by Leigh James
"If we have sex, you're going to want it every night," I warned her.
"So that's what you're worried about, big boy?"
I shrugged. "I'm just saying."
"I think I've finally met my ego match." Blake laughed then pointed to herself. "You think you wouldn't want this every night?"
I chuckled. "Of course I would. Well, maybe I would—or maybe your charms would wear thin when you started snoring next to me. Or maybe you'd turn needy. But that's the problem. You'd be here either way while I figured it out. And if we're married, and we're sharing a bed, and we're having dinner together… for a year… that's starting to sound a little bit too much like a relationship to me. And I don't want that. That's messy, and I don't do messy."
"Got it." She drank some more wine. "Enjoy your period of celibacy. I know I will."
"Cheers." I clinked her glass. I sounded sure of myself, but then again, when didn't I?
Later that night, I lay in bed, wide awake. I refused to masturbate. If Blake walked in on me again, she would never let me live it down.
But I was still thinking about her. And not just her hair and her luscious body. I was thinking about when she'd ordered for me at lunch today, and how we liked the same foods. I was thinking about her cheeks getting heated when I ogled that other escort.
I was thinking about holding her hand and introducing her to Herman Pace. I'm expecting the future holds good things for you two. And the pictures, the goddamned engagement pictures…
I lay awake for a long time that night. And I wondered what it would be like if I asked Blake to join me in my bed every night for a year.
And I decided it would be anything but a good thing.
Chapter Eleven
Blake
The reservations had been made, the menus chosen, and the bags packed. We knew what we had to do to obtain a valid marriage license as soon as we landed in Las Vegas. I couldn't believe it: we'd planned an out-of-state, black-tie wedding in less than a week.
Having billions of dollars at your disposal sure helped you get shit done.
I decided to call my mother one last time before we left. But it wasn't my mother who answered her cell phone. "Blake?"
"Chelsea?" My stomach plummeted. "Is Mom okay? Is she sick?"
My sister sniffed. "She's fine now that I'm here."
I felt a sudden, intense headache coming on. "What does that mean?"
"It means it would've been nice if you'd told me you were going out of town so I could check in on her."
You mean so it was safe for you to come over and ask her for money. I bit the thought back. "She's fine. I've been checking on her. I always do."
My sister snorted. "For a hooker, you sure do have a superiority complex."
I counted backward from ten so I wouldn’t jump through the phone and throttle her. "Can I just speak to Mom, please?"
"Fine."
"Hi, honey," my mother said a little too brightly.
"Everything okay?"
"Of course! Your sister and I are just having a nice visit." I could hear the forced cheerfulness in her voice, the way she always sounded when Chelsea came around.
"Okay. I'm leaving town today, so I just wanted to check in. Don't say anything to Chelsea, okay? I'll call you soon."
"Love you, honey," my mom said.
Just as she was hanging up, I heard my sister in the background. "Don't tell Chelsea what?" Then the line went dead.
Perfect. Just fucking perfect.
I went and checked my bags one last time. I had some amazing lingerie that Elena had purchased just for this assignment. It was all neatly packed in the side of my suitcase, just in case. Lucas had been very clear that we weren't going to be needing it. As much as I respected his new vow of celibacy, I'd seen the way he'd looked at me. There was a real heat between us, a kind I'd never felt before.
So I decided to pack the lingerie, just in case he changed his mind. I hoped he did. Not only because I wanted to explore that fine body of his, but because I wanted to get him out of my system. I didn't need to be crushed out on my emotionally unavailable billionaire fake fiancé. He seemed like the perfect guy, but I knew the truth: there was no such thing, at least not for me.
The sooner I slept with him, the sooner the version of him I was currently building up in my head would come crashing back to earth. Then we'd both be better off.
Especially me.
Still, I wondered briefly what it would be like for Lucas to hold me. To wake up in his arms, in his bed, every day for a year. I ran my hands over my favorite black lace teddy one final time.
