A highlander in vegas, p.6
A Highlander In Vegas, page 6
“Do you know why the call it Black Jack?” she asked.
“Nae. Should I?” She appeared ready to tell him in any case.
“Most people probably don’t know, but back when the game first came to America from France, it was called twenty-one or vingt et un. In order to pique the interest of gamblers, they made it so that if you got a black jack and an ace of spades, you’d win more money. The odds were ten to one and that’s where the name Black Jack came from. I love trivial little facts like that. Don’t you think it’s interesting?”
“Aye. Verra.” As far as interesting went, there had been many more things he’d seen in the last two days that he found much more interesting than that bit of information, but he’d not disappoint her by saying so.
She didn’t object to his presence, so he continued walking with her. As they moved through the casino he kept watch. As the day went on he found he’d become busier. He was amazed how many times he’d had to pick someone up from the floor and how many times he’d had to rescue the cocktail waitresses from over zealous male patrons who’d forgotten how to keep their hands to themselves. One look at Braeden and they left without quarrel. The lasses were grateful for his help and so a chorus of “Braeden!” accompanied by smiles and waves followed him as he walked alongside Tessa. He was enjoying her annoyance. Every time his name was called she sent an angry glare in the direction of the lass who’d called out. He could’ve explained the reasons for their attention, but he was having much too much fun watching Tessa McTavish squirm.
As they passed the Skye Bar, the bartenders also called to him and waved. He was starting to feel more at home despite the absurdity of his situation.
“Looks like you’ve made some new friends.”
He didn’t reply. There was nae need. Her observation was correct and Braeden didn’t feel the need to speak simply for the sake of filling the silence when it wasn’t necessary.
Tessa stopped abruptly and faced him. He gently tucked a piece of her golden tresses behind her ear as he gazed into eyes as blue and fathomless as the ocean. He let his hand linger, wanting more than anything to kiss her plump, pink lips and imagining how soft they’d be and how sweet they’d taste to his own.
“I have some things to attend to in my office,” Tessa stammered. “I’ll see you later.”
“Aye. Ye shall.” He watched as Tessa walked away, realizing he could stand there all day. She was a lovely sight to behold.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of breaking glass and an angry male voice. He turned to see Katie retrieving her tray from the floor and attempting to pick up the broken glass. She’d already cut herself in the process and was cringing as the threatening man berated her.
“That’s what you get for ignoring me. I said I wanted another drink.” The man glared down at her.
Katie was near to tears now as Braeden helped her to her feet and placed himself between her and the belligerent man.
“Get out.” Braeden’s controlled anger was apparent, but the man was either too drunk or too stupid to realize the danger he was in. He really had no idea who he was dealing with.
Good sense, if he’d ever had any, must have left the drunken bastard. He stood as tall as he possible could and though he was a good foot shorter than Braeden, he poked a finger in his chest. “You can’t tell me to leave. Hell, I’m an American and you barely speak English.”
“Get out.” Braeden growled. He wanted this man gone so he could get Katie some help. She was bleeding all over her white blouse. When the man didn’t budge, Braeden grabbed him by the shirt collar and lifted him off the ground. Now face to face with this drunken idjit. “Perhaps ye didnae hear me the first time, or the second. Get yer sorry arse out of here before I put my foot to it and send you out the door that way.” His voice was low and menacing. The man appeared to finally understand how close he was to being beaten to a pulp. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words escaped his quivering lips.
Two security guards arrived and Braeden dropped the man, who scrambled to his feet and was quickly taken into custody by the guards.
“Take him out and make sure he doesnae come back.” Braeden glared threateningly at the man who visibly cowered in the face of Braeden’s wrath. He turned his attention to Katie and softened his demeanor, noting that she’d already been frightened enough. He didnae wish to cause her any more dismay. “Yer in need of bandaging, lass. Come with me.”
“But what about the glass. Someone might get cut on it.” Her voice trembled and tears brimmed in her eyes.
Braeden signaled one of the other waitresses. “Can ye see to it that this is cleaned up?”
