His Kingdom (Owning Vegas Book 1)

The moment Louie’s arms wrap around me, I lose any control I thought I might have had. My cries turn into full-blown sobs. My tears stain his shirt. I’m a mess. I don’t know what happened. After he left, I swallowed that pill, had a shower, put a robe on, and sat on the bed. Then the next thing I knew, I was crying.

“What happened?” Louie asks again, his fingers stroking my hair.

“My life is a mess,” I manage to get out through heaves. I’m trying to stop. I shouldn’t be seeking comfort from a stranger.

“Is it a mess or is it just beginning?” Louie asks.

“What do you mean?” I push myself off him, sitting cross-legged on the bed. I use the sleeve of the robe to wipe at my face. Disgusting as it is, it’s all I have.

“I mean, what if your life isn’t a mess? This could be the best thing that ever happened to you, Charlotte. You get a fresh start. A chance to recreate yourself to the version of you that you want to be. Not the version that others want you to be.”

Is he right? Have I spent my whole life pretending to be one thing when I’m really another? I don’t think I have. I like myself. I liked my life… mostly.

“I was ready to call off my wedding. I don’t know why, but I knew I didn’t love him enough to marry him.”noveldrama

“That took a lot of guts for you to do that,” Louie tells me.

“But instead of breaking up with Owen, I found him fucking my sister and I ran.”

“I’m not going to lie. I’m glad you ran here. That I met you. I’m glad that you’re here.” Louie takes hold of my hands.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” His brows furrow.

“For crying on you. I ruined your shirt. You don’t even know me and you’re sitting in here comforting me.”

“I don’t know you yet. But do you know you, Charlotte?” Louie asks.

“I thought I did,” I admit.

“I want you to take your time. Really think about what you want from life. And while you’re doing that, I think it’d be a great idea for us to get to know each other,” he says.

I smile. I like this man. He is absolutely nothing like anyone I know. “Yeah, like dating? Or friends? Or…” I let my sentence trail off.

“Dating. We should definitely date,” Louie says. “In fact, the first date starts right now.” He stands and holds out a hand to me. “Come on.”

“Wait! Now? Where? I’m not dressed.” My eyes widen. Is he insane? I can’t go out right now. I’m a hot mess. I don’t even need a mirror to confirm that.

“I like you in a state of undress.” Louie smirks. “And you don’t need to change for where we’re going. Trust me.” He’s still holding out his hand, waiting for me to take it.

Why do I feel like this is one of those moments? A crossroad in my life? A red pill, blue pill type of thing. I can stay here and wallow in my own self-pity, or I can take Louie’s hand and turn my life around.

It could be a turn for the better or for the worse, but there’s only one way to find out, right?

I place my palm in his. “Okay, but I’m not walking through the casino in a robe.”

“I wouldn’t let you walk anywhere in public without clothes,” Louie says as he leads me out of the room.

We end up in front of a door in the same corridor. Louie opens it and guides me inside. It’s similar to the room we just left. But less hotel and more lived-in.

“Do you live here?” I ask him.

“I do.” He nods once before adding, “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.” And then he’s disappearing down a hall.

Make myself at home, huh? Does that mean I get snooping privileges? I mean, it would only be smart to look around, right? Try to figure out who this guy is that I’m… dating?

Though I’m not so sure dating is a wise thing for me to do. I also don’t think I want to refuse him. Like I said, I’ve never met anyone like Louie. And right now, I really, really am interested in getting to know him better. Him and that body of his.

Oh shit, I’ve been single for a hot minute and I’ve turned into a hussy. Or is it the fact that he rocked my entire world with orgasms that I didn’t know I was capable of having? Either way, I want more.