DOUBLE TROUBLE: TROUBLE IN VEGAS series Read online

  DOUBLE TROUBLE IN VEGAS

  Two Book Set

  Trouble in Vegas

  A Hot Night in Vegas

  PATRICE WILTON

  Copyright © 2016 by Patrice Wilton

  Published by Dreamscape Press

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  TROUBLE IN VEGAS

  by

  Patrice Wilton

  A bride-to-be is in Vegas with her sister and bridesmaid to celebrate her upcoming wedding when calamity, chaos and a hot guy named Josh, sets her life on a different course!

  Fans of Serendipity Falls will love this new sexy, romantic Cupid caper!

  PROLOGUE

  I’m Cupid, you know—the little guy with the bow and arrow. You might remember me from Serendipity Falls in Mammoth, California. That was some place, I gotta say. Residents thought there was a love bug in the spring water since weddings were so plentiful, and divorces non-existent. But no. It was just me up to my old tricks. Anyway, you’ll find me here in Vegas for awhile, helping out my young cousin Vinnie. He’s a piece of work, let me tell you. When I showed up I couldn’t find him anywhere. Said he’d be at Mandalay Bay and I searched their casino high and low, until I finally found my cousin curled in a ball, sound asleep in a martini glass at the Daylight Beach Club. Lucky for him, some bartender didn’t toss his ass out in the trash, or rinse him down the drain. Would have served him right.

  I’m here to teach him the ropes. So far he hasn’t done a darn thing to help this town. Everyone comes to Vegas for a good time, a quick roll of the dice, and love rented by the hour. Well, with my help I hope to change all that. Vegas will never be the same, loosey-goosey, free-for-all. What happens here, will not stay here. Not on my watch.

  Cheap wedding chapels will be replaced with more meaningful establishments where love and marriage is sacred, and treated with dignity and respect.

  There will always be people who want an Elvis wedding, and I’ll continue to cringe and close my eyes, but for those who want that once-in-a-lifetime love, I’m here to help them find it.

  Right now, Vinnie and I are laying low. Watching the crowd of revelers, looking for that special someone who deserves a whole lot of love. I’m a pretty good judge of character—if I do say so myself—and I won’t waste an arrow on just anyone. When I shoot, it’s with great care and caution, not wanting to open someone to the magic of love if that person is already in a relationship, a player, or deemed unworthy. I will do the deeming, as I don’t trust young Vinnie.

  My eyes are drawn to a beautiful young woman as she heads for the bar. She is smiling broadly and waving to a couple of fine looking ladies, who are chatting with two men. The fellows are dressed in business suits and look acceptable even to my high standards.

  “Check out the foursome at the bar,” I whisper in Vinnie’s ear. “They look young and eager.”

  “You want me to give it a shot?” He whispered back.

  “Let’s watch for a few more minutes. No need to be hasty,” I tell him. “Oh, look. That pretty blonde is fluttering her eyes at the good-looking dude next to her. I think she’s already half way there.”

  “Okay, okay. Say no more. I’m on it.”

  Just as Vinnie raises his bow and arrow, my instincts cry out. Don’t let him shoot, they tell me! I always listen to my instincts as they are always right. I raise my hand to stop him but I’m an instant too late.

  The third woman arrives and leans in to whisper something to the pretty blonde flirting with the young man. Everything happened in slow motion after that.

  Like watching a movie, I see the arrow arcing in the air. It passes over the rows of slot machines, clearing them by at least ten feet. It’s invisible to humans and can’t be detected on film, but I see it clear as day.

  I hold my breath just as the tip of the arrow pierces the new arrival’s neck.

  “You hit the wrong girl!” Cupid exclaimed. “Not what have you done?”

  CHAPTER ONE

  Nikki Collins stepped off the elevator and immediately went in search of her sister and her best friend. They were staying at the Mandalay Hotel in Vegas to celebrate her upcoming wedding, a quick weekend getaway just for the three of them—the bride, bridesmaid and maid of honor.

