by McCoy, SJ
Dan's face as he said, “Damn!” was a picture she'd never forget. It sent the tingles racing through her to know she could have that effect on him.”
“Wow, Mom! Just, wow.” Scot grinned. “You should wear pretty dresses all the time.”
Dan nodded. “We'll have to work on that, huh, champ?”
Missy smiled at them, delighted. Delighted with the dress and with both of their reactions. “Thank you, Danny. It's beautiful.”
“No, Miss. You are beautiful. The dress just shows you off, right Scotty?”
“Right.”
“Well, thank you both.” She checked the clock. “But for now I need to get out of this, and we need to get moving if you're going to make the bus. Have you got everything you need for tonight?”
“Oh, no! I need to....” Scot ran off back up the stairs.
Dan came and put his arms around her. “So beautiful,” he murmured. “Are you sure you want to go? If you're worried about him, we could stay here?” He ran his fingertip along her collarbone. “I'm sure we could find something to do?” He touched his lips to hers. “Maybe dance in the bedroom? Or you can let me take you to the Bellagio, see your show, and dance in a different bedroom?”
She pressed herself against him. “Take me to Vegas, Dan.”
He grinned and kissed her again. “I was hoping you'd say that.”
“Dan, Dan, Dan! The bus just left!” Scot came bounding down the stairs.”
“No worries. It was my fault.” He looked at Missy. “Can I borrow the van?”
She nodded. He'd just bought her a dress that was worth more than her old minivan. She looked at Scot. “Are you sure you've got everything now?”
He nodded. “Yep. Don't worry, Mom. You have a great time.” He gave her a hug. “Love you. See you tomorrow.”
Missy swallowed around the lump that had formed in her throat. “Love you, sunbeam. You make sure you have a great time, okay?”
He grinned back at her as he headed for the door. “I will. See ya!”
***
Missy stepped out of the limo in front of the Bellagio. She felt like Cinderella. Her Prince Charming came to take her arm. She looked around, thinking he'd forgotten their bags, but of course the bell-boy was taking care of them.
She smiled up at Dan. “Looks like you've done this before, hero?”
“Yeah. We used to come up here most weekends last winter.”
Missy's heart sank. She shouldn't be jealous of his past, she knew that, but she was.
He stopped to look at her, head cocked, that serious expression on his face. “Miss, when I say 'we', I mean me and Steven. Corey sometimes. I never brought Olivia to Vegas. Or any other woman for that matter.”
It was silly of her, but she was pleased to hear it. “It's none of my business, Danny, but I'm glad.”
His eyes twinkled. “Me too. This feels like coming for the first time.”
“Oh look!” Missy had caught sight of the fountains springing to life. “They're so beautiful!”
Dan smiled. “Wait ’til you see them after dark. We can come out after the show. You'll love it.”
Missy couldn't wait.
“Mr. Benson. Welcome.”
The man behind the desk greeted Dan warmly and nodded at Missy.
“Good to see you, George. How've you been?”
“I'm just fine thanks, and you?”
Dan put an arm around Missy's shoulders. “Better than ever, thanks, George. I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Missy.”
George came out from behind the desk to shake Dan's hand, then Missy's. He held on to her hand as he said, “I'm so pleased to meet you, Missy. Dan here is one of the kindest, most decent men I've ever met.”
Missy smiled. “It's nice to meet you too, George. And I have to say, I feel the same way.” She looked up at Dan. “He is a very special guy.”
“He is that, and you must be a special lady yourself. I've only ever known him head straight for the tables.” He grinned at Dan, “But tonight I've got you down for a table at Picasso and VIPs at Cirque? I thought it must be another Dan Benson when I saw that, but requesting your suite, it had to be you. Are you waiting on your other guest, or will they be joining you later?”
Missy looked at Dan, wondering what other guest.
“No, it's just us in the end. Scot couldn't come.”
“Should I make that a table for two at Picasso then?”
“Yes, please. And, George, would you see if there's any chance we can get a table outside, after the show, too, for dessert?”
