Saying 'Yes!' to the Boss

Married. Was it possible? The need to scream built up inside of her, but before she could decide if she would give in or not, Dev walked over to the man.

“That’s us,” he said, motioning to the sign.

“Mr. Hunter,” the man said with a smile. “I’m Johnson. Do you have any luggage.”

Dev indicated the small wheeled bags they’d carried onto the plane. “This is it.”

“Very good, sir.”

Johnson took her bag and led the way to a large white limo. While the luggage was stowed, Dev opened the rear door and motioned for Noelle to climb in first.

She’d only been in one other limo. That had been a little over a year ago for her senior prom. She’d squeezed in with four other couples and had laughed the entire way to the hotel where the dance had been held. However she didn’t think that was something she should share with Dev.

Instead she sat on the pale leather seat and did her best to keep from passing out.

He glanced at her, then reached for her hand. “Breathe.”

“You tell me that a lot,” she murmured, once again aware of the warmth of his fingers against hers and how being close to him made her feel safe.

“You’ve been panicked a lot lately. We’re fine. We’ll get through this and then the worst will be over.”

She wasn’t sure about that. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

He grinned. “Run off and get married? It’s a first for me, too.”

She smiled back at him. “It’s not just the running off. It’s everything else.”

“Piece of cake,” he told her. “Pretend it’s just a regular weekend. We’re here to have fun.”

“Regular weekend?” she asked with squeak. “We barely know each other and we’re getting married because I’m pregnant with your late brother’s child. I don’t know what you do for fun, but I tend to avoid situations like this.”

He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “You’ll be fine.”

She wanted to believe him, but wasn’t sure she could. She kept a hold of his hand and studied the sights as they drove from the airport to the Vegas Strip.

Traffic was slow and it took a long time to get down to the Bellagio. Noelle recognized the beautiful lake in front of the massive hotel from scenes in television and the movies.

“I’ve never been here,” she murmured.

“At the Bellagio or in Las Vegas?”

“Both.”

“I think you’ll like it.”

The limo pulled around to the main entrance. A uniformed man opened the rear door and Dev stepped out. He waited for her to join him, gave his name to the bellman, tipped the driver, then led her inside.

The first thing she noticed was a beautiful art glass ceiling. Everywhere she looked she saw glass flowers in a rainbow of colors. The detail was incredible, as was the sheer mass of flowers. From there Dev led her to a conservatory decorated in celebration of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.

Paths crisscrossed between gardens and clever displays of flowers and patriotic arrangements.

“I love it!” she said with a grin. “This is amazing.”

“They know how to impress,” he said. “Come on.”

He led her through part of the casino. Gaming tables stretched out for what looked like miles. There were tons of slot machines and a level of noise that surprised her.

“So many people are gambling,” she said. “Where do they get the money?”

“It’s entertainment. Plus, everyone is hoping to get lucky and hit the big one.”

She’d brought ten dollars to gamble with. Somehow that didn’t seem enough to hit the big one.

They made their way to the VIP check-in. Dev offered a credit card and signed a form. While the uniformed man was processing their keys, Dev turned to her.

“I meant to give this to you before we left,” he said.

He handed her a credit card. She glanced down and saw it was in her name.

“Unless you buy an expensive car,” he said, “You can’t reach the spending limit. Use it however you want.”

The clerk handed over a small folder containing their room keys and gave instructions to the elevator.

“I don’t need this,” she whispered as they walked away from registration.

“Yes, you do,” he told her. “How are you going to buy groceries or get gas or pick up things for the house? What if you want clothes or shoes or a puppy?”

She blinked at him. “I couldn’t really handle a puppy right now.”

“I know.” He took her hand. “Noelle, we’re getting married. A credit card comes with the ring.”

She wasn’t sure she could ever be comfortable spending his money, but if she weren’t working it wasn’t as if she were going to be supporting herself.

“I don’t think I like this part,” she said in a low voice.

“Didn’t you read the paperwork? I promised to support you for the length of our marriage.”

“Reading it and living it are very different.”

