The Billion Dollar Wedding: The Honeymoon Collection

by Cynthia Dane

  “You sure about that?” Ian called. “We’re some of the richest men around. One of us alone could buy you all five of these girls for the night. In fact, it’s your party, so we insist.”

  Applause appeared again. Some men toasted, others got out their wallets, asking the girls and Monica how much it would be to secure them all for their friend Ethan. “At least a hundred grand,” she coolly said, before returning to her Shirley Temple. “Don’t worry about cash. I have all your credit cards on file.”

  “Split it however many ways here!”

  Ken flicked Grace’s chin as she not-so-covertly rubbed her breasts against him. “For the bachelor, my dear. Make sure he’s happy tonight. There’s always next time for you and me… and my wife.”

  “Andrews has the right idea,” another guest said. “He and that harpy of his have fucked half of us in this room as it is! That’s what you need to do, Cole. Get that new wifey of yours on board with a mistress of your own. Keep the fervor going forever.”

  “I wish my wife would go for that,” Richard sighed. “I get tired of hiding my charming gal in London. Would be so much easier if Francesca knew, and didn’t divorce me for it!”

  Jasmine was amazed – and yet not at all – at the amount of men who admitted to cheating on their significant others. At least it’s none of them I know… aside from Richard. Ian was given shit for not touching another woman since he first royally boned Kathryn under a year ago. James admitted that he often looked, but he would never touch. The consensus around the room was that such a thing was acceptable.

  Even Ethan nodded, and he was on his third glass of scotch and partaking in a Cuban cigar.

  Monica returned from wherever she went for a few minutes. She bent down and whispered something in Henry’s ear. They both glanced at the peephole and then at Ethan. Whatever they were going to do didn’t have a chance to transpire, for the room erupted into a frenzy of tasteless jokes and naked women everywhere.

  “I’m tired of being ignored!” Holly announced, leaping on the table in front of Ethan. “Are you going to get hard for me or not, Mr. Bachelor? I wanna see what you have in those trousers of yours.”

  Adrienne was the only one who widened her eyes. She quickly took another drink of scotch and briefly fanned herself as Holly began to strip off the rest of her clothes, set to the low hum of a wordless beat coming from somewhere.

  The girls took turns stripping in the center of the room while the men smoked, drank, and gazed upon the bodies slinking around them. More than one man lamented that the girls had already been reserved for Ethan later. Monica sweetly insinuated they may be available later that night and was brusquely asked if she gave discounts for the sloppy seconds. The awful glare she leveled at the man in question probably made his dick shrink two inches.

  “Gentlemen,” she announced around nine, when everyone was laughing at graphic descriptions of sex with their partners and mistresses, “the next phase of the party will be held in the Cigar Lounge. I hope you enjoy the other girls I’ve hired for tonight. And cognac. Both things are waiting for you there.”

  Most of the men got up and followed Monica out of the room. She and Henry exchanged one last glance before the husband got up and clapped Ken Andrews on the back. Both of them held Ethan down in his seat.

  “You’re not going anywhere,” Henry said. “It’s your bachelor party. We’ve politely paid for these women to be yours tonight, and we intend to make sure our money doesn’t go to waste.”

  Ethan looked about as amused as a cat trapped in a cage. The five women surrounding his chair – and butting Adrienne out of the way – either crawled or sauntered straight up to him. Most of them barely had thongs on.

  “Look, coming from two married men,” Ken said, trying to not make eyes with his mistress as she rubbed one of Ethan’s shoes, “take our word when we say you need to seize this opportunity. Isn’t that right, Warren?”

  “Don’t tell Monica, but I had all sorts of fun on my bachelor party.” He was bold saying that in front of Monica’s girls… and in front of Jasmine, whom he knew was watching. So, he’s probably lying. “There was this one fox of a woman… Anneke, I think her name was… she did things with her tongue I’ll never get to experience again.”

  “I should kick your ass for admitting that.” Did Ethan actually look angry? Even Jasmine had to admit her fiancé needed to lighten the fuck up.

