Chapter Two

His teeth sank into his bottom lip as he stared at nothing. All Case saw was Saul inside his head, the way he had been when he walked Case back to the club. He had kissed Case's cheek. His lips had lingered. Case couldn't shake that moment. It was the first time Case had ever realized he could be so desperate for a fantasy, it physically hurt. He ached for more. It was fucking nuts. He was completely convinced Saul knew what he had done to Case with that too-sweet cheek kiss. His knowing smile afterward had said it all. It was maddening.

Case dragged his suitcase to the living room and left it by the door.

Lonnie eyed him. "I still say this is the dumbest fucking thing I've ever seen in my life."

"Well, we'll see, I guess." Honestly, he was tired of Lonnie's lectures. The only reason he had confessed his plans was in case he went missing. Otherwise, he didn't owe anyone any explanations. He was grown. Thankfully, before Lonnie could make a retort, the doorbell rang. Case avoided Lonnie's gaze as he moved to answer. He bit back a happy sigh at the sight of Saul on the other side. The guy looked extra yummy. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and even though he wore a basic t-shirt and jeans, the outfit still screamed money. He smiled. Deep lines appeared at the corners of his mouth. Even his teeth were flawless. There was no way men weren't tripping over themselves to be with him. Case had no clue why the guy wanted to pay for him.

"Hey." Case heard the happiness in his voice. God, he was in trouble.

"Hey. Are you ready to go?"

Without bothering to say goodbye, Case grabbed his suitcase and practically leapt outside. He didn't want to risk Lonnie saying something insulting before he got away.

"You look gorgeous," Saul said the moment they stepped outside. "Let me get that for you." He took Case's bag before he could argue.

"Thanks. You're looking pretty hot yourself." He wanted to slap himself. Case was incapable of not flirting. He had always been this way.

The back automatically opened on a dark blue Navigator as they neared. Saul slid Case's suitcase inside next to his. A suit bag hung from a hook. Horror overcame Case.

"I didn't think about a tux or whatever. Is this a black-tie thing?"

Saul glanced his way, looking unconcerned. "I told you I would take care of everything this weekend. You should trust me to do so."

Case dipped his chin, acknowledging the words. "Fair enough." He had agreed to those terms.

Saul's sexy smirk appeared. "Good boy."

Goddamn. His knees weakened. Saul had to stop pulling that shit on him. It wasn't fair. He headed for the passenger seat, hoping Saul wouldn't notice the effect he had on him. A sexy, wicked-sounding chuckle followed him. Lord, the guy drove him nuts. He tried to do better once they were on the road.

"So, tell me about this trip. Where are we staying? What time is our flight? I haven't been to Vegas in years."

Thankfully, Saul was patient with his over-excited questions. "We're staying at Luna Hotel. I have a suite there. As for our flight, it's whenever we get there. The company pilot is waiting."

Once upon a time, Case had rolled with the best. He had been on top of the world when he had played in the big leagues, but not once had he flown on a private jet. Case tried not to show it, but he had a bad feeling he was about to spend an entire weekend trying to find his footing in a world where he didn't belong.

"You're suddenly very quiet."

"I'm just trying to picture Luna Hotel. It seems like I gambled there once, but I was pretty shitfaced, so…" Case laughed. "To be young and dumb, I guess."

"You're twenty-six. That's young." Saul almost sounded bitter. He made Case curious as hell.

"I feel twice that." Case didn't know why he spoke so freely around Saul. He had done the same on their dinner date. Case was supposed to be the flirty fantasy stripper who kept himself safe with his silence. With Saul, he simply said everything in his head. "My dad put me in football when I was six. Until I got let go, I never stopped. All those years have decimated my joints, ligaments, and everything in between. I have more arthritis than a ninety-year-old." He laughed. "That probably didn't sound especially sexy. I should go back to being the carefree flirt."

Saul never looked away from the road. "If I only saw an empty-headed fool when I looked at you, you never would've caught my attention. I saw you the other night. When you thought no one watched," Saul explained. Case couldn't look away from him. His gaze stayed locked on his task as he spoke, but Case could still see he meant every word. "You had me fascinated. Obviously, you're extremely beautiful, but you looked stressed, sad, and like you didn't belong. Then someone would speak to you, and I watched you transform into someone else. I'm still trying to decide if there's two versions of you, or if you're hiding."

For reasons he couldn't name, Saul's observations moved him. He didn't think he had ever felt so seen.

"You're dangerous in ways I wasn't warned about." There was no missing the seriousness in Case's voice. He wouldn't take it back.

Saul finally looked his way. The hard set to his jaw didn't ease, but his eyes burned. "You can still run."

