Chapter 44
LARK
Quickening my pace, I hurried down the hall to the front door of Bastian’s penthouse.
No, our penthouse.
I pressed a hand to my stomach. It still didn’t feel right. I’d never had a home before.
But I wanted to make one. With Bastian.
This week had felt like a dream. I kept expecting to wake up and find out it wasn’t real.
But each day, Bastian made sure I felt loved.
I smiled. Now, we had a special date, and I didn’t want to be late. I pressed my hand to the lock and it beeped. He’d programmed my palmprint into the entire casino security system.
I was really enjoying helping out Nash and the security team. Hell, I’d even discovered I liked working with Nash.
It felt good, helping with security and keeping guests safe.
I pulled up short when I saw Georgie in the living room. “Oh, hey.”
She rose from the couch.
We’d been getting to know each other better this week. We’d even had drinks in one of the casino bars. We’d ended up getting tipsy and giggling, much to Bastian and Nash’s amusement.
“Bastian sent me,” she said. “To help you get ready.”
I frowned. “For our date?”
She nodded. “He sent a dress for you to wear. He asked me to help you with hair and makeup.” She waved a hand. “Come on.” She nudged me toward the bedroom like a very polite bulldozer. “Wait until you see the dress.”
Today, Georgie was wearing a pretty, dark-blue dress. It swirled around her calves. It was dressier than usual. For work, she usually wore suits or smart, fitted business-style dresses.
Then I saw the dress hanging in the walk-in closet and gasped.
It was silver and impossibly romantic. It had a vaguely 1920’s vibe, with flowing silver fabric covered in pretty silver beading. It had a V-neck, fluttery short sleeves, and more silver beadwork at the waistline.
“That’s too fancy for a date.”
“Not for a date with Bastian Thorne,” Georgie said.
I shot her a rueful smile. “True.”
“Go. Put it on.” She sent me a cheeky smile. “He included lingerie as well. I’ll wait in the bedroom.”
I found a silky, silver bodysuit that looked like it was made from gossamer web. I shimmied into it. It was so damn sexy. I imagined Bastian when he saw it.
Then I slipped into the dress and tied on the strappy, silver shoes.
Heart pounding, I turned to look in the mirror.
I looked like a princess.
I felt like a princess.
“I’m dressed,” I called out.
Georgie appeared. Her eyes went wide and she clapped her hands together. “You’re absolutely beautiful, Lark.”
I felt beautiful.
She studied me, tapping a finger against her lips. “Hair down, I think. Maybe we’ll add some beachy waves. Then your makeup needs to be natural with smoky eyes.”
“Okay.”
She bustled around and soon I was standing in the bathroom while she fussed with my hair and makeup.
“All done,” Georgie announced.
I stared at the mirror above the sink. I really did look beautiful.
“He has a good eye for what suits you,” she said.
Our gazes met in the mirror.
Her lips tilted up. “It’s really something to have a man who knows you so well.”
“It is.”
“Especially when he loves you so much.”
“I’m still getting used to that bit.”
“Come on. I have orders to deliver you to the rooftop.”
I was very curious about what my man had planned. My man. I was still getting used to that too.
We headed up the spiral stairs. Georgie gave me a smile, then pushed open the door.
It was a sunny afternoon and not cold. I stepped outside, then looked ahead and froze.
There were two rows of white chairs, and a red carpet forming an aisle between them.
There was an older woman standing at the end of the aisle, in front of an arch of beautiful white flowers.
I recognized the man standing beside the woman.
Bastian.
He was wearing a tuxedo, and he looked as impossibly handsome as always.
I felt like a ball lodged in my throat. I took another step, trying to process everything.
Nash and Cole appeared. I noted Landon, Alessio, and Rafe sitting on the chairs.
There were also members of the security team who I’d been working with this week.
There was an older African-American man and it took me a second to realize that it was Errol.
The man had clearly showered, shaved, had a haircut, and he was wearing a new suit. He waved at me.