He pushed the Up button for the elevator. “Hadn’t you planned on being a stay-at-home mother?”

“Eventually,” she admitted. “I’d thought I’d go back to work when the kids were in school, but for the first few years…” Her voice trailed off as she saw him looking at her. She sighed. “This is different.”

“No. It’s not.”

They stepped into the elevator.

“While we’re at the hotel, you can charge anything you’d like to the room,” he said. “Just give them the room number and your name. We’re both listed.”

While she pondered that, they arrived on their floor. She hadn’t paid attention to their room number, so she didn’t know which way to turn. Fortunately, he kept hold of her hand and she simply followed him down a lovely hallway.

Their hotel room had double doors. Dev opened the one on the right and she stepped into a massive sitting room that was probably the size of the whole downstairs of her parents’ house.

There was a round table big enough for six, a wet bar, two sitting areas and a television nearly as big as a movie screen.

“We’ll have to discover it all ourselves,” Dev said, putting down the keys on a marble entry table. “Usually the manager comes up and explains all the amenities, but I wasn’t sure you could take one more thing.”

She tried to smile in gratitude, but she was too shocked by everything. Who on earth would get a room like this and how much could it cost?

He crossed the room and pulled the sheers aside. “Come look.”

She moved next to him and saw they had a view of the lake, along with several of the hotels around them.

“We’ll be able to see the water show,” he said. “You’ll enjoy that. Come on.”

He led her across the sitting room and into the biggest bedroom she’d ever seen. There was a bed that could easily sleep five, a small sofa, a desk, floor-to-ceiling windows and carpeting so plush she nearly sank to her ankles. All of which was lovely, but then she saw both their suitcases on a bench at the foot of the bed and her throat tightened.

Were they sharing? Logically the bed was plenty big enough. And once they were married, it wasn’t as if she could refuse Dev. He would be her husband. Marriage of convenience or not, if he had expectations, she wasn’t sure she could in good conscience say no.

She could ask for time, though, right? That was reasonable. He would have to understand that under the circumstances she couldn’t be expected to—

He stepped in front of her, cupped her face in his hands and said, “Stop. Whatever you’re thinking, just stop.”

She stared at him. “How did you know?”

“The sudden look of panic on your face.” He dropped his hands. “Noelle, I meant what I said. We’re doing this for the baby. I’m not trying to seduce you. I know they left both our suitcases here, but the suite has a second bedroom where I’ll be sleeping.”

Relief made her knees nearly give way. “Really?”

He smiled. “I promise. Look, as we just discussed, neither of us has been married before. This is going to be a big change. We’ll take it slow, okay?”

She nodded.

He touched her chin. “Hey, I’ve never even lived with a woman before.”

Really? She found the thought comforting. “But you’ve gone away for weekends with them,” she said.

He shrugged. “Once or twice.”

She smiled. “More than that. You have a reputation, Mr. Hunter.”

“Really. And what would that be?”

“That you have had a string of incredibly beautiful, exotic women in your life.”

“Huh. I never knew anyone was paying attention.”

“They were.”

She stared into his amused eyes and felt some of her fear ease. Maybe this was the strangest situation she’d ever been in, but they were in it together and somehow that made things easier.

He stepped back. “We have a couple of hours until the wedding. Are you hungry?”

When he said the “w” word, all her fears and worries crashed into her. She nearly staggered from the impact.

“I can’t eat,” she told him, her stomach getting upset just at the thought of food.

“Okay. Why don’t you rest? We need to leave here about three-thirty.”

She glanced at her watch. “I’ll be ready.”

“Good.” He walked to the door, then glanced back at her. “You can still change your mind.”

She shook her head. “I want to do this,” she said, hoping she sounded confident and sure, instead of terrified. “I’ll be ready.”

Despite not having slept in nearly three nights, resting was impossible, so Noelle alternatively paced the length of the beautiful bedroom and stared out at the incredible view. An hour before it was time to go, she plugged in her electric curlers, then checked her dress for wrinkles.