No. He couldn't. Case was too intrigued.

If Case was uncomfortable being tossed into the life of luxury, he didn't show it. Then again, he had played professional sports. Despite never making a big name for himself, Case had—not doubt—still run in circles with people who made millions. He had the polish to blend in perfectly. After a quick trip to a tailor, he had Case dolled up and ready to be shown off to the world. Saul couldn't be seen at this event alone, but damn. Case tempted him not to go at all. They were too close to a bedroom, and the man was sexy as hell. Case knew it, and that made him twice as hot. He walked with the confidence of a man who knew his worth. Saul could afford him. He wasn't above buying him.

"Are you ready for this?"

Mischief flashed in Case's eyes. He closed the distance between them and straightened Saul's bow tie. Before Saul saw it coming, Case kissed his cheek. His lips lingered long enough to make Saul's heart speed. He backed away. "There. Now I'm ready."

Saul offered his elbow like a gentleman, and they left the suite. Saul cleared his mind on the elevator ride down. Case squeezed his arm, pulling Saul's attention his way.

"Don't look so dour. We can get something good to eat after we suffer through this dinner."

An unexpected laugh burst from Saul. "God. These hotel-catered dinners are always the worst."

Case nodded. "Watered down, bland tea."

"Hard as a rock dinner rolls."

"Don't forget the mystery beef floating in some form of fancy, yet disgusting, sauce."

Saul laughed.

The elevator door opened. Saul turned his head, still smiling like an idiot. His gaze collided with a familiar set of green eyes. Emory froze at the sight of him. His gaze slid Case's way. Case also hadn't lost his grin from their ridiculous conversation. Something dark crossed the man's features. Saul steered Case around him—like he was a stranger. He didn't look back. Instead, he headed toward the owner of the Luna and all the hotels Saul ran: Zander Kapra. The man had eyes the color of the Caribbean Sea. They focused on Saul. His long, blond hair was pulled up into a messy bun, as if he wasn't wearing a sixty-thousand-dollar tuxedo. He smiled.

"Saul. I'm so glad you made it."

Like Saul had a choice. He shook Zander's hand. "I'd never miss one of your events. Zander, this is Case. Case, this is Zander." He motioned between them. "Zander is the owner of this gorgeous hotel, and countless others."

Zander chuckled. "They're not countless." He focused on Case and shook his hand. "I know the exact number. It's very nice to meet you, but you also look slightly familiar."

A nervous-sounding chuckle escaped Case. "It's nice to meet you too."

Maverick, Zander's husband, appeared at his side. Since he could definitely be the golden retriever type, he was already all smiles. His gaze was locked on Case. "Holy shit. It is you."

Saul looked Case's way and found him smiling too. He pulled away from Saul to meet Maverick halfway. They hugged, with Maverick slapping Case on the back like they were old friends.

Maverick pulled away, still smiling. "Damn. I haven't seen you in years." Ignoring Saul, Maverick turned his attention toward Zander, who looked every bit as curious as Saul felt. He motioned toward Case. "This is Case Rollins. He used to play for the Wolves. We worked out at the same gym together for years."

Zander snapped his fingers. His eyes lit. "Is this the one who would spar with you despite not being a fighter?"

Maverick nodded. "He's good enough. I just couldn't convince him to switch to MMA. He loves football."

"I maybe should've listened," Case muttered, sounding sad.

Saul's chest squeezed. His first impression had been right. Case was miserable as a dancer. He was simply doing what he had to do.

Maverick released Case. Case immediately returned to holding Saul's arm. He looked genuinely happy to do so. Pride swelled in Saul's chest as all eyes returned to him. Especially when Maverick turned the conversation their way. "Oh. I was so surprised to see you, I didn't realize you're here with Saul. Good choice. He's a good man." Maverick shook Saul's hand. "It's good to see you too, obviously. It just shocked me to suddenly see Case's face again. We've spent countless hours together."

Saul's face hurt from smiling. It had been a long time since he felt this much joy and pride. "Of course it is good to see you too. I'm glad Case knows someone here."

"You two will sit with us," Zander said, chiming in. "Let's find our table. The event is about to start."

Saul's gaze swung toward the dining hall. Emory sat in his line of sight, openly staring. Saul refused to let his smile waver. He was enjoying himself for the first time in months. Emory wouldn't ruin this night for him. Why was he here anyhow? Saul eyed the seats on either side of Emory. Harold Grant leaned Emory's way. Saul nearly snorted. Of course, Emory had found more gold to dig. Saul wished he would stop fishing from Saul's inner circle. He was sick of the guy's cheating face. Emory was as polished and beautiful as ever. All Saul saw now was a snake. He hated snakes.