Southern Romantic-Suspense Boxed Set (Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel Book 0)

by Carmen DeSousa

  “Nope. The groom’s responsibility is to arrange the honeymoon. And since we are basically skipping over the large wedding, other than choosing a dress, you have no obligations.”

  She rolled her eyes. “So I’m allowed to select my wedding dress?”

  “Yes, and I’ll find a tux while you are occupied. It shouldn’t be hard in Vegas. I’m just sorry you won’t be like those southern girls who get years to design their perfect dress. I hear that is taboo in you society girls too. My mom would’ve thrown a fit.” He held open the car door for her to get inside after he threw their luggage in the trunk of the Ford Taurus.

  Cassandra crinkled her nose at his comment, as if he’d offended her. “I’m not a society girl, Chad. Neither my father nor I enjoyed socializing much. I’m certain I’ll manage.”

  He watched her strap herself in as he walked around the front of the car and got back in the driver’s side. He was gonna apologize for his comment, but she rested her hand on his lower arm and pulled herself as close as possible, even though the center console was in the way.

  He drove down the strip until he saw what he was looking for, only a few blocks away from their hotel. He pulled up alongside the boutique and escorted her inside. He kissed her as he held the door open for her to enter. “I’ll return in a couple of hours, Cassandra.”

  She didn’t look enthused; in fact, she looked scared all of a sudden. “Okay,” she said. “Then what?”

  “We are already booked at a hotel, so we’ll register and unpack before setting out this evening. We are scheduled for six-thirty at the chapel and have reservations for dining at seven thirty, so we’ll have just enough time.”

  Cassandra smiled, but still looked nervous. Wanting to comfort her, he pulled her close and kissed her again. She opened up to him, so that was good. He hoped that she wasn’t having second thoughts. She seemed relaxed on the plane, but now he wondered if she was getting nervous. “I’ll see you soon, baby. Find something gorgeous for me.”

  ***

  Stepping back from Chad’s embrace, Cassandra smiled and turned toward a gentle-looking woman who motioned her forward with her hand.

  The stout woman directed her to a rack against the far wall, smiling. “Right this way, young lady.” The woman had a strong European accent Cassandra could not place. “You want a wedding dress, no?”

  “Yes,” Cassandra said on a sigh. “I want a wedding dress.” She returned the woman’s smile. Yes, she definitely wanted a wedding dress.

  The woman pulled out no less than six dresses she insisted would look incredible. By the third dress, Cassandra was convinced she’d found the one she wanted, but the saleslady made her keep trying until finally they found one they both loved. The fit was nearly perfect. It needed just a little taken in at the waist, but other than that, it was beautiful. There were no ruffles or lace, just beautiful white satin with a scooped neckline. She loved the way the capped sleeves sat at the edge of her shoulders. A moment of longing pierced her insides as she thought about how much her father would have loved the dress too; he loved simple and elegant.

  The woman poked and prodded, pinning different sections and then helped Cassandra out of the dress. “Wait here, I will have this altered while we choose your accompaniments.”

  So the dress would be perfect. Chad would be delighted. He liked dresses; he had thoroughly appreciated the outfits she’d worn the prior two evenings, and they were simple.

  Cassandra sighed as she fell into the plush loveseat in the dressing room, thinking about Chad. He seemed to like her femininity, which surprised her; Michelle was her polar opposite. Michelle was tall with cropped, blond hair while she was smaller and brunette. Michelle dressed like a cowgirl, always wearing jeans and cowboy boots, not that she didn’t look good in them; she had a body any supermodel would envy.

  The first time she’d seen Michelle she’d been devastated, wondering how she could compete with the likes of her. But Chad seemed to enjoy her daintier, shapelier body and feminine ways. She imagined Michelle probably never cried when a kayak flipped or when Chad forced her to jump off a cliff, and as Chad had mentioned earlier, she was scary. The woman could obviously take care of herself.

  Enough already. Why was she thinking about Michelle? They were finished. Certainly, she wouldn’t continue to harass them once she discovered they were married.

