She wouldn't let me see the dress she chose, so I have no idea what she looks like. She doesn't answer back immediately. I fist my hand and bang on the door with the outside. "One more minute and I'm knocking down the door."
I'm about to knock again when the door opens, throwing my weight off balance. My upper body falls forward, my face crashing into an amazing set of tits peeking out of a black satin material. "Someone's impatient. I was only in there like twenty minutes. Aren't some of these chapels all-nighters? Hell, I've even seen drive through ones before. What's your hurry? We are in the city that never sleeps." I hear her speaking, but my brain isn't registering that I need to be responding. The soft, rounded globes are warm and smell amazing. I inhale, making no immediate effort to move my nose from the crevice it's buried in.
She laughs and grabs my hair, pulling my face from her cleavage. "You're such a guy. What is it about boobs that are so interesting?" I stand upright to get a better look at her. Damn. She's stunning.
"I don't know. They're like a man's personal fun bags. They're enticing to the eyes and they just feel good. Do I really have to have a reason to like them?"
She bites her bottom lip and shakes her head as my eyes slowly memorize the way she looks tonight. That dress does wonders for her body. She's already genetically blessed. Most girls with a rack that size are on the heavier side, but not her. Her entire body is tiny and long, but she has large, beautiful breasts. The neckline is shaped like a V, but comes off the shoulders. The sleeves stop just beneath her elbows and the entire dress is made of a satin material, hugging close to her body, only detouring away from her as it reaches her thighs, allowing it to flow to the floor.
I smile as I take in the color. "No white?"
She wraps her arms around my neck and aligns her body to mine, leaving no space between us. I grab her slender hips in my hands. Her lips pull up into a smirk. "Black is our color...and as much as we use our bodies to tell each other how we feel, white would be a lie. Who wants to start a marriage with lies? We might as well show the world that we can't stay away from each other by getting as far away from purity as we can get. Sex introduced us. There is no reason to be ashamed. It's part of who we are. If we ever stop wanting each other that way, we're getting too close to the fire that will destroy us."
"I love you, Piper. We get each other. You've given me so much. Now, I'm ready to give you my last name. This is my way of giving you all of me. I don't know much about my family so I don't know much about my name. My parents were kind of runaways from the pieces of information that I've gotten, never speaking of where they came from, but I know that my name has been dishonored for a really long time. It needs someone that will wear it proudly and give it a good reputation. That girl is you. I know this is sudden and crazy, but I've never been surer of anything in my life. I've thought this through. This is permanent, Piper. We are about to enter into a contract with each other. There is no option for termination. We own the rights to each other exclusively. Promise me this is what you want?"
She focuses her eyes on me and her expression becomes serious. "At first I thought it was a joke, but then I realized it wasn't. It's a little scary to imagine what everyone else is going to say when we get home. You're intense, Haddox, in everything you do, but that's one thing that made me fall in love with you. I may not know a lot of things, but I know that I love you. I never imagined marriage, because I didn't think that was ever an option with you, but now that it is...I have no doubt that this is the right thing to do. I only have one question to ask, because I never want you to wake up with regrets, wishing you had slowed this down or done something different."
I don't particularly like the tone in her voice. "What is it?"
She scans my eyes and then grabs my hand, before walking around me, pulling me towards the bed behind her. She sits on the edge and pulls me down beside her. "I just think we need to talk this out first. I feel stupid, but when you come from my family it becomes like second nature."
She suddenly looks nervous; like she doesn't want to bring this up, but she doesn't want to pretend there isn't a huge elephant in the room. The problem is...she's the only one that sees the elephant. It's invisible to me. I don't know what is starting to get her worked up. She straightens her posture and begins rubbing her hands down the fabric covering her thighs. Actually, she's starting to act the way she does when around her parents. "Spit it out, Piper. What's bothering you?"
"I feel so stupid and embarrassed. I just never expected this while I'm in school. Maybe I should just get it out. Okay, so my dad has told me often that he will pay for everything as long as I'm in school and some things even after. There was only one condition: I had to remain single. He said the second that I give myself to a man through marriage I am no longer his responsibility. He is a firm believer that if a man asks a woman to marry her then he's taking on more than a person, but a financial obligation."
She's starting to shake a little bit and her line of vision keeps breaking from mine. "He will freeze all of my assets the second I drop my last name. My credit cards, paying for my apartment, my car that he's holding hostage, and the funding for school tuition will all cease. Have you considered any of that? We've never discussed finances. It's never been any of my business. I don't want you to feel obligated to support me. Shit, I didn't even want to bring this up, but when I purchased the dress and all it occurred to me. It's just a very real thing in my world. It's not something that I can ignore. I have to finish school. I don't have a job. I can't support myself. He's made it a requirement to completely finish school and get a career before I can even touch my trust fund...because he says I don't need it with him paying all of my expenses."
She places her fingertips in her mouth and starts to gnaw. Money never even crossed my mind. I've never had to explain my salary or spending to someone else. Fuck, it's been only me since I was basically a kid. I've been paying bills since I was old enough to learn how. When you have a father that stays drunk and high all the time, there aren’t many other options if you want to survive, and you'll do anything that makes a buck. I grew up poor. When I left Minnesota I promised myself I would never have to scrounge for food and bill money again.
