Marooned With the Millionaire Read online

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Sam ensured that Jason hadn’t been extradited to Salt Lake City yet so they flew back to Las Vegas. When they landed, Stephanie listened as Sam received confirmation from Jason’s lawyer that Jessica did in fact confess and all charges were in the process of being dropped. She looked at the limousine parked on the edge of the runway waiting to pick them up.

  “You know, he still thinks you went back to Boston. He doesn’t know you had anything to do with this,” Sam said.

  Stephanie broke into a broad smile. “Do you remember the last scene of Oceans 11?”

  Sam matched her smile. “I live in Vegas. Do you really have to ask?”

  ****

  Stephanie cracked the window so that she could hear Jason approaching the limousine. Her heart fluttered at the sound of his voice in the distance.

  “As usual, you came through for me, Sam. My lawyer said you were instrumental in getting the confession out of Jessica regarding the fraudulent recording. She’s not an easy nut to crack. How did you do it?”

  “I had a little help, sir,” Sam said as he opened the back door.

  Stephanie smiled and offered a small wave. “Hi.” She was sure she heard him gasp. Jason’s hand rested above the door opening, and then he leaned down and smiled. Stephanie’s breath hitched at the sight of him. His clothes were rumpled, his hair askew and he wore a two-day growth of beard. He’d never looked sexier.

  “Hi yourself. You helped Sam?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

  “There’s something about the words ‘I’m in love with you’ that makes a girl do crazy things,” Stephanie said and patted the seat.

  Jason slid in next to her, slipped his hand around her shoulder and pulled her close. His mouth almost touched her lips. “I did say that, didn’t I?”

  “Umm-hmm.” It was all she could manage as she cupped his stubbled cheek in her hand and hungrily stared at his lips.

  “I believe I said that I’m in love with you and have been since I watched you walk through the Hotel Del Santos lobby in Miami in those sexy stilettos. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stick around long enough to hear your response.”

  Stephanie’s eyes opened wide to meet his. She pressed her free hand to his other cheek and searched his eyes. “I love you so much that it scares me. I was frightened that I lost you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”

  Jason took her hands into his and kissed the tops of both. “I promise you that you’ll never lose me, not even if you try.”

  Stephanie wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a slow, deep kiss.

  “I need a shower,” Jason said when their lips parted.

  “Me too,” Stephanie giggled.

  “How about we kill two birds with one stone and have one hot and sexy shower?” he said with a wink.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Stephanie woke to the bright desert sun shining into her eyes. As she sat up and stretched, she spotted Jason in the doorway with a silly smile plastered on his face.

  “Is my sleeping beauty finally awake?” Jason asked from the doorway. His hair was still wet from a recent shower. She loved the way he looked in casual khaki pants and a white button down shirt.

  “What time is it?” she asked in a husky voice.

  “I do love your sexy morning voice. It’s after nine. Come on. Get up and get dressed. I have a surprise for you.”

  “Another surprise? You’re going to spoil me.”

  “That’s the plan. Now hurry.”

  “Okay, okay. I’m going.” Stephanie pulled her legs over the side of the bed, planted her feet on the floor and stretched once more. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jason staring at her naked body as she got out of bed. She strode into the bathroom, turned and signaled him with a manicured finger.

  Jason followed her into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

  “Are you joining me?”

  “As much as I’m tempted, I have to get ready for your surprise. So, I’ll leave you to bathe in peace. But hurry!”

  She shook her head from side to side. She had never seen Jason so animated; he was just like a kid in a candy shop. I guess freedom and love will do that to a guy. She smiled.

  Emerging from the bedroom, Stephanie wore a short cream-colored linen dress and sandals. Tunes of Frank Sinatra’s Embraceable You beckoned her into the living room. Glass vases of roses filled the room. Jason met her at the door and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “Are you ready for your surprise?” he whispered in her ear as his fingers gently caressed her side.

  “Yes, I can’t wait. Are we going somewhere?”

  “Not yet. I need to blindfold you first.”

  “Blindfold? I don’t know why you had me get dressed.” Stephanie laughed.

  “I love the way your mind works, sweetheart, but save that thought for later.”

  Jason placed a silky sash over her eyes and tied it tight enough so that it wouldn’t slip off.

  He guided her forward and then backward until her calves were against what she assumed was one of the wingtip chairs in the living room.

  “Stay right here but don’t remove the blindfold yet.” The music’s volume reduced and it played softly in the background. “Okay, take it off.”

