Chapter 8

"You wanna help me with this, sweetie?" One of the showgirls, who had "amply" proven time and again that she was packing some seriously sexy heat beneath her glittery outfit, showed Eva the clasps holding her bra together. "It's only us girls in here."

That eyebrow waggle was unmistakable to Eva Warren, who seldom said no to a pretty woman asking her for wardrobe help, regardless of where her wife was. Nads, you are missing out. Eva kept her hands to herself, though. Besides, there was something pertinent to say.

"Just us girls and that guy over there." Eva motioned to Ian, who was surrounded by three women still in their bright and colorful uniforms. The man was completely in his element, and Eva couldn't wait to tell Kathryn. "My ‘date,' if you can believe it."

"You don't strike me as the type who dates guys like that."

"Honey, I don't date any guys. I'm married to another woman."

"Oh?" The cheeky five-foot-nothing gal who kept touching her breasts made sure Eva got an eyeful of that ass in those fake gemstones. "I don't see her here."

"Trust me, I'd love to help you out of these clothes."

"So what's stopping you? What happens in Vegas stays here! Haven't you heard that?"

Eva grinned. "What if I told you my wife was out on a date with another woman right now." When the showgirl inched closer, Eva gave in and unclasped the bra separating this dancer from her chance to relax after work. She looked away before tits were in her face. That'd be a feat. I'm over a foot and a half taller than her. It hadn't stopped some girls before…

"I'd say that your wife is out having fun, so why shouldn't you?" The bra clattered to the vanity brightly lit up with multiple light bulbs. When the woman turned around, Eva had no choice but to admire a local surgeon's handiwork. "My place ain't so far from here."

"Are you hitting on me because I'm convenient?" Eva glanced at Ian, who had lost one woman, but still had two more hanging off his every word. "Because your odds are pretty equal with both of us." Which was to say… not happening. Yet if Eva knew one thing she shared in common with Kathryn's husband, it was that they both had egos. Nothing wrong with ego rubbing, right?

"I know a good time when I see one. It's not every day I get to hit on a nice girl like you."

"Nice girl? You're really barking up the wrong tree now."

"Sorry. Shoulda asked your pronouns."

Eva laughed. "Not that tree."

When Ian finally freed himself from the tyranny of two attractive women, he stumbled toward Eva as if she'd lend him some credibility with Kathryn. "When they said a backstage tour," he began, "I didn't think they meant such an intimate tour. Jiminy Christmas and the unholy ghost, wowza."

"Calm down and keep it in your pants." Eva snorted. "If I can, so can you. And my wife's out with Lacey Cruz right now. At least yours is waiting for you up in your room."

"You're not… gonna uh…"

"Your secret is safe with me, bad boy. But if I saw you laying hands on the sweet feminine assets around here, your ass would be grass."

"Fair enough to me."

That was Eva's cue to ask if it was their chance to leave. The stage manager who had been reluctantly charged with showing Eva and Ian around almost let them go before remembering they were owed a picture with whatever girls humored them.

"You're kidding, right?" Ian stayed close to Eva as the showgirls who had yet to change out of their uniforms descended upon them for a quick picture. "Oh, hell."

He had feathers in his face, and Eva had breasts in hers. And shampoo. So much shampoo, perfume, and body odor wafting in her direction as five women in various stages of undress joined them for a picture. So did the small woman who had been hitting on Eva only a few minutes before. She flung on a sheer bathrobe before hopping in next to Eva, her nipples piercing through the barely-there fabric.

Ian was handed back his phone, then it was Eva's turn. She pulled up the camera app on her phone and got back in position, her best smile on her face. It disappeared once the picture was over.

"So, what are you up to now?" Ian asked when they were left to their own devices. "Guess I'm heading back up to the room. You want to split here?"

Eva was already mentally mapping her path back to her room. "Sure. See you tomorrow."

"I had already forgotten."

"Trust me, if I could get out of it, I would. Unfortunately, we're both beholden to the same woman."

Ian showed himself out with the management's helpful directions. Eva stayed behind a few more minutes, taking a moment to text Nadia about her ETA and how much she looked forward to seeing her wife again.

Lacey or no Lacey. Preferably no Lacey.