  “Either way, I may be a dirty swinger,” Ken continued, “but even I can’t deny how good it feels to be single, and that was ten years ago. Take our word for it, Cole. You’ll never have this chance again. I can vouch for Grace’s tight body. You should go for her first. I don’t mind.” He laughed. “Need a Viagra? I know your ex-girlfriend stocks it here.”

  “Excuse me, that’s my wife,” Henry replied.

  “See how small our little circle is? Come on, nobody will say a thing. Your woman will never know.”

  Ethan didn’t say anything out loud, but his glare at both men said everything.

  “I’m… going to excuse myself. See what’s happening in the other room.” Adrienne got up, eyes lingering on someone’s bare ass as she backed out of the room. “Have fun, Ethan.” She ran out of the room.

  “Now that we’ve scared off the other ex-girlfriend,” Ken said, hand squeezing Ethan’s shoulder. “We think it’s time you enjoy one of your last nights as a free man. Remember, we won’t tell Jasmine.”

  “Nope. Nobody will tell her a thing.”

  Henry and Ken left after that, murmuring things to one another. The moment the door closed a final time, Judith took over, the queen bee of the working girls.

  “You are one of the sexiest men I’ve ever seen,” she cooed, draping her naked body across Ethan’s lap. “What can we do for you, sir?”

  Grace popped up, her smaller breasts jiggling right next to Ethan’s face. Don’t make me come kill any of you… “We’ve heard rumors about you, Mr. Cole.”

  Holly reiterated this point, down by Ethan’s thigh, which she couldn’t stop touching. I’m killing you first! “We hear you can go three or four times.”

  “Where the hell did you hear that?” Ethan didn’t sound like a man enjoying his bachelor life. If anything, he looked like he was about to shake all these women off and storm into the sunset. My darling! “Let me guess. From your boss.”

  “She’s told us a lot about you over the months,” Judith continued. She reached behind Ethan’s head and gave Chelsea a signal. That woman leaped up behind Ethan’s chair, one leg curling over the back as she began to grind and make subtle sounds of pleasure. “Like the fact you’ve got a nice one in there.”

  Ethan glanced at his lap and groaned. Not in pleasure, but in disbelief. Everyone else looked at his lap too, Holly laughing.

  “I used to work in an antique shop,” she said, running her fingers up Ethan’s leg. “I was head polisher, if you know what I mean.”

  “No offense, but I doubt you’re as good as my future wife.”

  Low ooohs went around in a circle, Judith grinning in great delight at that unexpected comeback. Holly turned away so Ethan wouldn’t see her frown. “If you don’t wanna touch right now, that’s all right.” Judith snapped her fingers at Yvette. “The misses Yvette and Grace are well adept at female pleasure, if you would rather watch.” On this cue, Grace pounced on Yvette, the two of them digging right into sweet merry not two feet away from Ethan’s chair. Jasmine would have gasped at the blatant display, but she didn’t want to make any sounds.

  “That’s quite impressive,” Ethan said in his droll tone. Yet even from her distance, Jasmine could see he fought arousal. “But I’m afraid I’m not interested. You’re wasting your time. Maybe you should go try to make some extra money for yourselves… and your madam.”

  Holly had a look that suggested she thought that a grand idea. “We’ve been paid to serve you tonight, sir. We can wait for you to be ready.”

  “We’re very patient.”

  “It’
s no big deal… unlike this thing you’ve got going on in your pants, sir.”

  Chelsea got too close to his face. With her pussy, that is.

  “All right,” Ethan announced, hands slamming on the arms of his chair. “I’m sorry, ladies, but it’s not happening. Do tell your madam to not charge those cards on my behalf. I’d feel terrible if those fine gentlemen didn’t get their money’s worth.”

  Judith was the first to back off. “Come on, girls,” she said. “He can change his mind later.”

  One by one the five young women departed the room, some looking coyly over their shoulders while the others pretended Ethan didn’t exist at all. When Ethan was left alone a few seconds later, he collapsed in his chair, releasing the biggest pent up breath Jasmine ever heard.