Then I zipped the suitcase shut, fluffed my hair, and mentally prepared myself for my impending nuptials in Vegas.
LUCAS
"Don't we have to wait in line?" Blake asked, looking curiously around the airport.
"We're flying private."
She just blinked at me. "You own a plane?"
I nodded. "And a helicopter."
"Why do you own a helicopter?" She seemed clearly baffled.
I shrugged.
"You don't know?"
I shrugged again. "I fly it sometimes."
"Lucas Ford, no you do not. All you do is work." Blake crossed her arms over her chest and looked at me skeptically. "When have you flown it?" It didn't sound like a question. It sounded like a taunt.
"Twice."
She raised an eyebrow.
"To my house in Maine."
"And the second time?" she asked.
I coughed. "I flew it back."
"I want you to take me out in it," she said immediately.
"Really?"
She nodded. "I want to go to Maine. And I would like it if my husband flew me there."
A knot of desire, or maybe longing, twisted deep in my chest. Her husband. She was talking about me.
Because you paid her, you douche, I reminded myself.
"That's quite the leap of faith. Flying with someone so inexperienced."
She linked her hand through mine and leaned toward me conspiratorially. "It's not much more of a leap than marrying a complete stranger for money. Or agreeing to live with him for a whole year. And this seems to be working out all right."
I felt a large, stupid grin spread over my face. "It does, doesn't it?"
"Oh, will you two get a room?" A raucous voice called out from behind us.
I realized that Blake and I were holding hands, staring into each other's eyes. "Brace yourself," I told her.
"For what?"
I groaned. I could practically feel the ground shaking as he approached. "For my college roommate. Jake Ryan."
"The senator?" Blake asked, peering over my shoulder.
"The very same," Jake said, coming up and slapping me on the back with his big meat paw of a hand. He was a former college running back who'd recently leveraged his law degree, bigger-than-life personality, and huge physical presence into a seat as a Massachusetts senator.
"Ow," I said, brushing him off. "And hi. I wasn't sure if you were going to make it, Mr. VIP. I haven't seen you since Christmas."
Jake scrunched his handsome face into a mask of incredulity. "You think I'd miss your wedding? What kind of best friend do you think I am?"
"The kind who's a politician, too busy screwing others and sucking up to remember the little people."
"Can you please shut up, little person? And introduce me to this gorgeous, clearly insane woman who's agreed to marry you?" He turned to Blake, his eyes sparkling. "Come to Jake and give me a hug, girl! We're practically family now!"
Blake yelped as Jake turned his meat paws loose on her, clamping her and pulling her in for a crushing hug. He kissed the top of her head. "She smells good," he said to me, still holding her.
"I know. Please let go of her."
Jake released her and held her out for his inspection. He let out a low wolf whistle. "Damn, Lucas, you finally did something right!"
I karate-chopped his hands from Blake and stepped betwee
n them. "Paws off, Jake. And I know—she's fabulous. Now let's get on this plane and start drinking. The whole crew's coming."
Jake looked suddenly wary. "Who do you mean?"
I straightened myself and took Blake's hand protectively. "Serena. My father. Elizabeth. And Blake's bridesmaids."
"Serena? And Elizabeth? Fuck me," Jake said. His face turned hopeful as he looked at Blake. "Are any of the bridesmaids as hot as you?"
"No," I said quickly. "Besides, they are off-limits to you, Mr. Senator."
Jake turned back to me. "We're going to Vegas, dude. Are you going to be a buzzkill this whole trip?"
"Not if you pour me a bourbon before I have to face the firing squad."
Jake nodded solemnly. He understood. He'd known my family for years, and he'd been there for me when my mother died. He'd also been around during the entire shit show that was my father and Elizabeth. "Right. Let's do this. I'm going to need some liquid courage, too. Your sister scares the piss out of me."
