Page 15

Sighing, I pulled her in for a hug. “I just hope I can fit into her dress.”

Francesca squealed, jumping in a circle and taking me with her. When we made a full rotation, I spotted Kain watching me through the crack in his door.

My heart floated up and away. He was still mostly naked, a tight pair of black briefs wrapping against the morning wood he sported. I’d seen that cock in its full magnificence last night. It didn’t take much to imagine it all over again.

He saw me watching, his hand reaching down to graze himself. One firm, quick squeeze of his shaft and my clit twitched in response. Dammit.

I didn’t like how satisfied he was by my open-mouthed reaction. Gripping Francesca, I faced her. “We don’t have much time until the wedding. Tell me everything I need to know.”

Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I let her guide us down the hall. She gabbed and giggled and flipped her hair. All the while, the hungry stare of a certain Kain Badd burned slowly through the back of my skull.

He was watching me. He didn’t stop until I was out of sight.

The next few hours were a blur of arms, busy hands, and ear-splitting shouts. There was an entire team on foot, all dedicated to making the daughter of the Badd family into a star.

Two women coiled her hair, another worked on her toes. She had three makeup artists—even her little fluffy white Yorkie had someone working on him.

I’d planned to just put on a dress and shoes. Francesca would have none of it.

Forced into a chair, I was set up like a piece of meat for some hyenas. The women chattered and yanked at me, forcing my hair into such a tight twist that my eyes watered. I finally put my foot down when they tried to do my makeup like the bride’s.

There wasno wayI was letting them pancake it on.

My stomach rumbled as I sat there. I was grateful when I was offered a mimosa. Someone else handed me a tray of pastries, so I took a raspberry Danish—okay, two.

Eventually the room quieted down, the staff clearing out. Francesca stood by as the remaining assistant strapped her into the dress I’d created. I sat in front of the vanity, observing with genuine pride.

She really was beautiful.

“I have to show my dad.” She giggled. Swishing her veil, she beamed. “I’ll be right back! Get your shoes on!”

When she charged out the door, the last of the attendants went with her. Left alone in the fluffy white sitting room, I leaned down to straighten out the low-cut top of my dress. No matter how I pulled at the material, nothing could make it less ... what was the word? Streetwalker?

It was a style I’d have never worn. The rose-cream color didn’t fit a wedding, if you asked me, though they’d clearly paid someone a lot of money for the outfit; I was positive that was real gold on the zipper.

At least they match the heels.They were meant for Francesca’s former friend, and she must have been a fan of height. Scowling, I wiggled my toes into the pink and glittery torture devices. I tested them, wobbling after a couple of steps. The door opened behind me. “Francesca, do you have any other heels besides these?”

Kain slid inside the room, and just as fast, he slid into my blood. I went hot all over, scanning the way his rich navy suit fit across his muscles. It brought out the flecks of silver in his eyes ... eyes that were busy roaming my nearly naked chest.

“What the hell are you doing in here?” I hissed.

He came my way, not stopping. Kain walked his fingers up my ribs, brushing dangerously close to my breast. “I’m getting ready for the wedding.”

Glowing pink, I summoned enough strength to push him away. He smiled, leaning on the wall to watch me. “Get ready elsewhere, I have to practice walking in these heels.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll hold you up in case you trip when we’re walking together.”

Tiny hairs stood up on my arms. The confident slant to his stare had my blood pumping ever faster. “You’re not serious. You’re the best man?You?”

Plucking at his suit jacket, he looked down at his knuckles. “Am I not best man material?”

I was too stunned to banter. Slumping into a padded chair, I dug my nails into the back of it. When I’d agreed to help Francesca, I hadn’t considered that it would throw me closer to the one man I wanted to be miles away from.

“It’s actually perfect, when you think about it,” he said. “Now I get to dance with someone I actually like. It helps even more that I know howgoodyou can move those hips of yours.”

The memory of grinding my pussy deliriously on his pelvis rocked my brain. Grabbing the mimosa, I used it to wash the dryness from my mouth. “I might have to walk down the aisle with you, Kain, but I don’t have to spend another moment with you before or after.”

“‘Walk down the aisle,’” he teased. “Like we’re husband and wife. I know I fucked you into a blackout last night, but I don’t know if I’m ready to marry you.”