Jeremy, Zane’s personal assistant, even moved my things from my purse to this black clutch he brought along with the dress, shoes, and jewelry. I was a little embarrassed to see that he’d purchased a naughty bra and panty set in black silk too.
I open the clutch to make sure that card is in there to pay for my drink and find it. As I head out the door there’s a couple heading out of their room too and the older man with gray at his temples looks me up and down. The woman holding onto his arm gives him a jerk and his eyes leave me and go straight ahead.
So I must look pretty damn good!
My hair is pulled up into a very fancy updo. Little curls are hanging around my face which is made up perfectly. Not too much makeup and I look pretty natural.
The dress is the shortest thing I’ve ever worn. Just covering my ass, it ends in a lacy edge and I find it pretty with a sexy edge to it. It’s a nice combination that I’d never have picked out on my own.
As I get onto the elevator, I notice the man sniffing the air. He must like the perfume the stylist misted me with. I have no idea what it is but it does smell very nice.
I take in my own scent too and smile. It does feel awesome to have been so pampered. I know it’s only for tonight and it’ll never happen again but it was very nice. I do feel like a million bucks now.
The elevator stops and a man gets on. His dark eyes move over me and he comes to stand next to me. “First floor,” he says to the other man who’s near the control panel.
The man gives him a nod and then the guy turns his attention to me. “I’m about to get a drink. Would you like to join me?”
I smile at him and cannot believe he asked me this quickly. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
His eyes move to my left hand. “I see no ring.”
“No, you don’t,” I say with a light laugh. I offer no more than that.
The elevator stops again and three more men get on. All have on tuxedos and all look like they’re about to go out for the time of their lives. One of them boasts, “Watch out ladies, this man is out as a single man for the last night in his life. He’s on the prowl.”
The man next to me uses his shoulder to bump against mine. “You sure you don’t want my company for drinks? I’d hate to see you be the conquest for that guy.”
I smile and shake my head. “I really can’t.”
His words have the three men looking at me and two give me whistles. I blush and look down as I bite my lip. I am totally unaccustomed to this kind of attention.
“Wow, what a knockout,” one of them says. “Did you just come from a shoot or something?”
“A shoot?” I ask as I look back up at the nice looking guy who said that.
“Yeah, you’ve got to be a model,” he says as he wiggles his eyebrows. “You should come with us. Free drinks all night long, baby.”
I feel the man next to me run his arm around my waist. “Find some other woman to harass, gentlemen, and I use that term loosely.”
I laugh and cannot believe this is really happening to me. “Thank you,” I say and move over a little. He moves his arm and gives me a nod.
The doors open at the lobby and we all get off the elevator. I make my way toward the nearest bar and find the bachelor party moving away from me, thankfully. The other man steps up next to me. “I’ll give this one more shot. If I lost my chance, I’d kick myself. Are you sure you won’t join me for just one drink?”
“I can’t. Thank you, though,” I say as we walk to the same bar.
“Meeting someone?” he asks.
I nod. “A little later. I just need one drink to steady my nerves for our date.”
“I see,” he says with a frown. “Okay then. If it doesn’t work out, I’m in room 1067. Just so you know.”
I laugh and walk toward a small corner table and call out over my shoulder as he heads toward the bar, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Name’s, Brock,” he calls out to me. “What’s yours?”
“Elizabeth,” I say and sit down.
He nods my way. “See you around, I hope.”
A waitress comes to me and places a white napkin on the dark mahogany table in front of me. “Hello, would you like to see a wine list this evening?”
“I need something pretty stout. Do you have any recommendations?” I ask.
“Stout? How about a whiskey sour? They’re pretty stout.”
I give her a nod and off she goes to retrieve my much-needed drink. As I look around at the fancy bar, I see several sets of male eyes on me. Never have I commanded this much attention in my life.
It’s pretty amazing and I hope I remember this time always. Especially when I’m a little old lady, living with a houseful of cats and wondering how I ended up all alone. I can look back and say, one night I was really pretty and had tons of men’s attention. That should be enough for me.
