Page 13 of SEAL the Deal
When dinner was finished, Mike rose and thanked everyone for attending. He quickly told an abridged version of the proposal and professed his undying love for Ali. She added a few words of her own before they handed over to TJ, the master of ceremonies.
“Ladies and gentlemen, firstly I want to thank my old friend James for putting on a fabulous dinner.” He gestured to the owner who was standing in the corner.
The room broke into applause.
He waited for silence then continued. “Most of you, if not all, are aware of the events that brought Ali and Mike together. One very special dog, who unfortunately couldn’t be here tonight, but sends his regards, plus a series of challenges that myself and two other people in this room may or may not have played a role in concocting.”
There was nervous laughter from Rick and Ernie’s table.
“Needless to say, Ali came through. Not only for Mike and Axe but also Rick, Ernie and myself. In fact, we, like Axe, owe her our lives.” He raised his glass. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like you to be upstanding.”
The room rose and lifted their glasses.
“To Ali, a beautiful person and a killer teammate.”
The room echoed his toast.
“Now, before we wrap up I would like to present a small gift to Ali and Mike from the rest of the team. It’s not much, but it may go a small way to make up for the trauma of the Girlfriend Selection Course.” He took an envelope from under his jacket and handed it to Ali. “You kids have a great time.”
* * *
Later that night, in the townhouse he shared with Ali, Mike measured a scoop of dog food and emptied it into Axe’s bowl. The hound looked up at him with a furrowed brow. “OK, fine.” He sighed and added another half scoop to the bowl. “Don’t blame me if you start getting fat.”
Axe let out an excited bark and started eating.
Mike washed his hands and left the kitchen.
“Mike, you have to see this,” Ali’s voice sounded from the bedroom.
He pushed open the door to find his fiancé sitting on the bed in sleek satin underwear. She had an envelope in her hands and a smile on her face.
Mike stood in the doorway a moment and ran his eyes over her voluptuous body. Damn she was sexy.
“The boys got us a weekend away in a five-star resort in Oregon.”
Mike removed his shirt and hung it on a chair. “They have resorts in Oregon?”
Ali nodded as she flicked through a pamphlet. “Yes and it looks amazing. It’s got a day spa, restaurant, golf course, horses and it’s set in the most beautiful forest.” She held up a handwritten note. “And TJ knows the manager so we can take Axe.”
“Of course he does. TJ knows everyone.” Mike tossed his pants over his shirt, lowered himself onto the bed and slid toward her. “Sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch?” He kissed her stomach.
“They booked us tickets. It’s the weekend before the wedding.”
He worked his way up her body to her cleavage. “Isn’t that a bad time to go?” he murmured.
She moaned softly. “No, everything should be arranged by then. It’s going to be the perfect time to relax.”
“Sounds great.” He kissed her neck and then nibbled her ear.
Her hands traced their way down his hard body as he reached under and unsnapped her bra with a deft touch. Their lips met as she reached down and squeezed gently. “We’re going to have the best time.”
“Now or at the resort?”
“Both.”
ChapterFive
Rick drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove Ernie’s minivan through Las Vegas on Interstate 15. He shook his head as the black-glass pyramid of the The Luxor Hotel flashed past. “This is the cruelest shit I’ve ever heard of. Driving through Vegas to get to a redneck bachelor party in the mountains. That’s ruthless as fuck, TJ.”