  Seated, she was surprised to hear his voice in front of her but not from above. She slipped the blindfold from her head to see Jason kneeling on one knee in front of her. Her stomach fluttered when she looked from his face to the small and perfectly square Tiffany blue box in his hand.

  “Stef,” Jason said in a husky voice.

  Stephanie looked from the box to his face. His intense stare made her stomach flip.

  “I fell in love with you from the minute I saw you walk through the lobby at the Del Santos. I never want to lose you. I want you to be my wife. Stef, marry me?”

  Stephanie’s breath hitched. She could barely inhale enough air to answer. “Yes, yes, of course I’ll marry you.” She threw her arms around his neck and planted butterfly kisses on his mouth and cheeks.

  Pulling away, he smiled. “You haven’t seen the ring yet. Maybe you won’t like it.”

  “I would love it if it came out of a Cracker Jack box,” she said seriously.

  “Liar. Want to see it?”

  “Yes!”

  He flipped open the box and her gaze landed on a princess cut diamond mounted on a diamond-encrusted band. Removing the ring from the box, he placed it on her left hand. It was a perfect fit. She held her hand up and tears ran down her cheeks.

  Cupping her face, he brushed her tears with his hands. “Tears? That’s not the reaction I thought I would get, sweetheart.”

  “I’m just so happy. Where should we have the wedding? Seattle? Boston? Do you think next summer is too soon? There are so many plans to make.”

  “Sweet Stephanie, I never want to take the chance of losing you again. I want to marry you. Now. Today. I’ve booked the wedding chapel at The Castillo for tonight. You have a private appointment with the finest wedding shop in Las Vegas as well as spa and hair appointments.”

  “Do you always get what you want, Mr. Royce?”

  “Yes, usually.” He winked.

  “You want to marry me tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  Stephanie nodded. “Let’s do it.”

  ****

  Jason paced outside of the Castillo chapel. What a crazy week it had been. He’d been blackmailed by an insane ex-girlfriend, and accused of doing the same to government officials, been arrested, cleared, engaged and soon he would be married. What was next? For once, he wasn’t sure where his life would take him. Earlier that day, Sam recounted the full story of Stephanie’s confrontation with Jessica in his home in Seattle. He winced at the thought of Stephanie at his house alone with Jessica. He imagined it must’ve hurt her to see his ex-live-in girlfriend in his house. He vowed to never take her there. He already placed the property on the market. They were beginning a new life tog
ether and he would let her decide where they would live.

  He was also uncertain as to the fate of Royce Homes. The blackmail accusations damaged his reputation. He had his public relations team working night and day on repairing and building his brand back to the stellar name it once was. For once, Jason Royce didn’t know what his next move was. However, one thing he knew for certain, Stephanie would be at his side. Stephanie. He’d only spent a handful of days with her but felt a lifetime of love. He hated being apart from her even for the afternoon. He checked his watch and glanced down the hall leading to the chapel. His heart pounded in his chest when the door swung open. But his spirits sank as Sam appeared in a tuxedo.

  “Sorry I’m late, boss. I couldn’t tie this thing,” Sam said tugging at his bowtie.

  “Have you seen Stephanie?” Jason asked and looked at his watch once more.

  Sam shook his head. “Don’t worry, I’m sure she’s—”

  Both men turned toward the long hallway and watched Stephanie slowly walk toward them.

  Jason’s breath hitched as she walked through the light cast from the stained glass windows flanking either side of hallway. She reminded him of an angel and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. His gaze started with her white, crystal-encrusted stilettos and moved upward to legs that seemed to go on forever. She wore a short white lace dress that hugged every beautiful curve. His eyes met hers as she flashed him a smile that made his insides melt.

  “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

  She spun around. “Do you like the dress? “Stephanie’s hair was pinned up into a loose bun. As she turned, Jason admired the nape of her neck and curve of her exposed back. The dress was cut low enough for Jason to make another speculation.

  “I love the dress and I love you. Are you ready to become Mrs. Royce?” he asked as he extended his arm and handed her a bouquet of deep red roses with the stems tied in a thick satin ribbon.

  Stephanie hooked her hand in his arm. “I love you too and guess what?”

  “What, sweetheart?”

  “I’m not wearing any panties.”

  He led her into the chapel. “Damn, I knew it! Now let’s go make an honest woman out of you, Mrs. Royce.”

  The End

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  Other Books by Sandra Bunino:

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