Enchanting Read online

  Enchanting

  Sarah Curtis

  Copyright © 2016 by Jeanine Grasso. All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this publication may be replicated, redistributed, or given away in any form without the prior written consent of the author/publisher. This is a work of fiction. The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to any real persons alive or dead and events are coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Cover image Depositphotos ©inarik

  Books by Sarah Curtis

  Alluring Series

  Alluring (Alluring Book 1)

  Engaging (Alluring Book 2)

  Pursuing (Alluring Book 3)

  Standalone Titles

  Freight Trained

  Dedications

  To all my readers who wanted Steph's story, this one's for you.

  And, as always, to my hubby. Without you, I'm not me.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Epilogue

  Author's Note

  How to find me

  Chapter One

  Once Upon a Time

  "Steph, you promised me you would go."

  "That was eons ago before I knew I had to work."

  "Can't you switch shifts with someone?"

  "No one wants to work on New Year's Eve, you know that."

  "Can you call out sick?"

  "You know I can't afford to miss a shift. Not all of us can be gazillionaires you know," Stephanie teased, but she knew that would shut her friend up. She also knew Alexis would never offer her money. The few times she'd tried in the past, she'd turned her friend down flat, making it known Alexis had pissed her off by offering. Oh, Steph knew her heart was in the right place, but Alexis wasn't her best friend because of her wealth—they had been friends way before that. No, she was her best friend because Alexis was one of the nicest people she knew and working in Las Vegas as a cocktail waitress, nice people were hard to come by.

  Steph heard a sigh over the line, a sure sign her friend was getting upset. "Then promise you'll come for a little while. Before you need to go to work."

  Now it was Stephanie's turn to sigh. She hated disappointing her friend as much as Alexis hated disappointing her. "Fine."

  Giggles filled Steph's ear. "Why do I feel like we've had this conversation before?"

  She couldn't hold back a grin. "Because we have, many times, only it was usually me begging you."

  "Do you want to go shopping for dresses this weekend? We can go to lunch after. Feels like too long since I've spent any quality time with my bestie."

  Not wanting to dip into her grocery fund, Steph said, "I'll wear the dress I wore to your engagement party. I only wore it that one time and would like to get my money's worth from it."

  "Okay, but let's do lunch at least." Then in a softer tone, Alexis continued, "I miss you. It's been weeks since I've seen you, and I want to know what's going on in your life."

  "Let's make it breakfast instead. I'm on graveyard shift, so I'll be sleeping through lunch."

  They hung up, plans in place for breakfast Saturday morning at the Allure coffee shop located in the hotel Steph worked for, which also happened to be the hotel Alexis's husband, Jack, owned.

  Stephanie sighed as she lay back on the bed, wishing, not for the first time, she had a fairy tale story like Jack and Alexis. She hated to admit she was slightly envious of her best friend, but at the same time, couldn't be happier for her. If anyone deserved a happily ever after, it was Alexis. Losing her mom at such a young age, and her dad bailing on his family, leaving her to raise her younger sister leaves a mark, and Steph was truly grateful her friend found happiness.

  Sometimes Steph wished she could find her own Prince Charming in the sea of frogs. Had even thought she'd found that once, years ago, back when she still believed in fairy tales. Yet Scott had turned out to be anything but a prince. She only wished it hadn't taken her two years and a broken heart to figure that out. So although Jack and Alexis have proved a happily ever after could exist, she just no longer believed in the fairy tale for herself.

  She sighed, refusing to live in the past. She regretted nothing. Every experience, good and bad, had made her the person she was today, and she liked herself. She was a pretty great person, so no regrets. And it was with that attitude, she got through each and every exhaustingly long day.

  Empty drink tray in hand, Steph stepped into her section on the casino floor. It was slow, as usual for a Thursday night—or technically Friday morning as it was after midnight—but still active enough to keep her busy. After all, the saying, "Vegas Never Sleeps" is true for a reason.

  "Hey, gorgeous." Marc Dixon, one of her regulars, hailed her from a nearby blackjack table. "Been waiting all night for you to get here."

  She gave him one of her rare, genuine smiles. "They switched me to graveyard a few weeks ago."

  "When are you gonna let me steal you away from all this?"

  He asked her that every month when he made a visit from California to the Las Vegas branch of his company. She wasn't exactly sure what he did for a living, only that he was a department head of some huge Fortune 500 company.

  "And leave all this stupendousness behind?" she said with a wink and a flirtatious flutter of her lashes.

  He chuckled, and she couldn't help but feel a small pang of regret as the masculine sound vibrated through her. Marc was a handsome man. Funny, nice, and he liked her. Everything she could ever hope for, except one thing.

  See, there was always that one thing. Some men have a secret violent temper or are perpetual cheaters, others have addictions to drugs, gambling, or alcohol, and then there are those who are moochers or just plain lazy.

