Diva Las Vegas by Eileen Davidson Page A

to know your family.” He pulled me closer to him and kissed me softly on the lips.
    “Well. That’s something we can talk about when we get back to LA, right?”
    “No time like the present, Alex.” He just stared at me, waiting for an answer. So I gave him the only one I had.
    “I can’t do this right now. We’re in Vegas. I’m working. When we get home, we’ll come up with a strategy. Okay?”
    “Okay, I’m not going to push. For now.” He tossed some bills on top of the check and got up. “Want to come over and check out my fantastic digs? I’ll tell you what happened the rest of my day.”
    We exited the restaurant, making sure the coast was clear of moms, kids and fans, and headed out the rear exit of the hotel to his car.

Chapter 26
    We pulled into the parking lot of a motel away from the strip and casinos. I started to open the car door, but Jakes put his hand out and stopped me.
    “Give me five minutes. Okay?” Then he pointed. “Room 23, right over there.”
    “Okay.” I was intrigued.
    He jumped out and opened the door to his room. I looked around the exterior of the motel, wondering how many hookers had come and gone through those rooms over the course of the past thirty years. Boy, I thought, I bet this place had seen some action. I felt so bad that Jakes was staying here while I was in a palace. And I wondered if I could get him a room at the Bellagio. But would he take it if I could?
    I checked my voice mail. Connie had called, of course. I called her back.
    “Hey, Al! I’m glad you decided to go.” Connie said in her trademark gravelly voice. “Doesn’t hurt to stay on the producers’ good sides. These days, especially. Be grateful you have a gig. So, how’s it goin’ in Vegas?”
    “It’s good, Connie. Pretty typical fan event.” I decided what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
    “Like I said, it’s just terrific you went. The town is dead. As a doornail. Nothing’s going on with the actors’ strike looming. Take the money and run, Al. Take the money and run.”
    “Sure thing, Connie. Thanks. I gotta go. I’ll talk to you next week.” I hung up before she could think of something embarrassing I should audition for.
    The dash clock said five minutes had passed, so I got out and headed toward the door. It was slightly ajar. When I walked in, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
    “It’s not the Bellagio,” he said, “but it’s all I’ve got.” He closed the door behind me.
    The room was quite dark with the shades drawn and the door closed. Jakes had done an incredible job of changing the ambience of the seedy motel room. On every surface were lit candles. A bottle of champagne was chilling in a plastic ice bucket. Through the open bathroom door I could see a tub, brimming with steam and bubbles. The water was still running.
    “Jakes! What are you doing?”
    “I wanted Vegas to be romantic. This is the best I could come up with under the circumstances.”
    “It’s amazing. Thank you.”
    I didn’t care where we were at this point. I put my arms around him and hugged him. We kissed slowly and deeply.
    “You are so sweet, so sweet,” I murmured as he kissed my neck and slowly removed my blouse. He kissed my breasts lovingly, then undid my skirt. It dropped to the floor. I fumbled with his zipper—jeans and hot weather don’t make for easy removal—and tried to slip out of my thong. Finally, we were just skin to skin. I swear that man made me feel like a teenager. But something was different. I pulled away and looked him in the eyes.
    “What’s going on with you? Are you okay?” I asked.
    “I’m better than okay,” he said in that sexy, husky voice. He pulled me to him and we made love.
     
    Jakes had always been an amazing lover, but this time there was an intensity about him that really took my breath away. Like he couldn’t get enough of me. On top of that, I just hadn’t expected him to be so romantic. It both surprised and delighted me.
    Before long,