A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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"I am glad you like it. I thought it would be more intimate." He nuzzled her neck."More romantic."

"I don't think you need a setting to be romantic," she remarked dryly. "It seems to come to you naturally."

He laughed out loud. "Are you ready?"

She nodded. She had never been toLas Vegas and she was eager to see the casinos and try her hand at the slot machines. Looking in the mirror, she frowned, wishing Dominic had given her time to pack. She only had two choices—her wedding gown or the jeans and T-shirt she had been wearing at home.

"They have shops in the hotel," Dominic said, reading her mind.

She couldn't stop looking at him as they rode down in the elevator. Each time his shoulder brushed hers, each time their eyes met, she recalled what it had been like to be in his arms. Warmth flowed through her body as she anticipated what would happen when they returned to their room.

Dominic caught her gaze. Grinning, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "If you do not stop looking at me like that, I will take you here, now."

She felt a rush of heat flood her cheeks. A moment later, the elevator door opened.

She was overwhelmed by the number of stores located inside the hotel. A brochure told her that there were more than a hundred shops and restaurants, including Gucci, Versace, Abercrombie and Fitch, Ann Taylor, JustFor Feet, FAO Schwarz, Spago , and Planet Hollywood.

The domed ceiling was painted to look like the sky, complete with fluffy clouds; the buildings had a Roman motif, with lots of marble and statues.

Spying a simple black sheath in a window, she went inside to try it on and bought it, along with a pair of black, low-heeled sandals.

Dominic also picked black, of course, and when she complained, he bought a powder blue shirt instead. Black slacks, black loafers. The store assured them that their old clothing would be sent up to their room.

When they passed The Cheesecake Factory, she bought a slice of chocolate cheesecake and ate it as they walked along.

Dominic smiled indulgently while she ate, laughed softly as she licked her fingers. Unable to resist, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She smelled of soap and toothpaste and rich, dark chocolate. It was an intoxicating combination.

Walking along The Appian Way, they wandered down corridors filled with marble and an exact replica of Michelangelo's David. They passed Bernini's and Carrier's and a shop that sold Italian ceramics and dinnerware.

He stopped automatically when they came to a Godiva chocolate shop.
Tracygrinned up at him. "Think you know me pretty well, don't you?"

He didn't say anything, only pulled a twenty-dollar bill out of his pocket and handed it to her.