Page 10 of Fighting Mr. Knight

Which came first? The swagger or the money? I saw him in pubs when I was younger. I’m pretty sure he had the swagger when he was poor.

A glance around the lawn confirms that every woman in the vicinity is jealous of flower girl Poppy, who must be a niece, judging by the similar facial features to Knight.

The fools.

His tongue traces his full top lip and I am reminded of the rumours about what those lips could do to a woman.

Shuddering, I avert my eyes.

Damn. I need to get laid.

Or, at the very least, experience a tongue that’s not my own in my mouth.

Disgust fills me.

I haven’t had sex in averylong time. The cracks are showing. I never used to perve at Jack Knight, of all people.

I call up my best acting skills and pretend I’m not a lust-crazed horny woman who hasn’t felt the touch of human lips in months.

“Hi, guys,” I call awkwardly, as we walk over to the tables.

“Oh,it’s the other bridesmaid,” Sean’s mum announces.

Sean frowns and gets up from the table to greet us. “Bonnie, Mum. You’ve met her many times.”

“Hi, Mrs. Knight,” I greet her politely. “Yes, I’m Bonnie, the other bridesmaid. You met me at Sean’s birthday party last year.”

“Oh, yes. Bonnie.” She applies a fake, full-strength smile. “Remind me what it’s short for, sweetie?”

“Nothing.” I shrug. “It’s just Bonnie.” She asks me this question every time we meet.

“Sean’s mum is being as pleasant as usual,” Kate whispers as Sean and Max approach us.

Max makes a show of giving me a massive hug.

“She’s the bridesmaid that was supposed to get married to the best man,” Sean’s mum says in a loud conspiratorial whisper.

I plaster a large smile on my face. It’s not Max’s fault he doesn’t love me anymore.

Nisha and I stand on display shyly, being pelted with questions that no one needs the answer to.How’s traffic? I heard there was an accident on the motorway. What time did you leave London?Yada yada yada.

“Jack, this is Nisha, our commercial manager at Bradshaw,” Max says briskly. “She’s been with us three years but has worked with major construction firms for a decade. Excellent industry knowledge.”

I give him a sideward glance.

“Hi, uh, Mr. Knight,” Nisha says stiffly, coming forward to shake his hand. “Lovely to meet you, sir.”

“Jack,” he corrects her cheerfully. With one arm wrapped around Poppy, he stands and pulls Nisha in for a hug. “No need to be formal. Great to meet you, Nisha.”

“Of course, you already know Bonnie,” Max adds, gesturing at me like a curator exhibiting a new piece.

My eyes meet Jack’s. He treats me to an arrogant smirk like the big bad wolf that spotted a pig.

My lips curl upwards exposing teeth in what I hope is a pleasant smile. “Hi, Jack.”

“It’s been a while, Bonnie.” Before I know what’s happening, he has let go of Poppy and pulls me into a bear hug, crushing me to his chest. I lean into the embrace awkwardly.

God, that feels good. Smells good too.

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