# The Return of the Rebel

Jennifer Faye

The guy from the wrong side of the tracks…Being promoted should be a dream come true, only it means working closely with Cleo's childhood crush, Jax Monroe. Jax may no longer be the rebel she remembers, but he still gets her heart racing like no other.Jax cares too much about Cleo to let her get too close–but keeping his distance is proving impossible! As Jax reveals the extent of what he's been through, will Cleo show him that some things are too precious to put off until tomorrow?

Her eyes twinkled. “Are you flirting with me?”

“If you have to ask I must not be doing it right.”

She laughed some more. “I’m glad not everything about you has changed. You were always a great guy in my book.”

Her gaze lifted up to meet his. The tender look in her eyes touched something deep inside him—a part of him that he’d thought was long dead. In that moment he felt more alive than he had in months.

Without thinking he reached out and caressed her cheek. “Thank you.”

She leaned into his touch, short-circuiting the logical side of his brain. The only coherent thought in his head was to pull her close and kiss her. And this time he wouldn’t be kissing her rosy cheek. This time he planned to find out if those cherry-red lips were as sweet and passionate as they were in his daydreams.

Dear Reader,

When the idea for Jax and Cleo’s story came to mind, I was enthralled with the idea of using Las Vegas as the setting. I find the history of that city, from the danger to the excitement, so unique. Vegas was full of action, and I wanted to bring a hint of that flavor into Jax and Cleo’s story.

Cleo is a small-town girl searching for something to fulfill her, and she thinks she’ll find it in this vibrant city. What she doesn’t know and must learn is that fulfillment and satisfaction are things that come from within. And sometimes they are the things we’ve known all along but have forgotten or discarded as not important enough.

Jax is drawn to Vegas as a means of escape, hoping to get lost in a crowd while enjoying the rush of excitement as he tests Lady Luck. What he doesn’t count on is running into a blast from the past—his best friend’s little sister, who isn’t so little anymore. But this unexpected reunion isn’t the only hitch in his Vegas getaway.

Cleo and Jax are a great match as they challenge each other to conquer their fears. I hope you’ll enjoy their mishaps and adventures on their journey to find their happily ever after.

Happy reading!

Jennifer

The Return of the Rebel

Jennifer Faye


www.millsandboon.co.uk

In another life JENNIFER FAYE was a statistician. She still has a love for numbers, formulas and spreadsheets, but when she was presented with the opportunity to follow her lifelong passion and spend her days writing and pursuing her dream of becoming a Mills & Boon® author, she couldn’t pass it up. These days, when she’s not writing, Jennifer enjoys reading, fine needlework, quilting, tweeting and cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins. She lives in Pennsylvania with her amazingly patient husband, two remarkably talented daughters and their two very spoiled fur babies, otherwise known as cats—but shh … don’t tell them they’re not human!

Jennifer loves to hear from readers—you can contact her via her website: www.jenniferfaye.com.

In honor of my grandmother …

An amazing woman who had the patience to teach a very eager and curious little kid how to work a needle and thread. In the process she taught me that with perseverance you can achieve your dreams, whether they be big or small.

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

“YOU WON’T REGRET giving me this opportunity.”

And hopefully neither will I.

Cleo Sinclair kept the worrisome thought to herself as she held her cheery smile in place. With the meeting at last over, she sailed out of the office of the vice president of player development, barely remembering to pull the door closed behind her. Away from Mr. Burns’s cool demeanor and skeptical stare, she rotated her shoulders, easing the tension.

At the end of the hall, the elevator chimed and the door opened, allowing an employee to exit. Cleo stepped up her pace and slipped into the open car. Her pink manicured nail pressed the button for the main floor. Once the doors swished shut, the air whooshed out of her lungs and she leaned against the wall for support.

Step one was done. She had the job, albeit on a trial basis.

Now on to step number two.

She had to prove to the ever-doubting Mr. Burns that she was up to his challenge. She could and would bring in wealthy clientele eager to gamble at one of Las Vegas’s most luxurious establishments, the Glamour Hotel and Casino.

A glance at her image in the polished doors had her adjusting her cheery yellow dress, which dipped a little lower than she’d like. When she’d worked in the accounting department, her attire hadn’t been so important. But now working the front-end of the casino, everything about her appearance mattered. She smoothed her hands over the skirt. It wasn’t the fanciest outfit she’d ever stitched. In fact, she’d worried that she’d made a mistake by choosing to wear it, but with each compliment from her fellow employees, her nervousness had eased... That was, until her meeting.

She halted her rambling thoughts and inhaled a deep breath.

It was too late to second-guess herself. The train had left the station. The ship had sailed. Oh heck, it didn’t matter what phrase she used. Her plan was in motion. And she would succeed.

After all, she’d just put her entire future on the line. There was no going back. No changing her mind. If this arrangement didn’t work, she couldn’t stay in Vegas nor would she be able to return home to Wyoming.

The elevator doors silently slid open, revealing lush carpeting leading to the casino area. The soft lighting added to the ambiance while the blinking lights on the slot machines lured guests to try their luck at winning a fortune. Without windows or clocks, minutes stretched into hours. In fact, she had found herself losing track of time on the numerous occasions she’d spent on the floor training for this promotion.

A cheer echoed through the room and she glanced around to see an excited crowd at the craps table. The palpable energy charged the room. Someone must be on a roll of luck. She hoped this would be her lucky day, too.

As of yet, her whale, the big client, hadn’t checked in. The VP himself would be greeting the guest and then he’d phone her when her presence was required. Her boss had gone over the guest’s preferences, including his favorite game—blackjack. Her job was to keep the whale happy by comping his meals and getting him tickets to whatever shows he preferred. But the utmost important thing was to maintain this guest’s privacy, above and beyond their normal discretion. Even she didn’t know his name yet.

With her family’s ranch deep in debt, this was her only chance to chip in and prove to them that she was still a Sinclair. And she was doing what any Sinclair would do—taking a necessary calculated risk and making sure it paid off.

She wanted to be close by, so she headed for the China Cup, a little coffee shop just on the other side of the reception area. Her mouth watered in anticipation of her first sip of a mocha java latte. Her steps came faster and when her blue suede heels hit the marble floor by the front doors, they made a rapid staccato sound.

A line of guests waiting to check in trailed past the sculpted fountain, blocking her passage. She paused, finding the line almost reached the entrance. They must be here for the car convention that opened today. It was the biggest event along the strip. The hotel had sold out months in advance. This would be an ideal time for her to fish for new clients—if only Mr. Burns didn’t have her on such a short leash, insisting she cater to this one whale only.

“Hey, buddy,” grouched a man near the front of the line, “how about moving aside?”

“Yeah,” chorused a screechy female voice. “The rest of us have reservations.”

Shouts and complaints rippled through the lushly decorated lobby.

Cleo glanced at the front desk to find one employee on duty. What in the world? There were supposed to be three people helping with check-in, but the only person standing there was Lynn, their newest hire. The girl was so green that she made the grass on the eighteen-hole golf course look dull and grayish. Why would they leave her alone at the front desk, today of all days?

“There has to be a mistake.” Rising frustration laced the voice of the man standing at the counter.

But it was more than the angry tone that drew Cleo’s attention. A note of recognition chimed in the far recesses of her mind. She craned her neck for a better look. Only the back of his short brown hair and his blue-and-white-striped collared shirt were visible. She knew that voice, but from where?

