“Baby girl, slow down,” Daddy said as I raced up the stairs with my mother following closely behind me.
Thirty minutes later I was walking down the stairs with a suitcase in my hand and a smile on my face. Colt looked up at me and I had to catch my breath from the smile he was giving me.
Holy hell. Colt was so handsome. How in the world did I get so lucky to have those blue eyes look into mine with so much love? Oh my glitter. I could practically feel the heat coming off his body.
“Hey,” Colt whispered.
“Hey back at you,” I whispered back as I walked up to him. Taking the suitcase from me, Colt leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips.
I wanted to deepen the kiss so bad, but not with my parents standing right there. For a few brief moments, Colt and I were lost in each other’s eyes. My father cleared his throat, causing us both to pull out of the trance.
“Colt and I were talking, Lauren. With both of you going to be working here, I thought it best that you stay with us when you get back. I’m going to have Aaron and Dewey look at getting the hunters cabin fixed up. Maybe add onto it and expand it some. I think it would make the perfect first home for the two of you.”
Spinning around and facing my father, I ran into his arms. “Oh, Daddy! It will be more than perfect!” Burying my face into his chest, I took in a long deep breath. I loved how my father smelled. Anytime I ever got upset or sad, I would either hug my father or sneak into his bathroom and spray his cologne on my arms. “Daddy, I love you so much.”
Holding me tighter, he kissed the top of my head. “I love you so much more princess. Now go on, you’ve been making poor Colt wait for what seems like forever I’m sure.”
Colt and I both chuckled as I turned and made my way to the front door. This was it. When I walked back through this door I would be married. Mrs. Colt Hunter Mathews. Oh holy shit. I’m going to Vegas. To get married. I’m going to puke.
Taking my hand in her hand I felt my mother’s breath against my ear. “Stop overthinking everything, Lauren Ashley.” Looking at her I whispered, “I’m getting married, Mom.”
Smiling, she pushed a piece of my blonde hair behind my ear and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Yes you are. Send pictures and keep us updated.”
Nodding my head, I whispered, “It’s a long drive but—”
Colt cleared his throat, “Oh, we’re not driving.”
Snapping my head over to look at Colt, I asked, “What?”
Giving me that melt my panties crooked smile of his, Colt gave me a quick wink. “I didn’t want Lauren to have to be in the car for that many hours, so I booked us tickets to fly there.” Peeking over to my father, he was standing up tall and proud as he shook his head. I knew Colt’s actions impressed the hell out of my father, but they touched my heart in more ways than I could ever begin to say.
“Oh my, this boy is good,” my mother whispered into my ear.
Grinning, I nodded my head as I watched Daddy and Colt walk up to Colt’s truck. “He is indeed. That’s why he is the pop to my cherry.”
Seeing my mother look at me, I realized I had just spoken those words out loud. “Lauren Ashley, that wasn’t even funny.”
Pursing my lips together to keep from laughing, I went on, digging myself deeper into the hole. “Um . . . the squirt to my bottle?”
Shaking her head she narrowed her eyes at me. “Not any better.”
“The salt to my nuts? The hair to my beaver?” I laughed as she rolled her eyes and then glared at me.
Opening the truck door, Colt kissed me gently on the cheek. “What’s so funny?” he asked as he helped me into the truck.
“Nothing, I’m giving my mother a hard time. I love you, Mom. Daddy, I love you, too.”
Both my parents gave me a kiss good-bye, and then my father shut the door to Colt’s truck. “Take care of my baby girl, Colt.”
Jumping into his truck, Colt smiled and said, “Yes sir! Thanks for everything.” Colt and my father exchanged a knowing look. Almost as if they knew something and I wasn’t privy to the information.
Colt put his truck into drive and we headed down the long driveway. “Are you ready to start our life together, sweetheart?”
Grinning, I reached for Colt’s hand and held it tightly. “So ready.”
Taking in a deep breath, I slowly let it out. Oh my glitter. I’m marrying, Colt.
