As soon as I saw her, I knew I had to have her. I thought this Vegas fundraiser was going to be boring-another obligation to keep the family business alive. Wrong. I don't remember a thing about the night we spent together, other than how good she felt against me, like she was made for me. We woke up the next morning with more than we bargained for-wedding rings. Too bad I don't believe in true love. I'd feel bad about it, but she's got a strong opinion of me too. I'm a perpetual bachelor from her perspective. Great. Crazy enough, this could work out for both of us. I need someone to keep my traditional Greek family from nagging me about settling down, and she could use some cash for reasons she doesn't want to share. I know a good deal when I see one. And if she wants to end up in my bed all over again, all the better...
Chapter 1 What Happens in Vegas
Kristo
As I watched the glittering lights of Las Vegas whip by the window of my cab, I frowned and leaned back against the plush leather seat behind me. This was the last place in the whole world I wanted to be.
And my fucking trip had barely gotten started.
Any other week, I would have found some way to wriggle out of being there, come up with a date I couldn't get out of or a meeting that needed my presence to function, maybe. But with Dad flying out halfway across the world with wife number-what was he on, four?-I had no choice but to turn out to this stupid fucking gala. What a waste of a Friday night. I'd have to plaster a fake smile on my face in the hopes that we would land a few more investors to the company.
The company was everyone's focus, everyone's life. Including mine.
The flight over had been easy enough, but then again, I always made a point to fly with our private jet, so everything was just how I liked it. Considering that I had no choice but to be here, I made sure every little detail was perfect. Good scotch, comfortable seat, and no rush to bundle myself through security before I made my trip. It was long but easier with a glass of strong booze in my hand and the knowledge that I would earn a spot on my father's good side for my troubles.
But being in Vegas, I wanted nothing more than to climb back on that jet and head home, even if it meant flying through the night to get there. Maybe it was the time difference or maybe that I didn't get a choice in whether to come here, but I couldn't think of much worse in the world than pulling on that tuxedo I'd had laundered and sent ahead to the hotel and acting as the face of the company for a few hours. There was a reason my father usually stepped up to work these kinds of events, and that was because I preferred drinking hard and flirting with everything that moved over playing the pulled-together businessman.
Still. Wasn't like I had much of a choice. I had booked a room in the same hotel as the event to save myself having to make more trips than I had to, and I was looking forward to relaxing a little before I had to get ready to head out to this gala thing. My body felt all cramped up from being in the plane so long, and I was ready for a swim to work out some of the kinks in my muscles.
"Good trip, sir?" The cab driver eyed me in the mirror.
I shrugged and stretched. "Would have been better if I didn't have to make it at all," I replied.
He flashed me an understanding smile. "The hotel you're staying at, I think a lot of people would be jealous."
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "Not if they had to do what I did to get there," I shot back, managing a polite smile.
My father had always taught me not to be an ass to anyone who crossed my path because you never knew where they might end up. I was pretty sure I was safe when it came to talking back to a random Vegas cab driver, but the reflex was there, and it had served me well over the years. Don't be a jerk was a good rule to live life by, especially when it came to working in business, where not being a major asshole seemed like an exception and not a rule.
He dropped me off at the hotel, and a bellboy appeared to help me with my bags. They must have recognized my name when I was making the booking because I got the royal treatment as soon as I walked through the door.
"Kristo Balaban?" A beautiful woman with a sexy smile approached me.
"The one and only." I nodded and offered her a smile back.
"We've upgraded your room to a suite," she announced smoothly, extending her hand and shaking mine before handing me a key with my room number on it. She had perfectly straightened blond hair and a suit that looked as though it was starched ten minutes before-far from my type but I was never going to say no to the attentions of a gorgeous woman like her.
"Thanks." I nodded. "And the suit?"
"The suit you sent has been laundered and prepared for you," she replied, coyly. "You'll find it in your room."
"Good. And your pool? I need a swim before I go along to the gala."
"The pool is on our ground floor, near the elevators. I do hope you enjoy your stay here, Mr. Balaban. And if there is anything at all we can do for you, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you," I replied and took my bag from the bellboy and headed upstairs at once. Cheeky thing.
After being papered a little more, I found myself over it. It never took me long. If only I could fly under the radar when on business. That would be a fucking miracle. It was a double edged sword, but one I'd been dealing with for what felt like a long-ass time.
See if you think that tonight when the women won't leave you alone once they find out who you are, I reminded myself as I arrived at my room to drop off my bag. I grinned. There might have been some upsides to this trip after all.
I wasn't going to do anything, but damn, it was going to be nice to enjoy some flirtation with a few new faces for a change. Best thing was, I could pass it off as networking when I took their numbers for next time I was in town. Now that I was running the company, it was easier than ever to get away with the most bachelor of bachelor behaviors. Which was a notable upside.
Chapter 1 What Happens in Vegas
23/11/2023
Chapter 2 She's a Work of Art
23/11/2023
Chapter 3 I Don't Belong Here
23/11/2023
Chapter 4 She Looks the Part
23/11/2023
Chapter 5 A Circle of Silver
23/11/2023
Chapter 6 Gold Digger
23/11/2023
Chapter 7 My Husband
23/11/2023
Chapter 8 I Need the Money
23/11/2023
Chapter 9 It's a Good Plan
23/11/2023
Chapter 10 Take Me Home
23/11/2023
Chapter 11 Packing Up
23/11/2023
Chapter 12 This is Goodbye
07/12/2023
Chapter 13 That's Not a Ferret
07/12/2023
Chapter 14 You Can't Marry Everyone
07/12/2023
Chapter 15 All the Details
07/12/2023
Chapter 16 The Truth
07/12/2023
Chapter 17 Another Deal
07/12/2023
Chapter 18 The Home
07/12/2023
Chapter 19 What If He Doesn't Like Her
07/12/2023
Chapter 20 Not Good Enough
07/12/2023
Chapter 21 Show and Tell
07/12/2023
Chapter 22 The Reaction
07/12/2023
Chapter 23 A Driver
07/12/2023
Chapter 24 Daydreams
07/12/2023
Chapter 25 Damage Control
07/12/2023
Chapter 26 It's a Sham
07/12/2023
Chapter 27 Twenty Questions
07/12/2023
Chapter 28 Things I Hate
07/12/2023
Chapter 29 Meeting the Father
07/12/2023
Chapter 30 Dad's Opinion
07/12/2023
Chapter 31 I'm Missing Something
07/12/2023
Chapter 32 It's All His Fault
07/12/2023
Chapter 33 Anything You Want
07/12/2023
Chapter 34 I'll Protect You
07/12/2023
Chapter 35 It Hits the Fan
07/12/2023
Chapter 36 Make Them Jealous
07/12/2023
Chapter 37 Trying to Avoid Her
07/12/2023
Chapter 38 Parallel Lives
07/12/2023
Chapter 39 You Want Me
07/12/2023
Chapter 40 What Married People Do
07/12/2023
Other books by Ali Parker
More