Nothing Stays In Vegas (4 page)

"Are you sure the party isn't over?" I asked trying to stifle a yawn. "It's almost eleven."

Nicole laughed. "Lex, the party is barely getting started. No one goes out until after ten at least. You look like you need a drink to wake you up. We're almost there."

We hadn't even left the hotel, but we must have crossed the equivalent of three city blocks. The hotels were massive. I held Nicole's hand as she wove through the crowd and concentrated on not tripping in my heels. Before I knew it we were standing in front of Studio 54. A massive line snaked across the floor with people in various states of undress. I looked down at my own outfit which now seemed quite conservative.

"Do you have the tickets?" Nicole asked. She cast a quick look towards the people stopped in front of a muscle-bound bouncer, his arms crossed in front of his chest creating an impenetrable wall.

"Of course." I handed them to Nicole. "But Leo also said to make sure we gave our names."

"Names? Are we on some sort of guest list?"

"I don't really know. He just said to make sure I gave my name at the door. Why? Does that matter?" 

"Lexi, it totally matters. Come on," Nicole said and floated towards the bouncer. I followed her, trying not to look at the group of girls shooting dangerous looks our way.  

"Alexis Titan," Nicole said to the beefy man and flipped the tickets to him. He fixed her with a stare that was a cross between icy contempt and braindead before checking his clipboard.

"It might be under Lexi," Nicole added.

I watched as his face transformed and when he looked up he might even have been smiling.

"Ms. Titan," he said to Nicole. "Good evening. It'll be just one moment." He pressed a finger to his ear and began speaking into what I assumed was a radio. Nicole looked back at me, as bewildered as I felt. In a few moments another man, this one far less burly and much more handsome, appeared from behind the velvet curtain. 

"Ms. Titan," the new man said to Nicole as he offered her his hand. "My name is Mitchell. I'll be looking after you this evening. It's an absolute pleasure to meet you."

"And you, Mitchell," she said shooting me another look. I shrugged. I didn't know anything either. I'd never been to a club in Vegas, but I was pretty sure this type of treatment wasn't normal. I didn't have time to think about it too much because Mitchell was ushering us through the curtain. 

"Leo has requested that I take special care of you tonight," Mitchell said as we wound our way through the packed club. He had to yell to be heard over the music. Most people were pressed together in knots, standing, as there didn't appear to be many places to sit. The tables they did have were cordoned off with velvet ropes and plush chairs. Bouncers, clones to the one at the front door, stood at each opening, letting people in and out of the special sections.

"They must be important," I said to Nicole. 

"Either that or they have a lot of money," she said. "That would be the life wouldn't it?"

"Ladies?" Mitchell had stopped walking and was watching us with concern. "Is everything all right?"

Nicole spun on her heel and crossed over to him. She looped her arm through his and purred, "Everything is just fine. We're just wondering where exactly you're taking us."

Mitchell smiled; he was just as skilled at flirting as she was. "Not to worry," he said, "we're almost there."

With Nicole's arm still linked through his, he led us up a few stairs to a platform that seemed to float above the main floor, one side looking over the dance floor. There was a wall of water along the back, and the entire area was furnished with luxurious looking couches and chairs. Of course, a thick red rope marked the area as special.

"Leo gave me strict instructions to treat the two of you very well," he said and stopped. "Here we are." The bouncer, who somehow looked even bigger than the last few I'd seen, released the barrier and Mitchell ushered us into the space. "Leo also told me to be sure that you have whatever you need." 

"This is amazing," I said trying not to stare. 

We were the very important people. 

"All of this is for us?" Nicole said to no one in particular.

"There's a bar right here," Mitchell was saying. He gestured to a side table where a multitude of bottles sat. Next to them, another table with an array of glasses and what looked like mixes. On a large ottoman, flanked by two very comfy looking chairs, sat two champagne flutes. A bottle of champagne was chilling in a bucket next to the table. Nicole turned to me, she was beaming. 

Leo did all this?

"What can I get you to drink, Ms. Titan?" he said to Nicole.

"Well actually," Nicole's voice faltered, "this is Ms. Titan." She waved in my direction and I was surprised that she gave up the ruse; she seemed to be enjoying the spotlight. 

