Loves Billionaires and Corgis: A Feel Good Romance

by Gina Robinson

  He took the glass, but didn't drink. "You're a runaway bride?" He sounded almost impressed.

  I felt very small in that moment. But there was compassion in his voice lurking beneath the surprise.

  "Yes. Promise to keep that to yourself, would you?" I tried to smile. "If it got out… Although it's only a matter of time now, it seems."

  "You ran away from your wedding to a guy you'd known less than a day?" He took a sip of wine. "That doesn't sound so crazy to me."

  Yes, I really did love the way he thought.

  "It would have been more polite, and mature, to simply tell him I'd changed my mind. But yes. Actually ran. In a wedding dress and everything. Arms pumping. Like I was running for my life." I watched Dex carefully to see if my story sparked a memory in him.

  "None of your friends were there?" His eyes narrowed. "With you at the chapel? As witnesses?"

  "No. I'd better explain. I met Jesse in Vegas two years ago. At the time, I was coming off a bad breakup with my second fiancé. Yes, before you ask, as I said, I did the breaking up. There's a bigger story there. But I'd rather not go into that now. He's immaterial to this episode with Jesse.

  "So I was in Vegas at a friend's bachelorette party. With Courtney, who you know, among others. We were both bridesmaids. It was, like, the thirtieth wedding I'd been a bridesmaid for. Really depressing, if you want the truth. Between my job and all my friends getting married, it seemed like my whole life was weddings, weddings, weddings.

  "I was sick of them. I saw them in my sleep when I closed my eyes. I was, frankly, getting to the point for a time when I really hated weddings. I guess we all hit a tipping point like that at some time during our careers. Where the joy and passion that led us to make a passion into a career turns stale. I worked through it. I'm over it now." I gave him a small smile.

  "Anyway, we all flew from Seattle to Vegas for a long girls' weekend and bachelorette party. We were determined to live it up and have fun. Especially since there were only a few of us in my group left to get married. Courtney and me. It was to be one last blast of singleness for the bride. A big adventure for the rest of us.

  "Anyway, I could tell tales on all of us. Nearly all the rest of the bridesmaids were married or engaged or in long-term relationships. Which didn't stop any of them from flirting and drinking heavily. It was a competition of sorts, really, to see who could attract the hottest guy."

  "Girls do that?"

  I shrugged. "But, to their credit, there was only so far my friends were willing to go. All hopes were pinned on me.

  "A couple of us spotted Jesse at one of the casinos. He spotted us, too. And, well, I got his attention. We split off from my group. Jesse was determined to show me a good time. I had no idea he was on TV. I knew nothing about it until he showed up here in Seattle.

  "Things from Vegas get fuzzy from there out. We gambled. We drank heavily. We got along famously. We were each going home in a few days. Never to see each other again, so we thought.

  "At the time, that seemed…bad. Horrible. Intolerable. Heartbreaking. We both agreed—no long-distance relationships. They sucked." My mouth was dry. I licked my lips. "On the spur of the moment, we decided the solution was to get married. Then and there."

  I couldn't read Dex's expression.

  "Yeah. I know. It's crazy," I said. "I didn't even know his last name or where he was from. Or what he did for a living. I don't remember how he proposed. I have a vague memory of him getting dramatically down on one knee. But I don't know that he did for sure. Afterward, I even forgot his first name. Maybe it was a subconscious mental block. Wedding trauma and all."

  Dex was taking my damning revelations calmly, but he was almost too quiet.

  I tried to joke. "Posttraumatic wedding-running shock."

  Dex didn't respond.

  All right, that bit of black comedy fell flat. Tough crowd.

  I continued, "I don't remember even thinking it over. I was all just 'Yes! Let's do it!' It seemed funny. Like a prank. Like I'd won the prize and could prove it to my friends when they saw a ring on my finger. And deep down, like this was the only way I was going to overcome cold feet and actually get married.

  "We went shopping and bought a wedding dress in a strip mall. We rented him a tux of some sort. Then we headed to a wedding chapel."