When the waitress comes back, she has my drink and two more of them. “These are all from the gentlemen at the bar. You’re very popular, miss.”
Three drinks and all I wanted was one. “Tell them all, thank you, for me. But I’m not available.”
She nods and leaves me with my drinks. The first drink is a rough one. It is stout and I can see it should definitely chill me out. I pull out my phone to look at my social media will I sip on my drinks and before I realize it, all three are gone.
Checking the time, I see I’ve been here for only twenty minutes and have downed those drinks way too fast. When the waitress comes back with a new drink, I hold up my hand. “Whoa. You can leave that on the table but I think I need a glass of water. Or better yet a cola. I need something to counteract that alcohol. I have a date I don’t want to be drunk for.”
With a nod, she takes up the empty, little glasses and leaves me to figure out how I’m going to knock this buzz off. I smile at her as she returns with a tall glass of cola and a little tray of crackers with summer sausage and cheese on top of them.
“You’re a lifesaver,” I say as she places the things on the table.
“I’ve been told that on occasion,” she says with a smile.
And they say New Yorkers are rude!
Chapter 6
ZANE
Going into the first bar I see, Meagan is hot on my heels. “One drink,” I say as we go inside and my heart stops as I see Elizabeth sitting alone at a small table, talking to the waitress. “Shit!”
“What?” Meagan says as she comes up to my side as I’ve stopped dead in my tracks.
Elizabeth looks past the waitress and sees me then her eyes go to Meagan and she looks away. I have no idea what she must think.
My mind is spinning with what to say and do. I could turn around and leave but that would look odd to Elizabeth. So that’s out.
I could tell Meagan to beat it, but I know she won’t do that. I could turn tail and run away from them both but that’s not me.
As my wheels spin, one by one they stop spinning and start to work together. I might be able to use this unique situation to get Meagan Saunders off my back once and for all.
Little clicks are made in my head as the whole thing comes together in my mind. Maybe Elizabeth will work with me on this. She seems like the type of woman who can see a situation for what it is.
I can see by the way she’s looking at me again, there are some questions in those bright green eyes and she’s wearing a smirking grin. A grin that tells me she thinks I’ve been busted but I’m about to blow her mind, I think.
Turning to look at Meagan, I smile. “Good. There’s someone here you should meet, Meagan. The reason I keep telling you I’m unavailable.”
The waitress walks away and I walk up to Elizabeth’s table, Meagan at my side. “Hello, gorgeous,” I say as I reach out for Elizabeth’s hand.
She places it in mine and says, “Hello, yourself, Romeo.”
Meagan makes a huffing sound then says, “Who is this?”
Looking into Elizabeth’s eyes as I try to get her to understand what I’m ab
out to do, I give her a wink then say, “This is Elizabeth, my wife.”
A gasp is heard from beside me then I feel a hand on my arm. “The hell you say?” comes Meagan’s response.
The smile that crosses Elizabeth’s pretty red lips has my heart pounding. She looks away from me and over at Meagan. “I’m his wife. And you are?”
Meagan looks more pale than usual. “No!”
Elizabeth nods. “Yes.”
She scoots over and I sit next to her, fingering the diamond necklace, I say, “It looks lovely on you. I hope you like it. I couldn’t resist getting it for you this afternoon.” I kiss her cheek and she clears her throat a bit.
Okay, I’m not going to push her too far!
“How could you not tell me this, Zane?” Meagan asks as she slides into the booth across from us, her eyes on Elizabeth.
Looking into Elizabeth’s shining eyes, I answer, “We haven’t told anyone yet. We were married in Vegas only a couple of nights ago.”
“How long have you two known each other?” she asks as she stares at us.
Before I can say anything, Elizabeth answers, “A little over a month. But when you know, you know. We couldn’t wait and ran off to Vegas on his private jet and tied the knot.”