She glanced around, hoping to find someone qualified to assist the now flustered desk clerk. When Cleo didn’t see any hotel employees moving in to help, she stepped forward. The least she could do was maintain crowd control until someone showed up to help with registration.

“Check again.” The man’s posture was rigid. “It’s under Joe Smith.”

“I am, sir.” Lynn studied the computer monitor. “I can’t locate your name in our system.”

“Call your supervisor.”

“I—I can’t. She’s just left. She’s ill.”

“Then call her boss. Surely there’s someone around here who knows what’s going on.”

While Lynn frantically stabbed at the phone pad trying to reach someone to straighten out things, Cleo stepped up behind the disgruntled man. He didn’t notice her as he leaned both elbows on the counter, peering at the computer monitor. Her gaze slid over his broad shoulders to his tapered waist, where his jeans accentuated his finer assets. Realizing what she was doing, she jerked her attention upward.

“Excuse me, sir. Can I help?”

When the man straightened, he was much taller than she’d anticipated. As he turned to her, she found herself straightening her spine and lifting her chin. His assessing glance sent a shiver of awareness down her arms. She shook off the sensation. Obviously she’d been concentrating on the problems with her family and her job a little too much. It had been years since a man had such an effect on her. Not since...

Jax Monroe!

His cool blue-gray gaze met and held hers. The chatter of excited voices and the jingle of the slot machines faded into the background. Her breath caught as she waited for a sign of recognition. But none came. No smile. No hug. Nothing. What was up with that?

She smiled at him. “Hey, Jax. Still making trouble, I see.”

He made a point of checking out the ID badge pinned to her chest. Was it just her imagination or was he taking longer than necessary to verify her name?

“Jax, it hasn’t been that many years. You’ve got to recognize me.”

Sure she’d changed some, but so had he. His long brown hair had been cut off. Her fingers itched to brush over the supershort strands. And his face was now pale instead of the tanned complexion she recalled—back when they spent most of their time outdoors.

But not everything about him had changed. If you knew to look for it, there was still a little scar that threaded along his jaw. She clearly remembered the day he’d gotten it. They’d been fishing at the creek. He’d been goofing off when he’d slipped and fallen on rocks. He’d clambered back upright and laughed at himself until she’d pointed out he was bleeding.

They’d practically grown up together...even if he was five years her senior. Hope Springs, Wyoming, was a very small town and it was great seeing someone from home. It’d been so long since she’d been there. And her last visit had been such a nightmare—

Her throat tightened. Could that be the answer? It might explain why he was acting as if he didn’t know her. Even though he’d left Hope Springs years ago, it was possible he kept in contact with someone from there. Her stomach churned. Did he know about what she’d done?

“Jax, stop acting like you could forget the girl who used to follow you to our favorite watering hole.”

“I think you must have me mistaken for someone else.” He turned his back to her and waited while the clerk spoke in hushed tones on the phone.

Mistaken? Not a chance. She’d know those baby blues anywhere. They could still make her heart flutter with just a glance.

Even with the passage of time and some outward changes, it was impossible he’d forget her. She’d had a teenage crush on him of megaproportions. To say she thought the sun rose and set around him was putting it mildly. She’d have done anything for him. She had done anything for him, including lying. So whatever he had going on with this alias of his, she refused to lie for him again. Not here. Not when she could lose her job and so much more.

“Stop acting like you don’t recognize me. We need to talk—”

He glanced over his shoulder at her. His eyes darkened and his voice lowered. “No, we don’t.”

“Your name is Jax Monroe. You’re from Hope Springs, Wyoming—”

“Stop.” He turned fully around. “You aren’t going to let this drop, are you?”

She crossed her arms and shook her head. When his eyes flared, she realized she’d made the wrong move. Her arms pushed up on her chest, which was now peeking out from the diving neckline. She wanted to change positions but stubborn pride held her in place. Let him look. Maybe now he’d realize what he’d missed out on when he’d brushed off her inexperienced kiss and skipped town without a backward glance.

* * *

Jax Monroe couldn’t help but stare at Cleo—all grown-up and filled out in the right places. Long wavy honey-gold locks just begged for him to run his fingers through them to see if they were as soft as they appeared. Wow! If he had known how hot she’d turn out, he might have reconsidered returning to Hope Springs. After all, she’d had a crush on him that was apparent to everyone in their hometown... But then he recalled how young she’d been back then—much too young for him.

And now, as much as her body had grown and changed from the gangly teenager he’d once known, there were other parts of her that were annoyingly the same. She still spoke her mind at the most inopportune time and without any thought of who might be listening.

What in the world had made him think that flying across the country to hide in plain sight was such a good idea? On second thought, maybe he should have stuck it out in New York until it was time for his courtroom testimony. But he’d already made his choice. And now that he was here, he was looking forward to seeing if Lady Luck was still on his side.

Now if only he could just get Cleo to quiet down before she revealed his identity to everyone in the hotel. Frustration bubbled in his veins as he considered clamping his hand over her pink glossy lips. Then a more tempting thought came to mind of how he might silence her—lip to lip.

One look at the agitation reflected in her eyes and he knew she’d slap him if he dared kiss her. Definitely not a viable option, even if Cleo wasn’t his best friend’s kid sister. Kurt had been the one guy who’d always accepted him as is—the same guy who’d saved his bacon more than once when he’d acted out after his old man had called him a good-for-nothing mooch. The only thing Kurt had ever asked of him was to keep his hands off his little sis.

Jax smiled as he recalled Cleo with knobby knees, freckles and a long ponytail. Boy had things changed. She was smooth and polished like a piece of fine art.

Cleo’s green eyes narrowed. “Am I amusing you?”

“Um, no.” He struggled to untangle his muddled thoughts. “I take it by your name tag that you work here.”

Lines creased between her fine brows. “What’s the matter with you? Have you been drinking?”

“What? Of course not.” He’d watched his father live his life out of a scotch bottle and the way his mother tried to please him, with no luck. Jax refused to follow in his father’s unhappy footsteps. “I don’t drink.”

“So why are you calling yourself Joe Smith?”

“Let’s talk over there. Out of the way.” He pointed to the edge of the counter, away from the incoming guests.

She turned to observe the long line before following him. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I won’t let you cause trouble here.”

“Lower your voice.” Luckily no one appeared to notice them or their conversation. The guests were more interested in the arrival of an additional desk clerk than in what Cleo had to say. “I promise you I’m not here for any nefarious reason.”

“Why should I believe you? I covered for you when you ‘borrowed’ the school mascot and when you pulled those numerous other pranks. I know the trouble you can cause.”

“You’ve got to trust me.”

She arched a disbelieving brow. “Says who?”

Little Cleo had certainly gained some spunk. Well, good for her. It was also a relief to know she wasn’t still carrying that crazy torch for him. The last thing he needed at this critical juncture of his life was more complications.

Her finger poked his chest. “You’re up to something and I want to know what it is.” Her tone brooked no room for debate. He wouldn’t be wiggling out of this confrontation with some flimsy story. “You can start by explaining your need for an alias.”

“Just leave it be.”

She shook her head. “I can’t look the other way. We aren’t kids anymore. This is where I work and I can’t let you jeopardize my job.” Cleo’s voice rose with every word. “But if you turn around and leave now, we can forget we ever saw each other.”

He doubted he’d ever be able to wipe her sexy image from his memory. Her polished persona stole his breath away. She may have been a cute kid, but she’d grown up to be a real knockout. And as for leaving here now, he wasn’t about to do it. He had as much right to be here as anyone else.

