Love Triangle Six Books of Torn Desire - Willow Winters Page 0,202

it to. The price tag was a little heavy, and I was waiting for my next paycheck to splurge on it and treat myself. When I went to get it, my size was sold out. They checked online for me, and they were all gone. None in stock. Discontinued.”

“What does that have to do with Brian?” She sets down her file and picks up one of the pink polishes.

“What if I wait for this great guy until I’m ready and then he’s not there anymore?”

“If he’s the right one, he’ll still be there.”

She’s right, but this conversation has made me realize I don’t have time to waste. I’m not seeing him until next weekend, anyway, but I shoot off the text I’d promised myself I’d save until tomorrow.

Me: Do you, Becker, and Jason have plans Saturday night after the cabana?

Brian: I’ll check. Why?

Me: Noteworthy is playing Hard Rock Hotel. Tess is trying to get tickets.

It takes a few minutes for him to reply, so I assume he’s checking with his friends.

Brian: We’re in. Tell Tess not to worry about getting the tickets. I’ll get them.

Me: It’s sold out.

Brian: I know. I’m on it.

The mysteries continue to build. Money isn’t an object to him and he has access to sold out concerts. Who is this man and why is he so interested in me?

Chapter Ten

As we walk through Mandalay Bay to meet the men on Saturday morning, my traitorous thoughts go immediately to the last time I was at this hotel. Posters advertising upcoming bands adorn the walls. I stared at one of those posters not so long ago and felt the man in the center of the image staring back at me, just like I felt his eyes on me as I stood against the stage gazing up at him.

Vail isn’t in any of the advertisements now that their concert date has passed, but his image is still burned in my mind.

I keep thinking I’ll spot him sitting at one of the Blackjack tables or walking out of one of the bars. That night I spent with him brought him from this inaccessible rock god down to human level, if only for a few hours.

But now he’s back to the inaccessible rock god, the man every woman would love a night with, the man who works a stage unlike anybody else, the man who was on a reality television show and became a household name.

We spot the men near the entrance to the pool, and I force the unhealthy thoughts away.

“Why don’t you all head to the pool while I get us checked in?” Brian suggests.

“I’ll come with you,” I say. I’m back to this weird dynamic of wanting to be with him versus extreme hesitance to get into something I’m not ready for.

A week away from him made me realize something, though: I really like him.

I’m afraid to admit it, but part of me feels like he’s exactly what I need to move on from that night that’s still so fresh in my mind two weeks later. I don’t want it to be fresh. I want the memory to fade, yet I’m holding onto it like a lifeline. I’m a walking contradiction.

Brian snags my hand in his as we make our way toward the check-in desk. The clerk taps a few keys then says, “You’ve reserved a sun villa on our third floor. It has a private pool for villa users and six lounge chairs. The covered portion has a daybed, television, counter, and small refrigerator. Your total comes to nine seventy-five for the day.”

Brian hands over his beautiful, black AmEx while I try not to choke on that total.

The hostess taps a few more keys and then shows us a map of where to go. “The villa has towel service, and anything you need will be there.”

It better freaking have towel service for almost a thousand bucks. I’m in awe that this is my life for today, and as I allow my gaze to settle on Brian’s muscular calves, I’m thrilled that I get to spend the day with this sexy man who’s already starting to help me forget.

We follow the directions to our paradise for the day, an oasis in the desert.

As soon as we set down our bags, a waitress who introduces herself as Joelle appears to take our drink orders.

Brian glances at me. “You drinking?” he asks.

I shrug and smile at Joelle. “Mimosa.”

“Bloody Mary for me,” he says.

She nods and scampers off, and I start