Escorting the Groom (The Escort Collection Book 4) (12 page)

"I'll show her."

Blake laughed. "Oh yeah, big guy. You really look like it right now."

I opened one eye and peered at her. "This is the most fun I've had in a long time."

She nodded. "Me too." She was still blurry, but I thought she looked suddenly solemn.

I tried to reach for her, but my arm didn't want to move. "So why do you look so sad?"

"I'm not. I'm thoughtful. I'm thinking about what my life is going to be like at this time next year."

"Don't think about that." I closed my eyes. "I don't want to think about it, either. I like you, Blakey. I like having you around."

"You flatter me."

"S'the truth."
A drunken man's words are a sober man's thoughts.
"I like you, and I don't like anyone."

My phone beeped. Blake grabbed it then went up the stairs. A moment later, someone whistled. "Nice place—
very
nice," Jake's voice boomed. "How you doin', soldier? Not so good?" he called down to me.

"Shut up," I croaked. The words barely got out.

"Don't worry. I got him." Jake rumbled down the stairs. He hoisted me up, ignoring my groaning protest. "He said it was important that he let you have some alone time until the ceremony," he told Blake. "No matter how drunk he is, I know he'd want to respect that."

"Thank you," I said. My voice came out muffled against Jake's chest.

"Thanks, Jake," Blake said. "And you." She leaned over and kissed me gently on the cheek. "Good night."

"I like you, babe. I really like you." I reached for her, my voice still muffled. "I can't wait until tomorrow."

"Get some rest and sober up." She sounded tired.

It was only later, when I was attempting to sleep on Jake's couch as he snored heavily nearby, that I realized she hadn't said she liked me back.

* * *

I
hurt
bad the next morning, but not as badly as I should have. I sent out a silent prayer of thanks to Blake for providing me with painkillers before I passed out. Then I just lay there until Jake stopped snoring, got up, and made us coffee.

When I ventured sitting up, my head felt as if there were rocks rolling around inside it. Mean rocks.

I sat down heavily next to Jake on the deck with my coffee. "So, quick question for you," he said.

I rubbed grit from my eyes. "Yes?"

"Last night, when we were leaving your room, you told Blake you liked her." Jake squinted at me, and I noticed how bloodshot his own eyes were.

"So?"

"So why didn't you tell her you
loved
her?" My friend looked stymied. "You
are
marrying her this afternoon and all."

I coughed. "Oh. That."

Jake took a sip of his coffee. "Just tell me the truth. Don't make me interrogate you. I have a bitch of a headache."

I sighed and leaned back against the chair. "I hired her to marry me. She's an escort."

"I knew it!" Jake hopped up and started pacing. Then he winced as if moving hurt and quickly sat back down. "Well, actually, I didn't think Blake was. I thought her friends were, though. Never met a woman who could out-drink me like that. Nikki didn't even wobble when she got up. I knew she was a professional
something
."

"Which is why I told you to stay away from her. You're a senator now. That's a scandal you don't need."

Jake shrugged. "She's cute, though."

"Stop. You
can't
.
And you have to pretend you don't know. You can't let my sister figure it out, or she'll go nuts and this whole thing will blow up."

"Don't worry about it. I work in Washington now. I've got lying down to a science." He sat back down and looked at me. "I thought you and Blake were the real deal, though. I saw the way you were looking at her."

"I like her—just like I said. But there's nothing going on with us. We're getting married, and then she has to live with me for a year so I can inherit my share of the trust."

Jake laughed. "You're getting married, you're living together for a year, but there's 'nothing going on' with you two." He made air quotes in what I believed was an effort to truly annoy me. "That's classic Lucas Ford, right there. My man of steel. Nothing gets to you."

"It's a business arrangement," I explained with growing annoyance. "I'm not even sleeping with her."

Jake looked stunned. "Are you fucking kidding me? She's
gorgeous
. And she's an
escort
."

"I know."

"So what's your problem?" He sounded dumbfounded.

"I don't have a problem." I tried to keep my voice even. "And I don't want any. That's why we're not sleeping together."

"You worried about her getting pregnant?"

"No. Jesus." The thought hadn't even crossed my mind.

"You worried you're not man enough?"

My temples were starting to pound. "Shut up, Jake."

"Or are you worried that you might like her too much?" Jake sounded smug.

Herein lied the problem with spending time with my best friend. He knew me too well. I should have been at my office, where everyone was too afraid to talk to me—and I could fire anyone who tried. "You're making my hangover worse."

"One thing I will tell you—practically the only thing I remember from law school," Jake said.

That got my attention. "What?"

Jake grinned at me. "You have to sleep with her to consummate the marriage. Otherwise, it can be annulled. Or contested. If Serena's trying to prove it's a fraud, that's an angle she could work."

"How would she go about that?" I asked. "How would she ever know?"

"No idea, bro. But you know your sister. She's crazy enough to try it. So you better fuck your wife tonight." He put his hands behind his head, smiling and looking satisfied with himself.

