Vixen in Vegas (Sinful Novellas) (10 page)

Instead of eating in the hotel, we decided to take a walk down the strip to find somewhere else to eat breakfast. It was a great decision, since we discovered there was a nice buffet, just around one of the corners, not at all off the beaten path, but enough so that the lines were reasonable. There I enjoyed all the things that I had on the ship…and more. The selection of fresh fruit was better. The ham was better. The Eggs Benedict were loads better…since I was able to have more Hollandaise. I love Hollandaise.

Ben watched me wolf down the meal and commented, “Too bad you don’t cook. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.”

“Oh, I can make this,” I said gesturing to the food on my plate.

“You said you don’t cook,” he added.

“Well, this isn’t really cooking, and my Hollandaise isn’t exactly from scratch.” I giggled as recalled all the packets of it that were packed away in boxes, just waiting for a cupboard.

“You can poach eggs?” He asked.

I nodded. “Of course. How else would I be able to make it?”

“Babe, I don’t know how to break this to you,” he began gently, “but you can cook.”

“Trust me. According to my mother, I can’t.” I shook my head for emphasis and focused on the plate while I cut my next bite.

“Are you sure your mother isn’t mistaken? Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and these opinions are based on differing tastes. Some people have great tastes, others not so much,” he commented. “What else can’t you cook?”

Setting down my flatware, I prepared to rattle off the items that I made previously and earned much criticism. “My roast is too dry, my chicken is seasoned too lightly, my stuffing is too moist, the ratio of beef to vegetables in my stew is completely off, and my cheesecake is too rich.” I started to tick off items on my hand again. “No, I think that’s everything.”

“Is she a food critic?” He asked with hands folded before his face, covering his mouth.

“Ummm, as a matter of fact, nope,” I replied.

“Masterful chef?”

“Uhn uh,” I responded with a headshake.

“And we’re back to differing tastes and opinions. In my opinion, you are amazing and as far as tastes go, mine are impeccable, and everything that I’ve tasted so far is incredible. I’m sorry, Sin,” he said seriously.

“For what?” I asked. “I like my life. I really do. Everything about my past, good or bad, shaped me, just as your past has shaped you. Without these challenges, we wouldn’t be who we are. I like me. And I love you.” I made a face to assure him that I had reconciled my past.

“This is all true,” he said quietly. Then he must have decided it was time to change the subject because his mood changed entirely. Sitting back in the booth, he asked, “What do you want to do first?”

“I’m pretty open,” I said, “but I really need to get some work done. I’ve taken enough time off. Now it’s time to get paid.” I smiled happily.

“I love that idea!” He exclaimed.

“What idea?” I asked a bit confused.

“I’d love to watch you work. I saw you packed your camera. I know just the place,” he commented offhand.

Already, I could tell that the wheels were turning, that he had something in mind. “What is it?” I asked.

“Well, I have a surprise for you.” He glanced under the table in a way that made me super self-conscious and had me squirming in my seat. “First, we need to change your clothes, get you into some sneakers or hiking boots.”

I shook my head. “I don’t own any.”

He looked incredulous. “How do you not have sneakers?” He asked wide-eyed.

“Let’s see…I don’t jog. I don’t walk long distances. And I most definitely do not hike.” I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms before me.

Then he said the words that struck fear in me. “Not even for me?”

My resolve was already crumbling. I could feel it. He even used those eyes on me. All I could think was that he was going to pay later. So, I closed my eyes and took a breath before answering. “Okay,” I said almost sadly. “For you.” Then I straightened. “And for the record, don’t abuse that. Don’t try that so often that you wear it out. Don’t…take advantage of my feelings for you.” With that said, I stood and walked out of the restaurant. By the time he reached me, I was pacing.

“So where will we find these shoes?” I asked. This would be the first shopping trip with him that I really hadn’t enjoyed.

Leaning over me and wrapping me in his arms, he said playfully, “You are going to forgive me. You are going to thank me for pushing you outside of your comfort zone.” He gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “Now let’s get your shoes and don’t forget your camera.”

By the time we made it back to the room, he had made several phone calls. The first, was for my shoes. “What size?” He asked pointing to my feet.

“Six,” I responded with a sigh.

Then he made another phone call. He made us a reservation. I couldn’t be sure what it was for, not the guarded way he was speaking. Nothing seemed to dull his excitement.

“You have no idea how hard it is to plan a surprise for you when you are standing right here!” He said happily. “You are going to love this.”

My eyes narrowed. “We need sneakers. I highly doubt that.” I commented.

“And your camera,” he reminded me.

We stepped outside the front of the hotel an hour later with my new sneakers. I actually liked them. He ordered me multiple pairs apparently so that I could choose. He even had the sense to order socks. I felt good…except for the whole confined toes part.

We stepped outside of the hotel and there was a Mercedes Benz and driver waiting for us. I just looked up at him in awe. I wanted to know, but I also understood how important it was to him that I be surprised.

