Free Sinful (Restless Nights) by Mila Elizabeth Brenton Page A

few more attempts from Cole during that time and found that I actually liked the guy as I got to know him. My heart never pitter pattered, but he was still fun to talk to.
     
    ****
     
    Did I mention I hate flying? Yeah , well I do. It’s such a pain, so I made the courageous decision to drive my directionally challenged ass to Vegas from my hometown of Novato, Ca.
    The drive had been long , and I swear the lady shouting at me from my GPS was about to tell me to just take whatever damn road I wanted, all because I didn’t listen to her a few times. In my defense, what good is a road trip without music? Blaring music that is. Perhaps she didn’t like the random collection. A little bit of country and little bit of rock, and well, everything in between.
    I sighed as I pulled up to the valet at the Blackstone, where the convention was being held. The stress of driving all day was released with the heavy sigh and quickly replaced by a more excited breath of pure awe.
    I’d never seen a place more overwhelming, more amazing, more glitzy or more overindulgent. I was ready to have some fun. The valet gave me a knowing smirk as he took in my face.
    “Welcome to the Blackstone . Is this your first time staying with us?”
    I smiled as I stepped from my SUV and grabbed my purse. “It’s my first time in Vegas .”
    The valet attendant, Mark , according to the silver name tag on his black suit jacket, smiled even brighter. “Well, welcome to Vegas. Where your sins stay secret.”
     
     

Chapter Two: Jace
Crossing States And Blurring Lines
     
    I felt like a crazy stalker. The sweat was gathering on my palms, making them slick. I wiped them down my thighs. I was thankful the material of my jeans was dark enough not to show the sweaty palm prints. I watched the vehicles pull up to the front of the resort, waiting for her to show up. My breath caught when a dark haired beauty rounded the back of a charcoal SUV. She was smiling and laughing at whatever the bellboy had just said. My gaze tracked her every movement as she entered and headed to the front reception desk to check-in. It was now or never, and to be completely honest with myself, I was turning into a total chicken shit.
    What the fuck was I supposed to say to her? Oh hey, Avery, I know this looks bad, but yeah, I have a thing going on here in Vegas this weekend, so I booked the same hotel I knew you would be staying at.
    Yeah , that wouldn’t sound stalkerish at all. Plus, if I couldn’t get my shit together and I continued to ogle her like I was doing right now, I would look like a possible adulterous bastard, since I had yet to tell her about Gemma leaving.
    I blew out the breath I’d held way too long and moved toward her. As if the universe was pushing me forward only to hold me still, she turned and caught my gaze. Reflective blue eyes held me captive. I stood there like a pussy and simply stared at her. Her eyes were the most unusual shade of blue and gold. The gold ring that seeped into the deep icy blue captured me. Her arched brows rose and her pouty lips parted to say something, but no words escaped.
    “Ms Davis?” The receptionist tried to draw her attention.
    Avery didn’t look away, but muttered , “Just a second.”
    Her movement looked nervous as she took a step towards me. Her head tilted and the corner of her mouth lifted in a sexy smirk. “Jace?”
    My pulse jumped at hearing that intoxicatingly sinful voice of hers for the first time, while my cock twitched as she said my name. I had to hold back a groan. My name sounded too damn good slipping from her lush lips.
    “Hey .”
    Lame, jackass.
    She laughed lightly and closed in on me. Ah fuck, she even smelled good. Honey and citrus.
    “What are you doing here?”
    I fumbled for an answer that would explain the very strange semi-coincidence that had us meeting in the lobby of her—well our—hotel.
    “I am not stalking you .”
    Way to go . I shook my head, and she looked at me like I was as