The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride (The Blushing Brides Series Book 3)

by Elle E Kay

  She forced a smile. “I’m going to bed.” Turning on her heel, she headed for her room.

  Zach stared at Addison’s retreating back. He’d blown it this time. He should’ve mentioned the approaching storm, but his first instinct was to keep it from her. He’d thought of how his ex would react and waited to tell her. It wasn’t fair of him to compare her to Nikki when the two were nothing alike.

  His mother came in the back door, and he glanced her way. “I didn’t know you were outside, Mom.”

  “I sat on the patio and waited for you to return. I didn’t want to interrupt the two of you, but I was hoping to see you before you went to bed. Addison seemed upset, is everything all right?”

  “There is a storm coming, and I hadn’t told her about it, so she was a little ticked at me.” He sat down at the table. “Is something wrong, Mom?”

  “Not at all. I only wanted to talk to my only son before he got married.” She sat beside him.

  “Do you think I’m making a mistake?” His fingers drummed out a beat on the table.

  She put her hand on top of his to still him. “I honestly don’t know. What I know is that you’ve loved that girl since before you were old enough to know what love meant.”

  “Don’t make this something it’s not, mother. It’s simple. I’m sick of playing games, and Addison feels the same way. Love has nothing to do with this marriage. It’s about finding someone I can trust to build a life with. None of the women I’ve dated are as candid and without guile as Addison.”

  “As long as you’re both sure that’s what you want, then I’m happy for you.”

  “She’s not as convinced as I am.” He tugged at the hem of his shirt.

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. She’s here isn’t she?”

  “Reluctantly, but yes.”

  “You could postpone the wedding.”

  “I could.”

  “But you’re not going to?”

  “No.”

  “In that case, I hope your marriage is a blessed union.”

  “Mom, why didn’t you ever date again after Dad left?”

  “Because we remain married.”

  “You could’ve asked for a divorce.”

  “Divorce is not in my DNA. Are you worried that you’ll make the same mistakes your father did?”

  “Maybe a little. I love my Dad, but I don’t understand how he could leave. I get that he was unhappy. I mean, life can be hard, and I’m sure it’s easier to run away sometimes, but I still don’t get him.”

  “You don’t have to. You’re not him, and you know the devastation his mistakes caused, so I doubt you’d make the same decisions he did.”

  “Thanks. I needed to hear that.”

  “Why isn’t he here, Zachary?”

  “I invited him, but with the short notice he didn’t think he’d be able to get the time off work, and I have a feeling Debbie convinced him not to try.”

  “Well, I wish he was here for you. You deserve to have both parents present at your wedding.”

  “It’s fine. I’m glad you’re here, and Mrs. Scott and Parker are like family too, so I’ve got all the family I need.”

  “Addison is a lucky girl. You’re a fine young man, Zachary.”

  “I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you. Now get some sleep, so you’ll be ready for your big day tomorrow.”

  “I’ll try, but I doubt I’ll be able to sleep.”

  “Like a little boy on Christmas Eve?”

  “Very much like that.”

  “Goodnight, Zachary.” His mother hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek before heading off to bed.

  He resumed his drumming on the table and thought about the day to come.

  Addison awakened with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She wondered if she was making a huge mistake. Could the friendship she had with Zach become the romance she’d dreamed about?

  His clear penetrating eyes came to mind, and she flopped back on the bed. How many nights in high school had she dreamed about him holding her? Despite his claims, she knew that she’d only ever been a friend to him. All the evenings spent on the beach listening to him talk about his latest flame left no room for doubt. Anytime her traitorous heart thought there was a chance, she’d quashed the notion immediately, knowing that his heart was not inclined toward her. What had changed? Why was he suddenly willing to settle for her?

