Worth the Risk (a Matthew Gray Gubler fanfic)

Chapter Thirty One

I make him happy? Really? How can I make someone else happy when I can't even make myself happy...

Matthew makes my heart flutter. He has changed every meaning of the word 'happy' for me. After my pops, he is the greatest man I have ever known. My life will never be the same once I have to ultimately let him go.

I try to push that thought out of my head as we finish the second half of the drive to Vegas. We engage in small talk and enjoy the music playing in the background.

"We are almost there." Matthew says.

I'm starting to get anxious, excited and jittery. I have only been out of California a couple of times. Each time worse than the last. The trips consisted of 'family bonding.' Which meant mom and dad trying to fix the broken marriage by screaming and yelling at each other, while us kids would swim in the hotel pool. I was like the parent in the situation, because our parents weren't there to watch us. When I was 15, watching after my then, 7 and 4 year old siblings, one of them almost drowned. Hotel pools never have a lifeguard so I had to save her. That's right... Layla. I saved her from downing. And yet, she still treats me like trash. I know right. What the fuck?

I need to stop thinking about all of this depressing shit. I'm on vacation with Matthew! Let loose and have fun you stupid ass!

"Where are we staying?" I ask.

"We are going to be staying on the strip. There is a cool hotel that I think you would like. It has a pool, a few restaurants, and a casino."

I turn to him, "That sounds good. I'm just ready to get there and relax tonight. All of this riding has me exhausted."

"You're telling me... We will definitely be relaxing when we arrive." Matthew says.

And about 30 minutes later, we arrive in Las Vegas!

We pull up to this beautiful hotel. The building looks as if it were made of glass. There is a pool right as you pull into the parking lot. I can't wait to relax beside that for the next week! We take advantage of the valet parking, grabbing our things before handing over the keys to the rental car. Walking into the hotel it's like nothing I have ever seen before. The color scheme of the lobby is black, gray, and white. What I can only assume is the theme for the whole hotel.

Matthew gets us checked in and gets our room keys. He grabs my hand and leads me towards the elevator. I make sure that we have all of our luggage before we head up to the room.

"Are you excited?" Matthew asks me.

I grasp his hand in excitement, "Yes! I've always wanted to visit Vegas. Being here with you is like the icing on the cake. Can't get much better than this."

He smiles and brings my hand up to his lips, kissing it. The elevator door opens, we grab our suitcases, and walk to our room. Matthew unlocks the door and lets me in first. I am in awe of the beautiful room before my eyes. There is a huge king-sized bed in the middle of the room, with a couch sitting close by. The window is ceiling to floor glass, over looking the Las Vegas strip. I turn to my left and see the bathroom. The shower is big enough to fit five people, plus Matthew and me. There is a large jacuzzi tub right across from the shower, perfect for post-sex relaxation. Still amazed by this room, I walk back into the main area and see a little kitchenette, complete with a fridge, microwave and even a small oven. The place is all open like a studio apartment. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better... there is a balcony attached to the room, perfect for watching the city light up the sky at night. This place is amazing!

I turn to Matthew, "Wow! This place is amazing! How did you find a place like this in such short notice?"

"I made a few calls."

I can't help but smile. I walk up to him and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. He quickly wraps his arms around my waist. I pull away slightly to give him a sweet peck on the lips. "Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed this vacation."

He kisses me back, "I wouldn't want to spend this week with anyone else. Now, let's check out the view."

"Yeah it's perfect for people watching... my favorite hobby." I laugh.

••••••••••••••

We spend the afternoon relaxing and watching all of the crazy mid-day drunks stumbling around below us. By dinner time, we are both starving. We decide on going downstairs to one of the restaurants in the hotel, deciding on Chinese.

"You know, after 30 years of living in Las Vegas, you would think I would know about places like this. This is some of the best food I've ever had." Matthew says as we are in the restaurant, enjoying our meal.

"Crazy, huh? Living your whole life in a city but only knowing about certain parts. Ashlyn, my roommate, is from Austin, Texas. One time, I asked her about a local store in Austin... she had no idea what it was. I guess because the area is so big, it's hard to keep up."

He looks up from his plate, "Yes, and especially in a tourist town."

After a few moments of silence and listening to the music in the restaurant, Matthew asks, "How is your roommate? I haven't heard you talk about her as much."

"Oh. I think she might be upset with me because I blew her off Friday night. I told her it was work though, so I'm not sure why she would be mad. Anyway, I haven't heard from her since she got to Texas." I admit.

"I'm sorry, Haley. It's my fault she's mad at you because I convinced you to blow her off." He looks genuinely sorry.

I smile, "It's not just your fault... I said I would. When we both get home, I will make it up to her."

We both finish up our dinner and go back to the hotel room because we are both so tired. We can do some exploring tomorrow.

It's around 9pm when we get back to the room. Matthew took a shower before we went to dinner, and I didn't. So, it's my turn to take a nice, long, and hot shower.

"Hey, I'm gonna take a shower. I will be out in a few minutes." I tell him.

I turn the shower on full blast and hop in. After a little while, I'm enjoying the hot water running down my back when I hear the door creak open. "Haley, you okay in there?"

"Yes I'm good. I will be out in a second." I don't know why he was asking if I was good? I have only been in here for about 15 minutes.

I hurry and get out of the shower, dry off and put on my pajamas. I brought a bunch of cute little pajama sets because most of my pjs are old t-shirts and shorts. The ones I picked out for tonight are pink satin shorts with a matching satin button up shirt. Nothing special, but better than my usual. I look at my phone to check the time. Now I know why Matthew was checking on me... it's 10:30! I was in there for over an hour and I never realized it.

"Sorry. I didn't realize that I was in there for so long." I say as I'm walking out of the bathroom.

Matthew smiles, "It's alright. I was just making sure you're okay."

I put my clothes in a separate dirty bag and move to sit on the edge of the bed. I put some lotion on because my skin was so dry from being in the shower so long. I turn around when I hear Matthew call my name.

"Come here." He says, opening the blankets for me to join him.

I smile and crawl up to where he is sitting against the headboard. He moves to spread his legs, signaling for me to sit there. I do as he asks and sit between his legs. My back is facing his front when he wraps his arms around my waist. He nuzzles his head in my neck, kissing it softly and sweetly. I lean back against his chest. We lay like that for the rest of the evening. We even fall asleep that way.

My dreams are filled with happy thoughts and Matthew's face.... until the dream turns black.