That relaxed her tight facial features. “Our baby will be beautiful, won’t it?”
“If it’s a girl, I hope she has your stunning green eyes.”
“And if it’s a boy?”
“I hope he has your lovely smile.”
Talking about creating a child with her made him uneasy. He didn’t care about the gender, the baby’s appearance, or anything else that concerned it, but he had to keep her on board. He had to keep Katie focused on the baby so she wouldn’t back out.
“What about me?” he asked with a forced grin. “Which of my great features would you want your child to have?”
“I would want my son to have your dimples. I’d also like him to have your strength, your intelligence, and your full head of hair.”
“And our daughter, if we have one?”
“Your eyelashes. They’re longer than mine.” Katie’s lips formed a pretty pout that he wanted to kiss. “I think I’d also like her to have your hair.” She laughed before adding, “Oh, and I would want either one, boy or girl, to have your charisma. My mother would say you could charm the birds right out of the trees.”
Hearing her talk about the child as if it was already real set his teeth on edge. But her compliance was a good thing. He wanted her to want the baby so much that she rushed into marriage with him, ignoring the warning signs he was sure were currently flashing in her mind. She’d be surprised to know what was going on inhismind. To him, the baby solely belonged to her. Although they were using his sperm, as far as he was concerned, he wasnotthe father. Once the baby was born and the codicil conditions were satisfied, he didn’t care where she took it.
“Guess I’ll need to find something suitable to get married in,” she said. “An hour doesn’t give me enough time to buy a new dress.”
A slow grin came to his mouth. “I know it’s traditional for the bride to wear white, but wear that little black number you had on for our lunch, please.”
She blushed. “The saleslady told me you’d like it.”
Like it? That was an understatement. Seeing her walking to him in that dress had become his number one fantasy. Well, part of it. His true fantasy was peeling the dress from her lovely body and kissing every inch of her soft skin before making love to her again and again until dawn.
Unaware of his thoughts, she said, “I’d better run if I’m going to be back in an hour.”
Chapter Three
They flew to Vegas on Chase’s private jet, but they didn’t behave as a normal couple running off to get married. Sitting on opposite sides of the plane, he did paperwork while she got lost in her memories. It was only natural for her to think about Phillip today. About four years ago, she’d stood over his grave and vowed to never remarry. Now here she was on her way to Vegas to marry her boss. Knowing Phillip, he would understand. He wouldn’t be angry at her for breaking her vow to him. It wasn’t like she was in love with Chase. She was only marrying him for the child she’d missed having with Phillip.
Her first wedding ceremony had been perfect with all her friends and family in attendance. They’d gotten married in a pretty church with an abundance of flowers, and her father had walked her down the aisle to the love of her life. Her bridal gown clung to her upper body with a beaded bodice while the lower half flared out at the waist to give her a stunning Disney princess look. When she and Phillip exchanged their personally written vows, there wasn’t a dry eye to be found.
Seconds after they entered the casino a woman in a professional pantsuit hurried to them with a clipboard in hand. “Everything is ready, Mr. Grayson. The chapel is available, and your penthouse suite has been prepared. Here is your marriage license.” She handed Chase a manila envelope. “And here are the rings.”
She gave him a ring box. Then she snapped her fingers at a casino employee, and he raced over with a bouquet for Katie. The man tried to hand the lovely flowers to her, but she shook her head.
“I forgot to ask what flowers you prefer,” Chase said.
The well-dressed woman offered, “I can have someone run out and get you whatever you want.”
Katie grabbed onto Chase’s arm to capture his attention. “I don’t want flowers at all,” she said in a low voice to try to keep others from overhearing. “I just want to get this over with.”
He waved the woman away before entering the chapel with Katie glued to his side. It turned out the place was run by an elderly married couple. The man performed the ceremonies, and his wife took care of the details. In fact, she peppered them with questions as soon as Chase handed over the marriage certificate.
“We have piano music and popular recordings,” the woman said. “Is there something special you would like for the ceremony?”
“We don’t need music,” Katie said.
“Would you like a veil or flowers in your hair?”
“No, thank you.”
“Would you like pictures or a video?”
“No, thank you.”