"Hey, honey." It wasn't just the short woman who had eyes for Eva. It was a group of them – four to be exact. They all winked and smiled at the woman leaning against the wall as if they had never flirted with someone like her before. "What are you up to tonight?"

Eva already knew where this was going and loved the idea. Except for a few hangups that prevented her from having too much fun. "Heading back to my room to rendezvous with my wife. Whom I'm happily married to, ladies."

"Oh? Bring us with you. I bet she'd love the surprise."

"Don't you girls have to do another show tomorrow night?"

All four of them laughed at the same time. Eva kept her hands to herself.

"You let us worry about that, honey," the same woman said. "Either way, we're partying tonight. Wanna join?"

As much as it pained Eva to say no, she didn't mind the view of the women as they walked away in their day clothes.

"Oh, boy." Eva closed her eyes. Once she opened them, she'd head out. "I've still got it."

As if there were ever any doubt.

image-placeholder

She took her time wandering across the casino floor. If Nadia were in their room, Eva would be in a bigger hurry. Tonight? She'd rather not occupy their room by herself for more than thirty minutes, which was long enough to take a quick shower before changing into her pajamas. Besides, Eva wasn't tired. She needed to come up with something "fun" for her and Ian to do the next day.

Rather get a makeover, and that's saying something.

Eva dithered between grabbing a drink at one of the many hotel bars or taking a gander at the poker tables. She didn't mind playing the low-stakes games if it was purely to pass the time for another hour.

Eva's mistake wasn't deciding between those two things. It was taking too long to decide – because it gave her the perfect opportunity to see two familiar faces coming around the corner.

Neither Nadia nor Lacey saw Eva. They were lost in their world of hilarious conversation, Nadia's arm wrapped around Lacey's as that tacky hot pink suit marched across the floor with a bodacious redhead at her side. Gag. Not Nadia, of course, who was the most beautiful person in the room. You don't deserve a great woman like Nadia. Most days, Eva didn't think she deserved her either.

The pair continued their quest for fun right past Eva, who hid behind a pillar. Once the coast was clear, she beelined for the nearest bar. After ordering a stiff drink, she Googled "public soccer fields near me" on her phone. She had a plan. She promised.

image-placeholder

Nadia hated to admit it, but this felt more like a real date the longer the evening wore on. Should that have been guilt knocking on her heart? Shame on her soul? Or a kick to the groin to render it unusable?

Probably, but since Nadia had no intention of actually cheating on her wife, she didn't allow herself to succumb to any of that. She was here to have fun and maybe make a new friend with someone who was more aligned with the way she saw the world. For as much as Nadia loved Eva and the friends in their inner circle, few of them were capable of the deep and meaningful conversations about life that Nadia often craved.

"I don't think I've properly told you that you are gorgeous tonight." All right, so Nadia craved some of that from people not her wife, too.

"You think so?" Nadia looked down and immediately encountered her own cleavage. She supposed it was on display tonight. Oops? "I wasn't sure if this was too much."

Lacey gazed at her outfit. "While I'm wearing this?"

Nadia laughed. "It suits you so well! You're a lot like Eva. You both own your styles. People never question it. Why would they?" She cleared her throat as she suddenly became self-conscious. "I always get such weird looks whenever I dress ostentatiously. Eva loves it when I wear bright colors and patterns, but outside of the office where I work, I always feel like I stick out in the worst ways."

"Nonsense. Women can never stand out too much. Take up space and do as you please. If you're not hurting anyone, who cares?"

Nadia bit her bottom lip and blushed. "You're one of those women who knows the right things to say."

"Is it right because it's what you want to hear, or because it's what you need to hear?"

"Both, I suppose."

Before an awkward silence could wreck them both, Lacey checked the delicate watch on her wrist. "It's rather late. How about I walk you up to your room?"

That suggestion caught Nadia by surprise. "Oh. Sure. I didn't realize it was so late."

"We still have tomorrow. We should be well-rested for it."

"You're right. My elevator is this way."

