***
After watching Neil leave with Kate, Laura remained at her desk, contemplating what to say to Neil when he returned from lunch. She was seething. How she could get through to him that Kate wasn’t the one for him? To say that she was livid would be a gross understatement. She was beside herself. She had seen Neil go through a lot of women over the last few years, but he had never become serious with anyone. And this proposal had come out of nowhere. Laura had done a Google search on Kate, but it didn’t produce any information that she could use to break them up. She was going to have to come up with an airtight plan to drive a wedge between them. She didn’t have that much time. New Year’s Eve was only a few weeks away.
Neil approached her desk. She looked up at him and smiled like she always had. Not that it had done her any good. He kept his distance, even when she overtly tried to get his attention. “Did you have a pleasant lunch, Mr. Statton?” she asked.
“Yes, we did,” Neil said. “By the way, I realized that I failed to tell you about our impending marriage. I’ve just had too much on my mind.”
“Not a problem. I understand completely. That sure is a beautiful ring that you gave Kate. She is an incredibly lucky woman.”
“I’m the lucky one,” he said. “She’s brought me back to life.”
Laura gave a tight smile, but didn’t respond. “Well, you have some new files on your desk to review and a meeting with the Silverman Corporation at three.”
“Very good. I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me.”
With that, he walked away from her desk. She didn’t know how much more she could take. She was in love with her boss and he was marrying someone else. Maybe it was time to find a new job and put herself out of this misery.
Chapter 17
Neil woke Kate up early, eager to get going to Vegas. They had each packed a bag the night before. All Kate had to add was her makeup after she was finished applying it. Neil reminded her of a child getting ready to hunt for eggs on Easter morning. His eyes danced with anticipation as he watched Kate getting ready. He stood in the doorway between the master bedroom and bathroom and gazed upon her in the mirror, watching every move she made. His love for her poured through his eyes.
“I’ll go downstairs and get the coffee started,” he said. “We can take it to go. I thought we could each eat a breakfast bar and maybe find a place along the way to have breakfast in an hour or two.”
“Sounds like you have everything figured out, baby. I’m open to any and all of your suggestions.”
Neil bounded down the stairs as Kate put a few last minute items in her suitcase. She smiled as she thought of how cute this amazing man was acting. She then slipped into the outfit she found yesterday at Nordstrom for her daytime wedding. It was a beautiful white brocade bustier and silver satin pants. The look was completed by her strappy silver sandals and a wrap that covered her shoulders. Looking in the mirror, she realized she was ready to begin the first day of the rest of her life.
When she came down the stairs, Neil rubbed his hands together. “You look mighty fine, soon-to-be Mrs. Statton.”
Kate smiled at her man and said, “Why thank you, Mr. Statton. I aim to please.”
She lightly kissed him on the lips.
“The coffee is ready,” Neil said, giving her a travel cup.
“It smells delicious,” Kate said, pouring it in her cup.
“I packed some snacks for us. Here’s a breakfast bar. Are you ready to go?” Neil said.
“With you, I’m always ready.”
At that, he chuckled. “Yes, that you are, thank God.” They wheeled their bags toward the door. “There’s just one more thing we have to do before we can go,” he said.
“What’s that?”
Neil pulled out a velvet box and said, “We need you to have a little bling, baby.”
“Well, I have a lot of bling on my left hand, but I am intrigued to see what you have there, Mr. Statton.”
Neil opened the box and inside was a beautiful diamond pendant hanging on a silver chain. It was round and encased in silver.
“Neil, it’s exquisite. I love it and I love you,” she said, kissing him.
Neil’s face lit up by her reaction. “Baby, it’s my mission in life to spoil you,” he said, taking the necklace out of the box and putting it on Kate. “Now, let’s go. We’re just hours away from being married.”
They headed down to the car and Neil, as always opened her door and helped her get in. He was such a gentleman. That was one of the many things she loved about him. He put the luggage in the trunk and set the cooler with the snacks on the backseat. Kate sipped her coffee, grateful to have it on a chilly December morning. It was barely seven. She knew that they had a huge head start on their friends. They would have plenty of time to enjoy themselves in their hotel room after tying the knot. She tingled with excitement at that thought.
The security team had swept the car to make sure it didn’t have any tracking devices and had been patrolling the area surrounding the building to make certain Roger wasn’t in the immediate area. The coast was clear and they were free to enjoy themselves. Of course, the security team was accompanying them to Vegas, but they were going to be more behind the scenes, watching at a distance. That seemed unlikely given that he was nowhere to be found right now.
In a few hours, they would be at a chapel in Vegas. Charlie and Mitch were driving together and Mac was driving Natalie. They were planning on leaving San Diego around noon and meeting for dinner before enjoying a night on the town.
About an hour and a half into their trip they spotted a diner. “I could go for something. How about you?” Neil asked.
“Yeah, the breakfast bar has worn off. I’m ready for some breakfast.”
Neil parked in the lot and then came around, opening Kate’s door. He took her hand and led her into the diner, where they were seated by the waitress. She offered to bring them coffee. They both decided another cup wouldn’t hurt.
