The countdown to the next race has begun and its Vegas baby! I have been so snowed under with work that since Phoenix I haven't had a chance to see Ana and I am frustrated with work, lack of company and sex. We have text a couple of times, she tells me how her sessions are going, how much better the car is and she feels confident for the race. I tell her my meetings are generally quite boring, I've hit the gym twice and I how I have spent the nights alone.
I have no interest in getting subs over anymore, its meaningless sex, I don't feel anything for them and I want Ana.
Ana travelled straight to Vegas with the team, as there is only a 7 day gap between races, she didn't have time to come back to Seattle. It's another plane ride away to get there but Elliot has persuaded me to leave on the Friday before the race on Sunday so we can spend some time in the casinos before going home on Monday.
I reserve the Emperor suite in the five star Mandarin Oriental Hotel on the boulevard. The room is situated on the 21st floor and has some fantastic views; the interior is modern and stylish with a television in the bathroom. Dining options are numerous so Ana can have plenty of choice when she comes here and the spa looks fantastic, I hope I can persuade her to have a massage or something during our stay.
Elliot choses a slightly less elaborate room but in the same hotel, I hope despite my awkwardness, that Kate joins us here, Vegas is magical, she and Elliot seem to be having fun.
ME; Hey Ana, have booked in at the Mandarin Hotel on the boulevard, arriving on Friday and leaving on Monday. Will you be free on Friday for lunch/dinner or both?
ANA; Oh gosh Christian, that's a beautiful hotel but I can't say right now, the practice schedule is…, well something is up as it was published and then retracted but as soon as I know I will let you know.
ME; Ok let me know as soon as possible.
ANA; I promise I will do, gotta go, TTYL x
ME; Bye.
Deflated again with no firm time to see Ana, I submerse myself in work, meetings, lawyers and such like. When Thursday afternoon comes I breathe a sigh of relief, I have been scratchy, irritable and irrational at times but now only a few hours until we go to Vegas.
Elliot bunks over at Escala as the only flight window we could have is at 7am Friday, originally I booked for Saturday at 10 am but because of Elliot's insistence I changed it to Friday at this earlier time. At least staying with me he can't be late as I will be on his case.
We land at McCarran International Airport at approximately 10.30am, Taylor has of course sorted our hire vehicle and we check in at the hotel. I agree to meet Elliot in the lobby at 1pm so we can grab a bite to eat before re-acquainting ourselves with the strip. The Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill catches Elliot eye and lunch is sorted. He then proceeds to drag me into almost every building on the strip including Coca-Cola World, M and M World and most of the most famous hotels.
Taylor is never far behind us but fortunately we are only subjected to a few is it/isn't it looks from people which I am really pleased about and I find myself beginning to relax and enjoy Elliot's goofy enthusiasm without worrying about having to leave when we are spotted too often.
My phone pings and it is a text from Ana…
ANA; Sorry Christian, I am not going to be able to get away before 9pm at the earliest. Where will you be?
ME; Dining at restaurant Guy Savoy at 8pm in Caesars Palace before hitting the gaming tables there. Come along whatever time you finish.
ANA; that would be great.
ME; I will send Taylor to pick you up if you let me know when.
ANA; Brilliant, I didn't want to get dressed in my finery and turn up in a cab he he.
ME; No problem, look forward to seeing you later.
ANA; Me too xx.
Elliot agrees to dine at 8pm before heading to the tables afterwards; I need a shower and a little relaxation before heading out again.
The Spa facilities are magnificent; I sit in the steam room for a while before cooling off and having a full body massage which leaves me feeling totally relaxed and almost sleepy. Back in my suite I debate what to wear, a full suit or something a little more casual. I think Elliot will opt for smart casual, he never wears a suit unless absolutely necessary.
I opt for smart trousers, waistcoat and tie but no suit jacket, just a casual jacket and I am ready. Elliot is waiting in the bar so I join him for a pre-dinner drink before we walk to Caesars Palace, our table is ready and I inform the Maître d that a Miss Ana Steele will probably be joining us and she be escorted over when she arrives. He nods in agreement before taking our champagne order.
I opt for the signature menu which includes Caviar, Foie-Gras and Prime Beef Tenderloin, I am sold and Elliot is too until he sees the price, $260 per person, I discretely tell him not to worry about the cost, my treat as we don't do this very often. I tell him I am having a great time seeing him more often and I feel closer to him now than I ever have. He blushes slightly before returning the complement and we toast to us, Ana and Kate and the race ahead.