Cleo leveled her shoulders and tapped her foot. He hated to tell her but if she was angling for an intimidating pose, she’d missed her mark. She was more alluring than scary.

“Don’t make me call for security.”

Heads were turning in their direction. The very last thing he wanted was to become a spectacle for the masses. “You wouldn’t do that to an old friend, would you?”

“A few minutes ago you didn’t even know me.”

He raked his fingers through his hair. Back in New York when he’d started receiving phone calls where the person at the other end wouldn’t speak, followed by notes warning him not to testify, this vacation had sounded like the perfect plan. What could be better than getting lost in a crowd while testing his luck at the blackjack table?

Ever since the assets of his investment firm had been frozen by the government until the trial was completed, he’d missed the rush of working the stock market—the flood of adrenaline. He’d hoped Vegas would give him a similar high—a chance to feel truly alive again instead of living his life from one medical test to the next.

When his doctor gave him the green light, he’d picked a spot on the map far from New York and booked a plane ticket. He’d requested an alias be used while he was at the Glamour just as a precaution. But he had no idea how much of that he should tell Cleo. If only she would trust him...for old times’ sake.

“What’s going on here?” A short, round man in a business suit approached them. He glanced at Cleo. “Do you intend to interrogate all of the casino’s important guests in the middle of the lobby?”

Her expression morphed from frustration to one of shock. Her gaze moved back and forth between the two men as though waiting for an explanation.

When none came, she said, “But he is—”

“Your client. And you will treat him with respect.” The man turned to Jax and held out his hand. “Hello, Mr. Smith. I’m Mr. Burns. We spoke on the phone. Let’s talk someplace a little more private.” He led them to a hallway just off the casino’s main floor and into an empty office. “I think there must have been some sort of mix-up. I’ll see about getting you a new casino host.”

Jax’s gaze moved to Cleo. Beneath the makeup her face had taken on a sickly pallor. And her eyes held a deer-in-headlights panic. His initial instinct was to ride to her rescue. She’d always been the one to offer him a helping hand all those years ago back in Hope Springs. There was a strange satisfaction in seeing the roles reversed. But that was then, and this was now.

And it only complicated matters that he couldn’t keep his eyes off this grown-up version of her. She was no longer too young for him. In fact, the reasons he had to keep her at arm’s length became more muddled the longer he was around her. It was best to end things right here. After all, it wasn’t as if the man was going to fire her over this.

CHAPTER TWO

THIS COULDN’T BE HAPPENING.

Jax was her whale?

How was she supposed to have anticipated that? The last time she’d seen him, he barely had two coins to rub together. And now he was an important player in Las Vegas. How exactly did that happen?

Cleo’s gaze shifted between the men. Neither of them seemed to notice that she was in the room. Did they think they could decide her future without even so much as consulting her? She wasn’t about to let that happen.

“No other host is needed.” Both men turned. She leveled a determined stare at each man before continuing to make her point. “Mr. Burns, you misunderstood what you overheard. Jax and I are old friends.”

Her boss turned a questioning gaze to Jax. “Is this true?”

Cleo begged Jax with her eyes to back her up. After all, he owed her.

As the quietness stretched on, Cleo shifted her weight from one foot to the other. What was Jax thinking? His silence was even worse than any words he could say. She had to do something, anything, to keep from being canned for arguing with a MVP. Jax? A whale? The world could certainly be a strange place at times.

Cleo turned to face her disapproving boss. “We both come from the same small town in Wyoming.”

Mr. Burns crossed his arms. “And do you always treat people from your hometown with such hostility?”

“I wasn’t—”

Her boss’s bushy brows arched. “I know what I heard.”

“But you misunderstood—”

“Enough.” Mr. Burns’s hand sliced through the air. “I will deal with you later. Go wait for me in my office.”

She hated being dismissed as if she was a child. She hated the thought of walking away with things unresolved, but she didn’t want to make things worse... But then again could they get any worse? It was almost a certainty that when Mr. Burns joined her it would be to dismiss her. Not even a full day in her new position and she was being fired.

As she started for the door, her thoughts turned to her family. Even before learning of her family’s financial problems, she’d made plans to transfer to the casino floor. She was bored senseless working in the accounting department. To think she left the family ranch because the work was isolating and she’d ended up taking a position where she spent her days alone in an eight-by-eight cubicle where silence was the status quo.

But then one day out of the blue her brother had called. She’d been so happy to hear from a family member. She hadn’t heard a word from them since the funeral.

However, Kurt hadn’t phoned with the intent of mending fences. He had news—bad news. The ranch was in arrears on its mortgage. And considering her Ivy League tuition was in large part the reason the ranch had been mortgaged in the first place, he thought she might want to help save their heritage.

The news totally blindsided her. Never once in her life had she imagined that the family had money problems. And to know that she was about to be condemned for yet another Sinclair tragedy was not something she could let happen. She could not change the past, but going forward, she hoped to bridge the gap with her family.

Her fingers gripped the cold metallic door handle. One thought rose above the others: Sinclairs do not give up. No matter what.

Her grandfather had taught her that the first time she’d gotten thrown from a horse. If you wanted to succeed, you had to get back in the saddle and ride. That’s what Sinclairs did—roughed things out.

She leveled her shoulders, released the door handle and turned. “Mr. Burns, you’re right.” His eyes lit up as though he was shocked by her bold confession. But before he could utter a word she rushed on. “Jax and I were having a disagreement. However, at the time I had no idea he was your special guest. I merely thought he was—”

“Here to check up on her for her big brother.” Jax stepped between them to gain Mr. Burns’s full attention.

At last, Jax found his voice, but why now? What convinced him to finally come to her aid?

The answers would have to wait. His motives paled in comparison to her losing her job and letting her family down...again. At the moment, she didn’t have much choice but to go along with his fabricated story.

“That’s right,” she chimed in, trying to sound as genuine as possible. “And I didn’t want Jax reporting back to my family about what I’ve been up to since moving away.”

Surprisingly Mr. Burns’s lips lifted at the corners as amusement danced in his dark eyes. “Let me guess, your family doesn’t know that you’ve been working in a casino and they wouldn’t approve of it.”

This time she didn’t have to lie. “That pretty much sums it up. They are old-fashioned in their beliefs.”

Mr. Burns’s eyes narrowed. “Then unless you’re planning to find another job, I suggest you treat all of Glamour’s guests with a pleasant demeanor.”

She forced a smile on her face. “Of course. It was just a mix-up.”

Mr. Burns turned to Jax. “The question still remains... Would you like me to assign you another host?”

He rubbed the dark scruff on his jaw. “No. Cleo and I will be fine. And we have some catching up to do.”

Mr. Burns’s gaze shifted between them as though making up his mind. “If that is your wish, Cleo will remain as your host. I have you set up in our most exclusive residence.” He handed Jax the key card. “The bungalow should provide you with the privacy you’re seeking. Cleo can show you the way. Do you need anything else?”

“Not at this time. I’m sure if something comes up Cleo will be able to take care of it.”

Mr. Burns nodded. “But remember, I’m just a phone call away.”

“Thank you.” Jax extended his hand to the man.

After they shook hands, Mr. Burns moved past her, pausing long enough to say softly, “One more slipup and you’re done.”

A cold chill ran down her spine. The man had it in for her ever since the episode that occurred shortly after she’d started working in the accounting department. She’d pointed out some irregularities in his expense account, which were subsequently rectified.

