Lusted in Las Vegas (7 page)
“I believe I said that I’m in love with you and have been since I watched you walk through the Hotel Del Santos lobby in Miami in those sexy stilettos. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stick around long enough to hear your response.”
Stephanie’s eyes open wide to meet his. She pressed her free hand to his other cheek and searched his eyes. “I love you so much that it scares me. I was frightened that I lost you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
Jason took her hands into his and kissed the tops of both. “I promise you that you’ll never lose me, not even if you try.”
Stephanie wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a slow, deep kiss.
“I need a shower,” Jason said when their lips parted.
“Me too,” Stephanie giggled.
“How about we kill two birds with one stone and have one hot and sexy shower,” he said with a wink.
Chapter 13
Stephanie woke to the bright desert sun shining into her eyes. As she sat up and stretched, she spotted Jason in the doorway with a silly smile plastered on his face.
“Is my sleeping beauty finally awake?” Jason asked from the doorway. His hair was still wet from a recent shower. She loved the way he looked in casual khaki pants and a white button down shirt.
“What time is it?” she asked in a husky voice.
“I do love your sexy morning voice. It’s after nine. Come on. Get up and get dressed. I have a surprise for you.”
“Another surprise? You’re going to spoil me.”
“That’s the plan. Now hurry.”
“Okay, okay. I’m going.” Stephanie pulled her legs over the side of the bed, planted her feet on the floor and stretched once more. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jason staring at her naked body as she got out of bed. She strode into the bathroom, turned and signaled him with a manicured finger.
Jason followed her into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
“Are you joining me?”
“As much as I’m tempted, I have to get ready for your surprise. So, I’ll leave you to bathe in peace. But hurry!”
She shook her head from side to side. She had never seen Jason so animated, he was just like a kid in a candy shop
. I guess freedom and love will do that to a guy.
She smiled.
She emerged from the bedroom wearing a short cream-colored linen dress and sandals. Tunes of Frank Sinatra’s
Embraceable You
beckoned her into the living room. Glass vases of roses filled the room. Jason met her at the door and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Are you ready for your surprise?” he whispered in her ear as his fingers gently caressed her side.
“Yes, I can’t wait. Are we going somewhere?”
“Not yet. I need to blindfold you first.”
“Blindfold? I don’t know why you had me get dressed.” Stephanie laughed.
“I love the way your mind works, sweetheart, but save that thought for later.”
Jason placed a silky sash over her eyes and tied it tight enough so that it wouldn’t slip off. He guided her forward and then backward until her calves were against what she assumed was one of the wingtip chairs in the living room.
“Stay right here but don’t remove the blindfold yet.”
The music’s volume reduced and it played softly in the background.
“Okay, take it off.”
Seated, she was surprised to hear his voice in front of her but not from above. She slipped the blindfold from her head to see Jason kneeling on one knee in front of her. Her stomach fluttered when she looked from his face to the small and perfectly square Tiffany blue box in his hand.
“Stef,” Jason said in a husky voice.
Stephanie looked from the box to his face. His intense stare made her stomach flip.
“I fell in love with you from the minute I saw you walk through the lobby at the Del Santos. I never want to lose you. I want you to be my wife. Stef, marry me?”
Stephanie’s breath hitched. She could barely inhale enough air to answer. “Yes, yes, of course I’ll marry you.” She threw her arms around his neck and planted butterfly kisses on his mouth and cheeks. He pulled away and smiled.
“You haven’t seen the ring yet. Maybe you won’t like it.”
“I would love it if it came out of a Cracker Jack box,” she said seriously.
“Liar. Want to see it?”
“Yes!”
He flipped open the box and her gaze landed on a princess cut diamond mounted on a diamond-encrusted band. Removing the ring from the box, he placed it on her left hand. It was a perfect fit. She held her hand up and tears ran down her cheeks.
He cupped her face and brushed her tears with his hands. “Tears? That’s not the reaction I thought I would get, sweetheart.”
