Bedded Bliss (Found in Oblivion #1) - Cari Quinn Page 0,22

in this particular restaurant. “Really?”

“What, like they haven’t heard the word boob before? Some of them are still on the boob, for God’s sake.”

Okay. Time to go. Jinx a little rowdy in a bar was one thing. In a family restaurant—well, at least partially a family restaurant. Yep. Those Shark Attacks were potent enough that she signaled the waitress for the check. Room number flashy flashy and they were out and about again.

“Why are you being such a prude? This is Vegas.”

“Look, I’m a mom too.”

“Not this weekend you’re not.” Jinx batted Chloe’s hand away as she pulled her down the huge domed hallway.

“I’m always a mom. It comes with the kid.” She didn’t want to ruin anyone’s fun. And okay, she was probably overreacting a little. For the most part she didn’t care about curling into bed with someone. Hell, she was barely conscious by the time she actually found her bed. Between her job and Axl’s less than awesome nighttime habits, she was always in the negative column when it came to sleep.

So, no a guy—especially one offering up an orgasm—was not high on her list. A guy offering to get up with an almost two-year-old who wanted a glass of water at two in the morning was more of a draw.

But there were times that she missed sex.

And seeing all the couples littering the hotel had given her more than one moment of jealousy. Sure, there were a number of families, but overall, Vegas was for lovers and people looking for a hook-up. And she couldn’t forget the gambling, though the three of them were more than willing to avoid the games.

She playfully ran around Jinx and pushed her toward the jewelry store that she’d been begging to go into since they started shopping. It was dangerous to put a woman with no self-control into that arena, but she didn’t want them to fight.

She didn’t want to own up to wanting a little something more.

So, yeah, compromise using Nicky’s wallet. She tried not to wince when Jinx squealed and ran for the gemstone cases.

Ivy and Jinx cooed over diamonds and tanzanite in various settings. Chloe ran her fingertips over the gilded edges of the display cases. Having a toddler made her cognizant of keeping her fingerprints off the glass. Rubies fired, diamonds sparkled, amethysts gave off their cool understated luminosity.

But it was the sapphires that drew her.

Had always been the deepest of blue that she loved. The ocean, the sky at night—a perfect mix of the two that was only found in the deepest and darkest blue of a perfect sapphire.

“Would you like to see something?”

Chloe curled her fingers into her palm at the male voice. “I’m fine.” She smiled at the older gentleman with silver at his temples. “You can take care of my friends. I’m sure they’ll make you a really nice sale.”

“I’m not worried about the sale.”

She raised a skeptical brow.

“I make plenty of sales, young lady. I’m more worried about finding the perfect piece for someone.”

“I’m sure.”

He held out his hand. “I’m Nathan.”

Manners had her accepting his handshake. “Chloe.”

“Now that’s a beautiful name.”

“Thanks.”

He pulled a key away from his belt and slid the case open.

“Oh, don’t do that.” Her breath came out in a whoosh as he set the tray of sapphires on the glass top. Earrings, bracelets, and a host of pendants all fired off black velvet. Spotless, lintless, perfect velvet.

She couldn’t stop herself from drawing the edge of her nail across the tennis bracelet. Each sapphire was bisected by a diamond. Beyond beautiful.

“They are, aren’t they?”

She hadn’t realized she’d said it out loud. “Yeah. I know most people go for the flash, but I’ve just always loved the deep blue.”

“As a personal preference, or because you know the deeper the blue, the more they’re worth?”

“Really?” She’d never done her homework about gemstones. They were always so far out of reach that she barely had a hint of want. “Just reminds of the ocean at night. When the light hits it right, it just glows.”

“And that should always be the reason to love a gemstone. That’s true love right there.”

She shrugged. “Impossible love for me. I’m more likely to get a gumball from my son.”

“Son?”

She smiled. “Light of my life.” She took out her phone and flashed him the screensaver. Messy red hair and the biggest brown eyes she’d ever seen to go with the most mischievous smile ever captured on film. She saw it nearly every day, but it was rare