Cassandra
We remain at our reception for a single dance. With me wrapped in his arms, Dominic spins us around the dance floor while we ignore the open-mouth stares from our civilian friends and the chuckles from business associates.
After our first dance, Dominic pulls me to the microphone, thanks everyone for coming, tells them to enjoy the food, and bids them farewell. Catcalls and cheers follow us as he whisks me from the room.
We run through back hallways toward a bank of elevators that will take us to Le Chateau’s private garage.
Waiting diligently with Dominic’s Maserati is Sam.
It’s the first time I’ve seen him since the shoot-out at the baby shower.
When I rush up and throw my arms around his neck, I swear I hear Dominic growl behind me.
Sam’s cheeks pinken as he wishes us both congratulations and hands over the keys.
“I’m glad he’s back at work,” I tell Dominic once I’m secure in the passenger seat.
“Adam will be back next month,” Dominic says, pulling out of the garage.
I grin, watching out the window. It will be nice to have my normal guard by my side.
We drive in silence, my left hand intertwined with Dominic’s right. I revel in the lights of Las Vegas Boulevard as they pass us by.
When we drive by Il Pallazzo, a crease forms between my brows.
“Where are we going?” I ask Dominic. The shadows cast inside the car accentuate his masculine profile. I would let this man take me anywhere without complaint.
“It’s a surprise.” His lips twitch, but that’s all he says.
I hum and study him for a moment, waiting for more, but when it doesn’t come, I accept my fate and relax against the headrest.
We drive outside the city, into the suburbs. From what I can tell, we’re near Henderson, not far from Vincent and Cecilia’s house. But we pass by the established neighborhoods, heading towards the new builds.
The sun is setting, casting an orange glow over the desert. Dominic turns his blinker on and makes a right. He stops at an entry gate for a neighborhood that’s still under construction. I tilt my head in question as he speaks to the guard, giving his name and an address.
“Okay,” I say as we pass through the gate. “I am officially confused.”
Dominic smiles. “Patience.”
I roll my eyes but turn to enjoy the beautiful homes outside the window.
We take a few turns through the community, eventually finding a road that ends in a cul-de-sac. The houses here are on large lots with their own fences and security gates. I catch glimpses of the homes tucked behind the perimeters. What I see takes my breath away.
Ornate driveways with sparkling water features, young succulents decoratively planted, beautiful Spanish and stone facades with arched doorways and windows.
“Wow,” I gasp as Dominic slows.
“What do you think?” he asks, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.
“These are gorgeous, Dominic.”
“Good.” He slows in front of a driveway at the end of the cul-de-sac. “Remember my friend Ezra Kaplan?”
“The real estate developer?”
“This is his community.” Dominic looks over, hesitant.
“It’s gorgeous. Did you invest in it?” I ask, trying to decipher his sudden nerves. He doesn’t usually need my approval before venturing into investment opportunities.
“In a way.”
We remain parked in front of a closed gate. I shift in my seat to try to get a better view of the home behind it.
The house before us is what I’ve always dreamed my future home would look like: Mediterranean architecture with a circular stone driveway and a three-tiered fountain in the center.
Wrought iron railings accent the entryway and balconies, while the tempered glass of the front door reveals the warm light emanating from inside.
Suddenly, a memory clicks in my mind. “This is the house I saw from Amanda and Marco’s wedding!”
“It is.” Dominic reaches overhead and pushes a button on a visor remote, opening the gate.
“Dominic?” I ask, hope and trepidation building in my chest. “What are we doing?”
“Well,” Dominic says, once again taking my hand in his. “I wanted to get you a wedding gift, something that you didn’t already have, something large enough to represent my absolute devotion to you.”
I suck in a soft breath, holding it as he speaks.
“You have jewelry, and I can buy that for you any time. I already gave you a car. So, what could I possibly find that would represent the start of our life together?”
He pulls to the top of the driveway, parking in between the fountain and entryway.
“Then, at Marco’s wedding, you gave me the perfect idea. What about giving you a home? A true home, where we will raise a family, live married life, and grow old together. You made it easy. You picked out the property for me.”
My eyes prick with tears as my hands fly over my mouth.
He bought me a house.
Not only a house . . . the house.
“Dominic,” I whisper.
