“I love the idea that I’m filling you up when I come. Just the thought that I’m coming inside you, giving you my child, makes me crazy.” Nick growled and held her tighter, pulling her leg up slightly so he could get in deeper.

“I love it, too.” She reached back and grabbed his ass, tugging him up higher, encouraging him to thrust deeper. “Give me everything, Nick.”

Her hands on him seemed to drive him wild because he took the lobe of her ear between his teeth and tugged.

“You already have it. You already have me.”

When he came he clutched her tighter to his chest. She could feel him swell inside her.

It was carnal; it was dirty and wet and messy. But it was also real. Raw and beautiful. Something that she’d never shared with anyone else and never would.

It was undeniably Nick.

*   *   *   *   *

RAINA WOKE IN a haze of confusion. She sat up and pushed her long hair out of her face. The bed she was in was covered in soft, white sheets and a downy comforter. The rest of the room was still swathed in darkness but she could see the glow of daylight around the edges of the curtains.

Then she remembered. Nick. Vegas. Wedding.

“Nick,” she called out. There was no answer. She held still and listened. Maybe he’d left to get them something to eat. If so, he’d probably left her a note.

She pushed back the comforter and climbed out of the bed, taking a moment to run her fingers through her hair. Even though she straightened it regularly, its natural inclination was so wild that she usually woke up looking like she’d been attacked. After she was fairly certain she wouldn’t scare him with her appearance in case he was still there, she walked to the door of the hotel room and pulled it open.

The rest of the suite was bright. She walked out into the open living room. There was nothing next to the phone or on the minibar counter. Maybe he hadn’t left after all. He might have just left her alone in the bedroom so as not to disturb her sleep.

“Nick, are you here?”

She listened but it was completely quiet. The curtains had been opened, revealing a stunning view of the Strip. She walked over and looked out onto the jumble of people, buildings, and neon lights. It looked like how she felt.

Out of control.

“I can’t believe I got married.”

Her handbag sat next to the couch. She remembered dropping it near the door when they’d gotten in yesterday. She groaned and covered her face with her hands. “I was so busy ripping my husband’s clothes off that I forgot all about it.” Nick must have picked up her things and put them back inside.

The door slammed behind her and she turned to see Nick at the door.

“Good morning, my beautiful wife.”

Raina couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “Oh my God. You’re a morning person, aren’t you?”

He crossed the room to her and kissed her on the forehead. “This surprises you more than anything else I’ve done?”

Raina smirked. “Well, I already knew you were a freak in bed.”

“This is true.” He set his keycard, a tray of coffee, and several brochures on the coffee table.

“I picked up a few pamphlets about things to do while we’re in town. I figured we could check out a few clubs or maybe see a show.” He gestured to the brochures. “There’s some famous magician who does a show here, an erotic ballet that looks interesting and—”

“The Phantom of the Opera!” Raina exclaimed and snatched up one of the fliers.

“Yeah. That one’s at The Venetian hotel. It’s supposed to be pretty good but we don’t have to see any of these shows. I just picked up a stack of pamphlets downstairs from the concierge.”

Raina waved it back and forth. “I want to see this one!”

He laughed at her obvious delight. “Then I’ll set it up. We can have dinner there, too.”

Raina clapped, already imagining what the show would be like. She’d read Gaston Leroux’s novel many times and seen several film adaptations over the years, but never seen it performed live. “I can’t wait! It’s one of the most romantic stories ever.”

Nick raised an eyebrow. “A creepy guy stalking you and then kidnapping you and holding you underground is romantic?”

She stuck out her tongue. “Didn’t you kidnap me? Besides, he’s not stalking her. He’s just consumed by his love for her. It’s very complex. And very erotic.”

“Oh, well. Maybe I need to give this show a chance after all.” Nick leered and made a grab for her. She shrieked and fell back on the couch, giggling.

“How do you feel?” Nick sat next to her and stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

“I’m fine,” she replied. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Nick shrugged. He didn’t meet her eyes when he said, “I just wanted to make sure I didn’t hurt you. I thought you might be sore.”

Raina sat up straighter on the couch, suddenly aware that she’d instinctively leaned into him. God, this keeping her distance thing was no easy feat. Just that quickly, she’d forgotten their purpose. She wasn’t here to go to shows and gallivant around the Strip. They were supposed to be making a baby.

“Crap! I didn’t take my temperature.” Raina groaned and let her head drop back against the couch. She turned to Nick. “I should be ovulating today. I forgot to bring a thermometer so I could take my temperature, but I’ll just have to hope that everything stayed on track.”