023: What Happens In Vegas...

It had been years since Kayla Knix had been to a wedding, even longer since she'd attended one alone and she was certainly regretting that decision now. Her cousin Alyvia and one of her closest friends, Brad Jackson, had gotten remarried after being apart for just about three years. It had been an intimate ceremony and beautiful as well. She couldn't help but feel lonely now as she watched the happy couple on the dance floor. It appeared to her that she'd been the only female to come alone and it only added to everything. As soon as the ceremony ended, Kayla had gone straight for the open bar and proceeded without caution. She was on her third Fuzzy Navel, that pleasant descent to inebriated having set in as she had finished her second one. She'd always been a lightweight and sometimes forgot to pace herself. She figured she would be fine as long as she didn't get sloppy drunk.

Most of her time had been spent by the bar, chatting with the bartender and watching the guests having a great time. As she took a long drink from her cocktail, she couldn't help but be grateful that she was staying nearby and wouldn't have to drive anyway. She finished her drink and set her glass down, giving the bartender a smile.

"I do believe I'll have another of these fine drinks." As she waited for her drink, she pulled her phone out of her purse and wrestled with the idea of contacting a friend of hers.

"I have it on good authority that the more of those you consume, the finer they get." The voice that spoke from behind her held a hint of amusement that was made all the more appealing by the British accent that accompanied it. When she turned her head, she recognized the tall and darkly handsome man who had walked Alyvia down the aisle. He was smiling at her, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Your authority happens to be correct, good sir." As the bartender slid her fourth beverage towards her. She held it up, as if to toast him. "They are getting a heck of a lot better with each one." She grinned at him, laughing at her own joke, or attempt at one. "In case I'd like to try something else, any suggestions?"

He rested an elbow on the bar, easing up beside her as he perused the rest of the bottles. The usual liqueurs were present as well as the standard mixes, from colas to tonic water. "Hmm," he seemed to be genuinely considering it for a moment before he turned to look at her again. "Banana liqueur and raspberry Sour Puss... an ounce shot of each. Top it off with Sprite and ice. Tastes like a white ice lolly." When he realized she might not know what that meant, he clarified. "One of those freezer pops from when we were children. It'll do better on your stomach than all the acid in that orange juice."

"That does sound pretty delish." She said as she took another drink from her glass. She turned so that she was completely facing him. Even in her almost drunken state, she could see how handsome he was and suddenly her eyes widened in recognition. "You!"

One eyebrow quirked as he stared back. "Yes?"

"You were the one who gave away the bride. Not gonna lie, I was the teensiest bit jealous that she got to be on your arm." She demonstrated with her index finger and thumb how big that teensiest bit was. "You looked dashing."

A chuckle slipped past his smiling lips as he made eye contact with the bartender. "Vodka and soda with a splash of lime. Easy on the ice. Make it a double." He definitely wasn't on his first drink but he was far better at hiding it than she was. As he waited for the drink, he turned his back to the bar, looking out over the dance floor and the happy party-goers who were still out there, cutting a rug. "It was a beautiful ceremony, though, wasn't it?" He sounded almost wistful as he watched the bride and groom, swaying together as the music shifted to a slower tempo.

"It really was." She nodded, "and this place, too; not sure how they were able to rent this place out." She looked around, taking in the surroundings before looking back at the man next to her. "It's stunning." She kept her hand on her glass as she took another drink. "Leave it to Jax to have friends in high places."

"It must be nice," he agreed, taking a sip of his own drink. "This place really is quite lovely. I'm Rick, by the way. Forgive my terrible manners... I've had a few too many drinks today."

"Kaylee." She extended her hand in his direction. "Nice to meet you."

"Pleasure's all mine," he took her hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing the back of it. He watched her blush and avert her eyes, chuckling softly. "Couldn't help but notice you over here all by yourself. Did your date cancel? Come down with a sudden case of the measles or something dire?"

Kayla couldn't stop the laugh that escaped as she shook her head. "Actually, there wasn't anyone that I cared to ask. Thought I'd go it alone, get delightfully drunk, and then escape to my room." He had to be without a doubt one of the most charming men she'd ever met. Her skin prickled with goosebumps where his lips had been. "I could ask you the same question though. Where is your lovely date?"

"Would you believe that I was expressly instructed by the bride not to invite, and I quote, 'one of those train-wreck floozies' that I keep on the line?" His smile grew wider and it was hard to tell if he was teasing or there was a kernel of truth in his words. He leaned in closer, resting his chin on the back of his hand and his elbow on the bar as he studied her.

"Ahh, yes – you can't go against the wishes of the bride. Plus, even when she isn't the bride, Lyv can be very persuasive." She glanced in the direction of her cousin, who looked happier than ever. Her attention went back to the man known as Rick. "Besides, I'm sure you could find a floozy here." Scanning the crowd, "I'm sure there's one around."