  I wrung my hands. "This is the really embarrassing part—we were waiting in line at the chapel, and my drunken fog cleared." I snapped my fingers. "Just like that. I looked at the guy next to me, Jesse, a total stranger, really, and realized this was crazy. That I couldn't commit to a lifetime with a guy I didn't know." I looked at Dex, searching his face for signs or recognition or judgment.

  He was on the edge of his seat. He looked almost amused. "So what did you do?"

  "I excused myself to go to the bathroom and ran. Just like I told you. Out into the street, in my dress and heels, down the Strip, and away."

  Nothing. Dex didn't look like he remembered a thing.

  Dex leaned forward. "Since we're confessing," he said. "I'd never watched Gold Digger. Until I saw the news. After that, Justin and I went to his place and binge-watched it. I saw the episode where Jesse is left at the altar in Vegas. Supposedly. I thought it was strange we never saw the bride, just the aftermath. To be clear—that was you?"

  I nodded. "Yeah. I watched that episode, too. After I got home from The Blackberry, I watched every episode with Jesse in it that I could. To see what I was dealing with. Who this guy is."

  "Great minds," Dex said. "You weren't in the episode."

  "No. Jesse seemed to think it was funny that we had ditched his friends, and mine. It was like a great joke, an adventure. Something we were pulling over on other people. I think we were actually afraid one of them would catch us and try to stop us. I remember that much. He was the lone stag at a bachelor party. I was the always-a-bridesmaid-never-a-bride of my group."

  "You weren't in love with him?" Dex's eyes shone.

  "Maybe. In the moment. I was infatuated for sure. But I'm not now. Not since the moment I ran. Dex"—I looked him in the eye—"I won't ever be." I swallowed a lump. "He ambushed me at The Blackberry. Jesse saw that video of Mitch carting me off from the Hudson/Kangley wedding. He claims he'd been looking for me all this time. That video was the key to finding me. He looked me up. Said he was in town and just wanted to talk."

  "But you went to see him—why?"

  I bit my lip. Dex didn't remember anything. It broke my heart. I hesitated, wondering how much more I should say. Whether I should tell him that he'd rescued me from Jesse. That I'd run with Bella.

  "I've been accused of being a runaway bride twice now in the last few months. Each time it was bad for business, until I was exonerated in the public view. Jesse is the only person who could out me as a real runaway bride. It felt like he could ruin me. My friends would be upset. I've kept this a secret from them all this time. They'll feel betrayed. I couldn't take the chance."

  I watched Dex's reaction.

  "Friends should understand," he said.

  "Maybe. Anyway, I met Jesse to ask him to go away and keep it to himself. I had no idea who he was or that he would ambush me with a camera crew. Or pull me into that horrible kiss right in front of his adoring fans. I was so furious with him…"

  Dex nodded. "That makes two of us."

  "He wants me on the show," I blurted, realizing too late I should have used more tact. "He wants to out me as his runaway bride. He claims he still loves me." I rolled my eyes. "But I think he wants it for his career. To make him more of a heartthrob and me the villain."

  Dex shrugged. "You turned him down. Problem over."

  "Um." I took a deep breath. "Not exactly. He gave me a week to think about. Then he outed me anyway. I'm sure the show is behind that news leak."

  I fought to keep my anger under control. "He's playing dirty. He probably thinks he's forced my hand. That I'll do the show now, because what does it matter? The word is out. And they'll pay me handsom
ely, supposedly, which should make up for my loss of income."

  "The bastard." Dex took my hands. "You can still turn him down."

  "He's dragged you into this," I said.

  Dex got his characteristically cocky grin. "I don't care. I'm not afraid of him. You're away with me. Here. Where is he? Alone, licking his wounds."

  "Or with one of his groupies," I said.

  "Turn him down and turn him away," Dex said. "I can handle myself."

  I couldn't look Dex in the eye. "There's more."

  "More?"

  "I never told you how I got Bella. To be honest, I don't remember all the details myself." I took a really deep breath. "She was my wedding bouquet. For my wedding to Jesse."

  I forced myself to meet Dex's eye, looking for any glint of recognition. Or condemnation. "I ran away with her. She was a gift from Jesse. But he's now claiming that Bella is his. That I stole her."

  Chapter Thirteen

  Never My Love

  Shelby (A no-good dog thief? A hider of truth?)

