End of the Innocence

Chapter 26

“Are you hungry?”

I considered the question, nodding even as my stomach growled, a sound that triggered a grin on Brad’s face. He leaned forward, calling to the front seat. “Leonard, can you call in an order and then swing by Woll’s?”

“No.” I shoved his shoulder. “Fast food. We’re not getting a ‘to go’ order from Woll’s. Besides, it’s two a.m., the kitchen is probably closed.”

“Fast food?” Brad said dubiously, slinging an arm around my shoulder. With his physique, the man probably hadn’t eaten a cheeseburger in years.

“Yes. Fast food. It’s called McDonald’s. The king of late night.” I leaned forward. “Leonard, you know where there’s a McDonald’s on the way home?”

“Yes ma’am,” he said, his eyes smiling at me in the mirror.

“Great.” I leaned back and snuggled against Brad.

“So ... I get no input.”

“Nope,” I said cheerfully. “I’m putting my foot down with this one. Besides, you need to learn how to release a little control.”

“You know ...” he growled in my ear, nipping my ear lobe gently. “I give you one little company and you get all authoritative on me.”

“It’s McDonald’s, Brad. You’re overdue.”

The line for the drive-through ended up stretching two blocks back—my meal choice being in line with about a hundred other Vegas tourists. We settled in, content on waiting, and I rested my head on Brad’s shoulder, watching scores of people walk by at a pace that quadrupled ours. “So, what is your plan for Alexis?”

“I thought we settled this back at Saffire.”

“Oh, you mean when you fucked me in the VIP area, and I lost all rational thought processes? No. That didn’t settle anything.”

“It felt settled.”

I tilted my head. “Nope. Not settled. What’s the plan?”

He sighed. “I guess I can head over there early afternoon. What time does our plane leave?”

I twisted my mouth, trying to think. “Around six-thirty.”

“Then I’ll head over to Saffire around three. Talk to her, then swing by and pick you up, and we can head to the airport. Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

“As awkward as that’d be, no. Plus, I don’t want her to think I’m forcing you to do this.”

He frowned down at me as the car rolled forward. “But you are forcing me to do this.”

“Moot point, Brad. Moot point.” I grinned cheerfully and rolled down the window, watching the metal intercom as we swung to a stop before it.

I ordered for both of us, feeling Brad’s irritation as I rattled off an order of mild complexity. I paused, looking up to Leonard, and he passed on his request, the grand total of the order coming to a whopping $21.24. Brad passed me cash, grumbling all the while, and I silenced him with a kiss.

We ate while the car moved, gorging on Big Macs and fries, a strawberry milkshake making mild interruptions into the feast. With tomato juice running down my chin, I closed my eyes in pure bliss, Brad’s voice saying something in the background. “What?” I managed through a mouthful of yum, opening my eyes to find him watching me in amusement.

“We can head back through if you need seconds.”

I shook my head, setting the burger down and leaning back, my stomach stretched beyond comprehension. “No, I’m good.” I cradled my milkshake, taking a long, perfect sip of strawberry ice, the cooling sensation running down my throat in pure bliss. “I didn’t see you complaining while you demolished your meal.”

He grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth, grinning at me. “No. No complaints.”

I yawned, glancing at my watch. “How far are we from Bellagio?”

“Five minutes. You feel like hitting the casino?”

I arched my brow at him. “Do I look like I feel like gambling? I’m three steps away from a cheeseburger coma.”

He laughed, scooping an arm around my waist and planting a soft kiss on my cheek. “Fine. I’ll forgo a chance to bleed MGM dry and get you into bed.”

“Poor you.”

He grinned down at me. “You have no idea.”