When Marlin found me I was selling drugs to get by. When you come to a huge city with nothing but a duffle bag of clothes, there aren't many options to live. City living isn't cheap. I was using first, running from the memories and the pain. The guilt of what I had just done was eating me alive. I needed something to keep me from snapping. My dealer saw how fucked up I was. Crazy makes the best dealers, because you think smart and you don't take shit off of anyone, because you have nothing to lose.
I started and never looked back. The cash started flowing and I had an endless supply for myself when I needed it. I did so well that I moved up from a runner to a supplier pretty quickly. I stayed behind the scenes, keeping myself hidden and giving instructions...until one night. One of my runners stole from one of the many stash houses throughout the city. I had to take care of it. Anyone with sense knows you don't leave loose ends. All you have is respect. Once that's gone you have nothing. I had to show him what happens when you steal from me. That's what I was doing, lurking in the night, and cornering him in his usual alley when no one else was around.
I would have killed him had Marlin not stumbled upon us. Strangely, he was looking for the same guy to collect a gambling debt. Fucking thieves. I hate them. No one is entitled to get shit for free. Everything has a price. Marlin saw me fight and he could tell I was in a dark place. He has that skill of reading people and being dead on. He also has connections everywhere. There is always someone that needs a bookie in the world of entertainment. He's the reason I got into MMA. I owe him everything; not only for my career, but he helped me to get clean and leave that world behind. That was about seven years ago.
I have no idea how to domesticate myself in the way she’s discussing, but the only way to learn is by trial and error right? I make plenty of money. I
'm one of the top fighters in my weight class. I have several different ways I earn salary: contract, bonuses, specific events, and event pay-per-view commission for fights I headline, as well as sponsor endorsements only name a few. If I continue to fight this way I won't have anything to worry about. I also have my studio that brings in profit.
I don't show off my money. I live pretty simple and I invest more money than I blow, but that's because I choose to live that way. I have plenty of room to support her and her spending habits. That, I know. The details we'll work out later. "He's right, Piper. If we're married then your dad shouldn't be supporting you. That makes me look like less of a man. It's fine. I'm more than capable of taking care of you. What's mine is yours and vice versa. We'll figure it out...after you marry me."
"I don't know. Don't you want me to sign a prenuptial agreement? Maybe we should get all of this worked out and then get married. I don't want you to jump into anything because we're in Vegas. I can wait if it would be smarter. I don't want you to ever have a thought that I'm with you for money. If I was making that kind of money I would understand."
I stand and turn toward her, straddling her knees between my legs. Placing my hands on each side of her hips I lean into her, our faces almost touching. "What the fuck for? Are you planning on going somewhere once we get married? If you plan to stay then why would I need a pre-nup? Do you find yourself of less worth than me? I may not know shit about relationships, because obviously I had a pretty shitty example, but I know that we are partners. You take care of your partner, never letting them go without. You sure as hell don't leave them when shit gets rough. You sacrifice for the wellbeing of your spouse. They come first. If you want to go shopping, Piper, then go. I'll add you to all of my accounts when we get home. If you want to go to school, then tuition becomes a bill that you add into the budget. If you've been without a car because it was taken from you, then we'll buy you a new one. If I make a fucking million dollars a year then guess what...you make a million dollars. I was raised dirt poor, sometimes going days without a full meal or electricity. I was beaten till I couldn't move, let alone speak, all because his stash was dry and there wasn't money to buy more...if he even had a reason at all. I don't give a shit about money as long as I have a place to live, clothes to wear, food to eat, and the bills are paid. The rest means nothing to me. Spend it, but not all at once. I can't very well take it with me when I die."
"You're absolutely sure?"
"Piper, I don't say how I feel very often. We've talked about trust. One thing will hurt me. One. That's to leave me after I've fallen for you. If this is about something else then come out and say it. You have one chance to back out if that's what you want. Come tomorrow, this will never be discussed again."
"I could never leave you. Not a breath in my body wants to back out. I just don't want any regrets. That's all."
"My only regret will be losing you. Are we going to do this or what?"
She smiles finally, her muscles relaxing and her breathing becomes visible again. "Take me to the chapel. We're going to get married."
Well, at least he didn't choose to be married by Elvis. For some reason, every time I envision getting married in Vegas that movie Chuck and Larry starts playing in my mind with the little weird guy repeating the circle of trust with the rings scenario. I laugh out loud on accident.
"What's funny?"
My attention focuses on Haddox filling out his portion of the marriage license so we can go through the ceremony. "Nothing. I was just thinking how this looks like a real church kind of. I was just expecting something...oh...not so traditional."
"Well, I figured it needed to be close. I am kind of taking away the possibility of you having a wedding. Isn't that kind of a big deal to females?"
He signs the line and hands me the pen to do the same. Tonight is the last time I'll ever sign my name as Piper Morgan. When the clock strikes twelve I'll be Piper Hayes. At least it goes together. I still feel like I'm dreaming and haven't woken up. "I guess. Maybe I'm different. I don't really care about that at all. I'm not fond of being the center of attention. I'd rather travel or invest in real estate than to spend that kind of money on something that stresses you out for months and is over within a few hours. Then, all you have left is a few photos in an album that you'll only pull out once every few years. We can get photos here and save all that money for something better. You're probably saving me actually. If I planned a wedding, my mother would make it a social event."