Mitchell smiled and without missing a beat, he said, "Then you must be the birthday girl, Nicole."

Nicole beamed, flipped her hair over her shoulder and said, "That's me. It's my very special day."

"Of course it is and that's why I think you should toast your birthday with a drink." Mitchell handed us each a champagne flute and with a practiced hand, popped the cork before filling our glasses.

"If there is anything you two ladies need, just ask. I'll be nearby," Mitchell said and disappeared, snapping the rope into place behind him.

As soon as he left, Nicole faced me and said, "What on earth did you say to Leo to get us this place?" She threw her arms around me, her champagne sloshing a little. "Thank you, Lexi. You're the best friend ever."

"I didn't do this."

"Of course you did." She released me and raised her glass. "You need to make a toast."

"Right." I raised my glass as well. "To Nicole. May this year be more spectacular than the last." We clinked and drank. The bubbles popped against the roof of my mouth and the back of my throat as I swallowed. I liked it.

"This is fantastic," Nicole said looking around our space. She walked to the edge and peered down at the people dancing. "We have the best seat in the house."

"We do," I agreed. "This is pretty crazy."

"Okay, seriously, what did you say to Leo to get this set up? You flirted with him, didn't you?"

"Nothing. I swear. He met me at the pool and gave me the tickets. I didn't say anything special at all." 

Did I? I thought back to our brief conversation. No, if anything, I'd made a fool of myself, but I was pretty sure I hadn't even flirted with him. 

"Well, whatever you did, it worked."

I rolled my eyes. "Let's have another toast," I said raising my glass again. "To new beginnings."

She twisted around and met my glass. "And new adventures." Nicole wiggled her eyebrows at me, we clinked and drained our glasses.

A few more toasts later, we'd almost finished the bottle. I surprised myself when I realized that despite every misgiving I'd ever had about a nightclub, I was enjoying myself. 

The music was loud but not obnoxiously so. Maybe it was the alcohol, but my feet started to move in time to the beat. 

Nicole grabbed my hand. "Come on," she said. "That's enough sitting around. Let's dance."

"I don't dance," I objected. But I didn't put up a fight as I followed her and within seconds fell into the rhythm of the music. 

I don't know if it was the pulsing beat, the champagne or just being in Vegas, but I forgot to feel self-conscious as I let my body go. We danced together, alone and soon with partners as we began to attract male attention. Nicole revelled in the spotlight and shimmied and shook with her partners. I did my best to move away from the intruders but despite my attempts, they continued to follow me. I was having fun; I didn't want to ruin my mood with some random guy trying to push up on me so I grabbed Nicole and dragged her back to our table.

"I'm thirsty," I said once we arrived in our safe haven. I checked over the table of alcohol. "What should we have?"

"Make me something fun," Nicole said and flopped into one of the plushy chairs.

I picked up a pink bottle that I didn't recognize and put it back again. "I have no-"

"Let me," Mitchell said appearing as if I'd conjured him. He slid through the velvet ropes, and took the pink bottle from my hand. 

"Something fun please, Mitchell," Nicole called from the chair where she was now lounging seductively and waving at her earlier dance partners still down on the floor.

I watched in awe as Mitchell grabbed various bottles, poured multiple shots into a cocktail shaker, topped it with ice and gave it a few quick shakes before pouring the concoction into two glasses. He handed us each a pink beverage and said, "Here you go, ladies. Just shout when you're ready for another." He winked at Nicole before vanishing again.

I took a sip; it was fruity and far too sweet. I opted for more champagne instead and joined Nicole in the chairs. 

"Ladies," a male voice called to us over the rope. 

"Well, hello there." Nicole pushed herself up to a sitting position and fluffed her hair behind her.

"Would you two care to dance?" He was handsome, and looking right at Nicole.

"Go ahead," I said. "I'm good right now."

"You sure?" she said.

"Positive. I think my feet could use the break anyway."

I watched Nicole lead her tall, blond dancing partner toward the floor. 

"It looks like she's having fun. What about you? Wanna dance?" another voice said from behind me. 

