Billionaire Unwed

by Scott, J. S.

  I didn’t move. I felt like I was literally frozen in place.

  Zeke never broke eye contact as he stepped down from the platform, and strode down the aisle until he was at my side.

  “You look absolutely gorgeous, and you’re not backing out,” he said roughly in my ear as he took my hand. “Don’t even think about it.”

  I wasn’t surprised that he knew exactly how I was feeling. He usually did.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t do this,” I whispered loud enough so that he could hear. “It’s just not right. I should have never said yes. Everyone here thinks all this is real except for Ruby and Jett.”

  “We’re going to walk down this aisle together. Come on, Lia. We’ve always made it through everything together. And this is no different. Walk with me. You look stunningly beautiful, and my family is here. This is real for me. Please don’t make me tell them that the wedding isn’t happening.”

  I didn’t have any relatives in the small gathering, but Zeke had family present. A few cousins, an aunt, an uncle, and most importantly, his mother.

  I felt my heart galloping inside my chest as I tilted my head and looked up at him. “This can’t be what you really want, Zeke,” I said breathlessly.

  He pinned me with an intense stare. “You’re wrong. This is exactly what I’ve wanted for a long time now.”

  “I don’t understand,” I whispered, feeling confused, and half mesmerized by the look in his eyes.

  “You will,” he answered ominously. “Just marry me.”

  The last thing I wanted was to embarrass him, so I squeezed his hand. “Never say I didn’t give you an out.”

  Zeke’s certainty was like a balm for my nervousness.

  I trusted him. I wasn’t afraid of the consequences, but I was still concerned about the fallout for him.

  “I don’t need an out, Lia,” he rasped into my ear. “I just want you to walk up this aisle with me so we can say our vows.”

  I nodded slowly. If that was what he really wanted, I’d be right beside him. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

  It was hard to take my eyes off him as I moved into position to walk beside him. I’d never seen Zeke in a tuxedo, and he looked so damn handsome that he took my breath away.

  “Relax,” he insisted as we walked slowly toward the altar. “You’re getting married, not walking toward a guillotine. I have a couple of packs of chocolate pudding and some blueberry in my pocket for you once this is all over.”

  I let out a startled laugh. Chocolate pudding was my jelly bean flavor when I was extremely sad, and blueberry was my sunny day, complete happiness choice.

  “I wasn’t really sure which one might be applicable today,” he added.

  I shot him a smile as we stepped up to the altar together.

  Even though I knew this wasn’t the conventional way a woman got married, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something about this day suddenly felt…right.

  It felt like Zeke was the man who was supposed to be by my side.

  This felt like the chapel where I’d always wanted to get married.

  It felt like all the people who really mattered were here.

  It felt like I was wearing the wedding dress I’d always dreamed about.

  The flowers were right.

  Everything was…

  I inhaled sharply as my eyes landed on the table next to the altar, right beside the minister who was about to have us recite our vows.

  There, among the roses and daisies, were two photos that Zeke had obviously enlarged and framed.

  The first one was a picture of my parents that had been taken not long before they’d died. It was my favorite because the two of them looked so happy.

  The second was Grandma Esther in her favorite red Christmas dress, smiling at the camera. That one, Zeke had actually taken himself.

  My heart squeezed almost painfully inside my chest.

  I knew Zeke had done this because he’d wanted me to feel like I had family here, too, even if it was only in spirit.

  He’d probably thought nothing of doing it because he was a thoughtful guy, but the gesture touched my heart in a place that I didn’t even know existed.

  Zeke Conner knew my soul like no one else ever had, and he’d never once used that knowledge for anything else except to make me happy.

  “Blueberry,” I said in a quiet voice. “Most definitely the blueberry.”

  We turned to face each other at the minister’s request, and when our gazes locked, the hopeful, relieved look in Zeke’s gorgeous eyes made my heart stutter.

  “Are you sure?” he asked huskily.

  I nodded. “I’m positive.”

  The whole ceremony went by in a blur, and before I knew it, Zeke was gently pushing the most beautiful diamond ring I’d ever seen onto my finger.

  And then, for the very first time, Zeke Conner kissed me somewhere other than my forehead.

  And it definitely wasn’t the quick peck on the lips I’d been expecting.

  My breath hitched as he wrapped a strong, firm arm around my waist, and then cupped the back of my head with his other hand.

  My body was tight with anticipation by the time his gorgeous lips finally touched mine, and when they did, I felt like my whole damn world tilted just a little.

  Zeke explored my mouth thoroughly, tenderly, and firmly. Like he was staking his claim and making me a promise at the same time.

  By the time I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back, I was fairly certain that nothing would ever be quite the same between Zeke Conner and me ever again.

  Lia

  “This is amazing,” I said with a moan as I swallowed the first bite of the wedding cake Zeke had chosen. “It tastes exactly like—”

  “The salted caramel chocolate cake we had at a wedding a few years ago,” Zeke finished. “Same bakery, same cake. You said if you ever got married, you wanted that damn cake. I made sure to find out exactly where it had come from and the name of it before we left.”

