Twenty minutes later, he gave up on her finishing her meal and paid the bill so they could join the humanity strolling along the Strip.
As they waited at a crosswalk, Beck felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle. He skimmed a gaze over the tourists, the street actors in costume looking to make a quick buck, and the cars idling at the stoplight. Before he could pinpoint the source of his unease, the light turned green. The nagging sensation faded, and he shrugged it off.
When they reached the far side of the street, Heavenly pointed to the imposing white marble building on the next block. “What’s that? It’s gorgeous.”
“Caesar’s Palace. Want to go in and look around? The hotel has a mall attached. The interior alone will blow your mind.”
“I’d love to.”
“I’ve never been, either. Let’s do it,” Seth seconded.
When they stepped into the hotel lobby, Heavenly gaped. Seth’s head seemed to be on a swivel, as well, as they inspected the massive fountain in the middle of the lobby. As they walked the mall, Beck watched in amusement as Heavenly and Seth drank in the colorful domed ceilings and intricate Roman statues. Along the way, they window-shopped.
“Let’s go in here.” Seth nodded toward a store.
Beck read the name on the marquee and shrugged. Louboutin sounded vaguely familiar. But when they tried to usher Heavenly inside, she dug in her heels.
“This place is way too expensive.”
Beck lifted her off the ground. “Maybe we want to spoil you.”
When he carried her into the store and set her on her feet, she scowled…until a display of purses lured her away like a bee to a tulip.
“Can you occupy her for a few? I need to grab something,” Seth whispered.
Beck leveled a glare at him. “What are you up to?”
He merely smiled. “If Heavenly asks where I’ve gone, make something up. I won’t be long.”
Beck couldn’t miss the devious flicker in the other man’s eyes. “Hey, anything sheer and lacy works for me. Bows are a definite plus.”
“Works for me, too.” Seth clapped his shoulder, then hurried out the door.
Beck strolled up beside their girl, watching her stroke a stylish black leather purse with red piping. “You like that?”
“It’s a work of art,” she breathed.
“You should have it.” He motioned for a sales associate.
Heavenly tugged his arm down in panic. “No! Did you see the price tag? This thing almost costs as much as a semester of my nursing school.”
Beck sent her a noncommittal shrug before strolling to a display of shoes. A pair of black, open-toed stilettos encrusted with silver-spiked studs caught his eye. When he imagined Heavenly wearing them—and nothing else—his mind fell straight into the gutter.
“How about these?” He held them up for her.
Heavenly’s eyes widened as the pulse point at the base of her neck tripled. Oh, yeah. She liked them, all right. And by the way her rosy cheeks turned crimson, his mind wasn’t the only one in the gutter.
She rushed toward him, darting a nervous glance at the saleslady occupied with another customer. “Put those down.”
“Why?”
“They look like they belong in that art gallery you took me to.”
He couldn’t wipe the grin from his face as he leaned close to her ear. “Seth and I will find you more gorgeous than any work of art if you’re wearing nothing but these shoes and a fuck-me smile.”
“You’re so bad,” she hissed.
“You love it when I am.” He nuzzled her. “Come on. Let me get you a pair. Give Seth and me something to look forward to seeing you model for us while we wait impatiently for you to come back.”