“Let me see your ring,” Meagan says with doubt-filled words.
Again, Elizabeth beats me to an explanation. “We’re using my grandparent's wedding set. It was my wish and Zane is a master at giving me what I wish for. The rings are at the jewelers being fitted for us.”
“I see,” Meagan says as she leans back against the seat. “I just don’t know why you wouldn’t have told me this, Zane.”
“I didn’t think you’d believe me,” I say as I run my finger over one perfectly formed nail, painted the deep red I asked for. Pulling Elizabeth’s hand up, I kiss it again. “The color looks amazing on you. Thanks for doing them this way for me.”
Playing along, Elizabeth says, “Well, when my man asks me to paint my nails his favorite shade of red, I get right on that. It’s what a good wife does.” She turns her head to look at Meagan. “Don’t you agree?”
“Huh?” Meagan asks as she stares at her. “Oh, yes. Certainly. So where did you two meet?”
“In her little hometown of Chesapeake City, Rhode Island,” I say as I run my arm around her shoulders and pull her close to me. She does fit me so perfectly. “She’s a conservationist.”
“I was trying to get him not to tear down a little lighthouse that’s special only to me really. And this man and I fought over it for a while,” Elizabeth tells her.
Another huff comes out of Meagan’s mouth then she says, “I’m surprised you married him after that. This man never gives in.”
Then Elizabeth pulls her head back to look into my eyes and I see something there that scares me a little. Her lips part and she says, “But he did give in. He gave me the lighthouse and the property it stands on as a wedding present.”
The little minx!
“You did not!” Meagan says. “Tell me she’s lying, Zane.”
I shake my head and kiss her cheek again then say, “No, she’s not a liar.”
It’s obvious Elizabeth thinks she’s just won but she’s got to do more than this little amount of time as pretending to be my wife if she thinks I’m going to give her that lighthouse!
Meagan seems stumped for the first time ever and I wish I’d have thought about doing this a long time ago. But then I remember I had no woman to play this part.
“So, you live in his penthouse with him now?” she asks Elizabeth.
“Yes, of course.” She runs her hand over my cheek. “He’s the sweetest man I’ve ever met. Living with him is like a dream come true.” She turns her eyes to Meagan. “And just why are you with my husband may I ask?”
I look at Meagan too, waiting for her answer. Which she readily gives, “I didn’t know he’d gotten married. You see he and I are lovers.”
Slowly, Elizabeth turns her face to me. “Is this so?”
“Were, and only one time. I’ve apologized for my mistake to her for making a drunken decision,” I say and kiss the tip of her nose.
“Wait!” Meagan says then seems to be thinking. “That was only a week ago. That would mean it was merely days before you two got married. Ha!”
My body goes tense with what the hell to say to that. Elizabeth’s hand moves over my leg. “Oh, she’s the one. I’m sorry, he never told me your name. You see, it was me who told him to sleep with one last woman. I wanted to make sure he had no more wild oats to sow.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief. “See, that’s why I was drinking so heavily that night, Meagan. And that’s why I apologized and told you it could never happen again.”
Meagan’s light blue eyes narrow at me. “Why wouldn’t you tell me about her?”
“To be honest, I wasn’t positive she would accept my proposal. I don’t like to spout off things. You know that.” I give Elizabeth a little squeeze and kiss her cheek again as I just love the way her soft skin feels on my lips.
And it makes me wonder how the rest of her skin will feel against my lips.
Chapter 7
ELIZABETH
With the alcohol buzz beginning to wear off, I become acutely aware of the woman staring at me. “So you aren’t mad that he and I made love only days before you married him?” she asks me. “You know you can have the marriage annulled, right?”
“Why would I do that?” I ask her as Zane’s fingers move back and forth over my bare shoulder. It sends little pulses of electricity through me and I find it more stimulating than any other touch I’ve ever had.
