Chapter 15 #2
Craig had a straight poker face that revealed nothing at all, not even when he was raking in the pile. But they both knew when to call it in.
He took his winnings and took them straight to the jewelry store where he bought her a stunning pair of diamond earrings and a matching square-cut diamond ring for the wedding.
"New beginnings," he murmured when he gave it to her.
Dylan bought Sherry a ruby ring and matching earrings. "To match the dress you'll be wearing tomorrow."
They strolled along the strip and had a late-night meal at a seafood restaurant.
"I like your guy," Sherry told her when they went to the ladies' room to freshen up. "He's down to earth and not out of reach in spite of his money," she remarked, reapplying her lipstick and checking her thick natural curls.
"And he's into you in a very big way."
"I'm into him in a very big way too," Regina told her with a laugh. "I never thought I would get here."
Sherry slid her a sympathetic smile as she recapped the tube.
"Dylan told me all about your dad and what happened. I'm not letting him go this easily. If he thinks he's running out on me again, he has another think coming."
Reaching over, Regina gave her arm a squeeze. "Fight for him."
"Oh, I intend to." She patted Regina's hand.
"Ready?"
"Yes. Thanks for making the trip."
"Kidding?" Sherry let loose her big laugh.
"A free weekend in Vegas, not to mention a ride on a private jet? Who would say no?"
"Thanks anyway."
"You're welcome."
*****
"I like your Sherry." Craig kicked back in the booth and lifted his beer and took a sip.
"So do I." Dylan relaxed and took a sip of his own beer as he watched the activities going on among the diners.
The place was packed, even for such a late hour.
"I keep telling myself that I won't screw it up this time. I don't think I will."
"I'm sure you won't." Craig slid him a look.
"I intend to make your sister happy. Whatever it takes."
"You already are." He shook his head.
"I had great faith in you. And you managed to get her to agree to marrying you."
He shook his head. "That's something."
"Nothing beats the power of love."
"I never thanked you for running off our father."
Craig stared at him. "That's okay with you?"
"Damn right. More for my sister than myself. To me he was just a pain in the ass who comes around every now and again. For Gina, he was much more than that. He crippled her."
Craig's jaw tightened. "Which he won't be doing again."
Dylan's eyes crinkled in amusement.
"You put the scare of God in him. I've never seen the man so jittery. He was jumping at his own shadow. And his poor beleaguered wife was no better."
"I have a feeling that union is not going to last much longer."
"My take exactly." Dylan sighed.
"For years he influenced our lives, mine and Gina's, but that particular hold has been broken."
They both looked over at the two women walking toward the table.
"What a sight." Craig's eyes stayed on Regina's, his face speaking volumes.
"I agree completely," Dylan said with a grin.
*****
Her dress was simple, a champagne-colored cashmere with a cowl neck, a snug fit from shoulders to just below her knees. Mile-high black heels completed the outfit.
She left her waist-length locks to flow freely, adding beads and glitter at the front. Her makeup was flawless.
The Elvis look-alike minister and his slim-as-a-reed wife, who handed her a bouquet made of peonies and baby's breath, stood at the altar of the surprisingly tasteful chapel while they repeated their vows. Within minutes and with her brother and Sherry as witnesses, they were made husband and wife.
Short and sweet.
"What now?" Tucking her hand through his arm, Regina asked him as they made their way out.
"Breakfast in bed." Craig glanced at the couple.
"I hope you don't mind, but I have an urge to be alone with my bride."
Dylan lifted a brow.
"You're putting images in my head that will stay there for a while. She's still my sister," he pointed out.
"And my wife," Craig said. Just saying the word was getting him excited.
"And the man has a right to be alone with his wife." Tucking her hand through his arm, Sherry tugged him away.
"Why don't we go do some touring? We might just spot a few movie stars."
Stepping toward them, Dylan tipped his sister's chin up and brushed his lips on hers.
"You're happy and that's what counts."