THE TAXI PULLED up to the Venetian as the valet opened Lauren’s door and helped her out. I had been texting my parents and when I looked up, my mouth dropped open at the sight before me. Lauren spun around and smiled at me. “Colt! This place is amazing.”
Nodding, I finished my text to my father.
Me: Pulling up now. Thank you for planning all of this for me and kiss mom. By the way, Lauren loves it so far
My parents wanted to pay for our entire trip to Vegas. They said it was the least they could do since Lauren and I decided to elope. My father and mother made all of the plans while Lauren and I flew to Vegas. I was going to owe them big time since I’m sure they hadn’t even gone to bed yet. Between talking to them and Scott and Jessie, my head was spinning. I knew how much this meant to Lauren, so it would all be worth it in the end.
After checking in, we made it up to our room. We were staying in one of the Prima Suites on one of the higher levels of the hotel. I smiled as I watched Lauren skip out of the elevator and to our room. Turning, she leaned against the door and looked at me. “We haven’t been together in almost a month.” Licking her lips, her eyes widened. “I think we should wait until after we get married.”
My heart dropped to my stomach. “Huh?”
Nodding her head, she turned and slipped the key into the door and turned around to look at me as she pushed her back into the door and slowly opened it. “Yep, I think we should wait until after we get married.”
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I quickly said, “Then let’s go get married right now.”
Laughing, she pushed the door opened and walked into the room. Throwing her hands up to her mouth she let out a gasp.
“Colt! Oh my glitter, this is amazing. Beautiful. Like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
As we walked into the foyer, there was a half bathroom to our left. Straight ahead led us right into the grand living room which featured a bar to the left, straight in front of us was a dining table that sat four and a little more to the right, was the living room. A sofa, three recliners and one of the biggest flat-screen televisions I’d ever seen finished off the room. The windows overlooked Vegas and I couldn’t believe all the light coming into the room from the other buildings.
Lauren quickly made her way into the bedroom where she let out another gasp and then laughed as she jumped onto the king-size bed. “Oh it’s so comfortable,” she said as she wiggled her eyebrows up and down.
“Not funny, coming from the girl who just told me she wanted to wait until after we were married to have sex.”
Biting on her lower lip, she batted her eyelashes at me, jumped up and skipped into the bathroom. “Oh, Colt! You have to see this.”
When I walked into the bathroom, I was stunned by how huge it was. And beautiful. “Holy shit,” I whispered. The giant jet tub had me thinking of all kinds of naughty things I wanted to do with Lauren in there. Adjusting my growing dick, I turned to the shower. Lauren was standing inside it. “It has two shower heads!” she said as she scrunched up her nose. Licking my lips, I smiled. “I know what to do with one of them.”
Lauren’s eyes turned darker. “Don’t tease, Colt Mathews.”
“Oh baby, I’m not teasing. Strip out of those clothes and I’ll show you how serious I am right now.”
Walking up to me, Lauren placed her hands on my chest. “Tomorrow at three you said, right?”
Nodding my head slowly, I bent down and kissed Lauren’s neck. Running my tongue along her neck and up to her ear, I whispered into her ear. “I have a surprise for you, sweetheart.”
Lauren’s
breathing picked up as I watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. Closing her eyes, she moaned lightly. “Does it involve kissing?”
Smiling against her ear, I whispered, “I hope so.”
Swallowing hard, she asked. “Will we be naked?”
Attempting to hold back my laughter I said, “If we were it might be a bit embarrassing.”
Turning, Lauren peeked up at me. Those beautiful blue eyes held mine as she said, “We won’t be alone for this surprise?”
Spinning her around so she faced me, I cupped my hands to the sides of her face. My heart was racing as I stared into Lauren’s bright eyes. Closing my eyes to savor the moment, I whispered her name. “Lauren. I love you so much.”
Opening my eyes, I was met by her beautiful smile. My knees felt weak as I looked at the woman I would soon be making my wife.
“I love you too, Colt. So very much.”
“Are you tired?”
Shaking her head, she sucked her lower lip between her teeth. “No.”
Gently placing my lips to hers, I spoke softly. “Good, because I want to take you somewhere.”
“O-okay.”