  Marc's one thing? He was still in love with his wife. No, he wasn't married, it was worse. His wife passed away two years ago, tragically and suddenly, in a car accident. And as much as she believed everyone deserved a second chance at happiness, Steph had promised herself a long time ago she'd never settle. Even as perfect as Marc was, she would not settle for second best. She deserved to come first, be the love of someone's life.

  Putting all the what-ifs aside, she tapped her pen against the notepad resting on her tray. "What can I get you, handsome?"

  He leaned back in his chair, grinning wide. "You know, flattery will get you everything."

  She issued a small snort. "But flattering me will only get you a drink."

  His eyes traveled the length of her. She was petite at only 5'2" but very curvy and filled out her skimpy waitress outfit very well. "You're a tough woman, Stephanie Willis, but one of these days, I'm going to convince you."

  The use of her full name threw her. He'd never used it before, and she hadn't known he knew it. Covering her surprise, she said, "Maybe so, handsome, but not today."

  He sighed, and she could tell it was in equal parts frustration and disappointment. He tipped his head to her tray. "I'll take a light beer." His hand came up, resting on the flat of his stomach.

  Smirking, she said, "Fishing for more flattery?"

  He gave her a smile back. "A man can only
hope."

  The last hour of her shift always seemed to drag the longest, but soon it was time to hang up her uniform. She stood in front of her locker, the room intermingled with people ending their shifts and the new arrivals, looking fresh to start their day.

  She quickly changed into street clothes wanting to go home. Only three more nights of work then she was off for almost forty long, glorious hours to do nothing but sleep and be lazy. She would order a movie, drink a bottle of wine, and treat herself to a large pepperoni pizza. Her Christmas present to herself.

  She threw her winter overcoat over her jeans and T-shirt, preparing for the chilly December morning walk through the employee parking garage. Her beat-up Ford Fiesta had seen better days, but it got her from point A to B just fine, and that was all that really mattered. She turned the key in the ignition but instead of the putter-roar of her engine starting, all she got was a resounding tick-tick-tick of a dead battery.

  "Damn it!" She whacked her hand against her steering wheel. She turned her key one more time, hoping her car had been "just kidding" and would miraculously start.

  Tick-tick-tick. Well, shit.

  Tap-tap-tap.

  Steph jumped at the sudden knock against her side window. Snapping her head around, she found herself staring into a pair of warm, brown eyes the color of fine aged brandy. Her eyes quickly darted to her door lock, sadly they weren't engaged. Hesitantly, her eyes drifted back up, noting an expensive suit, a crisp white shirt, and a blood-red tie. Nice clothes so maybe not a total creeper, but a girl could never be too careful.

  He moved to open her car door, and she hastily clicked the lock before he could lift the handle. "Yeah, I don't think so, buddy," she mumbled under her breath as she watched his brows come together in a frown.

  "Crack the window." He had a faint Spanish accent, barely discernible under the cultured tones of his speech. When she didn't immediately comply, he stated louder, "You have a dead battery."

  No shit, Sherlock. She wasn't a complete idiot. She held up her phone, giving it a little shimmy. "It's okay, I'll call Triple A."

  "They take forever to come out. I'll jump you."

  She looked out her back window. "I don't see your car," she said, voice laced with suspicion.

  He raked his fingers through his thick, dark hair. "Can you please crack the window so we don't have to shout."

  Steph thought a moment and deduced he couldn't do much through a cracked window. She lowered it two inches.

  She was met again by a pair of brandy eyes as he leaned, forearm on top of the car, peering through the window. "I'm going to get my car. Can you stand in this spot to prevent someone from parking here while I'm gone?" He pointed a thumb over his shoulder at the empty parking space behind him.

  She gave him a do I look stupid expression that had him shaking his head. "What can I do to convince you I'm harmless?"

  She was quick with her answer. "Nothing."

  He raked his fingers through his hair again, this time adding a sigh while tipping his head back to stare at the concrete ceiling. He appeared to be either—

  A: Thinking of a way to convince her to trust him

  B: Praying for patience, or

  C: Planning her death

  Steph thought it was more likely A or B, but really, she shouldn't rule out C.

  "Listen, let me make a quick phone call. I'm supposed to meet the owner of the hotel in ten minutes, but I have a feeling I'm going to be late."

  That got her attention. "You know Jack?"

  He looked startled for a beat, then answered, "Yes."

  "Do you know his wife?"

  He leaned back down to the window. "We've met."

  Squinting her eyes suspiciously, Steph decided to quiz him. "What's her name?"

  Without hesitation, he replied, "Alexis."

  Okay, but that was an easy one, she thought, thinking of something harder. "What's their daughter's name?"

  He sighed in exasperation. "Amber Lynn. Did I pass your test? Do you trust me now?"

  "One more." She crinkled her nose and tapped on her lips with her pointer, thinking of a good one. "What's engraved on the inside of Alexis's wedding band?"

