The Billionaire's Vegas Bride: A BWWM Alpha Male Romance (3 page)

Kaya and Chantelle fist-bumped as soon as they turned in their exams and strutted out of the testing room. Each girl had worked hard for months and quizzed each other until they had the answers firmly planted in their minds. Kaya whipped out her cell phone and spoke the names of the friends for a conference call.

“Janice, D’aja, and Cherlyn; it’s time to party! Give us an hour to break out our Christian Louboutins and hit the club!” Kaya barely gave them a chance to squeal their responses before she shoved her phone back into her Gucci bag.

Chantelle chuckled at the idea of owning a pair of Christian Louboutins, but she knew that her new five-inch heels would look great with the dress she had worn a few months ago to a friend’s bachelorette party. The cream-colored material did not stand out on its own, but its perfectly tailored lines hugged her curves and accentuated her skin tone, creating a striking and classic look that would turn heads in anywhere.

Unlike Kaya, she worked hard for everything she had and only barely got by with the help of her aunt.

Chantelle remembered picking up the other girls in Kaya’s car and heading out to dance. The dance floor was hot and the DJ had the speakers thumping. The girls ordered pitchers of drinks and Chantelle was losing track of how much of the sweet, colorful concoction she was drinking. The last thing she remembered was dancing with a beautiful man who had her sweating. She realized that the man had been Justin.

She shook loose from the memory and stepped into the shower. Even the shower shocked her with its luxury. There were multiple showerheads around the comfortably sized stall. Once she shut the beautiful glass door, she navigated the settings. She chose a soothing setting to begin the most comfortable shower she had ever had.

Again, everything she could want was there. There was a variety of shampoo, body wash, an exfoliator, lotion, conditioner, and essential oil for every type of skin and hair. She slipped on a shower cap and chose a lavender body wash. All of the products were tastefully arranged and easy to access. For a few moments, she forgot her worries and allowed herself to decompress under the warm water. After her shower, she rubbed on a smooth lotion and wrapped herself in the robe hanging from the door.

As she pulled the robe around her, she smelled a familiar fragrance. Somehow, without knowing why, it gave her a feeling of both comfort and excitement. She realized that the man in the other room had already used the robe. Without the stress of having him in the room, she allowed herself to feel the comfort of his smell close to her skin. She had a vague memory of sweet kisses swelling to passion, but it was all so distant and she couldn’t quite retrieve the memory, but she could not deny her response to the very scent of him.

*

Meanwhile, Justin had cleaned himself up swiftly in the guest bathroom off of the sitting room of the suite. He didn’t want to go back into the bedroom where his suitcase was because he had assured Chantelle that he would respect her privacy. He stepped back into the pants he had worn last night since he had grabbed them before leaving the bedroom. He buttoned up the pale blue shirt and looked at himself in the mirror. He knew that he did not look like a man who had just inherited billions of dollars the day before. He was clean, but rumpled. The crispness of his clothes had worn off and he looked quite common.

He went back to the sitting room and heard the shower. He was relieved to know that Chantelle was comfortable enough to take care of her basic needs. Even though he didn’t know her, he was concerned for this beautiful woman who had a strange combination of strength and vulnerability in her gestures and in her eyes. He picked up a magazine and then set it down. He wished that he had grabbed his cell phone from the bedroom, but he didn’t feel right about retrieving it now. He looked out of the window and saw that the day was well under way, with tourists hurrying about the city.

His mind relived his encounter with his father and he felt his stomach turn with the idea that his father considered this trip to be his last connection with his ‘less than acceptable’ friends. He would be expected to go home, marry a woman like Candice, socialize with the right people, and work at the company’s business with no regard for his own personality or ethics.

He was contemplating his plight without realizing the time flying by, and so he was startled when the door opened and Chantelle emerged. She looked as fresh as a budding flower in her cream-colored dress. With a start, he stood up. Again, he felt that pull of arousal that he couldn’t seem to control around her.

“I’m sorry if I took too long.” Chantelle said softly, looking about the sitting room. Again, she saw nothing but luxury. The coral colored upholstered furniture was both comfortable and elegant looking. The lighting was perfect and caused the polished wood of the tables to gleam.

