As Luck Would Have It Read online

  Afterward, they sprawled on their backs in exhaustion next to each other.

  “I never go back on my promises,” Marcus commented without even opening his eyes.

  “I’ll never doubt you again.” She could barely keep her eyes open.

  Marcus turned on his side and propped his head on his hand. “Sydney, stay the night with me.” He brushed her hair away from her face. She was already fast asleep. He gently kissed her swollen lips, reached for the sheets, and covered them.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Even though Marcus felt covered by hot flesh, he was totally content. He couldn’t remember the last time his sleep had been so restful.

  Sydney had her head in the crook of his neck, her arm draped across his chest and her leg bent over his leg. She must have been very comfortable because every time she exhaled, she let out a little sigh.

  Marcus was mesmerized. He couldn’t bear to move her. He brushed her hair off her face so he could look at her. He ran his knuckles over her cheek and traced her lips with his finger. He placed the softest kiss on her lips. She didn’t even stir. She didn’t seem real to him.

  He lay there for a little while longer just holding her. It was so peaceful that he fell back asleep again. He didn’t have any client meetings today, so he had the choice to spend the whole day in bed.

  Sydney awoke with a jolt. She didn’t know if she was having a dream or not. Even awake, she wondered if she was still dreaming. She was in bed with the Adonis. Rolling to her belly, Sydney crossed her arms on his chest, rested her chin on her hands, and just watched him as he slept.

  It wasn’t long before those gray eyes were staring back at her through long, thick lashes.

  “Morning.” Her greeting sounded more like a question than a statement. She had no idea what time of day it was.

  “Yes. And good morning to you,” Marcus replied with a kiss to her nose. “Did you sleep well?”

  “I feel completely rejuvenated. A shower would be great. I feel sticky all over.”

  “You’re welcome to clean up in my shower.”

  Sydney swept her gaze over his room. “Damn, this is nice. You’re not part of the Mob or a drug dealer or any kinda shit like that, are you?” She blurted, uncertain if she really wanted to hear the answer.

  “Seriously? What would make you think any of those things? And no. To all of them.” Now Marcus was waiting for an explanation.

  “I don’t know. You went and spent all that money at the mall yesterday. Then there was the VIP Booth at the nightclub last night, plus the liquor. Did we drink both bottles? Don’t answer that,” she said quickly placing her hand over his mouth. “I already know the answer or I wouldn’t be here right now. “

  He kissed her hand and held it on his chest. “I bought what we needed at the stores. The VIP Booth was a favor. The liquor I had to buy because it was part of the deal. We didn’t drink both bottles, just one and a half. And you’re here because I asked you to stay.” He stopped to catch his breath. “I work with computer programming and development. I started my own company when I graduated college and have done very well for myself.” He looked to see if she was satisfied with his answers. Not sure, he added, “Oh, a lot of my clients own car dealerships and clubs here in Vegas. That’s how we got the car and the booth.”

  Satisfied with his explanation, she leaned over him, “Okay. I just wanted to make sure no crazy shit followed me home.” She tried to kiss him, but he pushed her back.

  “Syd, I’m getting the feeling that you think this thing between us is just a Vegas fling.” Marcus sat up in the bed. He wanted to make sure she knew how serious he was about this.

  “Well, isn’t it?” She had the saddest look on her face.

  “My heart’s telling me no, but now my brain is questioning it.” He bent his head back and took a deep breath. Looking her straight in the eyes, he asked, “Do you really think it was just a coincidence that we were on the same plane? Of all the hotels you switch to, it’s the hotel where I’m staying? And that freaky thing you say is going on between your brain and my mouth. Doesn’t that say something about what’s going on here?”

  Sydney sat up so that she could see eye to eye with him. “Marcus, first of all, I didn’t mean to make you upset. I just don’t think you understand who I really am. I’m a forty two year old widow, who was married to the same person for almost twenty years and has four children. I‘m not kidding when I say I have a lot of baggage. I came to Las Vegas to try and get my life together so that I can continue to live the life God has dealt me. I’m just fucked up.” She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Her immediate instinct was to cover her face with her hands.