After curling her hair, she redid her makeup, then changed into a strapless bra. She’d found her dress at the outlet mall. It had been one of those great moments in shopping history—with the price marked down four different times and the dress landing under a “50 percent off on this rack only” sign.

The dress was white, with spaghetti straps and an asymmetrical hem. The top was fitted, the skirt full and there were tiny clear crystals angling across fabric.

She supposed it had been a prom dress that hadn’t found a home and while it wasn’t the dress she’d always imagined for her wedding, she felt pretty when she slipped it on and closed the side zipper.

After she finger-combed the curls and sprayed them until they practically crackled, she reached for the engagement ring she hadn’t worn since the night Dev had bought it for her. She hesitated, then slid it on her right hand. When the ceremony was over, she would put it on her left, in front of her wedding band.

Which, she suddenly thought, hadn’t been discussed.

Just then Dev knocked on the bedroom door. She crossed the cushy carpet, her high-heel sandals sinking in with each step.

“Hi,” she said as she opened the door. “I’m ready.”

He looked good in his tailored black suit. Very elegant and in charge.

He smiled. “You’re beautiful.”

“Thank you.” She clutched the tiny white satin evening bag she’d borrowed from Crissy. “Did you, um, think to get wedding bands?”

He patted his jacket pocket. “I have them right here. I picked out platinum, to match your engagement ring.”

Before she could say anything, he held out a small bouquet of white roses and starburst lilies.

“For the bride,” he told her.

She hadn’t expected flowers. Funny how they got to her more than the suite or the expensive engagement ring. Her eyes burned with unshed tears and she willed herself not to cry. Dev had been nothing but sweet and thoughtful. He didn’t deserve tears.

She thanked him and they walked to the elevator. The ride down passed with a blur. Suddenly they were in a small chapel and she was reciting that she would love and cherish Dev as long as they both shall live. She hesitated slightly before her “I do” knowing she was making a vow she had every intention of breaking. Then she whispered the words and it was over.

She was aware of someone taking their picture, then polite conversation with the officiate, followed by a quick ride back up to the room.

“Are you all right?” Dev asked as he inserted the key, then pushed opened the door.

“I’m fine.”

She didn’t feel any different than she had a half hour ago. Except for the slender platinum band nestled against her engagement ring, there wasn’t any proof that anything had changed. Yet she was now married. How was that possible? Shouldn’t she feel profoundly transformed?

“Did you eat last night?” he asked.

She turned her attention from her rings to the man she’d married. “What?”

“Let me rephrase that. When was the last time you ate?”

Food, like sleep, hadn’t seemed possible. “Thursday.”

“That can’t be good.”

He took her hand and led her toward the large dining table. It was only then she noticed the covered dishes, along with a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket.

“I had a feeling you wouldn’t have eaten much,” he said. “So I ordered us an early dinner.”

He walked to the champagne and expertly popped the cork. After pouring some in two glasses, he handed her one. “I know you’re pregnant and only nineteen, but I thought you might want a sip on your wedding day.”

She stared at the bubbles rising in the narrow glass, then smiled at him. “Actually, I’m twenty. My birthday was last week.”

He frowned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I missed it.”

Some of her tension eased as she laughed. “I really didn’t expect you to notice, Dev. It’s not a big deal.”

Had they been a real couple, she would have been hurt, but under the circumstances…not so much.

He raised his glass. “To your birthday, a few days late. And to us.”

She touched her glass to his, then took a sip.

While the bubbles tickled her tongue, the liquid had no taste. She didn’t think it was the champagne’s fault, either. At that moment, she doubted she could have tasted anything. She put down her glass and tried to ignore the trembling in her body. She was so tired, she thought. Tired and confused and not sure what he expected of her.

Noelle swayed slightly on her feet. Dev grabbed her arm.

“Are you all right?” he asked, wondering what the hell he would do if she collapsed.

“I’m okay. I haven’t been sleeping.”

Exhaustion darkened her eyes. Her skin was so pale, it was practically white.

“You want to go lie down?” he asked.

“I won’t sleep.”

“You might surprise yourself.” He spun her toward her room and gave her a push. “Go on.”