  There her fiancé was, alone during his bachelor party, having turned down five sensual sex experts that he didn’t have to pay for. On one hand, Jasmine was relieved that he hadn’t considered betraying her. On the other? What the fuck was his problem? Was he not human?

  Monica was right. He’s monogamous to a fault. It should have been more endearing than sad at the moment. Ethan was probably unable to enjoy his own damn party because of the guilt he felt inside. Did he even want to come here tonight?

  “What a fucking world.” Ethan pulled out his cell.

  Jasmine’s phone buzzed in her bag beside her.

  “I love you.”

  Before Jasmine had the chance to digest what had happened, the door to the lounge opened. In walked Adrienne, eyes set on Ethan as she closed – and locked – the door behind her.

  Chapter 15

  At first they said nothing to one another, Adrienne reclaiming her seat adjacent to Ethan’s. Neither of them looked like they were having a good time, if Ethan’s frustrated frown and Adrienne’s contemplative demeanor said anything.

  Finally, she broke the silence, picking up the Balvenie and pouring out the last drops. “They spared no expense for you. This stuff is hard to get and expensive, even for us.”

  Ethan grunted, sinking farther into his chair. “I can’t even remember what it tastes like. All I can smell is that one girl’s perfume.”

  “You sure that wasn’t her other perfume?” Adrienne leaned back with her glass tucked against her chest. Her black scoop-neck dress with the wide white belt made her look better fitted for a business meeting than a bachelor party. “I saw five naked girls leave here and decided to check on you. This is your sendoff, Ethan. You should be enjoying yourself. Instead, it’s like you found out your favorite grandma died. What gives?”

  “Remember what I used to be like?” Ethan said, deliberately choosing his words. “Back when we dated?”

  “How the hell could I forget?”

  “I’m worse now.”

  “No kidding.”

  That got the smallest hint of a smile out of Ethan. “Who could have guessed that I would be sitting in one ex’s place of business for my bachelor party while my other ex grills me about not cheating on my current girlfriend? Nobody prepared me for this in Harvard.”

  “We want you to have a good time, Ethan. You’ve got nothing to feel guilty about. I was at Jasmine’s bachelorette party. You should have seen the amount of bare cock she had shoved in her face.” Adrienne downed the scotch. Jasmine began to seethe. Don’t you dare spread stories about me.

  “I’ll pass on that, thanks.” Ethan eyed the empty bottle as if he wanted more. “On that note… never mind.”

  Adrienne scooted forward, her face somber. “I’m sorry if this isn’t what you wanted. I had a hard enough time as it was trying to figure out what you like. Sometimes I’m convinced you don’t want to have fun at all.”

  “My idea of having fun doesn’t include a lot of people.”

  “Just the perfect girl, right?”

  Ethan didn’t respond.

  “You’re such a romantic,” Adrienne said, her sigh making her whole chest heave. “Can only imagine what life would have been like if we had married instead of just working together.”

  His head turned toward her.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “No. Do go on.”

  Adrienne looked as if she had stepped into a hornet’s nest. She couldn’t find some water to drink fast enough. “Just… never mind!” Was she blushing? Was she thinking about being married to Ethan, about all she turned down when she rejected his marriage proposal? They both claim they feel nothing for the other… Jasmine believed her fiancé. Did she believe Adrienne?

  Ethan sat up, as if about to chase Adrienne across the room. “Why did you say no?”

  The groan filling the lounge was dreadful. “Don’t ask me that.” Adrienne pressed her hand against her forehead. “Anything but that.”

  “I just did.”

  “Fuck you, Ethan.” Before he could protest, she opened her mouth again. “No, you know what? Fine. You know why I dumped you? Because it would have never worked. We were barely hanging on as it was.”

  “It didn’t feel that way to me…”

  “Well, it did to me. I was merely putting off breaking up with you because I was selfish and didn’t want to deal with the mess. In a way, you did it for me.”

  “I see.” Ethan didn’t sound like he did. “That doesn’t answer my main question, though.”

  “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “Try me.”

  Adrienne sat back again. “You want the short version? You are too masculine for me.”

