Hell on Heels (Hotel Rodeo #1)(48)

“I don’t have much choice, Ty. I don’t drive.”

His frown deepened. “What do you mean you don’t drive?”

“Exactly what I said. I don’t have a license. In Manhattan I never needed a car. They really aren’t necessary there, and even if you have one, it’s impossible to find parking. So you see? Staying with you just doesn’t work for me. I need a place on The Strip. That’s why I was going to the Aria last night.”

“If that’s what you really want,” he shrugged, “suit yourself.”

His blithe response hit her like a bucket of ice water. It was also a wake-up call.

“What was all this about? Why did you bring me out here?”

“Told you why.” He inclined his head toward the window.

“I’m serious, Ty. I need to know where this is going.”

“Going?” he repeated blankly. “That question seems to imply an end point of some kind. I don’t like to think in those kinds of terms.”

“But I do. The very nature of a relationship is a progression, Ty. It’s how it works.”

His gaze narrowed. “Then maybe that’s why relationships don’t work for me.”

“I see.” Her stomach dropped.

“Look, Monica, I was straight with you from the start. I thought we were having a good time together. Why does it have to be more than that? Why can’t we just live today and let tomorrow take care of itself?”

“I’m sorry, Ty, but playing fast and loose doesn’t work for me.” She could never tell him the rest—that she was desperately afraid of falling in love with someone who wouldn’t love her back.



Guilt knifed Ty’s gut at the flash of pain that dulled her soft gray eyes, but he couldn’t take his words back because it was true. His instincts recoiled at anything that hinted at commitment. He’d made that mistake once and had lost half of what meant the most to him—his family ranch. And Delaney didn’t even need it. She’d taken it and held on to it just to be vindictive, to punish him for something he didn’t even know if he’d really done. If that was love, he wanted no part of it.

Ironically, it was Monica who’d created this new complication in his life and Delaney who’d come up with a potential solution. He knew it wasn’t an altruistic move on Delaney’s part. She wanted something from him, but he didn’t have a clue what it might be—other than his half of the ranch.

He hadn’t wanted to leave Monica so soon, but his ex had already texted that their plane was about to land. With tens of millions on the line, he’d have to spend the weekend schmoozing Uncle Phil. Part of him resented it, but his options were nil. He’d busted his ass to build something out here in Vegas, to make something of his life, and he still had hopes of doing that if he could come up with the cash.

He understood Monica’s position and knew it wasn’t personal—not anymore anyway. Fact was, she had her life and he had his. Their roads had converged for a time and would soon divide again, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy the short ride together. At least that’s how he’d looked at it. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her and never would have brought her out to his place if he’d guessed how it would end up. Why couldn’t she be content with the present without demanding what he wasn’t able to give? Maybe part of him had wanted to share his hopes, dreams, and ambitions with her, but Monica always had to have everything on her terms, and his weren’t negotiable, which left them once more at a total impasse.



As soon as Ty left, Monica followed suit, checking into the Aria, where she spent the morning highlighting apartment ads. There was no lack of options, but she still hesitated to act. Tom was the only reason she’d come to Las Vegas. As much as she loved him, she couldn’t live for him. She needed to get on with her own life. And right now it was a great big tangled mess, and her involvement with Ty had only made it worse. Last night she’d gone out on a limb. After the intimate dinner, she’d begun to think there might be something real growing between them. But she’d only fooled herself.

A dull throb settled over her, as relentless and remorseless as an aching tooth. She threw down the rental listings with an exasperated sigh, no closer to a resolution on anything. She thought once more of Evan’s call. Part of her dreaded the idea of seeing him again after their nasty split, but she reminded herself that he could be the solution to her troubles.

If Evan was prepared to offer anything close to a fair price, she’d persuade Tom to sell. End. Of. Story. Once the place sold, she’d be free to start over. Maybe Boston? Or even London? She had a number of contacts in the London financial district. A fresh start. That’s exactly what she needed. New city. New job. New life—someplace far away from Ty Morgan.





Chapter Fifteen


Tom clicked off the TV the moment Monica walked in and picked up his iPad. His eyes softened as she stopped to kiss his weathered cheek. “How are you doing today, Tom?”

Bored shitless.

“I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?”

Send me home.

“I’m sorry, but you know we can’t do that. The ranch is too far away from a hospital. What if something were to happen? Please try to understand. I hate this as much as you do, but you still need access to medical care that isn’t available out at your ranch.”