Still, rumors were circulating that the only reason Mr. Burns had agreed to the promotion was because it was an all-or-nothing proposition. Either she was successful at endearing the high rollers to gamble at the Glamour Hotel and Casino or she was out on the street. And without a good reference, no other business on the strip would touch her.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Jax is well cared for.” She pasted on a smile, hoping it would suffice.

“I would expect nothing less.”

The irritating note of superiority in Mr. Burns’s voice grated on her razor-thin nerves. If the man hadn’t been so eager to please Jax, she would be out on the curb right now. The fact she felt indebted to Jax ate at her.

With the door firmly shut, Cleo turned to Jax. Her mouth moved but the words wouldn’t come. At last, she ground out, “Thank you.”

His brows rose in surprise. “You’re welcome. But the part I don’t understand is why your brother didn’t mention that you are working here in Vegas—”

“You’ve been talking to Kurt?” The thought left her unsettled.

Jax nodded. “We’ve kept in touch since I left Hope Springs.”

Why was this the first she’d heard of it? Kurt was five years her senior, but she’d been closest to him out of all four of her brothers. When she’d needed someone to talk to, he was the one she’d turned to. So how had she missed hearing about Jax?

She tilted her chin and met his gaze. “You know, it’s funny he’s never mentioned you since you skipped town.”

“Maybe he thought it was for the best.”

“Why would he think that?”

Jax gave her a do-you-really-need-to-ask-that-question look. “As I recall, his kid sister had a massive crush on me—the kid from the wrong side of the tracks. I’m guessing he wouldn’t want you having anything further to do with me.”

Heat flamed in her chest and licked at her cheeks. “That was a long time ago. You can’t fault me for my lack of judgment. I was just a kid. I’ve grown up since then.”

“Trust me, I’ve noticed.”

The implication of his words only multiplied her discomfort. Why was she letting him get her worked up? Back then she’d been a teenager with raging hormones and a complete lack of sense. And the fact that her family disapproved of Jax had only made him all the more attractive. What girl didn’t go through a stage of falling for a sexy bad boy?

But even now with this mature version of Jax, his sexiness had only escalated. And his dreamy smile still had the power to penetrate her defenses and turn her insides to mush.

“We aren’t here to talk about the past.” She cleared her throat and schooled her facial features into what she hoped was a serious expression. “Why don’t I show you to your bungalow?”

“Listen, I don’t want to get you in any more trouble with your boss, but this arrangement obviously isn’t going to work. So I don’t care how you want to explain it to him, but you can’t be my casino host. Better yet, don’t say anything to him and you’ll officially be my host but from a distance. A long distance.”

“What?” Her chest tightened. “I—I can’t do that. You’re one of the casino’s most valuable players. Upper management would find out immediately and accuse me of neglecting my duties.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.” His brows gathered. “I just want a quiet vacation.”

“And you’ll have one while I take care of you...er, manage your needs.” She pressed her lips together, knowing that with each attempt to dig out of this uncomfortable hole, she was only making it deeper for herself.

A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Cleo, you still have a way of making me smile.”

She glanced up, noticing how his face lit up when he smiled, easing his worry lines. Maybe his new life of luxury wasn’t all chocolate and roses. From the obvious size of his bank account, she couldn’t imagine what problems might be plaguing him. For a second, she considered asking but resisted. It wasn’t any of her business.

“Does that mean I can go ahead and do my job?”

“Still as persistent as ever.” Jax shook his head. “All right. Maybe we can try it on a trial basis. But that’s no guarantee it’ll work.”

It was so much better than a no and it would give her time to soften him up. Hope bloomed in her chest. She would make this work...one way or the other.

Before she could say anything else to amuse him and embarrass herself, she turned to exit the office. “I’ll show you around. I’m sure you’re anxious to get to the tables.”

“Actually there’s no rush.”

Cleo glanced back. “Really? Because if you’re concerned about unpacking, don’t be. I can have the staff do that for you.”

“Are you that eager for me to start losing my money?”

Her gaze narrowed at his snide comment. “I get paid based on how much you wager, win or lose. So if you’ll follow me, I’ll give you a quick tour of the casino on the way to your lodging.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’d just like to get there quickly and discreetly.”

If he wasn’t up to something, why was he acting so strange? And did this have anything to do with his newfound wealth? The questions buzzed through her mind.

He was no longer Jax Monroe, Hope Spring’s rebel. The truth was she never believed that he was a bad boy, more likely misunderstood and living up to people’s low expectations of him. Back in the day he’d been so sexy with his long hair and holey jeans. Every girl in town had her eye on him—including her.

Cleo couldn’t wait to tell her mother about this amazing transformation. Suddenly her excitement dipped. The gaping hole in her heart throbbed. Sometimes when she got excited, she’d forget that her mother was no longer speaking to her.

“Was there something else?”

Cleo glanced up at him, unable to recall their discussion. “What?”

“You were about to show me to my room.” Jax’s penetrating gaze met hers, making her turn away before she said or did something stupid.

“Follow me.” She started toward the players’ area.

“Is there a back way to my room?”

She nodded and turned around, guiding him down a long nondescript maintenance hallway. Jax may be tall, handsome and mysterious, but she had to remember that he was her client—a stranger to her now.

She didn’t even know if she should trust him, but a little voice in the back of her mind said that he was still the same good guy down deep where it counted. He was also the guy her family didn’t approve of—at least not for her. It niggled her that he was good enough for her older brother to pal around with, but when it came to her, she’d been forbidden to hang out with him—not that it had stopped her.

The silence between them stretched on. She didn’t do well with awkward moments. “We’re having a vintage car show in our convention center, if you’d like to look around—”

“Maybe later.”

So much for conversation. She didn’t recall Jax being this quiet when he was a kid. In fact, there were times he hadn’t known when to shut up. She couldn’t believe she was missing that smart-mouthed kid—the same kid who would go out of his way to put a smile on her face. What in the world had changed him so drastically?

She stopped and pushed open a heavy steel door. The glare of the Nevada sun nearly blinded her. She blinked and her eyes soon adjusted. As she moved along the secluded footpath, the sound of laughter, the cacophony of voices and the splash of water filled the air.

Jax grabbed her arm, giving her pause. “I thought we were taking the back way to my room.”

An army of goose bumps raced over her skin. She pulled away from his touch and ignored the fluttery feeling in her chest.

She lifted her chin to face him. “We are. Your bungalow is in a secluded area just beyond the pool. Don’t worry, there’s a path over here on the side that we can use.”

As they passed the pool she found herself glancing over at the crowd of young people on summer break, enjoying themselves. Her family were ranchers—and ranchers didn’t take holidays. Or so her parents told her every time she asked them if they could go on a trip like her friends did.

It was always expected that when she wasn’t in class, she would be at home helping out. It’s what her brothers did. No one ever seemed to understand she was different. Was it so wrong to want to hang out with her friends? Or take vacations?

It was always presumed she’d become a rancher’s wife—just like her mother and grandmother. After all, she was a Sinclair and ranching was in their blood. Except somehow the love of ranching had skipped over her.

“This sure is different from Hope Springs,” Jax said, as though he, too, were thinking about the old days.

“Is that good or bad?”

“Neither. Just an observation.”

The desert air was dry and hot as it rushed past them. Even though the private walkway was ensconced with palms trees, large rocks and various types of greenery, she gazed longingly at the glimpses of the enormous pool that had a wall of granite with a beautiful waterfall on one side. A dip in the cool water was so tempting. But employees were forbidden to indulge. She wondered if that rule could be suspended if someone like Jax invited her for a swim. After all, her priority was to keep her clients happy.