  Marcus removed her hands from her face and began to kiss every tear drop that ran down her cheeks. “Sydney, I know all that already. You explained it to me the first night we had dinner together. If I didn’t make it perfectly clear to you that night, let me make it even clearer for you now. I have never felt as complete as I do when I’m with you. When I’m not with you, I feel like a part of me is missing. I know it sounds corny. I’ve felt this way since you left the plane and panicked because I didn’t know who you were or where you were staying. When I ran into you in the lobby, I was actually heading out to find you. I was going to start at one end of the strip and work my way through the hotels, but then, there you were. I’m not a religious person, but when I hear you speak of God, I know we’re meant to be together.”

  “Philippe has only been gone six months. I don’t know if there are guidelines to follow as to when or if you can move on. I will always love him, but we definitely have a connection. I’d have to be stupid not to realize that. Right now, I just don’t know how to justify my behaviors.”

  “Why do you need to? Just follow your heart and see where it leads you.”

  She attempted to be just as serious as Marcus. “My heart is losing a horrendous battle with my crotch.”

  That was his breaking point. “Woman, as much as I’d love to stay in bed and discuss your crotch, we have a reservation at Rehab, and I’m not sure how long they’ll hold our spot.”

  “I know I’m fucked up, but rehab?” she sounded disgusted.

  “Babe, it’s a pool club. You never heard of it? It’s at the Hard Rock Hotel. I reserved a cabana.”

  “No. Guess I’ll need my bathing suit.”

  Marcus’ eyes grew real wide, and that silly grin appeared on his face. ”Hey why don’t I go and get all the stuff from your suite and just stay with me for the rest of the week?”

  Oh My God, he’s asking me to move in with him.

  Marcus saw the surprise on Sydney‘s face. “Sydney, it’s not a big deal. Even if you don’t want to share the bed, I’ll sleep on the pull-out in the living room.”

  “Actually, I hate sleeping by myself. I’d love to share the bed with you.”

  Marcus was halfway out of the room before Sydney even finished her sentence. Fuck! She’s gonna move in with me! Get it together, Marcus, it’s a hotel room.

  Sydney called from the bed, “And babe, you might want to put some clothes on. You’ll need my room key. It‘s in my clutch.” A few seconds later, she heard the door close.

  Sydney wrapped the sheet around herself and ventured into the bathroom. “Holy crap, this fucking bathroom is amazing.” There was a soaking tub that could fit four people comfortably, a shower with two heads and a ledge to sit, and a separate room for the toilet.

  She only intended to take a shower, but the tub was too tempting. She turned on the faucet and added some bath gel to it before sliding into the warm water.

  Marcus returned a short time later with all the shopping bags and Sydney’s Vera bag. The moment he stepped into the bedroom, he smelled fresh rain coming from the bathroom. He walked to the bathroom door and found Sydney covered up to her neck in bubbles, head back and eyes closed in his tub. His eyes shot to the ceiling. “Thank you.”

  Turning her head slightly, opening only one eye to look at him before
closing it again, she said, “Hope you don’t mind I decided to take a bath instead of a shower. My legs are really sore.”

  Marcus dropped his sweatpants and stepped into the tub. “Hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to join you.” Sitting across from Sydney, he began to massage her foot. “You seemed real flexible last night.”

  Keeping her eyes closed and enjoying the massage, she replied, “I was on the gymnastic team all through middle school. When I got to high school, I was asked to join the pep squad. I actually cheered through college because I missed gymnastics, and the school didn’t have a team.”

  Marcus worked his hands up her leg. “What college did you go to?”

  “University of Cincinnati. They had the best Interior Design and Architectural program. That’s where I met my husband.” Startled, Sydney opened her eyes. “It doesn’t feel right to be naked in a tub with you while talking about my late husband.”

  Marcus’ hand reached the top of her thigh, “I can get out and we can continue our conversation, or-” He was cut off when Sydney leaped onto his lap.