  The man differed from the boy she’d known. His decisiveness was exciting, but also terrifying. She was putting everything on the line and taking a risk that he wouldn’t change his mind. As a Christian, her heart was God’s first, and if she committed to a marriage with Zach, she wouldn’t be the one to break that promise. If they married each other today, they were in it for life unless he backed out. Maybe life on the West Coast had hardened him, and he’d be less determined to keep his vows.

  She stood and crossed the room to the closet. Her wedding gown hung there in a clear garment bag. After unzipping the bag, she removed the dress and held it in front of her before the floor-length mirror. A knock came from the adjoining room. “Come in, Mom.”

  “Darling, you can’t put your dress on yet. You must eat something first.”

  “I don’t think I can eat.” She laid a hand on her stomach to still the butterflies.

  “I’ll bring up a tray with a light breakfast. The groom can’t see the bride before the wedding, so you can’t go downstairs.”

  “I said I can’t eat, Mom,” she snapped.

  Her mother put her hands on her hips and lifted her chin. “I don’t care how old you get, you will not speak to your mother that way.”

  “Then stop babying me.”

  “You’d better improve your attitude by the time I return.” Her mother stalked across the room and left by the door to the hall instead of returning to her own room.

  Addison sat on the edge of the bed and shook her head. What was she doing here? Her wedding day should be full of joy, but she felt trepidation as she entered a loveless marriage. Well not loveless exactly, they’d once been close friends, but that was so long ago that it felt like another lifetime. Walking to the window she called out to God for peace. The ocean seemed endless its waves lapping gently against the white sand beach. It was impossible to believe the weather reports that a hurricane was headed this way. The beauty of the day made the thought seem absurd.

  Her spirits lifted at the sight of the staff setting up flowers and chairs along the beach. If she didn’t want to miss her own wedding, she’d need to get ready. She quickly showered and applied her makeup. When the knock came, she poked herself in the eye with her eyeliner. Moving to the door, she opened it a crack to see who it was. Her mother pushed the door open and breezed in with four other women following her.

  “Mom, I’m not dressed. Who are these people?”

  “Don’t be rude, Addison.” Her mother smiled that plastic smile she gave customers. “My daughter isn’t used to so much attention.” She spoke to the other women.

  Turning back to Addison, she said, “You know Zachary’s mother, Lucinda Williams, though you haven’t seen each other in years.” Addison smiled and returned the hug Mrs. Williams gave her. “These ladies are Jenn, Jill, and Jess, whoever hired them, must’ve wanted to cause as much confusion as possible. They’ll be doing your hair and makeup and helping you with whatever else you need.”

  “Sorry. Zach mentioned none of this. I did my makeup already.”

  Jenn took her by the chin and inspected her face. “It’s not terrible, we can work with it.” She walked toward the vanity. “Come sit.” She pointed to a soft padded chair.

  Following behind them was Jess. “Do you want to wear your hair up or down? Curls or no curls?”

  “Up, I think,” she answered. After five minutes more of them peppering her with questions, she let herself relax and enjoy the pampering.

  When an hour had passed and her hair and makeup were flawless. Jill pulled out a jewelry case and held
earrings up to see which she liked. Jill convinced her to wear dangling rubies surrounded by tiny diamond chips. They were way out of her comfort zone. Her mother loved them. Enough said. But, if she could fly to a private island in the Bahamas and marry a man she hadn’t seen in years, leaving her simple life in Pennsylvania’s farm country behind, she could wear a pair of extravagant earrings too. Addison Scott was reinventing herself. She was a new woman.

  When the time came to dress, everyone seemed eager to offer assistance. She squeezed herself into the shapewear her mother insisted she needed. Then came another layer that flared out slightly at the bottom. She supposed it was a slip or a crinoline of some sort, but wasn’t sure what to call it.

  When it came time to put on her actual wedding gown, she felt her throat close up with panic, but her mother put her hands on her shoulders, calming her. “You look lovely, my dear. Come. See.” She pulled her over to the full-length mirror. Seeing her full transformation for the first time was a shock. She felt as beautiful as a fairy-tale princess.

