Free Loving the Odds (What Happens in Vegas) by Stefanie London

asked, twirling around.
    “You look prim and proper. Perfect to play the role of my serious, responsible girlfriend.” He’d meant it as a compliment but she wrinkled her nose.
    “That sounds about as exciting as a gluten-free muffin.”
    “What? That’s what we were going for, isn’t it?”
    “I guess.” She smoothed her hands down the dress.
    “You’d look lovely in a paper bag.” He laid a hand on her bare shoulder. “Honestly, you could walk outside in that T-shirt I loaned you last night and be the hottest girl in the room.”
    Her eyes widened but she covered it with an animated scoffing sound. “I know full well what you do for a living, Lance. Don’t think you can use those manipulative tricks on me.”
    “Don’t challenge me, Bailey. I’ll drag your ass up to any man downstairs and they’ll agree with me.”
    She took a step back. “You wouldn’t dare.”
    “I would. So take the damn compliment, would you.” He gave her arm a squeeze. “You’re hot. Deal with it.”
    She mumbled something under her breath but they didn’t have time to further debate her appearance. Breakfast started in half an hour and he needed to wash the tension from his limbs…among other places.
    …
    Bailey pottered around the hotel room, trying to distract herself while Lance showered. Her mind kept tempting her with naughty suggestions, like needing to grab something from the bathroom. Right now.
    It wouldn’t be her fault if she happened to glance in the direction of his naked body, right? He couldn’t possibly look as good under those clothes as what her imagination had drawn. Because her mind had created an image that was beyond perfection.
    There was no denying what she’d felt last night, with her fists curled into his T-shirt and her legs pressed against his. Then there was the jumping on the bed thing. The way he’d cried out her name in mock ecstasy. What would it sound like as he called her name in real ecstasy? How would it feel to be pinned beneath him as he drove into her over and over?
    “Stop it,” she said to herself. She’d only purchased two extra pairs of panties last night and she could not afford to ruin one now.
    But Lance Fulton was driving her undeniably and categorically crazy.
    “You’re his serious and responsible girlfriend, remember?” she said, glaring at her reflection. “Not the hot, sexy, bombshell girlfriend. Or the fun, pretty, sweet girlfriend. You’re Bailey Rueben. Reliable, sensible, and boring .”
    Tears pricked her eyes and she blinked them away quickly. The tiny pharmacy section of the hotel gift store only had regular mascara in stock, not the waterproof stuff she felt more secure in. Crying now would not only be embarrassing but they’d be late if she had to redo her makeup.
    Suck. It. Up.
    “Ready to go?” Lance walked out of the bathroom and a tantalizing waft of soap, aftershave, and man followed him in some kind of intoxicating cloud.
    He’d put on a different suit today. This one was a pale gray, the high quality wool looked soft and touchable. Underneath, he wore a white shirt that was open at the collar. The lack of color made his eyes look brighter, greener. And the crisp shirt made his skin appear warm and tanned.
    “Uh-huh.” Seems the scent had the same effect as his kiss. It was kind of sad how quickly she could be reduced to syllables.
    They made their way down the hall and Bailey couldn’t help but shoot daggers at the door to Julian and Selena’s room as they walked past. The elevators were bustling already, each one that opened already half filled with hotel guests.
    “We’ll have to squeeze into the next one,” Lance said, checking his watch. “We’re supposed to meet Janet now.”
    “Sure.” Running her tongue along the inside of her lower lip, she nodded.
    “How did you sleep?”
    Oh, I don’t know. I spent half the night lying awake trying to convince myself not to crawl into your bed and the other half dreaming about what it