  Cassandra’s cheeks burned when the woman carried in what she could only imagine she was to wear beneath her dress. She had wanted something sexy, but now she cringed at the idea of wearing any of the suggestive lingerie. How could she ever allow Chad to view her in any of these? Would she even know what to do as a wife?

  The saleswoman seemed to notice her preoccupation. “You will be a beautiful bride. Do not worry. I saw the way your fiancé looked at you. He loves you, so do not feel anxious. It will come naturally.”

  The woman’s comment took her by surprise. She hadn’t thought about the title fiancée. She hadn’t needed to concern herself, because before she even got accustomed to the word, there would be a new word — wife. Tonight she would be his bride. Warmth rushed through her again. Tonight he would love her all night long, he’d said. Though she knew that wasn’t possible, she imagined he might try.

  Cassandra was waiting outside when Chad pulled up. She had her dress, and all of its accompaniments, safely tucked away in a solid-colored dress bag. Hopefully, there would be a changing room at the chapel.

  As always, Chad exited the car to open the door for her. Such a gentleman. She wondered how long that would last.

  When Chad reached for the dress, Cassandra snatched it back. “Nope! We can’t break every rule. You are not allowed to see the dress before we get married.”

  “Oh, right,” he said with a wide grin. He lowered his hand and opened the back door for her to put it in the back. After she laid the dress across the seat, she strutted around the door and sat down in the front seat, allowing Chad to close the door behind her without a word.

  Chad jogged around the front of the car and jumped back into the driver’s seat as if he were in a hurry. “So, you’re all set?”

  “Yes. She supplied me with the entire ensemble,” she suggested alluringly. She was able to flirt now. Soon enough they would be married and could carry through on their playful banter.

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “Nice! I’ll be anticipating the evening ahead. But first of all, more importantly, I can’t wait to make you my wife.”

  Exhaling heavily, Cassandra curled her hand around his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. “So, where are we staying?”

  He pointed ahead, only a few blocks down the strip. “Paris.” He smiled and handed her a brochure with a picture of the Paris Las Vegas on the front. “We didn’t have time to fly to France, so I figured this would have to do.”

  Cassandra looked up at the Eiffel Tower as they pulled up to the front. It was half-scale according to the pamphlet. “How lovely, Chad. This is amazing.”

  Within seconds of pulling up in front of the hotel, a valet opened her door. Chad ducked his head to look at the valet through her door. “One second, sir.” Chad placed his hand on her knee. “Do you mind waiting in the car while I check us in? We’re a little pressed for time, and I’d hate to rush you through experiencing the hotel. I’ll hurry,” he insisted, cupping her chin at her obvious look of disappointment.

  She pasted on a smile as she pulled her door closed. “Sure, I suppose.”

  Without another word, Chad jumped out and helped the valet pull the luggage out of the trunk; clearly, he was in a hurry to get married. She couldn’t help but laugh as she watched him rush the man through the doors of the lobby.

  It wasn’t fifteen minutes and Chad was back in the car, his cheeks flushed from his apparent sprint through the signing-in process. “How’s that?” He attempted to catch his breath while shifting the car into drive.

  She just laughed and shook her head. He was the kid again. She liked it when he was having fun,
not stressed out about their relationship or Michelle’s interference.

  He looked at her and smiled. “What’s funny?”

  “Nothing at all, just you.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I like it when you’re happy.”

  Chad inhaled deeply, puffing his chest out slightly. “Then you must be overjoyed, because this is the happiest day of my life.” He lifted his hand to her cheek and kissed her on the forehead. He released a contented sigh, then pulled out into traffic.

  They drove only a few minutes when Chad pulled off the main strip onto a smaller side street.

  He parked the car in front of a little chapel with a sign that read Mon Bella and laughed lightly. “I selected this place because its appearance resembled a little church, and they claimed to have a Christian preacher, and then lastly, the name, although it is grammatically incorrect.”

