The Billionaire's Bride (Complete Collection) (12 page)

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, physically I was there, but mentally, I was still with Lucas. Work didn't bother me like it used to. I'd always been a hopeless romantic. Now I let myself be a hopeful one. Being in the ticket booth instead of the games also helped. Time seemed to fly by when you were ripping tickets like a machine. Constant repetition while dreaming of Lucas choosing me on this beautiful summer day kept my mind off impatient customers.

Adventure Zone didn't seem like my prison now. Adventure Zone seemed like a small, forgettable stepping stone in my life.

Would I move in with him? Would we move? I felt kind of bad for leaving my mom, but she told me multiple times it was fine for me to go. Space of my own would be welcome. It was amazing my mom and I were still able to talk...we’d been sharing the same home for far too long.

Speaking of Mom, she texted me as I was about to clock out.

Mom: Hope your date goes well tonight! Glad you're getting your groove back.

My reply was a brief, “Thanks.” Mom didn’t need to get involved more than she already was. Brandon also didn’t seem to care about my dismissal. He never responded to my first text. I guessed the newest video game had probably come out.

It was nice to have my evening off. That meant my makeup would be how I wanted it, and my hair would be, too. I would take my time, not be in a rush, and really floor Lucas. If he thought he was excited last night, oh baby, he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off me tonight.

Which kind of frightened me a little...I would keep it classy. Classy, but still sexy. Lucas certainly didn't need a nudge in the horny department. He ran around like there was Viagra in his drinking water. The thought got me smiling as I approached the parking lot. I crossed the seven row lot to the roadside, where I would wait for the bus.

The bus picked me up and in twenty minutes I was home, which surprised my mother. She thought I was going right to Lucas dressed like a carny? Hell no. Not happening. This was the night when Lucas would proclaim his love for me. I needed to be on top of my game.

“Want me to help with your hair, dear?” my mother asked me, as soon as I stepped foot inside.

“I've got it, Mom.”

This place seemed to have a charm that it didn't have before. My mom shared a warm smile with me. “Watching the feud. There’s a real big idiot on this one.”

“Good, Mom,” I said, and I raced up to my room to get ready. Even though I had plenty of time, I wanted to get to it right away. I picked my outfit – a light blue halter with a sexy keyhole that showed off a little cleavage. My flared hips were on blast. The smooth dress seductively rode the curve of my ass. In my heels, my bust was even more pronounced. I spent extra time on my makeup, and put on some big hoops.

I couldn't wait to see his reaction.

When I returned downstairs, my mother peered through our barred windows. She spun around when I caught her waiting for the limo.

“Oh my, don't get pregnant tonight,” she said, trying to hide her laughter by clasping her mouth, but she cackled like a hyena instead.

It might've been the first warning of hers that made sense. “Don't, Mom. Don't make fun.”

“I'm not making fun. He's going to be all over you. Isn’t that what you want? Hmm? You do seem more interested than I've ever seen you.”

I sat down on our frumpy couch and my stomach turned over like a washing machine. I held my arms on my lap and tried to remain still.

“Please, I'm already nervous.”

“Don't be nervous. That dress does all the talking for you.” She sat back down on her recliner. It was more of a controlled fall. “I'm proud of you, honey.”

“Thanks, Mom.” She was getting far too emotional. My ride couldn't come soon enough. I didn’t need to start crying, smearing my makeup.

Twenty minutes later the driver pulled up, my mother gave me a kiss on my forehead goodbye, and wished me luck. I had a feeling I was going to need it. Tension wound me tight as I sat back in the limo with plenty of champagne to choose from. I thought about taking a sip to ease my nervousness, but thought better of it...the last time I showed up at Lucas's place, I'd gotten into a bloody brawl. It was best to keep sharp and focused.

This was an important day. Maybe the most important day of my life.

I tried to play it cool, like it didn't matter if Lucas picked me, but the truth was, I cared. I was never the one picked for anything special, I was never the prettiest in school. One time in my life, I would take the spotlight. I would be the one showered with praise from the man I adored, the man I saw myself living the rest of my life with.

