His Kingdom (Owning Vegas Book 1)

Holy fuck, did I really just dare Charlotte to marry me? I did, and I’m not taking it back either. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not going to force her to go along with my craziness, but I also won’t stop her if she does.

Charlotte’s eyes widen. Her mouth drops open. “I’m terrified you’re actually serious.”

I lift a shoulder. “What’s it going to be? Yes or no? It’s a simple dare,” I tell her.

“Simple? How many times have you done this before?” she asks me.

“Never.”

“Me either. Not so simple.”

“When it’s you, I feel like it’s very simple. I’m game if you are.” I won’t lie. My heart is beating out of my chest as I wait for her response.

“Okay, sure. Let’s do it,” she says.

I look at her. She just said yes. “Let’s go before you change your mind.” I stand and hold a hand out to Charlotte before turning to the rest of the group. “We’re getting married.”

“You’re what now?” Sammie and Carlo blurt at the same time.

“Ah, Charlotte, how drunk are you?” Evie asks.

“A little. But it’s fine. It’s Louie.” Charlotte smiles and leans her body against mine. My arm wraps around her waist.

“Charlotte, this isn’t pretend. This is real.” Evie jumps to her feet.

“I know,” Charlotte responds, while I’m mentally reminding myself that I cannot get rid of her friend. But if Evie talks sense into Charlotte, I might just be pissed enough to do it.

It’s a fluke that she’s even going along with the idea. I’m not taking any chances that she’ll change her mind. I’m also ignoring how much I actually want this. I barely know this woman. I mean, I know everything I need to know after looking her up, but we’ve also known each other for a couple of days.

My gut is telling me to do whatever it takes to keep her, and if marrying her is what achieves that, then I’m marrying her. I’ve never felt the need to keep a woman close. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want Charlotte, which is why I’m doing what has to be done.

“Okay, well, at least I get to be your bridesmaid,” Evie says. “And you’re wearing white.”

“Because I’m totally a virgin bride,” Charlotte deadpans.

“You are in some places,” I say, quietly, so only she can hear me. Her face goes red. “For now.”

“Okay, you’re actually doing this? Let me call someone.” Sammie shakes his head while taking his phone out of his pocket. “Carlo, get the cars. We’re going to the Little White Chapel.”

“Are you really sure? You can change your mind. I won’t be offended.” Charlotte turns to me. Her hands rest on my chest. I grab hold of them.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more sure of anything before. I want you to be mine, Charlotte. Really mine.”

“Okay.”

***

“This is legally binding,” the guy dressed as Elvis tells me with a look of fear on his face.

“I would hope so,” I grunt at him. “We’re getting married.”

“Right, of course, sir.” He nods. “Stand up here.” He looks to Charlotte and then to me again. “Do you have your own vows, or do you want to recite the standard ones?”

“I have my own,” Charlotte says.

“Okay, Miss Armstrong, you can go first. Please, face each other and hold hands.”

Charlotte locks her fingers around mine. Her smile is wide. “Louie, I believe people come into our lives when we need them the most. The night we met, I needed you more than you think. We haven’t known each other long, but I do feel like I’ve known you all my life. I promise to support you in your endeavors. I promise to always be there—in sickness and health, richer or poorer. I promise to be yours and only yours. I promise to never leave you alone.”

I suck in a breath. She knows my biggest fear, the nightmare that haunts me. “Charlotte, you are the light I didn’t know I needed in my life. You have given me a reason to be a better person. I promise to always put you first, to make your happiness and well-being my top priority. I promise to be faithful to you always. I am yours.”

I don’t hear what Elvis says next. I’m so focused on Charlotte until I hear the words: “You may kiss the bride.”

My arms wrap around her waist and I pick her up off the ground as my lips slam onto hers. My tongue delves into her mouth, fighting for dominance when the realization hits me. She’s my wife. I’m kissing my wife.

“We did it,” Charlotte says when I pull back to look at her. “Are we insane?”

“Probably, but at least we can be insane together.”

“Oh my god!” I hear the scream coming from the phone Evie has flipped in our direction. “Charlotte, what the hell? You got married without me?”

“Sorry, Rach, couldn’t wait.” Charlotte laughs.

“Ah, Rachel, I’ll call you back later.” Evie drops the phone back in her bag before she steals my wife from me, pulling her friend into a tight hug. “I’m really sorry, Charlotte. I’m crashing.”noveldrama

“Okay, we’ll go back to the hotel,” Charlotte tells her. “Are you okay?”

Evie nods. But she looks a little… I don’t know what it is… Weak?

Charlotte looks to me. “I have to get her back to the room.”

“What’s wrong with her?” I ask.

“She just needs to sleep. She’ll be fine.”

“Okay, let’s go.” I take hold of Charlotte’s hand. She has Evie’s in her other, and I don’t miss the way she keeps looking at her friend with concern.

Sammie and Carlo climb into the second car, while Emmanuel climbs into the front of ours.

Before we get back to the Royal Flush, Evie is asleep. “You might wanna wake her up,” I tell Charlotte. “We’re almost there.”

“I can’t. She won’t wake up for a while now.”

“What do you mean?” This comes from Emmanuel, who turns to look at Evie. I don’t know what his deal is, but he needs to get a hold of himself. This girl is not for him.

“She has insomnia. She stays awake for days at a time, and then she’ll just crash and sleep for hours without getting up,” Charlotte explains. “We won’t be able to wake her.”

“It’s okay.” Emmanuel gets out of the car as soon as it stops in front of the casino. “I’ve got her,” he says, opening the back door and scooping Evie into his arms.

“Are you sure?” Charlotte asks.

He nods. “Lead the way. Where is her room?”

I take everyone over to the staff elevator to save the trip through the casino floor. After leaving Evie in bed, I tell Emmanuel I’ll catch up with him tomorrow and wait for the elevator to close. It was obvious he didn’t want to leave Evie alone. But Charlotte assured him that she’d be asleep for at least sixteen hours.

I guide Charlotte into my penthouse. I guess it’s our penthouse now. “Shit, I did it wrong,” I say, opening the door again. “Redo.”

I take her back to the other side of the door and pick her up. She squeals. “What are you doing?”

“Carrying my wife over the threshold.” I smile.

“Oh.” Once we’re inside again, I lock the door and carry Charlotte into the bedroom. I’ve been waiting all fucking night to get this dress off her.

“Say it again,” she whispers.

“Say what?”

“Your wife,” she tells me.

“You, Mrs. Giuliani, are my wife. Mine.”

“I think I like being your wife already.” She giggles.

“Good, because forever would be a long time to not like it.” I toss Charlotte onto the bed. She lands in the middle of the king-size mattress, and her hair fans out around her like a halo. “I think you might actually be an angel.”

“I’m not.” She laughs.

“Agree to disagree.” I climb onto the bed and lie next to her. Charlotte turns her face towards mine, and my hand cups her cheek. “I love you.” My words are soft, barely a whisper.

“I… I feel like I’m falling in love with you more and more every minute,” Charlotte says.

“I’m going to make sure you never have a reason to stop falling,” I tell her while praying that I can actually deliver on that promise.