“I have big plans for you later, so I want you to be alert,” Neil said, flashing his pearly whites.
“Oh, you do? And what might they entail?”
“Baby, you know I’m going to have to show you. I can’t just tell you. I’m a man who likes to demonstrate.”
Kate chuckled and said, “You have made an art form out of showing me, Mr. Statton.”
The waitress returned with a coffee pot and poured a cup for each of them. “Do you know what you want to eat, or do you need a minute?” she asked, practically drooling as she stared at Neil.
“I think we’re ready,” he said.
They placed their orders.
Neil reached across the table and took Kate’s hands. “Have I told you today how much I love you?” he asked.
“You tell me and show me every day. I’m so blessed to have found such a demonstrative, affectionate man,” she replied.
Neil lifted one of her hands to his lips and kissed it. “I want you to always feel special.”
A few minutes later, the waitress placed their plates in front of them. “Enjoy your meal,” she said looking at Neil.
“You just have admirers everywhere you go, don’t you?”
“I’m just blessed with this face, baby. Nothing I can do about it.”
They both laughed.
“And you are so modest and humble, Mr. Statton. I bet you’ve been breaking hearts since you were just beginning to walk.”
Neil shook his head. “I’ve had my fair amount of attention from the opposite sex. I remember this one girl Christine from my freshman year in college. She was relentless in her flirting with me. Every class she attempted to talk to me, invited me to study groups, hinted that we should go for coffee. She was sweet, but I had met Elizabeth and was interested in her. Finally, Elizabeth and I ran into Christine one day on campus. Needless to say, Christine never spoke to me again.”
“Breaking hearts wherever you go,” Kate said shaking her head.
“I’m sure you ha
d your fair share of attention. Don’t think I don’t notice men ogling you.”
“I did,” Kate said quietly.
“Are you going to elaborate on that?” Neil asked.
“Actually, I had to be the assertive one in my relationship with David. He was gorgeous, smart, athletic, but so painfully shy. It took a long time for him to get up the courage to ask me out, even after all of my flirting and hinting.”
Neil smiled. “David might have been shy, but he had extraordinary taste, my beauty.” Neil examined Kate’s face. “Do you feel like you have been able to completely let him go?”
Nodding, Kate said, “He was my first love, so he’ll always have a place in my heart,” Kate said reaching across the table and taking Neil’s hand. “Our relationship is so different. I’m thankful for having had David in my life and knowing him has shaped part of who I am, but I finally feel as though I have let him go. But you are my last love and no one compares to you.”
Neil brought Kate’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “Letting go is hard, but the timing was just right for us. We were both ready to move on.”
They continued eating their meal as Neil described the highlights of Vegas. Kate had never been there before, so she was really looking forward to it.
“I booked a suite for us at the Bellagio. The views from there are spectacular. You’ll recognize it from some of the movies you’ve seen.”
“Sounds wonderful. I can’t wait,” Kate said, taking her last bite of food. Neil had already finished his meal. The waitress dropped off the check.
Kate’s phone buzzed. She looked at the number on the screen. It was Jameson. She answered, hoping for some good news.
“Hi, detective. Anything new?”
“Yes. Roger’s car has been found with a charred body in it; most likely, Wilkins.”
“Most likely?”
“There was a burned body in his car. We found his wallet in the car. It was partially burned, but we don’t know if it is truly him or if he staged this to get us off track. It could take up to a week for forensics to determine if it is him or not. I have asked for a rush on this one, so I am hoping to know soon. My gut says it’s not him though, Kate.”
“Any word from forensics on the other evidence?”
“I expect to have the names of the victims on Monday. Forensics has been backed up.
They are working as fast as they can.”
“Well, thank you for keeping me informed. I appreciate it very much.”
Kate ended the call.
“I’ll pay our bill and you can tell me what he said when we’re on our way,” Neil said.
“Okay. I’m just going to use the ladies room before we go.”
Within moments, they were back on the open road, continuing their journey toward happily ever after. Kate filled Neil in on what Jameson had shared with her.
“So does it sound like Wilkins to kill himself?” Neil asked.
“I doubt it,” she said. “I think he staged his death just to throw the police off his trail. He is too determined to have a perfect life to give up on it.”
“That’s what I’m thinking. His obsession with you makes it highly unlikely that he would commit suicide. We won’t let our guards down.”
***
The Always and Forever Wedding Chapel had a picturesque feeling about it. Neil had booked the gazebo right on the lake. It was a beautiful day, with the water glistening in the sunlight. They were greeted by the wedding coordinator, Gina, who had an effervescent personality and obviously loved her job.
“Mr. Statton, Miss Simmons,” Gina said, extending her hand to greet them. “We are so pleased that you can join us today. As you requested Mr. Statton, we have reserved our lakeside gazebo for you. It’s a beautiful location to be married.”
“It looks lovely,” Kate replied.
Gina smiled. “We have you booked to start in thirty minutes, but we can begin the ceremony as soon as you would like.”
“I’d like a minute to freshen up in the ladies room and then I’ll be ready.”
“Let me show you both where you can do just that.”