“Come on.” He opens the car door. “Let’s go see it.”
I wait as Dominic rounds the Maserati to open my door and help me out. My dress bunches, and it takes both of our efforts to extricate me from the vehicle. I smooth the gown once I stand, ignoring its state of ruin.
Climbing the front steps, Dominic fishes keys from his pocket. I stare in awe at each intricate detail of the home as he unlocks the door.
“Hold on.” He blocks the entrance, stepping closer to me. “Let’s do this the right way.” Leaning down, he hooks one arm around my back and the other under my knees, lifting me.
I giggle as he carries me over the threshold.
“Welcome home, Cassandra.”
When he places me on my feet, I spin, taking in the rustic tile floors, winding staircase, and chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
“This is beautiful,” I mutter, walking to the staircase and running my hand over the banister.
“It’s an open concept,” Dominic explains. “Come through here, I want to show you the living room.” Grabbing my hand, he directs me toward the back of the house.
I gasp as we step into an enormous room with a series of wide, arched windows facing the backyard and a carved, wooden fireplace on the far side.
As I wander into the center of the room, Dominic tells me to, “Hold on,” and disappears through a set of French doors leading outside.
I walk to the windows to see where he went, but the only light illuminating the night sky is the moon and stars.
Suddenly, the lights flicker on, and the backyard comes into view. Dominic appears a moment later and motions for me to follow him outside.
Smile growing wide, I venture onto an expansive stone deck that boasts an infinity pool, hot tub, and built-in kitchen. “This is amazing,” I say, breathlessly.
“This isn’t the whole thing.” Dominic points past the pool. “There’s a lower level.”
I walk to the edge of the deck and spot curved staircases framing the yard. Below is a lawn with a half basketball court on one side.
“I’m thinking about hanging solar string lights over the grass,” Dominic says. “And maybe one day, a play structure?”
Trapping my lip between my teeth, I try to appear nonchalant as I nod. “I like that idea.”
“You can’t see it well right now, but there’s a beautiful view of the golf course and the hills behind the development. The sunsets are unmatched.”
We take a moment to peer into the darkness. I imagine sitting in a lounge chair on the deck at dusk, sipping on Chardonnay.
“Ready to go back inside?” Energy radiates from Dominic, his expression bright with excitement.
My eyes linger on the beauty of the yard as we head back into the living room.
“Let’s go upstairs,” Dominic suggests. I have no complaint, knowing I’ll have plenty of time to wander the first floor later.
Dominic intertwines his fingers with mine and kisses the back of my hand as he guides us to the second level. The hardwood flooring and cream-colored walls continue into a loft that overlooks the living space we came from.
“We still get the high ceilings downstairs, but don’t lose much space up here,” Dominic explains.
I squeeze his hand and grin. “I love it.”
“Good.” He releases a nervous gust of air. “The most important room is next.”
“Oh?” I quirk a brow.
“Come on.”
He drags me down a hallway, skipping past three doorways on the way. I peek into each room, finding what I assume are bedrooms on one side and a bathroom on the other.
“You ready?” Dominic gives a dramatic pause when we reach the closed door at the end of the hall, hand hovering over the knob.
I laugh and wave my hand, encouraging him to continue.
As he slowly opens the door, he announces, “This is our room.”
My mouth forms a silent, “Oh,” when I pass the threshold.
The room is massive, with recessed ceilings and a seating nook near the tall arched windows. It’s the only furnished room, with a four-poster bed covered in a gold duvet.
“I thought we could put a couch right there.” Dominic points to the center of the room.
“And a TV console that recedes. There are dual custom closets, slightly larger than the ones we have at Il Palazzo, and, obviously, an en suite bathroom. You can change the bed if you want. I just put something here in case you want to move in immediately.”
The look on his face is so hopeful that I can’t help but rise on my toes and kiss him passionately.
We remain locked together for only a minute before he pulls back with a smile so wide it could rival the best showman in Vegas. “So, you like it?”
“Dominic, this is everything I dreamt of. No, it’s better than what I dreamt of!”
He traces his hands over my shoulder, placing his forehead against mine. “How about we start breaking things in? I didn’t think we would be here until tomorrow, but I prepared ahead of time.”
Without further explanation, he guides me toward the bathroom with a hand on the small of my back.