  She laughed. “What do you mean, ‘grammatically incorrect’?”

  “Well, Mon means my, but it is the masculine form, and Bella would be the feminine form of beautiful. So I liked that it said ‘My Beautiful’, but as I said, it is grammatically incorrect.” He put the car in park, opened his door, and walked around to her side.

  She stepped out and accepted his offered hand. “Chad, please don’t tell me you speak French?”

  He reached into the car and pulled both of their garment bags out of the backseat. “I won’t look,” he promised at the glare she’d flashed him. “And actually, it’s Italian, and no, I don’t speak Italian. But I took years of Latin for medical school, so I do understand a great deal of the romantic languages.”

  She shook her head. “You are incredible.”

  His cheek lifted on one side. “I’m glad you think so.” He paused on the sidewalk and looked her deep in the eyes. “So, I’m not simply a whitewater guide anymore?”

  She rolled her eyes. “That’s exactly what you are, and I love that about you.”

  “Now that’s what I call an apology, Miss. D’Silva.” He gave her a quick kiss, then wrapped his arm around her waist. “Come on, Cassandra; let’s turn you into a Wilkinson. Though, I must admit, I prefer your maiden name over my last name; it’s much more appealing.”

  Chad walked her inside the small chapel. “Wait here.” He pointed to a small loveseat in the foyer. “I’ll let them know we’ve arrived.”

  Chad returned and escorted her outside to a pathway around the side of the building that wound through a rose garden. Directing her to a bench under an arbor, he took both her hands in his before sitting down beside her, his previous cheerful behavior suddenly overshadowed by an intense demeanor.

  She tilted her head in confusion. “Is something wrong? You look troubled.”

  He brushed her hair off her shoulder. “No, there’s nothing wrong.” He lowered his head and gazed at her solemnly. “I love you, Cassandra, but I want to ask you a few questions now.”

  Cassandra gulped; she had nothing to conceal, and yet, she was instantly nervous. Unable to find her voice, she nodded in reply.

  “Do you love me?” he asked seriously.

  “I do,” she said without hesitation.

  He smiled, but it was still weak. “Do you want only me, forever? I could not endure it if we went through with this and you changed your mind or if you wanted someone else. I won’t share you with anyone or anything, ever,” he implored.

  Why didn’t he believe her? “Yes, only you, Chad — forever.” She didn’t understand where he was going with this but guessed she understood him wanting to clarify and assure himself that this was what she really wanted.

  He lifted her chin as if he would kiss her, but he just held it. “And you want to marry me immediately for no other reason than loving me?”

  She smiled broadly at his insecurity. “Without a doubt,” she admitted, and the awareness hit her fully. She really did want only him. She couldn’t imagine herself with anyone other than Chad or vice versa.

  He pulled in a deep breath, lifting his entire face into his most breathtaking smile and exhaled contentedly. “Thank you, Cassandra; that’s all I needed to hear.” He took her hand and led her back inside the chapel. “We need to sign a few papers, but everything else is ready. They just need your driver’s license.”

  The chapel staff provided her with a bouquet of baby pink and snow-white roses intertwined with delicate lace and ribbon and took photos and video of the service.

  Cassandra watched Chad as she approached the small steps leading to the platform. He reached his hand out to her, and his eyes widened and his smile broadened. He really was overjoyed to get married. He turned to the preacher as if he should get on with things. Cassandra felt the same way; she wanted to marry him, she wanted to be his wife, she wanted this.

  When the preacher announced, “You may kiss the bride,” Chad’s kiss was triumphant as he held her in his arms tightly, releasing her only so he could look in her eyes. She veiled her eyes, knowing there were tears in them. Though she knew they were tears of joy, she didn’t know how Chad would discern them. As he gently nudged up her chin, stroking her cheek with his thumb, she felt overcome to see tears in his eyes as well.

  He kissed her again and then pulled back. “I love you, Cassandra, my bride, forever.”

  Her mouth turned up at his beautiful words and the compassion in his eyes. He loved her, and that was all that mattered. “I love you too, Chad, forever.”

