Page 36 of Damaged Billionaire Daddy
I stood on tiptoe. Those comfy ballet flats didn’t give me much height. I kissed the underside of his chin since it was the only part I could reach with my lips. The scent of hisaftershave—something minty with overtones of rosemary—washed over me. The contact increased the molten heat his whispers in my ear had started.
He dipped his head and kissed me back. His lips were warm, but they started out pressed in a thin line and I could feel the tension in him. I was right. He was loaded for bear.
But as we kissed, his lips softened, and he shared a little tongue with me. I could feel myself melting even more.
He might only be mine for the day, selected to needle the bridal couple, but I would enjoy it while it lasted. He might be an asshole, but he was a damned sexy asshole.
“Since you asked me so nice, I’ll be good,” he stage whispered, drawing more attention to us as he kissed me again, this time deeply and thoroughly. I never believed those lines in the romance books about “lips swollen from kissing”, but if that was a thing, then mine were going to look like balloons.
When he came up for air and I could catch my breath, Caleb said from behind me, softly enough that I’m pretty sure no one else heard him, “Thank you for that. You kept me from having to clonk him on the head to get him to shut up.”
I giggled, which earned us some dirty looks from the bride’s side of the aisle, and the ceremony went on without mishap.
The reception was laid out in a flagged courtyard at the side of the church. The tables were covered by a pavilion that had mosquito netting on all the sides, but the sun beat down mercilessly.
Flies crawled on the outside of the netting and a few of them made it inside. Sweat trickled down my cleavage. I was glad the bodice was low cut. This wasn’t the right kind of weather for velvet.
Richard must have been uncomfortable, too, for he said in a low voice that was clearly intended just for me, “Let’s say our congratulations and get out of here.”
The bride and groom, having exchanged the obligatory bites of wedding cake, were now part of a serving line handing out cake and scoops of ice cream with their own privileged hands.
We got in line. And by “we” I mean me, Richard, and Caleb. Apparently, he was also an invited guest.
When we got to the bridal couple, Don Kenneth Seramis addressed us first. “Thank you for coming, Richard, I was afraid you wouldn’t.”
“Of course I came,” Richard said. “Don’t I show up for all your pranks? I’m just glad you didn’t ask me to be the best man.”
The bride tittered nervously at this sally. “Thank you, Richie. I’m sorry I changed my mind at the last minute. But I’m not sorry I changed it.”
“All things considered,” Richard replied, “Being left at the altar is cheaper than a divorce. Although the rental on the hall and the tux weren’t cheap. It would have been nice if you’d told me the night before.”
She gave that brittle little laugh again. “Oh, you! Always pinching pennies. As if the rent on that stuff wasn’t just peanuts to you. I am sorry for the drama, but it wasn’t until it was time to get dressed that I made up my mind.”
“All’s well that ends well,” Richard said magnanimously. “Please allow me to introduce Kandis Quinn. Kandy, these are my good friends,” and he managed to say it with sincerity, “Ken Seramis and Kayla Seramis. Ken was my roommate in college.”
“Nice to meet you,” I murmured, accepting a paper plate with a wedge of cake and a scoop of ice cream from Ken.
The three of us went over to a side table and sat down to enjoy our refreshments. A teenager in a bridesmaid gown brought a cart with drinks. “What will you have?” she asked.
“Lemonade,” Caleb replied quickly. “I’m driving.”
“Sprite for me,” Richard added, “What do you want, Kandy?”
What I wanted was a motel room where I could get out of this very expensive dress and either nap or . . . I shut down the “or” thought as quickly as possible. Richard had his revenge.
Now this trip would end, and we would all go home. I just needed to put the best face on it that I could manage. Sex with him was not having the desired result. The man was addictive.
“Sprite,” I said, keeping my tone even.
The youngster took drinks off the cart and handed them to us, then trundled on to the next table.
Caleb glanced at his watch. “We don’t have long if you’re going to get that dress back before six,” he reminded Richard.
“About that, I have an idea. Kandy, did you bring anything with you?” Richard asked.
“No, I didn’t know how long we would be gone, so all I have is my emergency kit in my handbag.”
“Do you have weekend plans?”
