High Stakes (The Kingdom Book 2) (26 page)

Aha, Rocara. Found it.

An order for seven of the most stunning gowns money can buy. There aren’t any prices on this form. Just a list of order numbers. These guys make the most amazing ball gowns and evening dresses, every one of their pieces is one of a kind and they use only the best designers. I’m totally jealous of the people that are wealthy enough to have placed these orders.

I call them and chase up the order. It’s in transit and should be with us tomorrow, so I make a note in the calendar, and start on the next task.

The office is quiet and Beth is working out on the shop floor, so I get loads done. The stack of files gradually gets smaller, and I’m making headway. I sit up and straighten my shoulders, rolling my neck to loosen it from where I’ve been hunched over the desk for at least the last few hours.

“Want me to rub that for you?”

I jump nearly out of my skin, assuming that I was alone and not hearing anyone creep up on me. I spin around in my chair to find Denham casually propped against the door frame.

“You scared me!” I squeal at him, but I jump out of my chair and leap in his direction, flinging my arms around his neck. He catches me around the waist and holds me tight. I kiss him hard on the mouth. Showing him just how much I missed him today. When I break away, he lowers me gently so my feet touch the floor but doesn’t let go of my waist.

“Hi,” he whispers, resting his nose against mine, and I giggle.

“Hi, yourself.”

“You nearly done here?”

“No, I have loads to do before I can go. Beth’s—”

“Beth’s done for the day too, you can go,” Beth announces from behind Denham.

I jump away from him and straighten myself out.

“Sorry, we were just—”

“No apologies. You’ve worked your ass off today, and I appreciate it.”

“I’ll come in early tomorrow and get all of this done.”

“No, you won’t.”

“Okay, uh, what?” I start to panic. Does she know about me in the rest room? Have I not worked hard enough today? No, she said I’ve worked my butt off and I have.

“Arianna, darling. You’ve worked so hard, I’m giving you the rest of the week off. I need you firing on all cylinders next week, so take the rest of the week off, relax, pamper yourself. Then come back ready for the craziness that happens after the summer ball.”

“Oh,” I say surprised. But I have no idea why it surprises me. My imagination is a dangerous place to be sometimes. “Thank you.”

“And you.” She points at Denham and looks at him sternly. “I would be thankful if you don’t distract my staff during work time.” He chuckles and doesn’t look in the least bit embarrassed but I think I blush enough for the both of us. “Now take this girl home and wait on her hand and foot. She’s worked like a Trojan today.”

“Thanks, Beth. I certainly will,” he says, stepping forward to kiss her on the cheek before holding out a hand for me to take. I grab my purse and we head out.

When we pass the large glass double doors, I look to see where commando is.

“No bodyguards this evening?” I ask.

“Nope. I’ll be the only one guarding your body this evening,” he says, causing me to laugh.

“Is that right?”

“Yep.” He stops in the middle of the sidewalk to turn to me. He brushes my hair from my shoulder and leans in so his lips are just touching my ear lobe. “I won’t just be guarding your body,” he whispers. “I’ll be touching it. And licking it. And I’ll make sure that I’ll be sucking it too.” He finishes his sentence by pinching my ear lobe with his teeth, then straightens himself and holds out his arm for me to link mine with. Again, he renders me incapable of moving for a couple of seconds, just until my body comes down a little from the high he puts me on, and my feet start to move again. I link my arm with his and he strides forward with a grin on his face.

AS MUCH AS I’VE
enjoyed the first few days at Chique, it’s been exhausting. I insisted that Denham go to work, much to his protesting. Today is not for him, or us. It’s a girlie day with Lottie. Today, we are shopping! Before I left, he tried to give me his AMEX, which then got shoved right back at him. He laughed it off, but I can see that he really wanted me to take it. We will have to agree to disagree on that one, as I will be paying my own way whether he likes it or not.

I’m still reeling from seeing Jonny two days ago. But, in the idea of being strong and moving forward, I’m putting it to the back of my mind. I know this is dangerous, and not a solution, but it’s all I’ve got right now. It’s the only way I know to not let him win. Anyway, it’s not exactly just me and Lottie. We’re not on our own and vulnerable. We have not one, but two commandos keeping an eye on us. This was at Denham and Spike’s insistence. I’m aware that they are shadowing my every turn, but they don’t intrude, in fact, it’s quite easy to ignore them.

“So what exactly are you looking for?” I say to Lottie as we walk down the strip.

“Something that makes a statement. I would rather be wearing something magnificent from the boutique my best friend works at, but she’s too stubborn to ask her boss if we can borrow something.” She looks at me with one brow raised.

“Lottie, you always make a statement, wherever you go, even if it’s just to the store. And you know my reasoning for not asking Beth. She’s done so much for me already, I’m not asking for anything else.”

“Fine. Let’s go find something else then,” she grumbles.

“What kind of style do you want to go for? Any colors in mind?”