  From the chapel, they drove to the restaurant, Alex. His hand only released hers long enough to exit the car. What an unusual name for a restaurant, she thought internally, but the moment she stepped through the double doors, she was awestricken.

  The lounge area in the front was enough to make her feel trepidation. She’d eaten at luxurious establishments but had never stepped into an eatery quite as lavish as this one appeared. Chad was evidently keeping the Paris theme alive this evening.

  The Maître’d guided them down a grandiose spiral staircase leading them to the formal dining area. The walls were of dark-stained wood and the draperies were a rich, deep burgundy from ceiling to floor. Expensive art and flowers were sufficient to add opulence without appearing overpowering.

  Ignoring the host, Chad pulled out Cassandra’s chair for her and then took the seat across from her, as he always seemed to prefer. The host handed them beautifully hand-painted menus, but Chad requested to order for both of them. She agreed as long as he kept it simple; she didn’t want her wedding night ruined by feeling overfull.

  Their dinner, a five-course, well planned and artfully presented experience was incredible. And the service was attentive without being overbearing. All things considered, the evening was turning out to be spectacular. Cassandra was extremely thankful she was unable to see the check for their meal, as she was certain it would have ruined it for her.

  After their meal, Chad drove them back to their hotel and took Cassandra to the Eiffel Tower to watch the spectacular water show at the Bellagio across the street.

  He held her tightly throughout the entire display, his hands becoming familiar as he discreetly caressed her arms and back. Every time his hands moved over her skin, it transported her to the evening awaiting them, and her heart raced as she worried whether she would be able to please her newlywed husband.

  As the show neared its end, he buried his head into her neck as he stood behind her. She could feel his warm breath as he whispered in her ear softly. “Is there something else you would like to do, or can I interest you in returning to our suite?” He turned her around in his arms, instantly finding her lips. His mouth was incredible. His kissing had become completely seductive. He’d been holding back before she realized. Fire filled her insides every time he touched her.

  She looked up at his face. “I would like very much to leave now.” She struggled to make the words audible, feeling as if she could hardly breathe as her heart pounded fiercely.

  He said nothing as he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, proceeding to lead her to the elevator. The entire
way to the room, he continued to caress her, lavishing her with sweet kisses on her hands and forehead, as if he were trying to get her accustomed to his touch.

  It settled her somewhat, but suddenly the anxiety she’d felt earlier started to set in. How would she know what to do? How could she please him? Michelle was probably a wild woman in bed. How would she ever be able to compete with her?

  Chapter Nineteen

  Once back in the room, Chad unlocked the door. But before she could take a step forward, he swept her off her feet, carrying her over the threshold into their honeymoon suite.

  She thought that she would want to look around, but there was nothing but him. He filled her vision, and she felt as if she never wanted to remove her eyes from his. He sat down on the edge of the bed, pulling her in front of him, his hands encircling her waist. “You are absolutely stunning, Cassandra. Thank you for marrying me.”

  Before she could respond, he pulled her in for a kiss. His arms gathered her up and pulled her on top of him, laying her gently on her back. His hands moved leisurely down her dress until he found the hem and pulled it up, exposing her leg. Slowly, he slid up the dress. His hand found the garter wrapped around her thigh.

  “You know,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck as his fingers toyed with the delicate lace. “The garter is also French. It was a sign of good luck to whoever caught it after the wedding, signifying which man would be the next groom.”

  Cassandra tilted her head to look at his face. “Are you trying to distract me, Chad? So I won’t be nervous?”

  He shrugged. “Not really … maybe … I guess. I tend to ramble when I’m nervous.” He slid his fingers under the garter and lightly circled his way around her thigh, gently pulling the garter down her leg.

  She scrunched her eyebrows together, not understanding. “Why would you be nervous?”

  “I don’t want to hurt you, and it’s not as if I have an awful lot of experience either,” he admitted. “But I think I can do a few things that may make it easier if you allow me.”