“I'll make sure you get one, Dan.”
Missy was surprised, and at the same time not surprised, to see how the concierge treated Dan. Just like Herb, at Dan's apartment, this guy obviously liked and respected him. That didn't surprise her at all. What did was Dan's confidence and relaxed manner. He seemed more at home here than he did even at the Boathouse with the gang. This side of him she was getting to see more of could never be described as shy, definitely not clueless as he sometimes described himself. No, he was very much the wealthy young man-about-town. She smiled to herself—and he was all hers!
“Here's your key card,” said George. “Your bags are on the way up. Your butler will take care of anything you need, but please give me a call if I can be of service.”
Dan shook his hand again. “Thanks, George. We'll be sure and stop by before we leave.”
“Enjoy yourselves. It was a real pleasure to meet you, Missy.”
“Thank you. You too.”
Dan led her to the elevator where he swiped his card in the slot.
“Private floor?” she asked.
He nodded.
“Poor dumb country boy, my ass!” She laughed as the elevator doors closed behind them.
Dan grinned. “I told you. I never claimed to be dumb.”
“Well, you can't claim poor or country either, can you?”
“I guess I can't anymore, but it's where I come from. It's what I am, Miss. I learned all this stuff cos it's what you do when you're living the life I was trying to live. I never really got the point of it before, but I do now.”
“Yeah? What's the point of it now?”
He put his arms around her. “I want to share it all with you. It's fun with you. Seeing you enjoy it makes me enjoy it.”
The elevator stopped and the doors opened. She looked around as he took her hand and led her over a bridge across a reflecting pool. “I think you're going to enjoy our suite.” His smile was so sexy and so sweet as he added, “In many ways.”
***
Dan closed the door behind the butler and turned back into the suite to find Missy. She was out in the atrium. She turned to him, eyes wide.
“It's sooo beautiful, and we've got our own fountain out here, Dan! Come see.”
He grinned as he took her hand and she led him to the fountain. He didn't remember ever coming out here in all the times he and Steven had stayed in this suite. Beautiful hadn't meant much to him until he'd met Missy. Before he'd only noticed the upload speeds he could get inside, and the video and audio quality on the huge TV and sound system. Now he noticed that the fountain really was beautiful, as were the flowers out here, but he only noticed them because of how happy they made Missy. And she was truly beautiful.
“We have a great view of the main fountains too, see.”
As she stood looking out at the famous fountains shooting up into the air, Dan stood behind her and slid his arms around her waist. As they watched, a wedding party came into view and posed for photographs with the water dancing behind them.
Dan lowered his lips to her ear. “Would you like to get married here, Miss?”
He felt her tense; a few moments passed before she replied. “I've never really thought about it. It's not something I thought I'd ever do.”
Hmm. Apparently he hadn't phrased that right. He tried it again. “Would you like for us to get married here?”
She spun around to face him. “Danny, what are you saying?”
<
br /> Her eyes widened. Why did she look so shocked? Then it dawned on him. He was supposed to ask her if she wanted to marry him first. Damn! He didn’t want to mess it up. He hugged her to him. “Nothing, I just wondered, that's all.”
She rested her head against his chest and hugged him tight. That was good, right? He'd figure out a way to ask her properly before he brought it up again.
***
Missy felt as though she was living in a dream, sitting on the patio overlooking the fountains. They'd had a wonderful dinner here earlier. The show had been spectacular, she'd never seen anything like it. She felt like a million dollars in the dress Dan had given her. She smiled across the table at him, he looked like a million dollars. Gorgeous! She felt all the tingly excitement bubble up, remembering his question about if she'd like to get married here. At first she'd thought he must have been asking a general question, like you'd ask a friend—would you rather get married in church or in Vegas? But then he'd said, for us to get married here! Part of her wanted to ask him what he'd meant, if he was asking her to marry him—if he was, that part of her would say yes in a heartbeat. But another part of her was more cautious. She knew she loved him and believed he loved her, but marriage wasn't about the hearts, and flowers, and great sex type being in love. Marriage was about the long-haul, getting through the tough times together type love. She knew they could do the hearts and flowers—and the great sex, but would their differences tear them apart instead of drawing them together when they hit life's storms? You could never really know ’til it happened, but she had Scotty to think about, so she needed to be sure. Besides, who was she kidding? He hadn't actually asked her. It had probably just come out wrong and that wasn't what he meant at all.