  “Or how ‘bout we just stop talking?” she suggested, placing a wet kiss on his lips. Straddling Marcus, Sydney rubbed her hardened nipples against his chest and gyrated against his erection. Marcus grabbed her hips and lifted her onto his dick, “If you’re gonna grind me like that, you might as well get as much pleasure out of it as possible. Plus, I love being in that hot wetness.”

  Hands pressed to his chest, Sydney bucked wildly over him. Water sloshed all over. Marcus rubbed Sydney’s clit with his thumb. She threw her head back and moaned, “Hmm, yeah Marcus, I’m almost there.”

  “Hold on babe, I’m about to,” Marcus replied, still rubbing her. They climaxed at the same time, Marcus’ head tilted back and Sydney’s forehead pressed against his chest.

  “Oh, fuck.” He tried to hold Sydney’s hips still. “Stop moving, or I’ll never stop coming.” She stopped immediately, even as she felt his dick pulsating inside of her. She’d never experienced such intense love making before. To her, this had to be love.

  “We’d better get out before I look like a prune in my swimsuit.” She stood up, dripping wet.

  Marcus was in a daze. He stared up at her naked body. “I could stay here just like this forever. The view is absolutely breathtaking.”

  Sydney leaned down and smacked his shoulder, “Come on, you’re the one who said we can’t stay cooped up all day. Now that we’ve established an arrangement, I wanna see Vegas.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Dressed and ready to go, Sydney noticed that her cover-up didn’t really cover much. “Marcus, as skimpy as this bathing suit is, I was hoping the cover-up would actually cover me up. I can’t go walking The Strip like this.”

  Marcus gave Sydney a once-over and shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t see anything wrong with what you have on. You look fucking hot, and you’re with me. I’ll cover you.”

  “I guess so. It’s not like I can wear the hotel robe. I’ll look fucking ridiculous. Let’s just go.”

  It was a short ride to the Hard Rock Hotel. Rehab was like a gigantic pool party when they arrived. People lounged shoulder-to-shoulder, and the pool was full.

  “Wow, and I thought my bikini was skimpy.” Sydney hadn’t let go of Marcus’ hand since she got out of the car. He guided her through the crowds to the cabanas. Sydney felt a hand touch her ass and spun around. When she looked back, all she saw were girls, and one in particular was smiling. She gave Marcus’ hand a tug until he looked back. “That girl back there just touched my ass.”

  “I missed it?” he said jokingly. “Luckily, it was a female. No man but me gets to touch that ass.” By the time they reached the cabanas, Marcus realized that there were just too many people there. Even he felt too old for this crowd.

  “Syd, would you mind if we didn’t hang here? I hear the Breathe Lounge is a little more private. I’ll see if we can switch cabanas.”

  “Marcus, we don’t need a cabana. I just want to lounge with you in the pool. It’s beautiful out here, and I really need the day light.” Sydney was really starting to enjoy being in Las Vegas. She didn’t want to be closed up in some bamboo box.

  By midafternoon, most of the people had cleared out already, and Marcus and Sydney finally reached the pool. “Do you want to go in or just sit at the edge?” Marcus asked.

  “I’ll go in and pick a spot.” Sydney had been swimming since she was a little girl. She loved the water.

  She found a small spot in the corner of the pool, away from most of the people. Sydney instantly put her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. “I love being in the water. It’s so relaxing.” She placed her face in the crook of his neck. He smelled so good that she couldn’t help but lick him.

  A little surprised, Marcus asked, “Did you just lick my neck?”

  “You smell wonderful. I wanted to know if you tasted just as good. You do. I could lick your entire body from head to toe, that’s how good you taste.” Sydney kissed and licked his collar bone, making her way to his chest and nipples.

  “We’re supposed to be here relaxing,” he reminded her, wiggling when Sydney licked his nipple.

  “Are you not relaxed?” She continued to kiss and lick her way across his chest to the other nipple.

  “My mind is relaxed, but my dick isn’t.” He grabbed her ass and squeezed her body against his body. “Does it feel relaxed to you?”

