Chapter 45: Las Vegas
Zain
When Jasmine walked out of the bathroom, she looked even more gorgeous than she’d ever looked before. I knew I’d better get out of the room, or we’d never even make it to the altar the next day.
I looked at my cell phone, and it was just five o’clock. The Marriage License Bureau was open until midnight.
“This is going to sound crazy, but let’s get our marriage license now.” I smiled as my eyes met hers, hoping she agreed.
Jasmine’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. “You mean, get married now?”
I let out a long, slow breath, shaking my head. “No. But if we get our license now and make an appointment at the chapel tonight, then we’ll be all set to get married tomorrow.”
She stared at me for a long moment.
“But if you’d rather wait and do everything tomorrow, it’s okay—”
“No, Zain,” she cut me off, taking a step closer. “Let’s do it.”
A broad smile spread across my lips as I took her hand. “Good. The bureau is open until midnight, so we’ll have plenty of time.” I took her hand and led her out but stopped just outside the door as butterflies beat their wings frantically against the inside of my stomach. I had never been this nervous in my life, and I definitely wasn’t a virgin. But I pushed the thought aside, not wanting to think about anyone else but Jasmine right now. “Are you hungry? We could always eat first—”
Jasmine laughed, placing her hand on my cheek. “Zain, I’m fine.” She lifted one shoulder. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s go to the Marriage License Bureau, and then we can get something to eat. We can book the chapel when we get back.”
I shrugged, already scrolling through my phone. “Today’s Thursday, and it’s too late to get married today—”
“Zain!”
“No, the last ceremony is performed at four o’clock here.” I laughed, shaking my head. “No, I meant that they’ll be closed when we get back.” I looked into her eyes, excitement rushing through my body, hoping she felt it, too. “Let’s book our wedding online now for tomorrow, and the only thing we’ll need is the license. Then we can get something to eat tonight and just relax.” I shrugged. “Everything will be all set.”
“Wow....” Her voice trailed off as she stepped into the elevator. “I knew it was going to go fast, but—”
“Jasmine,” I said as my heart fell into my stomach. Maybe I was just too eager, and it was making her nervous. Maybe she was having second thoughts. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
She wrapped her arms around my neck, her fingers lightly rubbing the tender skin at the base of my hairline. “Yes, of course. Do you?”
I pulled her to my chest, gazing into her eyes. “More than anything.”
My lips crushed hers as I swept her into my arms and backed her against the wall as she wrapped her legs around my waist. My cock grazed across her panties at her opening through my jeans and I gasped. Her tongue swept over mine, and all too soon, the elevator door dinged, and I quickly set her on her feet. If we would have waited one moment later, I would have stopped the elevator and taken her right then and there. But I wanted her first time—our first time together—to be special.
Jasmine quickly smoothed her dress into place just as the elevator door opened. I placed my hand on the small of her back, trying to look cool as I calmed myself down. An older couple was standing on the other side.
“Oh, my!” The woman smiled as she walked past us with her husband. “Fred, remember when that was us?”
He hit the button as he looked up and smiled. “Like it was yesterday.”
The doors closed a moment later, and Jasmine and I laughed as we ran down the hallway. Another couple jumped out of the way when we ran into the foyer, but we slowed down to a walk, laughing as we headed outside.
Taxis were waiting just outside the hotel, and we slipped into the first one. “The Marriage License Bureau, please.”
A broad smile spread across the man’s face as his eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. “You got it, bub.”
I held my phone between us, and Jasmine and I started looking at the wedding packages at Circus Circus. “If we get married tomorrow, we can get the Get Hitched Package, which is one hundred forty-nine dollars, and the officiant fee is sixty dollars. But if we wait until Saturday—”
“We’re not waiting,” Jasmine said, cutting me off. “What times are available?”
I shrugged. “Would you like to get married in the morning or afternoon?”
“Early, but not too early.” A smile lit her lips as she leaned her head against my shoulder. “I want to have enough time to get ready.”
“Twelve noon?” My eyebrows rose.
“Book it,” she replied, sounding more confident than she had just an hour before. “I can pay some, too—”
“No, I’ve got this.” I bit my lower lip, my smile fading, wanting to word it correctly. “Jasmine, I’m sorry I can’t give you a big wedding now. But later—”
“Shush....” She smiled as she pressed her finger to my lips. “This is perfect. Years from now, when and if we get married for real, it still won’t be as perfect as this wedding will be.”
A lump formed in my throat as I pulled her to me and kissed her head. “Do you mean that?”
“More than anything,” she breathed against my chest.
“Here you go!” the driver said, pulling the car to a stop in front of the Marriage License Bureau. “You know, you can always get married now, if you like.” He propped his arm on the back of the seat and shrugged. “They perform marriages here until midnight.”
“No, we’re getting married tomorrow.” Jasmine threw a bill over the seat, beating me to it. “Keep the change.” Then she slid out of the car.
“Jasmine!” I slid out behind her.
“Thanks, miss!” The driver smiled and nodded before pulling away from the curb.
“What was that all about?” I asked, slipping my arm around her waist as we headed up the stairs.
She shrugged, giving me a smile. “I have a dress picked out, and I want you to see it.”
I burst out laughing. “So, this is about a dress?”
Her smile faded. “No, it’s not about a dress at all. This is our wedding, and I want it to be special. Don’t you?”