  The girls had come downstairs ahead of her as she had wanted to talk to her fiancé and let him know that she and her sister had arrived safely after their five hour drive from Mesa, Arizona.

  She strode through the casino, searching for Melanie and Jennifer, who were waiting at the bar. Excitement put a bounce in her step, and a sappy grin on her face. All this glitz and glamour, and a penthouse suite—well, it was certainly more exciting than a day back home teaching school.

  After making her rounds through the rows of slot machines she caught a glimpse of the back of her sister’s head. Shiny blonde hair fell straight to Melanie’s shoulders, her trim body seated on the edge of a bar seat. She was leaning forward, holding a conversation with Jennifer and a couple of guys in suits.

  As she got closer, Melanie turned her head, spotted her and waved. Nikki’s smile slipped. She didn’t want to share this night with any guys. It was a girl’s weekend, and she didn’t want cute guys spoiling it. And they were cute.

  She stepped up to the bar and put a hand on her sister’s bare back. Melanie wore a silver halter top that sparkled under the lights, with black skinny jeans that looked fabulous on her. She was twenty-two, eighteen months younger than Nikki, and had just graduated from nursing school. Not only was she pretty, vivacious, but Melanie was also a big flirt. The doctors in med school had better beware with her around, or they might easily get distracted, Nikki often thought.

  “Here I am! Sorry to keep you waiting, but I had to make that call. Took me a half hour to get hold of David, but I finally did.” She looked at both women and gave them a playful grin. “Looks like you weren’t missing me.” She edged herself at the bar between the men and her friends, hoping her appearance might put a kibosh on the flirtation. “Should we get a high top table?” she asked.

  Melanie shook her head. “We’re good here. These nice men bought us a drink.”

  Nikki nodded at them and smiled, but didn’t want to encourage them with a hello.

  Jennifer waved her pink martini. “I’m having a Cosmo. It’s great.”

  “Good. Maybe I’ll have one too.” She smiled at Jen. Her best friend was a striking brunette, a computer whiz, and an intern with Microsoft. They’d been room mates in college but now she lived in Silicone Valley, and had flown in earlier today, surprising the sisters by upgrading their accommodations from a normal room with two Queen beds to a luxury penthouse suite.

  “I’ve missed you so much,” Nikki told her. “And you are too generous by far. I’ve never seen such a big suite! Over a thousand feet of pure indulgence. And with such a jaw dropping view of the entire strip! I almost hated to leave it.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” Jen said with a warm smile. “And you deserve it. I know how stressed you’ve been lately. This weekend will give you a chance to kick back and relax.”

  “Relax?” Melanie laughed. “In Vegas. Did you see the beach club? That pla
ce is crazy!” She tossed her head and glanced at the two men being ignored by her sister. “We only have three nights here, and not a moment to waste. Especially since we aren’t the ones getting married.”

  “True. But I don’t have much longer as a single girl and I thought we were going to have a girl’s weekend.” Nikki put her arm on the bar, effectively shutting the guys out of the conversation. “We need to catch up, Jen. It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other.”

  Jennifer glanced around her and winked at one of the guys. “We will, I promise. But we’re having a nice conversation with these fellows. They’re here for a convention and we told them all about you, and the wedding in two weeks.”

  Before Nikki could reply, the man sitting next to her sister leaned over and offered a hand. “You must be the one getting married. Congratulations. Let me get you a drink. I’m Josh. Josh Brogan.”

  “And the other cute guy is Cory.” Melanie said with a saucy grin. “I highly recommend the Kamikaze. Kind of like a Margarita only with Vodka.”

  “I’ll stick to what I know. A Cosmo, please,” she told the bartender who hovered behind the bar. Knowing she was outnumbered, she decided to behave with good grace. Melanie and Jennifer were enjoying their company, and the night wasn’t all about her. “Thanks for the drink. Nice to meet you both.”