Nash took Georgie’s arm and handed her a small bouquet of fragrant white flowers.
Cole held out a larger, matching bouquet.
“The white orchids are Nash’s,” Georgie said. “He’s an orchid whisperer. We’ll go first, then you and Cole will follow.”
The quiet man held out an arm to me. “Can I have the honor?”
Oh, God. Bastian had organized a wedding.
“I can’t get married. I…” I shook my head. “He didn’t ask me. It’s too soon. I’m an assassin.”
Getting married was something I’d never believed was for someone like me.
Nash snorted. “Being an assassin doesn’t make you special around here.”
Suddenly, Bastian was striding toward me.
Cole stepped back, and Bastian took my hands in his.
“Lark—”
“A wedding? Marriage? Really, Thorne?”
His face sharpened. “Really. I love you, you love me. You told me. In more ways than one.”
I felt a flush rising up my neck. He’d read my web comic. Roiling feelings moved through me. “You could’ve asked me,”
He smiled his sexy smile. “You would’ve freaked out. Besides, we’re getting married, so why waste time asking.”
I shook my head. “Arrogant and bossy.”
He tipped my face up. “You love it.”
“I do,” I whispered. “And I love you.” How much I loved him still terrified me.
“So marry me in front of our friends. Then, you’ll officially be mine, and I’ll officially be yours.”
Oh, I like the sound of that. I glanced at the others. They were all smiling.
“Okay, Bastian Thorne. I’ll marry you.”
That got me another smile. He squeezed my hands, then walked back down the aisle with his ground-eating stride.
I took the bouquet from Cole, then threaded my arm through his. The big man patted my hand.
Music started. I jolted and realized that I hadn’t even noticed the string quartet.
Nash and Georgie walked down the aisle ahead of me, smiling in the Las Vegas sunshine.
Then Cole walked me toward the man who’d claimed me as his.
A man I realized my heart had claimed years ago.
For a while, I’d considered him my enemy. Now, he was my everything. He was my home, my heart, my safe place, my love.
Bastian took my hand as Cole handed me over. The look on his face had me mesmerized.
“Everyone, friends and family of Bastian and Lark, we are here to watch these two join their lives together in love,” the celebrant said.
We traded vows. Bastian’s voice was strong and clear. Mine was a little shaky.
He slid a wedding band onto my finger. It was dotted with diamonds and seed pearls that matched my bracelet. He followed it with a huge pearl ring. The pearl was flanked by glittering diamonds.
Then he held out a wide, silver band. I slid it onto his finger.
My claim and promise to him.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.”
He pulled me close and dramatically tipped me backward over his arm. I laughed, my pulse racing. I was smiling when he took my mouth with his.
When he let me up, everyone was clapping and cheering.
“We have reception party planned in Styx,” Georgie said.
“Good,” Rafe said. “I need a drink.”
Bastian wrapped his arm around me. “Forgive me my bossiness now?”
“Maybe.”
He ran his fingers over my cheekbone. “You’re so beautiful, Lark Thorne.”
My heart did a giddy little spin. Lark Thorne.
“Now, you’re mine,” he continued. “Now, you’ll never leave me. And you don’t need to worry about if I’m going to ask you to marry me.”
With a laugh, I shook my head. “I have no plans to leave you, but you need some patience as I adjust to this togetherness thing.”
“I can be patient.”
“I don’t think you can.”
He nipped my lips, his voice a low murmur. “I’ll show you later just how patient I can be.”
Mmm. I felt tingles all over.
“And don’t worry, I won’t talk about babies anytime soon.”
I choked on air, my eyes widening.
“I’m joking, little bird. That’s something for the future. Something we’ll work out together.”
Babies? I pressed a hand to my stomach. The thought of having Bastian’s baby… For some reason, I didn’t hate the idea, but it definitely freaked me out.
Bastian laughed. “Come on, Mrs. Thorne. Let’s get some champagne.”
I hope you enjoyed Bastian and Lark’s story!