Page 10 of The Revenge Plan

My gaze went from his chest to locking with his. His eyes were glittering with amusement.

“I wasn’t blushing,” I said, “It’s hot in here.”

“Is it? Or is it hot here? Right now?” his innuendo-laced words were backed up by him pulling me closer to him.

I let out the most convincing laugh I could master. “If you think I was blushing because of you, then you seriously overestimate yourself, sir. There’s nothing on you I would want.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m perfectly sure that you couldn’t satisfy me even if you tried.”

He leaned into my ear and whispered, “Give me you and an empty room, and I’m sure we can debunk that theory in thirty seconds.”

It was his turn to laugh at my wide-eyed expression.

“There’s more that I can do now, Hailey. I’m no longer the bumbling teenager you used to know,”

“Is that why you married me. To get into my pants? It’s a little too much, don’t you think?”

“You know why I married you. And if you don’t, you’ll know soon enough.”

I tried to think of something to change the subject, but nothing came to mind.

“Your father,” Caiden said, “I saw the less than enthusiastic way you were walking down the aisle. The man was practically dragging you.”

His perceptiveness shocked me. “You’re mistaken. I was having trouble walking in the dress, that’s all.”

He lifted the sleeve of my dress, “Is that why you have bruises on your arm.”

I brushed away his hand, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He stiffened. I glanced back at him. Whatever emotion he had for me was gone. “Suit yourself.”

As soon as the dance ended, I made my way out of the ballroom. I needed some time alone without him next to me, making me feel a jumble of emotions I didn’t want to feel.

His friends were making it clear that they were here for Caiden and not me. Most of them I knew from high school, and they made the fact that they hated me plain as day. How could they not, I had bullied most of them after all? Even though some of them had taken part in the bullying themselves. So, you can forgive me, if I wanted some time alone.

Before I could make it anywhere without a mass of people, I bumped into my boss. Her face was flushed, she was swaying and had a wide smile on her face. She wasn’t supposed to be here, but when she saw news of the wedding in the papers and asked for an invite, I couldn’t say no.

“This wedding is fantastic!” she said as she threw a hand on my shoulder.

“Thank you, Rachel.”

“And your husband. Gorgeous. Does he have brothers?”

I felt a twinge of guilt.

“I’m just kidding! Anyway,” she said looking over my shoulder, “what do you think about me approaching your husband? You know, make some connections, tell him about our charity? Will it be too crass or should I wait?”

The last people I wanted to talking to each other were Caiden and drunk Rachel.

“You don’t have to. I’ve already spoken to him.”

She beamed

“He’s pledged some money. It’ll be coming to us soon.”

She slapped my shoulder. “Didn't I say your husband is gorgeous?”

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