  Chapter 5

  I t was time. Zach breathed in a deep breath of the fresh sea air and watched a gull swoop overhead as he stood on the beach beside the preacher. Soon the woman he would spend the rest of his life with would walk down the white sand beach toward him and they would start a new journey together. His nerves were on edge. He glanced out at the rows of chairs filled with family, colleagues, and staff. The whole experience seemed surreal.

  This was a step he hadn’t dreamed of taking with Addison, but the more extensively he dated, the more he realized that other women couldn’t measure up to his childhood friend. Most of them wanted to play games and keep secrets. Yet, now that he was about to take this step, uncertainty niggled at the back of his mind. What if she had changed? He saw no evidence of change in the areas that mattered, but she claimed to be a different person.

  He pushed his doubts away and watched her descend the steps from the patio, a lovely vision in white lace. The moment she reached the sand, she kicked off her heels. The gesture brought a smile to his face. It was a trivial thing, but it showed her nature. She was the same girl he remembered despite her assertions to the contrary.

  She carried a bouquet of purple and yellow flowers he couldn’t name. They were ideal for her. Simple, so unlike the elaborate flower arrangements she strolled past on her way to his side. Their mothers sat together, both teary eyed. Nobody walked his bride down the aisle. If she’d married another man, the responsibility might’ve fallen to him now that her father was gone, but it relieved him that he wouldn’t be asked to give Addison Scott to another man.

  She might not know it yet, but they were doing the right thing, he was nearly convinced of it. In time she would see that they were meant to be together. If he let this opportunity pass him by, he’d be a fool. When she reached him, he stretched his hands out for hers, but she seemed unsure what to do with her bouquet. Her mother stood halfway out of her seat and reached up to take it. He wondered why her sister hadn’t played the part of a bridesmaid for her. Forcing himself back into the moment, he grinned at the beautiful woman by his side, but the smile she returned was tentative.

  When Zach reached for her hands, Addison panicked and nearly pulled away. Her mother grabbed for her bouquet and smiled reassuringly. Taking a steadying breath she handed the flowers off and placed her hands in Zach’s.

  This was it. The moment of truth where childhood friends would commit their lives to each other for better or for worse. Her heart raced as she stared into his clear azure eyes.

  The preacher said something, but she didn’t hear over the buzzing in her head. Shaking herself mentally, she looked away from her groom and tried to focus on the pastor. Zach repeated the preacher's words, and she followed suit.

  Once they’d spoken their vows, and Zach slipped the ring on her finger, the gravity of the moment hit her and tears threatened. She placed the ring on his finger, and he bent to kiss her. His lips barely brushed against hers, but the sensations his kiss evoked left her feeling even more off-kilter.

  She stood beside her husband and they waited as a line of people formed to congratulate them. The word husband rolled around in her head, foreign and strange. Ha! She was a wife. That word might be even harder to get used to. It seemed odd to her that the line was so long when she hadn’t realized there were so many people on the island. Her mother and sister were the first to approach.

  “I know you’ll bring each other great joy. Nothing could bring a mother more pleasure than knowing her daughter will be taken care of by a good-hearted man.” Her mother hugged Zach.

  Parker gave her an awkward hug. “I’m glad you’re happy. You deserve it.” The sadness in her sister’s eyes belied her words, but she accepted her remarks with grace rather than question her sincerity.

  When her family moved on, she noticed an enormous ship in the distant that appeared to be drawing near the island. She turned to stare at the approaching vessel. “What’s this?”

  “I chartered a cruise ship for our guests and employees.”

  “Aren’t they staying here on the island?”

  “I offered them a seven-day cruise. A few are flying back to the mainland, but most are taking advantage of the free vacation.”

  Her hand flew to her throat. “Why didn’t I know about this?”

  “I thought your mother would’ve mentioned it. She’s going.”

  “Are we going with them?”

