We made it through dinner, but I could feel her sorrow growing. Fucking alcohol. She would probably regret this in the morning, but I’d nurse her through her hangover. I’d be there, even when the shame hit and she tried to push me away. Me, the man of words, the big bad closer…I couldn’t find a way to get through to her. I was dropping hints like breadcrumbs, I was telling her outright how I felt and she either refused to accept it or refused to believe it. My money was on the latter. With a father like Nash, she needed me more than she understood.

I half carried her out of the restaurant. She’d downed the better part of the pitcher. I finally poured myself a glass just so she couldn’t down the whole thing. She didn’t even notice when I didn’t drink it.

After we settled into the car, Kate smiled at me. “You’re really wonderful.”

“Thank you. It’s easy. I want to do everything for you, be everything you want and need.” I blew out a breath. These emotions I felt for her were too foreign for me to express, too strong to ignore, too new to act on the way I wanted.

“We should get married.” She leaned back against the headrest. “My father would be happy.”

“To have you married to me? I doubt it.” I laughed. “I’m a billionaire playboy, remember. He’d think I had some ulterior motive.”

“Do you?” She stared at me, her eyes wide and unblinking.

I smirked. “No. I don’t.”

Kate tapped her chin and my business experience told me she was working on a new angle. “They’ll figure it out at the hospital, you know.”

“What?” I grinned. She was a really cute drunk. I’d known that since the skinny dipping.

“That we’re not married. They’ll know. And then I’ll be alone.” She turned some puppy eyes on me.

I laughed. “For someone who never wanted to get married, you sure are pushing this hard.”

Suddenly she grew serious and genuinely sad. Her head drooped. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why this feels so important now. It just does. And…I’m making a complete fool of myself.” Kate stared out the window.

We stopped at a light and I glanced around. There was a jewelry store to the right, still open. I laid a hand on her thigh. “Let’s go look.”

She frowned. “Let’s go get a drink. I don’t want to remember this tomorrow. I mean it.”

With a grin, I reached out and grabbed her hand. I pulled it up to my lips, savoring the feel of her soft skin and her fresh scent, like vanilla. “I don’t want you to forget one second of our time together,” I murmured against her knuckles. In front of me, the traffic light turned green. My decision was made. I took a quick right into the parking lot.

“What are we doing?” Her eyes widened as she stared at the neon sign in front of the store. “Why are we here?”

“I told you.” I leaned over and pressed my lips to hers. “There’s no forgetting tonight. None of it.” Then I unbuckled my seat belt, opened the door and stepped out while Kate sat frozen in place. When I reached the passenger side, I helped her out of the vehicle. “Come look. I want to buy you something special. Maybe a little something for me too.” I winked. As I held her hand and dragged her toward the door, I could feel her shaking.

“You don’t have to do this. If you’re doing what I think you’re doing…don’t. I don’t want you to regret…anything.” She babbled on and tried to yank her hand away.

I stopped before the door. “Stop. Fifteen minutes ago, marriage was all you could talk about.”

“Five minutes ago, I didn’t think you’d go through with it.” Her eyes shone with fear.

I laughed. “You made some excellent points. Let’s find you the perfect ring.” This was one of the fancier jewelers. As we entered, I raised a finger. “Wine. We’re going to need lots of wine.”

The salesman chuckled as he strode toward the back of the store. Kate stared around the room from the welcome mat. I tugged on her hand and brought her to a case to the right where I could already see wedding rings inside the glass.

“Why are you doing this?” Her lower lip trembled as she spoke.

“Simple.” I lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. “I plan to marry you. Tonight.”

She laughed and shook her head. “So, we can get it annulled in the morning? No thank you.”

I wrapped my hand around her neck and pressed my lips to hers. “Actually, I was thinking we should start our happily ever after now instead of waiting.” I hugged her to my chest. “Kate, the way I feel about you, I’ve never felt for anyone. I had a live-in girlfriend of four years. I never even considered getting engaged. You, I can’t imagine not being with forever.” With our foreheads together, I sighed. “I know whether we wait a week, a month, a year, or even ten years, it will still be you. For reasons I can’t explain and don’t completely understand, it will always be you.” I stood quietly and listened, waiting for an objection. When we’d stood there for several seconds in silence, I finally drew back and studied her face while biting my cheek.

“I get it.” She exhaled and her entire body relaxed. “I feel the same way. People aren’t going to understand.”

I frowned. “I know. They’ll question our judgement.”

“They’ll be furious there was no prenup.” Kate scowled.

“I don’t see a problem with that. There will be no divorce.” I shrugged.

“How can you know this?” She laughed.

I cupped the side of her face. “I just do. I really do. This…was meant to be.”

Kate squeezed my hand. “No apologies and no regrets, right?”

“Only if we don’t go through with this.” I smiled and for the first time in a long time, I felt happy and relaxed. This was different from the satisfaction of closing a deal. This time, I wasn’t after my father’s approval, or eager to grow his company. This was the first decision I’d made for myself in a very long time. There was no fear, only the confidence which came when everything fell into place. This was as it should be.

We picked rings while we sipped champagne. We found some which were already sized perfectly. “This never happens,” the salesman announced. “It’s a sign.”

Kate’s eyes sparkled. “I believe it is.”

Then we hopped in the car and drove to get a marriage license. The process wasn’t nearly as long or involved as I imagined. Soon it was in hand and after Kate made a few phone calls, we were driving to the hotel. “Are you sure you want to do this at your hotel?” I frowned, almost afraid someone would talk her out of it.

“Absolutely. The staff is ecstatic. A justice of the peace is meeting us out at the gazebo by the pool. A cake is being decorated for us. The penthouse suite is being prepared.”

“Wait. You have a penthouse suite and you didn’t offer it to me?” My brow rose in challenge.

“There was a Saudi prince staying in it. He checked out today.” She giggled. “Again…meant to be.”

“What else do we need?” My brow furrowed. “Clothes! We have nothing to wear. No flowers. No music. No photographer.” I laid a hand on her thigh. “Maybe we need to wait until tomorrow so we can make it perfect. You could have friends there if you want.” I shrugged.

“Do you want friends there?” Kate tilted her head as she studied my reaction.

I licked my lips. “No. I don’t. I always do everything with and everything for my friends.” I laced my fingers through hers. “This time, I want to do this for us and only with you. Does that sound horribly selfish?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. It sounds beautiful.” Kate glanced down at our hands. She was already wearing the engagement ring. I had had our wedding bands in my jacket pocket. “I took the liberty of picking out clothes for us. You’ll go to your suite to change, and I’ll go to my office. I really handled everything. Believe it or not, this isn’t my first time.” A smile spread across her face.

“Wait. You’ve been married before?” I pulled up to the valet at the hotel.

“What? Oh, no! I mean I’ve planned last minute weddings at the hotel before. This idea…not exactly original. This is Vegas, Ty.” She winked at me.

Employees rushed the car as we parked. The concierge stood at the curb holding a garment bag. The photographer was already snapping pictures. A woman in a business suit held a garment bag and danced around as I helped Kate out of the passenger side.

“Thirty minutes?” I grinned at her. She nodded. “Oh, and before I let you get ready, have I told you how amazing you are tonight?”

She sighed. “I only wish Mr. Nash could be here,” Kate whispered. I squeezed her hand and reluctantly we parted.