Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
I’m temporarily stunned into silence, due to how handsome he looks in a tux. “Wait. But—”
“You’ve been in here for five hours, Petra.”
“Five?”
He grunts. “I’ve been outside in the hallway, waiting for you to come out.”
“For how long?”
Instead of answering me, he turns an incredulous look on the mother of the bride, as if to say, why are you still sitting here? In response, she rises with a sniff and dashes away. Barry takes her chair in front of the vanity and pulls me onto his lap. I almost gasp at the relief that pinwheels through my stiff legs, my stomach growling loudly as he uncovers the dish. A grilled cheese and fries. I almost sob, it looks so good.
“Eat, princess.”
I’ve already bitten off the corner, falling back against Barry’s barrel chest while I chew. His arms encircle me and he massages my stiff thighs while I house the sandwich, amazed that I could be transported to heaven in under a minute, all thanks to this man. At some point, I glance in the vanity mirror and find the bridesmaids and Karen watching us with dreamy expressions on their faces, and I get a lump in my throat, making it hard to swallow.
They think we’re a real couple.
I want to be a real couple.
I don’t to go home tomorrow and never see Barry again.
What am I going to do?
The wedding planner breezes into the room with his clipboard, as he has been doing periodically throughout the morning. “It’s almost showtime! Everyone use the bathroom one last time and follow me. We have the ceremony of the year to attend!”
I’m still wearing the shorts and T-shirt I threw on in my mad dash to help Karen.
I haven’t done my hair or makeup.
I’m never going to make it to the ceremony on time.
I put one final fry in my mouth and twist around in Barry’s lap, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Go to the chapel. I’ll run back to our room to get dressed and coiffe myself, then I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes.”
“I’ll come with you to coiffe.”
I’m already shaking my head. “If you come with me, we’ll get distracted.”
A beat passes before Barry catches my meaning and when he does, his erection swells beneath my backside. “I could use a distraction,” he rasps, running a hand up the front of my throat and tilting my head back, examining my jaw, my mouth. “I was planning on distracting you all fucking day.”
“Of course you were,” I whisper. “You bought five boxes of condoms.”
His lips twitch. “I’m a military man. I’m trained to be prepared.”
“Well, your brother is getting married and you can’t be late. Go.” I kiss him on the mouth, before hopping off his lap to gather my makeup tools. “I’ll slip in as soon as I can. Save me a seat.”
“Of course I’ll save you one,” he snorts, looking affronted that I even reminded him. “You’re sitting next to me, princess.”
My mouth bursts into a mile-wide smile. “I know.”
“Good.” I drop my makeup brushes and throw myself into his arms, sighing when he sweeps me up into a bear hug. “Everyone’s makeup looks perfect, Petra,” he says against my ear. “You saved the day.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, warmth rushing up behind my eyes.
A hook is slowly digging into my chest, though. A warning pinch that tells me this is too much. I’m getting too close to this man who covets his solitude and has already been very clear that my age is a problem for him. I seduced him last night, and now we’re engaged in a temporary sexual relationship. But that’s…all this is.
I have to remember that.
Swiping my eyes on the broad shoulder of his tuxedo jacket, I release Barry and continue gathering my things while he watches me from beneath a furrowed brow.
“See you there,” I whisper tremulously, running from the bridal suite.
eleven
Barry
My heart is pounding.
It has been thudding in these quick staccato beats ever since Petra slid into the spot beside me in the second row of the ceremony. She’s wearing this dove gray slip dress with little straps that crisscross her back. Her hair is loose and a little wild, because she never had the chance to do it this morning. She’s not wearing her usual eye makeup and she looks so goddamn soft right now with her glowing green eyes and rosy lips, as she flits around the candlelit reception hall. Smiling, sweet, effusive.
So sexy that the zipper of my pants is nearly bursting.
Unfortunately, every woman in the room wants to speak with her about makeup.
I guess I should be happy none of the men are approaching her.
Maybe that has something to do with the way I follow her around the hall, making sure she always remains in my literal shadow. I’m being overprotective and needy, but so be it. I want to absorb every moment with Petra that I can.