CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
THE SURPRISE TRIP
CATCH
W ith my hands comfortably tucked in the pockets of my heather gray suit pants, I gazed out the window at the bustling crowd on the sidewalk below. It had been six months since I was last here, but this city never failed to captivate me. From the penthouse suite, the people looked like tiny ants scurrying about.
This morning, I woke up at seven and called the pilot to confirm our 10 am take-off time. Bianca slept peacefully, and after the traumatic incident at the restaurant a few nights ago, she deserved some rest.
Right after she took her bathroom break at seven thirty am I took matters into my own hands. Monday I’d return to work a happy man.
"Catch," she muttered in her half-asleep state
I closed the heavy drapes to block out the sunlight.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes, still drowsy from sleep. The pink nightgown I had dressed her in showed off her perky breasts. I had pulled her dark tresses into a messy bun, giving her a carefree yet alluring look. My tongue instinctively glided across my lower lip as I couldn't help but admire my fiancée's beauty.
I sauntered to the foot of the bed, looking down at her. "Hey there, bombshell. Are you hungry?" I asked.
She removed her hands from her face and sighed. "Feels like I've been sleeping for a whole day."
In reality, she had. But I couldn't tell her that; it would only make things worse.
She took in the opulent master suite with awe. A small smile played on her lips. "This place is fancy. Are we at that hotel again?"
I shook my head. "No, this is a different one."
"Is it the Four Seasons?" she guessed.
"Not quite," I replied with a smirk.
Why isn’t she upset?
She stood to her feet and walked toward me. “This is a nice surprise.” Her arms wrapped around my body.
I hugged her tight.
“Can’t believe I didn’t wake up once during the trip.” She eased back.
“I have to pee bad. I’ll be right back.” Bianca turned on her heels, sauntering into the bathroom.
It wasn’t the first time I dressed her. She appeared happy and carefree. Hopefully this would be a pleasant trip.
“Catch, I’m not your personal barbie doll,” she yelled out.
“Bombshell, you’re not Barbie. You’re better than Barbie. You’re a gorgeous doll in her own category. You’re my doll. And I’ll dress you whenever I feel the urge to do so.”
“That’s sweet of you to say,” she cooed.
I could hear the sound of water running in the bathroom sink. "You brought my toothbrush? That's great," she said.
"Yes, I did," I replied.
She suddenly blurted out, "Why did this pink baby doll nightgown have to be so short?"
I hadn't moved from my spot outside the bathroom. Was it crazy that I stood here waiting for her to come out? On the plane, I held her in my arms as we slept. Once I got us settled in the suite I left the room for a few hours to play poker. My boss Marco was the best at the game. He’d lose his shit once he found out I played his favorite game without him in the city that never sleeps.
"It barely covers my ass," she said, spitting out toothpaste.
Her words snapped me back to reality. "That's the whole point. I love how the nightie looks on your amazing body. And when your ass cheeks peek out from under the hem, it makes my cock hard as stone."
She chuckled and opened the door. "It's been so long since I walked around freely in my own town. We should go out."
“Where do you want to go?” I asked.
“There’s a breakfast spot around here Simon said has the best pancakes.”
She still had no clue we weren’t in Chicago. “Yes, we can grab a bite.”
“Where are my clothes and toiletries?”
“In the closet.” I pointed across the spacious suite.
Once we make it through the lobby, I’d brace myself for her outburst. My woman thought it was morning. This wasn’t going to go over well.
Twenty minutes later, Bianca strolled into the living room.
“This place is lavish.” Her head inched upward taking in the cathedral ceilings.
“Where’s my phone? I have to show the girls. Do we have a view of Lake Michigan or Michigan Avenue?”
I grabbed her hand and tugged her against my chest. “You can show them later.”
Bianca rolled her eyes. “Ok, let’s go. I’m starving.”
We entered the elevator.
“Going down,” the woman’s computerized voice stated overhead.
She squeezed my hand, peering up at me. “Catch, is everything ok?”
“Yes, I just want to get you feed and take a walk.”
Her smile widened. “That sounds nice.”
The navy sleeveless dress that halted at her knees hugged her curves. She wore navy colored ballerina flats and a yellow cardigan.
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped into the lobby. The vibrant colors overhead caught her attention. “It’s beautiful.”
“There are several restaurants in the hotel,” I stated.
“Catch, I told you where I want to go.”
Bianca's eyes darted around the lobby until they landed on a sign. She gasped, coming to an abrupt stop. She tried pulling her hand away from mine. I held on tightly.
The guests moseying through the lobby walked around us.
"I know that sign doesn't say Bellagio on the wall," she snarled.
I felt the guests prying eyes on us, but I didn’t give a fuck.
"I wanted to take you somewhere special," I reassured her.
"You put me on a plane where I slept for four hours," she snapped.
"Yes, Bianca. Embrace the atmosphere; I have some surprises planned for this trip. After dinner, we can walk along the strip."
"Dinner, Catch? Dinner?" Her voice rose in frustration.
"How long was I asleep?"
"About twelve hours," I sighed.
"I never sleep for that long without waking up at least once. I'm not a deep sleeper like that. Even when you moved me, I would have woken up."
She pointed her finger at my chest. "What did you give me?"
"I gave you a sedative to help you sleep."
"Seriously, Catch? Why couldn't you just tell me we were leaving Illinois?"
“I’m surprised all right,” she said, shaking her head.
"We can have a nice night together. We can eat here or go somewhere else."
"I don't want to do anything with you tonight, Catch. I need some time alone."
I let out a sigh and gently stroked her cheek. She avoided my gaze.
"I'll give you my credit card. You can shop or eat by yourself. Just know that I won't be far away."
"Of course not. I don't want your card. I'll just drink water."
"In this town, nothing comes for free, bombshell."
"I'd rather go hungry than be anywhere near you right now," she sneered.
"But tomorrow, our lives will change." I smiled.
Her eyebrows lowered. "What does that mean?"
"It means we're getting married," I said, happiness evident in my voice.
"Catch, we aren't getting married,” she bit out through gritted teeth.
"Beautiful, I promised you I wouldn't return to Jersey without making you my wife first." I let go of her hand.
She gripped her hair tightly and tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at me. "Catch, you truly are unbelievable."