you need to get off, I can get you a ”
Micah cut him off before he could even finish that sentence. “I don’t pay for sex. Jesus.”
Allen watched him closely, his eyes assessing and making Micah feel like a bug under some kid’s magnifying glass in the heat of summer. He could feel the impact of his friend’s scrutiny, and he knew Allen was making plans and wondering what he could do to help Micah along.
Just. No.
“Allen, I’m serious. Back off. You’re my agent, not a pimp, and you have horrible taste in women.”
His friend was not pleased with the “down boy,” but he acknowledged the order with a shrug as he pocketed his cell phone. “Fine, but you better tell me if this thing with the girl becomes something I can make a big deal about.”
Micah smiled and promised himself that he would follow through and ask her out. There weren’t many women who tempted him, but Kelsey Kyle was on the top of the short list. “Allen, you’ll be the third person to know.”
Chapter Three
“Ms. Kelsey Kyle, let me introduce you to Saul and Babette Forasch,” Perry said.
Kelsey put on her best smile as she extended her hand to the couple seated on the plush sofa in the luxuriously appointed VIP concierge suite. She’d met Saul before: he was a frequent high roller here at the Masquerade and was very demanding. The last time he’d been a guest she’d had to arrange the delivery of four Gray’s Papaya hot dogs from New York City with less than six hours notice because he wanted them for a late-night, after-the-poker-game snack. While the adventure had curled her hair with stress, she’d really appreciated the five hundred dollar tip he’d given her.
“Mr. Forasch, it is so nice to see you again,” she said as she turned to greet the sixth Mrs. Forasch. Babette was probably Kelsey’s age with huge breasts and red hair that defied gravity, and was covered from head to toe in designer clothes and bling. She screamed “trophy wife,” and it was a testament to Saul’s prenuptial agreements that he could afford to keep her in the style most gold diggers wanted to attain. “Congratulations on your marriage, Mrs. Forasch. I’ve arranged for a sensual couples massage in the penthouse as a gift from the Masquerade. You tell me the time, and I’ll make it happen.”
“Saul”—Babette nudged her husband and purred with a generous portion of a whine—“tell her what I really want.”
Kelsey was glad for so many years of practice in hiding her candid reactions from guests, because it took a lot of effort to ensure that the Forasches didn’t see her teeth clenching at the sound of her voice. Nails on a chalkboard and failing brakes were more soothing than Babette’s childish tone.
“Of course, I will strive to get you anything your heart desires while you are guests at the Masquerade,” she said, leaving the “as long as you don’t mind the bill” unsaid. Dreams were never free, especially in Las Vegas.
“My wife wanted to come here to attend the Romance Lovers’ Convention. She loves those books, and I love reaping the benefits of all those sex scenes.” Saul leered at his wife and pulled her close. “If you know what I mean.”
Ew. Yeah, they all knew what he meant. Kelsey sneaked a glance at Perry, who was clearly trying not to throw up. “I think we all know what you mean.”
“Well, Babette is a huge fan of this guy, Micah Holmes, and she wants one of those ‘Ultimate Fan’ packages with him.” He leaned over and licked his wife’s ear, and Kelsey could not stop the shiver of revulsion. “She wants to spend the day with him, go to dinner, hang out.”
“I want an early copy of his next book.” Babette pouted and actually batted her fake eyelashes. They resembled two dead butterflies stuck to her eyeballs.
“Don’t we all,” Kelsey muttered before she smiled and broke the bad news. The hotel had repeatedly asked Micah to participate in the packages they put together to