“What has you smiling?”

She was smiling? She hadn’t realized that her thoughts had transferred to her face. She’d have to be careful in the future. The last thing she needed was Jax getting any ideas about her meandering thoughts.

“I was just imagining how nice it’d be to take a dip in the pool.”

“It is hot out.”

“It’s always hot in Vegas.”

“So how is it that the only Sinclair girl ended up in Las Vegas? I’d have thought you’d be back in Hope Springs with a cowboy by your side and a baby in each arm.”

Cleo stopped short on the narrow path. He almost ran into her. “Not you, too. You sound like my parents.”

“Calm down. I can see I struck a chord. I just thought that with your close-knit family that you’d never want to leave.”

“Well, you’re wrong. Besides, you did the exact same thing. I don’t see you rushing back.” She eyed him accusingly.

“That’s different—”

“How?”

“You know I couldn’t stay there.” His posture grew rigid. “After my mother died, my father only got meaner. I wouldn’t wish that life on anyone.”

The pieces of the past started to drop into place. “That’s why you were always out and about. You were trying to avoid your father.”

Jax nodded. “It was easier than having to deal with him.”

“But why did you have to play into the negativity by being at the center of all of the trouble in Hope Springs? How was anyone supposed to give you the benefit of the doubt when you never gave them a chance to trust you?”

His blue eyes stared straight at her. “Why didn’t you write me off like the rest of them?”

“Because I saw there was more to you than you were willing to let on.” She wasn’t going to say that she’d had a bad case of puppy love. Thankfully they arrived at his bungalow, putting an end to this awkward conversation. “This is where you’ll be staying.”

She swiped her master key card and pushed open the door. When she stepped back to let him pass, he shook his head and waved at her to go ahead. “Ladies first.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

So the bad boy had transformed into a gentleman. She definitely approved of this change. But that didn’t mean she’d let her guard down around him. In her experience, people only showed you the side of them that they wanted you to see.

She’d been so foolish in the past, always looking for the good in people. She’d been too trusting—too understanding. And what had that Pollyanna attitude gotten her? A broken heart and being disowned by her very own mother.

In the end, people always let you down.

“This is nice,” Jax said, drawing her back to the here and now.

“Yes, it is. It’s our most private and exclusive residence on the grounds.”

This was actually the first time Cleo had been inside the bungalow. Only the most valued players were invited to stay here. And it was hard to believe Jax was now one of the elite. A man like that would not need or want for much.

But that still left her wondering, what was up with him using an alias? And his request for privacy was so different from the Jax she knew back in Hope Springs. In those days, he seemed to open his mouth just to annoy someone who was hassling him. Now he put thought into what he said and, more important, what he didn’t say.

So what twist of fate had put him in her path? And why did it have to be him who held her future in the palm of his hand? Her stomach dipped. How did she get him to agree to keep her on as his host—permanently?

CHAPTER THREE

JAX KEPT HIS eyes on the room and not on Cleo. Did she have any idea how irresistible she looked? How in the world did she think that they were supposed to spend time together with her wearing a dress that accentuated her curves? But then again she’d look good in anything, including a paper bag.

“Do you like what you see?” Cleo glanced at him from the entryway.

Oh, he definitely liked the view. Way more than he should. He cleared his throat. “Yes... Yes, I do.”

Forcing his attention back to his surroundings, he observed the oversize leather couches. They looked inviting. He could easily envision settling in and watching a baseball game on the big-screen television. In fact, the idea sounded like something he’d enjoy indulging in right now.

Not so long ago, he used to work nonstop. But then he’d gotten sick and everything had changed. He had yet to regain his stamina after his medical treatments. It frustrated him to have to slow down, but until this court case was resolved there really wasn’t any work he could do. This was his first vacation. He was curious to see if it was as great as people let on. Or if he ended up as bored as he imagined.

“If there’s anything you’re missing, just let me know and I’ll take care of it for you.”

He was positive the one thing he wanted, she would not supply. Not that he should or would act on the desire to taste her sweet lips. Cleo was the very last person he’d have a fling with. She deserved so much more—more than he could offer anyone.

“Would you like me to get you anything? Extra towels? Some food?”

“I don’t think so. You can go.” He didn’t miss the frown at his dismissive tone and total lack of manners. His weariness was messing with his mind. “Thank you for showing me here, but I’ll be fine on my own.”

He turned his back to her and eyed up the couch. After a little television and some shut-eye, he’d be good as new—he wished. But with each day that passed, he was feeling a bit more like his old self.

Cleo firmed her shoulders. “I’d like to finish our talk about me staying on as your casino host. Perhaps we can come up with some sort of compromise.”

He was intrigued. “What sort of compromise?”

She shifted her weight from one blue suede stiletto to the other, deciding just how much information she had to impart. Considering that not only her job but also the possibility of mending fences with her family was riding on her bringing in a large influx of cash, she had no choice but to be totally honest.

“I’d better start at the beginning.” She worried her bottom lip as she sorted out in her mind a good starting point. “The thing is I sort of went over Mr. Burns’s head to get this position and now he’s out to get me.”

Jax’s eyes lit up as a smile tugged at his lips. “What do you mean sort of went over his head? You either did or didn’t do it.”

She hated how he put her on the spot. “Fine. I went over his head. But I wouldn’t have had to if he hadn’t kept passing me over every time there was an opening. And I’d already impressed his boss with a special project I’d previously worked on.”

“Some things don’t change.” Jax laughed, remembering how he’d envied the way her father catered to her. He’d never known anything close to that amount of love. His own father had been too caught up in his own needs to worry about his son. The sobering thought killed off his laughter. “Why should I care about this mess you’ve gotten yourself in? I’m not the one who decided to buck the chain of command.”

“So beneath that designer jacket and short haircut, you’re still the tough, ‘don’t care’ Jax, aren’t you?”

“You don’t know a thing about me.” The fact that she didn’t think he’d changed stung more than he’d expected.

“Then why don’t you tell me how you ended up in this exclusive bungalow?”

He let out a frustrated sigh as exhaustion coursed through his body. “This is exactly why I need another host. I shouldn’t have to explain myself. A stranger wouldn’t butt into my life.”

A pained look crossed her face, making him regret his heated words.

“You’re right. You don’t owe me any explanations. I just need you to forget everything that happened up until this point and give me another chance to be the best casino host you’ve ever had.” She twisted her hands together. “But there’s one more thing you should know.”

His patience was wearing thin and he was so tired. “What is it?”

“This job isn’t just for me.” Her voice was so low, he almost missed what she’d said.

“What are you talking about?” Then a thought struck him. His gaze sought out her left hand, finding her ring finger bare. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t a single mother. “Who’s relying on you?”

She wrapped her long honey-gold hair around her finger in a similar manner to the way she used to twist her father and brothers around her pinkie. But they were a long way from Hope Springs and he wasn’t so easily swayed. If only he could get past his fascination with this grown-up version of Cleo. It was just a lot to take in at once.

“It’s the ranch—the Bar S.” Her worried gaze met his. “It’s in a serious bind.”

The worry in her eyes ate at him. “Kurt never mentioned anything about problems with the ranch when we’ve talked.”

“I’m sure it’s a matter of Sinclair pride. That’s what got us into this trouble in the first place. It seems my father had been juggling money to cover his bases for quite a while without telling anyone that the Sinclair fortune had dwindled to nothing.”