  I held my breath, waiting for Dex to speak. He seemed lost in thought.

  "He's blackmailing you with that, too?" he said at last.

  I nodded, miserable. "Yes. So that I'll do the show."

  Dex frowned. I couldn't read his thoughts.

  "But I looked it up," I continued. "Dog theft is a property crime in both states. The statute of limitations is two years, and that's up. But…"

  "But what? You think he'll sue you?"

  "Yes. I do." I bit my lip.

  "Not a problem." Dex's jaw was set. "I have good lawyers. I can outspend him. We'll clean his clock if he tries."

  "I appreciate it." I sighed. "I do. But I'm worried about what a lawsuit like that will do to your reputation, given Puppy Love and its corporate image. How will it look if your girlfriend, fake or not, is an alleged dognapper? Gold Digger and Jesse will make hay of it. And if you defend me in court and elsewhere?"

  "I don't give a damn, Shelby—"

  I reached across and put a finger to his lips to shush him. "But I do. You've worked too hard to build Puppy Love. Too many people depend on you. If it comes to that, I'll end this fake relationship. For your sake."

  I swallowed the lump in my throat and dropped my hand from his lips. "I offered him a puppy. It seems fair. I 'took' a puppy. I'm happy to give him one in return."

  "And?"

  "He refused. Unless I do the show. Then he'll take the second pick of the litter, Corgi or Auggie, and relinquish any rights to Bella. Dex, I don't see any way out. He's forced my hand now. But I can keep you out of it from here on out. I'll do the show. No one will know about the question of Bella's ownership. Your reputation will remain intact—"

  "Except for the hit I'll take to my billionaire playboy reputation for losing my girl to a miner. So that's it?" Dex asked. "You came on this trip to break it off with me?"

  "I came on this trip to talk to you and explain." I blinked back tears. "I didn't want you to think this is what I want—"

  He scooted closer to me and took both my hands in his, squeezing them tight. "Shelby. Look at me." He tipped my chin up. Our eyes met. "What does the show want from you?"

  "Drama, and lots of it, I imagine," I said. "They haven't specified. I don't even know if I'd have to go to the Yukon."

  Dex got a determined look. His eyes lit with devilment. "You don't think I'm letting you go, do you? Just like that. No fight. Just hand you over to this douche? No fucking way. I can outwit, outsmart, and out-prank him with one hand tied behind my back. No problem. It's not even a fair fight."

  I swallowed hard, trying not to get my hopes up too high. But how could I resist the idea of him fighting for me?

  "Was Jesse the call you got at the vet's office?"

  Not much got past Dex. "Yes."

  "That explains a few things. Tell me—is Jesse the reason you won't move in with me?"

  My eyes went wide. "Move in with you? When did we talk about that? You never asked me—"

  "I asked you when I offered you protection and said you could stay at my place. After the vet's office, when I thought you were afraid of Mitch."

  "That was asking me to move in?" I had guessed it was a first step. Which, of course, had frightened the commitment-shy part of me. But I was stunned that Dex had seen it as even more.

  He sighed impatiently. "Of course it was. What did you think it was?"

  "A tentative first step?" I said.

  "I thought it was pretty clear—"

  I shook my head. "When you ask a girl to move in with you, you have to be more specific. No room for misunderstanding. If you ever ask a woman to marry you, remember that. Say the words, will you marry me? Don't just hold a ring out to her that could be just a gift. Don't leave room for confusion."

  "Now you sound like Justin." He rolled his eyes.

  "It's good advice," I said. "I've heard too many horror stories from brides whose grooms didn't make their marriage proposals clear."

  "You're avoiding the issue," Dex said. "If this relationship is going to end, you're going to have to be the one to end it. I'm not giving you an out. I'm not letting you go. If you'll let me, I'll take care of Jesse. Do you trust me?"

  My mouth had a mind of its own, trying to smile against my better judgment. This was serious business, after all. "Yes. But only if I'm in on the plans."

  "Absolutely. I wouldn't have it any other way." He squeezed my hands again.

  "And—"

  His face fell. "There's an and?"