She nodded. “Are you okay, Katie?”
“I’ll be alright. I just cut myself on the glass,” she managed to stammer out. Braeden wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders and walked with her to the private ‘employee only’ area of the casino. The poor lass was shaking like a leaf and he did his best to put her at ease.
There was a nurse and doctor on duty, part of a medical team who were available at all times, so it wasn’t long before Katie was bandaged up. Braeden stayed by her side, sensing she was still frightened by what happened.
“Katie, are you okay?” Melanie O’Connell, the floor supervisor for the cocktail waitresses ran into the nurse’s office. “I came as soon as I heard. What happened?”
“Some jerk who was way over the limit wanted another drink and I told him I couldn’t serve him. He got pretty irate and he knocked my tray out of my hands.”
“She cut her herself picking up the broken glass,” the nurse offered.
“Is he gone?” Melanie looked to Braeden.
“Aye. He won’t be back today or any other. I’ll see to it.”
“Katie, I think you should go home for the day. You’ve had a very trying experience. Go get changed and I’ll see to it that someone walks you to your car.”
“I’ll take care of her,” Braeden assured Melanie. “Go on, lass. I’ll wait here for ye and I’ll see to it that ye get to yer car without anyone bothering ye.”
Tessa was dismayed to once again see Braeden walking with Katie. Only this time he had an arm around her. They were headed to the parking garage from what she could tell. The jealousy she felt earlier was back and she couldn’t tamp it down no matter how hard she tried.
“What is he doing?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, what was that. I couldn’t hear you over the music.” Zach was wiping down the bar. “Can I get you a drink, boss lady?”
“No. Thanks, Zach.”
“Were you asking me a question before?”
“Not really. I was talking to myself.”
“That’s not a good thing, is it?”
“Probably not.” She tried to make light of it and she hoped Zach was buying it. “I’m kind of tired and I’ve still got so much to do and I was wondering what Braeden was doing with his arm wrapped around Katie.” That last part just slipped out. “I was just running it all over in my head, but I guess I was saying it out loud.”
“Yeah. I get it. I do that sometimes. I think Braeden was escorting Katie to her car. I guess you didn’t hear what happened.” He polished a few glasses before putting them away.
“No. Tell me.” This should be interesting, she thought.
“Katie cut herself after some jerk knocked her tray out of her hands. She was pretty shaken up. Braeden took care of the guy though.”
“Oh, good.” Tessa was relieved to hear this. “Just doing his job.”
“Yes, ma’am. He’s great at it too. We haven’t had any problems in the bar all day today.”
Tessa smiled now that she knew Braeden was simply taking care of Katie and there wasn’t a romance blossoming between the two of them.
“You got plans tonight? It’s Valentine’s Day, you know?” Zack continued putting drink orders together for the cocktail waitresses.
“I do know and I do have plans. How about you?”
“Nah. Life’s too short and there are lots of women out there I haven’t met yet.”
“You’ll change that tune before too long.” Tessa shook her head and chuckled at him. He was good looking enough that she was sure he’d never have to worry about being alone. “There’s more to life than seeing how many notches you can put in your belt. There’s something to be said for having that one person you can come home to. The person who’s going to be there through thick and thin. I look forward to the day when I have that person I can share my life with, not just drinks and a roll in the sack.”
Zach appeared surprised by her candor. “You don’t seem like that kind of girl.”
“I’m not, which is why I’m hoping to…” She caught herself just as she was about to say find that someone soon. Hadn’t she already found him? She was engaged to Danny Madden. The man of her dreams, or at least he was when she was with him.
“Why the scowl?” Zack said as he examined her face.
“Oh. It’s nothing. I just remembered something I have to do.” She turned away to leave.
“Tessa.” Zach called to her as she left. “Happy Valentine’s Day!” Smiling the smile that was surely a heartbreaker to every woman he met, Zach handed her a velvety rose of the deepest red.
“Why thank you, Zach. That’s very sweet, but are you sure there isn’t someone else you’d rather give this too?”