She looked up to find him smiling at her. “Thanks so much, Danny. I don't think I've ever enjoyed a night as much as this.”
His smile widened. “I know I haven't, Miss. And this is just the beginning, we can do this whenever we want.”
Wouldn't that be wonderful? To be able to do this, with Dan? To think that her life could be like this, and that she could share it with the amazing man sitting across from her? She was at a loss for words. She gasped as the fountains shot up into the air, seeming to dance to the music, sparkling in the light-show that accompanied them. This night could not be more perfect.
Dan's eyes twinkled at her. “I know it's a bit early, but Happy Birthday, beautiful.” He held out a jewelry box.
She caught her breath as she took it. “Thank you!”
He grinned. “Open it. See if you like it before you say that.”
She opened the box and tears filled her eyes when she saw the necklace inside. It was a delicate silver chain, with a pendant made up of two linked hearts side by side. A smaller heart threaded through the bottom of the other two, so that the pendant looked like one big heart made up of three smaller ones. She felt a tear spill over as she smiled at him.
“I think you know what I mean?” he asked, his head cocked to one side.
She nodded. “It's you, me and Scot, isn't it?”
He nodded.
“Danny, it's gorgeous. You are gorgeous. Thank you so much.”
He smiled and took her hand. “Happy Birthday, Miss.”
“It's not for another week, but it's already the best birthday I've ever had!”
***
Missy clung to his hand as the plane took off from McCarran. He was getting used to having his fingers crushed whenever they flew. He kind of liked it. It reminded him how strong she was, in so many ways. Last night had been awesome. He'd even enjoyed the show, and not just because Missy had enjoyed it so much, either. His original plan had been for them to stay the whole weekend. But they had to get back for Scot. That was okay. They'd come again soon, he was sure. He liked the idea of getting married here. Missy seemed to love the place so much. He'd talked to George this morning and he'd said the Bellagio did packages where they took care of every little detail. He liked that idea too, so that Missy wouldn't be able to overwork herself setting it all up. He bit his lip; he had to figure out how to ask her first though.
Another reason they needed to get back today was that Missy's brother was coming at some point this weekend. He was feeling a little wary about Chance. He knew he'd be under some scrutiny and he hoped it would work out okay. It sounded like Chance was a man to be reckoned with. He was understandably protective of his sister and nephew, but Dan felt the same protectiveness towards them, at least that was something he and Chance had in common. It didn't sound like there would be much else.
Smoke's voice filled the cabin. “You can unbuckle now, if you want, but we may be in for a bumpy ride this morning. I'll let you know if you need to strap back in.”
Missy finally released her grip on his fingers. “Sorry, hero” She looked apologetic as he shook his hand trying to get some sensation back. “You'd think I'd be getting used to it by now.”
“I don't mind. I like it, you know that. And you'll have plenty of chances to get used to it. How about coming to San Jose with me this week? I want to get some more gear and clothes from my apartment and I need to talk to Leanne, hopefully see Ryan.”
Her smile disappeared. “I'd love to, but I can't.”
He thought he knew what she was going to say, but he had to ask. “Why not?”
“Scot's in school.”
He bit his bottom lip. She was avoiding it. “I know. We could leave after he takes the bus and if we go on Wednesday, he won't be finished at chess club ’til six. We'll easily be back by then. So, what do you say?” He felt bad pushing the issue, but it had to be done.
Her eyes were dark gray now. “I have to work.”
There was the real problem. “You don't though, do you, Miss?” he asked gently.
“Yes, I do!” she shot back.
“Miss, we need to talk about it.”
She let out a big sigh. “I don't know what to say though, Danny. Or what to do.”
