statues,” he said, “there’s more to see.”
“I don’t think anything can top this, but okay.”
We only walked for a short bit before I stood corrected.
Pausing in front of a restaurant, I pointed at the name.
Eggslut.
“I’m beginning to think this casino is run by a pervert.” I tilted my head. “And now I don’t know if I’m hungry or aroused.”
“We can go back to the room so I can take care of both,” Maximo offered, his tone playful while the look in his eyes was anything but.
Oh, this is gonna be a fun day.
Leaning into him, I grinned. “Later, Daddy.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re going to earn a red ass before you ride my face?”
“Because I’m very lucky,” I blurted without thought.
Maximo didn’t respond verbally, but he did get a tender look on his face that hurt beautifully.
“Ready?” I asked when I couldn’t stand the intensity any longer.
He answered my question with one of his own. “Are you actually hungry?”
“No, I’m good.”
Keeping a possessive arm around me, Maximo gave me a tour of the expansive building. There was too much to see to waste time with window shopping, but I did pop into an eyewear place for a kickass pair of silver aviators for me and a black pair for Maximo.
When we got outside, I was grateful for the impulsive buy because the sun was blinding. I lowered my shades from the top of my head to cover my eyes as Maximo put his on.
How does he keep getting hotter?
This has to be some kind of witchcraft.
“Cosmopolitan is near the center of the Strip, so pick which direction you want to go,” Maximo said.
I looked one way then the other before seeing what I wanted. “This way.”
“Shops at Crystals?”
Since I was fairly certain they ran a credit check just to step foot inside, I shook my head. “Even better.”
We walked for a bit before finally reaching New York-New York.
“You want chocolate?” Maximo asked, looking up at signage for the Hershey’s store located in the resort.
“No.” I paused before amending, “Well, yes. But I also want to ride the coaster and then eat a New York hot dog.”
“You don’t like heights,” he pointed out.
“Which is why I want to ride first then eat.”
My stomach already churned with a mix of excitement, adrenaline, and horror that left me queasy.
Despite the line for the coaster stretching on forever, Maximo sent one text and we were on the next ride. I chose safe seats in the middle, but there was only so much safety to be found on a coaster attached to the outside of a building. Luckily, Maximo sacrificed his hand so I could death grip it.
“Want to do it again with the VR goggles?” he asked when we got off.
My stomach dropped and turned. “No, once was enough. I just wanted to say I rode it.”
He tugged my ponytail, but there was concern in his eyes. “You still want that hot dog?”
“Definitely.”
Maybe.
Walking the winding halls of New York-New York was like stepping into an old NYC neighborhood. There was even a deli that looked nearly identical to one that’d been down the street from my grandparents’ house.
The smells wafting from the restaurants were enough to make my mouth water. I stuck with my original choice of a hot dog and Maximo grabbed a slice of pepperoni pizza that was good, but not New York good.
“Does it look like the real thing?” Maximo asked as we threw our trash away and strolled through the rest of the fake neighborhood.
“I remember it being bigger,” I joked. “But kinda.”
I’d been born in New York and had moved to the city as a toddler. A big chunk of my life had been spent there, yet I’d never felt like a New Yorker.
I’d never felt like anything but a nomad.
Temporary.
That hadn’t changed, but at least I felt some semblance of stability for the first time.
“Take a picture with me,” I blurted suddenly, wanting a keepsake beyond the bellyache that was already fading.
Surprisingly, Maximo didn’t hesitate. He pulled his phone out, brought up the camera, and handed it to a middle-aged passerby to take our picture in front of a fake stoop.
“Beautiful,” the woman said, a hint of swoon in her voice. “Now one with you kissing.”
Before I could laugh or say anything, Maximo cupped my head in his possessive hold and kissed me.
It may have been quick, but it was intense.
And I wasn’t the only one who thought so, based on the woman’s breathy, “Wow.”
I second