Unchained (Hogan Brothers 3)

“However many you want.”

“I want to be a housewife. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“God, do I love that idea.” Loch rubbed his stubbled cheek against hers. “At my beck and call twenty-four seven.”

“Until the baby comes.” Her voice was husky, eager. “I want a real wedding night, too.” She paused. “You’ll take me, every part of me. You’ll complete me and make me yours.”

“You’re already mine, Angel.”

The kiss he delivered was fierce. Full of ownership and need. The desire to have her in a way they were both holding back from. Her enticing moan was heard throughout the room.

Hunger for her man.

Chapter Thirteen

Love is the dawn of marriage, and marriage is the sunset of love.

They drove all night, neither wanting to wait to recite their vows. Neither wanting to hold off the inevitable. After a stop in Utah around dawn so Loch could get a few hours of sleep, they finally arrived in Las Vegas around three in the afternoon.

The city became congested as soon as they hit the strip. Loch had mentioned he had a destination in mind of where they would stay and where to get married.

Sage had called the only friend she had to come and enjoy their moment together, and after talking with Lochlan, she had confirmed she would be there with her +1 to celebrate with them. Even though she was sad her family wouldn’t be there to witness her Holy Matrimony, Sage was still as excited as a kid in a candy store. She’d been unable to sit still almost the whole drive.

“We’ll check into the hotel, then shop for a dress if you want?” Loch said as he watched the road.

“I’d like that.” She had expressed the desire to, at least, have a white dress to marry him in, and Loch had told her, not for the first time, that she could have whatever she wanted.

Her love for this man grew with every waking moment. He was always thinking of her first. Not once had he asked for anything other than to be tied together to her, and that was the one thing she could most definitely give to him with ease.

“Oh wow,” she said amazed, as he drove along what he’d told her was called the Strip.

“Pretty, isn’t it?”

“It’s stunning.” Her body tingled with overwhelming desire to explore everything that lay before her. From the glamor and glitz of the shops to hotels and casinos, it was all so much to take in. Street performers were on nearly every corner.

“Wait ‘til you see where we’re going,” Loch teased with a smirk.

She didn’t have to wait long as he pulled up in front of the most magnificent piece of architecture she’d ever seen. Driving slowly along the curved path, he parked, and a man came to hold open her door. Stepping out hesitantly, Sage was rendered speechless. The archways, the lighting, the people milling about made for a fantastical sight.

Lochlan’s hand on her back had her turning to him. “We can’t possibly be staying here.”

He chuckled. “We are, Angel. Come on, there’s something I want to show you after we check in.”

As they walked through the exquisite front doors the doorman was holding open for them, Sage took a quick look back and noticed the ceilings of the overhang. Angels, cupids, and clouds abound. Everything she imagined Heaven to look like, it was there, painted in perfect symphony.

“Lochlan.” She sighed into his embrace. Stopping, he looked down to her. “How did you know?”

“I know you.” He shrugged as if it were no big deal he was giving her everything. The Venetian was an absolutely perfect place for them to say their vows. If she couldn’t have the real thing, this was the next best.

“Sage?” a soft voice called as they entered the lobby.

Spinning around until she saw soft blonde hair and a big welcoming smile, she squealed, “Ashley!” Dislodging from Lochlan’s arms, she ran to her friend. Her only one in the entire world. The woman who encouraged her, however slightly, to break free from her constricted life.

“It’s so good to see you,” Ash mumbled into her hair. “How are you? I’m so sorry I couldn’t come to the hospital. Cecilia was having complications, and Landon was out of town on business.”

“I feel better.” Sage smiled, understanding full-well how important Cecilia had become to her. Never would Sage ask her to abandon her sister-in-law.

“You look better. You look happy, Sage.”