We came to a stop as the sun just started its slow shift past the ocean. Where and how would he make his proclamation to me? Truth be told, all he had to do was say it to my face and then send all the others away. That would be enough for me. I liked things simple.

But small wasn't Lucas's way of doing things. He did things in a big way.

I actually let the limo driver help me to the front door. He attempted to help me farther, but I told him ‘no, thank you’ and then gave him a small tip, which he refused at first, but eventually took.

With my first step inside Lucas’s mansion, I spotted a crowd gathering outside. Oh God, they'd really made a show of it. There were tents, tables, and seats...it looked like it was already set up for our wedding. Beyond the pool, near the entrance to the beach, there was a podium with beautiful pink and violet flowers draped over alabaster arches.

I turned to the door. Time to escape?

No, I had to be brave. My nerves were fried, but I took every step with grace. Once I saw all the girls turn to me, I steeled myself and took faster steps in my high heels. I felt good. I felt confident. This was my time to shine. I wasn't going to let anyone take that from me. Like Lucas had told me, they were only jealous.

The other girls greeted me with less scowls than our last meeting. Some actually smiled my way with their eyes glimmering. They all looked beautiful, like we were waiting for the beauty contest to start.

Jayne, arms crossed rigidly over her waist, smirked at me and rolled her eyes. I ignored her. She would understand soon enough that she never had a chance.

Where was Lucas?

I froze in place at the entrance to the party. Other guests I’d never met were in attendance. They were sipping their wine in their fine suits and fabulous gowns. Nicole waved me over. I took off for her through the sea of girls, some of whom were chatting with the male guests in a way that told me they'd already given up on Lucas.

“Hey, your dress is so pretty,” I told Nicole.

“Me? You walked in here and every man's jaw dropped. Have you even been using our stylists? You've been doing it all yourself?”

“Yeah,” I said. Why was she being so nice to me? Wasn't I the competition?

“So, Lucas brought us all here because he's chosen who he wants. I wonder who that could be.” She took a sip of her wine while smirking mischievously over the rim.

“It could be anyone,” I lied.

“Don't worry,” she said, patting my shoulder. I didn't flinch. She'd shown me she was decent when she helped me after my fight. “I've already conceded defeat to you long ago. You two are so happy together. When he looks at you, it's this look that—how do I explain it? A look like he wants to put a ring on you.”

My cheeks glowed in the setting sun. I tried to avoid the comment, but Nicole kept watching me. “I don't know about all of that. Where is he, by the way?”

“No idea. He's been missing the whole day. Thought you might know where our mystery billionaire is.”

“Please, I can't keep track of that guy. I try my best.”

“You did something right,” she said, without a hint of jealously.

The crowd quieted. Something caught people's attention, because they all turned to face the western edge of the house. On my toes, I glanced over the tops of heads. I spotted Lucas, his hair all moussed and straight. In a smooth, black suit, he seemed sharp and focused with his crystal clear eyes piercing through the crowd.

“There he is,” someone shouted. Lucas waved for them not to make a fuss, but mostly the crowd that I'd never seen before broke into applause. They must've been part of his company or some friends. Did Lucas have any friends? Of course he did, yet he always seemed content to be alone.

“Please, please, get back to enjoying yourselves.” He slid between couples to emerge near the bartender. He spotted me instantly, and drank me in. I had a serious case of tunnel vision. All of his sexual exploration on me yesterday played out over my body again. I tingled in anticipation, and then rubbed the back of my heels together to make it stop.

His lips slid open slightly. They looked moist, as if his tongue was ready to plunge between my thighs again. He had this pained expression, like he was struggling to stay away. Hungry for me, Lucas's reaction was exactly what I'd hoped for when I spent so long getting ready.

Lucas forgot the drink. He strode toward me, instead.

It felt wrong, like we should've waited. Others glared at us. They knew what was happening. Lucas had made me his number one target.

I braced myself and trusted him to shield me from their jealousy. It wasn't like it would last long, anyway. In a few minutes, he would declare that I was his choice, and they would all go back to their normal lives, leaving me with Lucas. Lucas, all to myself...was it possible?

“Wearing that dress, you're asking me to cancel this event and take you to our bed right away.”

