Designed to Love by Elle Davis Page A

her out of going to our reception and
heading straight for the hotel room.
    ***
    The Kensington Riverside Inn, is located
just a short drive from the church and we are transported there by
a horse drawn sleigh, naturally Claire's idea. The owner of the
19-room boutique inn readily obliged to rent us the entire
building, including the restaurant when he found out how much I was
willing to pay. Cat just about choked when she discovered the price
tag for the night and commented that she and Claire lived off less
than that for almost an entire year. I certainly didn't want to
give her the impression that I was careless with my money, but I
also didn't want her to worry about money either. From a young age,
I knew that I would always have the ability to attract and retain
as much wealth as I desired. So, I've never fretted over how I
would make or keep my money. And I certainly have never feared
losing it. She made a funny face, when I whispered in her ear, "Get
used to me spending it on you."
    We are met by half a dozen hotel staff
members, the minute we walk into the hotel lobby and our luggage is
whisked away to our pre-assigned rooms by the eager concierges. Our
wedding photographer requested that we stay in our formal wear for
additional photos at the reception, so we allow ourselves to be
escorted directly to the banquet room where we will share our first
dinner, dance, and bite of cake, as husband and wife.
    Midway through dinner, I stand and raise my
glass, and a hush falls upon the room. I look down at Cat and
smile, then turn to address our guests. "If someone would had told
me six months ago, I would soon meet the most beautiful woman I
have ever laid eyes on, I might have believed them. And if they
told me she was: fearless, intelligent, caring, talented and funny,
I might have expressed interest in meeting her. But, if they went
on to say that I would fall so deeply in love with her that it
would hurt to be apart from her, I would have laughed them out of
the room." I pause and Elizabeth dabs her eyes. "And if that same
person told me that I would follow this woman to the end of the
earth and forfeit my own life for hers without a moment's
hesitation, I would have told them they were crazy, such a woman
doesn't exist." I reach down and take Cat's hand to pull her up
beside me, and looking directly in her eyes, finish with, "I am
here to tell you that she does exist, because today I married
her."
    She starts crying and the lights dim as I
lead her to the dance floor.
    Tucker plays the guitar while Claire sings
"Butterfly Fly Away," dedicating it to Cat, for our first
dance.
    The evening transpires perfectly. Even
Elizabeth seems to be in better spirits, and I suspect that the
stress of helping with our wedding really did have an impact on
her. To conclude the evening, we make our final rounds. Cat has one
last talk with Claire about behaving for Alisha and Elizabeth for
the next two weeks and I receive a warning from Bernie, to be
prepared to go to work when I return from my honeymoon. The Harolds
hug us both and make us promise to visit in the spring and Tucker
reinforces the invitation.
    ***
    Cat doesn't object when I prematurely scoop
her in my arms on the elevator ride up to our floor, than carry her
down the hall to the penthouse suite at the end. I set her down,
only after we are on the other side of the threshold and I've hung
the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door.
    To some, waiting until your wedding night to
experience a first sexual encounter might seem somewhat risky.
Burke said, "Don't you think you should give it a test run? You
would never buy a car without test driving it first would you?"
Comparing Cat to a car, almost cost him another broken nose, but
his swift apology and my preoccupation with the upcoming wedding
averted the altercation. Now, as I stand across the room from my
beautiful new bride, watching her slowly undress in a sensual,
playful fashion, teasing me with each piece of clothing flung