“I’m just so happy. Where should we have the wedding? Seattle? Boston? Do you think next summer is too soon? There are so many plans to make.”
“Sweet Stephanie, I never want to take the chance of losing you again. I want to marry you. Now. Today. I’ve booked the wedding chapel at The Castillo for tonight. You have a private appointment with the finest wedding shop in Las Vegas as well as spa and hair appointments.”
“Do you always get what you want?”
“Yes, usually.”
“You want to marry me tonight?”
“Yes.”
Stephanie nodded her head. “Let’s do it.”
*****
Jason paced outside of the Castillo chapel. What a crazy week it had been. He’d been blackmailed by an insane ex-girlfriend, and accused of doing the same to government officials, been arrested, cleared, engaged and soon he would be married. What was next? For once, he wasn’t sure where his life would take him. Earlier that day, Sam recounted the full story of Stephanie’s confrontation with Jessica in his home in Seattle. He winced at the thought of Stephanie at his house alone with Jessica. He imagined it must’ve hurt her to see his ex live in girlfriend in his house. He vowed to never take her there. He already placed the property on the market. They were beginning a new life together and he would let her decide where they would live.
He was also uncertain as to the fate of Royce Homes. The blackmail accusations damaged his reputation. He had his public relations team working night and day on repairing and building his brand back to the stellar name it once was. For once, Jason Royce didn’t know what his next move was. However, one thing he knew for certain, Stephanie would be at his side.
Stephanie. He’d only spent a handful of days with her but felt a lifetime of love. He hated being apart from her even for the afternoon. He checked his watch and glanced down the hall leading to the chapel.
His heart pounded in his chest when the door swung open. But his spirits sank as Sam appeared in a tuxedo.
“Sorry I’m late, boss. I couldn’t tie this thing,” Sam said tugging at his bowtie.
“Have you seen Stephanie?” Jason asked and looked at his watch once more.
Sam shook his head. “Don’t worry, I’m sure she’s--”
Both men turn toward the long hallway and watched Stephanie slowly walk toward them. Jason’s breath hitched as she walked through the light cast from the stained glass windows flanking either side of hallway. She reminded him of an angel and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. His gaze started with her white crystal encrusted stilettos and moved upward to legs that seemed to go on forever. She wore a short white lace dress that hugged every beautiful curve. His eyes met hers as she flashed him a smile that made his insides melt.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
She spun around. “Do you like the dress?”
Stephanie’s hair was pinned up into a loose bun. As she turned, Jason admired the nape of her neck and curve of her exposed back. The dress was cut low enough for Jason to make another speculation.
“I love the dress and I love you. Are you ready to become Mrs. Royce?” he asked as he extended his arm and handed her a bouquet of deep red roses with the stems tied in a thick satin ribbon.
Stephanie hooked her hand in his arm. “I love you too and guess what?”
“What, sweetheart?”
“I’m not wearing any panties.”
“Damn, I knew it!”
The End
About Sandra Bunino
Sandra Bunino began a love of romance stories while penning a creative writing assignment in high school. The story ended with the heroine receiving a long stem red rose in her locker on Valentine’s Day. Since then, all of her stories feature the hero presenting the heroine with roses. Sandra is constantly searching for different ways to achieve a heart-pumping, stomach-flipping, breath-catching reaction from her readers.
These days, Sandra lives on a wooded mountaintop not far from New York City with her family. Living so close to the city affords her the best of both worlds and provides wonderful writing material. She occasionally pretends to be in a Sex in the City episode and has renamed her best girlfriends Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda which she blogs about often. ((
Sandra’s debut novella entitled Marooned in Miami releases in early January and she is currently hard at work on the sequel, Lusted in Las Vegas. Sandra always looks forward to hearing from her readers and she may be contacted at [email protected].
Find out more about her current and future releases, book excerpts, and a fun blog called “All Things Girl” at her website sandrabunino.com.
Following is sexy! Come follow Sandra on Twitter @sandrabunino.
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