“Not even four hours of being married and yet you’ve lost your wife.” I tease him to get him going.
He side-eyes me and shakes his head trying not to snicker. “I didn’t lose her. It's not like it's hard to find Ainslee Bishops here.”
I flick my eyes over to my soon-to-be missus who's trying to pretend she’s not drooling over my best friend. That’ll change. I’m a catch. The freshest of the day. No, I'm filet mignon. Scratch that I’m both. Surf and turf, bitch.
“AinsleeHale.” I correct him and withhold laughter when I get the desired effect.
Oran looks concerned when Karessa coughs from choking on her wine. I lean in closer like I fucking care and pat her back while giving her an eye to tell her to get her shit together.
“She okay?” Oran asks because he’s wired to care just like how he can’t manage to sit any longer without knowing where Ainslee went.
He gets up and walks away while Karessa looks after him like he owes her something. The only thing she’s owed is my dick. She gasps when I grab her bare thigh under the table and squeeze hard enough to get her attention.
With an easy smile, I lean in and issue another warning. “I’m not a jealous man but I love a challenge. Keep looking at my best friend like that and I’ll break you with my dick. I’ll embed myself into your system and destroy you from the inside. You’ll lose track of time and won’t know who you fucking are without me moving inside of you.” I pull back and ignore the shock in her eyes. “Don’t test me.”
Standing, I button my jacket and wander off to get something stronger. I need a good whiskey to get me through this. I’m fucking gone the moment Oran and Ainslee call it quits from this damn event.
Karessa and Esme did a great job. The lighted pathway is kind of cool, especially if you’re trying to be freaky. The white lights glitter now that the sun has set. The moon is rising and gives an ethereal backdrop to the beautiful glass outdoor reception area. The dome shape reminds me of a glass bird cage. That’s a Founder’s event for you; exclusive yet still on full display. I have no idea what my shotgun wedding will look like but I guess it’s in good hands. Hands that I want on my dick. Karessa walks over to discuss something with a server and I watch her hips sway in her burnt orange knee-length dress.Oh that ass. I hate being forced to marry against my will but it’s amusing to know I own that ass now.
I grin to myself once I see a burnt orange jaguar peel out of the parking lot.Showtime.I’m stressed the fuck out and need an outlet, and that’s between Karessa’s thighs thanks to this arrangement. As if reading my mind, my dad catches my eye from across the room. He tilts his glass at me. That conniving asshole. I smile, giving him all the fucking watts I can muster while mentally flicking him off.
In due time, old man.
Grabbing Karessa as she walks by, I drag her onto the walkway towards my car but she resists.
“Come on, LeClaire,” I say and turn to her. “I told you, you owe me a sample.”
“Wait,” her adorable face scrunches with annoyance as she pulls away.
“Look. I came to this wedding craving two things. They didn’t cut the cake so we’re moving on to pussy.”
She balks and moves closer to me because I don’t care who hears me. Her clean scent flirts with me and diminishes my patience even further.
“I’m working, remember?” she whispers. “This is my company’s reputation at stake.”
Cute.I glance at my watch to find it’s a little after six. “I know you’re homeless now. Be at my house no later than eight or have a very uncomfortable week finding places to sleep. Maybe Oran can take you in and you can lie on the floor listening to him fuck Ainslee.”
That actually sounds kind of hot.Karessa pulls away from me like I slapped her. She’s hurt but she’ll get over it.
“Eight,” I repeat then begin to walk off. I turn when I get a second thought. “And bring me some damn cake.”
There’s passion simmering under that buttoned up persona and I will dive deep into it.
Chapter Two
Karessa
He’s crazy.There is no other way to explain it. This man is out of his fucking mind. Does that make me crazy? The way he talks to me and grabs me should not be arousing. I’m a lady. Or am I? I need another drink. I turn to find I’m not alone.
“He’s going to be a handful. Want me to beat him up?” Esme offers with a smirk.
“No. He knows I need him because of that stupid ass bet.”
“If it makes you feel any better, Mom’s making Dad's life hell.”
I smile. “A little but it doesn’t change the outcome. He’s so intense. He grabs me like he owns me.”
Esme snickers and I know what’s coming. “He does.”
