Page 14 of Unplanned Love

“What's that?” I reach out and take it.

“I'm not allowed to tell you where she is, but she didn't say anything about not writing it down.” She looks up at me. “You'd better be the right man for her, Ryan, because if you mess her around, then I will personally come to Vegas and cut your dick off. She's precious to me.”

“And to me too. I've never felt like this about anyone before, and to be honest, her being there thinking that I betrayed her is killing me right now.”

“Then get the hell out of here and get back to Vegas as quick as you can before she drowns her sorrows with another man.” Alison turns around and walks back to her desk to sit down. “What are you still doing here, Ryan? Get the hell out and find your woman.” She smiles at me. I walk away and head back to the airport. I need to get back to Vegas ASAP.

CHAPTER 7

Lily

I'm sitting in the casino at the Bellagio, drowning my sorrows in cocktails. Porn star martinis, to be exact. The world feels fuzzy right now. I've had to fend off about five men who tried to sit with me because, 'a pretty lady shouldn't be on her own in Vegas.' Like, excuse me, I'm an independent woman who runs her own business.

I turned my phone off hours ago. I've left it in my room. I don't want to know what's going on at home. I don't want Ryan to find me. Well, actually, I do, but I know he's not interested in me. Why was I so foolish to believe a man who told everyone he walked out on me when it was the other way around?

Taking another sip of my cocktail, my eyes glance around the room. There are couples here, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and then there are the individuals who come here just to play on the slot machines. I could watch these people all night. I don't want to play myself; I don't take those kinds of risks. I know that if I did anything tonight, I would regret it tomorrow.

A guy approaches me. “Hey, you look sad. Do you want company?”

I look up at him. He's handsome. He's around my age. I nod for him to sit at the chair opposite me. “Are you okay? I was watching you for a while. You look so sad.”

“Are you a stalker?”

He splutters on his drink, laughing, which makes me smile for the first time in hours. “No, I am not a stalker, ma'am. It's difficult not to look at a beautiful woman sitting on her own in the casino. It's not something I see often.”

“I've had a really bad day, and I just want to forget about it.” I pick up my cocktail. “Do you want to get drunk with me?”

“Hell, yeah, I do.” He picks up his drink, and we clink glasses. “Here's to getting drunk and forgetting about being sad.”

I smile at him and take another sip. Then I wave the server over to get us both another drink.

“So, I take it you aren't from Vegas?” He takes a sip of his drink, looking at me over the rim of his glass.

“No, I live in LA. I was here a couple of months ago as part of a bachelorette party.”

“Did you love it so much you had to come back? I always thought it was New York that was so good they had to say it twice.” His eyes meet mine, and I see the crinkle of his skin at his eyes.

“Very funny.”

We've been here for four hours. We had food delivered to the table, and the guy, Marcus, is really nice. If I wasn't in the process of nursing my broken heart, I would be all over him. Although, I'd say he's definitely not marriage material. Now, what the hell made me think of that?

“Do you want to go to the bar or somewhere a little more private?” Marcus looks around at the hustle and bustle of the casino.

I stutter. I don't know what to say. I was going to spend the night with someone else, but I just can't. I need to get over Ryan first.

Suddenly, there is a voice behind me. It's deep, growly, and I can't move. Am I that drunk that I'm imagining Ryan is here? In the Bellagio. Behind me. “Sorry, she's spoken for.” I feel his hand on my shoulder, and I'm shocked. I don't know what to say.

Marcus stands up. “I'm sorry, who are you? I've been sat talking to her for the last four hours. She never mentioned she was taken.” He looks down at me in disgust. “You could have said you were taken.”

“It's complicated.” I stand and reach out to touch his arm. I hear a growl from behind me.

“It's always complicated. Good to meet you.” And with that, he leaves. I stare at his retreating back.

I feel a surge of anger rush through my body. I turn to face Ryan and I slap him across the face. “You had no right to do that. Not after what you did to me.” I grab my bag and storm off through the casino. Ryan follows me, then he grabs my arm and turns me around to face him. Before I know what's happening, he's kissing me, and his arms are wrapped around my body. I struggle and try to pull away, but the feel of having him so close to me feels like I've come home. I kiss him back, but when he pulls away, I storm off towards the bank of elevators.

“Lily, we need to talk. But I don't want to do it here.” He looks around at the concierge who is staring at us.

“Are you okay, madam?” The concierge has come over to me.