A Hollywood Bride (Billionaires' Brides of Convenience Book 2)
Page 19
“Getting Grandpa’s portrait is going to be great, no doubt, but having you is worth more.” He kisses me on the forehead. “Even if Julian reneges on giving us the paintings, I’ll still be happy because I have you.”
I flush with pleasure and love. Ryder really says the most romantic things. He should’ve been a screenwriter. He could’ve made a name for himself churning out romance scripts.
In the morning, while it’s still relatively cool, the staff builds a huge arch entwined with gorgeous purple and white tropical orchids. I step outside to admire the setup. The orchids sweeten the ocean air’s tang with a tropical floral fragrance. I’ve never smelled anything so divine.
We’re going to have a sunset ceremony. I go through my suitcase for something appropriate. I don’t think I can do a bikini wedding, even though I saw one on the Internet. I’m still a little more traditional than that.
Thankfully, I somehow remembered to pack a cute strapless white dress. It has a simple sweetheart bodice and a chiffon skirt that reaches my knees. Josephine bought it for our engagement party in case I didn’t feel like wearing the “ribbon on the back” dress. She’s a firm believer of buying two outfits for every event because you never know.
“What if you spill red wine on your first choice?” she asked blithely as she tossed the dress on top of the “buy” pile. “Think about it.”
Even though I’m more pregnant, the clothes still fit me okay, and Peeraya magically produces a pair of white pumps with one and a half inch heels that are not only comfortable but fairy tale princess beautiful with tiny white beads and lace.
“You are awesome,” I tell her, beaming.
“I’m glad you’re happy, madam.” She smiles back.
About two hours before the ceremony, she brings in a basket full of beautiful white flowers whose names I don’t know.
“They are from the garden. Perfect for you.”
Perfect for me? I wonder, but it soon becomes clear as she directs me to sit down in front of a huge vanity. Her talented hands weave the blossoms into my curled hair, one by one, then set them in place with pins. When she’s done, I look like some kind of tropical paradise goddess.
The sun sinks slowly into the ocean, and everything becomes drenched in reddish gold.
The local violinists start “Here comes the bride.”
It’s time.
At the makeshift altar stands a British ex-pat minister who is going to officiate our wedding. Ryder stands by the arch to the left. A classic black tux fits him perfectly, from the powerful V of his lean torso to the strong thighs. The breeze from the Andaman Sea ruffles his hair, and his eyes sparkle like stars.
There are people who want to keep us apart, and I’m not talking about the faceless masses. There’s Julian, who’s going to be furious. And I doubt Mira is going to just go quietly into the sunset.
But none of that matters now, because I’m here with Ryder. We can fight the entire planet together if need be.
I take a step forward to my future.
Happiness and bone-deep contentment rise within me like champagne bubbles. I am exactly where I belong—a Hollywood bride to the love of my life.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Elliot
I’ve been to a lot of strip clubs, and I’ve watched a lot of women putting their assets on display.
But this girl on stage…
Her face is pretty enough. Klieg lights glint off too red hair, and a heavy layer of makeup enlarges her green eyes and gives her mouth that “ready to suck a dick” look.
Underneath all the artifice, though, she’s got something. A quality I haven’t seen in the others.
Too bad she’s the worst stripper I’ve ever seen in my life.
It’s not her body. Her tits are big and bouncy—probably real—and firm from youth. Her ass is round and taut and would be a great double-handful to grab when I thrust into her warm, wet pussy—the thought of which makes my cock swell with interest.
But she has zero moves.
Stripping is like fucking. A guy can have the biggest dick in the world, but if he has no idea what to do with it, he might as well have no dick at all.
I turn away, but the girl’s awkwardness tugs something at me, and I feel bad for her. She’s obviously new and has no talent for the work even though she’s doing her best to imitate what the other girls have done before her.
When she comes my way, I sigh and stick a couple hundred-dollar bills under the tight string of her thong. Even in the dim lighting, her expression makes it clear that she knows they’re a mercy tip. At least she isn’t stupid.
“You really should get another gig. This just isn’t your calling,” I tell her.
I guess it’s not really kosher to point out a lack of stripping talent. The girl looks murderous as she glares at me.
I wonder if she’s going to slap me. That would liven things up…
But she doesn’t. Despite her total lack of talent in stripping, she apparently has some professionalism.
I watch her walk away, almost tripping over her shoes. What the fuck is wrong with me that I’m almost disappointed she didn’t try to slap me?
——
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Billionaires’ Brides of Convenience continues with An Improper Deal.
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Titles by Nadia Lee
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——
Billionaires’ Brides of Convenience Series
Book 1: A Hollywood Deal
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 2: A Hollywood Bride
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 3: An Improper Deal
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
——
The Pryce Family Series
Book 1: The Billionaire’s Counterfeit Girlfriend
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 2: The Billionaire’s Inconvenient Obsession
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 3: The Billionaire’s Secret Wife
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 4: The Billionaire’s Forgotten Fiancée
US :: UK:: Canada :: Australia
Book 5: The Billionaire’s Forbidden Desire
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
——
Seduced by the Billionaire Series
Book 1: Taken by Her Unforgiving Billionaire Boss
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 2: Pursued by Her Billionaire Hook- Up
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 3: Pregnant with Her Billionaire Ex’s Baby
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 3.5: Romanced by Her Illicit Millionaire Crush
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 4: Wanted by Her Scandalous Billionaire
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
Book 5: Loving Her Best Friend’s Billionaire Brother
US :: UK :: Canada :: Australia
——
If
you want to receive notices about my latest books, please join my new release alert at nadialee.net or send a blank message to new-from-nadia@aweber.com!
About Nadia Lee
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nadia Lee writes sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Born with a love for excellent food, travel and adventure, she has lived in four different countries, kissed stingrays, been bitten by a shark, ridden an elephant and petted tigers.
Currently, she shares a condo overlooking a small river and sakura trees in Japan with her husband and son. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading books by her favorite authors or planning another trip.
To learn more about Nadia and her projects, please visit www.nadialee.net. To receive updates about upcoming works from Nadia, please visit www.nadialee.net/newsletter to subscribe to her new release alert.
A Hollywood Bride
Copyright © 2016 by Hyun J Kyung
Kindle Edition
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.
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