Rush to the Altar (21 page)

Maddie turned her head, unable to look into such intensity. She stared at the elegantly dressed men and woman, successful, confident—she was sure nothing like this had ever happened to any of them. “I’m not sure if I believe you, but if you’re willing to do that for me…then I want try. I want to really know you, Jake.”

A mix of fear and exhilaration thudded in her chest in time with her racing heart. Who knew if he would really be so open with her? She only knew one thing for certain. If she didn’t take this chance, this honest attempt by a man she was deeply attracted to, falling in love with, then she never would. She would live the rest of her life in a lonely shadow of what might have been.

A pleased look full of hope crossed his face. “Ask away. Anything.”

She smiled, a little excited to have such freedom, such permission. She twirled some spaghetti onto her fork and took a bite then raised her brows at him, thinking of her first question. “Who are you, really? Strip away the basketball. Strip away the NBA star. What is left?”

He laughed and took a big swallow of water. “You’re not messing around, are you? That’s a tough one, and I’m not sure I know the answer but I’ll try.” He blew out a breath. “I wanted to please my father. He wanted me to be an NBA player from the first time I showed a glimmer of talent and I went along with it, but it wasn’t long before I loved it. A big part of the real me is basketball, or at least athletics—the thrill of beating the odds, of being the best, and pushing my physical body to limits I didn’t know were possible. I’m competitive. I like to win.”

“What would you do if you didn’t have the game? Or maybe I should ask, what will you do when you retire?”

“I’ve given that some thought. I’m from Colorado and I miss the mountains. I think I’d like to do some ranching out west somewhere.” He grinned and shrugged, glancing away. “I haven’t said this out loud to anyone but I think I’d like to breed race horses.” He laughed at himself. “I don’t know much about it, really. I don’t even know for sure if I would like it, but I read about it. I buy Horse and Hound and all those magazines, watch racing movies.”

“That sounds exciting,” Maddie encouraged. “And expensive.”

“That leads to another confession. I…uh…haven’t been very trusting of women either. I guess I’ve been thinking of them as gold diggers and I thought that of you at first.”

Maddie nodded. “I can understand why you would think of women as a whole like that. You’re famous and wealthy.”

Jake coughed into his hand and took another drink. “Full disclosure, right? That is what I said.”

Maddie laughed. “Is it very painful?”

“Just wait, your turn is coming.” He took another big bite, looking to swallow it almost whole, and plunged in. “I’m going to tell you something that only one other person on the planet knows about—my accountant. I, uh, don’t really have to worry about making money after I retire.”

Maddie’s brows came together. “Have you had investments or something?”

Jake let out a bark of laughter. “Something like that. I took a chance several years ago. Bought some stock from a computer company.”

“Microsoft?” Maddie asked.

“No, the underdog at the time.”

Maddie’s jaw dropped. “Apple?”

“Yeah. With that and my other investments, turns out I’m worth about half a billion dollars.”

Maddie felt her breath leave in a gush of air. She couldn’t even wrap her mind around that amount of money. “Wow. That’s…incredible.” It made her feel uneasy. Who was she to be with a man like this? But she reminded herself that he was opening up about everything in his heart…and she was the one he had chosen to do that with.

“Your turn.” He grinned with a teasing light in his eyes, digging back into his meal. “Besides Max, what do you love, Maddie?’

Maddie smiled a small smile. “I guess that’s only fair. For me it’s singing.” She hadn’t meant to bring it up. It was private and yet more public than it had ever been. But the look of pride and pleasure that came to his face when she said it made her glad she’d taken the risk.

“I know.” Jake surprised her. “I was there when you sang.” He laughed and it sounded a little harsh. “I was trying to forget you. We’d gone to Rick’s club and lo and behold, just as I was getting good and tanked so I could sleep a night without missing you, I look up on stage and like everyone in the room…I was spellbound. I didn’t know.”

“I didn’t know either.”

“How could you not know you had such talent?”

“I never really let myself sing. Not like that night. Something happened, I don’t know what, but I just let go, and there it was. It was so much fun. Better than fun. I can’t describe how wonderful that night was.”

