her hand for a moment. What a fitting symbol. She knew at that moment Jason and only Jason held the key to her heart. What started as lust and desire had grown into something more. She would discover just how much more during the next five days. She stood and took a deep breath, leaving behind worry, guilt, stress and, most of all, her inhibitions. Grinning from ear to ear, she took her first class ticket and boarded the plane.
******
Stephanie found her name neatly printed on a sign held by a limousine driver when she landed at Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport. The driver swiftly took her carry-on and laptop bag and Stephanie followed him to the waiting limousine. Stephanie lowered her dark Del Sol sunglasses from the perch on top of her head as she walked outside. Unaccustomed to the sweltering heat and bright desert sun, she instantly felt overdressed in her business suit and heels.
Once inside the limo, the driver confirmed her hotel stay and asked, “What brings to you Las Vegas, Miss Thomas?”
“Business. Business with a little bit of pleasure.” Stephanie smiled.
“That’s usually the case here.”
The limo passed by the hotel entrance and stopped at a tall gate around the corner.
“I think you passed the hotel.”
“No, your reservations are at the Porta del Castello, known here in Las Vegas as The Gates. It’s the most exclusive and expensive resort on the strip. Must be pretty important business.”
A man dressed in black appeared and knocked on the driver’s window. The driver gave Stephanie’s name to the guard who nodded his head at the direction of the gatehouse. She watched as massive wrought iron gates opened to a beautiful tropical garden. As the limo drove slowly along a narrow cobblestone path, Stephanie looked around in fascination. The garden contained lush ferns, palms, and brightly colored tropical flowers. They drove past two homes and came to a stop at the last structure on the narrow path. Stephanie visited Las Vegas multiple times before. She even stayed at The Castello Hotel & Casino on a few occasions, but never knew the existence of The Gates.
A woman, also dressed in black, stood waiting for the limo to stop at the front door of a sprawling hacienda style home. She opened the limo door and offered her hand to helped Stephanie out of the limousine. “Good afternoon, Miss Thomas, my name is Victoria. Please come with me and I’ll get you settled in.”
Stephanie followed Victoria into the expansive foyer. Victoria handed her a cool glass of iced cucumber water. “Mr. Royce gave us specific instructions and said you are to receive the royal treatment,” Victoria said with a smile. Royal treatment. Yes, there was definitely a connection between Jason Royce and royalty, Stephanie giggled as she wandered around the living room and kitchen. Victoria directed the driver to bring her suitcase into the bedroom. “Carla will be in to unpack your things.”
“I think you’ll find everything you will possibly need for your stay here. Mr. Royce gave me the particulars on your likes and dislikes as well as your dress size and color preferences. If there is anything you desire, please contact me.” Victoria handed Stephanie a card with her phone number.
“Also, you will find a note from Mr. Royce in the bedroom. Have a pleasant stay at The Gates, Miss Thomas.”
Stephanie was speechless, but was able to squeak out a thank you. Her eyes panned the main room of the suite. The décor reminded her of the Penthouse suite at the Hotel Del Santos in Miami. From the plush sofas to the vases of fresh flowers, there was beauty everywhere. What was it that Victoria said? She personally shopped and if something didn’t fit to contact her? Confused, Stephanie walked into the bedroom to find it even more beautiful than the room she just left. Floor to ceiling windows showcased the lush garden. She heard the babbling sound of the stone
******
Stephanie found her name neatly printed on a sign held by a limousine driver when she landed at Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport. The driver swiftly took her carry-on and laptop bag and Stephanie followed him to the waiting limousine. Stephanie lowered her dark Del Sol sunglasses from the perch on top of her head as she walked outside. Unaccustomed to the sweltering heat and bright desert sun, she instantly felt overdressed in her business suit and heels.
Once inside the limo, the driver confirmed her hotel stay and asked, “What brings to you Las Vegas, Miss Thomas?”
“Business. Business with a little bit of pleasure.” Stephanie smiled.
“That’s usually the case here.”
The limo passed by the hotel entrance and stopped at a tall gate around the corner.
“I think you passed the hotel.”
“No, your reservations are at the Porta del Castello, known here in Las Vegas as The Gates. It’s the most exclusive and expensive resort on the strip. Must be pretty important business.”
A man dressed in black appeared and knocked on the driver’s window. The driver gave Stephanie’s name to the guard who nodded his head at the direction of the gatehouse. She watched as massive wrought iron gates opened to a beautiful tropical garden. As the limo drove slowly along a narrow cobblestone path, Stephanie looked around in fascination. The garden contained lush ferns, palms, and brightly colored tropical flowers. They drove past two homes and came to a stop at the last structure on the narrow path. Stephanie visited Las Vegas multiple times before. She even stayed at The Castello Hotel & Casino on a few occasions, but never knew the existence of The Gates.
A woman, also dressed in black, stood waiting for the limo to stop at the front door of a sprawling hacienda style home. She opened the limo door and offered her hand to helped Stephanie out of the limousine. “Good afternoon, Miss Thomas, my name is Victoria. Please come with me and I’ll get you settled in.”
Stephanie followed Victoria into the expansive foyer. Victoria handed her a cool glass of iced cucumber water. “Mr. Royce gave us specific instructions and said you are to receive the royal treatment,” Victoria said with a smile. Royal treatment. Yes, there was definitely a connection between Jason Royce and royalty, Stephanie giggled as she wandered around the living room and kitchen. Victoria directed the driver to bring her suitcase into the bedroom. “Carla will be in to unpack your things.”
“I think you’ll find everything you will possibly need for your stay here. Mr. Royce gave me the particulars on your likes and dislikes as well as your dress size and color preferences. If there is anything you desire, please contact me.” Victoria handed Stephanie a card with her phone number.
“Also, you will find a note from Mr. Royce in the bedroom. Have a pleasant stay at The Gates, Miss Thomas.”
Stephanie was speechless, but was able to squeak out a thank you. Her eyes panned the main room of the suite. The décor reminded her of the Penthouse suite at the Hotel Del Santos in Miami. From the plush sofas to the vases of fresh flowers, there was beauty everywhere. What was it that Victoria said? She personally shopped and if something didn’t fit to contact her? Confused, Stephanie walked into the bedroom to find it even more beautiful than the room she just left. Floor to ceiling windows showcased the lush garden. She heard the babbling sound of the stone
Similar Books