Dinner is delicious and I ask the Maître d to pass on my thanks to the chef. We are finishing with espresso coffee when Ana arrives, I almost didn't recognise her, she is wearing a short skirt with black knee high heeled boots and a black 'crop' top with a fancy decoration around the chest and arm line. Her hair is sleek and smooth, make up to a minimum but she manages to look stunning. I see a few heads have turned to look at her and I feel a mix of pride that she is with me and jealousy that others are seeing her beauty. I feel that all too familiar twitching as I look at her endless legs, tight ass and pert breasts.
Elliot and I both stand up; she pecks Elliot on the cheek and then me on the lips.
"Can I have a drink please? I'm gasping" she asks, I catch the maître d's attention; he brings over another glass and pours the champagne for her as well as topping ours up too.
"Have you eaten Ana?" I ask
"Yes thanks, I had a sandwich before I came out" she smiles.
"Is that all? I can order you something for you" I offer.
"I'm ok, maybe later" she adds.
"How was practice today?" Elliot asks
"Eventually really good, the car is running much better than in Phoenix and at the moment I am placed 14th on the grid, realistically I know it will probably end up being closer to 18th or 19th but that is ok"
"That's really great Ana, I can't wait to see you in action on Sunday" Elliot extolls but I am grateful for the effort he makes.
"Aw thanks Ellie" she smiles and nudges him playfully with her elbow. I can't help but burst out laughing at 'Ellie'. That will tickle me for a while, Elliot looks slightly bashful but soon the conversation turns to Kate coming tomorrow and his embarrassment is forgotten.
We toast again for the race on Sunday, drain our glasses, the Maître d brings over the bill, Elliot insists on paying the gratuity and we walk to the casino.
Taylor has worked his magic, the casino manager is waiting to seat us on a private table as soon as we arrive, complimentary champagne is served and we sit down to play with 3 others. The ante for the poker table is $50.000, Ana gasps in shock and Elliot gulps as this is way too rich for him.
"You can really afford to play this Christian?" Ana asks still surprised.
I nod but suddenly feel ashamed of my wealth but I remind myself that I support numerous charities including my Moms and donate at least $50 million each year through various enterprises. I shake my head and concentrate on the table.
Texas hold'em poker has long been a favourite of mine with sketchy results mind you, although I think that's the case for all but the exceptional few.
I promise Ana we will go to the slots afterwards; I chuckle as I haven't played slots since I was a child.
$50,000, $100,000, $150,000 and still no win, I have set myself a $2,000,000 limit otherwise with the champagne flowing easily I could easily blow a small fortune. On the forth hand my cards have potential, I look around at the other players to see if I can gauge any reaction from looking at their hands but most experienced player know better than to react and they're all excellent bluffers.
The raising and calling flows around the table until the player to my left folds grumbling about this hand being 'way too rich for his blood' so the 3 of us continue until the pot must stand at approximately $600.000. Elliot understands poker and realises I am in with a shot with my hand but is doing a good job of staying expressionless, Ana still looks bemused at the money being bandied around a gaming table.
A second player folds and in frustration slams his cards down on the table before drinking heavily from his bourbon glass, leaving the guy opposite and me. It's a test of nerves and bluffs, another couple of rounds and the perspiring player opposite reveal's his hand of a flush in spades, and I lower my cards to reveal a hand of 2 aces and 3 tens, a full house. Elliot lets out a whoop of joy and claps his hands in jubilation
"OH…MY…FUCKING…GOD…oh sorry Ana, how much have you won Christian?" Elliot is almost jumping up and down.
"I would say close to $1,000,000 but I am not really sure" I answer feeling a little shocked that I have actually won.
"What, you have won one…million…dollars?" Ana looks in shock "I've never seen let alone had $1,000,000"
"What charity or charities do you support Ana?" I ask.
"Sorry what did you say Christian?" her mouth is gaping.
"What charities Ana? So I can donate to them"
"You would really do that?" she says.
"Yes Ana, I would"
"Well the first one would be the brain injury unit/rehabilitation centre that some of our colleagues have had the misfortune to use and the other, well can I think about it, you have taken me by surprise"
"Just let me know" I say.
"Mr Grey, your winnings total $985,500, congratulations sir" the casino manager says.
"Thank you" I get up, shake his hand and the hands of the other players, Taylor sorts out the particulars with the manager while the three of us hit the slots.
Elliot is in his element here; Ana has lost the shocked look and is enjoying feeding a machine with dollars. Our drinks are topped up by a passing waiter so I sit back and watch them playing.
Ana's machine lights up and sings a winning tune, dollar's flow; she has won the jackpot of $5,000. She is jumping up and down in delight, people have gathered around us and are congratulating her, and the floor manager comes over and assists us to collect the cash. It is changed up for dollar bills and we decide to call it quits while we are ahead.
The three of us are laughing and giggling as we leave Caesars Palace heading towards the Mandarin oriental…