“You win,” I said. “I’m surprised. So, where are we going?”

“You’ll see,” he said as he hugged me closer in the back seat.

I tried to be patient, but I was practically bouncing up and down beside him. “Are you sure you don’t just want to break down and tell me?”

Laughing, he said, “I want to see you work.”

“Well, how will I know when to start working?” I asked in frustration.

“Oh, you’ll know,” he said with a smirk.

Just then, we pulled into the airport and were dropped off at a helicopter terminal. The pamphlets scattered about the place suggested we were going to be touring the Grand Canyon. I couldn’t help it. The thought of all the pictures I could take there…made me squee…like a girl.

Apparently my reaction completely delighted him. “You ready to work?” He asked with a genuine smile.

“You do realize we could have just walked down The Strip, right? We could have stayed in the hotel room. I can take pictures anywhere. Really.” I hugged him closely. “Thank you for this. Thank you for pushing me.”

“You are welcome, Sin.” He said quietly. “It just makes me so happy to make you happy.” He shrugged.

“I’m ecstatic. And I’m going to thank you
so hard
tonight.” I said with a seductive look. I saw the way he had moved suddenly. Leaning against him I teased, “Speaking of so hard…”

Then it was time to hop on the helicopter, time to make memories, and time to just be in this amazing place.

Though the helicopter seated six passengers, we were the only two in it. I gave him a sideways glance. “Is this by design?” I questioned when I realized that there were others waiting and not joining us.

“Well, what if people were in your way while you were trying to take a picture?” He asked.

I laughed. “In that case, why am I not riding alone? You never get in the way?”

“Every photographer needs a good assistant. I’m here to assist.” He leaned forward as if to bow while offering his services.

“Oh, the pressure,” I joked. “I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

“Sin, you never have and I swear I can’t imagine how you ever would. You amaze me,” he said as he leaned in for a kiss. “Now get to work.”

As he said that, I could see it, one of the seven wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon. It was huge…seriously vast, and utterly amazing. While I don’t like the desert with its barren landscape, the oranges and browns…this time, I was able to see the beauty in the area. Gawd, Ben could probably make a compost pile look attractive.

The helicopter landed and though the pilot encouraged us to go hop a shuttle, it seemed that Ben had other plans for us. “Thank you, but we’re more the road less traveled type,” he commented. Then he grabbed my hand and helped me out of the helicopter.

As I stepped onto the rocky uneven ground, I was mildly disgusted to realize that I was glad to be in something that offered more support than my usual footwear. Dadgumit. I was going to appreciate these sneakers, even if only for today.

The pilot passed Ben a picnic basket. As soon he had a good grip on it, he turned and stood by my side once more. “Let’s go,” he pressed.

“Where to?” I asked, looking around. The area was so vast, so open, just begging to be captured. Oh, and I had just the camera to do it.

“You tell me. We have a couple of hours. We’ll wander around wherever strikes your fancy.” He nudged me with the basket, urging me to move.

With a shrug, I walked farther away from the landing area and closer to a plateau I had seen as we had flown over. Those stupid sneakers came in handy. With them, I was able to move faster than normal. At one point, I turned to locate Ben. He was much farther behind than I thought he was so I stood and waited for him to catch up.

“Sorry,” he managed, “I just kept pausing to admire the view. I would have expected you to do the same.”

“I have a spot in mind. It’s just ahead. Think you can make it,” I teased.

Nodding vehemently, he said, “Of course, I can. Why do you ask?”

I looked at him and my eyes narrowed. “You are just really out of breath. I was worried. That’s all.”

“It’s the picnic basket. And watching you walk ahead of me. That would leave any man breathless,” he said with what seemed like a forced smile.

I would have offered to carry it, but it seemed like the kind of thing that might completely emasculate him. And I would never hurt him like that. So, I kept my mouth shut, slowed my pace, and decided to break the uncomfortable silence between us with some inane chatter.

“Well, I thought you might enjoy this little tidbit in our quest to get to know each other.” I waited for him to acknowledge me. When his eyes met mine, I continued. “I received my first camera when I was ten, but it wasn’t until I graduated and received a nice digital one that I really found my passion for photography.”

“Who gave you that camera?” He asked, still sounding a bit winded.

“That was a gift from Jolie.” I smiled at the memory. “We had made a pact to leave. We thought we were going to take a cross-country trip over the summer, then come home and register for community college while we tried to figure out what we wanted to be. It just didn’t quite work out that way,” I mentioned as I became lost in thought.

Looking about, I realized this spot we were standing on was just as good as my far off plateau. “Hey, let’s stop here!” I was excited. More than that, I was on to something. I hadn’t really given this much thought before. I wasn’t known for being introspective. Mostly, I was all full-speed ahead. I was on the go, rarely stopped and considered…anything.