Nadia led the way, but Lacey was right beside her. Are we staying in the same hotel? Guess so. Why wouldn't Lacey be on the same floor as her? Or at least in the same tower? It made sense for them to head to the same elevators, and maybe right up together. Sure, Lacey had said she'd escort Nadia to her room, but it wasn't necessary since this wasn't a real date…

A part of Nadia wished it was. It had been so long since she last had a connection to someone like this, that she had the same giggles she used to get after a fantastic date with a stranger. Way, way back in the day.

I didn't even feel like this with Eva. Theirs had been a slow-burn romance that only accelerated when Nadia finally decided to give her future wife a shot. Not that there's anything wrong with that… But she rather missed this feeling. New, blossoming attraction…

"Thank you for the fun tonight," Lacey said once they were in the privacy of the elevator.

"Oh, don't mention it. Just… you know… a factor of the event."

"Let's say that when I told Kathryn I would do it, I fully expected this to be like pulling out my own teeth. Like I'd be with someone who completely didn't do it for me, but I had to pretend I was having the time of my life."

"So you're saying I do it for you?"

"Nadia, what has all of tonight been but me flirting with you?"

Did her stomach lurch from the elevator, or from that admission? "You're a very kind woman, Lacey. It's been a long time since someone I just met made me feel… well, special. If you were faking it tonight, I wouldn't have ever guessed."

"I assure you… you would know if I was faking."

The elevator arrived at Nadia's floor. Lacey stepped out, holding the door open for Nadia to emerge unbothered. I guess she's escorting me to my door. How chivalrous!

"I think Eva might already be here." In truth, Nadia had no idea. She hadn't checked her phone in an hour. "So I suppose this is where we truly say goodnight."

Lacey leaned against the wall to the left of Nadia's room door. As Nadia fished for her key out of her purse, Lacey said, "Be sure to thank Eva on my behalf. It's not every woman who will let me cavort with their wife. Usually, that's her thing."

Nadia pulled out her room keycard. "I'm sure that whole thing was a misunderstanding. I know Eva could be a bit… romantically stupid in the past, but I don't see that in her. Not an intentional stealing of your girlfriend, I mean."

"Of course not. It's merely a rivalry between us."

"Is you enjoying this date part of your ‘rivalry?'"

Lacey shook her head. "I assure you, I haven't felt this way about someone since my breakup. That doesn't feel so long ago… but it was."

Nadia touched her keycard to her mouth instead of to her door. "I feel like I'm being put on some sort of spot…"

She had every right to suspect that because Lacey raised her arm above Nadia's head and made her back up against the room door.

"If you weren't a married woman…" Lacey's deep and seductive voice made Nadia's heart pound beneath the palm grasping her chest. "I wouldn't let this date end without at least one kiss. Maybe more."

Nadia struggled to find her breath. "I… La…"

"The only reason you being married is an obstacle to me is because of who you are married to. I don't need Eva Warren making my life hell. Although God knows I'd love to forget all about her and go into your room with you. Unless…?"

The pregnant pause tearing apart Nadia's sanity wasn't because she was put into this position. It was the mind-blowing realization that this was happening. Lacey Cruz, an incredibly attractive woman whom Nadia had clicked with…

…She wanted to sleep with her!

"Oh. Oh my." Nadia found her breath when she exhaled everything she had inhaled into her lungs. The look of defeat was already on Lacey's face, but that didn't stop her from holding her ground and maybe…

Maybe hoping that Nadia might reciprocate. Maybe she would say yes and give in to temptation.

I could never do that to Eva. Even if our marriage was on the brink, which it isn't.

"I'm sorry," Nadia whispered.

That was all she had to say. Lacey lowered her arm and backed away. Although her affable demeanor didn't change, Nadia knew that embarrassment brewed behind those enchanting eyes.

"You're an honorable woman. I like that."

Nadia looked away, purse to chest. "I understand if you don't want to see me tomorrow."

"Now, that's silly. I'm perfectly capable of respecting your boundaries and being your friend, Nadia. I only hope you won't hold all of this against me. In fact, let's forget it."

"Well… if you're willing to forget, so am I."

"Deal." Lacey had backed up to the other wall when she finally took her leave. "Have a pleasant night, Nadia. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

She disappeared into the elevator before Nadia figured out how to open her hotel room door. When she was finally inside, she leaned against the door, head tilted up and body sagging from the weight of that moment still haunting her tenderest sensibilities.

