Ty looked at her face and slammed the phone down, reaching for her.
“We are going to Vegas, just as soon as I can get a reservation” he stated, pulling her right off her feet and hugging her tightly.
Kelsey heart soared like a helium filled balloon until common sense yanked on the string bringing it back to earth.
“What are we going to Vegas for?” she asked, holding her breath.
“Because we are getting married as soon as possible,” he told her firmly as he stared into her eyes. “After that if I hear one more word about money, or me paying for you, or anythingremotely like that, I will spank your little hind end until it glows like a brake light.”
“Oh Ty,” she sighed, tears falling as she took his face in her hands and smothered him with kisses. “I love you, but do we have to go tonight? I really wanted you to try my casserole.”
“Get me a fucking fork, baby. I’ll eat it on the way.” He grinned as he set her back down with a smack to her butt and headed towards the phone.
Ty wasn’t able to get an immediate flight out of Syracuse airport and by then he realized he had overreacted. Kelsey sat at the table with him as he mowed his way through the casserole until he noticed how quiet she was.
“I’m sorry I sprang the whole ‘getting married thing’ on you like that, Sweet Pea. I was just so frustrated with you always feeling like you don’t really belong to me, that you’re some toy I purchased. I should have realized you would want a real wedding with all the trimmings.”
“It’s not that, Ty,” she said softly as she pushed the food around on her plate. “I don’t mind going to Vegas or anywhere else you want to go. It’s that I thought…”
“You thought I would do things the right way, didn’t you? Hell, I didn’t even ask you to marry me, I just bulldozed you into agreeing.” Getting up, Ty walked around the table and got down on one knee taking Kelsey’s delicate hand in his and kissing her palm.
“Kelsey, I love you,” he said, looking into her eyes. “I know the contract weighs heavy on your mind and your heart, but I want you to forget it. If we had met under other circumstances it wouldn’t even be an issue. Let’s pretend we met at a party like any other couple. When I saw you sitting at that bar looking like you wanted to run for the nearest exit, I felt an overwhelming urge to scoop you into my arms and take you home with me. I wanted to protect you and love you, and most of all I wanted tobeat the hell out of whoever put that desperation on your face. You were about the prettiest little thing I ever saw and I had to at least try to make you fall in love with me. I never cared about the contract, it was simply the only way I could have you for myself and keep another man from snatching you out of my life. I know you think the money is a big deal, baby, but I assure you it’s not. You are the big deal. You are what I can’t live without. Please say you’ll marry me, honey. I promise I will do everything in my power to keep you safe always and love you with all my heart.”
“Oh Ty,” Kelsey replied, tears streaking down her face. “Of course I’ll marry you, anytime and anyplace you say. I’ve never had a real home Ty, and I thought when I came here that having a nice roof over my head and enough to eat would be the most important thing. But it’s not, Ty. As lovely as this place is, it’s just a house. It’s you who are my home Ty; your arms are where I’m safe and loved. I never cared about the money, and I haven’t spent a dime of it. If I could crawl in your pocket I would stay there forever, always with you, your heart beating against my cheek.”
Ty pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair, so she wouldn’t see his own tears as he carried her upstairs.
Much later as Kelsey lay snuggled in Ty’s arms, her head on his chest, he rubbed her back before gently patting her ass.
“Do you want a big wedding?” he asked. “Do you want the whole church, flowers and gown thing?”
“No, I don’t have anyone to invite,” she said softly, surprised that the familiar pain those thoughts usually caused didn’t come. “We can go to Vegas, but do you think we could ask Marcus and Susan to go with us? I’d like her to be my maid of honor.”
Ty laughed, “Of course we can, baby. In fact, turning Susan loose in Vegas should be very entertaining. Not for Marcus of course,” he laughed, “but I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.”
“Come on,” Kelsey giggled, “she’s not that bad. Susan’s just full of life.”
“Susan’s a hell raiser, and just what Marcus needs to pull him into the real world now and then.”
“Doesn’t Marcus have to go on a book tour soon?”
“Yes, I think he does so that will limit our time, but we can plan a honeymoon for my next vacation.”
“What about your parents?” she asked. “Will they want to be there?”
“I’ll call them as soon as we have the details worked out. A lot will depend on how my Dad’s feeling, but it would surprise me if they stayed away. What kind of ring do you want baby?”
“I don’t know,” Kelsey stammered. “Something small and…”
“Not very expensive?” he finished for her. “You can forget that, sweetie. No little diamond chip for my girl. I want everyone who sees it to know just how much you’re treasured, and no arguments in the jewelry store, understand?”
“Yes Ty,” she sighed, smiling. “At least the next time I run into Shelly, she won’t be able to make any more comments about how we’re not really engaged.”
“I don’t think you’ll be running into her very often, honey. I fired her this afternoon.”
“You did?” Kelsey gasped, not even trying to hide her surprise. “What did you tell her?”
“I told her that, given the current economic situation, I was going to bring you into the office part time and she wouldn’t be needed any longer.”
