by Posey Parks
I grimaced and folded my arms. “From what?”
“No one knows I exist.”
“Yeah, well soon everyone will. Once all the attention has overwhelmed you don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Dominic, I don’t want to argue again.”
Gripping my long flowy hair, I sighed. “Bye, Dominic.”
“Call me when you land.”
I turned on my stiletto heels and stalked out of the building toward the Suburban.
Brian smiled, holding the rear passenger door open. I scooted across the seat and waited for him to climb behind the wheel.
“Brian, you don’t have to follow us all over Vegas.”
He laughed, staring into my eyes through the rearview mirror. “Your sense of humor keeps me in stitches. Brian merged into traffic. I scuffed gazing out of the window.
Twenty minutes later, Paisley slid next to me.
“Hey, girl.” She hugged me tight.
“Paisley, I missed you.”
“Me too.”
“Paisley, you remember Dominic’s bodyguard Brian?”
“Yes.” Hi, Brian.” she waived.
He glimpsed at her through the rearview mirror and threw up his hand in a half wave motion.
She leaned into me. “Grumpy much.”
“Brian is a sweetheart. He’s upset I asked him not to follow us everywhere we go.”
“Why is he here anyway?”
“Dominic insist he accompany us. We are staying at the Bellagio,” I whispered. “Finally, I’ll spend some of the money I made from my new job.”
She leaned back, peeked at Brian, then me. “How do you pay your bills? You’d never ask your brothers for help.”
“No, I wouldn’t dare ask them for help. Besides Dominic wouldn’t let me. He pays for everything. He told me to donate my paychecks to charity or save them.”
“Wow, that’s sweet. Carmen. But you don’t look too happy.”
“We can talk about it later in private.” The Jet came into view as we rode across the Tarmac. “Oh, one more thing. We are flying to Vegas on Dominic’s Jet.” I grinned.
“Shit, I had no idea the governor of New Jersey banked like this.”
“Oh, yeah no. The Magarelli’s own several companies.”
Brian shot me a warning glare through the rearview mirror. “We’ve arrived.” He growled.
I wouldn’t dare tell my best friend the Magarelli’s were the mafia.
Everyone assumed because his father was the governor that’s when they became rich. No, they’ve been billionaire’s for decades. Dominic gave me the complete run down of his family’s history.
Paisley’s mouth hung open as we boarded the plane. “Very nice! To think you could barely afford to eat when we were in college.” She settled into the plush tan leather seat.
“Again, Carmen, you could. You just chose not to bother your brothers. Do they know your boyfriend has taken care of you financially for the last three years?”
“They know now. Dominic promised my father and brothers when he asked for my hand in marriage, he’d take care of me.”
I waved over the stewardess.
“What can I get for you both?”
“I’ll have a mimosa.”
I glimpsed at Paisley.
“I’ll have the same.”
“Right away.”
Paisley ran her fingers through her dark hair. “Why did he propose early in your relationship?”
“Because I asked him to marry me.” I bit my lower lip.
Her eyes widened. “You did not.”
The stewardess placed our drinks before us and walked away.
I sipped my drink, nodding. “Yup, I did. Dominic’s a force of nature in many ways. Yet when he pursued me, he took his time. It was smart on his part. I thought he had an ulterior motive. My virginity. We stopped seeing each other once. I didn’t know if I could be with a guy like him. Dark and brooding. Then I realized I couldn’t stay away from him.”
“Why didn’t you tell me how you felt about him?”
“I didn’t want you talking me out of my crazy ass thoughts like stalking him.”
“Carmen, are you serious?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I was in love with him. Fuck, how could I not be. Those sexy green eyes always melting my panties.” I swallowed, fanning myself.
She sipped the mimosa and crossed her legs toward me. “So how is the sex?” Her eyebrow arched.
My skin heated as I sipped my drink. “I don’t know.”
“What the fuck!” Her hand flew over her mouth. “You’re still a virgin?”
“Yes.”
“How does that work? And you sleep together?”
“If we get carried away, I stay at my apartment. Dominic is very determined to wait until we’re married. We would have been married last summer, but he fell behind in school.”
Her nose scrounged up. “Why does he still party?”
“No, he overseas several of his family’s businesses.”
“Oh, that’s a lot of responsibility.”
“Yeah. This will be the last time I see you for awhile unless you visit me in New Jersey. When ever you and John want to visit. Or you want girl time let me know. I’ll send you a plane ticket. Trying to warm up to flying on Jets.”
“You’ve always dressed simplistic and been thrifty so I’m sure this was a shock to you.”
We laughed. “I’ll say.”
∞
Paisley flopped on the king-sized bed in our suite.
