We pull up to the lobby of the Stratosphere. By the time I’m finished dealing with the valet, Mac’s already out and waiting for me by the doors. She’s grinning and bouncing on her toes.
“Let’s go.” I smile and grab her hand to lead her through the hotel casino, bypassing the ticket counter.
She pulls back against my hold, resisting. “Tickets.” She points to the sign that clearly states we need tickets to the tower and rides. “Don’t we need to buy them here first?”
“Nope.” I tug her hand and move toward the bank of elevators. “They know me here. I come a lot, so I pay monthly and they let me do whatever I want.”
She stops us again. “Oh, well here.” Reaching into the small purse she has hung diagonally from one shoulder to her hip, she pulls out some cash.
I shake my head. “Not takin’ your money, Mac. Put that shit away.”
“No, it’s okay.” She shakes the wad of green at me. “Take it. You don’t have to pay—”
I cup her jaw, pressing my thumb against her lips. Fuck, just the feel of them on my finger makes me want to taste them again, but I need to keep this friendly, more for her sake than mine. “Shhhh. Please, no more talk of you paying.”
She nods and puts her money away.
“Atta girl.” It takes all my effort to pull my hand from her face to avoid getting lost in her wide eyes, which are begging for more. Fuck, I need to reel in my shit. A few moments of silence pass between us.
We move again toward the elevator, but a few yards away, she stops again. What now?
“Mac.” I turn toward her to see her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide and fixed on the elevator doors.
“What is that?” Her hand in mine is clammy.
“Elevators to the top. That’s where the rides are.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.” She shifts on her feet. “Can we take the stairs?” There’s a shakiness in her voice.
Stairs?
“Hey.” I tighten my hold and search her eyes. “You change your mind? We can do something else if you want.”
Her gaze darts to the elevator doors. “No, I want to go but, um . . .” She locks eyes with mine. “I hate elevators.” A weak smile pulls at her lips.
First hospitals and now elevators. What that’s all about?
“It’s a quick ride to the top. I’ll be right there with you.”
My reassurance seems to relax her a little. I lead her up the last few steps to the doors and press the arrow-up button.
She clears her throat. “How many levels to the top?”
“Over one hundred.”
Her head whips around, eyes on mine, and the pale brown sparks with panic. “One hundred?”
I turn to face her head on. “Walk through your fears. You’ll realize it’s not as bad as you think.” It’s good advice, but very seldom works for me. “You’ll be fine. Promise.”
Her expression softens. She takes in a deep breath and nods.
A ding sounds from the elevator and the doors slide open, letting out a group of giggling, flushed-faced teenagers. Her grip on my hand tightens, but only slightly.
“Tom, what’s up, man?” I give the elevator attendant a chin lift that I’m sure he misses as his eyes are glued to the strikingly gorgeous and visibly nervous girl at my side. The way he’s eyeing her would probably piss me off if the dude didn’t look like someone’s grandpa.
I tuck her to my side and move into the elevator. She tenses, dragging her feet, but manages to get inside.
“Rex.” He gives her a polite nod of his head. “I see you’re doing well.” The corners of his lips curl.
“Been good.” I’ve never brought a chick with me. I’m sure I’ll be hearing about this next time I come back alone. “Take us to the top.”
“Sure thing.” Tom hits the right buttons, and we begin our ascent to the top of the Stratosphere.
Mac curls a little deeper into my side.
“The elevator is traveling at twenty miles per hour.” Tom swings his gaze to Mac. “Don’t be surprised if you feel it in your ears.”
I almost grin when right on cue Mac yawns and pushes on her ears.
“Observation deck,” Tom says just before the elevator dings and the doors slide open. “See you on the way down.”
We step out and she whirls toward me, a grin lighting her face. “That wasn’t bad at all.”
I shrug. “Told you.”
“It was fast.” Her voice is laced with excitement.
My teeth pull at my lip ring to keep from grinning at the pride of her accomplishment.
I follow her to the observation deck with floor-to-ceiling glass, and she oohs and ahs over the view. This time she pulls me toward the elevator that will take us the last few levels to the rides on top.
Within minutes, we’re sitting side by side on Insanity, waiting for the rest of the ride to get loaded with people.
This is the kind of shit I live for—the rush that reminds me I’m alive. And having this experience with Mac is as nerve-wracking as it is thrilling. I’ve never shared this part of myself with anyone, and doing it feels better than I thought it would.