“And, I bolted. The idea of him leaving them for me scared me so I upped and left, but he followed me and we've been together ever since. I’m still the bad lady that tempted him away as far as his mother is concerned and his ex-wife I suppose. His daughter, Gabby, has never known any different really and comes out a couple of times a year, but Jim has vetoed all visitors for the time being, so Mike has gone to her, but he'll rearrange her visit I'm sure.”
“Why has Jim vetoed visitors?” Tasha knew the answer already and answered for herself, “Me. Sorry to have messed up your plans, and Gabby's.”
“No problem, he has a point really. Anybody could have an ulterior motive to get close to you so he's doing the right thing, isn't he?”
“I suppose,” agreed Tasha before excusing herself with the drinks in her hands.
Jim was just finishing a call when Tasha reappeared in his office and as she put the cups down, he pulled her onto his lap.
“Good morning.” He nuzzled her ear.
“Morning.” She leaned into his touch. “You're working.”
“Yup, but I'm done for today. I thought I would go into the office tomorrow, just for the morning, if you don't mind.” He turned her face to his.
“Not at all. I may see if Abby’s free for a catch up.”
“Whatever you want, baby, but do not go out alone.”
“Jim,” she started.
“No!” His voice carried a stern insistence. “I mean it, Tasha. If you can't guarantee you'll do that, then I’m going nowhere.”
“I promise I won’t go out alone,” she agreed, holding her hand up like a scout.
“By alone I mean without security,” he clarified.
“I figured that.” She pouted.
“Maybe we should look at getting you a bodyguard,” mumbled Jim to himself.
“What? No. I don't need a bodyguard.” Tasha shuddered at the thought of it. She could think of nothing worse than having someone attached to her at all times, watching and monitoring her every move.
“We'll see,” he mused momentarily.
“James,” mewled Tasha gaining Jim's full attention.
“Baby, you have got to be kidding me. I know they say get back in the saddle, but again?” He laughed.
“What?” No.” She laughed too, realising he thought she was using her James seductively. “That's not what I meant. I've been thinking, about us and our wedding,” she explained.
“Ah, I see, and what have you come up with?” He reached for his coffee as she turned slightly to face him.
“I want to marry you and I know I still need to check out my work commitments so I don't know that we would have the amount of time we'd planned,” she waffled.
“Right.”
“But I don't want to wait if we don't have to, so—” She took a very deep breath and continued, “Let's go to Vegas.”
“What?” cried an amazed Jim. “You want to go to Vegas to get married?” He placed his coffee cup down on the desk.
“Yes,” she replied, nervous that he might hate the idea or want a longer engagement.
Jim stared at her and laughed again before clarifying further. “You want us to get married in Vegas, soon?”
“Yes,” she replied in a near whisper now.
“What about the wedding you'd planned?” He’d regained his composure, her blurted out suggestion having knocked the wind out of his sails somewhat.
