Not even a little.
* * *
Rule
I’d never seen a more gorgeous creaturein my life.
Laikyn looked good on any given day, but today … she looked like royalty. With her hair swept up and her eyes accentuated by makeup, she was absolutely breathtaking. And the dress … God, that fucking dress. It was an inky bluish-green color—not quite blue, not quite green—that offset her skin tone and made her green eyes appear darker than usual. It was demure by every standard with the wide V-neck that hinted at her cleavage without being revealing. The back was made of a sheer material that had a lacy floral pattern interspersed. It was obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra.
And her legs. Lord, she had legs that went on for miles, and the dress showcased every inch because the satin, flowy skirt was knee-length in the front and almost to the floor in the back, even with five-inch gold heels that put her at Jinx’s height.
She was stunning, and I wanted nothing more than to muss her up a little bit. But I wouldn’t. Tonight was a big night. Not only for the fundraiser but also for what I had planned. Jinx and I had spent the better part of the week putting together a plan to cut Monica off at the pass. And the favor I’d called in was going to ensure that Monica Quinn was kept on the fringes of this event. I wanted to give her a small taste of what I was capable of and let her know I would fight her tooth and nail, regardless of whatever selfish scheme she had in the works. No doubt, she intended to undermine me with Laikyn, but I wouldn’t allow it. Never again.
My phone buzzed. I checked the screen. It was the message I’d been waiting for, and I relaxed somewhat. I sent a message back and tucked my phone away.
By the time we reached the oceanfront resort where the fundraiser was being held, I was ready for the night to be over. It hadn’t even started, and I wished we could turn around and go back to the house, shuck the fancy duds, and get naked. I’d spent the entire ride staring at Laikyn, absorbing her beauty, surrounded by her intoxicating scent. This was one of those times when a photographic memory came in handy since I would forever have this image of her in my brain. I would need it for the day Laikyn learned the truth and walked away.
But that wasn’t going to happen tonight.
Through the tinted windows, I could see a line of limousines, but there was only one I cared about. Our timing was crucial for what I had planned. I tried to be discreet as I searched for the elaborate Hummer limo. By a stroke of sheer luck—or more accurately, Red Wally’s ability to time things correctly—it was in front of us, inching around the wide fountain that served as the U-turn for all being dropped off.
“You look stunning,” I told Laikyn, wanting to ensure I said it at least once out loud.
Her eyes cut to me, and a shy smile formed. “Thank you.”
It took several minutes before we were delivered to our destination, and not a moment too soon. I was starting to feel claustrophobic.
“Take a deep breath,” Laikyn said, but I realized she was talking to herself.
Red Wally opened the rear door, and Jinx got out first so he could assist Laikyn. I followed, nodding to Red Wally as I buttoned my suit jacket and exhaled slowly. There were cameras everywhere, event photographers as well as paparazzi snapping photos, but they weren’t focused on us. Their attention was on the group in front of us.
Phase one complete.
I offered Laikyn my arm to Laikyn, and she looped hers through. Before we started walking, she waited for Jinx to come to her other side and did the same so that she was tucked between us. I peered at him, and his eyebrows were lifted in question. I nodded, letting him know this was Laikyn’s show. If she wanted to be escorted by two men, she would be.
The group in front of us stopped to pose for the camera. Or at least it appeared that was what they were doing. I knew Creed Granger was actually stalling, waiting for my arrival. It was timed perfectly because Monica Quinn was behind us, a GPS tracker on her car had let us know where she was, and, as planned, Red Wally had casually intercepted, ensuring we arrived first.
Creed’s gaze met mine as we approached the doors. His smile was brighter than I’d ever seen it. Considering the hell he’d been through the past year, it was good to see my oldest friend happy. And there was no doubt he was, considering he and his entourage had just moved into their new house and were preparing for the wedding of the century next April.
Creed spoke to the woman on his arm, then gestured toward me. The tiny blonde turned, her gaze searching before a wide grin formed on her mouth.
“Who is that?” Laikyn asked, tugging on my arm as we moved closer.
“Creed Granger. He’s the friend I told you about. We grew up together.”
“And all those people?”
I glanced over at her. “It’s probably best I let Journey explain that one.”
“Journey? She’s the teeny, little blonde?”
I chuckled, then released Laikyn’s arm so that I could shake Creed’s hand.
“Creed, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Laikyn. Laikyn, meet my oldest friend.”
“And when he says that, he’s not referring to my age,” Creed clarified.
“But he could be.” The man beside him stepped forward.