"Not that I'm knocking your keen eye or your obviously formidable matchmaking skills... but I don't think I'm quite in the right frame of mind to entertain someone that vacuous." He let out a sigh, following her gaze towards Lyv. "You've got the right idea, my dear. Drink and make merry."

"That's gonna be my new slogan, put it on shirts and mugs. I could make a killing at Christmas..." Her eyes went wide as her hand came up and lightly slapped his shoulder. "And you could be my business partner and model! Who wouldn't buy a shirt, knowing you wore it?!"

"I can see you've got some shrewd business sense," Rick quipped, tilting his glass at her before taking another swallow. "You'd make a pretty penny, I'm sure. Although I think you'd have more luck if you modelled the items yourself, if we're being honest."

Her cheeks reddened as she shook her head. "I... ah... don't know about that. I think the only way this'll work is if you model and I take the pictures." It had been a long time since anyone had made her blush, especially someone who was as charming as he was.

"See, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to get me out of this monkey suit." He chuckled and tossed back the rest of his drink, shaking the empty glass to make the ice rattle and signal the bartender. "Another... and something for my charming companion here as well, perhaps?"

"How about one of whatever you're drinking?" She asked as she subtly leaned in just enough so they were barely touching. "It looks pretty good, plus might as well move on from the orange juice, like you said."

"Think it might be a little bland for your tastes, doll." Even as he said it, he made eye contact with the tender and nodded subtly. "But let's see how it hits your palate, hmm?"

"You want it to hit my palate, huh?" It was obvious she had passed the point of buzzed and was well-inebriated. "Is that what they're calling it now?" As she spoke, her eyebrows waggled at him as she gave him a sly wink. "I'll just bet you want it to."

"Darling, I wasn't trying to be lewd." Rick reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "If I wanted to make a suggestion in that vein, I certainly could find a better way to word it than that." He leaned in a little closer, his lips right beside her ear, "although I certainly wouldn't object if you wanted a taste."

Even though she was sitting down, Kayla felt her knees go weak and she wasn't convinced she'd be able to stand up. With a hand under her chin, she leaned in as well, their cheeks almost touching. "I wouldn't mind trying something new, with a new friend."

Rick's grin was matched only by the delighted sparkle in his eyes as he slid his newly filled drink towards her. "Taste it, then. Tell me what you think and we'll go from there."

Kayla took the drink from him and paused for a moment before taking a swallow. She winced; it was certainly not something she'd order for herself. "I think I'll let you finish that and I will stick with this." She held up her own drink as she slid Rick's back to him.

"Told you," he nodded, smug as if he'd figured out the recipe to cold fusion, "you want something sweet. Something light that you can't taste the alcohol in. You want it masked and subtle – me, I like to feel the burn. I want it clean and crisp. Let it be what it is and enjoy it for that."

"But there's something rewarding about the slow build-up, yanno?" Of course, when it came to drinking that wasn't the case for her. They were however, talking about something completely different. "Little by little you start to taste it and before you know it, you're completely sucked in." Her shoulders went up in a shrug, a smirk playing across her face. "Different strokes, I guess."

"Mmmhmm," he kept his eyes locked on her as he drained his entire glass, setting it down as he licked his lips. "I'm beginning to see your point... but I feel as though this needs further exploration." He leaned over the bar, picking up the bottle of peach schnapps. The bartender didn't even seem to notice or maybe he just didn't care. Rick slid off his stool, holding out his free hand to her with that devilish grin on his lips. "Care to put your money where that beautiful mouth is?"

"You have no idea." The words came out followed by a wink as she took his hand and let him pull her off her stool. Her cheeks felt warm and she wasn't sure if it was because she was almost drunk, or that she was about to go make-out with this handsome man, or maybe both. As he led her away from the bar, her hand let go of his and she slid her arm through the crook of his instead. "Lead the way."

He pulled her in closer to him and then wrapped his arm around her waist, holding the bottle of liquor tight against his chest with the other hand as he walked her slowly past the dance floor. He paused at the bottom of the stairs, looking down at her as he turned and pulled her in close, the bottle resting against the small of her back. He'd forgotten all about his jealousy, had completely lost track of even what the night was supposed to be about. He was well beyond the point he usually allowed himself to be, probably just as drunk as she was. "You've got a room, yes?"

Being this close to him had her heart racing and blood pumping hard. "Yes." The word was coupled with a whisper. "Couple floors up. Or down. I'm not sure. There's a king-sized bed..." Her hands rested on his broad shoulders, the temptation to kiss him there and quite strong. The way that he looked at her was different than any man ever had. It was desire and lust, but there was something else there – as if he could see inside of her head.

Nodding, he leaned close and whispered in her ear, "shall we take the party elsewhere then?"

"Yes." Any coy behavior she'd portrayed before was gone and she felt like putty in his arms. "Whatever you want... just take it."

