“But it was fucking nuts.” I rubbed a hand over my face, though I couldn’t help glancing down to where we were still connected. Christ, just the sight of it made me want to go another furious round. “I just needed you. Like I said.”
Truer words and all that.
She didn’t press me, but I could feel her doubt. Laney was more patient than I was, but she wouldn’t wait forever.
And there was, unfortunately, one thing I did have to ask her.
“Laney?”
Her big eyes blinked as she stroked my face. “Yes?”
I leaned into her touch, eyes closed. “Would you… if someone asked you when we met that first night in Vegas… do you think you could tell them it was before eight o’clock?”
The hand on my cheek stilled. “What?”
I opened my eyes and straightened. “Just, if anyone asks. Like a casino employee. Or a police officer.”
“But we didn’t meet until after eleven at the club. I didn’t even leave the hotel with Megan and her bridesmaids until after ten, so we couldn’t have met before then.” The crease between her brows appeared again. “Ronan, why would a police officer be asking questions about you?”
Fuck.
I never should have asked her. Of course, she knew the time. And really, I was stupid for even asking, considering how many other people had been with her that night and wouldn’t be able to corroborate any story I asked her to tell.
More importantly, it wasn’t in her to lie, and right now, she was looking at me the way I’d always hoped she wouldn’t.
Like she wondered what I might be capable of.
What secrets I was hiding.
“No reason,” I said quickly. “I shouldn’t have asked. Forget about it.”
“But—”
“It’s nothing, I promise,” I rambled on. “Just some boring paperwork about the marriage certificate. Press, police, all the government people are obsessed with billionaires. They need exact times. You know how it goes.” I kissed pressed an absent kiss to her forehead and stepped back, biting my lip as I pulled out of her. “Red tape fools.”
I grabbed another cloth from the cabinet to clean us both up.
She didn’t look convinced while I waited on her. “What paperwork needs the time we met?”
“The kind that makes you want to stab yourself in the eye with a pen out of boredom.” I helped her off the counter, then grabbed a robe from a rack behind us. The last thing I wanted to see was her in that goddamn dress again. “Come on. Let’s send the stylists away and go home.”
Before she could answer, I opened the bathroom door. No one was in the room anymore, which had been abandoned withracks of clothing. But clearly they were close by because the one named Dario popped his head around the corner, then called for the other two.
When Laney emerged behind me, the room was full again, and her cheeks were very red.
“Kate,” I said with my most charming style. “The dress you chose is currently on the bathroom floor, in need of a good steaming. It’s also very beautiful. Perfect for a Black family event.”
Kate beamed. “Great! We have some other options for similar events in case she needs?—”
“Not necessary,” I cut in. “Since for tomorrow, I’d like my wife to look like herself.”
Kate traded glances with her team. “Can you clarify what you mean, sir?”
“The dress is great, but I didn’t recognize her in it. And I don’t think she did either,” I glanced down at Laney. “Am I wrong?”
Silently, she shook her head, still looking embarrassed.
“So,” I continued. “Ditch the diamonds too and find something that will make her feel comfortable and like something she would choose herself.”