He stood proudly before me. I would usually have something to say, but he mesmerized me. His usual hard lines softened in a playful grin as his eyes swept over my curvy waist, then all the way to the cut out keyhole on my chest.

Lucas made it clear he liked it with a wolfish grin.

“You're giving it away,” I whispered to him. Why not announce it now? He was being too obvious.

“Apologies. I will have to distance myself from you, then.” He brushed past me. His lips came close to my ear as he whispered, “It's best I leave before I decide to fuck you.”

Lucas left me with a shiver that settled into an aching need in my chest and between my legs. I headed in the opposite direction, away from him. The farther I got, the easier it became to breathe, and the less I wanted to fan myself. Tracing circles around my hoop earrings, I waited in line for a glass of wine, my attention focused solely ahead.

My ears still picked up Lucas's voice.

“Sean, didn't think you could leave the bar. Thought you couldn't touch the light.”

“Like a vampire? You're saying I'm a vampire? You're not wrong. I'm slathered in sunscreen.”

“Is that what that smell is?”

“Yeah, covered in it, like they dipped me in a vat of bananas. Hell, congrats, man. I wouldn’t miss this. I knew you couldn't be a total fuck up.”

They both laughed. It surprised me that someone would be talking to Lucas like that. A total fuck up? Was Lucas about to punch him in the face? When I turned, I noticed Lucas in good spirits. The man next him was pale with unruly auburn hair, clearly Irish, and handsome.

Interesting. Lucas did have friends, other than jet skis and yachts. It was nice to see him open with others, even share a laugh about his past failures...

“I still fuck up. The girl I've picked can attest to that.”

“Sounds like she knows you well.”

“Yeah, yeah, you've seen me down and out enough. And you were right. I did need something different. If it wasn't for you, I might've never done this and never met her, so I owe you. I owe you big.”

“Which is why you didn't ask me to bartend this thing?”

“Exactly. Enjoy the night, Sean. Maybe you’ll even learn from me, and pick up a bride,” Lucas said and Sean snorted in response. Lucas left, moving farther away where it was impossible to hear him. Besides, it was my turn for wine.

I slowly sipped and talked to Cara, who invited me to join her circle of guests, mostly Lucas’s coworkers. The DJ was playing some James Brown, and I was having a lot of fun for once. I relaxed. I'd been at so many of these functions that ended in horror. I was happy that the final meeting would end in some genuine happiness.

The crowd quieted, heads turning toward the podium to where Lucas was standing. I squeezed to the side of the taller men to get a good view. Someone gracefully handed him a wireless microphone. His voice boomed over the crowd, quieting them at once.

“Thank you all for coming.”

He paused. His eyes fixed on me. Was he making sure that I could still handle this? He loosened his collar like his throat was closing up.

“As you're all aware, my father tasked me with growing up these past few months. My goal was to find a woman, a beautiful woman who would be my wife. This was all my father's idea. And at first, I thought he was insane. I thought he must've really lost his mind if he thought I was going to grow up and settle down.”

His father was here? Everyone looked toward a man at the far end of the pool. Brent standing close to him, he looked like a scarecrow draped in an immaculate gray suit. Lucas shared his father’s sharp features, even his clear blue eyes, but his father was far frailer than Lucas, and was the epitome of a grumpy old man.

People didn't stare at him for long. They seemed to know better. He urged Lucas to continue with a nod.

“You're all welcome to stay here and enjoy yourselves, but after I'm done, I'm going to want to enjoy myself with my choice. So, I hope you'll excuse me after I'm done with this speech.”

I sank back into the crowd. Get on with it, Lucas. Was he going to tell them everything? How he tied me up, paddled me while I lay over his legs, and wanted to drizzle chocolate over my ass and lick me up? A part of me was terrified that he had no sense of shame when it came to sex.

“I'd also like to thank all the beautiful women who have participated for months. They had to deal with me. Now, most of them can go on and find someone who will truly make them happy.”

There was a brief outpouring of claps from the men in the audience. Others, mostly other women, gave them a death stare, knowing what they were trying to do. Did these girls deserve applause? They only wined and dined for free at a billionaire's mansion. Some of them were even getting paid to do it.