“Certainly not. I hope you found everything you needed.” Justin hurried to her side. He couldn’t help taking her hand and looking into her fresh but worried face. “By the way, my name is Justin. I hate to tell you this, but I really can’t remember a thing about meeting you last night. To be perfectly honest, I considered making up a story that sounded better than that, but I feel that you have a right to know the truth.”

Chantelle blinked back a new surge of encroaching tears. She hadn’t considered that he might’ve forgotten the evening, too.

“I forgot…” She paused to staunch the new flood of tears. “I forgot what happened, too.” At that statement, she could no longer hold back the flood of emotion. Quiet tears spilled down her cheeks. Once again, Justin felt an overwhelming urge to make it all better for this beautiful girl who seemed to move him without even trying. “This isn’t like me!” She began to explain in a hurried, intense voice. “I don’t even know what to say. I’ve never found myself in a position like this before. I hate to ask you, but do you know where these rings came from?”

At this point, a jarring knock on the door made them both jerk their heads to see who could be so loud and jovial this early in the day. Before they could answer, Justin heard Sam’s voice on the other side of the door.

“Open up, mate! We want to congratulate the happy couple!” Sam’s singsong tone indicated that he was not at all confused about how the two ended up in bed together.

Chapter2

Chantelle looked at Justin and their eyes connected in that deep way that was so new to both of them. She had never felt this kind of tug from merely looking at a man. He certainly was good looking, but she had seen good-looking men before. His blue eyes seemed to hold hers. The color was pretty, but it was something more. He seemed to be trying to see into her soul. She took in his wavy, golden hair. He had attempted to tame his hairstyle in the guest bathroom, but it was currently in a casual state, with the waves playing about his temples and neck. 

Justin was in a state. Something about her gaze heated his loins and he could only look at her, hoping against hope that the knocking on the door would stop and he could take her into his arms and kiss those full, succulent lips.

The loud rapping on the door started again and Sam said, “Come on, you guys! We brought breakfast and we want to meet Mrs. Fullerton in daylight!”

Mrs. Fullerton? Both Chantelle and Justin's eyes widened at the name. So, the rings… could it be true? Justin went to the door and opened it. Sam bowed into the room with a flourish. Although Tim was the actor, Sam was the one to work a room and make a joke out of anything. He slapped Justin on the back and courteously took Chantelle’s hand and planted a chaste kiss on it. Then, like a magician showing the way to his latest trick, he gestured to the three waiters bringing covered dishes into the room on trays covered with fine linen.

“It’s time for you two to get some nourishment. I’m sure you’ve had… ahhh… a busy night!” He winked at Justin and began to take the lids off of the trays with a flourish.

“For the groom we have all of his favorites; country fried steak, fried potatoes, fresh strawberries, French toast, scrambled eggs, and every kind of breakfast meat we could lay our hands on! We had no idea what the lady would like, so we chose eggs benedict, several other egg dishes, smoked salmon, every kind of pancake imaginable, and… oh, I forgot what else we got. But there’s enough food for about fifty people, so I’m sure we’ll all find something good.” With that, Sam grabbed a plate and started digging in to a heaping pile of steaming potatoes.

Justin and Chantelle stared at Sam as if an alien had just landed in the room. Tim and Glenn stood in the background. They didn’t seem as comfortable with the scene as Sam was, but they were also ready to tear into the food. So, Tim gave a mild shrug and picked up a plate and began to peruse the choices.

Justin patted Chantelle’s hand. “Listen, Chantelle. I know this is awkward, but I think that maybe having breakfast with my friends could clear up some of our confusion, and I would feel better if you would eat something before you leave. I’m sure I didn’t take proper care to make sure you had enough to eat last night and I feel it’s my duty to take care of you now.”

Chantelle began to bristle at the word, ‘duty’. She didn’t want any man to feel like he had to take care of her simply because of a sense of duty, but she settled herself down because she realized from his tone of voice that he was genuinely concerned for her, and it was true that she needed to find out from his friends exactly what had transpired last night.

Further, the smell of bacon was wafting her way. She rarely allowed herself this treat, and her hunger was gnawing at her stomach. She nodded to Justin and took a glass of orange juice from one of the carts.

Justin casually picked up a plate and stood near Sam. “So, Sam! What did you think of the ceremony?” Justin asked without looking directly at his friend. He hoped that Sam wouldn’t realize that he was fishing for information.