"Thanks. Go and have fun."
She smiled at him.
The chapel was a few blocks away from their hotel, and they decided to walk instead of hailing a cab. The air was brisk, people pouring out of the nearby casinos.
"Hungry?" he asked as they made their way toward the very impressive building.
"Hmm." She tipped her head to his shoulder and inhaled.
She was a married woman, and it didn't feel as if she was being smothered. It felt wonderful.
"I could eat."
The minute they stepped foot inside the lobby, the manager rushed forward to greet them.
"We sent breakfast up to your room," the small, dapper, and very well-dressed man told them with a smile.
"Thank you, Phillipe," Craig said cordially.
"If you need anything..."
"We'll let you know. In the meantime, we don't want to be disturbed."
"Of course, Mr. Muldoon. I'll see to that personally."
They took the private elevator up.
"Do you ever get used to it?" Regina wondered as he used the keycard to enter their suite.
"Used to what?" Closing the door, he got busy removing her coat.
"People bowing and scraping because of who you are." She kicked off the heels and sighed as her feet sank into the thick gold carpet.
"Was he bowing?" Shrugging out of his jacket, he hung it up.
Taking her hand, he led the way into the bedroom where a feast was spread out on the table in the middle of the room. A white tablecloth covered it, along with several silver domes.
A bottle of champagne nestled in a bucket of ice.
"Something smells divine."
Stepping behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist. Brushing back the thick coils, he nuzzled her neck.
"You smell better, Mrs. Muldoon."
She glanced at him over her shoulder and smiled that heart-stopping smile of hers that always managed to spike his blood pressure. "I bet you couldn't wait to say that."
"Kidding me?" He kissed her on the lips.
"I've been saving up. You're going to get tired of hearing it."
"Never." She took the cover off and sniffed appreciatively.
"Caviar."
"Let me get the champagne." Rubbing his hands over her flat stomach, he let her go to attend to the task.
She lifted the rest of the covers off and sniffed appreciatively.
"Chocolate-covered strawberries. Yum. This is quite a spread. It pays to be a VIP."
"It does." The cork went pop as he released it and managed it without spilling any of the bubbles.
"You're an expert."
"Takes practice." He grinned at her as he poured.
They ate the gourmet meal and drank the champagne. Afterward, she told him that she wanted five minutes.
"I need to get changed."
"I'm only going to have to take off whatever it is you're going to put on," he pointed out as she headed out.
"This will be worth it," she promised.
Shaking his head, he got undressed, making quick work of taking off his clothes. He was anxious to get the honeymoon started.
Now that one hunger had been fed, he wanted to take care of the other more pressing need.
He wanted his hands on her. His wife, the woman who held his heart in her elegant hands.
He had made vows to her today, ones he was going to keep for the rest of their lives. There would never be another as long as he lived.
She was it for him. The bed was already turned down, but he plumped up the pillows and turned just as the bathroom door opened.
His breath stopped and everything in him went still.
She stood framed inside the doorway, the soft light from the room highlighting her slender curves, draped in what he could term as flesh-colored. The lace was so delicate, so thin, it looked like she was completely naked.
His eyes drifted from the lace barely covering her breasts to the smile curving her lips.
"Come here," he ordered hoarsely, his body already on fire for her.
She crossed the room to him, her movements like that of a cat, slow, sleek, and designed to drive a man crazy. He couldn't take his eyes off her.
When she stopped in front of him, he released his pent-up breath slowly, carefully.
"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, and you're mine. Say it. Tell me you belong to me."
"I'm yours, now and forever. I want my husband to make love to me until the sun peeps over the horizon."
The way she said "my husband" had him hardening even more if that was at all possible.
"My wife." His hands lifted to frame her spectacular face.
"My heart." He kissed her forehead.
"My entire being." He trailed kisses down her cheek, until he was nibbling at her lips.
With his body aching for her, he swept her into his arms and carried her to bed.