you. I don’t care how we go about getting there.”
He laughed, delighted with her response and pulled her closer. With a swift movement, he lifted her up into his arms, swinging her legs over his arm as he carried her over to his desk.
Elana laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on while she tried to figure out what he was going to do. When he simply sat down in his large, black leather chair, settling her on his lap while he picked up his phone, she was even more confused. “Gaston? What are you doing?” she asked, laughing when he tickled her while he pulled her closer.
He wouldn’t respond, but instead, dialed a number then waited for someone to pick up the phone. He looked at her as he said, “Deborah, I need to have an elaborate, dream wedding accomplished in one week. I’m marrying Elana Catelano. My secretary and her father will give you the guest list. You’ll need to have wedding dresses sent to my lake house in two days so Elana can choose which one she wants to wear. Send samples for the possible menu choices to the lake house as well and we’ll e-mail you our choices.” He didn’t wait for a response but put the phone to his chest. “What kind of cake do you want?”
Elana’s mind was whirling with everything he was saying and she shrugged her shoulders, not really sure what to say. “Lemon?” she suggested.
Gaston nodded his head and put the phone back to his ear. “Lemon wedding cake and make it look original and colorful but not tacky.”
With that, he ended the call and called out to his assistant who immediately walked into his office. Elana tried to slide off of his lap, but Gaston was having nothing of that. He held her right where she was with a strong hand on her legs. Since Elana didn’t really want to get up, she didn’t fight him, but her face was burning as the efficient looking woman approached.
“You’ll need to cancel all of my meetings for the next three weeks,” he said, ignoring the horrified look on the woman’s face. “I’ll be at my lake house for the next week, and then off on my honeymoon for the following two weeks. If there’s anything that can’t wait and can’t be delegated, send it to me there.” With that, he stood up, setting Elana on her feet before he took her hand and pulled her behind him out of the office. “Make sure I’m not bothered though.”
Without another word, he left, leaving an astounded staff staring at him with their mouths hanging open as they watched their previously relentless boss pull his fiancée into his arms while the elevator doors closed on them.
Chapter 5
Rufus Catelano snickered as he took his daughter’s arm. “You’re doing the right thing, Elana,” he said as he watched the two bridesmaids walk down the aisle. “He’ll take good care of you.”
Elana smiled at her father, shaking her head softly. “He’s a good man, Father. I’m glad you finally approve of him.”
Rufus snorted, the sound dismissing the possibility of his approval. “He’s still a bastard, but at least you’re happy.” He took a deep breath and straightened his jacket. “Even though the man wasn’t really after you.”
Elana looked through the guests, her heart going out to the man standing at the front, looking magnificent in his dark suit. “What are you talking about?” she asked, but she didn’t really care. She loved this man because he was her father, but she knew that he wasn’t very happy. Ever since her mother had died, her father had been bitter which was why she’d stayed away from him as much as possible. She didn’t want his bitterness in her life. Before, she’d had enough of it because of Gaston’s betrayal. And now, she was just too happy to let it affect her.
“The man just wanted a damn book!” he grumbled. “I blackmailed him into this wedding.”
Her startled eyes pulled back to her father, trying to figure out what he was saying. “Blackmailed?” she asked, distracted despite her best efforts to remain focused on the wedding.
Rufus shrugged his shoulders. “He wanted a book. I told him he couldn’t have it until he married you.”
Elana stared at her father, wondering why he was telling her this now. Looking up, she caught Gaston’s eyes and her heart spun out of control once again. She had no idea what her father was