  I looked at him instead of digging into the triple layers of pure decadence on my plate. “You actually remember that? It was over three years ago.”

  I’d been Zeke’s plus-one for his friend’s wedding because he’d been flying solo at the time.

  He smiled and stretched his arm over the back of my chair. “It’s not like it was centuries ago, Lia, and yeah, I remembered. I even recall telling you that I didn’t think there was a groom in the world who would argue with you about your choice. It was a damn good cake. Isn’t that what you and Stuart ordered?”

  I sighed as I finally turned my attention back to my cake. “No. He wanted white cake with lemon chiffon frosting.”

  I shoveled another bite into my mouth, and watched Zeke as he picked up his fork with a slightly troubled look on his face.

  He took a deep breath. “Okay, that just seems so…”

  I knew he was trying not to be rude, so I raised an eyebrow as I suggested, “Vanilla?”

  He grinned. “Just remember that you said that—I didn’t. But I could definitely argue that vanilla can be extremely…satisfying.”

  I squirmed a little in my chair. Was Zeke…actually flirting with me? I’d meant “vanilla” as in boring, but my groom’s brain had obviously traveled in another direction. “You have a very dirty mind,” I scolded.

  He chuckled. “Hey, I’m a newlywed who’s sitting beside the most gorgeous bride on the planet. Where do you expect my brain to be right now? I did warn you that I planned on trying to seduce you.”

  “You know I never took that seriously,” I said in a loud whisper.

  He leaned over and nuzzled my ear as he asked, “Have I ever lied to you, Lia?”

  I nearly choked on my cake.

  His lips caressed my ear softly, his warm breath teasing and gentle, but the simple
touch almost made me fly out of my seat. “As far as I know, you’ve never told me anything except the truth,” I answered, nearly panting my reply.

  “Then why would I do it now?” he asked huskily. “Don’t tell me that you weren’t at least slightly hot and bothered when I kissed you. I think we both forgot that we had plenty of sets of eyes watching for a minute or two. Jesus, Lia! You get my dick so damn hard that I can’t even think sometimes.”

  “Zeke!” I squeaked, and leaned away. “Your mother is right across the table.”

  The grin on his face was deliciously wicked as he straightened up and leaned back in his chair. “I think even my mother knows exactly what I’m thinking about right now, but in more of a PG version than X-rated.” He picked up his fork again and scooped up the last of his cake. “The bastard should have given you whatever cake you wanted. It was supposed to be your wedding.”

  I let out a breath of relief that we weren’t talking about his cock anymore.

  His kiss had gotten me very hot and bothered. He’d smelled so damn good, felt so incredibly amazing, that I’d leaned into that embrace until I’d nearly drowned before we’d finally come up for air.

  God, even his suggestion that I turned him on was almost more than I could handle. I’d almost melted into a pool under the table.

  What in the hell is wrong with me? I’ve known Zeke Conner for half my life now.

  “Thank you for remembering my favorite,” I murmured.

  “It was your wedding, Lia. Everything should be your favorite.”

  I blinked as I realized that up until this moment, there wasn’t a single thing that hadn’t been my favorite or my choice. “What about you?”

  He shrugged. “I got the bride I wanted, which is a pretty big deal for me. Do you really think I give a damn about flower selections or the menu when you’re here with me?” He didn’t give me a chance to answer before he asked, “Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?”

  “You did,” I assured him. “About five times since the ceremony. Do you like the dress I chose?”

  “It looks incredible on you,” he replied in an earnest tone. “It looks like your style, and I happen to love your sense of style.”

  I snorted. “Sneakers and jeans?”

  “Definitely,” he replied immediately. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman who can fill out denim the way you do. That completely gets my—”

  I slapped a hand over his mouth as I whispered loudly, “Don’t you dare! If you have to talk dirty to me, do it later. When your whole family isn’t a few feet away.”

  He raised his eyebrows as I took my hand away. “Promise?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes. Although I’m not sure that this new, sexy, naughty Zeke Conner isn’t a little more than I can handle.”

  “I have no doubt you can do more than handle me,” he said huskily. “It’s more of question as to whether or not you want to…handle me.”

  “Zeke,” I said in a warning voice. For God’s sake, I was ready to strip him naked and have sweaty sex on the table right now.

  “Okay, I’ll change the subject,” he said agreeably. “Do you want to explain to me why you nearly did a runaway bride routine before the ceremony? You looked terrified, and I know you were ready to bolt. I didn’t realize you found marrying me that damn daunting.”

  “It wasn’t like that. I guess I just realized how one-sided this deal is for you. I’ll get my inheritance at the price of your freedom.”

  “Do I look worried?” he asked lightly.

  “No. And that kind of scares the hell out of me,” I confessed. “You wouldn’t even do a prenuptial agreement.”

  “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

  To my chagrin, the whole table was tapping their spoons against their champagne glasses and chanting for Zeke and me to lock lips.

  Without a moment of hesitation, Zeke put a finger under my chin and tipped my head up as he grumbled, “I’m not getting nothing, Lia. I’m getting you.”