The vibrant colors of the hotels lining the strip filled my view from the large window.
“What time does the magic show start?”
“Five. We should head down to the spa.”
“Carmen, you should let me pay for something other than the strip club.”
“Paisley, it’s no big thing. This is the first adult thing I’ve done. Don’t steal my joy.”
“Fine.”
Paisley and I drank our hurricanes walking down the strip.
“This is fucking fun!” she shouted.
I snorted. “It is.” Clutching her arm, we swayed.
I smoothed my hand across the bright pink bride sash as we walked through the doors of the Bellagio casino.
My smile dropped and I halted my steps.
His jaw twitched and his eyes narrowed. He stood hands stuffed in his pockets in the middle of the walkway.
I swallowed. “Dominic!”
“What are you doing, Carmen?” he snarled.
I glimpsed over my shoulder at Brian and grimaced.
“What are you talking about?”
He ran his fingers through his thick hair. His eyes darted to Paisley. “Sorry that was rude. Hello, Paisley. How are you?” He smiled.
“Um, fine.”
Dominic’s courteous smile dropped as his eyes burned through me.
“Carmen, you and your friend are staying at this hotel why?” His voice was laced with anger.
“Dominic, because I can.”
“Excuse us,” he smirked in Paisley’s direction.
He gripped my arm and pulled me aside.
“This shit ain’t cute. I reserved the best suite in the entire Magarelli hotel. Imagine my surprise to learn my woman never checked in.”
I clinched my fists. “You don’t have to do every little thing for me, Dominic.”
He turned a dark shade of red. “You’re about to be my wife,” he roared.
His hand smoothed over his beard as he exhaled.
“I’ll meet you halfway. Gamble with your own money and tip the staff if you want.” He stepped closer.
“But you and your friend will stay at the Magarelli hotel.”
I crossed my arms. “You want to keep your eye on me from San Jose.”
He gripped my face. “I want to know that everyone treats you with the utmost respect. My staff will take care of you or they’ll lose their jobs. Once we’re married everyone in this fucking town w
ill know who you are.” His lips crushed mine. I moaned clutching his lapels and my soaked core wanted to feel his thick dick. But not for a few weeks.
Dominic released our lips and dropped his forehead against mine. “I love you.”
“I love you too. You didn’t have to travel to Vegas to make your point.”
“I beg to differ. Brian told me you tried to ditch him. There was no way you’d listen to him. Which is another thing that has to stop. He will be your bodyguard for now on. So be nice.”
My mouth fell open. “What?”
He flashed that sexy smile and his green eyes twinkled.
“Have fun, baby.”
Hugo appeared out of nowhere, following Dominic.
Paisley ran over. “Are you ok?”
“Yeah.”
“You look like you were going to pass out from that intoxicating kiss he laid on you. He’s so intense.”
“You’re telling me. We need to grab our luggage and ride down to the Magarelli casino Imagine.”
“Whoa they own their own casino too?”
“Surprise.” I held my arms up.
“Carmen, the luggage has been delivered.”
“Of course, it has. Brian, I forgot to ask is Dominic staying in town?”
“Yes. He has business to handle. He’ll return home Monday.”
I wanted to choke Dominic.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
CARMEN
Paisley ran upstairs to the bedrooms in the best suite the Imagine casino had to offer.
“Carmen, there’s a fucking colorful badass mural on the wall,” Paisley shouted.
The view of Las Vegas from our window was fucking spectacular. Now that I knew Dominic was here, I wanted to sit on the roof of the hotel with him and gaze at the stars. My lips curled upward. I’ll text him after we leave the strip club. I fought my fiancé’s wealth. But there was no escaping it. My parents only struggled a few times over the years. My brothers and I were well cared for. I thought I’d graduate and pay my own way in life. Not be engaged to a brooding man who didn’t take no for an answer.
I ran up the steps and entered one of two master bedrooms.
Paisley held her phone up scanning the room.
“What are you doing?”
“Showing Megan, the room.”
“Carmen, why didn’t you invite me?”
“Because you’re in Alaska with your husband and newborn baby!”
I threw my hands in the air.
“Paisley, knock some sense into your sister.”
She laughed.
“I wish I was single this one weekend. Oh, I know. Buy a GoPro camera, attach it to a hat and bring me along.”
“Nice idea but I’m pretty sure there are no cameras allowed in the strip club.”
Megan snapped her fingers pacing back and forth in her oversized log cabin living room. “Shit, that’s true.”
“Why are you up? It’s about four in the morning there?”
“Because I have a newborn remember? Babies don’t sleep. You’ll find out when you have your first.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Megan, Carmen’s fiancé’s family owns this hotel and casino.” Their eyes widened.
