right to be upset, but I thought she would give me a chance to explain. A few minutes later, the two of them left Monica’s dressing room. Now, Monica wore the same smile that she did. Something was definitely going on.

Monica walked over to the stage and took her seat beside me. Our news segment was about to start in only a few minutes.

“Hey,” she said, barely looking at me.

“Hey,” I answered. I looked back at his script, but still couldn’t read the words clearly. “Is Leslie okay?”

“She’s great. Why wouldn’t she be? Especially now.”

“Why, what do you mean?”

She laughed. “It’s not my news to share. Maybe you should go talk to her.”

“I tried. She won’t give me the time of day.”

She looked over at me and shrugged. “You’ll find out, anyway.  Leslie and I are going to Las Vegas.”

“Just the two of you?” I asked, stunned.

“No, we thought we’d invite two random guys to go along.”

I didn’t appreciate her wry humor. “Nice. So when are you leaving?”

“Over the weekend.”

Interesting.
I didn’t expect them to do a trip so soon. From what Leslie had told me, she hadn’t even gotten the money deposited in her account yet.

“
This
weekend?” I tried to ask casually, but couldn’t.

“No...a month from now.”  She rolled her eyes. “Of course, this weekend. We’re leaving Friday after work and coming home on Sunday night.”

“Seems kind of sudden...”

“Sudden, maybe, but I can’t wait.”

“Two minutes until we’re live on the air,” the announcer yelled.

I dropped the subject and looked down at the script.
Why didn’t she tell me?
Unless they made the plans last night when I didn’t make it back to her place.
Fuck.
I hated that asshole Brad even more.

It was torture getting through the newscast. For one, I could barely read my lines with this wicked headache; and also because I couldn’t get her out of my head. I noticed when Leslie came in and stood in her usual spot at the back. I went about the newscast, only looking her way when the coverage focused on prerecorded clips, Monica or the weather reporter.