“You don’t have to say anything,” Kade replied, taking the bracelet from the box and fastening it on my wrist. “If you’re not wearing something outrageously expensive, it’ll look suspicious.”

I couldn’t breathe for a moment, the sharp disappointment I felt robbing me of breath. Then I immediately chastised myself. I’d been engaged to marry Kade’s brother mere months ago, had dismissed the feelings Kade had confessed to me, and been angry with him for even feeling that way. Why wouldn’t he have moved on? Why was I disappointed that he had?

“You’re not going to sell it later, are you?” he asked, and I winced at his tone.

I shook my head. “No.” I’d starve first before I sold anything else Kade gave me.

He finished fastening the bracelet and our eyes met. He was standing close enough for the scent of his cologne to tease my senses. His fingers lightly brushed my arm as our gazes locked.

“You ready?” he asked, breaking the spell.

I nodded. I needed to stop thinking about what might have been and just enjoy being here with my friend, someone who understood me more than I would have guessed—and who was giving me a really, really nice working vacation.

And it had been nice. I’d only thought about Blane about a dozen times today rather than the usual fifty or so.

“Good, because I’m starving.”

A short while later, we were being shown to a table in the fanciest restaurant I’d ever been in. I followed the maître d’ to a table in a private little alcove on the second floor. He graciously pulled a chair out for me.

“I’ll do that,” Kade said, taking the maître d’s place as I slid into the seat. He moved my chair forward slightly, then sat down next to me.

“What was that about?” I asked, opening the menu the man had left.

“Didn’t think he needed to see the view.”

It took a moment before I got it, then glanced down and realized what “view” Kade was talking about. “Oh.”

Kade ordered us cocktails and a first course. I wasn’t sure what it was called, something with crab and avocado, but it was good.

“Where all have you traveled?” I asked him, reaching for another bite. I had the feeling Kade had been a lot of places.

“A little bit of everywhere,” he said.

“Tell me?” I asked.

He thought for a moment as he took another drink, then said, “I think you’d like Hawaii.”

“You’ve been to Hawaii?” It sounded incredibly exotic to me, and completely out of reach.

“A few times, yeah,” he said. He went on to describe what it was like, how the moment you step off the plane on Oahu, the warm breeze of the tropics hits you. The way the island was divided into the wet and dry sides, and how when it rained, you could drive over the mountains and see waterfalls.

I was captivated by his obvious love for the place and listened to him talk. He told me a funny story about a run-in he’d had with two huge Samoan guys and I laughed. Our food came, but I barely noticed, eating an occasional bite as I asked him questions and he answered. I didn’t know why he was feeling chatty or when it would stop, so I took advantage.

Dessert was something chocolaty that Kade insisted on ordering for us to share, even though I told him I was full. He took a bite, his eyes sliding closed, and I watched, smiling a little at his obvious pleasure. I’d forgotten what a sweet tooth he had.

“You’ve gotta try this,” he said, scooting his chair closer and holding the spoon to my mouth.

I obeyed, letting him feed me the bite. The decadent chocolate oozed over my tongue.

“Mmm,” I said. He was right. It was worth eating even though I was full. I licked my lips, getting the last of the chocolate, and realized Kade’s gaze was rapt on my mouth.

He scooped another bite and lifted the spoon to me again. My pulse sped up, but I didn’t say anything and neither did he. I opened my lips and he fed me.

I don’t know why he continued, but he did, slowly feeding me bite after bite until I’d eaten the entire thing. He watched my mouth with an intensity that made me acutely aware of his proximity. I self-consciously lifted my napkin, but his hand stilled mine.

Kade leaned closer and his fingers lightly brushed my chin, lifting my head, and his lips met mine.

The touch was electric, as though a shock had gone through me, and I didn’t move, afraid that if I did, he’d stop. His mouth moved gently over mine, his touch maddeningly slow as he lightly licked and sucked on my lips. His tongue was soft, warm velvet.

Only his fingers under my jaw and his lips touched me. The scent of the cologne he’d worn tonight drifted to me, its alluring aroma mixed with his own scent, creating an aphrodisiac that, combined with his kiss, had me clenching my hands into fists to keep from touching him.

When he lifted his head, his eyes finally met mine, their brilliant blue intense beneath long, dark lashes. His face was inches away and it took every ounce of willpower I had to not pull him back for a real kiss.

“Chocolate tastes even better on you,” he murmured.

My breath was shallow and quick, my pulse even more so. The effect Kade had on me was so profound and strong, and something I’d fought for so long. It seemed odd to think that I didn’t have to anymore.

Or did I?

I’d been with Blane, engaged to him, still had feelings for him that couldn’t be flipped off like a light switch, no matter how angry and bitter I was over how it had ended. Where did that leave anything I might feel for Kade?

I felt confused and unsure and excused myself to go to the ladies’ room. I touched up my makeup, reapplied my lip gloss, and tried to regain the peace of mind I’d had earlier. Kade had kissed me before. It didn’t have to mean anything more now than it had then. I was reading too much into it. Maybe because I was lonely, and hurting, and my ego could certainly use some stroking from a man like Kade.

I decided I wasn’t going to allow myself to ruin the night. I’d been having a good time and getting lost inside my own confusion hadn’t been part of the plan. I’d go back to Kade and just have fun doing whatever he had planned. I’d worry about my state of mind, and my life, later.

Kade had paid the bill by the time I returned, and when he ushered me outside it was into a waiting limousine.

“What’s the occasion?” I asked, as he slid in after me.

“To see the Strip, of course,” he said, moving to the seat across from the wet bar. “Champagne?”

I grinned, delighted at this turn of events. “Absolutely.” Sip champagne while riding up and down the Vegas Strip in a limo with a gorgeous man? Yes, please.

Kade popped the cork and poured two glasses.

“What should we toast to?” I asked as he handed me a flute of the golden liquid. “To the future? New beginnings? World peace?”

Kade smirked at my teasing. “How about to how incredibly sexy you look tonight?”

That made me feel as though I’d swallowed a ray of sunshine and its warm glow was spreading through my body, melting me from the inside out.

I clinked my glass against his. “Ditto,” I said, and drank.

Kade played tour guide and I was wide-eyed with amazement as he pointed out landmarks. We passed the MGM hotel and when I read who was performing there on the sign outside, I let out a squeal.

“Can we go?” I asked excitedly.

Kade shook his head. “Sorry, princess,” he said with a grimace. “I’m banned from MGM for life.”

I stared at him in surprise. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope. Blane and I came here once a few years back,” he said, taking another drink of his champagne. “He’s banned, too.”

I was dying to ask more, but decided to let it go, especially when I saw the famous Las Vegas sign and hurried to snap a photo of it with my phone.

It seemed like barely any time had passed before I realized we’d finished the bottle of champagne and were pulling up to another hotel. Kade led me inside and we rode the elevator to the top floor. It opened into a nightclub that made me wish I had six pairs of eyes, there was so much to see. I abruptly decided that people watching could seriously be an Olympic sport in Vegas.