“I’m Brody,” he said, in that smooth, panty-melting voice. “And this is Corey.”
A hand came forward and I clasped it mechanically. His friend was even taller, with short dark hair and liquid brown eyes. He had two days of rich, dark stubble where a beard would be.
And he had shoulders for days.
“Would you like to join us?” asked Corey. In person his voice was just as smooth, just as velvety. “We have a little table over there, near the corner.”
Somehow they’d gotten past me. Or maybe they’d been here all along. Either way, I nodded and pushed my empty glass — and accompanying tip — in the bartender’s direction. Corey ordered another round of whatever they were having, as Brody led me across the room to a small, U-shaped booth.
“Thanks for showing up,” he smiled, holding my hand as I prepared to sit down. “We were a little worried you might bail.”
I slid into the center of the booth, smoothing my skirt beneath me. “Does that really happen?” I found myself asking.
“Oh yeah,” Brody winked, and my heart skipped through its next beat. “All the time.”
Corey joined us, setting a fresh glass of Merlot directly in front of me. The guys, I noticed, each had a beer and a glass of water.
“Staying hydrated?” I flirted, taking the first sip of my one drink.
Brody chuckled. “Always.”
“Good to know.”
The guys flanked me, sliding in on either side. The did it casually, comfortably — like we were old friends. Like we’d done this a hundred times before.
“This your first time in Vegas?” asked Corey.
“Third, actually,” I admitted. “But the first two times I was on business. Short trips, two or three days. Worked so much I bar
ely saw anything outside of my own hotel.”
“What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a publicist. And a promoter.”
“Represent anyone we’d know?”
I smiled slyly. “Maybe.”
The guys sipped their beer, almost in tandem. I wondered if that was all they did in tandem.
“You’re from New York, aren’t you?” Brody asked.
I laughed. “Is the accent that obvious?”
“Like a taser to the nuts is obvious, yes.”
Now it was my turn to sip my wine, while they regarded me. I did it slowly. Every millimeter of liquid was like a lifeline to finally making a decision.
“Ever had a taser to the nuts?” I asked.
“No, but we’re willing to try anything once,” Brody smirked.
“Most things,” corrected Corey.
“Besides, we’ve got friends from New York,” added Brody. “One in particular who moved out here for a little while, and ended up in Hollywood doing bit parts in a few movies.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Anything I might know?”