Romance Warfare: a Tigress' Guide to NOT Secure a Mate(12)
“I’m not going.”
Dean chortled. “Have it your way then, don’t go. However, I’m going. And so is Eva.” He licked his lips suggestively. “That what you want? Me and Eva. Just us. Together. In Sin City. You know the saying, what happens in Vegas…”
Adam growled. “You’ve done a lot of shitty things over the years, Dean. But whatever it is you’re playing at now is not going to work.”
“Fine. If that’s what you want. Maybe I’ll go take her to see a Tom Jones concert.” Dean started humming “What’s New *cat.” “*cat, *cat, I've got flowers. And lots of hours to spend time with you. So, go and powder your cute little *cat nose. *cat, *cat, I love you yes I do. . .”
Adam’s shoulders slumped. He knew Dean had won this round. “Fine. I’ll go.” There was no way he was letting Eva go to Las Vegas alone with Dean.
No f*cking way.
***
Adam was watching Eva from the corner of his eye. She was sitting next to Dean, peering down on Las Vegas as it emerged from the clouds. He could hear her chattering excitedly that she’d never been to Vegas before. There was a smile on her face as the plane descended toward McCarran International. A dip of the wing and Vegas was spread out underneath them, sun glinting off the hotels and casinos lining the Strip. When she looked back over her shoulder and saw Adam, the smile dropped off her face. He felt defeated knowing he was the reason her excitement waned.
Eva was quiet for the entire ride to the hotel. Not even the sight of the Aria Resort, rising high above the Strip pulled her from her thoughts. Adam decided then and there that he’d leave her alone for the length of the three-day conference. This would be nothing more than an extension of work. He’d already been regretting this trip, no reason to add insult to injury.
***
Las Vegas was a sparkling jewel, but Eva couldn’t concentrate on the luxury surrounding her as the limo pulled up to the front of their hotel and a concierge came to escort them out of the car. She paid no attention as they were led through the towering marble and glass reception area straight to a bank of elevators. She’d been too distracted by thoughts of Adam. She still couldn’t get over how her body betrayed her. She thought she had better control than that. Not this weekend, though. She’d been keeping her distance from Adam. She couldn’t chance a repeat of the restaurant. And I guess I’d better start looking for a new job when we get back to New York. I can’t keep on working with Adam. Not like this. This job has taken an emotional toll, more than I’d anticipated.
Eva was so wrapped up in her thoughts she didn’t notice the tall, good-looking guy giving her the once over as they made their way through the lobby. Adam seemed to notice because he gave a low snarl in the man’s direction. When they were in the elevator on the way up to their rooms, another man sidled up to Eva and appeared to take a deep sniff of her hair. Adam bared his teeth and the man got off on the next floor. Eva, still oblivious to what was going around her, exited the elevator and made her way to her room.
Eva was fumbling with her room keycard, trying to juggle her carry-on case, and fit the card into the slot. Cursing, she dropped the case and wiggled the card, relieved when the lock finally clicked and the handle released. She gave a sigh and bumped the door open with her hip, reaching for her case. She stopped when she realized Adam was at the door directly across from hers. She glanced up and down the hallway but didn’t see Dean anywhere, then realized he didn’t get off on this floor with her and Adam.
Great, the two of us are neighbors. Just what I need right now.
She tried to get into her room without acknowledging him but he was standing there simply staring at her as she tried to wrangle her bags through the doorway.
“You know, you could help instead of staring,” she finally said.
Adam shook his head as if clearing his thoughts and stepped across the hall, grabbing her case from the floor and holding the door for her. He followed her into the room and dropped her case on the end of a king-size bed. She hung up her purse and dropped her other bag on the floor, turning to find him standing at the end of the bed, just looking at her.
She raised her eyebrows. “Thank you. I think we’re done here now.” She waved toward the door, shooing him out.
He cleared his throat and shuffled back toward the door. “Yeah, sorry.”
“Thanks again.”
“Wait, before I go, the itinerary…”
“I have it here.” Eva opened her brown leather case and pulled out a file folder, flipping through until she found the seminar itinerary. She pulled out a copy and handed it to Adam while glancing over the one left in her file. “There’s a dinner tonight, downstairs. It’s an introductory meet and greet.”
“Right.”
“So. I’ll see you downstairs at seven.” Eva gave a nod toward the door again.
“Right,” Adam said again and finally backed out of the door, shutting it softly behind him.
***
At seven o’clock Eva heard a light tap on her door. She slipped her feet into sky-high silver heels and sashayed across the room. She opened the door to find Adam standing there in a tailored suit intentionally cut to show off his physique. His shoulders were broad and tapered down to a V, his legs were long and muscular even in a suit. His deep brown hair was swept back, curling slightly over his ears. He’d shoved his hands in his pockets and one foot tapped on the carpeted floor. He was the perfect picture of an elegant, if slightly impatient, wealthy business man.