The door opened. Apart from the bruise on his chin and cheek, George stood at the threshold in wet perfection. His slick skin and the white towel tied around his hips played their usual torment on her womanhood.
“Back for more?” He smirked.
Sauntering into the room, she played cool even though her heart broke and vacillated between conscience and not giving a fuck.
“In fact ... yes. More is exactly the reason I’m here,” she said removing her blazer.
“What happened? Did he find out about last night in the elevator?”
“No. I worked it out. He was so drunk he couldn’t remember anything. Never mind him. Didshefind out?”
He snorted. “Not once.”
“So, what you’re implying is that I wasn’t your first extracurricular screw.”
Again, he snorted. “Hey, a guy’s gonna do what a guy’s gonna do—for art’s sake, of course.”
“Not all guys, George. You’re a special brand of unregulated testosterone, masquerading as an artist to get laid.”
“Hey, women are lining up to have their tits and asses photographed by me. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Believe what you want, but it wasn’t meant as one.”
He narrowed his eyes at her, then smirked. “Do you thinktheygot together last night?”
“What are you kidding? Darcy won’t even sleep withmebefore our wedding, let alone the ex-girlfriend who stomped on his heart.”
“Don’t be so sure. He would’ve screwed her on the dance floor had I not been shot down by the waitress when I did.” Shrugging, he said. “The girl was probably a lesbian, but I could’ve turned her had she given me a chance.”
“Charming. I take it, your wedding is still on?” she asked.
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“No reason.” Apparently, Elizabeth hadn’t come to her senses yet. George was definitely not husband material.
“And your wedding?” he asked.
“Same. No reason it wouldn’t be,” she lied.
Wrapping his arm around her waist, he roughly pulled her against his body. “Good. I love balling married women.”
“I didn’t say we’d make a habit of this, and it won’t continue after I marry Darcy.”
“And yet you’re cheating on him now. Apparently, I’m a habit you can’t quit.”
“Abadhabit.”
He kissed her neck. “You’ve always liked bad boys, Carrie.”
Stay away from him, Beanz. I mean it. “Don’t confuse ‘like’ with ‘enjoy.’” She released the towel from his hip.
The Night Before the Morning After
The last guest departed the ballroom, and Caroline stood beside the demolished cake, watching her newly married sister’s attempt to wake her husband. As expected, they were off to a shitty start. “Louisa, have you seen Darcy?” she asked.
“Last I saw him, he was out on the deck. Maybe he went for a late-night walk to shake off his anger. That guy’s got issues.”
“You would, too, if your ex-husband showed up looking hot on some gorgeous woman’s arm.”
