Stronger With Us (The Strength Series Book 3) (6 page)

H

I know Colin isn’t going to be happy about me missing the limo ride, but it couldn’t be helped. I had planned to be at his house this morning but between moving my shit from Tampa and getting settled in my apartment, I’m exhausted and I slept through the alarm this morning. Thankfully the neighbor’s dog was barking and woke me up.

While I’m waiting for them to arrive, I need to figure out how to play it with Christin. This woman has me tied in knots, but I don’t want her to know that. In fact, I’d rather untie the strings and forget all about her. Well, not really. I still want to remember how her tight little cunt felt wrapped around my dick and the way her voice changed when my apadravya hit her in just the right spot. Fuck, now I’m hard and the limo is pulling into the parking lot. I think about golf until my dick goes down and I can get out of my truck without humiliating myself.

Becca is the first one out of the limo and she runs right to me, jumping up and throwing her arms around my neck. I catch her before she takes us both down and return the hug.

“I’m so glad you made it. Colin is too, just give him some time,” she whispers in my ear. I nod silently so she knows I heard her and help her slide back down to the pavement. When I look up again I see Kevin, Christin, Stephanie, and a man as tall as me that I don’t recognize standing at the back of the limo. Colin must be talking with the driver.

I walk over to help unload the suitcases and introduce myself to Stephanie’s man.

“Hey, I’m Jude, Colin’s brother,” I say holding out my right hand.

He takes my hand and squeezes hard. “Nice to meet you, I’m James but everyone calls me Runt.” I must have a confused look on my face because Stephanie laughs and punches me in the arm.

“Not because he’s short, silly. He’s the baby of five boys. How are you, Jude?” she asks with a smile.

“I’m doing well, thanks. You look radiant, Steph, much happier than the last time I saw you.” She was still reeling from Rebecca’s kidnapping when I got to know her.

“Yes, things are great. We’ll have time to catch up, though. Let’s go!” she exclaims as she takes Christin’s hand and pulls her to the small plane.

I flew helicopters in the Marines so I’m fairly comfortable flying. However, there are seven of us plus a pilot and none of the men are small. I try to calculate the weight and the size of the plane to figure out if this is going to work.

“It’s going to be fine. These planes are much more advanced than what we had back in the military,” Kevin says.

“What are you talking about?” I ask, surprised he knows what I’m thinking.

“I can tell you’re trying to figure out if the plane will hold us all. I did the same thing as we pulled up. It’s going to be fine. Besides, between you, me, and the pilot, we’ll get to Vegas with no trouble.” Kevin slaps me on the shoulder and moves to the plane. I’m left standing there, looking like an idiot. Colin gets out of the limo and walks toward me.

“Let’s go, asshole. I’m ready to get this weekend started.” Yep, he’s pissed. This flight should be interesting.

Once we’re all on the plane, I realize that it’s a little bigger than I originally thought. It’s a custom plane, with couches and club chairs instead of the standard seating. The women are all sitting together in the back and the men are up front.

“We have to sit up here, the bride’s orders,” Kevin explains. I look back and Becca waves at me. I shrug and sit in one of the leather chairs.

“So, what’s the plan for the weekend?” I ask my brother. I hope there will be time to find someone to fuck.

“I can answer that,” Christin says from the rear of the plane. Colin just smiles and nods toward her.

“She’s planned the whole thing,” Becca says with a giggle.

“We’re staying at Vdara. It’s a non-smoking, non-casino hotel just off the strip. We’ll have a limo take us from the airport to the hotel. Then we’re going to split up. The men go their way, and we’ll go ours. Becca is staying in my room tonight so Colin doesn’t see her before the wedding. Tomorrow, the girls will spend the morning in the spa and then we’ll walk over to Aria for the wedding. We’ll meet you boys there. We’ve booked the chapel and it will be elegant, no Elvis is marrying my friend. Then, we’ll go party it up either at the nightclubs and casino at Aria or somewhere else in Vegas. Our flight back to Florida leaves at six o’clock Sunday evening.”

“Damn, girl, you’ve got it figured out,” Kevin says excitedly.

“Yes, I do. So, unless you have any further questions, we’re going to start ignoring all of you and get back to our girl stuff,” she says turning her back to us.

“Well, there you have it,” Colin laughs. “We have until tomorrow afternoon to do whatever we want.”

“Within reason,” Becca shouts from the back.

“Fuck, does she have supersonic hearing?” Runt asks in a whisper.

“Yes, I do. You’d be wise to remember that, Mr. Owens.” All the women laugh out loud.

“How do you feel about checking out You Betcha for a little bit,” Colin asks us.

“What is that?” Kevin responds.

“It’s a casino that our parents’ former neighbors own. It’s a small place, but I’d love to see them again,” I answer. It would be great to visit Clarence and Anne and see how they’re doing.

“I’m in as long as they serve alcohol and there are poker tables,” Kevin adds.

“Me too,” James chimes in.

“All right then. We’ll get checked into the hotel, change, and head out. It’s going to be a great night!” Colin says and we all nod in agreement.

I

Even though the flight took three hours, it seems like we’re landing as soon as we got up in the air. Thankfully the guys honored our request to stay in the front of the plane. It was awkward enough to be in the same space as Jude.