The knowledge that the high-and-mighty Sinclairs had come down off their lofty spot in the community didn’t give Jax the satisfaction he once thought it would. Maybe it was the distressed look on Cleo’s face that drove home the reality of what she was telling him. People were about to lose their way of life—their home.

“But I don’t understand. What does any of that have to do with you being my casino host?”

“I need money to send home to put toward the mortgage. It’s in arrears.”

The Bar S was mortgaged to the hilt? He’d always looked at that ranch in awe and dreamed of one day having a spread just like it. Why hadn’t Kurt mentioned any of this to him?

Later he would have to call Kurt and see if there was something he could do to help. Just as quickly, he realized he couldn’t do that without mentioning Cleo. This would take a lot more thought before he acted. And right now, he needed to straighten things out with Cleo.

In his exhausted state, his brain just wasn’t making all of the necessary connections. “So you want to be a casino host to make money for the family?”

She nodded. “The position pays a lot more than being an accountant.”

He leaned back on the banister at the bottom of the steps. “Oh, yes. You mentioned making a percentage of what I wager.”

She cocked her head to the side and stared at him intently. “Are you okay?”

“Of course. Why?”

“It’s just... Oh, never mind.”

This wasn’t good. The last thing he needed was for her to figure out that something truly was wrong with him. It was difficult for him to maintain a normal existence while waiting for his test results without having to deal with the pitying looks or the sympathy.

“Jax, you have to do this. You owe me.”

This sparked his attention. He always made it a policy to pay his debts. The thought of owing Cleo didn’t sit well with him. At all. “I do? Since when?”

“Remember when I saw you on the day you left town? You asked me not to tell anyone what you were up to and I kept that secret for you.”

Getting away from Hope Springs had turned his life around. If his father had his way, Jax never would have made anything of himself. Only his father hadn’t lived long enough to learn how he’d graduated from college at the top of his class and had made a killing in the stock market. Not that it mattered. All of that, including Cleo, was in his past. And he wasn’t going to get caught up in looking back—he didn’t when his biopsy came back positive and he refused to look back now.

Oblivious to his inner struggle, Cleo continued, “I knew what you were running from and I wanted to help. If your father had known where you went, he’d have tracked you down and dragged you back. He’d have made your life miserable.”

“You knew where I went? How?”

“I didn’t know for sure. But I had a pretty good guess. You didn’t talk about your family much, but when you did, you mentioned your mother’s sister in Virginia. I figured that’s where you went.”

He nodded. “It is. I spent the summer with her before I went on to college.”

“Your mother would have been so proud of you.”

He grew uncomfortable with all of this digging around in his past. His mother had been sick off and on most of his life until her frail body finally gave in and she passed away when he was a teenager. No one ever spoke of her because very few people knew her since she was usually housebound from one ailment or another. The doctors would have him believe that she had a weak body, but he never believed that was what did her in. He was convinced her spirit had been broken by his father, who bullied everyone and ruled the house with an iron fist.

“I’m sorry.” Cleo stepped closer to him. “I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“It’s okay. It’s nice having someone else around who remembers her. You were always kind to her and she liked you.”

“I liked her, too.”

He remembered how Cleo would stop by the house with school fund-raisers. She never rushed off. She’d sit down with his mother at the kitchen table and chat. At the time he hadn’t liked Cleo wedging her way into his life, but now looking back he realized she’d recognized a loneliness in his mom and had tried her best to fill it.

“Your mother was a really nice lady. And she made the most delicious chocolate chip cookies.”

Before he could say more, his phone buzzed. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. At last, he’d know his test results. He glanced over at Cleo. “I’ll be right back.”

He moved to the kitchen, seeking privacy. No one knew about his brush with death, and he intended to keep it that way. He didn’t want people looking at him as if he was less of a man.

He went to answer the phone but the other party had already disconnected. Jax rushed to check the caller ID but it was blocked, leaving him no clue as to who was trying to contact him. If it was important, they’d call back.

He returned to the front room, where Cleo was studying what was bound to be an expensive painting. He could never tell a Rembrandt from a Picasso. He just knew what he liked.

Jax stuffed his hands into his pockets. His fingers brushed over the smooth metal of the old pocket watch that he kept with him as a good-luck charm. More times than he could count it had brought him peace of mind. Only today its magic hadn’t worked.

Today it reminded him of the past and the fact that Cleo’s grandfather had given him the watch. Jax’s gut was telling him that her grandfather would want him to help Cleo, no matter how hard it would be for him.

* * *

Cleo could feel Jax’s presence before she heard him. She turned and noticed the dark shadows beneath his eyes. She didn’t know what the man had been up to lately, probably too much. He certainly needed some rest.

“I’ll get out of your way. But before I go, I’d like to confirm our arrangement.”

Jax’s brows rose. “I didn’t realize we’d come to any agreement.”

“Seriously, you’re going to make me plead with you?”

He looked as though he were weighing his options. “You really want to put up with me for the next few weeks?”

Was he talking about catering to his every whim and desire? Her mind filled with the vision of him pulling her close and pressing his lips to hers. Okay, so maybe she hadn’t totally outgrown her childhood crush. But fantasies were one thing. Acting on them was quite a different subject.

She’d learned her lesson about love. Men were to be treated with caution. She may date now and then, but she never let those relationships get serious. By dating the same guy less than a handful of times, she never let herself get close enough to risk her heart.

With Jax, it’d be a temporary arrangement—no chance for either of them to get the wrong idea about their relationship. “If you agree, I’ll do a good job for you.”

He glanced down at his phone as though expecting it to ring again. “In exchange, you’ll keep my identity a secret. As far as everyone is concerned I’m Mr. Smith.”

“I will make your privacy my top priority. But what’s up with all of the secrecy?”

“Let’s just say I’m on a much-needed vacation and I don’t want anyone to disturb it.”

“If you’re supposed to be here for some R and R, you might consider turning off your phone. There’s nothing so important that it can’t wait. Why don’t you let me reserve you a blackjack table for later today?”

Jax smiled and shook his head. “With your determination, I think you’ll do quite well in your new position.”

She straightened her shoulders. “I plan to.”

He moved toward the couch and picked up the television remote. It was almost as if he’d forgotten she was in the room.

“Mr. Smith.” When he didn’t respond, she added, “Jax, if you’re going to go by a fake name, you should at least answer to it.”

He looked over at her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”

“I’ll make sure your line of credit is established and your table is ready. I’ll be back as soon as everything is in place.”

“There’s no need to rush. I’ll be fine.”

“The fridge is stocked. Help yourself.” She started for the door. Curiosity was eating at her. Something was troubling him and she was starting to worry about him. “Jax, just tell me one thing, are you in trouble with the authorities?”

“Why would you ask that?” He expelled a weary sigh. “You’re still puzzled by the alias. Did you ever just want to get away? Want to be someone else for a little bit?”

Sure she had, especially after growing up in a small town where everyone knew everybody else’s business. She used to daydream about the day she’d get to leave. The funny thing was the farther she got from her hometown, the more she missed it. Not the ranching part but the people.

And now that her father was gone and the ranch was in trouble, she felt as though she should be there to help out. But she wasn’t wanted. The backs of her eyes stung as she recalled how her mother had told her to leave at her father’s funeral, accusing her of being responsible for his death.

Jax stepped closer. “Cleo, what is it?”

She blinked back the unshed tears. “Nothing.”