Guiding Lauren back out into the living room, I had her sit down at the bar. “Want something to drink?”
Shaking her head, she took a seat on the bar stool. Turning, I grabbed my suitcase and Lauren’s and brought them both into the bedroom. Setting mine down on the luggage rack, I opened it up and pulled the ring box out and pushed it into my pocket. The gondolas were now closed but somehow my future father-in-law had arranged for one once we got here. I couldn’t very well marry Lauren tomorrow without asking her properly and giving her an engagement ring. Picking up the phone in the bedroom, I hit zero for the hotel operator.
“Hello, front desk.”
“Um, hello. This is Colt Mathews in room thirteen twenty-seven.”
“Yes, Mr. Mathews. We have that gondola waiting if you are ready.”
My adrenaline immediately rushed through my body. This was the first step.
“Perfect, on our way now.” Hanging up the phone, I dragged in a deep breath and held it for a moment in an attempt to calm my beating heart down.
Walking back out into the living room I reached for her hand. Giving me a sexy grin, Lauren slid off the bar stool and allowed me to guide her out the door. Making our way down to the plaza, Lauren snuggled into my side.
“Are you sure you’re not too tired? I don’t want you to overdo anything, Lauren.”
Letting out a chuckle, Lauren shook her head. “I promise, I’m not tired. I’m too excited to sleep right now, and I promise if I get to feeling bad, I’ll let you know.”
As we made our way over to where the gondola waited for us, I wrapped my arm around Lauren’s waist. Lauren went on and on about how Grace and Meg would go out of their minds with all the stores there. Nodding to the gondolier, he smiled and reached his hand out for mine. “Mr. Mathews? Ms. Reynolds?”
Lauren’s mouth dropped open. “How did you know our names?” Lauren asked with a wide grin. Knowing how much Lauren loved surprises, I couldn’t help but smile and fist pump internally at how happy she looked.
Holding Lauren’s hand in mine, I helped her into the gondola. The gondolier got in and began taking us down the indoor river. As we moved about, the gondolier sang two songs while I held Lauren in my arms.
“Oh, Colt. This is so romantic.”
Smiling, I placed my cheek against her cheek. “Grams and Gramps honeymooned in Venice.”
Turning and looking at me, Lauren smiled. “Really?”
Shaking my head, I said, “Yep, they sure did. If there is one thing I want to do Lauren, it’s make you happy for the rest of our lives.”
Leaning her head back into my chest, Lauren closed her eyes and said, “Colt, you make me so happy. I can’t imagine being any happier.”
Having already taken the ring out of my pocket, I held it in my left hand. Lauren still lay against my chest with her eyes closed. Peeking up at the gondolier, he smiled and gave me a head nod. Reaching my hands out, I opened the box and held it in front of Lauren.
Brilliant round diamonds that extended down the bands surrounded the princess cut diamond. The light it was casting off was breathtaking.
“Lauren, will you do me the honor of making me the happiest man on Earth, and say you’ll marry me?”
Lauren still had her head rested against my chest with her eyes closed as she let out a giggle. “I’m pretty sure I’ve already agreed to this, Colt.”
Placing my lips to her ear, I whispered, “Open you eyes, sweetheart.”
Opening her eyes, Lauren looked at me and smiled. Glancing back to the gondolier, she saw the ring and let out a gasp as she covered her mouth. Leaning forward, Lauren dropped her hands and whispered in a shaky voice, “Oh. My. Glitter. Look at it . . . glitter.” Turning around in her seat to face me, she shook her head. “Colt, it’s . . . it’s beyond beautiful.”
A single tear rolled down her face as I reached up with my thumb and wiped it off her face. “Is that a yes?” I asked with a wink.
Letting out a giggle, Lauren nodded her head. “Yes! Yes of course it’s a yes!”
Taking the ring out of the box, I slipped it onto Lauren’s finger as people surrounding us began to clap. I was glad it was in the middle of the night and not that many people were around. Lauren wrapped her arms around my neck as she began to cry. “Colt, thank you for making this so special. I love you. I love you so much.”