"What?" I snapped. "What are you smiling about?"

"Lucas likes Blake, Lucas like Blake," he chanted then expertly maneuvered out of the way of my fist when I tried to punch him.

"Fuck you," I muttered.

Jake laughed. "Best. Weekend. Ever."

"
Y
ou look gorgeous
, honey," Helena said. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue. "Like an angel."

"Thank you." I faced myself in the mirror as the makeup artist put the final touches on my lipstick. "She's doing a great job with the makeup. That helps."

Both Helena and the makeup artist snorted. "You look gorgeous because you're gorgeous," Christie said, coming to stand next to me.

"That’s the truth," the makeup artist said. "I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful bride."

"Oh, that's nice. You guys are making me feel good, which is helping with my nerves." My nerves were, in fact, getting the better of me. I was excited to put on the dress, but I felt silly about it. What was I really excited about? This wedding would be legal, but it wasn't real. Lucas was going to be my husband on paper, in name only. So why did I have butterflies?

I heard some commotion from the back of the dressing room. "What's going on?" I asked Christie.

She grimaced a little. "I don't think Nikki's feeling too good."

"That's just great." Still, I laughed a little. Nikki always liked to talk tough, so it was amusing that the tequila had finally caught up with her last night. A moment later, she stumbled toward me, adjusting her long, strapless bridesmaid gown.

"Oh, Blakey, you look beautiful." Her eyes shimmered with tears. "I can't wait to see you walk down that aisle."

"Are you sure you're up for this?" I asked skeptically. She looked beautiful as always, but she also looked a little pale.

Nikki straightened her shoulders. "I'm fine, and I wouldn't miss this for the world. Now just excuse me while I go throw up."

"Amateur," I called as she hustled to the bathroom.

"I heard that!" Nikki slammed the door behind her.

The makeup artist put a tiny bit of lip gloss onto my lips. "I think you're ready," she said kindly.

I nodded and stood up a little shakily. "As ready as I'll ever be."

* * *

M
ore people were seated
in the pews than I was expecting. I stood at the end of the aisle, just out of sight, and felt myself sway a little.

"Easy, girl," Jake said softly, coming up beside me. He linked his arm through mine. "I've got you. It's my job to walk you down the aisle. But first, Lucas wanted me to give you a couple of things." He motioned to the wedding planner. "I need Blake for a minute. In private."

"She needs to be coming down the aisle in five minutes," the wedding planner said, adjusting her headset. "But you can use the antechamber until then so you can have a little privacy."

Crisply efficient, she led us to a small room and closed the door behind us. I turned to Jake in a panic. "Is he having second thoughts?"

Jake let out a bark of laughter. "You should be so lucky. He just wanted to give you a few things before the ceremony." Jake took out a box and opened it; inside were five different items. He pulled out the first one, a beautiful gold bangle. "This is something old," he explained as he slipped the bracelet onto my wrist. "It was Lucas's mother's."

Next, he pulled out a bobby pin. "Can you put this in your hair?" he asked hopefully. "This is your something new, but I have no idea what to do with it."

I smiled and took it from him, securing it into my hair.

"Here's your something borrowed." Jake smiled as he handed me a shiny penny. "It's my lucky penny. Lucas borrowed it from me to give to you."

I took the lucky penny, air-kissed it, and tucked it safely inside my bra.

"I won't tell Lucas I saw you do that," Jake said, chuckling. "And here's the last thing. Your something blue." He handed me a lacy blue garter, looking sheepish, and shrugged. "Lucas is more traditional than you might think."

I beamed at him. "He knows I'm superstitious." I slid the garter up on my thigh, carefully navigating my beaded dress.

"Yeah, he did mention that." Jake held out his arm for me. "You think you're ready for this?"

"There are a lot of people out there," I said nervously. I fingered the bracelet that Lucas had sent to me. "But I feel better about it now."

Jake gave me a quick look. "I'm only gonna say this to you once because Lucas would punch me. But he is
definitely
into you."

I felt myself blush a little. "That's sweet, Jake, but you don't know the whole story about us—"

"I do," Jake said, interrupting me. "Why else would I be trying to convince you that he likes you right before you marry him?"

I shrugged. My nerves really started to thrum.

"Just give him a chance. That's all I'm asking."

I nodded solemnly. "I can do that." I wasn't sure if I was lying to Jake or lying to myself with that answer.

But as we started down the aisle, I had a feeling I was about to find out.

* * *

L
UCAS

It was just me and the bridesmaids waiting up front. I nodded solemnly at several of the guests: my cousin James and his wife, Audrey; Shirley, my assistant, and her husband; and several other relatives that I hadn't seen in a very long time.

Serena's ex-husband, Robert, was there, as was our trust administrator. I'd invited them both out of spite. Serena had looked as though she were about to pass out when she saw Robert, but he only looked tense and a little sad. I reminded myself to speak to him after the ceremony and thank him for coming. We used to be friends, and I hadn't seen him in a long time.