“You sure don’t look like it’s nothing.”

“Well, you would be wrong. So we’ll keep each other’s secrets. Yours from the rest of the world and mine from my brother. Deal?”

He frowned but nodded.

She slipped out the door. It was only then that she could breathe easy. Jax was here for more than just a vacation. Of that she was certain. He had a problem and if she had to guess, it was what had him looking so run-down. It must be something big and troublesome. But what could it be?

And why was she letting herself get drawn in when she had enough of her own problems?

CHAPTER FOUR

WHAT HAD MADE him think a trip to Las Vegas was a good idea?

Jax grabbed a bottle of water from the fully stocked fridge. In the past two days, Cleo seemed to be everywhere he turned. It was almost as if she had him under surveillance. He paused, considering the possibility. Then realizing he’d watched too many spy movies after his treatments, he dismissed the idea. Even that would be too much for her.

The stress of waiting for his latest test results combined with a restless night had his imagination on overdrive. He really did need this vacation more than he’d originally thought.

The afternoon sun filtered through the sheers on the windows, casting a golden glow over the room. The couch beckoned to him. If he just sat down here for a minute, he’d be fine. Putting his feet up on the coffee table, he leaned his head back against the smooth leather upholstery and closed his eyes. This felt so good...

* * *

“Jax.”

He turned down a dark alley. Rapid footsteps sounded behind him. A gunshot pierced the night. He flinched. His legs moved faster.

He glanced around. The alleyway was empty. His heart pounded harder. No place to hide. No place to rest.

His muscles ached. His lungs burned. Still, he couldn’t stop. He had to keep going.

“Jax.”

The female voice was growing closer. Where were they? He couldn’t see them. He had to keep moving, keep one step ahead of the man in black.

A brick wall reared up in front of him. He stumbled. Fell. Before he could get to his feet a hand clutched his shoulder.

He jumped.

“Jax, you’re safe.”

* * *

One second he was in the alleyway and the next he was staring into the most amazing forest-green eyes. He blinked, trying to make sense of what was real and what was a dream. He jerked himself away from her touch and sat upright.

Cleo knelt down in front of him with concern etched across her face. “You were having a nightmare. Are you okay?”

“Um, yeah.” He ran a hand over his forehead. “It’s a bit warm in here.”

She grabbed the cold water bottle from the coffee table and handed it to him. “Have a drink. I’ll adjust the thermostat.” She moved across the room and adjusted the touch pad on the wall. “Sorry I’m late. I had to pick my cat up from the vet.”

“No problem. I wasn’t in any rush.” He raked his fingers through his hair.

The nightmares had started when he’d been diagnosed with cancer. With both of his parents dead at an early age, he didn’t hold out much hope for himself. He’d lost count of how many nights he’d woken up with his heart racing and drenched in sweat, but back then the dream had been a blur. As time went by he remembered more of the details. Thankfully he didn’t have them every night, only those times when his illness was weighing heavily on his mind.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” She sent him a questioning stare. “I could call a doctor.”

“What? Why would you do that?”

It was impossible for her to know about his medical condition. There were no loose ends for her to pull. No stones for her to turn. He got to his feet, stretched and headed to the minibar for a fresh bottle of water. He unscrewed the cap and took a long drink.

“If you’re sick—”

“Why do you keep insisting I’m sick?”

“Because you’re pale and perspiring. And obviously exhausted if you didn’t hear me knocking on the door.”

“It’s just jet lag.”

“Jet lag? Three days after the fact? I don’t think so.”

She had a point, but he kept quiet. Let her think what she wanted. He wasn’t about to tell her that he’d just finished up a round of chemo and was now awaiting test results to see if he was in the clear or if the dreaded disease was still lurking within him.

“Maybe you should sit back down and take it easy.” She fluffed a throw pillow before returning it to the couch.

He’d been taking care of himself since he was a kid. He didn’t need her mollycoddling him like...like his mother used to do when he was sick. And this illness was not something that you shared casually over coffee. He could barely admit to himself the changes that had taken place in his life over the past year.

Now he just needed to be treated as if he was normal. And maybe then he’d start to feel normal, too.

She turned a sympathetic gaze his way. “I can get you some aspirin.”

“Stop fussing over me.” The hurt expression on her face had him regretting his outburst. She was only trying to be nice. “Thank you, but I’m fine.”

Her brow arched as she pressed her hands to her hips. “If you’re so fine, prove it. Let’s head over to the casino and see if you can win back some of that money you lost yesterday.”

Actually that sounded like the best suggestion he’d heard in a while. Because there was no way he was going to fall asleep again anytime in the near future. “Lead the way.”

Surprise lit up her eyes, but for once she didn’t argue. She turned on her stilettos and headed straight for the door. His gaze drifted to her derriere, nicely displayed in a red skirt that showed off her curves. He had no idea where she bought her clothes, but it was as if they were tailored just for her.

His throat grew dry and he gulped down the rest of the water. She’d certainly grown up to be a knockout. He couldn’t believe Kurt let her out of his sight. If she was his little sister, he’d definitely keep her under wraps—away from men like himself.

Then again he wasn’t anyone that her brother should be worried about. He was far from being classified as a ladies’ man these days. That was one of the reasons he’d decided to come to Vegas—to distance himself from the stark reality of his diagnosis. Here he could be Mr. Smith—Mr. No Worries.

He rushed to catch up with her on the footpath. For just a bit longer he could hang on to the illusion that he was the man he’d always been—a man with a promising future. Now that future was littered with uncertainties.

“Have you lived in New York long?”

“Ever since I finished college.” He glanced her way. “Did you move here after you graduated?”

Sadness filled her eyes and she nodded. “My family wanted me to return home. They’d even made arrangements for me to work for Mr. Wetzel in town, processing taxes.”

“I take it that wasn’t what you had in mind for your future.”

She shook her head. “I thought I knew everything when I finished college. At last, I was free to make my own choices—to forge my own direction wherever it led me.”

“It looks like you did well with those choices.”

Her shoulders drooped. “Looks can be deceiving.”

He concurred wholeheartedly. Things were never quite what they seemed from the outside. He was just sorry that Cleo had to learn that lesson the hard way.

“Hang in there. I’m sure life has some amazing things in store for you.”

“We’ll see.”

The fact that she felt comfortable enough to open up to him warmed a spot in his chest. But he couldn’t let himself read too much into it. She was probably lonely being so far from her family. And it wouldn’t do either of them any good if he tried to fill that empty spot. It’d only make it that much harder to walk away.

“You know, I can be on my own today. I don’t want to take up all of your time. I’m sure by now you have other guests to look after.”

“Actually you’re my one and only guest. Mr. Burns has me on a very short leash.” Her cherry-red lips lifted and her eyes sparkled. “So name your pleasure and I’ll make sure it’s provided.”

The sweet lilt of her voice and the sight of her tempting lips sent his mind spiraling back in time. He clearly remembered the one and only kiss they’d shared. He hadn’t even seen it coming and it was over before he could react. The strange thing was that after all of these years, he had never forgotten that innocent moment.

He’d been kissed countless times since then and by experienced women who knew how to turn a kiss into an adventure. So why had the memory of those other kisses faded while hers stood the test of time?

Every detail of that moment stood out in his mind. He recalled how the morning sun peeked over Cleo’s shoulder. The golden rays made her hair glisten, giving it the illusion of a halo. Her cheeks were rosy with color and her eyes sparkled like fresh-cut emeralds.

