They were pretty much all he had. The only people he could truly trust. In this business, you trusted no one.

No one at all.

“Want another glass of wine before we go outside?” he asked Reagan as they passed by the bar.

She shook her head, her soft dark brown hair brushing against her shoulders with the movement. His gaze zeroed in on the spot where her pulse throbbed, right at the base of her neck, where it met her shoulder. He wanted to kiss her there. Lick her. Nibble on her skin until she was shivering and moaning and…

“No, thank you,” she murmured with a gentle smile. “Though maybe some water would be good?”

“Look.” He stopped and she turned toward him. “You don’t have to stop drinking alcohol just because I don’t drink it. Have whatever you want. I can handle it.”

“But I really would prefer water.” She smiled shyly, and the sight of it sent a bolt of lust straight to his dick. Damn, she was pretty in this utterly natural way. She didn’t have on a ton of makeup, but what she did have only accented her eyes and lips, didn’t overpower her delicate features. He could stare at that face for hours, fascinated with what he saw, but he didn’t want her to think he was some kind of creeper. “I want to be sober tonight so I can remember it later.” Her cheeks turned the faintest shade of pink the moment the words left her lips.

“You think something interesting is going to happen tonight?” He raised a brow, pleased to see her face turn a shade darker. He didn’t want to embarrass her, but it was fun to see her react this way.

“I’m sure it’ll be a pleasant evening full of interesting conversation,” she said as neutrally as she could, her face completely straight. The only indication she was teasing was the quiver at each side of her mouth as she fought to keep her smile under control.

“Is that all you’re looking for?” He stepped closer, settling his hand at the base of her spine. He curled his fingers the slightest bit in a subtle caress, and she turned to look at him, her brown eyes wide. The warmth of her skin penetrated through the thin fabric of her dress, and he wondered what exactly she was wearing beneath that dress.

He hoped nothing. He hoped more he’d discover that for himself.

“I’m not looking for anything,” she admitted softly, the smile she’d been holding back shining through, blinding him.

“I like the way you think.” He waved at the bartender to get his attention and ordered two waters, then pointed toward the doors leading out to the balcony before he wrapped his arm around Reagan’s waist. “Let’s go,” he murmured.

Chapter Two

They’d just about made it to the doors leading to the terrace outside when she heard Natalie’s unmistakable voice coming from behind her.

“Where do you two think you’re going?”

Declan slowly turned, taking Reagan with him. He didn’t say a word, leaving it up to her to explain to her friend.

“We’re going to sit outside for a little bit.” Reagan paused, not liking the way Natalie examined the both of them. Like they were strange bugs under a microscope. “Want to join us?”

Ugh, why’d she have to go and say that?

Declan sent her a look but then went into smooth, polite actor mode. “Yes, join us,” he offered.

“No thanks,” Natalie retorted, resting her hands on her hips. Talk about cranky. “You two kids go have fun outside all alone.”

“Hey.” Reagan turned her head to find Declan smiling down at her. “I’ll meet you outside, okay? Talk to your friend.”

The moment he left them, Natalie was on her like white on rice. “What are you doing?” she whisper-hissed. “You’re going to leave the party with him?”

“I’m not leaving the party, we’re just going outside. I’ll be right out there.” Reagan waved her hand toward the double doors Declan had just slipped through. “What’s the big deal?”

“He could be a psycho rapist for all we know. Don’t go anywhere alone with him,” Natalie said.

Reagan withheld her sigh. Fine, Natalie was watching out for her wellbeing, but she was also totally overreacting. “Don’t be such a buzzkill. I’m sure he’s perfectly harmless.”

“He’s an actor. I doubt any of them are perfectly harmless. Especially ones who are down on their luck and can’t get movie roles any longer.” At Reagan’s questioning glance, Natalie shrugged. “I looked him up on Google and found out the deets.”

“Nat,” Reagan reprimanded, curiosity eating her up inside. Yeah, she knew some details about the great downfall of Declan Carter, but she hadn’t paid much attention over the last few years. Nursing school and then her new job had kept her busy.

“Hey, I had to know. He went on a total binge of drugs and alcohol. Lost a huge movie role. His agent dumped him. He went into rehab and sobered up,” Natalie explained.

Nothing too far from what he told her. “He’s clean now,” she pointed out.

“We’ll see how long that lasts. The pressures of Hollywood have to be tough. And he’s in Vegas for the weekend. This city is a hotbed of sin.”

“You sound like an old grandma,” Reagan said with an eye-roll.

“Sometimes I feel like an old grandma. At least I’m the voice of reason,” Natalie said.

“I appreciate you watching out for my interests. I really do. But I think you need to go mingle and see if you can find a hot man for yourself tonight,” Reagan said as she pulled her friend into her arms and gave her a quick hug. “You look amazing. Have fun.”

“You too,” Natalie called after Reagan as she started to walk away. “Be careful.”

She was always careful. For once, she was going to do what she wanted and not worry—too much—about the consequences. She wasn’t going to be stupid, hence the no alcohol reasoning. Though she still couldn’t believe she’d actually told Declan the truth when he asked about her wanting only water.

Lame. But he seemed charmed by her admission, so maybe it worked in her favor? She didn’t know how to dazzle a dazzling, gorgeous Hollywood actor. She was Plain Jane Nurse Reagan primped up in a sexy dress that wasn’t anywhere close to her normal style. Would he still like her if he saw her in her blue scrubs, no makeup on her face and her hair pulled back into a frizzy bun?

Probably not. So she needed to cling to the fantasy and make this night worth it.

The moment she walked out onto the terrace, the warm summer breeze hit her, heating her cooled skin. The lights of the city were spread out before her like a twinkling blanket and she stopped short, drinking in the breathtaking view. Las Vegas was huge and so incredibly bright. She’d never seen such a thing before and she was from Southern California. The cities there spread and spread, never seeming to stop.

But they certainly weren’t this beautiful.

“Reagan,” Declan called, drawing her attention. She turned to her right to find him sitting on an overstuffed loveseat made out of wicker, the deep red cushions plump and comfortable-looking. He waved her over and she headed toward him, her steps careful, her knees wobbling when she saw the heart-stopping smile on his face as she approached.

“I could watch you do that all night,” he murmured as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees so he could dangle in his arms between his legs, his hands clasped together.

“Watch me do what?” she asked, perplexed. She stopped by a glass-topped table where the two waters Declan ordered sat. But she wasn’t thirsty. She could hardly move, too entranced by the way he stared up at her.

“Walk. You look…incredible in that dress,” he said, letting his gaze skim the entire length of her. “Join me.”

The loveseat wasn’t very big and he was nearly sitting in the middle, so she settled down next to him, their thighs pressed together, her bare leg rubbing against the slightly coarse material of his jeans. She smiled at him as he sat up straight, his shoulder brushing against hers, and she looked away, exhaling discreetly for fear he might notice.