  His eyes bugged and his mouth fell open before he recovered himself and scowled. "How the fuck am I supposed to know that?"

  Steph laughed. "I don't know, but it was fun watching your face. You should've seen your eyes bug out." She laughed some more, adding a thigh slap.

  "So happy I could amuse you." He tried to contain his scowl, but he didn't fool her, she saw the twitch of his lips as he fought a smile.

  She unlocked her car door and waited for him to take a step back before she opened it. "Okay, make your phone call. I'll stand in the spot until you get back."

  She should have known—classy suit, expensive watch, snazzy hair—he'd pull up in a Jag. And not just any Jag, but an XJ, which she knew was close to six figures thanks to Jack buying one for Alexis. Of course, it was black.

  The car door opened, and she watched as his big frame got out of the car. And he was a big guy, looking all solid muscle under his suit. Now, with both of them standing, she could easily see he topped her by a good foot.

  "Pop your hood, Princesa."

  Princesa? She wasn't sure what that meant exactly, but it sounded as though it could be Spanish for princess. Not wanting to waste any time getting home—she'd been on her feet for nine hours and was tired—she didn't hesitate to do his bidding. He raised his own hood then went to his trunk and retrieved a set of cables.

  "Try it now," he said after snapping the last cable onto her battery.

  Steph slid into the driver's seat and after a bit of a stuttering start, her engine came to life.

  Hallelujah.

  "Thank you so much for all your help." She held out her hand as he slammed her hood with a jarring thud.

  He tossed the end of the cables he held in the general direction of his engine and took her hand. But he didn't shake it. Instead, he brought the back of her hand to his mouth. Firm yet surprisingly soft lips grazed her knuckles.

  Oh, my.

  She stood frozen, staring at his bowed head, tracking a single lock of his hair as it fell forward over his brow. She'd never had her hand gallantly kissed before or even plainly kissed, for that matter.

  "Tell me your name, Princesa." He still leaned over her hand, but his brandy eyes rolled up, capturing hers. It was enough to pull her from her stupor.

  Pulling her hand from his grip, she took a large step back. "I don't think that's a good idea. But I really appreciate all your help. Thanks again."

  She quickly got into her car, slamming and locking the door before he had a chance to react. She pulled out of the parking spot but unable to help herself, looked his direction. Their eyes met and held for a few beats before she forced her foot to the gas pedal and drove away.

  * * * * *

  "Sorry I'm late." Max grasped the hand extended across the large oaken desk, giving it a firm shake.

  "I think rescuing a damsel in distress is a good enough excuse," Jack said, retaking a seat in his large leather office chair.

  Max chuckled, shaking his head as he sat in a smaller leather chair across the desk. "While this woman may have been a damsel, as I didn't notice a ring on her finger, I somehow doubt she was in distress. I got the impression she would've taken care of things just fine without me. I just saved her a bit of hassle." Smiling at the memory, he sat back placing his right ankle on his left knee and said, "She was a cautious little thing. I liked that. Wouldn't even unlock her car door until I mentioned I knew you and Alexis."
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  Jack raised a brow. "She knows Alexis?" He knew why Jack sounded so cautious, although Max hadn't know them at the time, he did know Alexis had been kidnapped a little over two years ago by a woman who had a thing for Jack. "Did you get a name?"

  "She refused to give it to me."

  Jack frowned. "What did she look like?"

  "Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Tiny, not much over five feet." Max smiled. "Beautiful."

  Jack sat for a moment in silence, presumably thinking. "Does she drive a black Ford Fiesta?" he finally asked.

  "Yes." He sat up a little straighter, wondering if Jack knew his mystery woman.

  He gave a curt nod. "That's my wife's best friend, Stephanie Willis."

  Getting straight to the point, Max asked, "Is there a boyfriend lurking about?"

  "Not that I'm aware, and come to think of it, I don't think there's been anyone steady since I've known her."

  Max frowned. "Not that I'm complaining, but she's a beautiful woman. Why is that, do you think?"

  "I recall Alexis mentioning something about a long-term relationship that ended badly." Jack shrugged. "Don't know more than that."

  The ringing of Jack's cell phone interrupted their conversation. Jack raised a finger while picking up his phone. "Excuse me a minute, it's my wife, I need to take this."

  "Of course," Max said, making himself more comfortable in his seat.

  It was a brief conversation and when Jack looked up, he appeared apologetic. "I'm sorry, but we need to reschedule. My daughter has her eighth-month doctor's appointment in a half hour that I want to attend."

  Max stood from his chair. "Not a problem. It was partly my fault for being late."

  "Are you free tomorrow morning? I know it's Saturday, but my wife has a breakfast date, so I have some free time." He gave Max a long calculating look then smiled. "As a matter of fact, her breakfast date is with Stephanie."