“You know me, I like to be individual. I’ll know when I see it”

“I know,” I say, bumping her shoulder with mine. “And I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

“You should have seen the dress I wore last year; it was so over the goddamn top. I loved it!”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“So, I want to do something a little different this year. Actually, I want to find a dress that is so different from my usual style, it will make people take a second look.”

“Okay. And where are we going to find this fabulous dress?”

“I know just the place.” Lottie links her arm in mine and winks at me. There are so many little places I’ve yet to discover in Las Vegas and I can’t wait.

She leads me onto one of the smaller streets, and it’s lined with quirky little shops full of all sorts of different things. We enter a small shoe shop, leaving commandos one and two outside. Lottie pulls me to the back, behind the cashier and down a steep staircase. I frown the whole way, as this is totally weird, but I trust her so I go with it, being careful to watch my footing as I step down the crooked stairs. When we get to the bottom, we stand in what looks like the entrance to a huge walk in wardrobe. There are racks upon racks of garments, lined next to each other, all grouped in colors. It looks like a storeroom and it doesn’t look like we should be here, but Lottie steams ahead, rummaging through.

“Lottie …”

“Yes, babe,” she says without even stopping to look at me.

“What is this?”

She chuckles. “It’s a pre-loved dress store. The dresses are mostly designer, and cheap. Well, cheaper than they would be brand new, and most of them have only been worn once. Get over here and start looking … unless you want to fork out for a brand spanking new one …”

“No … I … “

“Here … how about this?” She holds up a deep red, floor length, satin gown. It’s very pretty but not something I would wear.

“No, I think maybe I need to go for something black and simple.”

“Well, aren’t you daring,” she retorts sarcastically, rolling her eyes. “I thought you were supposed to be the style guru.”

“I never said that.”

“Oh my god.” Lottie stops and scrapes all the hangers aside, bar one.

“What?”

“I just found
the
dress.”

“Lotts, we’ve been in here for a total of three minutes and you’ve found
the
dress already?”

She bounces excitedly before taking the dress off the hanger and holding it up against her. It’s perfect. Emerald green, Lottie’s favorite color. Strapless bustier, floor length, fish tail at the back, scooped up to just below knee length at the front, and gathered to create a bustle in the small of her back. It’s very pretty, and unusual at the same time. Much like Lottie.

“Okay, I’m trying this on. Grab a few dresses, Ari, you can come and try them on, too.”

“Okay.” I laugh under my breath at her enthusiasm; Saturday at the ball is going to be great fun if nothing else.

I pick up a couple of black dresses in my size; both of them are beautiful and fit perfectly.

Lottie squeals when she sees me in the second one. It’s floor length, with a split up one leg, cut outs at the waist and a high neck. “That one, that one. It’s perfect for you!”

“You think?” I ask, unsure.

“Yes, I wish you would go for something that wasn’t damn black, but if you insist, I like that one. You have great legs, Ari, you should definitely flash them in that one. You can have your hair piled high on your head, and just a few bits down here …” She stands on her tiptoes, playing with my hair and her eyes are wide with excitement. It’s enough to convince me to buy it. It’s inexpensive, and yes, it does look good. Do I feel a million dollars in it? No. But I don’t have a million dollars to spend on a dress, so this is the next best thing.

Well, that was easier than I thought. I don’t think I’ve ever chosen a dress so fast for something so important in all my life. If I’m honest, I’m still not convinced it’s
the
dress but I don’t have the time or inclination to try on a million things today. I know I can pair it with some killer heels, and have my hair done which will dress it all up, and it’ll be perfect for a summer ball.

We window shop for a while before making a detour into a little restaurant for lunch. I’m famished, and Lottie insists that we stop at this place.

We sit at a large table by the window and order a glass of crisp, cold white wine while we peruse the menu and watch the world go by.

“Are you ready to order?” I ask Lottie, who is being even more indecisive than usual.

“No, I don’t think so. I’m torn between the Caesar salad and …”

“May we join you, ladies?” A familiar soft voice comes from behind me and I look up at Lottie who’s grinning back at me like the Cheshire cat. I spin around in my chair to find not only my mom, but Dana, too.

“Oh my god!” I squeal, leaping up out of my seat. I haven’t seen my mom since she went away for a few days, and although I’ve spoken to her almost daily, being back in town and not being able to visit with her has been hard. I fling my arms around her neck and hug her tight. “What are you doing back already? Is everything alright?”

“Yes, darling. Everything is fine. Brent finished up with the business he was doing so we came straight back. Wanted to see my girl.” She smiles, pulling me tighter and kissing the side of my head through my hair.

“I’m so happy to see you, mom. And Dana. I didn’t realize you two knew each other.”

I hug Dana with almost as much enthusiasm as I did my mom. I feel a genuine affection for her, and I’m so pleased to see her with my mom.

“Oh well, we don’t know each other very well, just from here and there,” Dana explains.