“It’s not a big deal.”

“Oh, but it is. It’s a huge deal. Gargantuan. Monstrous. Enormous. How did this happen?” I sounded as if someone had told me the world was going to end in three days. If I wanted inside Braxton before, I was foaming at the mouth to fuck her now. I wanted to howl at the moon over her poor, neglected pussy.

“It was my choice.”

“No shit. No one sane would refuse to fuck you, baby fawn. This is one hundred percent your fault. Now tell me why you’d do this to yourself.”

“That wasn’t part of the deal.”

“I want to renegotiate.”

“And I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” she snapped.

I didn’t have to look deep to see that the anger brimming her eyes was real. It latched onto my own rage coiling inside of me as my mind turned over the reasons why until it settled on the darkest possible conclusion. I immediately took a step back, giving her the space she coveted and hating myself for not listening sooner.

“Did someone hurt you?”

The words were out of my mouth before I considered whether I had the right to ask them. I was itching to turn this bus around and tear apart California until I found the dead fuck who dared.

Meanwhile, Braxton was blinking up at me in horror. “What? No! Of course not.”

I stared back at her, unsure whether to believe her or not. Like I said, I wasn’t the most honorable man around, but there were lines even I wouldn’t cross. Even if she were lying, wrestling the truth from her would only make me as bad as the man who hurt her.

“Fuck, I need a drink.” Stupid sobriety pact. I peered down at Braxton. “Ever been to Vegas?” She blinked her confusion at my rapid change of subject, but then her cheeks reddened in embarrassment even as her shoulders deflated in relief.

“I’ve never been outside of California.”

“Well, today’s your lucky day. We have two whole days to kill, and I know all the best games in Vegas.”

“But I don’t gamble.”

“You do now. Wear something nice.”

When Loren proposed showing me Vegas, I assumed he’d meant we’d be going as a group. Stepping off the bus in my sequin dress and strappy heels, I suddenly felt self-conscious when I discovered the bassist waiting alone. Finally, the question that had been circling my mind had an answer.

This was a date.

Somehow, I’d agreed to a date with Loren James.

Okay, deep breaths.

Maybe it wasn’t what I thought. Maybe Houston and Rich were already waiting in the car. They’d disappeared the moment we rolled into town, but they might have come back while I was in the shower.

“I underestimated you,” Loren greeted as I approached.

I let his gaze rake over me once I stopped in front of him and returned the favor by doing the same to him. Loren wore all black, making his blond hair appear lighter and his eyes even darker. The double-breasted vest he wore had white pinstripes, and he’d pushed up his shirt sleeves to show off the veins in his forearms and expensive watch. He’d even buttoned the front and tucked his medallion inside.

“How so?”

Pulling me close, Loren gripped my chin before whispering, “I bet you knew exactly how crazy you’d drive me in that dress. A virgin wouldn’t have a clue.”

“Something tells me you underestimate women in general.”

He snorted before letting me go. “No, just you.”

I didn’t respond as he opened the back door of the silver car that he’d been standing next to. I didn’t recognize the brand, but it looked like it cost more than all the pennies I’d ever made.

“After you.” He waved me in, and though the gesture was gallant, I knew his motives were less so. I shot him a sharp look before climbing inside.

“Satisfied?” I asked after he settled in next to me. My gold dress only stopped mid-thigh, much shorter than I remembered when I splurged on it a year ago. It wasn’t the kind of “flash” I was going for, but it had Vegas written all over it.

“You’d have to be wearing considerably less.” I pressed my thighs together, but of course, he clocked my every move. I’d underestimated him too. Loren wasn’t the airhead he pretended to be. He was smart, observant, and quick. What I liked most, but would never admit, was that he didn’t care about rules. “Just say when.”

“Never would be the answer to that, Loren.”

“Why? Because Houston said so?” He scoffed at the notion.

“Because I don’t want you,” I argued as convincingly as I could. The sideways glance he cast me made it clear he wasn’t buying my bullshit. Fuck.

“Then, why are you here?”

“I recall you offering to show me around.”

He laughed at that, an arrogant and husky sound while staring out the window. It was no match for the caustic smile that went with it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen straighter, whiter teeth. His lips that spouted cruelty on a whim was what really dazzled me. They called to my natural need to sin.

The city became brighter, louder, and more chaotic the closer to the center or rather the strip we got. I watched people herd themselves up and down the crowded sidewalk and outdoor escalators. Frantic tourists rushed in and out of casinos, shops, and restaurants, while others were content toting their frozen drinks from Fat Tuesday in the dry heat.

Turning away from watching out the window, I found Loren already studying me. “Are Houston and Rich meeting us?”

He lifted a mocking brow. “You’re smarter than that.”

My heart began pounding wildly in my chest. If he wouldn’t beat around the bush, neither would I. “This is not a date. I didn’t agree to that.”

“Then call it a pregame to fucking. Feel better?”

My lips parted and closed. Whenever words formed, they became lodged in my throat. Loren didn’t seem at all bothered by my stunned silence.

Nope.

He’d already pulled out his phone to play Subway Surf.

I was most disappointed by the fact that if he told me to spread my legs for him right now, I’d do it. It was a slim chance, but still…it was more than he deserved.

When the car slowed to a stop, it wasn’t at some glitzy hotel. It was someone’s home. A mansion, to be exact. The driveway was lined with more luxury cars as they waited for valet. When it was our turn, Loren took my hand and gently helped me from the car. He then placed that same hand on the small of my back and steered me toward the entrance. I felt his thumb rubbing my spine and took a deep breath. He’d been an asshole far too long for me to be fooled by his charm.

“Where are we?”

“It’s called The Palace. It’s a low-key spot with high-stakes games.”

“How high are we talking?”

Loren and I shared a meaningful look before he focused his attention on the woman in a dress tighter and shorter than mine. Two armed guards surrounded her.

“Mr. James, we’re pleased to have you back with us. Is it just you,” she asked, completely dismissing the fact that his arm was literally wrapped around me, “or will Mr. Morrow and Mr. Noble be joining you this evening?”

“As you can see, I’m not alone. If you want, though, I can pass Houston your number. I hear the thirty-seventh time is the charm.”

The poor girl’s cheeks reddened from Loren putting her in her place. Even when he was subtle, he wasn’t. She’d snubbed me, and somehow, I still felt bad for her. The fact that she had a crush on Houston and not Loren made her reasons even more confusing. Maybe she wanted them both. It was also possible she was pretending interest in Houston to make Loren jealous and—

Now my head was spinning.

It seemed to be a side effect whenever I strayed too close to Houston, Loren, or Jericho.

“That won’t be necessary,” she answered. The poor girl looked ready to drop dead.

Loren showed her a matte black card with nothing on it. It wasn’t until she scanned it with her phone that it revealed a barcode that spelled out The Palace. After that, she waved us in with a tight smile.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I disagree,” he casually said as he led me through the dimly lit foyer. “She didn’t have to be a bitch to you.”

“Because only you reserve that right?” How dare he play the hero when he was no different?

Glancing down at me, I wasn’t prepared for him to usher me inside a dark alcove and hem me against the wall. When he circled his arms around my waist and pulled me close, I let him. No matter what Loren said or did, when his hands were in play, he had me.

Because his touch felt like finding home, and I was too easily won.

“Haven’t you learned that when a boy likes a girl, he treats her like utter shit? It’s textbook.”

“I’ve heard that, but I didn’t buy it when I was six, and I don’t buy it now.”

Leaning forward, he skimmed his lips down my neck. “So, what do you suggest I do?”

“About?”