Sam had loaded his plate with potatoes, sausage, and eggs. He took a mouth full and rolled his eyes in pleasure. “Mmmmmmm, it would have been a lot better if you had had food like this!” Sam smacked his lips and dove in for another bite of sausage.

Justin tried another angle. “So, how about that preacher?”

“Ha!” Sam cried with a mouth full of food. He choked it down so that he could expound. "That woman was a scream! Can you believe she gets paid to do those weddings all night long like that? Your dad would have a cow if he saw you getting married by a woman with that many tattoos. I’m glad you didn’t go for the package where you both sat on Harley Davidson's for the ceremony.

“I mean, I know Vegas is over the top, but that was beyond tacky. I gotta tell ya, buddy, that was crazy. I mean I know you fell for Charlene fast and she is really great, but I didn’t think you’d really go through with it!” Sam’s pleasant face beamed at Chantelle. “I like you.” He said this while waving his fork in the air. Sam could behave well in the best restaurants, but when he cut loose, he enjoyed expressing himself freely and using his hands to talk. “You are obviously good people and your friends are great! I wouldn’t mind a little time with D’aja. How old did you say she was?”

Justin tried to steer the conversation back on topic. “Yeah, her name is Chantelle, not Charlene. So, how about these rings?” He flashed the ring on his finger and the diamond caught the light.

“I believe what they say now! You can do just about anything in Vegas. Those stores were something else. You can buy about anything here at any time of the day or night. I was the one looking for the rings but you insisted on making the final choices. I’m not sure how Charlene… ah… I mean Chantelle’s girls kept her away long enough, but it was worth it when you got down on one knee under all of those lights and proposed.

I about fell over. You were so damn sentimental. You were all like, ‘Oh, Chantelle, this is my last chance at true love. I can’t go home without you.  I thought she would laugh it off, but she just about collapsed into your arms. It just shows how much I know about anything!”

Justin and Chantelle turned to each other. This was the explanation they needed. Justin told his friends to continue helping themselves to breakfast while the newlyweds returned to the bedroom to discuss their dilemma.

“Justin, I can see that you are very wealthy and I’m sure it’s been an adventure to slum it in Vegas for a night, but this wedding was obviously a big mistake and we’ve got to do something about it.” She sat on the side of the bed, twisting a strand of her hair around her finger, as was her habit when she was nervous or distressed.

Justin barely paused before deciding that he didn’t want her to know about his wealth. He wasn’t sure why, but he wanted their relationship, as it was, to be based on something other than his money. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not the one with the money.”

Thinking fast, he used the first name that popped into his head. “Sam is the one with the money. Remember how he said that he was the one looking for the rings?”

Chantelle wasn’t moved by this speech. “Regardless of the issue of money, we have a big problem.”

“Look, honey.” He said the word before he even realized that it was coming out of his mouth. He didn’t know that he had used that term of endearment several times the previous night. She felt a little lump in her throat. As much as she hated to admit it, she loved hearing the words.

He cleared his throat, “Chantelle, I have a lawyer who can get this annulled. Just give me your information so that I can reach you. I… ah…” He shuffled uncomfortably. “Sam slipped me the wedding license in the other room. I’ll take care of it all.”

They looked at each other with a sense of regret that surprised them both. She gave him her cell phone number, work number and address, and then without another word, she left the room, passing Justin’s friends. Her silent exit spoke volumes to them all. Quietly, they went to their own rooms, knowing that the party was over and it was time to return to Manhattan.

Chantelle walked out of the hotel and braced herself as she walked from the extremely cold air conditioning and onto the hot, bright sidewalk. She had worked so hard to make a decent life for herself and she was disappointed that her evening of celebration had ended so wrong.

Then she realized that her main feelings of disappointment stemmed from the fact that she was walking away from Justin. There was something about him that drew her to him. He was handsome, but there was something else, too. He seemed sincere and ‘real’. Even during their short and awkward time together that morning, he was concerned for her and looked after her needs. This was not something she was used to.

In spite of her relief that she may be able to undo the mistakes of the night before, she couldn’t help feeling a great loss as she found her way to her car. At least that was not a problem. She had parked in the lot for employees where she worked. Her job as a data entry clerk at one of the casinos was boring and didn’t pay well, but at least she had work and last night she had a place to park her car.

