Werewolf in Las Vegas by Vicki Lewis Thompson Page B

presence there had been exciting—way too exciting.
    His comments afterward had tickled her, because they told her he’d been thinking similar thoughts, but he’d wanted to appear cool and composed. But when she’d looked into his eyes and felt that click of recognition, that moment when she could all too easily allow herself to get carried away, she’d pulled back.
    Seeing the sadness in his expression hadn’t made her feel very good, but she was doing the right thing for both of them. Giving in to the pull of their mutual attraction wouldn’t be doing either of them any favors.
    He stayed with her until she’d retrieved the Harley and was ready to leave. He scrubbed his fingers through his hair, which reminded her of the moment in the hotel room when he’d done the same thing. His gestures, his smiles, his laughter, were becoming important to her. That had to stop.
    â€œSo if anything happens,” he said, “I’ll text you, and vice versa.”
    â€œThat works.”
    He smiled. “We didn’t eat the cake, but I’m sure they have great desserts at Illusions, too.”
    â€œI’m sure they do.” She started the engine. “We’ll keep in touch.”
    â€œRight.”
    She started down the street and fought the odd sensation that she was leaving someone important behind. No, she was leaving
temptation
behind. Maybe Luke Dalton was a test of her resolve not to get sexually involved with a human male. If so, it had turned out to be tougher than she’d ever imagined it would be.
    Traffic was heavy, and she was held up by a red light. Her cell phone chimed, but the light changed and she had to concentrate on her driving. Two lights later, she finally glanced at the message.
Another riddle. Want me to take this one?
    Damn, her heart started pounding as if she were seventeen and had been asked to a dance. That was bad. Pulling into the circular drive at Illusions, she balanced on her bike and looked at the riddle.
Romance in the air, voices raised in song, artistry in movement as they glide along.
    Had to be the gondola rides at the Venetian. She sat there telling herself to let it go. But doggone it, she wanted to know what Bryce and Cynthia had cooked up for the gondola ride at the Venetian. She could meet Luke there, satisfy her curiosity, and come straight back here.
    But not on the Harley. It
had
been a long day, and an emotional one. Her reflexes might not be as quick as she needed them to be in Vegas traffic. She’d cab it this time. After quickly texting Luke that she’d meet him at the Venetian in about twenty minutes, she turned the Harley over to valet parking and hopped in one of the cabs parked at the curb.
    Luke must have been watching for her, because when she got out of the cab in front of the Venetian, he was right there. “Thanks for coming. No Harley?”
    â€œI was ready to let someone else drive.”
    Sympathy flashed in his eyes. “You really are pooped, aren’t you?”
    â€œI am, but my curiosity got the better of me.”
    â€œYou understand it’s a water ride, right?”
    â€œYep.”
    â€œAnd you’re willing to risk it, knowing that Bryce has cooked up something special?”
    She decided to be as honest as possible. “I tried to talk myself out of meeting you here, but I couldn’t stand the idea of not knowing firsthand what they’ve come up with now.”
    His boyish grin flashed. “Let’s go check out the gondola rides.” And he took her hand.
    She could have pulled away, but the simple fact was she didn’t want to. Holding his hand earlier tonight had been a pleasure. She would go back to Illusions after this, so she told herself she could allow herself to hold his hand now.
    As they started into the building, a young guy who looked to be around twenty stepped forward. “Are you Luke Dalton and Giselle Landry?”
    Luke glanced at