But he’s just using me to get this woman to leave him alone. She’s pretty, I don’t see why he wants rid of her but he certainly does want rid of her if he’s going to this extreme of telling her we’re married.
“Why?” she asks with a frown. “Because he made love to another woman while he was with you.”
His lips press against my other shoulder then they graze over the surface, making my stomach flip with the sensation. “I didn’t make love to her, Elizabeth. You know that’s something I’ve only done with you, my love.”
Looking into his eyes, I see a sparkle in them as he says the words that aren’t true but feel so oddly true as he looks at me. Running my hand along his broad shoulder, I pull his face close to mine. “Are you sure?”
“We did make love!” the other woman says, adamantly. “We did!”
Zane looks into my eyes as if he really cares that I know the truth. “It was sex, that’s all. Like I told you when I got back to you. I did what you said. I had sex with another woman but my heart still belonged only to you. My one and only, true love.”
My heart beats hard and I wonder if this is how actors feel when doing some love scene. It feels real even though I know it’s not.
Looking at the woman who’s sitting across from me, I say, “I believe him. He has no reason to lie to me.”
“He has every reason to lie to you. He doesn’t want you to have the marriage annulled. Let me tell you something, I’ve known this man for quite a few years.”
I interrupt her. “And yet he and you have only had sex once. That should tell you something, don’t you think? What is it you do?”
“I am a judge,” she says as she sits up a little straighter. “And he and I have had a long-standing relationship. I don’t see how he never mentioned me to you. I find it odd, don’t you?”
I turn back to look at Zane and catch him gazing at me as he plays with a tendril of my hair. “Your hair looks pretty. They did such a nice job. Our reservations for dinner are very soon. We should go up to our penthouse so I can change, baby.”
A tremor runs through me as I have no idea if he means for me to go up to his place or not. But I just nod my head and say, “Of course.” Looking back at the woman who says she’s a judge but exhibits no actions to prove she actually is one, I nod and slide out of the seat as Zane takes my hand and pulls me along
with him.
“So that’s it?” she says as she gets up and follows us.
Zane’s hand goes to the small of my back just like he did when I was in his office and it makes my knees weak. The alcohol, the heels, along with his touch, have me leaning into him. I catch him smiling as his arm wraps around me. He looks over his shoulder at the woman trailing along behind us. “Yes, that’s it. So you understand things now, right?”
Her shrill voice stops me as she says, “No! I don’t understand a thing, Zane White. I’ll get to the bottom of this! Something isn’t right here and I’ll find out everything. Just you wait.”
Her threat pisses me off for some unknown reason and I spin around and find myself face to face with her. “Listen to me, lady, this is my husband now. No matter what the fuck you thought you two had, it’s over. Done! Got me?”
She looks a little afraid, but apparently not afraid enough as she narrows her eyes. “Have fun while you can, you little gold digger. I’ll make him see the light. You’re nothing and I’ll prove to him you only want him for his money.”
Drawing my hand back to slap the shit out of her, I find it being held and turn back to see Zane holding it. “She’s a judge, baby. You can’t hit her.”
Oh yeah!
“Thanks, babe,” I say and steady myself. I have no idea why I’m feeling so possessive of this man but I am for some odd reason.
I should never become an actress. I take the role way too seriously!
“She wouldn’t have done it, anyway,” the skinny bitch says.
“If you try to bother my man again, you’ll see,” I say and turn back to Zane.
He wraps his arm back around me and we go up to an elevator as the woman walks to the front doors. She looks back at us one last time and I can’t help but shoot her my sentiments. Zane looks at me and takes my hand that’s flipping her off and holds it. His lips touch the side of my head. “Down, girl.”
My blood is boiling and I know it has to be the alcohol. I don’t act like this!
We walk to an elevator where he uses a key for us to get into it and in we go. Just as the doors close, he looks at me and makes an animal-like growl. “You can be pissed at me for this later.”
The Billionaire’s Lighthouse Series: A Billionaire, Bad Boy, Romance Page 6
