Sammy felt on top of the world. Silently, she thanked her father for his shooting lessons. He had insisted she learn self-defense, and clearly, she still got it.
Chris ran a hand through his thick hair. "I wanted to do the romantic thing where I stand behind you, guide your hands, and teach you how to shoot." He sighed dramatically. "This date is ruined."
"Not a date," Sammy corrected. "You wanted to take me sightseeing and show me how to have fun, remember?"
Chris's eyes darkened with mischief. He pulled her close. "Are you sure about that?"
Sammy pushed against his shoulders, startled. Was he trying to kiss her in broad daylight, in the middle of a shooting range? In front of all these people? Her eyes widened when he leaned in closer.
Chris, you wouldn't–" Her eyes widened, her gaze warning when he leaned in. "You wouldn't dare. Not in front of all these people!"
"Are you sure? Want to test that theory?" His mischievous eyes darkened with challenge.
"Chris-ss," she hissed through her teeth.
Chris hovered just above her lips. Sammy licked hers instinctively before biting down on it. He smirked, then instead of kissing her, he chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Letting go of her waist, he took her hand instead.
Sammy released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Did she just feel disappointed because he didn't kiss her even though she asked him not to?
Chris grinned. "I still have a lot planned for us."
She forced herself to stop overthinking and rather just focus on the handsome Greek god beside her.
They left the shooting range, Chris driving his latest-model BMW. Sammy had to hold herself back from asking him about himself. With a car like this? He had to be rich.
[|]
Their next stop was a restaurant. It was small and unassuming from the outside. But once inside, Sammy quickly realized this was no ordinary dining experience.
It's pitch black.
Then, Sammy realized it was a blackout dining experience. Chris took her hand as the staff guided them to their table in complete darkness. They had only their hands to navigate, feel their way around plates, and guess what they were eating. The experience was filled with thrill, especially heightened by Chris's presence.
At one point, he reached across the table, his fingers intertwined with hers. Then, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed each of her fingers like the delicacies they had just eaten.
A shiver of pleasure ran down her spine.
The rest of the week passed in a blur of adventures.
They dined inside the Eiffel Tower and visited a haunted museum where actors dressed as ghosts chased after them through several dimly lit rooms and halls. While a little spooky and scary, it was exhilarating.
One night, they went to a Casino.
Chris turned out to be a skilled gambler. At this point, Sammy was sure there was nothing he couldn't do. He taught her how to win at the tables. They were winning so much, they were politely but firmly asked to leave the Casino.
Sammy was breathless from laughter as they stumbled outside. "We just got kicked out of a casino!"
"That's a Vegas rite of passage, Mia." He laughed and swung a hand over her shoulder.
Half-drunken, they returned to the hotel.
All nights ended the same, back in the hotel room. Bodies intertwined together, wrapped and tangled around each other, with Chris leaving trails of kisses and love bites all over her body as he whispered. "Mine."
As always, Sammy reminded him that she wasn't, then Chris would argue that she was wrong, while holding her tighter.
And somehow, she found herself not minding.
Sammy loved the days and nights. She pushed all thoughts of responsibility and duty out of her mind, focusing on the now.
[|]
The following week, they hiked the Red Canyon.
Halfway through, Sammy cursed at him, playfully. " Chris, I hate you. My legs are dying. My back is breaking. I don't even like hiking!"
Chris just grinned. "That is why you should exercise. Come on!"
He continued walking away while Sammy opened her mouth. She wanted to cry. Chris came back, his eyes laughing. He held her hand in his tightly, and together they walked.
At the top. It was worth it. Chris had a surprise waiting for her.
A picnic.
There was food, flowers, a breathtaking view...and a handsome man with her.
She had been good at hiding her emotions so far, but this was different. Overwhelmed, she jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly.
"Do you like it, Mia?" Chris asked softly.
"Yes," she nodded vigorously, then kissed him.
They ate and talked about everything and nothing. The moment stretched. It was peaceful and Intimate.
Later that week, he took her on a nighttime helicopter ride over the city.
The view was mesmerizing. Golden lights were sprawling in every direction. The pilot pointed out landmarks, but Sammy barely heard him. Her hand was intertwined with Chris's, and their eyes were locked on each other.
"You're supposed to look at the city, not me," Chris murmured, his voice low.
Sammy smiled. "I found something more beautiful than the Strip."
Chris raised a brow. "Oh?"
"I found you."
Chris chuckled. His face burned red. "I-I..."
"Are you stammering? You?" Sammy teased.
"A beautiful woman keeps looking at me like that...what did you expect?"
After the helicopter ride, they wandered the streets. Sammy found a food truck and insisted they try it. Chris was hesitant, but after much cajoling, he gave in.
"I've never eaten from a food truck before," she said excitedly, taking a big bite. "This is amazing."
"How is that possible?" Chris asked in disbelief. "Everyone eats from food trucks at some point."
"Dad didn't like them."
"And you always do what your dad says?"
"Yes," Sammy replied simply. "He always had my best interests at heart... used to."
She sighed. Her legs ached.
"Can we sit on those steps? My feet are killing me."
Without waiting for a response, she kicked off her shoes, climbed the steps, and sat on the concrete floor. She raised her hands to Chris. "Come."
Chris hesitated, then took her hands.
Sammy laughed. "I meant to sit beside me."
"Oh. Okay," he mumbled, suddenly looking shy.
He settled beside her, still holding her hand. Silence stretched between them, comfortable and warm.
Chris was the first to break it. "That was the first time you talked about yourself. You never do."
"I'm a different person away from Las Vegas," she said, turning toward him. "There's nothing to know about me."
"But I want to know more."
Sammy's voice rose. "And I told you-"
Laughter interrupted her. A young couple ran past them, hands entwined, laughing breathlessly. The couple noticed Sammy and Chris's judgmental stares.
"Sorry! We just got married!" the man explained between chuckles.
"Congratulations," Sammy and Chris said in unison.
"Oh, it's not a real wedding," the woman clarified. "You can get a fake marriage at the chapel."
The man squeezed her hand. "It was real for me."
"Me too," she cooed.
The couple ran off, down the steps, still giggling.
Sammy's tone was sarcastic. "They look happy."
"Let's do it."
Sammy's head snapped toward Chris. "What?"
"Let's get married."
"I don't like marriage. Fake or real."
"You said this...what we have isn't real, right?" Chris's gaze softened, a playful gleam flickering in his eyes. "And we're just having fun, right?" He leaned in, his voice dropping into a teasing yet dangerous whisper. "So, why not get married? It won't be real...just like us."