We settled in the plane, each with a healthy pour of a drink, and Jake was asking Blake one thousand questions. He did that with new people. Cross-examination was the one thing he'd liked about practicing law. To my amusement, Blake answered his questions flawlessly, charming my burly best friend even as she lied to his face. I would tell him the truth about her and the bridesmaids eventually. But I couldn't risk him melting down in disbelief before my family even boarded the plane.
Which they did, all too soon.
"Keep the drinks coming," I told the flight attendant lowly. "And make sure you hit the three of us first."
"Serena, Elizabeth, Mr. Ford." Jake beamed at them like the master politician he was. "So wonderful to see you!"
"Jake." Serena wiped herself off after he released her from a bear hug. "I was hoping you couldn't make it."
"Aw, Serena, you haven't changed a bit." Jake pinched her cheek until her eyes started to water. "Let's see if we can get you to loosen up a little this weekend, huh? I remember you used to like to party…"
Serena pulled back and gave Jake a filthy look, her face reddening. There had been one night in college that I'd caught the two of them making out. I would encourage Jake to try that again this weekend, but I'd already made other arrangements for my sister.
Just then, the bridesmaids appeared—Nikki, Christie, and Helena. "Yay!" Blake said, popping up. "My girls are here!"
"Blakey!" Nikki pranced over to her and pulled her in for a hug. She was wearing a crop top and what looked suspiciously like a cheerleader skirt. Christie had on the tightest jeans I'd ever seen. Helena wore a skintight dress and spiked high heels.
"This is awesome," Jake said, staring at Blake's friends. My father looked positively gleeful, too. Christ.
"Don't touch them," I warned Jake. "I'll explain later."
"You've gotta be fucking kidding me, dude." He spoke low enough that my family couldn't hear.
"I'm not kidding," I said. "The buzzkill continues."
Serena was aghast as she watched Blake and the bridesmaids. "Who are they?"
I smiled, suddenly feeling excited. "Blake's friends. Her bridesmaids."
"They must work in marketing." According to my sister's tone, marketing was a seriously filthy business.
I nodded. "Yeah, I think they do."
My sister grabbed the flight attendant as she passed. "I need another drink. Make it a double."
"Me too," said Jake, checking out Nikki and her cheerleader skirt with longing.
"Me too," I said. I watched the spectacle and rubbed my hands together with glee. I was probably going to enjoy this weekend more than I should.
Chapter Twelve
Blake
We were all staying at The Warner, which was arguably Vegas's most upscale hotel. The wedding was scheduled in one of its private courtyards for six o'clock the following evening. I practically staggered through the lobby, awed by the opulence that surrounded me. I'd never been to Vegas before, and I was completely unprepared for the spectacle.
The hotel was enormous, with soaring ceilings and chandeliers. And there were colorfully decorated trees inside. "Those are real trees," I whispered to Nikki as we traipsed through the lobby.
"I know, right? Vegas is the coolest. It's like Disneyworld for adults!" She adjusted her crop top and looked around. "What're we doing tonight?"
"Huh?" I was still gawking at the trees and all the pretty, twinkling lights.
Nikki twisted her ponytail around her finger and smiled at me indulgently. "I asked you what we were doing tonight. But what I should have said is that I'm really happy for you. Lucas is gorgeous." She looked around then conspiratorially leaned toward me. "And he actually seems nice."
That pulled me from my reverie. "He's very nice." I smiled at my friend. "And we're having dinner tonight, all of us, at some steak house. I think it's pretty formal." I eyed her cheerleader skirt.
She smoothed it and winked at me. "I got the message, your highness. I'll clean myself up. Elena made me promise to be on my best behavior."
"And I'm sure you will be."
"What about… them?" She jerked her head in the direction of Elizabeth, Franklin, and Serena Ford. They were speaking pointedly to a concierge, seemingly oblivious to the impressive lobby.
"They're never on their best behavior as far as I can tell. We need to get them drunk and keep them drunk all weekend so they're at least tolerable. Okay? And don't let the dad hit on you. I don't want to start trouble with his wife."
"What about the senator?" Nikki asked nonchalantly.