“Wait, and we flew here on a private Jet.”
Megan snickered. “Paisley, I bet you miss our family’s money right about now?”
“That shit isn’t funny, Megan.” She rolled her eyes.
“All you had to do was stop blowing through your money. Stop buying stupid shit so mama and daddy will give you control of your trust fund.”
She sighed. “I’m trying. Now don’t ruin my mood. Bitch, it’s party time and your missing out.”
Megan’s mouth dropped open.
“You bitches are mean to each other.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
They laughed.
Paisley grabbed my hand, pulling me onto the bed.
“Megan, she and this guy haven’t even had sex yet.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Carmen, seriously? What’s wrong is he rich and unattractive?”
I didn’t say a word.
“Carmen show her a picture of Dominic.”
“Let me see what I have. I don’t want to slip up and show his dick.”
They burst into laughter.
I scrolled through my cell phone pics.
“He sends you dick pics and you aren’t fucking! You, naughty girl.” Megan’s dark hair shook side to side. “Oh no, hurry up, something isn’t right.”
I flashed his pic.
“He’s a fucking work of art. I know why he waited. He wants to be the first to get that V-card.” Megan walked into her kitchen. “We are going to toast to this bitch.”
“I’ll grab a bottle of champagne from downstairs,” Paisley darted out of the room.
I propped her phone against her toiletry bag.
Megan was Paisley’s older sister. She visited us a few times over the years. She was always loads of fun. I never hand many friends. Too busy researching. Paisley and Megan made me party. I’m thankful they did.
“Carmen, you always appear guarded and serious. Do you let your guard down with him?”
I smiled. “I do. He forces me out of my shell.”
“I am back!” Paisley yelled, sitting on the bed, placing a glass in my hand.
She poured the bubbly in our glasses.
Megan raised her glass and we raised ours. “Carmen, I love seeing that beautiful smile. I can tell Dominic makes you happy. I bet the first thing that drew him in were those brown eyes.” Megan wiped a tear from her eye.
I chuckled and nodded. “I suppose.”
“To a long and happy marriage,” Paisley yelled.
We sipped the champagne and Megan sipped apple juice.
“Oh, Megan, Carmen is fighting Dominic’s wealth.”
“Why?”
“She said she wanted a little independence. He was so floored Dominic flew to Vegas to make sure we checked into his hotel. He was all dapper in his navy suit.”
“I’m still a little upset. But since he insisted on paying for everything, Megan you will receive two plush Imagine bathrobes and other goodies like a free hotel stay.”
Megan poked out her lip. “That’s so sweet. Thanks.”
“I love you sis, but we need to hit the strip club.”
We said our goodbyes and disconnected.
We made it rain ten thousand dollars in ones. The male strippers barely left our table to dance for other ladies.
Hands down a fucking great time. I drank like a fish. Brian assisted us out of the Bentley.
“That was so fun,” I slurred.
Dominic’s scowling face came into view. “Hi babe.”
“Looks like you had too much to drink. Brian, you didn’t think to cut off their fucking drinks?”
“Dom, they were having a good time.” His hand squeezed my waist as we walked through the casino lobby and into the elevator.
“Look at all of the lights. All of the light, all of the lights,” I sang.
“Carmen, shush.”
Paisley laughed. “Let’s sing together. All of the lights!” we bellowed.
The elevator doors open and we walked into our spectacular suite.
“He’s going to take your V-card.” Paisley pointed in a dancing motion.
Once at the top of the stairs, Dominic watched Brian lay Paisley on her bed. Snores released from her airways.
“Dominic, I’ll be downstairs.”
“Yeah, ok.”
“Carmen, you need to rest.” Dominic unzipped my black bodice dress. It slinked down my frame pooling around my stilettos.
I eased out of his arms and jumped on the bed.
“Come here, Dominic, stay with me.”
“Nope this is your time with your friend.” He rolled me on my back and slipped my shoes off of my feet.
“No, I want to sleep with my fiancé’.”
“You will Monday night.”
>
“Tonight.” I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“My baby is so fucking drunk,” he chuckled. His eyes marveled my caramel brown face and he squeezed my thigh.
“Good night, Carmen.” Dominic pulled the sheet over my body then pushed the button on the lamp. Darkness covered the room.
∞
Paisley and I hovered over our food at a round table in the center of the restaurant. We people watched through our dark sunglasses.
I gripped my head and winced as the first shooting pain struck.
Paisley’s eyes wandered around the restaurant as she sucked down her second glass of water. The clinking of silverware against plates and chatter filled the air.
