But that drew her attention to him, and her jaw practically unhinged.
“Oh my God,” she said, grinning widely and trying to keep her voice at a whisper, but her enthusiasm made it hard. She pushed her chair back suddenly and got to her feet, and then she did a kind of cross between a bow and a curtsy to Theo, like she didn’t know which one she was supposed to do in the presence of a royal.
“Thank you, but there’s no need for that,” he said, reaching for her hand and clasping it with both of his while I glanced over my shoulder to make sure the couples behind us were so focused on each other that they weren’t watching the spectacle.
No such luck. The two directly behind us were watching with wide eyes, and I knew they were seconds away from busting our their phones to record what was happening.
So much for keeping things quiet. But even that wasn’t going to ruin our night. Everyone was going to find out anyway, and I’d found somewhere a little more private for our actual vows.
God.Vows.We were really going to do this.
“I just saw you on the news this week, and I had no idea you were a couple,” the woman said as she settled back into herchair and pulled up the online forms we’d filled out on the plane. “Now you’re gettingmarried? I can’t believe it.”
“Well, if I don’t tie Shep to me now, someone might try to steal him away,” Theo said, his charming smile on display as he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me in close.
A soft squeal escaped her, and I could hear the surprised rumbling of voices behind us.
“I’ll get this ready for you now,” she said. “I just need to confirm a few details. Your full name is Prince Theodore Rinaldi?”
“Just Theodore Rinaldi,” he said before shooting her a wink. “Though I’ll also go by Shep’s Sexy-As-Fuck Future Husband if you want to put that down.”
“That might be a little long,” I pointed out.
“Only for you. Shepard O’Neil Winchester the third, Theo’s Sexy-As-Fuck Future Husband,iskind of a mouthful.”
“Okay, let’s debate that later. For now we’ll stick with our given names, thank you.”
“Of course. Let me get that printed out for you.” The last thing we needed was a crowd gathering. She grinned at the two of us, my tone clearly prompting her to hurry things along.
Seconds later, with the marriage license in hand, Theo and I were exiting the bureau with one thing on our minds—securing our happily-ever-after.
THE LIGHTS OF Vegas twinkled outside the car window as we headed toward our next destination, my contribution to tonight’s whirlwind of activities. I still wasn’t fully convinced we hadn’t both been abducted by aliens to be doing something so insane. But as I looked at the man sitting beside me, the reality of the moment settled, comforting a part of my soul that had always been a little restless and deeply alone.
Theo made my world a happier place. A far more chaotic one, but a happy kind of chaos. The type that kept me on my toes, wondering what he would do next to make me fall even more in love with him.
He was impulsive and passionate, and tonight I would make him mine. Something I couldn’t wait to show to the rest of the world when we walked out of?—
“The Chapel of Flowers?” Theo said as the car drew to a stop outside of a white chapel lit up with a warm glow.
“Hey now, this was all very last minute. You’re the one who suggested Vegas.”
Theo chuckled and reached for my hand, bringing it to his lips. “I’m not complaining. I’m actually pleasantly surprised Elvis hasn’t come out to greet us.”
A wide smile crossed my lips, and Theo’s eyes widened.
“He’s not going to, is he?”
“No, no.” I laughed and pushed open the door to climb out. “No one is going to be singing ‘Love Me Tender’ tonight.”
“Are you sure? Because your smile looks…devious.”
“That’s rich coming from you. But yes, I’m sure,” I said, and held my hand out to him. “Trust me.”
Theo slipped his fingers into mine and climbed out. I pulled him into my arms and pressed a hard kiss to his lips.
“I love you.”
“Then prove it. Marry me,” he said.