Gathering her bearings wasn't difficult. Neither was putting down her purse and checking her phone for messages. One was from Eva, saying she was on her way up. That was ten minutes ago. Where was she? She hadn't seen that event with Lacey, had she?

I have to tell her. I should, right?

Nadia sat on the stool in front of what passed for a vanity in this simple room. She couldn't look at her reflection. Not even when someone entered the room behind her. Eva. Nadia recognized the cadence of those footsteps and the way a woman moved her body anywhere.

Still, she didn't turn around. Nadia continued to stare at the window before her, the one overlooking parts of the Strip that the rooftop restaurant hadn't seen.

It was both exactly what Nadia needed, as she listened to Eva remove her jacket and toss it somewhere, and exactly what she wished to ignore.

Eva stepped in front of Nadia long enough to grab a chair from the small table by the window. She dragged it behind her wife and sat down with a huff.

They were silent for a minute. A minute that tested Nadia's ability to keep her mouth shut. Where was the energy to say anything?

The weight of seven years festered between them. Nadia had never been so aware of it.

"How was your evening?" Nadia nonchalantly asked. "Did you have a good time?"

"It was fine. You've seen one, you've seen them all." Eva scooted closer. "I would have rather gone with you. Ian and I have almost nothing in common when we're alone."

"I know. I wish I was there with you. Or we had stayed in together."

"Why? Didn't you have a good time with Lacey?"

Nadia was surprised that Eva asked that so softly. "Yes, but you know how it is. I like spending time with you. Why else would we be married?"

Eva's arm brushed up against her wife. Chills raced down Nadia's spine. I've been so… alert these past few minutes. She loved the idea of some touch affection. Taking a shower together… cuddling in bed… making out…

Maybe more…

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much."

"I don't know what you could possibly be saying."

"I think you had a great time tonight," Eva said, "and that you're feeling guilty about it."

Nadia opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"Nothing to feel guilty about, Nads." Eva stood up. "You spent a lot of your money this morning. It's only natural to want to get something for it." She popped into the bathroom, the sink soon turning on. "As long as she was respectful, why should I care?"

"Why wouldn't she be respectful?"

The sink turned off. "I don't know. Why wouldn't she be?"

She's playing one of her games. Eva was waiting for a confession of some kind. Or she was drawing out some inevitable conclusion from her wife. Whenever Eva got like this, Nadia had to be careful, or they could both blow up in frustration.

This weekend was never supposed to cause a rift between them. It had only been in the spirit of fun… and charity.

Then Nadia met a woman named Lacey, who happened to be one of Eva's college rivals. Then Nadia felt an attraction to Lacey, who happened to be the one woman at the charity bachelor auction that morning. Then Nadia went and entertained the idea of kissing the woman who had so chivalrously escorted her up to her room.

Nadia remained frozen to the stool. Eva returned from the bathroom, sat in her chair, and leaned in toward her wife.

"You are ravishing in this dress." One of Eva's long fingers traced a line up Nadia's side. Nadia was so lost in her head that she forgot to be bothered by the ticklish sensation. "It drives me crazy knowing that you were out with another woman tonight, and she saw you so dolled up." That finger landed on Nadia's shoulder. "A part of me feels like this is something specially reserved for me. God knows you drive me crazy whenever I look at you."

Nadia wasn't convinced that she had stopped blushing since Lacey had come on to her only fifteen minutes ago. Did you bump into her on the way down, Eva? Probably not. They had probably just missed each other. Either way, Eva's compliment almost drove Nadia wild. How long had it been since she had such a genuine double-whammy in one day?

"Are you jealous that it was any woman?" Nadia asked. "Or that it was her?"

"Maybe I should keep that answer to myself."

Nadia leaned back, her head soon propped against her wife's shoulder. "Maybe I want to know the answer."

A familiar grip soon looped around her. Nadia relaxed in Eva's embrace and sighed. Soon, breath blew against the top of her scalp, and every inch of her body screamed for attention.

She should have known that this was where everything led. Because whenever tensions rose between them, Nadia inevitably gave in to her base temptations. She was convinced that Eva knew that better than anyone else.