He’d been so mesmerized by the stunning image that he hadn’t expected her to lift up on her tiptoes. Her gaze met and held his as she leaned forward. Her puckered lips pressed to his mouth. In the next heartbeat, she pulled away. And then, as if horrified, her eyes grew round. She’d pressed a hand to her mouth and run off.

The buzz of his phone drew him back to the present. At last, it had to be his doctor with the confounded test results. He glanced at Cleo. There was no way he was having this conversation in front of her.

He never wanted her to know that he had...Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

He swallowed hard, still not comfortable with the “C” word.

He held up a finger to Cleo. “You can go ahead. I’ve got to get this.”

He took a step back toward the bungalow. In fact, he took numerous steps before he pressed the phone to his ear. “Hello?”

Nothing but silence greeted him. Not again.

“Hello? Who’s there?”

Frustration bubbled through his veins. Was it possible the anonymous phone calls were starting again just like in New York? But how had they gotten this number? He’d just had it changed.

He checked the caller ID. It was blocked. But then he noticed the reception bars were down to just one. The knot of tension in his gut eased. Perhaps the calls hadn’t started again. Perhaps it was just a case of spotty reception.

His gaze moved to Cleo. She was standing next to a large palm tree. In the background was a glimpse of the waterfall at the edge of the pool. Her striking beauty drew him in. A year or two ago, he’d have tossed caution to the wind and lived in the moment.

But the here and now was all he had these days. He couldn’t forget that. And he noticed the more time they spent together, the more he had to remind himself that he was in no position to offer her anything. His life was a continual question mark. And that was no way for anyone to live.

Her gaze caught his and held it. He found himself smiling back. Maybe he was thinking about this all wrong. Would it be a crime to let down his defenses just a little and enjoy Cleo’s company?

It had been so long since he’d let someone in, even if it was just to kick back and chat over a meal. He longed for a little companionship. But he’d have to be careful around Cleo. She had a way of sneaking past his defenses. And he couldn’t afford to let her get too close. They’d both end up hurt.

These thoughts made him all the more determined to check out early. Once he spent a little more time at the tables and made it look good for her, he was leaving Vegas. He didn’t know where he’d go, but that didn’t matter. Still, it’d sure be nice to take a few happy memories of Cleo’s smile with him.

* * *

Cleo stood next to a palm tree, wishing Jax would hurry up.

It was a hot day even by Vegas standards. Perspiration trickled down her cleavage. If this was going to take a while, she’d wait for him inside.

She glanced over at him and noticed how his brows were drawn into a dark line. And his eyes were narrowed as though he were upset. Something was definitely wrong. Should she go to him?

She stepped forward. Then stopped. It wasn’t her place to interfere. As long as she saw to his needs while he was here at the Glamour, her job was done. Maybe once he got a few winning hands, it’d cheer him up.

Yet when he joined her, she couldn’t help but ask, “Is everything all right?”

He smiled but the expression didn’t reach his eyes. “Things couldn’t be better. I’m on vacation and being escorted by the most beautiful woman in Las Vegas.”

Without warning, he held up his phone and snapped her picture.

“What’d you do that for?”

He shrugged. “Why not? This way I have a reminder of my trip.”

“You already had one from the other day.”

His smile warmed her insides. “I could never have too many pictures of you.”

His compliment caused a fluttering sensation in her stomach and silenced any further objections. Instead she returned his smile and when he offered her his arm, she gladly accepted. In a peaceable silence, he escorted her into the casino.

Inside, colorful lights twinkled while the murmur of voices filled the room. A group cheered at the roulette table. There were plenty of things going on in here to distract both of them. While Jax played blackjack, Cleo checked in with the pit boss to see if there were any new high rollers she could introduce herself to.

After all, Jax wouldn’t be here forever. When he was gone and she’d proven herself, she’d need other clients. She may only be on a trial period right now, but she didn’t intend for it to stay that way for long. And for her to be successful, she needed to plan ahead.

Sadly today there weren’t any new leads for her. So after making the rounds on the casino floor, she gravitated back to Jax’s table.

“And how are we doing?” She flashed him her practiced smile.

He didn’t smile back. “Seems Lady Luck is on holiday.”

“I predict things will turn around.”

He cocked a dark brow at her as though gauging her sincerity before playing another hand. And losing again. Cleo’s anxiety rose. If he didn’t start to win soon, he’d quit. Or worse, take his business to another casino on the strip. Vegas was full of choices.

She wondered if that held true for her, too. At first, being a casino host seemed like an exciting challenge, but even though she was new to the job, she was finding that it didn’t give her a sense of fulfillment, either. Now the only reason she wanted this job was to help her family get the ranch out of arrears. Once that was achieved, she knew she’d be moving on to something else. Because one thing she knew for certain, being employed in a casino didn’t make her any happier than working on her family’s ranch.

The most fun she’d had since arriving in this town was buying a secondhand sewing machine and returning to a hobby she enjoyed immensely—creating fashions. Her family may think her passion was a waste of time, but it’d saved her a bundle of money by allowing her to dress in style for a fraction of the price.

After the last losing hand, Jax turned to her. “That’s it! I’m done. And don’t say a word. No platitude or hokey prediction is going to fix this. I just hope you don’t ever try to make a living off being a fortune-teller,” he teased. “Because you’re lousy at it.”

“I—I’m sorry.”

“I know how you can make it up to me.”

“How’s that?” She’d do it as long as it wasn’t too over-the-top.

“Have an early dinner with me.”

He was asking her to dinner? Excitement bubbled up inside her. She just as quickly tamped it down. He was her client. She had to stay focused.

“Thank you. But I don’t date clients.”

This brought an unexpected smile to Jax’s face. “That’s good because I’m not interested in a date. I just thought if you’re going to follow me around, you might as well eat, too. But if you’re not hungry that’s fine.”

“Oh.” Her stomach growled. Heat filled her cheeks. Strike that. She was a lot hungry. “I’ll join you if you tell me how you ended up going from ragtag jeans to designer ones.”

His brows lifted. “You really find it so surprising that a person can turn their life around?”

“From what I’ve witnessed, people say they’re going to change, but they’re usually lying.”

Jax stopped walking and turned to her. “Since when did Hope Springs’s very own Pollyanna become such a pessimist?”

She glared at him. “I was not Pollyanna.”

“Oh, yes, you were. There was hardly a time you weren’t smiling, and you seemed to think it was your job to make everyone else in town smile, too.”

She hated that he still thought of her as some foolish kid with unrealistic expectations. “I grew up and found out that life isn’t like in the movies. It doesn’t come with rainbows and happily-ever-afters.”

She started to walk again, not caring now if he followed her or not. Of course she’d always been smiling when he was nearby, it was how he made her feel. He surely didn’t think she was that happy around everyone. But then again maybe it was best she didn’t squelch his misconception. It was for the best that he didn’t know those smiles had been just for him.

“Hey, slow down.” He grabbed for her arm but she pulled away and kept on moving. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just miss seeing you smile and laugh. You’re always so serious these days.”

“I smile.” She lifted her chin and pasted on a smile.

“I meant a real one. Not one of those practiced smiles you use for guests.”

Cleo paused at the restaurant entrance, waiting for the hostess to seat them. She didn’t know why she still let him ruffle her feathers. She really needed to loosen up.

The hostess seated them in the corner where there was dim lighting and a candle burning in the middle of the table. She inwardly groaned at the romantic setting. She glanced around, finding the restaurant empty, except for one gentleman across the room.