They followed Gina to the lavish restrooms, which resembled a spa.
“I’ll be waiting for you out here,” Neil said to Kate.
“That sounds perfect, Mr. Statton.”
As Kate entered the ladies room, feelings of pure bliss washed over her. She was determined to put Roger out of her mind since she was about to marry the man of her dreams in a secret ceremony that no one knew about. It doesn’t get any more romantic than this. She removed her make-up bag from her purse and began touching up what she had applied earlier in the day. After a few moments, she was satisfied with the results and ready to meet her man.
“Stunning as always, my beauty,” Neil said, taking her hand and kissing it.
“You always know just the right thing to say to me.”
Gina spotted them and made her way over. “I let the chaplain know that we are starting early. He’s ready for you.”
Kate and Neil followed the coordinator out to meet the chaplain. “This is Chaplain Morgan,” Gina said, introducing them. The chaplain shook each of their hands.
“It’s so nice to meet both of you. Are you going to be doing traditional vows, repeating after me or do you have your own?”
“We’ve prepared our own vows, chaplain,” Neil answered.
“Very good. Then shall we begin?”
Both Kate and Neil nodded and the chaplain began the ceremony like every other wedding Kate had been to. The entire time he spoke, she and Neil stared into each other’s eyes. Then it was time for each of them to speak from the heart.
Kate began. “In all my life, I never thought I would be so lucky as to meet someone like you. You have a way of opening me up, bringing out the best in me, seeing me through my darkest moments. I cannot imagine my life without you. I promise to hold your heart close to mine, encourage you when you are down, make every day one to remember, laugh with you, cry with you, and be there for you every moment of every day for the rest of our lives. I love you so very much.”
When she finished, she slipped Neil’s wedding ring on his finger.
Neil’s eyes were filled with tears. “I am the most fortunate man on this earth that you, a woman with such an amazing heart, has agreed to marry me. I don’t know what I did to be this blessed, but I am going to demonstrate my gratitude every day by loving you, putting your needs before my own, protecting you from all the craziness in this world, and sharing with you everything that I have. You have my heart, Kate. It was given to you the day we met. I don’t ever want it back. I want you to keep it always, my beauty,” Neil said before taking Kate’s hand and slipping her wedding ring on her finger.
Tears of joy streamed down Kate’s face. Neil mouthed “I love you” to her as the chaplain began to speak.
“Now, with the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Neil kissed Kate deeply, his mouth capturing hers. His soft lips embraced hers. She didn’t want the kiss to end, but she knew once they got to the hotel they would be making up for lost time.
They thanked the chaplain, who seemed very happy to have married them, and then turned to find Gina waiting for them. “Your vows were beautiful,” she said. “I wish you many years of wedded bliss.”
“Thank you so much, Gina,” Kate and Neil said in unison.
“I have your paperwork right here. Your video is being downloaded to a DVD right now and will be ready momentarily. How about some champagne while you wait?”
“We would love some,” Neil said. “We’ll follow you.”
Gina led them to the bar and asked the bartender to open a bottle for them. He poured them each a glass and Neil toasted his new bride. “To many years of loving you. May we always know the happiness that we feel right now,” he said.
Kate clinked her glass to Neil’s and they each took a sip. She put her glass on
the bar and pressed her body against his, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head against his chest. Being wrapped in her husband’s arms was the best feeling in the world. She looked up at him and said, “I can’t imagine our ceremony on New Year’s Eve is going to be any better than this. I’m so glad we’ve had this private moment together. I love having you all to myself.”
“I couldn’t have said it any better, baby. I’m really looking forward to spending an afternoon of private moments in our hotel room.”
“Me too,” she whispered in his ear.
Gina walked up with the DVD and handed it to Neil. “I hope you enjoy watching this. Your vows were just lovely.”
“Thank you, Gina,” Kate said.
“Well, I’m sure you have other things to do, so Mr. and Mrs. Statton, thank you for choosing Always and Forever.”
They shook hands again and Gina departed.
“Shall we, Mrs. Statton?” Neil asked, taking her by the hand.
“Lead the way, Mr. Statton.”
Neil pulled up to the Bellagio. He opened his car door while the valet opened Kate’s. He had already popped the trunk and the bellman was approaching to assist them with their luggage. Kate waited at the back of the car while he tipped the valet.
“This place is amazing, Neil. I do recognize it from the movies. I can’t wait to see our room and the view.”
“Neither can I,” he said with his famous grin. Kate always felt a commotion in her panties when he gave her that smile.
They walked into the hotel and checked in with the front desk. Kate was taken aback by the sights, amazed by the pure luxury of the hotel. Every place that her eyes wandered was more opulent than the spot before. The casino was buzzing with excitement with people cheering and having a good time. She was pulled out of her reverie when Neil told her he had the key. They made their way to the elevators, their bell man having already gone up ahead of them.
As they got on the elevator Neil said, “We have a penthouse suite with a view. It’s going to be incredible tonight.”
“I have a feeling it’s going to be more spectacular this afternoon,” she replied, running her hands up his backside and cupping his firm ass.
Given to You Page 14
