Electrified(72)

Carson waited for Sienna. When she was ready to leave, he held the door for her to leave her house and walked her to the car with his hand on the small of her back. Even with it being the third time he did this, she was already burning with desire by the time she got in the passenger seat. She wondered how she had ever walked without his hand there.

When they started down the driveway, Carson asked if she might like to go to the bakery and coffee place inside the new hotel on the Strip, or back to Canyon Coffee.

“You mentioned you never get to venture to the Strip for fun stuff, so I thought it would be a change of pace,” he said as he glanced at her, selling her on the idea with an ear-to-ear grin.

Considering this dating thing was all new to her, she’d never been on a date to the Strip. She had a ball cap in her tote and she was wearing her giant white sunglasses, so why the hell not?

“That works, as long as you don’t mind me putting on my hat.”

“I only mind because I love looking at you with your hair flowing all around, but I guess it will have to do,” Carson said jokingly.

It was entirely too comfortable between the two of them. She thought she’d feel awkward after the night before, but with one look and a single smile, Carson had put her completely at ease. Even the elephant in the car—their night spent apart when it could have been spent together—had now dissipated into thin air.

Most women would think this was great, but not Sienna. This being so at ease with Carson was bad, really bad, because with her defenses down, she was going to get attached and run the risk of slipping up with her story. She had already revealed far too much to Petal earlier today.

As much as she tried to rein herself in, she couldn’t. She was too happy and enjoying herself for the first time in her entire life. Was this what happened when you had an orgasm? Did everything else stop mattering and all worries fell into the abyss?

The pair made small talk on their way to the Strip. Sienna pointed out a few hotels and fun facts as they drove to the new mega hotel/casino. As they pulled up front, Sienna put on her cap and pulled it low before she got out of the car when the valet opened up the door.

“Sienna Flower! Welcome to the Palace on the Strip,” the parking attendant said in what was meant to be a whisper, but came out much louder. So much for the disguise.

A manager who had been chatting with guests nearby looked up in fear when he realized the young valet’s mistake and came over to apologize. Unfortunately, the valet had already caused a stir with the local paparazzi camped out at the hotel, and a few of them ran over to Sienna, bombarding her with questions about the club, her private life, and what brought her to the Palace.

This is what an orgasm gets me.

Sienna felt Carson’s hand on her back again and heard him saying, “Move along. Miss Flower is out on a personal errand. She’s not taking questions.” His firm tone combined with his imposing six-foot-plus frame convinced them to move away. Carson continued to escort Sienna into the hotel as if he were one of the bouncers from the club.

As soon as they went through the double doors, a VIP host was there to greet them, apologizing for the misunderstanding at the valet.

Carson stated matter-of-factly, “We were going to have coffee and something to eat at Le Mirage Bakery. Perhaps there’s a private room where we can enjoy something from there?” He held his posture straight and rigid, letting his eyes roam the casino lobby before coming right back to bore down on the host.

“Yes. How about we set you up in a private gaming room and bring you a menu from Le Mirage?”

“Good, lead the way,” Carson said tersely.

Sienna felt like she should apologize. She leaned close and said, “Sorry, Carson. We should’ve just stuck with the coffee place by my house.”

“Don’t you dare apologize. That valet had no right to shout your name and alert those photographers. At least now I get to see you with your hair down.” He set her at ease with one of his sexy winks.

Sienna gave him a small smile in response. She hoped no one was tweeting that she was on the Strip; she really wanted a quiet afternoon without crazy fans. On a good note, this always made for extra-heavy crowds at the club when she was spotted. All the chatter made even more people want to see her live. Asher would be pissed she was on the Strip without letting him know, but the Tunnel would benefit.

Finally, the host opened the door to a private gaming room, where Carson pulled out a chair at a small table by the observation window, then pulled open the heavy drapes so she could look out. A waiter rushed in with menus for Le Mirage, and opened a bottle of sparkling water for the couple. They took a minute and ordered coffee and pastries, then were left to their own devices.