Getting comfortable in the overstuffed chair, I swung my legs over the arm, letting my black heels dangle off the other side. I didn't bother to look up. "No thanks," I said. "I'm going to sit this one out."

"Oh, come on, sugar. Your friend's having fun. Why don't you at least let me in to have a drink with you?"

I looked up then and twisted around, irritated with the intrusion. He was good looking - everyone in Vegas was - he was also drunk.

Why did I attract these fools?

"No," I said again, this time with a little more force. "I'm good.

"Come on. You were dancing out there like you wanted me to come over here."

He did not just say that. Loser.

I shot a quick look at the bouncer who was watching the situation. I gave him a nod which was all he needed to remove my drunken intruder, leaving me alone again. 

I could get used to this type of treatment. I turned around, closed my eyes and let the music flow through me. The beat was sensual, maybe I did want to dance. I slid my hands up my bare thighs to the silky satin of my dress to the rhythm. 

"Why do I always feel like I'm interrupting you?" 

My eyes snapped open and I dropped my hands. It was ridiculous, but like a teenager, I could feel my heart jump at the sound of the voice behind me. I didn't even try to stop myself from grinning before I turned around. 

Leo had already undone the velvet rope barrier and was stepping onto the platform as if he owned the place, which for all I knew about him, he did.

"Hi," I said trying hard not to sound too excited. I pushed myself up to a sitting position. Maybe a little to fast. The room spun a little, so I closed my eyes until the feeling passed.

When I opened them again, Leo was watching me with a knowing smile. 

"I see Mitchell made you his famous concoction." He pointed to the pink drink I'd left untouched.

"He did. But it's too sweet. I stuck with champagne. Which may not have been the best idea."

"Not usually, no," Leo said. His brow creased in concern and he moved to the bar, poured a glass of water. "Here, drink this." 

The water was cool and a relief from the heat of the club. "I guess champagne and dancing don't mix. It must be the heat in here," I said.

"Do you feel better?" 

I nodded and the concern melted from his face, replaced by a dazzling smile. It must have been the atmosphere, or the alcohol, but when I looked at his face, my thoughts went to what Nicole had said earlier. And technically, I was single. 

"Thank you," I said.

"For the water?" 

"No." I leaned forward and squeezed his arm. 

Did I really just do that?

"For this," I said. "All of it. It's incredible."

"It's nothing."

"Nothing?" I sat up straight. "It's everything. I'm actually enjoying myself, and I don't think I've ever said that about a nightclub before." 

Leo's eyes locked onto mine and after a moment I had to force myself to look away. I shifted my gaze to the dance floor just over his shoulder. 

"Where is the birthday girl, anyway?" he asked.

"Where else?" I pointed below us where she was wrapped in the arms of her partner. 

Leo took a quick glance and faced me again. "And why aren't you out there? It seems to me that you would have your fair share of partners to choose from." There was a question in his eyes.

"I'm resting," I said and crossed my bare legs in a way I'd seen Nicole do before. I hoped it didn't look too stupid.

I watched his gaze travel up my legs and a shiver ran through me. 

I guess it didn't look stupid.

Leo stood and extended his hand towards me. "I think you've rested long enough. Care to dance?"

At that moment, I couldn't think of anything I'd like more. I took his hand and he led me through the crowds onto the dance floor. The beat was fast, and I was eager to get out there. 

I couldn't blame my uncharacteristic behavior on the champagne alone. It had to be Vegas. Just being in this city was making me act differently. Oh well, it was Nicole's birthday and I was having fun like she'd requested. 

Conversation was out of the question with the bass pounding so I started dancing, trying to lose myself in the beat. I looked at Leo who was moving with surprising grace and rhythm for such a large man. Looking at him yesterday, I wouldn't have thought he was the dancing type. But now, still in his work clothes, minus the tie and with the top few buttons undone, he looked much more relaxed. Our bodies moved in rhythm together. We were so close that I could feel the heat from his body and the space between us was filled with an electric charge. I looked up at his face and saw his smile. Instead of closing his eyes to the beat, as I tended to do, they were fixed on mine. His smile broadened when he saw I was studying him.