  I shivered as his lips met mine in a more intimate embrace than we’d shared at the altar. This one was a lazy, thorough exploration that made me breathless, and I couldn’t stop myself from kissing him back.

  He devoured, and I opened for him because I needed him closer, and my entire body responded like a fireworks show on the Fourth of July. Zeke filled every one of my senses, and I lost myself in his insistent, sensual assault.

  Granted, it was a little strange to suddenly want to rip my best friend’s clothes from his body so I could intimately explore every powerful muscle and every inch of his bare skin. But somehow, it also felt as natural as breathing.

  A longing I’d never experienced gripped me, and it refused to let go.

  “Zeke,” I whispered as he finally released my mouth.

  “Don’t be afraid, Lia. Just let it happen,” he said hoarsely.

  “But we’re friends. None of this is even supposed to be real,” I answered shakily. I was having trouble separating reality from fantasy because of my reaction every damn time he touched me.

  “Right now, we’re married. I think we’re a hell of a lot more than friends.”

  Let it happen?

  Really, did I have any choice when Zeke kissed me like that?

  “We should be able to make our escape pretty soon,” he mentioned in a casual voice.

  We’d decided that it was best if we lived at Zeke’s place, and most of my clothing had already been sent there.

  I nodded. “Back to your place.”

  “Our place,” he corrected. “But we aren’t going home. I packed some of your things, and they’re in the car. We have to leave from here to get to the airport. There’s a charter waiting.”

  I was dumbfounded. “Why are we going to the airport?”

  He shot me a grin. “We just got married, Lia. We’re going on our honeymoon.”

  I frowned. The last thing I wanted was a honeymoon. Stuart had arranged a trip to Dubai, which wasn’t exactly in my top ten places I wanted to visit. Or the top one hundred, for that matter. So I was more than happy to just hang out at Zeke’s place. “Where?”

  “Playa del Carmen,” he answered. “Maybe I should have asked you instead of making it a surprise, but I thought you’d like to go someplace tropical and relaxing after the stress you’ve been through.”

  I’d never been to Playa, but I knew it was close to Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula, and since it was gloomy and rainy in Seattle, it sounded like heaven.

  I sighed. “I’d love to go somewhere like that.”

  “We are going,” he replied.

  “But my shop—”

  “Will be just fine,” he interrupted. “You have a manager, and Ruby will check in every day. We can do as much or as little as you want in Playa del Carmen. Snorkel, boat rides, or swimming in the underground caves, the pool, the beach, zip-lining, exploring the Mayan ruins, and eating all the good Mexican food we can find.”

  I laughed. “You don’t exactly have to twist my arm to spend time in the Caribbean.” I was completely sold on the idea of a honeymoon now.

  Luckily, I’d had to get a passport for my impending honeymoon with Stuart. It was also fortunate that Zeke’s plans sounded a lot better than Stuart’s.

  I’d never had a real vacation, and I’d always dreamed of getting to Mexico.

  “Good. Then we’re off just as soon as we can flee,” he said with a hint of mischief in his tone.

  I noticed that the music had started, but nobody had gotten out of their seat yet.

  “Nobody is dancing,” I told him.

  “They’re waiting for us,” he explained as he got to his feet. “Dance with me, Mrs. Conner?”

  Zeke held out his hand.

  My heart skittered as I looked up and saw him looking at me expectantly.

  I wasn’t entirely s
ure that our bodies being wrapped together was a good idea, but he was my husband now. At least for a little while.

  I took his hand as I decided to take his advice and just let things happen.

  Lia

  The following day, I was basking in the sun on a gorgeous beach in Mexico, wondering how in the hell I’d scored such a fantastic honeymoon.

  Zeke had put us in a resort suite with two bedrooms, and the luxurious accommodations had every available amenity.

  Since we’d gotten in late last night, we’d both retreated to our rooms, and then slept until late this morning.

  I wasn’t sure if I was disappointed or relieved that Zeke hadn’t continued his seduction attempts last night.

  I turned my head to look at my new husband, who was in the lounger next to mine. My eyes fixed on the simple platinum band I’d put on his finger the day before. It winked brightly in the sun, and my belly clenched. Hard.

  For some reason, I still couldn’t quite grasp the fact that Zeke, the guy who had been my best friend for so long, was now my husband, even if it was only going to last for a little while. Now that the craziness was over, I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about that…or him.

  Zeke was in a pair of board shorts, his perfectly formed body on full display.

  To put it simply, my new husband had the body of a god. My eyes roamed over every inch of his muscular chest, and I itched to touch the smooth skin that covered those ripped abs of his.

  Tearing my eyes away, I reached for the fruity drink on the small table between us, trying to find some relief from the gnawing ache in my belly and between my thighs.

  “It’s beautiful here,” I said after I’d guzzled a large portion of my cocktail.

  The beach was private, and only used by the resort. So it wasn’t really crowded. Zeke and I had our own little slice of heaven, even if there were other guests around.

  “Are you thawed out yet?” he asked in a teasing voice.

  “Almost.” Seattle had been cool and rainy, so I pretty much felt like I was in paradise. “Thank you for this. I think I needed it.”