  “Umm, no. But I could help you with that.” She reached into his swim trunks and took his shaft into her hand. His eyes closed, and he tilted his head back. Sydney jerked faster and harder. She could feel his whole body tense now. “Baby, don’t stop. Faster.” He reached his own hand down into his trunks. Covering Sydney’s hand with his, he stroked his shaft with her.

  “Here it comes, baby,” Marcus moaned. Sydney lowered her head and took his cock into her mouth just as he started to come. She milked him with her lips till the very last drop.

  Licking her lips and trying to regain her composure, she noticed Marcus’ face was like stone. “What? I’ve been swimming since I was three. I can hold my breath for a long time.” She smiled proudly.

  The stone cracked. “What else can you do, woman?”

  She quickly pecked his lips and wiggled her eyebrows. “You’ll just have to stick around to find out.”

  Marcus had every intention of sticking around. In fact, he was planning in his head how he could become permanently attached to her. “Let’s dry off and go home.”

  Sydney loved the way that sounded. “Home.” She wished she could figure out a way to take him back with her to her home. “Sounds like a plan. Can we walk back, though? I really don’t want to sit in the car while wet and sticky.”

  “Sure, why not. You haven’t seen much of the strip. It’ll be fun.”

  On the way to the hotel, Marcus stopped to get a hot dog on a stick. Oddly, watching him eat it made it difficult for Sydney to walk straight. Now she was craving an ice cream cone. Payback’s a bitch, ha. The first opportunity she got, she ordered a creamsicle twist in a cone. She had to lick fast to beat the Las Vegas heat.

  Their nice leisure stroll turned into a power walk. Marcus linked his arm with Sydney’s and started hauling ass back to the hotel. She yanked on his arm, “Marcus, why don’t you just carry me so we’ll get there faster?” She was totally kidding, but the look on his face warned her not to joke. In fact, he looked like he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and flat out sprint back to the hotel.

  “I’m so onto you, woman. You got that ice cream cone to drive me crazy. Well, it worked. Now put some pep in your step before I have to pull you into one of these casinos and have my way with you in a broom closet.”

  “I just might take you up on that offer.” She sashayed in front of him.

  Thank god they were keeping up the pace. Sydney pulled Marcus by the elbow as they rounded the corner toward the Bellagio. Scampering through the lobby, Sydney noticed a utility c
loset door open. Oh, could I possibly. Bad Sydney, bad. Without warning, she clenched Marcus’ hand and yanked him into the closet. Not wasting a moment, she wrapped herself around his body and took possession of his mouth.

  “A little help here,” she said, attempting to release his dick from his swimsuit. “I can’t hold on and reach behind my ass to situate everything.” She couldn’t hold back her laughter. The dumbfounded look on Marcus’ face was priceless. “What’s the matter, Big Boy? You’ve never done it in a closet before?”

  “Actually, I’ve never had someone yank me into a closet before. I’m utterly shocked.” Pushing aside her hands, he freed his penis and dragged aside her bikini bottom.

  Sydney repositioned herself directly on top of Marcus’ cock. “Oh,” she moaned softly, prompting Marcus to grab her hips and begin thrusting against her. Whether from the excitement of being in an unlocked public closet or in reaction to the preceding events, it didn’t take long before they both reached their climax.

  They didn’t waste any time looking around after exiting the utility closet. Instead, Marcus and Sydney made a bee line for the elevator. As soon as the elevator door opened, they burst out laughing. “Very mature, Sydney.”

  “Were you not enjoying yourself in there? You seemed more than willing to participate in the escapade.”

  “Baby, I would participate in any escapade as long as it’s with you. I would have done you in the middle of the lobby if that’s where you wanted me.”

  She wrapped her arms around his waist, gave him a kiss on his lips, pressed her head against his chest, and squeezed. “I love…” she paused, “…being with you.” Fucking smooth. Good catch, Sydney.

  When they returned to the room, Sydney convinced Marcus to take a shower with her. Marcus was so gentle and considerate, shampooing and conditioning her hair. His hands gave the best messages, and not just while washing her hair.