Once we’ve gotten our luggage from under the plane we pile into the limo. I get stuck sitting between Kevin and Jude, of course. Stephanie and Becca are snuggled up to their men like they haven’t seen them in weeks. It’s sickening, actually.

“So, where are we staying, again?” Jude asks with a sarcastic tone. I look at Becca and roll my eyes.

“Vdara, dumbass,” Colin retorts. “If you’d pay attention you’d know this shit.”

“I’ve never heard of it so I couldn’t remember the name. Sue me,” Jude grumbles.

“It’s a really nice hotel. My friend, Eric, recommended it to me. He says that he stays there every time he comes to Vegas. It’s really quiet, and Eric says the views are spectacular.” I give Becca a smile.

“It sounds wonderful. Thank you, Christin, for putting this all together for us,” Becca says with tears in her eyes.

“Anything for you, my sweet friend. Truly, anything,” I whisper, trying to keep my emotions in check. I’m not normally a touchy-feely person, but right now I could bawl like a baby. Maybe I’m going to start my period soon.

“All right, once we get checked in, we go our separate ways,” Stephanie says with authority. “Becca and Colin can’t see each other until tomorrow at the wedding. So, you boys need to make sure you stay out of trouble, and be dressed and in the chapel by noon. If you’re even a minute late, I’m going to send Christin to find you, and believe me, you won’t like it.”

“I think I might,” Jude whispers in my ear. I shoot him a death glare that I’m really not feeling. I wouldn’t mind going to find him later. I shake my head to get those visions out.

“Looks like we’re here,” Becca says excitedly. I can’t help but smile at her. She deserves this weekend, and I’m thrilled to be here with her.

We all get checked in and up to our rooms. Becca is staying with me and Colin has the big suite one floor up for tonight. Stephanie and James are across the hall. Kevin is next to them and Jude is next to me.

“Ladies, let’s meet in my room in fifteen minutes. Then we’ll get going,” I say as I open my door.

“Guys, come upstairs and we’ll put a game plan together,” Colin says. “I’ll miss you,” he whispers as he bends Becca over backwards and kisses her thoroughly. When he brings her upright again, she looks a little dazed, but incredibly happy.

“Go away, we have things to do,” I say smirking at Colin. I pull Becca into my room and Stephanie follows. I can hear the men laughing as I shut the door on them.

“You could have gone to your room, Steph,” I say shaking my head.

“I would be there longer than fifteen minutes and I didn’t want the embarrassment of Jude pounding on the door. Once we know they’re gone, I’ll run and get my stuff.”

“What should we do first? Becca, is there something you want to do while you’re here?”

“I want to window shop at Caesar’s Palace. I doubt I can afford anything there, but I can pretend to be Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" and look at the pretties.”

“Then that’s where we’ll go first. Then drinks, dinner, and dancing. How does that sound?” I ask, looking at both of them and getting enthusiastic nods in return.

After spending hours looking in every store, trying on beautiful shoes by Jimmy Choo and Louboutin, dresses by Versace and buying a surprise for Colin at La Perla, we are ready for a break. The taxi ride back to the hotel is quiet, but not uncomfortable. As we pull up to the door of Vdara, I see that Becca has fallen asleep. I pay the cab driver and gently shake my friend.

“Come on, bride-to-be, let’s get you upstairs.”

“I’m so sorry,” she slurs, “I think the time change is getting to me.”

“Let’s go to the room and take a nap. That will help us all adjust and make tonight that much more fun.”

Stephanie and I get Becca into my room and she is asleep almost as soon as her head hits the pillow.

“I’m going to go back to my room,” Stephanie says. “Text me when she’s up and ready to go.”

“Please tell me you’re not going to work in there. We’re on vacation,” I whine. Stephanie is one of those people who doesn’t really know how to relax.

“I have a few clients to check on, but I promise I won’t work too hard,” she says as she walks out of the room.

I curl up on the other side of the king-sized bed from Becca and drift off.

Once we’re all rested and dressed, it’s time to start the secret party I planned. The concierge calls up and informs me that our limo is waiting.

“Let’s get the show on the road, you two. I have a fun night planned, and I don’t want to waste a minute of it!”

“What have you done?” Becca asks suspiciously. I may have a bit of a reputation as a party girl, and I’m not ashamed to prove it again and again.

“Just the ultimate Vegas bachelorette party, of course. Now, are you coming or not?” I ask as I pull open the door.

“Let’s see what she has in mind. Hopefully we won’t end up in jail,” Stephanie laughs as she links arms with Becca and brings her out in the hall.

“No jail time, I swear. I’ve got us a designated driver for the night and it’s Las Vegas. What happens here stays here, right?”

Both of my friends nod and follow me to the elevator.

The limo is really nice; the bar is stocked with our favorite drinks. I make myself a 7 and 7, pour Becca a glass of wine, and get Stephanie a beer. We all take a sip and lean back into the plush leather seats.

“What’s first on your agenda, Christin?” Becca asks nervously.

“You’re going to have fun, so stop worrying. I thought we’d start out with dinner. That way we have food in our stomachs and hopefully won’t get sick. We’re going to Stack at the Mirage first. Then I have tickets to Chippendales and hopefully we’ll end our evening at Jewel Nightclub.” I lift my glass in a toast, “It’s going to be epic!”