  She bobbed her head at Cody across the table and then reached for Josh’s outstretched hand. His large grip, cool from holding his scotch over ice enveloped hers. She lifted her head making eye contact when suddenly an electric shock resonated throughout her body.

  She jerked her hand out of his clasp and flinched with pain bordering on pleasure. “Did you feel that?” Nikki asked. She glanced down at the maroon floral nap covering the floors and scooted her shoe across it to recreate the buzz. “Must be the carpeting.” It didn’t happen again and she looked back up at Josh. “Felt like a sting, or an electrical charge.”

  Josh flashed a sexy smile. “Nope. The only thing that stings around here is the craps table. That can hurt pretty bad.”

  “I don’t gamble.” Nikki rotated her neck, the aftershock creating a sensual tingle that caught her by surprise. “Probably just stress. Not everyday a girl’s got a wedding to plan.”

  “So what are you girls going to do here if you don’t gamble? Get some massages? Take in some shows?” he asked, politely, keeping his eyes above the neck instead of on her cleavage.

  She wished she hadn’t worn this sexy red dress. It was too low cut. Not her usual style. But Melanie had insisted they go shopping and find some glam new outfits for this trip.

  “Not sure. We’ll figure it out,” she answered, and pulled at her dress to try to cover her cleavage.

  “I told you to hire a wedding planner,” Melanie said, twirling her drink. “We dragged her here because she seriously needs to chill. Now have a martini or two, and relax for heaven’s sake.” She rolled her big blue eyes. “You’re going to get us all stressed.”

  When the drink arrived Nikki turned to thank Josh again. Their eyes met. Her heart began to thud. Her knees got weak, and sweat trickled down her bra. She felt feverish. Hot. Bothered. He wouldn’t look away, and she didn’t have the will power to close her eyes.

  Instead, she took a long, slow sip of the icy cool drink, then held the glass next to her chest. The chilled glass felt cool, refreshing. Her nipples hardened, her belly clenched. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the striking man next to her.

  From somewhere in the distance she heard her sister tell her to sit down. She felt a pull on the back of her dress, but she remained standing. Her feet were glued to the floor, her body heavy. Her eyes dimmed then fastened again on his face. Josh. His name was Josh. He was the most breath-taking man she’d ever met. His brown eyes were like melted honey, his mouth like ruby wine.

  She licked her suddenly dry lips, her knees weak. She swayed and Josh reached out a hand, steadying her. “Are you all right?”

  “I think so. I don’t know. I feel dizzy.”

  “Here.” He slid off his chair. “Sit down for a few minutes. Take deep breaths.”

  Nikki did as she was told, but something was definitely wrong. With every breath she took, she was aware of his musky scent, a gentle concoction of man and cologne. She could feel the warmth of his body close to her. Every inch of her was on alert, aroused beyond anything she’d known before. His hand lightly touched her back, and she leaned into him. She didn’t know if he was feeling it too, but her body was burning up, every nerve end tingling. She shifted in her seat and crossed her legs. Nothing helped. Every breath she drew heightened her senses, making her achingly aware of him, her libido screaming with need, her juices beginning to flow. Could she be drugged?

  * * *

  Nikki rolled over in the king-sized bed, and felt a foot next to her own. Alarm bells sounded in her head.

  She cautiously opened her eyes, hoping against hope that she’d been having a vivid dream, a fantasy of some type, which would only be natural given the fact that she had pre-wedding nerves. She had every right to freak out.

  Her head pounded from drinking cheap champagne with her sister and bridesmaid when they’d first arrived, long before they all headed down to the bar. And her period was late by three days! And she was marrying a guy in less than a month that she loved, but felt little passion for. He was like a brother. Or a very good friend.