She turned on her radio and one of her favorite love songs was playing. That was the last thing she needed to hear right then, she flipped past it to an upbeat song in the hopes that it would lift her spirits. She drove directly to her apartment and felt better as soon as she unlocked the door and walked in.

She had made this small apartment her own. Thanks to Aunt Janine, she had some fine pieces of furniture and the two of them had chosen fabric together to make drapes and accent pillows. Aunt Janine had always been like a mother to Chantelle and just looking at the bright colors they had chosen together lifted her spirits.

She kicked off her shoes and sank into her bright blue leather love seat that had been a gift from Aunt Janine. She happened to know that Janine had found it on extreme clearance, but it didn’t matter to Chantelle. It was perfect for her small apartment and brightened up the space. She wrapped herself up in the soft throw that her aunt made for her and felt as if the old woman who had raised her for much of her life was embracing her.

She picked herself up from the love seat with the throw wrapped around her shoulders and went to the kitchen to get some aspirin and a cup of tea. She was so glad that she didn’t have to work that day. Her job did pay her bills, but it was a chore to go and do the mundane work every day and receive little to no thanks for her efforts. It didn’t seem to matter whether she worked hard or not, because it was never enough for her bosses.

She had become somewhat numb to their condescension and hoped that someday she could move beyond this type of work, but lately she had been discouraged. In spite of her efforts to raise herself up through her school work, it was getting harder and harder to make ends meet and she was afraid that she, like many of her friends and family, would have to give up her education to take on another job.

Her eyes went to a picture of herself and Aunt Janine, smiling at a camera on the steps of Janine’s old-fashioned church when Chantelle was just a child. They were dressed in their Easter best and Chantelle was safe with her favorite auntie at last. That was a time when she found new hope after terrible disaster. When her mother died of breast cancer, Chantelle was afraid that she would be forced to stay with her father.

She knew that with her mom gone, she would be the one to take the brunt of his anger and beatings, but Aunt Janine took her brother-in-law in hand. She let him know that he wasn’t fit to raise a young girl. She took Chantelle home with her and raised her from the day of her mother’s funeral and for that, Chantelle was eternally grateful. The picture she was gazing at reminded her that there was always hope.

She felt some comfort thinking about Janine, but then she was distracted from her thoughts as the phone rang. Caller ID told her that it was Tom. The last thing she needed right now was to hear from her ex-boyfriend who had been trying to get back with her for over a month.

The first few months of dating him were like a dream. He was sexy and attentive. Little did she know that his romantic picnics and walks to the local sights were simply a way to cover up not only his poverty, but his lack of interest in keeping a steady job. When he started asking for money here and there, she didn’t worry about it, but when he started rummaging through her purse and getting angry when she didn’t give up what little money she had, she realized that it was not going to work. His anger was extreme and reminded her of her dad.

The old fears from her childhood came back to her and she firmly told him that he had to go. He yelled at her, calling her terrible, degrading names. He stomped through her cute little apartment, breaking things as he went. She locked herself into the bathroom with her cell phone.

As he began to beat on the door, she heard her neighbor, an extremely large man who worked in a casino as a bouncer. His calm but firm voice resonated through her small rooms. “Hey, buddy. I think it’s about time for you to leave now.” Jerry stood almost a foot taller than Tom and made sure to flex his huge muscles to emphasize his words.

Tom’s anger gave way to the obvious strength of the other man. After a few words that Aunt Janine would have shuddered to hear, Tom stormed from the apartment. Since then, he had been calling at least three times a day, sometimes more often, in an attempt to get her back.

She picked up her phone and sent a quick text. “I’m sorry, Tom, but I won’t ever go out with you again. You need to move on.”

Then she turned off her phone and decided that it was time to see Aunt Janine. She had developed the habit of leaving her apartment carefully to make sure that Tom wasn’t waiting for her. She got to her car and drove to her aunt’s neat little house. Most people think of the lights and glitz of the strip when they think of Las Vegas, but there are thousands of people who live in normal houses on normal streets, as well. Aunt Janine’s house was in a neighborhood that had seen better days, yet Aunt Janine kept her house neat and welcoming.