She turned back to him. “What about the dinner? You went to so much trouble.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

She bit her bottom lip as if not sure if she could do what she wanted instead of what she should. Then she raised herself on tiptoe, whispered, “Thank you,” and kissed him on the cheek.

Her lips lingered for half a second and in that moment he was stunned to find himself wanting to turn so that his mouth brushed hers. Only he wanted more than just a simple kiss. He wanted to claim her in a moment of passion that rocked them both.

The need shocked him into stepping back, although he was careful to keep his face expressionless. He gave her another little push and this time she walked into her bedroom and shut the door.

He stood alone in the center of the living room, with an open bottle of champagne and a romantic dinner for two. Ignoring both, he walked to the minibar and pulled out every container of Scotch.

Hell of a way to spend a wedding night, he thought as he opened the first bottle and swallowed the contents.

Chapter Five

Noelle twisted her new rings round and round on her finger. “I keep thinking I’ve reached the peak stomachchurning experience,” she said. “But then a new one crops up. Do you think we’re close to done?”

As she spoke, she glanced at Dev, who sat behind the wheel of the car and negotiated the streets that led to her parents’ house.

“Once we’re through with this, it should be easy,” he said.

“Except I have to tell them I’m pregnant.”

“Not for a few more weeks.”

“I know. I’ll try not to think about it.”

She was getting good at that—clearing her mind and living in the moment. After the wedding, she’d stretched out on the big bed, thinking she would never sleep. When next she’d surfaced, it had been after midnight and she’d still been in her white dress. She’d showered, washed off her makeup, then crawled into bed where she’d zonked out until nearly eight.

They’d shared a quiet breakfast in one of the cafes, then had flown home at noon. Now they were going by to tell her family the news and pick up several suitcases and return to his house.

Easy enough, as long as she didn’t actually think about doing any of it.

Before she’d figured out exactly what she was going to say to her parents, Dev pulled up in front of the house. Noelle got out, then smoothed the front of her cotton skirt and forced herself to smile as she led the way to the door.

“Hi, Mom,” she yelled as she entered.

Unlike the previous weekend, this time the house was quiet. All of her sisters were off with friends. But Noelle had called ahead and knew her parents were home.

“Hi, honey,” her mom said, stepping out of the kitchen. “Are you hungry? Did you want me to—” She spotted Dev. “Oh, hello. I didn’t know you were with Noelle today.” She smiled, then yelled. “Bob, Noelle and Dev are here.” She looked back at them. “Your father’s in his study. He preached from Romans today and you know how he gets.”

Noelle turned to Dev. “He goes over his sermons after he gives them and looks at ways he could have done things better.”

Her father walked down the hall toward them. “We didn’t expect to see you until later.” He held out his hand to Dev. “Good to see you again.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Dev glanced at her, which she knew was her cue. Noelle drew in a deep breath.

“Mom, Dad, I didn’t spend the night at Crissy’s last night. Dev and I flew to Las Vegas and got married.”

Both her parents stared at her in open-mouthed shock. She cleared her throat, then added, “I’m sorry I lied.”

Dev stepped into the uncomfortable silence. “It was all my idea,” he said quickly. “Please don’t blame your daughter. I was doing my best to sweep her off her feet and all the time she kept talking about how she didn’t want to disappoint you. I hope you’ll understand and lay the blame where it belongs.”

Noelle appreciated the support and the fact that Dev wasn’t technically lying about anything.

Her mother surfaced first. “Married?” she asked in a shaky voice. “One of my babies is married?”

Noelle held out the ring. Her mother glanced at it, then at Dev. “Okay, yeah, for that I might have married you, too.” She gave a laugh, then pulled Noelle close. “Is this what you want? Are you happy?”

Noelle was grateful that the tight hug meant her only response could be a nod.

Her father glared at Dev. “You’re sure about this? You’re prepared to take on the responsibility for my daughter?”

“Of course,” Dev said confidently. “Mr. Stevenson, I know how much your daughter means to you. I would never hurt her in any way. She will be taken care of and safe for as long as I draw breath.”