“Nope. I’ve got a bunch of them back here, I like to keep the ladies happy.”
“Be careful. If you make them too happy, you might find yourself in a relationship before you know it.” She smelled the rose appreciatively. Her favorite flower. “Mmm…” She wondered once again about seeing Braeden with Katie and why she cared so much.
As Tessa dressed for her night out, a night that was meant to be a romantic evening alone with her fiancé, she found herself thinking about Braeden and not the man she was supposed to marry. No matter how hard she tried, when she thought of herself in the warm embrace of the man she loved, she saw herself with Braeden. When she saw herself kissing the man she loved, she saw herself with Braeden. When she pictured the face of the man she loved, she pictured Braeden. Danny was the man she was going to marry, so why was she having all these romantic thoughts about Braeden. He was handsome, he was strong, he was kind and she’d felt something with him that she’d never felt with Danny, and that spelled nothing but trouble.
“What is wrong with you?” She found she was talking to herself again. She shook herself from head to toe, trying to erase the thoughts going through her head. She knew she was going to have to break it off with Danny, but would she be able to do it tonight. She felt terrible about it. Was she too nice for her own good, because the thought of hiking through the desert on the hottest day of the year would be preferable to breaking Danny’s heart, especially on Valentine’s Day? She already knew she should have never said yes to his proposal, but somehow, without conscious thought, it had simply escaped her lips. From the moment Danny slipped that engagement ring on her finger she was doomed. She would have gone along with the marriage no matter what, no matter how much she didn’t want to, that is until Braeden MacDonald showed up in her life. Now she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what she must do. It would be difficult, but it had to be done. It wasn’t fair to Danny to be with someone who didn’t really love him. He’d understand, wouldn’t he?
She finished dressing and headed to Braeden’s room feeling as if she were heading to her own funeral. She knocked, anxious to see his face and hear his voice. How could she have fallen so hard for him in such a short time unless it was meant to be? That must be it. He was here for her and she would gladly be his, now all she had to do was tell Danny.
Chapter 7
Danny’s show was just getting out as Tessa, Braeden and Kelly pushed their way through the crowds to the back of the theater. The hallways were empty with the exception of hotel security, and knowing who Tessa was, they merely nodded their heads as she and the others passed by on their way to Danny’s dressing room door.
Tessa knocked. “Danny?” This was it. It was now or never.
“Come on in,” Danny called. He was seated at his dressing table wrapped in a robe and removing his stage make up.
“I hope you don’t mind. I brought some friends along with me.” They all entered, closing the door behind them. “You know Kelly and this is Braeden. He’s here visiting from Scotland.”
“Nice to meet you,” Danny said in a somewhat disinterested voice. He didn’t even look their way.
“How was your show tonight?” Tessa was a bit nervous about what she knew was coming and embarrassed by his behavior. She didn’t say anything, assuming he was surprised she’d brought people with her. She planned on talking to him later about their engagement. It wasn’t going to be pleasant, but she felt she needed to do it.
“It was great, as always. The audience ate it up.” He finished wiping his face off and stood, noticing Braeden for the first time. “You’re from Scotland, huh?”
“Aye.”
“How are you liking Vegas so far?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “I see you’ve already found a pretty girl, nice work.”
Braeden glared at him. Tessa could feel the tension in the air as the two men appraised each other. Kelly could feel it as well, glancing from one man to the other.
“Braeden, maybe we should wait outside and give Tessa and Danny some time alone.” She headed for the door and Braeden appeared reluctant to follow. “Come on.” She smiled sweetly at him and he relented.
Once they were out of the room, Tessa said, “Danny you were being rude.”
“Was I? I didn’t think so, but if I was, no big deal.” He continued his after show rituals and poured himself a drink, not bothering to offer Tessa one.
“Well, it’s a big deal to me. This is the first time you’re meeting Braeden, try to be nicer,” she scolded.
“You’re not my mother,” was his curt response. “I wasn’t expecting you to bring an entourage along with you tonight. It’s Valentine’s Day. I thought it would be just you and me.” He rose and kissed Tessa’s cheek.