  So last night she’d taken advantage of a shoulder or two to cry on. A shoulder! Whose shoulder? Oh, no. Afraid to look any further, Nikki shut her eyes so tight that she felt like they were in the back of her head. She lay still, not daring to breathe. Perhaps if she just snuck out of bed, she could slip out before discovering who the hell she was sleeping with.

  She nudged the foot again. It didn’t have the soft, pedicured feel of her sister’s, and the deep breaths definitely sounded like a man’s. She touched herself and yes, just as she thought. Naked. She turned her head away from whomever and stared at the ceiling and the opposite wall. Where was she? Worse—what had she done?

  Mentally she retraced her steps. She and her sister had driven together to Vegas from their hometown in Arizona, while Jennifer had flown in from Cali. They’d checked into the Mandalay Bay around two. Jennifer had surprised them with an enormous suite and two bottles of chilled champagne waiting on ice. They drank the delicious champagne with strawberries like Julia Roberts in Pretty Women. Jennifer said it brought out the taste of the champagne, a line she remembered from the movie.

  Later they did some light gambling, playing the nickel slots, then they’d ordered dinner, room service, and ate in front of the huge picture windows. They’d finished the rest of the champagne and dressed up for their first night in Sin City. Nikki had lagged behind, wanting to call David. She’d also needed a little longer to unpack and unwind with the view before she met up with the girls at the bar.

  She didn’t want to remember anymore. But a guy with flashing dark brown eyes and a wicked smile invaded her thoughts, and she tried to force him out. She couldn’t remember his name. So he didn’t exist. Just in her imagination. She would prove it right now. All she had to do was turn around and look.

  Edging further away, Nikki slowly, gently, shifted her weight so she was on her side. She didn’t want to wake whoever was lying next to her. And she certainly did not want to engage in whatever activities she’d been doing late last night. If her corrupt memory meant anything.

  “Hi.” Tall, dark, and deadly had his arm against his pillow, supporting his head. “I thought you were awake. How’re you feeling? You okay about all this?”

  Oh, shit, oh shit, oh shit! Of course she was not all right! She’d just slept with someone that was not her betrothed before her wedding day. What kind of okay was that?

  She groaned and closed her eyes. “I was hoping it wasn’t true. How could I have done such a thing? What kind of person sleeps with a complete stranger weeks before they’re to marry the love of their life?” Tears pricked her eye
lids, and without opening her eyes, she swiped them away.

  “Maybe a young woman who doesn’t want to get married, or doesn’t think that this guy she’s about to commit to, is the right man for her.” He shifted his foot and stroked her leg with it. “That’s what I think.”

  “What do you know?” Her eyes flew open and she sat up, grabbing the sheet that had slipped down and exposed her breasts. Not that he hadn’t seen them. Not that he hadn’t touched them, and sucked on her nipples and made her come just by doing that!

  Dying of shame, she knew she was going straight to hell! She wished the floor would open up so that she could slide down into that burning furnace right now. It would be more bearable than having to face the people she loved and see their disappointment. Their disbelief.

  “I know because you’re a very nice person. And a school teacher,” Josh said with a teasing twinkle in his eye. “What grade five teacher would be in this situation if she truly loved her future husband?”

  “I do love him!” She did, she had to, or she would break his sweet heart. And everyone else who knew and loved the two of them. They were a duo. Nikki and David. They had matching beer steins from the bowling alley and t-shirts for being on the same team.

  “Didn’t seem like it last night.” Josh stacked his pillow behind him and sat up in bed. Unfortunately he didn’t pull up his sheet, and she was forced to see his broad shoulders, his dark chest hair that thinned out and made room for strong abs. She followed the sexy lean muscle of his hips and her libido clicked into gear.

  She wanted him. The sheet was too hot against her skin, her body sexually aware of Josh and the pleasure he could bring. Holy crap! She never felt like this with David. At least not anymore. Not in years. They’d met as juniors in college. Been together five years. It was expected that they’d marry. This was the foregone conclusion to their life of dating.