“Of course not.” He dusted her lips with his. “I love you.”
“You do?” She didn’t think she’d ever heard three more wonderful words.
A growl rumbled from his throat. “What do you think I’ve been saying?”
Missy bit back a flippant reply. She’d been wrong about so much. By not embracing her strength and not trusting Sebastian to keep her from harm, she’d nearly walked away from the love of her life.
“I love you.” She launched herself against Sebastian’s body, pressing her face against his chest. “I love you,” she repeated, her declaration fierce and sure. “Marry me before I do something stupid.”
Chuckling, he released the loose knot she’d bound her hair into. The strands rushed forward to consume his fingers as he framed her face and gazed down at her. Missy met his grin with one of her own as he lowered his head and kissed her.
Sebastian tugged her into the bathroom and got them out of their clothes. As hot water poured over them, his hands skimmed her body, his touch equal parts reverence and passion. Missy trembled beneath his gentle kisses, her blood heating to a quiet simmer as he toweled her dry.
“Your room or mine?” she quizzed, opening the door to the hall.
He came up behind her and slipped his arms around her. “Which room is closer?”
Voices filtered up the stairway toward them, followed by the thundering feet of excited children.
“You have way too many family members,” he groused, dropping his chin onto her head. “Shall we get dressed and go tell them the good news?”
“You know my father and your mother are going to fight over where we should get married.” She looked up at him. Her heart expanded as she realized this man was going to be hers for the rest of her life.
“That crossed my mind.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I don’t care as long as it happens sooner rather than later.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that.” She smiled. “Did you know it’s only an eighteen-hour drive from Crusade to Las Vegas? If we leave now we could be there in time for lunch.”
“Or, we could fly and be there in time for a late dinner.” He nudged her inside her bedroom. “After we swing by a wedding chapel, of course.”
“Of course.” Missy grinned as he left her to go dress and pack.
Five hours later, Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian Case checked into the same hotel that had hosted the leadership summit. As they headed toward the elevators, Missy gazed with longing at the casino.
“We have a bridal suite waiting for us,” Sebast
ian said.
“Just one spin of the wheel.” She smiled at him. “For old time’s sake? Please.”
“One spin.” Sebastian followed her to the roulette table and changed a hundred dollar bill for chips. “Black or red?”
Missy took the chips and put them on red. As the silver ball spun round, she leaned against Sebastian and for a second it was only them.
“Fifteen black,” the dealer called.
“I lost?” She couldn’t believe it.
“Lucky at cards, unlucky at love.” Sebastian drew her away from the table. “Looks like your luck has changed.”
“It has indeed,” she said, snuggling against his side as they headed upstairs to start their honeymoon. “And I couldn’t be happier.”