Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
“Maybe I should’ve kept my agreement to myself.” She giggled and shook her head. “Then you would have needed to toss me over your shoulder to get me on the plane.”
I palmed her ass as I helped her into the back seat of the car, giving her cheek a little squeeze before I climbed in after her. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll toss you over my shoulder and carry you up to our room after we’re pronounced man and wife.”
11
LENNOX
The Lennox Hotel and Casino was one of the most expensive and luxurious on the strip. It was my first choice anytime I had to be in Las Vegas, and on one of my first trips, Drew and his wife, Autumn, were in the lobby when I checked in. Autumn had thought it was hysterical when she overheard my name, but Drew recognized it and they’d struck up a conversation with me. Over the years, we’d become good friends, which worked out very well for me when I needed a favor.
“You don’t find it at all ironic that we are staying in the Lennox hotel?” Brie asked with a chortle as we entered the lobby.
“Of course, I do, baby. But the funny wore off after the first few years.”
Brie shrugged, but she continued to wear a giant smile. “I guess that makes sense.”
“Madison.”
My attention was diverted from Brielle’s gorgeous face when I heard Drew call out to me. He always used my last name, since his was my first name.
I smiled when I spotted the tall man striding toward us. Autumn waved and hurried to catch up with him right before we met in the middle.
“Welcome,” Drew said, pulling me in for a back-slapping man hug.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Autumn squealed, bouncing on her feet and clapping her hands. Then she gasped. “Holy cow. Is this your gorgeous bride? Damn, Lennox…how did you snag a beauty like her?”
Brielle blushed, and I put my arm around her waist, tucking her into my side. “I have no clue how I got so fucking lucky, but I’m going to marry her before she realizes what she’s done.”
Drew laughed. “I understand.” And he certainly did. He’d had his own whirlwind romance with his wife.
Autumn grabbed Brie’s hands and gave them a squeeze, her eyes twinkling merrily. “I’ve been waiting for you to arrive so I could whisk you away to the bridal boutique!”
“Oh, I don’t—”
“Of course you do.” I interrupted. “If you want a big wedding, we can do that later. But that doesn’t mean I won’t make sure this one is as memorable as possible. Now, go find yourself a dress and some wedding night lingerie while you’re at it.”
Brielle’s pink cheeks darkened to crimson, and she glanced up at me through her eyelashes. “Behave,” she whispered.
“Nope,” I whispered back, making her giggle.
“Come on,” Autumn urged gently. “We still have to meet with Aurora so you can pick everything out for tomorrow.”
“Aurora?”
“Yup. She runs the chapel. And her sister is the baker…” Her voice trailed off as they walked away.
I hated letting her go, but I knew she wouldn’t want me to see her dress until the wedding. We were the furthest thing from traditional, but Brielle was a romantic, and I loved that about her.
“You’re lucky, the reservation for the penthouse for tonight was canceled at the last minute,” Drew told me as he led me over to the door to an office.
I chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “Their own decision, or were they ‘persuaded’?”
Drew grinned. “Zach was able to put them in his.”
Zach owned the hotel next door and was also a good friend of Drew's.
“I’ll have to send you both a bottle of your favorite scotch.”
“Or a case,” Drew suggested, making me laugh.
It was late since we’d flown here right from the reception in the Keys, so he quickly checked us in and had a bellhop take our bags to the room.
“I know you’re both probably exhausted, but it will make tomorrow go a hell of a lot smoother if Brielle picks everything out tonight.”
I nodded and took the keys he held out. “Thanks for putting this together so fast.”
Drew shrugged. “My wedding gift to you.”
He stood and walked me out to the bank of elevators. “I’ll make sure my wife returns your fiancée to you at a decent hour. And we’ll see you in the chapel for the ceremony.
Brielle and I had talked about how pissed Avery and Gabe were going to be when they found out we’d gotten married without them. But we didn’t want to interrupt their honeymoon, so I asked Drew to stand in as our witness and Autumn to be Brielle’s bridesmaid.
We shook hands, and I took the penthouse elevator up to the top floor. While I waited for Brielle, I sent out emails and made a few calls, making sure I cleared my schedule for the next three weeks. Then I worked on notifying my pilot, hotel reservations, and all the other things involved in planning a trip. I was going to take Brielle on a long honeymoon, and I didn’t want anything to interrupt my time alone with her.