"Thank you for letting me be part of your special day," Stuart said to Zach as he pumped his hand vigorously. "You won't be sorry I talked you into using that photographer."
Zach smiled, if not with genuine pleasure then at least with good humor at how Stuart Chandler had cooperated beautifully with Kendall's plan. After hustling them to the chapel he had offered to walk her down the aisle, claiming dubious kinship as her one-time uncle from when Erica and Adam had been married several years earlier. She had laughingly accepted and the simple ceremony had been, he had to admit, quite lovely. The chapel was tastefully decorated in gold, cream and peach – without any indication of neon or the garishness that adorned so many of Las Vegas' wedding venues. They spoke the traditional vows before a non-denominational minister and Zach took great pleasure in providing a kiss worthy of any bride when asked to do so.
He had not intended for any fuss surrounding the ceremony, and assumed that Kendall would not want photographs of it since it was strictly business – regardless of what they might choose to say in the future. However, Stuart had been appalled that they would not have a photographic record of the day and Zach had quickly acquiesced to having photographs taken in the chapel and on the Terrazza Di Sogno overlooking the hotel's fountains to appease him. Then Stuart joined them for a meal in one of the hotel's five-star restaurants before leaving the couple to begin their honeymoon.
"I know you were right, Stuart. Thank you for thinking of it," Zach said, continuing to smile. Behind Stuart, Kendall was doing all she could not to laugh out loud at Zach's attempts to be the jovial bridegroom to their unwitting guest when his eyes told her that he'd much rather be doing anything else.
Stuart turned away from Zach and drew Kendall into a warm hug as he said, "Thank you for inviting me to your wedding, Kendall. You are a very beautiful bride."
Kendall hugged him back, "I'm glad you could be here… it felt so right to have someone with us from home."
Stuart released her and began to leave before turning around, "Kendall… Zach? Can I tell Marion about the wedding? I know that it's a secret… but…"
Kendall shot Zach a triumphant look before nodding to Stuart, "Of course you can tell her. A husband should never keep secrets from his wife."
"It's good… you know that already… honesty is what makes marriages work," Stuart said, nodding sagely. "Thank you for lunch and… and… everything…"
Kendall moved to stand beside Zach as they watched Stuart amble down the hallway. Zach's arm reached around Kendall's waist without volition and he squeezed her lightly as he looked into her dancing eyes, "I don't know whether to kiss you… or…"
"Why don't you just kiss me and not worry about what else you'd like to do to me. Didn't I tell you that it would work?" Kendall asked with delight.
"You certainly did… now you just have to accept whatever we've gotten ourselves into," Zach said cynically.
"Well… at least you admit that we're in this together," she answered with a smile. "Now, what else do you have planned for us today?"
"What would you like to do, Mrs. Slater?" he asked her with a twinkle in his eyes.
Kendall startled at the use of her new name before laughing at her surprise. She answered after a moment, "You know… I could really use a nap. What about you?"
The look of undisguised desire in Zach's eyes made her shiver deliciously as he drew her quickly toward the elevators, not saying a word but answering her query with his obvious haste. Kendall giggled as they inserted their key card to reach the secure floor, the sound echoed with a deep laugh from Zach. They were barely behind the closed door of the penthouse before they started removing each other's clothing, leaving a pathway to the bedroom strewn with their apparel. Once in the bedroom though, they were each struck with the realization that they were now husband and wife, and that this act more than any other would make that marriage a real one – regardless of any business or contracts signed or discussed.
Kendall faltered a moment, acting almost shy, before Zach gently cradled her face with his hands. He leaned forward and kissed her gently, barely touching her lips but allowing the kiss to deepen between them gradually. For Kendall, she felt that kiss to the very core of her being and her knees buckled beneath her from the impact. One kiss could not possibly be so potent, and that meant it had to have something to do with the man behind it. Sensing that she was losing herself, Zach pulled her tightly against him – enjoying the feeling of her skin against his. She wound her arms around him as their kisses awoke an overpowering need and he eased them both onto the bed. With a sense of urgency neither of them comprehended, they caressed and enticed their bodies. As Zach raised himself above her, Kendall heard herself cry out his name before losing herself in their shared release. Their union was at once fierce and tender, but infinitely satisfying.