  The room was silent. What? That’s possible? Jasmine had never thought that about Ethan. If anything, he was the right amount of masculine. Then again, Adrienne was a woman who ran around with somewhat submissive guys to call lovers.

  “I’ve never gotten that one before, that’s for sure.”

  “That’s not a slight against you. It’s… I prefer my lovers to be… softer. I don’t want to necessarily be in control, but I prefer more balance than what you’re offering a woman. Jasmine clearly loves it. Fancy that. We’re not the same person, her and I.”

  “No, you sure aren’t.”

  “There’s nothing more to it than that.”

  Adrienne stood, her eyelashes fluttering in Ethan’s direction. “I did love you. I still do, if I’m being perfectly honest. Just not like that.”

  Ethan looked up into her eyes. “You sure about that? Because I don’t want any drama between us going forward. I doubt my wife does either.” He called me his wife, and we’re not even married yet! “She already chewed me out when I brought you on board.”

  “Well, can you blame her?” Adrienne tried to toss her hair behind her shoulder… except it was coiled on top of her head. “Look at me.” She laughed at her own joke. “But yes, Ethan. I’m sure. I don’t have any interest in you like that. Want me to prove it to you?”

  “Dare I ask how?”

  Jasmine barely had time to catch her breath when Adrienne bent down and kissed Ethan – right on the mouth!

  I’m gonna kill her! And him, but that was beside the point. Jasmine leaped off her chair and nearly banged her head against the other side of the narrow passageway. When she finally regathered her bearings, she stole a look through the hole and found those two assholes still locking lips! Until Ethan gently pushed Adrienne away, anyway.

  “See?” Adrienne said, shrugging. “Nothing. Not a single thing. Not on this end, anyway. I could do it again and add some tongue if you want.”

  “That’s quite all right,” Ethan said curtly. “I see your point.”

  “Good. I’m guessing you didn’t feel anything either?”

  “Just the foreboding sense that Jasmine is going to kill me.”

  Adrienne laughed. “You two are cute together. I’m sure you’ll be happy for a long time.”

  “Unlike we would have been?”

  “Are you kidding? We’re going to be happy together for a long time too. You make me money… I make you money… see? Happy.”

  “All right. Just never kiss me like that
again.”

  “Like I don’t have other people to be kissing, anyway.” Adrienne nicked her knuckles against his jaw. “Do try to have some fun tonight, dear. There’s no sense moping about at your bachelor party. Why don’t you join us upstairs? The guys are just giving you a hard time.”

  “I might. Thanks.”

  Adrienne escorted herself out of the room, mumbling something.

  Ethan sat back in his chair and contemplated the air before him. He looked lost. Tired. Hardly a man enjoying the fruits of his labor and the thrill of the night. Would he have fun if I were with him? Or is he doomed to forever be like this…

  She should have anticipated Monica appearing beside her. “That’s your cue,” she said. “Although I wasn’t expecting Ms. Prissy-Pants making a scene…”

  Don’t remind me. Jasmine turned to Monica, unable to face Ethan’s moping right now.

  “Go on. Make me some money.”

  Her eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

  “I didn’t hire you for nothing, Cindy.” Monica winked at her. “There’s a man miserable at his bachelor party. Shouldn’t you be doing something about it?”

  Jasmine didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh, exacerbated.

  ***

  The door to the lounge opened with nary a sound. Jasmine lurked in the frame, draping her body from one end to the other as the bright lights of the hallway illuminated the black sequins on her jacket – and on the masquerade mask she wore to cover half her face.

  Ethan barely acknowledged her. He was texting on his phone, and Jasmine didn’t want to know how much her purse was vibrating as the guilty bachelor confessed to things he didn’t have to feel guilty about. Where’s my text from Adrienne though, hm? Some people’s ex-girlfriends…

  Here goes nothing. Jasmine sauntered into the room, latching the door behind her, as Adrienne had.

  Ethan must have thought it was his business partner again, for he looked up with a face to damn the ages. When he caught sight of the new woman, however, he merely looked… tired.