His lips touched her cheek for a moment and she could hear him chuckle before he pulled back with a grin. "Savour it." He didn't give her a chance to protest that before they were walking up the stairs, his arm holding her steady even as her hand gripped the railing for balance. It seemed like the blink of an eye and they were on the landing, above the party, her back against the wall as they waited for the elevator to arrive. The bottle was still in his hand but the other was on her shoulder, fingertips gently sliding up to her neck. His eyes were dark with desire, locked on hers.

"I thought you liked to get right to it... clean and crisp." The thought of having to wait until they were in her room was torture, maybe the best torture she'd ever experienced.

His gaze left hers for a second, just a flicker of movement and before she even registered that the doors were opening, he'd pulled her inside and was hitting the 'close' button. "Just a little taste, then..." he murmured as the doors started to slide shut and the bottle dropped gently from his hand before his lips found hers for a hungry kiss.




"I can't believe I forgot about that." Kayla said as she pulled the quilt that was covering her body up higher. It was difficult to describe what she was feeling at the fact that she and Rick had actually met years before her job interview. She'd never managed to put two and two together, despite the fact that he'd seemed so familiar on that first meeting. Thinking about it now made her blush even though they were married. The things they'd done in that hotel room – they'd spent hours ravishing each other on every available surface until she'd finally fallen asleep in his arms, exhausted. The fragmented memories rushed back and she felt that warmth in her cheeks grow hotter as she murmured, "I waited down in the lobby for a few hours, hoping to see you again."

"Oh." Rick's expression was troubled for a moment, a sigh escaping his lips as he turned off the wedding video that had prompted the reminiscence.

"And then it didn't matter because Dad called – out of the blue, so weird and of course I answered it." That was why the memories of the evening had been buried and boxed away. "That was when he called to tell me he was sick."

"I wouldn't have been down in the lobby – not that you knew that, of course. I don't think I told you that I owned Lux that night, or that I lived there. My memory is spotty, though. Far too much to drink that day, and not enough to eat. Wasn't in the best frame of mind..." He set the remote down on the table and reached for her hand.

"I know." In an effort to not think about her father, she let his fingers intertwine with hers and fixed him with that probing stare that had always been his undoing. "You were in love with her, weren't you?"

"Was it that obvious?"

"Maybe not then. I think I was a bit too wrapped up in... well... unwrapping something else."

Rick's smile was sad, a tad wistful. "Never the same way as what I feel for you. But yes. I love her – as family." He sighed, "and I'm sorry. About not being there in the morning when you received that terrible news."

Kayla didn't hesitate in taking his hand and bringing it to her lips, kissing his knuckles. "There is nothing for you to be sorry about. We had an amazing night together that was a one-night thing. I waited because it was wishful thinking." She let go of his hand, only so that she could move herself over so that she was leaning against his side. "I don't think things would have worked for us then, anyhow. We were in different places."

"That's the polite way of saying I was an absolute cad, though, isn't it?" He put his arm around her shoulder, letting her settle in close. "If it's any consolation, I do recall the hangover I had the next day. Spent the day in bed, violently ill. Maybe it was the universe trying to give me a sign, in blinding neon." He rested his cheek against the top of her head. "Things happen in their own time, don't they? You're right about that."

Her head naturally rested on his shoulder, a soft smile on her face. These were her favorite moments, when it was just them on the couch. "You may have been a cad, but I was kind of slutty that night. We talked for like ten minutes and you had my underwear off in the elevator." The memory caused her cheeks to redden again even as she grinned. "It was still a fantastic night."

"I seem to recall I put them in the pocket of my jacket, didn't I? Like a lacy little handkerchief – the jacket got lost somewhere before we made it to the room. I can only imagine what sort of wild stories the person who found it was thinking." He couldn't help the little chuckle as he let his mind wander over the possibilities. "What happens in Vegas, hmm?"

"I really did like that pair." She frowned jokingly as she gazed up at Rick, still amazed at the fact that he was her husband. "Apparently even the memories stayed here as well."

"All the good and all the bad. This place has a way of collecting energy, I think. That's why I love it so much." There was a wistful smile on his face as he met her gaze, as if he was thinking the same thing. "If I could even remember what colour they were, I'd offer to find a replacement."

Her smile matched his as she shook her head. "I think we both know they'd just end up in your pocket again."

The thought of going to his next business meeting with a little slip of silk that had been worn by her so intimately held a lot of appeal and she could probably tell exactly what he was thinking in that moment as that familiar devilish grin crossed his lips. "I wonder," he finally said, a hint of musing in his tone, "if Alyvia knew we left together that night. If she was trying to jog our memories with this little gift of reminiscence."

Kayla looked up at him, nodding. "She absolutely knew – she never misses things like that."

"You're right, of course."

"We owe her everything." She would never be able to thank her cousin enough for playing matchmaker and helping her find her soulmate.