Page 44 of The Billionaire's Ride

She smiles, and her cheeks turn a pretty pink. “What about the picture of the four boys and little girl?”

“Now, that one I can’t take credit for. My Uncle Grant took it when we were kids.”

“Oh, so cute! Are those all your siblings?” she asks.

“The two on either side of me are my brothers, Kent and Mick. And the ones on the end are our cousins, Dash and Dahlia.

“Aw, I always wished I had a bigger family. Siblings and cousins. Do they all live in London?”

I’m not usually one to talk about my family with women, but I’ll tell Kate everything she wants to know. Trust is not something I give freely to women. But for some reason, I already trust her. “Yes, all of them except Dahlia, who lives in L.A. She’s an actress.”

“What about the others? Are they bad boy photographers like you?”

I chuckle. “Definitely not. Kent and Dash work in the family business. And Mick, the oldest is a heart surgeon. He’s the one getting married this weekend.”

Kate raises an eyebrow. “The family business?”

“Finance,” I say, hoping to leave it at that.

“Got it. So you’ll be having a little family reunion this weekend then?”

I sigh. “More like a circus.”

“You don’t sound too excited.”

“I love my brother. What’s not to love? He’s the perfect guy. It’s just not my scene.”

“So, do you have a date for this circus?” Kate asks, and I bite back a little laugh. Why is everyone so interested in my dating life? “Not that it’s any of my business.” She quickly qualifies her question. True. It’s none of her business. But what if it could be?

It could take the edge off the event. Not to mention, I’ve got the groom’s blessing. Should I ask her to join me? It’s just a wedding date. Not a big deal. No one’s actually expecting me to bring someone.

Admittedly, I get a little rush from subverting expectations. Then again, it could be interpreted as a sign of something more serious, which is why I stopped inviting women to family functions years ago.

I’m not a man capable of being serious with anyone. The thought never crosses my mind. Except it did for a split second when she came in my mouth. In that instant, just an instant, I wanted her to be mine. Always. I shake the idea away.

Passion doesn’t typically inspire these sorts of monogamous thoughts, but I guess there’s a first time for everything. Kate’s going home soon. I doubt she’ll expect anything from me after that. And I won’t expect anything of her either.

So why not? Kate could make Westminster Abbey a lot more fun.

“No, I don’t,” I answer her finally. “Are you interested?”

Chapter Nineteen

DREW

“AmI interested in being your date to your brother’s wedding?” Kate sounds confused, so let me clarify for her.

“Yes. Would you like to join me?” I ask.

“Sure,” she says with a straight face, but her lit-up green eyes give her away. “I’ll be your date. There’s only one problem.”

My heart sinks a little. “What’s that?”

“I forgot my fascinator hat.”

I’m pretty certain she’s joking. “You have one?”

“Of course not. And I don’t have a dress for the event either.”

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