It was a crystal clear late September afternoon at the Bellagio pool in Las Vegas. Victoria always had her best trips to Vegas in the late summer. The unbearable heat had passed, the crowds thinned out, and best of all, it was her birthday week. It was a relatively new tradition to spend the last week of September gambling and partying, laying in the sun and relaxing, but it was a tradition she expected would last a very long time. Vegas always swept away the troubles of the real world. Anything was bearable as long as she had this week to herself. No time pressures, no commitments, no clients.
Victoria found a quiet spot beside the main pool. The Mediterranean inspired courtyard with its tall and slender evergreens and cypress trees was a serene setting. The foliage was thick and lush and potted flowers were abounded. The intricate pattern of the tiled pool with azure waters was a paradise in the desert, an oasis fit for royalty. It had an exotic and romantic allure. Victoria loved it; who wouldn't?
As she was removing her ultra-airy sheer white cover-up, a gorgeous twenty something waitress appeared smiling and saying, "Anything I can do to help. I'll set your bag right here. My name is Amanda."
"Hi Amanda, thanks. Wow, what a day."
"It's been a great summer and it's finally cooling down. We've had months of hundred degree weather. Can I get you something to drink?"
"I would love one. How about a Buenos Aires Iced Tea."
"Great choice, I'll be right back." Amanda bounced off, her heavy boobs barely contained in a tiny halter top. The double-tie bikini bottom was very complementary.
Victoria flashed an approving smile and settled into her wrought-iron chaise lounge. She put her long auburn hair in a loose ponytail, adjusted her bikini, and surveyed her surroundings. The pool area was lively but not overly crowded. Classical music filled the air. A light breeze gently swayed the trees. There was a group of college guys on the other side of the pool drinking and having a good time. There was a cute couple fawning over each other in the corner. An older guy was sitting next to his hard-bodied plaything. "The beautiful people," thought Victoria to herself.
"Here you go," said Amanda. "Are you having a good time in Vegas?"
"I love Vegas. By the way, my name is Victoria," she said, extending her hand forward. Even though she was on vacation, the businesswoman in her came out. It's no wonder; she was the top salesperson on the East Coast. Besides being personable and friendly, Victoria was gorgeous. Her pouty lips and deep brown eyes exuded sexiness, but she didn't come off as high maintenance. Her demeanor was unarming. She made an immediate connection with almost everyone she met. She was like the hot girl next-door.
"Where are you from?" asked Amanda pleasantly.
"New York City. I'm an advertising sales executive. But I'm trying to forget all of that while I'm here. This week I'm just plain old Vicky, here for the sun and fun."
"Okay, not another word about work. I'll be here until the pool closes. I'll stop back when it looks like your drink needs refreshing."
Victoria dug through her bag and extracted her Kindle. She'd been reading an interesting historical romance about a Spartacus-like warrior with unparalleled sexual prowess. It wasn't very taxing, but it was a real page turner. It was easy to pick up where she had left off. After twenty minutes, she looked up and saw Amanda heading her way. Perfect timing, she needed another poolside cocktail.
Amanda was chatty but Victoria didn't mind. She found out that Amanda was from a small town between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Victoria had recently closed a sale down there, and it was fodder for an interesting conversation.
"Any good casino stories," asked Amanda. "Have you been lucky?"
Victoria removed her big sunnys, smiled and said "Last night I won $1200 on a nickel Zeus slot machine. My screen filled up with 15 Zeuses. It was a blast. I can't get it off my mind. I keep replaying it in my head. I feel like I'm having a love affair with a Greek God. Have you ever played that game?"
"Zeus is my favorite video slot. He's never that good to me though."
"And then later in the evening, I hit the jackpot on Cleopatra. By the end of the night I was up by $2700. There is nothing like the thrill of winning. I can't quite explain it. It's so freaking exciting. It's like this drug that makes you ecstatic and horny and satisfied and everything all at once. Listen to me; even now I'm getting all whipped up."
"I know what you mean. Last week I hit for $800 on a game called Sun and Moon. Have you ever played that one?" Amanda had removed her sunglasses and was sitting in the chaise next to Victoria. Within a few minutes, the two girls made plans to get together Saturday night. Amanda was going to take Victoria to one of the Vegas local hangouts. "How about another drink?"
"The pool looks inviting. I'm going to take a quick dip and cool off," said Victoria. "I think I'll have a vodka Mojito. Could you also bring me some chips and guacamole? I'm starving."
"I'll be right back," said Amanda as she watched Victoria walk toward the pool. She couldn't help admiring her perfect tan and sexy ass. Amanda wasn't in the girls, but if she were, Victoria would make a hell of a lay. Amanda felt flush; she wasn't sure if it was talk about the slot machines, the afternoon heat, or something else.
Victoria enjoyed her Mojito and guac and put her book down. She stretched out on the lounge chair, rolled up a towel to use as a pillow, closed her eyes, and let her mind wander. The combination of sun, alcohol, and an exciting week, lulled her to sleep. A vivid dream quickly consumed her.
*****
She pushed the button on the Zeus slot machine and the first reel came up with a thunderbolt, the second reel and then the third reel also had thunderbolts. Her excitement was building. Three thunderbolts results in 10 free games. As if in slow motion, the fourth reel revealed a thunderbolt - 25 free spins. Holy shit, thought Victoria, one more and I'll have 100 free spins. And there it was, the fifth and final thunderbolt. 100 free spins! Victoria screamed with joy. She couldn't wait for her free games to begin. But nothing happened. "That's curious," thought Victoria.