“You were phenomenal.”

“I was terrified.” She took another bite. “But I’m so thankful now. Even if I don’t sing on a stage much, I’ll never forget it.”

“Of course you’ll keep singing on stage. It’s who you are.”

No one had ever said it like that before and she realized that it was true, in part at least—even if she only sang sporadically throughout her life, it was a part of who she was.

“Maddie, listen. You said some things in your office about how you couldn’t have a man in your life right now because you have to find out who you are, and I’m guessing the news about Brandon really threw you into a tailspin—which is something I want to talk about some more later. But right now, I want you to know that I won’t hinder that process. I want to encourage it. I want to be that person who…helps it grow. I think we can be that for each other if you’ll let us.” He grasped her hand again and it felt so right, so real, so true what he said.

She couldn’t get away from it—from him. She knew what she wanted now and nothing was going to stop her from letting it happen.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

T
hey’d gone to the BB King Blues Club after dinner to listen to some live R&B. Jake was recognized by one of the bouncers and even though he was from Indiana, one of New York’s biggest rivals, the man asked for his autograph. They were shown to a VIP table toward the front and were able to see the stage incredibly well, even making out the singer’s facial expressions in the bright stage lights.

Jake had his arm stretched across the back of the booth seat, his hand brushing Maddie’s far shoulder. Maddie closed her eyes in contentment, letting the crooning music wash over her—loving it, wanting to experience the song, this singer’s heart wrenching past all their perspectives into an audience’s heart, discovering each other like shy lovers touching for the first time. Like her and Jake and this night.

They left a little early, both wanting to be alone together. They walked the few blocks back to their hotel, admiring the lights of the city, holding hands, their breath making frosty clouds in the air.

~~~~~~

Back in their suite, Jake helped Maddie out of her coat. He shrugged out of his and then wrapped his arms around her waist. Leaning back, she gazed up into his eyes. “Tonight was incredible. Thank you.”

He leaned down to kiss her, starting at just below her ear then moving along her cheek to the center of her lips. She let her mind go. He felt her breathing quicken on his cheek, heat shooting through his body. He made a low sound from his throat and pulled her against him. “You are exquisite, Maddie.”

She sighed, looking up at him with eyes filled with desire, a purr in her throat making her teasing words raspy. “Such big words for a jock.”

He laughed and kissed her again, long and deep, his hands gripping her waist, telling himself to try and keep them anchored there and not go any further. He broke away, his breath coming short and fast. “I don’t want to go back to my house and live even one more day without you. Let’s get married.”

Maddie took a quick indrawn breath and then did that nodding/shaking her head at the same time thing that Jake loved so much. “Are you asking me to marry you? Now?” She gave a squeak of laughter. “This isn’t Vegas and we agreed to take things slow!”

He gripped her shoulders. “Do you love me?”

“Yes. I love you.”

“And I love you. Why date? Let’s commit, right now. Maddie, be my wife.”

She became very still, as pale as a marble statue.

Jake waited, silent but straining in the dim room, desperate to hear her answer.

“Have faith in me,” Jake said quietly into the moment.

She nodded her head, closing and then opening her wide blue eyes to look into his.

“Is that a yes?” He held his breath.

She took a deep breath. “I…yes.”

Exhilaration, pure joy like a rising tide, filled him. He pulled her into his arms to kiss her.

“I’ll take you ring shopping tomorrow. We’ll go to Tiffany’s.”

“I don’t need a fancy ring.” She looked almost as eager as he felt.

“I’ll charter a plane, then. We can be in Vegas by morning.”

“Are you serious?” Maddie burst out laughing. “Or just crazy? Jake, we don’t have to rush.”

“I want to make it real. We can have another wedding, a big wedding later.”

“I don’t need a big wedding. I already had that.”

Jake got down on one knee. “Then what’s stopping us?” He took her hands into his and saw tears gather in her eyes. “I want to hold these hands for the rest of my life. Let’s do it. Right now.”

“Okay.” Her voice was barely audible. He wondered if he was pressing her too hard, but he didn’t care. They would have the rest of their lives to learn everything about each other and work through the ups and downs of any marriage. He had never been so sure of anything in his life.

He gave her one long kiss and then backed up and grinned at her. “Change into something comfortable and pack. I have some phone calls to make.”