Holding her tightly, I closed my eyes tightly and thanked God for not taking Lauren from me. “I love you so much too, Lauren. So very much.”
We spent the rest of the gondola ride talking about our future. I would never take for granted the moments Lauren and I shared together. Not one single moment.
Lifting her chin and looking at me, Lauren smiled. “I’m exhausted. If you want me to be awake tomorrow when you marry me, you better take me to bed. Now.”
The gondolier pulled over and Lauren and I thanked him for the amazing experience. I picked Lauren up and carried her back to the elevator as she nestled her head into my neck. By the time we got to the elevator, my princess was fast asleep in my arms.
Riding up in the elevator, an older couple smiled at me as the wife nodded her head and said, “Your wife?”
My heart about exploded. “Fiancée, we’re getting married tomorrow.”
The couple smiled and both said, “Congratulations.”
Smiling, I said, “Thank you.”
The couple got off one floor below ours. Trying to get the door open and hold Lauren proved to be difficult, but I somehow managed to do it.
Walking into the bedroom, I gently put Lauren down on the bed and brushed her blonde hair from her face. After carefully undressing her, I picked up one of the chairs and carried it over to the side of the bed and sat down. Smiling, I watched Lauren sleep. It was the first time since she’d been out of the hospital I could watch her sleep and not have this ache in my chest that she was going to leave me.
Tucking her hand up under her face, Lauren let out a soft moan that moved through my entire body, lighting it up until I felt nothing but pure love coursing through my veins.
“You will forever be mine, Lauren Reynolds. No one or nothing will ever come between the love that we share.”
Moving slightly, Lauren opened her eyes and smiled as she gazed upon me with a loving look. “Colt,” she whispered. “Please hold me.”
Stripping out of my clothes, I crawled into the bed and pulled Lauren closer to me. It didn’t take long for me to drift off to sleep. My dreams consisted of nothing but Lauren.
STANDING IN FRONT of the mirror, I stared back at myself. I wasn’t sure why I had tears in my eyes. There was nothing more I wanted to do than marry Colt. But now, standing here all alone, I felt so lonely. I wanted my mother here with me. I wanted her to fix my hair and do my makeup. Gush over me in my dress. I wanted Ellie to tell me how happy Colt was to be marr
ying me.
Turning around, I walked out of the bathroom and sat on the bed. Colt had gone down to check on a few things and hadn’t been back yet. How were we both going to get ready in the same room? I wanted Colt to at least not see me until we got down to the wedding spot, which I still wasn’t even sure where that was at. What if he sees me before the wedding? Isn’t that bad luck? Closing my eyes I wiped the tear away.
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Running off without our parents here. Even Colt seemed to be off this morning when he mentioned something about his parents. He’d been texting with them all morning. Was it really fair we didn’t include them in this? Colt seemed distracted all morning as he kept checking his phone over and over again. Maybe this was a rushed decision on our part.
Oh my glitter. What in the hell is wrong with me? I’m getting married today and being a Debbie Downer. Stop this Lauren.
Sitting up, I pulled myself together and was about to start putting my hair up when the there was a knock at the door. Smiling, I shook my head and let out a giggle. Colt must have forgotten his key. Opening the door, my mouth dropped open and I couldn’t believe who was standing in front of me. I immediately broke down into tears at the sight of my mother and Ellie standing there. My heart felt as if it was going to jump from my chest.
“Mom! Ellie!”
Both of them quickly wrapped me up in their arms as we all stood there and cried. When I finally took a step back, Colt was standing behind them with the most breathtaking smile I’d ever seen. The ground literally felt as if it shifted under my feet.
“Colt? Did you know?”
My mother stepped off to the side as Colt walked up to me. “There was no way I could let us get married and not have at least our parents with us, Lauren. The moment I hung up with you yesterday, I called your parents and told them our plan. Then I told my parents and they all made plans to be here early this morning.”
Turning to my mother, my mouth dropped open. “You knew the whole time you would be here?”
Nodding her head she placed her hand on the side of my face. “Colt wanted to surprise you, baby girl. While y’all flew here last night, we took care of arranging the wedding plans and the flights here this morning.”