Nope, he decided. Definitely didn't overdo it.
He loved seeing her like this. She was so excited and happy that it filled the cabin with infectious enjoyment. This was the happiest he'd felt in months. He wasn't thinking about cars or horses or his business with her beside him. He was thinking about her and her happiness. It was something he could certainly get used to.
The dress certainly helped him keep his thoughts on her. He still couldn't get over how amazing she looked in it. When he'd seen the color, he'd known it was the dress for her, but he had no idea just how stunning she'd look in it. The word “stunning” didn't do her justice. She was elegant and sexy, bold and beautiful. He was having a hard time not staring.
The plane came in for a smooth landing, and there was barely even a bump as they touched down. She was grinning from ear to ear, her face lit up with the neon lights of the city as they exited the steps down off the plane.
“Vegas?” She spun around on the tarmac, giggling with excitement. “We're in Vegas!”
“Have you ever been before?” he asked as he guided her toward their waiting limo.
She nodded. “Once. It was for my friend's twenty-first birthday. We got the cheapest flight out, stayed in this super sketchy hotel and lost all our rent money on blackjack.”
He grinned. This trip was going to blow that out of the water. He'd picked well.
“Why are you smiling?” she asked, sliding into the limo with grace.
His grin just got wider. “I have so much to show you,” he replied.
Chapter 18
Mia
Mia waited until Carter wasn't looking to pinch herself. She did it three times in different places just to make sure that she wasn't dreaming. This trip to Las Vegas was more than she ever could have imagined.
First, there was dinner at the Gordon Ramsay Steakhouse. Except, Carter had them in a private room with the chef preparing and delivering all six courses personally. When she joked that it should have been Chef Ramsay feeding them since it was his restaurant, he actually called the Chef up and had him talk to her.
Then, he'd gotten them front row tickets to the newest Cirque du Soleil show, complete with backstage access to meet the performers and see how the incredible stage worked. She didn't even know that such a thing was possible.
Now, they were walking into the Bellagio hotel, and she was ready for anything. At this point, she was half-expecting to have her name spelled out by the iconic fountains out front. There didn't seem to be anything that Carter couldn't do.
The lobby to the casino was extravagant and beautiful. Mia hadn't been to the Bellagio before, so she stared in awe at the beautiful artwork and marble floors. Carter let her stare. He walked slowly beside her, obviously enjoying her reaction to seeing the hotel for the first time.
A bride in a big, beautiful wedding dress walked past with her groom on her arm. Mia and Carter stopped to let them pass by. The bride was grinning from ear to ear as they walked past and Mia couldn't help but grin right back at her.
Mia motioned with her head to the bride. “Is that what's next on the itinerary?” she teased.
Carter shrugged. “Do you want it to be?” He grinned that cocky, self-assured grin.
She was expecting him to vehemently deny it, so when he didn't, she wasn't quite sure how to respond. Most men she knew would have balked and run away from the marriage offer.
“All it takes is a phone call,” he said, pulling out his phone and waving it in front of her.
Mia knew he was just teasing. Or at least she hoped he was teasing. They were nowhere near the point where they should be discussing marriage. This was their first date, for crying out loud, yet her heart was still pounding. Half of her was hoping he'd say yes. That half of her wanted to fling caution to the wind and marry this man because she was falling in love with him. She liked him more than she had liked anyone in a very, very long time.
“So, am I calling Elvis or what?” Carter asked. He put on his most cheesy salesman-esque smile that made her laugh.
“I'm going to say no,” Mia replied. She wondered if that was a flicker of disappointment she saw on his face or just her imagination. “But only because you haven't properly asked.”
Carter chuckled and put his phone away. “I'll keep that in mind. Next time, I'll ask properly.”
Mia's heart skipped a beat. He said there would be a next time. The idea made her insanely happy, and she wasn't quite ready for it. A blush heated her cheeks and made sure to take his hand as they walked through the lobby.
Carter walked right past the front desk and kept going until they were in a fabulous lounge. Hand stitched leather walls with a warm walnut wood trim made the room look gorgeous and inviting. The view of the beautiful gardens outside only added to the room's charm.
“Mr. Williamson, it's a pleasure to see you again,” a woman greeted him, coming out from behind a desk. This had to be a private lounge for the high rollers, Mia assumed. The woman smiled at them. “Your room is ready if you are. If not, fresh champagne is available here in the lounge.”
“We'll head on up, thank you,” Carter replied.