~~~~~~

Early the next morning, Maddie climbed into the private plane in something of a daze. After catching a few hours of fitful sleep they had risen early, packed up and checked out of the hotel. They were told that the first available plane could be fueled up and ready by 8am, meaning that they would arrive in Las Vegas around 11 am, which would be 8:00 Vegas time. Jake said that would work out perfectly as the courthouse opened at 8:00. They could go straight there to get their wedding license. He assured Maddie that he had it all worked out and she was just to relax and enjoy their wedding day.

A wedding! It still hadn’t sunk in. Was this really happening? Was she about to become Mrs. Jake Hart? She could hardly fathom it.

They settled into the plush leather chairs; the cabin roomy and luxurious. There were glossy wood tables that folded out in front of them, a couple of computer monitors, a big screen, built-in TV for inflight movies, and a long side cabinet, softly lit and reflecting beverages and food items behind its glass doors.

“You think you can get some more sleep?” Jake asked after take off.

Maddie shook her head. “I’m too excited to sleep.”

Jake put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Me too,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Want to watch a movie?”

“Sure.”

Hours later they landed and were picked up by a limousine and ushered to the courthouse where there was already a line forming outside the marriage license office.

Jake took a call while they stood in line, Maddie listening in. “Really. Okay, well, it’s not what I wanted but it will have to do. I’ll call you back with our decision.” He hung up the phone and looked at Maddie.

“Looks like we have two options.”

Maddie raised her brows.

“There is one time available time at the Venetian,” he cracked a half-smile. “A gondola wedding at the Venetian. Or there is…” He took a big breath and looked to be holding in laughter. “The Little White Wedding Chapel.”

“Isn’t that the chapel Britney Spears got married in?”

Jake nodded. “I think so. And Michael Jordan.”

 “Oh, well, another basketball great. We have to get married there.” Maddie leaned into his side with laughter.

“Uh, yeah, I thought so too but I just found out that the only officiator there today is, um, Elvis.” Jake raised his brows. “How do you feel about Elvis walking you down the aisle, Maddie Goode?”

“Elvis?” Maddie let out a hoot of laughter. “I
have
always been a fan.”

“Really? The gondola would be more romantic. I thought you might want to choose that.”

Maddie shook her head. “We’ll have a small romantic wedding later, for our family and friends. Let’s do Vegas right.”

A big grin spread across Jake’s face. She was already surprising him. “I love you.”

After a little paperwork, a couple of questions and showing their IDs they had the wedding license in hand and took the limo to the Aria resort, where Jake had booked them a Sky Suite. Jake opened the door for her and stood aside while Maddie stepped in. She couldn’t help but gasp as the suite turned on by itself. The floor-to-ceiling curtains automatically opened and the lights came softly on to reveal a gorgeous space. The suite was two-story, the focal point a huge, winding staircase to one side. There was a deep sitting area that faced a giant screen television with a rectangular marble fireplace beneath it, complete with flickering fire. Next there was a stylish dining room with a long, elegant bar and up the stairs a contemporary bedroom and huge bathroom with a round stone bathtub.

“It’s amazing.” She turned to Jake, who had been following her while inspecting the rooms. “I can’t believe we are really here.”

“Come see the view.” Jake led her back downstairs to the wall of windows. Below them was a view of the city, the other hotels, the shops and restaurants and people far below. In the distance she could see the hazy forms of the mountains.

“It’s gorgeous.”

Just as she was about to reach up to kiss him there was a knock on the door. “Who could that be?”

Jake put his finger to his lips and smiled. “I have a few surprises. Stay here.”

Maddie watched as he made his way to the door, wondering what he was up to. They had an appointment at the chapel at 4:00 and had decided to freshen up and change beforehand.

A man gave Jake a huge white box with a pink gauzy ribbon wrapped around it. Jake tipped him, nodding his thanks, and brought it over to the coffee table. “I think this is for you,” he said with a mischievous smile.