He knew she'd arranged for one of the girls from the resort to cover for her so they could leave early yesterday. There had been so many little things he'd wanted to do last week, but hadn't brought them up because he knew she wouldn't take the time off. “We need to figure out what we're going to do though, don't we?” He put an arm around her. “You work too hard. You're still worn out and I don't like to see you doing all that when you don't need to.”
“I do need to, though! I have bills to pay, a son to take care of.”
“But I can take care of you both, if you'll let me.”
She shook her head. “I know you want to be my hero and part of me wants to let you, but I've always made my own way in life. Who would I be if I gave up my job and let you pay for everything? I wouldn't know what to do, or who I was. It would change things between us, too, and I don't want that.”
She did have a point. He did want her to give up her job, not worry about money, let him take care of it, of her and Scot. But Missy wasn't exactly the stay-at-home housewife type. She was a doer, strong and independent, that was part of what he loved about her so much. “As I said, we need to talk about it. I know you don't want to be a kept woman.” He hoped for a laugh, but didn't get one. “There's got to be some compromise between that and you killing yourself every day cleaning up after other people.”
She pursed her lips, but at least she nodded; it was a start.
“How about we both think about it. See what ideas we can come up with and we'll talk about it tomorrow night, after Scot's gone to bed?”
He was liking the ritual they'd started of going up to their room when Scot went to bed. A couple of nights they'd sat in the hot tub, talked and watched the stars. A couple of nights they'd sat in the armchairs by the fire and talked. He'd found and ordered online a big sheepskin rug, so that soon they'd be able to do more than just talk in front of the fire.
“Okay,” she said. “Let's do that, but please, Dan, don't expect me to come with you this week. I have a lot of work already lined up and I
won't let people down.”
Dan nodded. He respected that.
The intercom crackled, then Smoke said, “Sorry, guys. I'm going to have to ask you to strap in.”
Dan grinned and let his seat-belt all the way out. He attached it to Missy's buckle. “There,” he said, putting his arms around her. “All strapped in.”
She smiled up at him. “Thanks. I feel safer now.”
As she snuggled against him, he knew she meant it. If only she'd let him make her feel safe in all the other ways he wanted to, too.
“Have you talked to Laura lately?” she asked.
“No. We've been playing phone tag. Have you? Is she coming for your party?”
“I hope so, but we've been playing phone tag too. Her last message said she wants to, but she's not sure if she can get up. It's quite a drive from the Bay area isn't it?”
Dan put a hand to his face, annoyed with himself. He'd been using Papa Charlie and Smoke's services a lot lately, but he forgot, he was the exception, not the norm. Laura couldn't do that. She'd never ask Jack if she could use the plane, there was no way she could afford the fuel.
“What's wrong?” asked Missy.
He smiled as an idea came to him. “I don't know if you've noticed, but I think Laura and Smoke like each other.”
Missy laughed. “It's kind of hard not to notice.”
“And I'm guessing Smoke's coming to your party?”
Missy nodded.
“So, how about when I go to San Jose, I drive back so I've got the Jeep. That way Smoke can stay over there and they'll get some time together then he can fly her up for the party?”
“That's a great idea. Do you want to talk to her, or shall I?”
“How about you talk to Laura and I'll talk to Smoke?”
Dan did intend to talk to Laura himself, but that wasn't anything he wanted Missy to know about yet.
Chapter Eighteen
Dan circled his arms as he ran. He'd thought about skipping his run today, but since Missy had said she was going to her dad's after she collected Scot from Michael's place, he'd decided he may as well fit it in. He needed to figure out how to get his gym equipment up here. He missed it, but in the meantime, his run had become an important part of his day. The days were getting cooler now and the breeze off the lake made him feel alive in a way sitting in front of a keyboard and monitor never had. He'd discovered a few routes that gave him a good hour's run. The one he'd chosen this morning was less challenging. He'd followed the cycle path along the lakeshore and out of the resort before looping down to the old road by the river that would lead him back into town and home. He'd already come to think of their house as home. He hoped that Missy and Scot would too.