Afterwards, as they lay in a tangle of arms and legs, Zach delicately traced the contours of her body with elegant, gentle hands. As Kendall lay with her head upon his chest, soothed by the steady beat of his heart against her cheek, she felt a possessiveness that she couldn't understand. A soft purr slipped from her lips, and Zach smiled to himself with the knowledge that she was as content as he. After a moment he trailed his lips along her hairline before whispering, "You okay?" Her only response was to nod her head slightly and burrow into his chest, tightening her arms around him. He sighed with pleasure before surrendering to the sleep that had been gradually stealing upon them both.
"Zach?" Kendall whispered. She had awoken in the darkened bedroom, dimly lit from the illumination of the city. Feeling safe and secure in the strong arms that were enfolding her, she relaxed in his embrace for a few minutes longer. Attempting to rouse him again, she placed a hand on his shoulder and shook gently, "Zach? Wake up, Zach."
He sighed deeply as he opened his eyes. Catching sight of her he tightened his hold as if to never relinquish her. Instead of pulling back, though, she nestled into his body and he felt the immediate stirrings of desire for this passionate and beautiful woman who had become his wife. "Come here," he whispered as he used a finger to lift her chin and placed his lips, soft and supple, against hers. She sighed into the kiss as she opened her mouth and allowed his tongue to teasingly enter it. Soon their ardor overwhelmed the last vestiges of sleep and they loved each other thoroughly.
"Hey," Zach said quietly to her as they rested in each other's arms, "how are you doing?"
Kendall lifted her head and met his eyes, tears glistening in her own. "I'm doing so…," she said, voice catching slightly.
He pulled her close against his chest, kissing and stroking her hair, "Sh… sh… why the tears? What's wrong?"
She pulled herself to a seated position as he rose on his elbows, "Nothing… it's just… so… wow… I guess I never expected… to feel…"
He gave a low chuckle, "Yeah… it shouldn't feel any different… but it does. Come here." He tugged her against him and stroked his hands the length of her back, rubbing gently.
"Mmm-mmm… that feels good," she whispered as he continued his ministrations. After a few minutes she pulled away, "I'm hungry… what about you?"
"I could eat," he agreed. He leaned across the bed and turned on the lamp so that they could check the time. It was evening, well passed the normal dinner hour – but something was always available in a city that never sleeps. "Would you like to go out? Or do you prefer room service?"
"Room service is fine with me… but can we go out afterwards?" she replied.
"Sure we can… what would you like to do?" he said in surprise.
She looked at him with an impish grin, "I want to go back to the casino"
"Oh no!" he said in mock horror. "I've created a monster… Kendall, seriously… you do have to be careful. As a casino owner, you have to be able to separate the games from the business." He hoped that she wouldn't become angry at his comment, but it was such a vital part to her new role that he had to emphasize it.
When she continued to smile, he breathed a sigh of relief. She laughed at him, knowing he had been momentarily afraid of ruining her good mood – but nothing could be further from happening. She answered him seriously, "Thank you for the warning… but it was completely unnecessary. I don't want to gamble tonight… I want you to."
"Me?" he answered in astonishment. Although she had at first seemed interested in watching him play the previous evening, he thought that once she experienced it for herself she wouldn't think of it again.
"Yes… you," she answered in the same serious tone. "I want to see you in action… after all, if you're good enough to win your first casino in a poker game… you must be a master."
"No… I'm no master… but I do enjoy a good wager… and I like a high stakes game," he answered honestly. "If that's what you really want… then I'm happy to oblige. But are you really sure you want to leave the bedroom?" he asked playfully as he pulled her into his arms and nuzzled her neck.
She shrieked with laughter before answering, "Yes… I want everything tonight… and that includes getting to see you at your best… well… make that your second best…"
Their laughter mingled as they wrestled together for a few minutes on the bed. They ordered a light repast and helped each other dress for a visit to the casino. It was a very good thing that it was open round the clock… because they kept distracting each other with different enticements.