My tears were back in force now at his words. His proposal, although done in a hospital surrounded by the busy goings-on and people rushing around in the corridor outside, was the most perfect thing ever. The only sound I’d ever heard which topped Carson’s proposal was hearing my daughter say her first word.

“Yes,” I whispered, nodding excitedly. “I’d love to marry you.” That was the truth. I’d always wanted to be his wife, but just not under the circumstances he had demanded last time.

The dazzling grin that crossed his face made my knees weak. He pushed himself up, using the bed for leverage, and stepped closer to me. His eyes were burning into mine and showed a passion which took my breath away. “I love you so fucking much, Emma,” he growled.

Before I could answer, his lips pressed against mine, kissing me possessively. I smiled against his mouth and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my body against his carefully. As the kiss deepened and his tongue touched mine, and with his hard body against mine again, I couldn’t help but want him. It had been so long since we’d been together physically that the passion and lust building inside me was a little overwhelming. I whimpered into his mouth and gripped my hands into his hair as the kiss grew in intensity until it was almost a raging inferno.

When he pulled back, I gasped for breath, feeling my heart crash against my ribs. “Let’s do it soon. Like, as soon as possible,” he rasped. “I don’t want to wait five months to make you my wife.”

I nodded in agreement. Now that it was official, I could hardly wait to get that second ring on my finger and take his surname. “The sooner the better. I don’t need a big, fancy wedding. Why don’t we just go to Vegas?” I suggested.

He nodded eagerly. “Vegas it is then,” he agreed, claiming my mouth in a kiss which set the very essence of my soul on fire.

I grinned against his lips. “Margo’s going to be pissed,” I chuckled, thinking of the wedding planner who had already made so many arrangements for us to get married in five months’ time.

“Margo can go take a long walk off a short pier,” Carson answered. “All that matters is that I get my ring on your finger before you change your mind and realise you can do better than a dumb-arse race driver who can’t do anything other than handle a motorbike.”

I shook my head at his absurdity. “I’m not changing my mind. There is no one better than you,” I whispered, going up on tiptoes and gently brushing my nose against his.

“VEGAS!” LUCIE SQUEALED, leaning on the handrail and looking out over the spectacular view of The Strip. “I still can’t believe we’re in Vegas!”

I grinned and nodded, moving up next to her and casting my eyes over the beautiful, twinkling lights of the Las Vegas Strip below. Although I had suggested we get married here, Carson had chosen the actual venue, and I couldn’t have been happier with his choice. We were currently in the ‘Chapel in the Clouds’ – i.e., the tower part of the Stratosphere Hotel, Casino and Tower. Being 112 floors up, the view was uninterrupted and majestic. You couldn’t get better.

“I know, it’s so incredible!” I gushed, shaking my head in awe at the view before me. We’d arrived yesterday, but by the time we’d settled into our hotel rooms and then gone for a couple of drinks last night, it was time for bed. Today, being my wedding day, had been filled with giggling, champagne breakfasts, and hair and make-up appointments. We hadn’t had the opportunity to explore The Strip yet.

It was exactly three weeks today since Carson’s accident. As soon as he was out of hospital, he’d put in a call and booked the first available wedding slot he could. He’d been a little disappointed it had taken three weeks before we could do this, but we had to abide by his racing schedule because he couldn’t take time off during the season.

Lucie sighed dreamily and turned back to look at me, gripping my upper arms as she grinned at me. “Look at you, about to get married to the man of your dreams,” she gushed. “Oh, Emma, you look beautiful. Although I really wish we’d gone for a dress that sparkled like a thousand diamonds were sewn into it,” she joked, winking at me while jibing Margo’s description of the perfect wedding dress. Lucie had found it highly amusing when I’d told her about it.

“I know. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, after all,” I replied, trying to mimic Margo’s posh accent. “After you, of course,” I added, linking my arm through hers.

“Of course!” she agreed, grinning wildly.

I looked down at myself, brushing my hand over the simple, yet elegant, silk dress which was off the rack at a cute little boutique I had found once. Not designer. Just purely me. I loved it but was actually secretly worried if Carson would, knowing his penchant for flashing the cash.

“Mummy pwincess!” Sasha gushed as she stepped into the room holding Jillian’s hand.

I smiled at my baby girl, sighing at how beautiful she looked in her little maroon-coloured princess dress with the meringue-netted skirt. Sasha and Lucie were both my bridesmaids today, but Lucie’s dress was decidedly more elegant.

“Aww, don’t you look beautiful!” I complimented, seeing her for the first time in three hours. Jillian had taken Sasha for me while Lucie and I had our hair and nails done.

Sasha grinned and nodded. “Sasha pwincess!”

I nodded in agreement. “Daddy’s gonna think you look so lovely,” I predicted. I just hope he thinks the same about me! On that, I wasn’t as confident.