  "I don't want you to think the idea of moving in with you isn't enticing. Because it clearly is. But you're dealing with a world-class commitment-phobe. The idea of giving up my independence…scares me. Be patient."

  He leaned close, pressing his forehead against mine. "You got it."

  I slid onto his lap, straddling him. "So what's your plan?" I stroked his hair.

  "Give me a few minutes."

  "I thought you were a genius."

  "It's hard to think when I'm distracted." He caught my face and pulled me into a kiss.

  The moment our lips met, I was lost. He tasted like sweet wine and chocolate. And promise.

  His hands slid up my bare legs and beneath the sundress I wore, hot on my cool skin. Urgent.

  I felt the need well up inside me. I wanted him. I needed him. I didn't want to lose him—ever. I leaned into his kiss. He devoured me, his returning kiss as burning with need as mine.

  He slid my dress up over my hips to my waist. If he wanted to go there, I was going there with him. I grabbed the edges of my hem and pulled the dress over my head, tossing it onto the chair I'd left behind. I was braless under the dress, naked before him now except for a tiny thong panty.

  He cupped my breasts in his hands, mounding them together and rubbing my nipples with his thumbs. He bent his dark head. His mouth was hot as he took one nipple in and caressed it with his tongue.

  I kissed the top of his head. The night had become dark. The sky was filled with stars. Curls of steam wafted off the dark pool in front of us.

  I tipped my head back and took in the night sky, all the stars. Vega, Deneb, Altair—the brightest stars in the summer sky—shone overhead. The stars of the Summer Triangle.

  I didn't want a love triangle. Not even a fake one. I wanted Dex. I wanted him here. Now. I wanted to swim with him to eternity.

  I slid off his lap, kicked off my shoes, and wriggled out of my panties. His eyes were dark as he watched me.

  I ran toward the pool.

  He called after me. "What are you doing?"

  "What does it look like?" I ran into the pool and down the steps splashing, daring him to follow me. "Are you going to join me? I've always wanted to skinny-dip beneath the stars."

  Dex stood suddenly. He stripped off his shirt and tossed it aside. He kicked off his shoes.

  He was unzipping his pants as I dove into the water. I had never been in a pool that smelled so good, like perfume, not chlorine. Everything ab
out this place was magical and romantic.

  When I came up for air, Dex was naked, silhouetted, and erect, watching me as I stood and slid my hair back from my face.

  He ran to the edge of the deep end of the pool. I watched, excited. My eyes had adjusted to the dark. I saw every muscle ripple. He stopped at the edge. He was watching me, gauging his approach.

  He was coming for me.

  I laughed and splashed at him, though I was too far away for it to be effective.

  He dove in, making hardly a ripple on the surface of the pool. I tried to follow the line he would take toward me, but I lost him.

  I could touch the bottom and stand. I ran toward shallow water, teasing him, making him come for me.

  He came up beside me, out of nowhere. "Marco." He grabbed me around the waist.

  "Polo." I jumped up, climbing him, circling him with my legs.

  "You're really not good at this game."

  "Maybe I don't want to be." I licked his ear. "Maybe I wanted you to find me."

  "Don't give me that. I took you by surprise." He walked us to the edge of the pool. He pressed me up against the side, sandwiching me between hard tiles against my back and his hard chest against my breasts.

  I grabbed him and stroked him beneath the water, guiding him to my entrance. "Marco."

  He parted my legs and stroked my sweet spot. "Have you ever made love in a pool?" His breath was hot in my ear as he slid a finger inside me and stroked me with his thumb.

  My breath caught. I closed my eyes. "Never."

  "Another first with me." He pulled his finger out and speared his erect dick into me. "Polo." He nibbled my earlobe and thrust deeply, holding me tight, putting his hands at the small of my back, protecting me from the hard tile of the pool edge.

  He pounded into me, again and again. I arched against him, moving with him, letting him change me.

  I threw my head back and opened my eyes, staring at the cosmos above, watching the stars twinkle and dance as the water sloshed against the sides of the pool and Dex thrust into me. Feeling the smallness of my being against the immenseness of the heavens above and the strength of the complex emotions that I felt for Dex. Making love in the face of eternity. Letting pleasure crowd out all else.