I was surprised at how many people had shown up on such short notice. I guessed their curiosity had gotten the better of them. Lucas Ford, ruthless loner billionaire, was finally tying the knot. I'd tried to avoid making eye contact with James and Audrey after we'd said our initial hellos. They knew the truth, and I didn't want to see the curiosity burning in their eyes. Everyone there was curious, but not for the same reason as my cousin and his ex-escort wife.

We were in a special outdoor section of The Warner—a beautiful, ethereal garden filled with twinkling white lights and flowers. Blake had chosen well. Even though we were in Vegas, the setting was classical, almost magic.

I felt excited, which annoyed me.

But all thought, rational and otherwise, ceased when the wedding march started and I saw Blake. She was standing at the top of the aisle, holding onto Jake for dear life. She looked magnificent in her wedding dress. I couldn't breathe, let alone think. Her long white gown fit her graceful figure like a glove. I could see every curve of her beautiful body, but the dress was so much more than just that. She was absolutely stunning in it. Her long blond hair was loose around her shoulders, and I saw my mother's bracelet sparkling on her wrist. When our eyes locked and she smiled at me, my heart stopped.

I briefly noticed my sister, who was looking at me with her brow furrowed, as if she couldn't piece something together. But I couldn't concentrate on anyone but Blake. She seemed to glide toward me, that same happy smile on her face as she looked at each of her bridesmaids. Jake was beaming the whole way down the aisle. I knew what he was thinking: that he was delivering the goods. I pushed my annoyance with him to the side. I was about to get married to the most beautiful woman in the world.

And I was a hell of a lot more excited than I should have been.

Blake finally reached me and handed her bouquet to Nikki, who was her maid of honor. Then she turned and grabbed my hands, holding on tight.

"Hi," I said stupidly.

"Hi." Blake’s smile was infectious. "Thank you for the gifts. They mean a lot."

"I know you're superstitious. And I wanted you to have my mother's bracelet."

"I'm touched. Truly," she said softly, squeezing my hands.

The justice of the peace came out, and everyone went quiet.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Blake Maxwell and Lucas Ford—"

Nikki suddenly turned and ran for the bushes behind the altar. She threw up noisily onto one of them. Everyone in the audience groaned.

"Amateur," Jake called, laughing.

She served him with a quick, fierce glare, wiped her mouth, looked at Blake apologetically, then grabbed the bouquets she'd dropped on the ground. "Well, go
on
," she said to the officiant.

He smiled at her with good humor, his eyes sparkling. "It's Vegas," he said to the crowd, shrugging. There were chuckles as Nikki took a brief, red-faced bow. "Now, let's try this again."

Blake and I each listened to the officiant and repeated our vows solemnly, our hands remaining clasped. I didn't take my eyes off of her once. She smiled the whole time, giving me strength and courage to recite the words in front of all of our guests. Then, finally, it was over.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant said, beaming. "You may now kiss the bride."

I wrapped my arms around Blake, careful of her dress, and pulled her to me. I put my lips against hers gently, but then she threw her arms around my neck and deepened the kiss. The crowd whooped and hollered as our kiss lingered. Blake's hands twined through the hair at the base of my neck. My whole body was on fire for her. I finally pulled back, embarrassed, but she had that same smile on her face. She laced her fingers through mine, and we turned to face our guests together, triumphantly, as husband and wife.

* * *

"
R
obert
. So glad you could make it." I clapped my ex-brother-in-law on the back. He stood there stiffly. I pulled back and noticed that he had dark circles underneath his eyes. "How've you been?"

"Busy." He nodded. "Exhausted." He was an emergency room physician at Boston Medical, one of the biggest inner-city hospitals. "Congratulations, by the way. I never thought I'd see the day."

"Me either. But Blake's special."

"I'll say. She's even gotten Serena to behave somewhat." We watched as my new wife and his ex briefly chatted about something. Serena actually laughed. Robert turned back to me. "Why did you invite me to your wedding?"

I leveled him with a stare. "Why did you come?"

He turned back toward my sister. "I think you know why."

I clapped him on the shoulder. "Go have a drink with her. You know she's nicer when she's wasted."

Robert scrubbed a hand across his face. "Not always." But he headed toward my sister nonetheless. Blake looked up at me then and smiled, making my heart seize. My stupid fucking heart couldn't seem to get this straight. It was a pity that I couldn't fire both it and my cock. They were both giving me a hell of a time.

Wine? Please?
Blake mouthed, and I nodded, heading to the bar.

"Not only are you an amateur, you're a libertarian," Jake was telling Nikki. "And I can't believe you didn't vote for me. Frankly, I'm disappointed in you."

Nikki was nursing a ginger ale. "No one's more disappointed than I am," I heard her say. "About the puking. Not about the voting. I'm not sorry about that one bit."

"You should be ashamed about both." Jake's voice was stubborn.

"I'll still drink you under the table—I'm ready to prove that right now," Nikki said. "Hair of the dog. Let's get some shots going, Senator. I believe you're all talk—all you Democrats are."