Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Do you speak Russian?” he asked Elvis, who had followed us into the lobby with Zelda in tow.
Elvis shook his head. “Bilingual services are extra. You need an appointment.”
“How much extra?”
“One hundred and fifty dollars. We have to pay the translator.”
The patriotic groom reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wad of bills. He frowned, and his fake bride started shouting something in what I could only presume was Russian. She stamped her foot and flailed her arms as she ranted.
Chance snickered and leaned into me. “And I thought you were a bitch.”
“Hey.” I smacked at his abs.
He smiled, and I was torn between being sad that the sexual tension had ebbed and being relieved we seemed to be back to our version of normal. Chance held his hand out to me. “Mrs. Bateman?”
Shit. I liked the sound of that. A lot.
I put my hand in his, and Zelda ran over. “Would you like to do your wedding photos inside or outside? We have a lovely gazebo and pond out back. There’s even a swan in the pond. She has an injured wing, but she looks beautiful in the background of photographs.”
“We’ll do them inside,” Chance responded quickly.
“But the swan sounds nice.”
“We don’t have room for another pet. I’m not letting you near that thing.”
I rolled my eyes. “We can just skip the pictures.”
“Not a chance, Princess. Harry needs one of those babies.” A dirty grin tempted at the corner of his lips as his eyes dropped to my chest. I had some serious cleavage trying to spill out in that form fitting dress. “Plus. You…in that dress…that’s top of the toilet tank material right there.”
“Pervert.”
We posed for four pictures; it was reminiscent of dreadful prom photos. The last photo, Zelda made a suggestion. “How about something romantic now?”
I cocked my head and challenged Chance, laughing. “Yeah, sweet talker, how about something romantic?”
Zelda changed the background we were standing in front of. No longer were we standing in front of the famous old, neon Las Vegas sign. We were now transported to a honeymoon suite of some sort. The background had a photo of a large bed filled with rose petals and candles were lit all around the room. It was so ridiculously cheesy, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on. It’s our fake honeymoon night. There’s our bed. Don’t you have something romantic to say?”
Chance glanced back, got a load of the scene and turned back to me. “I’m not exactly the romantic type.”
“What a surprise.”
Chance’s eyebrows lifted and then he stared at me for a second before he leaned in to whisper in my ear. “How’s this for wedding night romance. If that were our bed, and I was lucky enough for you to be my wife.” He paused and took a breath in, exhaling warmth on my neck. “If I was lucky enough to get to have you, I’d own every inch of that body. For the first time in your life, you’d give up that control you cling to so tightly. I’d demand it, and you’d willingly give it to me.” He practically growled the rest. “That bed. I’d fuck you full of romance.” He pulled his head back to look at me. Our noses were touching, but neither of us leaned in to formalize the connection. It wasn’t necessary.
Zelda interrupted, “Beautiful. I think I captured the moment. I guess you’re a romantic after all, Mr. Bateman.”
Chance smirked. I stood in place, unable to move. “Lucky for me, it seems my bride likes my brand of romance after all.”
Chapter Ten
We were both sober by the time we arrived back at our hotel, although a big part of me still felt off kilter. I was drunk, just not from alcohol any longer. We were both still wearing the cheap metal bands that were keepsakes from our fake wedding, and when we arrived at my hotel door, Chance scooped me up off my feet.
“Gotta carry my bride over the threshold.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and sagged into his chest as he unlocked the door with one hand. “Wonder what the history of this is. So the man can show off how strong he is?”
“I think it started because the wife was nervous about losing her virginity.”
I snorted. “Well at least we don’t have to worry about that one.”
Chance’s eyes bore into me. He didn’t even try to hide the jealousy. It gave me an idea. “Do you want to get married someday?” I asked.
“Someday? I thought I just did.” He set me down just inside of my room.
“I mean for real. I wonder who will be carrying me over the threshold when it’s my real wedding.”
Chance’s eyes were serious. “I don’t want to think about it.”
I kept pushing. “Maybe my new firm will be chock full of eligible bachelors.”