Free Falling Free: What happens in Vegas... (The Fall Series) by Annica Rossi

my disappointment,
he quickly explained.
    “Shay Roberts, my agent, will be
here soon to go over some things. Besides, like I said before, you’re going to
need your energy tonight.”
    I tilted my head inquisitively
and smiled noticing the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. What did he have up
his sleeve? If I had to wait until tonight to find out I might go crazy!
    “I have to get out of this bed,
Lo, before it’s too late.” He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead before
throwing the covers back and getting out of bed.
    My eyes were glued to every line
in his body as he walked over to the dresser and pulled out a small wrapped package.
How can a man be that fucking beautiful? His muscles rippled, and I swear my
jaw dropped as I watched the weight of his heavy erection bobbing with each step
as he returned.
    He sat on the edge of the bed and
looked down at it and then at me. “It’ll be okay,” he smiled. “It has to learn it
can’t be inside you every time you’re in the room.”
    I laughed as I thought about how
comfortable he looked naked and exposed, and fought the urge to crawl to him and
wrap my lips around it to persuade him to change his mind. But I somehow sensed
that what he was about to do was more difficult for him, so instead I found
myself looking at the small package he held out between us and quickly realized
it was a gift. For me.
    “I made this for you. Well, part
of it anyway.” He fumbled to find the right words and looked down at the box nervously.
“Just open it. You’ll see.”
    Tears filled my eyes when he
placed the gift in my hand. Memories started flooding through me. It was
unexpected. My dad used to surprise me with little gifts. Nothing extravagant,
but he would make a big production over the smallest things, and that’s what
made them so special.
    I’ll never forget the day I
turned eighteen. I was home from college for the summer, and I came down to the
front desk for my usual shift to find a small box waiting for me. There was a
note on top with my name on it in my dad’s handwriting, and as I started to
open it I looked around to see several staff members shuffling in with huge
smiles on their faces. The note read:
         To My
Golden Girl,
         This
is a special day for so many reasons. I proudly watched as you dug in with      determination
and learned every job at The Grand over the years. I admire the smart,   beautiful
and very stubborn young lady you’ve become—you’re just like your mother.
         You’re
all grown up now, and there’s still one last job you need to learn. The tavern
is        the heart of The Grandview, and you’re finally old enough to take
your place next to me.           As you know, it’s very special to me, just
like you, and my heart is full today knowing that   now I can share it with
you.
         Love, Dad
     
    My eyes were so blurred with
tears that by the time I got to the last line I could barely read it. Then
clapping erupted as I opened the box to find my very own bar key and nametag
inside. I remembered looking around the room with pride. This was my home, and
the faces around me were my family. I caught a glimpse of my dad leaning in the
doorway watching. When our eyes met I saw him wipe a tear from his cheek and
smile before he disappeared back into the tavern. At eighteen I guess most
girls would’ve expected a car or jewelry or even a vacation, but what he gave
me was worth more than all of those things put together, and the way he did it
would stay with me forever.
    I haven’t received many gifts
since my dad died. In fact, the last one I received was from Nina shortly after
his funeral. She made me a bracelet filled with charms that represented special
memories shared between me and my parents over the years. I still wear it all
the time. “I hope this makes you feel like they’re still with you,” she said
when she gave it to me. And she was right. It did.
    Now here I was,