“I’m sorry. My dad asked me to show Braeden around and I thought things would go better if he had a date, so I asked Kelly.”
Danny removed his robe revealing a thin, but muscular build in his boxer briefs. Tessa noted that seeing him this way did nothing for her. Her heart certainly didn’t beat any faster, like it did when she saw Braeden fully clothed. Danny grabbed a shirt from a nearby hanger and put it on. “You could have given me a heads up. You know I don’t like being caught off guard.” He moved back across the room to Tessa and held her face in his hands, staring into her eyes.
A strange feeling came over Tessa as she spoke. “I don’t know how many times I have to say I’m sorry. Can we just let it go and enjoy the rest of the evening? I don’t want you to be angry with me.” Tessa had been irritated with Danny, but was now inexplicably drawn to him. The side of Danny she’d just seen was one she didn’t enjoy, but suddenly it didn’t matter. There was a battle going on in her brain. She’d just been thinking that Danny behaved like a spoiled little boy at times, somehow making her feel like it was all her fault. Maybe it was. Maybe she was the difficult one. She tried without success to remember all the reasons she couldn’t possibly marry him. But realized she wanted to marry him. She loved him. She felt herself drowning in his eyes as he continued to hold her with his stare.
“I would have enjoyed it better without the company, but we’ll let it go for now.” At first she thought all this eye contact was weird, but then she felt herself relaxing and couldn’t imagine why she’d been so upset with him before. He was probably right. It was her fault. Here he was, her husband to be and she was treating him poorly. Danny moved away from her and pulled on a pair of jeans and then stepped into his shoes. “I had planned a nice romantic dinner for two, but that’s obviously not going to work.”
There was a knock on the door and Danny opened it. It was Tanya, his assistant. “Thanks for the roses, sweetie. She was just about to kiss his lips when he abruptly turned his head so her lips met his cheek. Tessa knew Tanya hadn’t seen here standing there.
“Hi, Tanya.”
“Oh, hi Tessa. I didn’t see you there.” Based on the fake smile she’d plastered across her face, Tessa could see she wasn’t happy. “I’ll talk to you later,” she said to Danny as she ran a finger along his jaw.
“Later,” Danny said, closing the door behind her.
“That was weird. Why did you get her flowers?”
“They were supposed to be for you, but the florist dropped them off in her dressing room instead of mine. I couldn’t bear to tell her they weren’t for her. She was so excited to get them.”
“She knows we’re engaged, doesn’t she?”
“Of course she does, but I can’t help it if she wants me.”
Tessa’s brain was feeling muddled, so she decided to drop it. “I don’t know where you were thinking of going tonight, but we can always go to Hoy at The Albannach. Tonight’s opening night. It should be a lot of fun.” She waited, hoping for a positive response.
Danny made a face to show his displeasure. “It wouldn’t be my first choice, but if it’s what you really want I guess we can go.”
“Good. You’ll have fun. Besides, the local papers will be there and it would be good publicity for your show.” She knew that would work in her favor.
“I don’t really need the publicity, but I guess you can never have too much.” He took one final look in the mirror, adjusting his shirt and jacket. “Damn. You are one lucky lady, Tessa.
She felt like an angel was guiding her on one shoulder and a devil on the other. The devil made her think - I am, while the angel said, “Run.”
Kelly was smiling up at him again. She really was verra pretty with her red hair and green eyes, but as she’d informed Braeden as soon as they were alone together, she had a boyfriend. He was happy she’d brought it up, but despite the fact she was a beauty and quite a lot of fun, that wasn’t what Braeden was here for. He was supposed to keep an eye on Tessa. That was his main focus. She was closed up in that room with Danny who, while he didn’t know him well, didn’t impress Braeden as being the kind of man that John McTavish would approve of his daughter marrying. As a matter of fact, he wouldn’t approve of it either. He’d keep careful watch on the two of them and intervene if this Danny fellow did anything inappropriate.
