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The spa employees at the Bellagio certainly knew their way around pampering a woman. From the relaxing foot soak to the deep tissue massage on my calves, I thought I had entered nirvana, but then came the hot towel wraps and green tea lotion for an invigorating end to the pedicure foreplay.
The chair I sat in had those slow massage knobs that climbed up my back to my shoulders in hypnotizing circles before returning to my lower back. The endless loop left me feeling more like silly putty than a bride. I chose a blood-red nail polish for both my toenails and fingernails. I figured I was already married, and tonight’s follies were more for show anyway.
As soon as the nail pampering was over, I was escorted into the hair salon where the hairdresser put my hair in a braided cascading up-do that put the bridal magazine pictures to shame. I stood in front of the mirror looking at the thick but loosely braided cords at the sides of my head that lead to the web of beautiful curls tickling the nape of my neck. It was gorgeous.
I was pleased, and my monetary tips showed it. When I walked into the hotel room, Alex looked up from the couch, and his eyes widened almost like they did when he saw me in the dress for the first time. He put down the book he was looking at and stood. He looked fine standing there in just the tuxedo shirt and pants. The jacket lay neatly across the couch next to him.
I blew him a kiss and headed towards the bedroom to get dressed. I didn’t have much time left before we had to be on our way. Instead of pulling the shirt off over my head, I stretched it over my shoulders and down my body, stripping the yoga pants with it. The shoes came first, and I buckled the lace sandals before I stood and picked up the dress. The hard part came when I tried to zip it up. I only had the reach to get it to the middle of my back. I needed Alex and crossed to the living room.
He turned towards me when I tapped the wall. I pointed over my shoulder before signing, Can you zip me up?
His lips formed the perfect smile. “I didn’t think it was possible, but you look even more beautiful than you did this morning.” His pants tented, and he shifted as he crossed to me. A blush crept into his cheeks.
I raised an eyebrow at him before he stepped behind me. I swear the man could be as bad as a teenage boy standing in a stiff wind.
“Commando has its drawbacks,” he muttered and tugged gently at my zipper until it reached the top of the dress. “The photo album from this morning came.” He pointed towards the table. “Want to see?”
Do we have time?
“Just enough for you to at least take a quick look,” he said and handed the album to me before he slid his coat on.
I flipped open to the first page, and my chest squeezed enough for my breath to draw in. Alex’s grin captured my heart, and having this memorialized struck a chord deep inside me, bringing those alarms to the surface and ruining the relaxation the last two hours had created in my muscles. Doubt crept in, and a part of me wanted to grab him and hop in the car to head home where I knew he would be safe.
I looked up at him, and that spectacular smile graced his lips, melting my resolve even further. I knew if I continued to flip through the photos, and let these emotions take control, I was going to back out of this job.
And I didn’t have the autonomy to do that. I closed the book and placed it on the table, trying to shake the dread clawing at my insides.
I’ll look at them later. Let’s go before I change my mind.
His smile faded, and he stepped close. “It’s a little too late for that.”
I rolled my eyes and palmed his cheek, slowly running my thumb across his lips. The desperate need to run from this desert oasis filled every cell. I leaned in, catching a quick kiss before I heeded my own internal alarms.
Let’s go catch this bitch so we can go home, I signed as I stepped away.
His cheeks flared. “I thought you meant you changed your mind about marrying me.” He let out a small chuckle. “I really need to stop assuming you mean me when you say shit like that.”
Yes. You do. I gave him a smile and took his hand.
Alex checked the pocket of his coat for the hotel key before we stepped out of the room, and I gave his breast pocket a pat as well.
“It’s there. That’s the first thing I made sure of when I put the jacket on,” he said as the elevator opened. “And the rings are safely tucked away, too. I think I want the photo package from tonight, as well,” he added.
I shrugged. I didn’t care. The photo album sitting in the hotel room was enough for me, but if he wanted pictures of me with my hair all decked out, I didn’t have a problem with that. As a matter of fact, it was downright sweet.
Okay. I smiled as we stepped into the lobby.
Heads turned as we crossed to the entry. A town car with the wedding venue logo plastered on the side was already waiting for us outside.
“Mr. Cervas?” the driver asked as we approached. There was something vacant in his gaze, but it could be just the end to a long day.
“Yes,” Alex confirmed.
The chauffeur for Vegas Wedding Experience opened the door to the back of the town car for us. Alex helped me inside before taking the seat next to me.
I really didn’t want to be in the car going towards possible danger, but then again, if this didn’t pan out, we would only have one more day before my body began to break down. The caviar hair treatment I received at the spa actually rejuvenated my hair, but that had nothing to do with the fish eggs and everything to do with the fact they stored the delicacy in sea water.
The slow pattern of Alex’s thumb on the side of my hand pulled my attention back to the moment. He watched the passing scenery with an expression I couldn’t read. I squeezed his hand, and he glanced my way with a smile that held tension at the corners of his lips.
I wasn’t the only one on edge. I squeezed his hand harder.
“I’m good,” he whispered. “Just nervous that this place isn’t going to be everything we want,” he added and brought my hand to his lips. His gaze traveled to the driver and back to me.
So I wasn’t the only one who caught the weird vibe of nothingness from our driver. He looked pleasant enough, but there was no personality there. Unlike the chauffeurs at the hotel who all seemed to be talkative and jovial.
I pulled my hand out of his and signed, Did you remember the wedding license?
Alex snorted a laugh. “Yes. I have the license and the rings. I have everything we need, so just relax, hon.”
“She doesn’t speak?” The driver’s gaze locked with mine through the rearview mirror for a moment before traveling to Alex’s.
“No. She can’t speak,” he said in a clipped tone that was neither friendly nor welcoming to encourage any more conversation.
“You must really love her to marry a deaf-mute,” he muttered from the front seat.
“She isn’t deaf,” Alex clarified with a hard edge in his voice.
The driver’s eyes never changed as he glanced at the two of us. No remorse or surprise at Alex’s comment. Even his mumbled apology lacked emotion and sincerity.
My spine tingled with warnings. I wished Alex had had the hotel service take us to this wedding venue instead of using their service. We were heading into the devil’s lair without an escape plan.