Noelle waited for her father’s response. Once again Dev had managed to speak the truth. She wondered if anyone would notice that he hadn’t promised to love her.

Her father continued to study Dev for a few more seconds, then held out his hand again. “Then welcome to the family.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The next few minutes passed in a blur. Her parents ushered them into the family room. Her mother produced lemonade and cookies, then wished they had champagne in the house.

“I didn’t think we’d need it so soon,” she said, touching Noelle’s hand. “Tell me everything about the wedding. I wish we could have been there. Oh, my. There are so many people to tell. We’ll have to have a party, won’t we, Bob? Maybe something in the garden.”

Dev listened to Jane Stevenson talk about the wedding. There were tears in her eyes as she realized all she’d missed of her oldest daughter’s big day. He felt bad for having to deceive her and her husband, but it was better this way. Better that they not know the truth about the baby. They were the sort of people who would insist on helping and he didn’t want to have to argue against their pride and love for their daughter.

Noelle was holding up better than he’d expected. She answered lots of questions about the Bellagio and even surprised him by admitting she’d already packed most of her things.

When they were finally ready to leave, he braced himself for a one-on-one with Noelle’s father. He figured he owed the man, so he wouldn’t try to duck out of the conversation. But instead it was Jane who cornered him as Noelle’s father loaded her luggage in the car.

“Please take care of my little girl,” she said, tears filling her eyes. “I know she’s the oldest, but I still think of her as my baby. My firstborn. Oh, Dev, I know you’re a good man, but this is difficult.”

He touched her arm. “I promise I’ll take care of her.”

She smiled through her tears. “I know she’ll never want for anything, which is lovely, but there’s so much more to a marriage than not worrying about bills. Noelle is special. I guess I don’t have to tell you that, but I’m going to, anyway. She’s smart and responsible and caring. And that’s what I worry about the most. Her heart.”

She paused and wiped away the single tear that had escaped. “She thinks she’s tough, but she bruises so easily. She leads with her heart. Be careful of that. Be tender.”

“I will,” he said, knowing it was a safe promise. Noelle’s heart didn’t enter into their agreement.

“As long as you love each other fully, you can get through anything,” Jane said. “That’s my best advice. Love each other.”

He nodded without speaking, then walked toward the car.

Love. Romantic love. He didn’t believe in it. Not anymore. He’d tried it once, while he’d been raising Jimmy, only the woman in question had refused to deal with a difficult teenager. He’d let her walk away because he hadn’t known how to keep her. The loss had devastated him.

Since then, he’d avoided the emotion and found he got along quite fine. Love was for the weak. He’d always been strong. Nothing about that was going to change.

Since Dev was able to carry about five times as much luggage as Noelle, they carried everything inside in two trips.

“I told you about the two bedrooms down here,” he said as he showed her a large, airy bedroom decorated in pale blue and beige. A queen-size bed sat against one wall, with a big armoire opposite. A long desk filled the space under the window.

“I ordered the desk last week and had it put here,” he said. “I thought you might like to look out while you studied.”

He’d done that for her? “Thank you,” she said as she glanced out at the beautiful yard. She could see flowers, a tree and one end of the pool. Talk about a great way to take a break. “It was very thoughtful.”

“You’re welcome. Bookcases,” he said, pointing to the ends of the desk.

She bent down and saw there was a good-sized bookcase at each end. On both sides of the comfy looking leather chair were deep file drawers.

The closet was equally impressive. A big walk-in had been finished by some expert who had put in angled shelves for shoes, straight shelves for folded items, pockets for purses, three sets of drawers and plenty of multilevel hanging space. The fixtures were a gleaming silver that looked great against the light wood.

She walked into the bathroom. There were two sinks and lots more storage space. The far door led into another nice bedroom with a queen-size bed and simple furniture.

“You’ll want to make changes,” he said. “To make this into a baby’s room. I’ll give you the name of my decorator. If you’d rather design it yourself, I have a handyman who will move furniture, paint, hang curtains, whatever. All that information is in my study.”