"I think he's off-limits too, sweetie. Sorry." I patted her arm. "But we'll still have fun, okay?"
Nikki nodded. "Sure. I'm gonna go hang out by the pool for a while first."
"Okay. Thank you for being here." I gave her a hug.
"Aw, Blakey. I wouldn't miss this for the world. And I promise I'll be on my best behavior." Nikki sashayed off, probably to put on the world's smallest bikini and have margaritas by the pool.
I was still worried about what she was going to wear to dinner.
Lucas finished speaking with the concierge and headed toward me. He looked so handsome, wearing dark-rinsed jeans and a white button-down shirt. My pulse quickened as he approached. Easy, girl, I warned myself. I, too, needed to be on my best behavior this weekend.
He took my hand. "Let's go."
"What about the others? Jake?" I asked.
"They're fine. Jake especially." He hit the button for the top floor of the hotel, and I held my breath as we went up. What we were about to do was sinking in and it was starting to feel surreal. I was getting married to the billionaire next to me tomorrow night. Nothing to worry about. I was just going to be married, for money, in front of one hundred guests, a justice of the peace, and God himself.
"Are you okay?" Lucas asked. "You look a little pale."
"I think I need to eat something. Too many cocktails on the plane."
"Right." He whipped out his phone and tapped something furiously into it. The elevator slowed, and he looked up. "This is us." He pulled me through the door as soon as it opened.
As far as I could see, there was only one door on this level. Lucas pressed his thumb against a scanner, and a moment later, the door swung open.
"They have your thumbprint?" I asked, completely baffled.
"Pretty cool, huh?"
"Yeah. And whoa," I said, looking around as we walked into the suite. The room was stunning, like nothing I'd ever seen. We entered at the top of a sweeping, curved staircase. The room below was enormous and sumptuous, with a wall of windows several stories high. The marble floors sparkled in the natural light.
Lucas held out his hand to me and grinned, clearly pleased with my reaction. "My lady."
I took his hand and followed his lead down the stately staircase. When we reached the living room below, I noticed several things all at once. A fire roared in the fireplace, with multiple couches tastefully arranged around it; there was an enormous d
ining room with a dark, sleek table that sat twelve; pictures that looked very much like original artwork hung on the walls; and what appeared to be a private pool stretched the length of the outside patio.
I stepped closer to the windows, enthralled by the amazing view of the city, spread out in every direction. "This is our… room?" I could have fit five of my Southie apartments in this place.
"It's our suite." Lucas flopped down on one of the couches and checked his phone. "Hold on a minute. The butler's here. He needs to come in through the servant's entrance." He got up and headed toward the dining room.
"Servant's entrance?" I called after him, utterly agog.
"Yes, set it on the table," I heard him instruct. Suddenly, the man I assumed was our butler came into view along with two waiters. They set the dining room table with candles, water, wine, and plates heaped with food. Then they bowed to Lucas and headed swiftly back to their own entrance, wherever the hell that was.
I pushed my awe to the side as soon as the smell hit me. Yum. I hustled to the table and sat down eagerly, ogling the food. There was miso soup, vegetarian sushi, and pad thai with chicken. "How did you know I loved this sort of food?"
A small smile played on Lucas's lips as he watched me start to eat. "You have good taste. It was a logical assumption."
The soup warmed me, making my whole body relax. "I'm so hungry, I'm being rude. Please, sit and join me." I calmed down as I continued to eat. Vegas had already shocked and awed me, and we'd only just checked in.
"My pleasure." Lucas sat down. "We'll go apply for the marriage license after this. We have to go to the county clerk's office."
"I know." I nodded. "We need to present our identification, and then the clerk can issue the license." I'd done my research. I didn't want to come all this way and have technical difficulties derail our plans.
"Perfect," Lucas said. "And then we have a dinner reservation at nine. That should be… interesting."
"With four escorts and your family?" I arched an eyebrow at him. "That might be the understatement of the year."
LUCAS