"Good. I'm not sure I could stand at the alter in front of hundreds of people. It's not my style. Sorry. We'd probably remain the way we were if this wasn't an option."
I grab his hand and lace our hands together. "Save your apologies for when you do something wrong. Let's do this. Enough talking until I have to repeat the minister."
“You got the rings?”
“Both bands are present, fiancé.”
He pulls our hands up to his lips and kisses the back of my hand. I look at the doors that lead from the lobby into the chapel and my heart starts to race. We're really about to do this. Our love story on speed is about to jump off a cliff into the beginning of the rest of our lives. We're no longer two individual people, but one combined. Three months ago I never thought I would be this girl; the one that landed the guy that swore off love...but I am...and I've never been happier.
He opens the door and sitting in the back row is Reese and Alyvia. The minister is already waiting at the front. I take a deep breath. It’s time to marry my best friend, lover, and keeper of my heart.
***
I walk latched onto Haddox. I don't know what he's planning. He blindfolded me in the cab, saying there was something he wanted me to see, but he wanted me to experience it without expecting it. I'm walking at a snail's pace, hoping I don't trip over something. Who knows what could happen. We are in Vegas.
"Did you really have to take away my sight? It freaks me out not being able to see in a place this crowded."
"Do you trust me?"
"Implicitly."
"Then you don't need to worry."
We stop walking. I can hear voices all around me, some within earshot. I focus on my other four senses since one has been removed. It feels crowded. Occasionally someone brushes against me, making me move closer into Haddox. I hear a familiar sound. I concentrate on recognizing what it is. The various conversations drown it out a little. It sounds like water droplets hitting a pool of water.
Music starts to play and the crowd starts cheering. I can feel Haddox's fingertips at the knot of the handkerchief on the back of my head, untying it. He pulls it free from my eyes and I immediately recognize where we are. We're standing at a distance in front of the musical fountain of our hotel, the Bellagio, along with hundreds of other bystanders.
The show begins, dispersing water in various ways in bright lights to go along with the music playing. It's gorgeous. Each time the lit up water shoots into the sky it looks like fireworks going off. I've always heard of this and I've even seen it in midday, but I've never witnessed it at night with someone I'm in love with.
Haddox drapes his arms over my shoulders from behind, crossing them over my chest, before lacing his hands with mine. I can feel the metal band wrapped around his left finger as we hold hands. His face is beside mine, close to my ear. His cologne lingers in the air as the show plays on, embedding the entire scene to memory. It's a new scent on him, so each time I smell it from this point forward, I'll think of tonight.
We stand here, lost in the beauty before us. Even though we're surrounded by a sea of people it feels like it's just the two of us. He snuggles into me, pulling me against him tightly, leaving no space between our bodies. I love this side of him. It only surfaces on occasion. His voice is low, only meant for me to hear. "Each time I've been to Vegas I make it a point to stay somewhere different. That way I can experience it all and never get bored. When I left that hellhole nine years ago I swore I would change my life no matter what I had to do. Part
of that was seeing the world. I get to do that with professional fighting, some with work and some for leisure. This is the first time I've stayed at the Bellagio. Someone told me to make sure I catch one of the fountain shows late at night, because it's better than in the daylight. I wanted to experience it with you. It's our first outing as a married couple. Kind of cool I think. Out of all the times I've come here, this is the best one yet. I never knew happiness before you, Piper, but now I do...and there's no going back to the way things were before."
Gosh, I love this man. I love watching him bloom like a rose. He started off so closed off, keeping the beauty of himself hidden outwardly, but in the right conditions his layers start to peel back slowly, revealing one of the most beautiful and sought after creations; a fierce and passionate man, a protector and a lover, as well as being a fighter. He's a package deal that not every woman gets.
I lay my head against his shoulder, watching the remainder of the song play and the water doing amazing things in front of the massive hotel. "I've only been to Vegas once, but I can guarantee that this tops it. Anywhere you want to go, I'm willing to go too. The only thing that matters is that it's with you."
"This trip has shown me that I like traveling with you. You've become my lover, best friend, and now my wife in a short amount of time. I know you want to make it big in the fashion world, and when that happens sometimes our schedules will overlap, but if at all possible I always want us to do everything together, to explore and discover the world as a couple. I've been alone for as long as I can remember. I really like having your company if that doesn't make me sound like a total douche."
As the song comes to an end I turn my head to the left so that I can see him, but he kisses me. The feel of his lips pressed to mine causes my eyes to close reflexively. Everything about Haddox is intense. The emotions that I feel when we're together can't be explained. It's one of those things that you have to experience to understand. The truth is, I thought I knew what love was before, because of the addiction I formed to Cole, but with Haddox I've quickly realized there is a huge difference in loving someone and being in love. Being in love is only something that can exist when coming from both parties equally. It isn't a one sided act.
Fight for You Page 36