  He chuckled. “No, we’re staying here, but it’ll be just the two of us.”

  She felt her face warm. “Oh.”

  A smile spread slowly across his face as he slipped his arm around her and turned to greet the next person. She hadn’t thought beyond the wedding, and now the nerves in her stomach were doing a jig. If she made it through this day, it would be a miracle.

  Addison grew rigid at the mention of them being alone together. Her reaction was unexpected and caught him off-guard. Surely, they shared a mutual attraction, didn’t they? Maybe she found him unattractive. No, it couldn’t be that, or she wouldn’t have agreed to marry him, would she have? Maybe the money was the real temptation. It would be for most anyone. Even her. She was only human. Disappointment settled in the pit of his stomach.

  He forced a smile as he turned to his mother. “Thanks for all you did, Mom. Everything is perfect.”

  “I hope it suited Addison’s taste. We had to scour her Fractal posts and her Instagram account to get an idea of her tastes and preferences. It would’ve been much better if she could’ve been here.”

  His bride kept her smile pasted in place. “With so little time for the engagement, I couldn’t get away, but I would’ve preferred being here. This island is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine what I would’ve done differently.”

  “Everything was exquisite, wasn’t it?” His mother asked.

  “It was. Thank you.” Addison hugged his mother, and they both had tears in their eyes. He hoped they were happy tears. It was another thing he didn’t understand about women, but if they were happy tears, then he’d misread her earlier reaction. There was hope.

  Amy approached, and he grinned. “Thanks, Ames.”

  Her smile was genuine. “Let’s never let it happen again, okay?”

  “One and done. I promise.”

  She turned to his bride. “It’s nice to meet you. Keep this one in line.” She poked Zach in the chest with her index finger. “He’s difficult to control.”

  Addison’s face showed her bewilderment. “Addison, this is my assistant, Amy. She’s the friend I told you about. She planned the entire wedding, the travel arrangements, the cruise, and every other minute detail all while enduring my mother’s constant interference.”

  “In that case, I can’t thank you enough, Amy.” She smiled and reached out to shake hands, but Amy pulled her into a hug.

  When Amy was safely out of hearing distance, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I should’ve warned you abou
t Amy’s exuberance.”

  “It’s fine. She seems great. Although, I must admit, I didn’t expect your assistant to be so much better looking than your wife.”

  “That’s not true.” He smiled. “Amy is cute in a sisterly way. My bride is gorgeous.”

  “If you say so.”

  Addison was grateful when the reception line fizzled out. The photographer pulled them aside for photos while the guests mingled. Her stomach growled as she worked to school her features into those of an adoring bride. It would’ve been wise to listen to her mother’s advice that morning, but no, she’d expected this whole affair to be over in an hour and hadn’t considered that she might not have another chance to eat.

  After the third time the photographer had her jump in the waves while holding her wedding dress up, she’d had enough. She sent Zach a pleading look.

  “Is that enough photos, love?”

  Love. Ha! That was a joke. “I like it better when you call me by name.”

  “Not into terms of endearment, darling?”

  “I’d prefer you call me Addison.”

  “Yes, dear.” He grinned, and she punched him playfully in the arm. The photographer got the shot, and she shook her head.

  Zach walked over to the photographer and spoke a few words. The man made himself scarce. Before she knew it Zach was dragging her to the buffet table set up about twenty feet from the makeshift dance floor. “You shouldn’t let me know when something irks you. I won’t be able to resist doing it, darling.”

  Before they could partake of the delicious-looking food, a voice came over the sound system, and someone instructed them to make their way to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife. Zach guided her with a hand at the small of her back before sweeping her into his arms. She breathed in the masculine scent of spicy cologne. Smiling up at him, she relaxed into the dance and followed his lead. As exhausted as she was, she still reveled in his nearness. She only hoped she could make it through this day. Too much excitement and not enough sustenance was wearing her thin.