She turned to see Wolfe leaning one shoulder against the en suite aperture, looking incredible, she had to admit, in a superbly tailored black suit, white shirt and grey silk tie.
‘Yes.’ She sounded calm, when inside she was a mass of nerves.
There wasn’t much she could discern from his expression, and she collected a small spray of white orchids and followed him from the suite.
The brief ceremony was due to be conducted in the hotel’s private lounge in the presence of Darius’ lawyer, Sally and Shontelle.
Last-minute nerves were acceptable in a bride, Lara conceded as she stood at Wolfe’s side while they waited for a lift to ascend to their floor.
She was fully aware of the reasons why she’d committed herself to this marriage. So why now did she suddenly yearn for it to be a love match instead of a convenient merger?
How many times over the past few days had she questioned if she was doing the right thing?
Too many, she admitted, aware she’d swung like a pendulum between hesitancy and reassurance.
The lift arrived, the electronic doors slid open and she preceded Wolfe inside the empty carriage to stand in silence as they were swiftly transported down to the second level.
She didn’t need prompting to smile when Wolfe took hold of her hand as they reached the private lounge.
It was show time, and she intended to give the performance of her life.
The celebrant, lawyer, Sally and Shontelle were already gathered in the elegantly furnished room. Greetings were exchanged, together with formal introductions, then without further delay the celebrant suggested the bride and groom stand together adjacent to a white-linen covered table containing a votive candle, and a crystal vase containing a delicate spray of orchids.
Wolfe threaded his fingers through her own as Lara focused on the celebrant and the deep sincerity evident in the spoken words, the deep timbre of Wolfe’s voice as he made his vows … and the quiet, faintly trembling sound of her own.
Her hand shook as Wolfe slid the wide diamond-studded band onto her finger, and she almost dropped the gold band as she prepared to slide it in place on his left hand.
‘I now pronounce you husband and wife.’
Lara experienced a sense of unreality as the celebrant proclaimed the words, and she barely hid her surprise as Wolfe lifted her left hand to his lips, then followed the gesture by lightly brushing his mouth to her own.
His eyes, so dark and slumbrous, rendered her boneless as she signed the marriage certificate, and it took all her effort to remain standing, to smile, even laugh on occasion, as congratulations were offered by Darius’ lawyer, Sally and Shontelle.
Champagne was produced, and afterwards Lara barely held back the tears as she hugged Sally, then Shontelle, when it came time to say goodbye.
‘Look after her,’ both girls bade Wolfe fiercely as they paused at the hotel entrance.
‘You have my word.’
It didn’t take long to return to their suite and change, and Lara chose dress jeans, a knit top and jacket, then slid her feet into flat shoes … aware Wolfe had exchanged a suit for tailored trousers, a collarless shirt and soft leather jacket.
Downstairs a limousine stood waiting with their bags stowed in the boot, and the chauffeur opened the rear door as Wolfe and Lara approached.
Mascot airport lay south of the city, and as soon as the obligatory customs inspection was completed they boarded a private jet stationed at the edge of the tarmac.
Luxury fittings, Lara noticed, with the interior resembling a private lounge, with wide deep-cushioned leather recliner chairs, a work station and a personal attendant whose greeting held familiar warmth.
Did her duties include joining the mile-high club with the boss?
‘No,’ Wolfe drawled close to her ear as he ushered her into a seat. ‘Although I’m not averse to testing the theory with my wife.’
Colour drained from her cheeks, to be rapidly replaced by twin tinges of pink. ‘I don’t think so.’
Musing humour gleamed in those dark eyes, and his mouth curved into a teasing smile. ‘It’s a long flight.’ He brushed his lips to her temple. ‘Buckle up. We’re about to move out towards the runway.’
Show time?
If Wolfe was intent on playing a part, then so would she, and she offered him a stunning smile. ‘Perhaps you should do the same … darling.’
A tad overkilled, but what did she have to lose?
No sooner had the Gulfstream jet reached the desired altitude, than Wolfe extracted his laptop and became immersed in work.
Given differing time zones, the wheels of world business never ceased, and Lara extracted a thick trade paperback Sally had gifted her, read the prologue and settled into chapter one.
The flight attendant served lunch, a delicious caesar salad followed by fresh fruit, and Lara declined coffee in favour of chilled water.
At some stage they’d need to touch down and refuel; Hawaii or LAX seemed a logical choice. Would they disembark for a stopover, or simply continue on to New York?
Lara attempted to focus on the book, the story, the characters, without much success. She felt strangely restless, with the need to stretch her legs. It was difficult to remember when she’d had so much time on her hands, unconstructive time, where she wasn’t juggling several things at once with not a minute to spare.
Work and sleep had been so much the pattern of her life for endless months, it was difficult to sit and watch the world go by. Correction—the sky, and the sparse blanket of cloud beneath the jet.
The leather recliner chair was comfortable, too comfortable, and she closed the book, then leant back against the headrest.
She must have slept, for she came awake at the light touch of a hand on her shoulder, and for a moment she felt disoriented by her surroundings.
‘The attendant is about to serve dinner,’ Wolfe relayed quietly. ‘Would you like something to drink first?’
‘Chilled water,’ Lara managed as she straightened in the chair.
‘We’re due to land on Oahu in an hour for an overnight stopover before flying on to New York tomorrow.’
The main Hawaiian island. A relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, Waikiki’s sandy beach, pina coladas at sunset and the buzz of tourists, she mused when they disembarked, cleared customs, then rode a cab to downtown Waikiki.
A modern luxury hotel fronting the beach, and a magnificent suite on a high floor overlooking the wide, sweeping bay with a view towards Diamond Head.
Sparkling lights against a velvet indigo sky.
Heaven, Lara perceived,
