Escorting the Groom (The Escort Collection Book 4)

by Leigh James

  I watched her as she slept, her hair tumbling over the sheets. She looked beautiful and innocent. I looked at the engagement ring and wedding band on her hand, my mother's bangle still on her wrist. This seemed so real.

  And if it seemed real to me, I probably didn't have to worry about Serena. Or anyone else.

  I slid out of bed and grabbed my phone, shooting off a quick text to Jake:

  Please tell everyone thanks for coming last night. My bride and I are staying in today, so we won't see you all off. Give everyone our love.

  Jake responded immediately:

  Did you give Blakey your love last night?

  Much to my chagrin, he included a winking emoji.

  With a frown, I tapped out a reply:

  Fuck off. Go back to Washington.

  I could practically see Jake leering as I read his next message:

  Love you too, bro. Congratulations. You win. You have the hottest wife I've ever met.

  I smiled a little at that. Then I ordered room service. When it arrived, I made sure everything was meticulously arranged before I headed back to the bedroom.

  Blake was lying in bed, staring at her rings as if mesmerized. She jumped when I came in and stuck her hands back under the blankets. "Good morning." She sounded as if she were trying to play it cool.

  "Good morning." I smiled at her. "Sorry to interrupt you."

  "You didn't—oh well, yes you did. I was staring at how my rings sparkled." She sat up, smiling at me sheepishly, and I felt a rush just from looking at her.

  "Are you hungry?"

  She nodded. "I'm starving."

  "Well, when you've finished admiring all available shiny objects, come out and join me in the dining room."

  Blake sat up and looked at me skeptically. "You cooked?"

  "Don't be crazy. I ordered room service, and I set it up on the table."

  "Well, in that case," she said, smiling, "I'll be out in a minute."

  She joined me exactly one minute later, wearing a T-shirt and a pair of leggings. Her hair was mussed. She sat down at the table and smiled at me shyly. "Hi."

  "Hi." I tried to ignore the chills that shot through me when she smiled at me like that. "It's sort of awkward, right? We're newly married and newly consummated, all at once."

  "It's totally sort of awkward. And awesome." Blake nodded, still smiling, and dug into her fruit cup. "Wouldn't it be nice to live at a hotel like this? You could always order whatever you want, whenever you want?"

  "That's why I live at The Stratum. Room service twenty-four hours a day. And housekeeping."

  Blake shook her head. "That's so not the real world. And neither is this." She looked around at the suite and the view beyond.

  It's your world now, I thought. Blake deserved all the good things in life, and I was determined to give them to her this year. After that, the money I was paying her would help her have a bright, secure future.

  One that didn't include me.

  But I didn't want to think about that, so I pushed the thought roughly from my mind.

  "If it's all right with you, I'd like us to stay in today. I think I've had enough company for one weekend."

  Blake nodded. "Of course. When are we leaving for our trip?"

  "Tomorrow morning." I couldn't wait to whisk her away to the beauty and peace of the islands. "So we have the day to ourselves to relax. I scheduled massages. Is there anything else you'd like to do?"

  "I just want to check out that pool." She motioned to the deck outside. "It looks amazing."

  "We can certainly do that." I pictured her in a bikini, and I felt a strong pull of desire in my belly. "Anything else? Do you like to gamble?"

  "No," Blake said. "I don't like to take chances with money."

  I smiled at her. "Me either. But how about we make plans to go to dinner? Just the two of us?" The hopeful tone in my voice disgusted me. Who else is she going to hang out with?

  She smiled at me. "That sounds great. Everything was wonderful yesterday, but I'm definitely feeling wiped out from it all."

  "Me too."

  We finished breakfast in silence. I couldn't tell if it was awkward or not. "You want to hit the pool?" I asked.

  Blake flashed another smile at me, putting me at ease. "That sounds great." She headed off to change, and I mentally kicked myself. I was acting like a crushed-out schoolboy, for Christ's sake. We met outside on the private deck, which overlooked the strip. The sun was climbing in the sky, but the temperature was still perfect, warm without being overbearing.

  "This is so amazing," Blake said. "I never even knew that a hotel room could have its own pool." She stripped off her cover-up to reveal a black string bikini, and any response I might have been formulating froze on my lips. She noticed me watching her and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "What?" she asked nonchalantly as she stepped into the pool. Her nipples immediately hardened underneath the scraps of fabric covering them.

  I felt myself getting hard again. "Is it cold?"

  Blake went all the way into the water, splashing a little. "No, it's amazing. You should come in."

  She didn't need to ask me twice. I stripped out of my T-shirt and headed into the water, hoping it was cold enough to calm man-land. Blake went under and then sat on one side of the pool. I climbed in and sat on the other.

  "So… this is still awkward, right?" she asked.

  "Seems to be." Another silence ensued. This one was definitely awkward.

  Blake watched me from her side. "So, here's the state of our union, as I see it. We got married, and we had sex last night. And you said that we only had to consummate once in order for the marriage to be legal. So where does that leave us?"

  "In a pool designed for sin. In Vegas. And you in that sexy bikini," I said, deadpan.

  She tossed her hair again. "I don't own any other kind. It's not like I'm trying to tempt you, I swear."

  I groaned and leaned back against the edge of the pool. She didn't have to try. My cock was already rock-hard, pointing straight in her direction as if in salute. "So, what are you asking me?"

  "I'm just trying to understand the parameters," she said simply. "I like to know where I stand."

  "Then come here. I'll show you where to stand," I growled.

  Blake arched an eyebrow but complied, moving slowly across the pool until she was standing closer. "Yes… sir?"

  My dick was throbbing as I watched her tits bob in the water, so tantalizingly close. "What if I change the rules?"

  I watched her throat work as she swallowed. "To what?"

  I stood up and closed the distance between us, fingering the delicate strap of her bikini. "What if I asked you to share my bed for the next week? While we're on our honeymoon?"

  Blake looked up at me expectantly, her lips slightly parted, her cheeks flushing. "And then?"

  "And then we'll revisit the situation," I said smoothly. The assurance in my voice was false. I had no idea what I was doing. What I did know was that I needed to be inside her again. Right now. And that maybe, if I let myself have her for this next week, I could get my fill of her body.

  "That sounds reasonable." Her voice was even, but her pupils were dilated, and her nipples were hard. She wanted me, too. And it wasn't an act for my benefit. It wasn’t an ego boost for a client. I could see her trembling slightly, and it filled me with satisfaction.

  I was going to make her scream my name, all day, every day, for a whole week. Once I was done with her, she was never going to forget about me.

  This was for better or for worse, after all.

  I reached for her, running my thumb along her bottom lip. She bit it softly and then came to me, pressing herself against my body.

  I leaned down and kissed her, my hands roving hungrily over her skin. I didn't know if I would be able to get enough of this. Of her. There was an urgency in her kiss, too. She rubbed her breasts against me, arching her back and moaning. I couldn't wait. I reached down, stripped off her bikini bottom, and lifted he
r up. She instinctively wrapped her legs around me, and I moved us back to the edge of the pool. I lifted her out of the water and sat her on the edge, delicately spreading her legs apart. Then I sunk lower in the water until her naked sex was level with my face. I ran my tongue along her perfect pink slit, and she cried out, throwing her head back. Her taste was mesmerizing, sweet and musky. I buried my face in her, licking and tonguing her clitoris.

  "Lucas!" she said, breathless, as I took her clit in between my teeth, biting her a little.

  Then I slid two fingers inside her. Her pussy quaked around them. "Oh, fuck," she moaned. I drew my fingers out and plunged them back in. She was slick with wetness, and not just from the pool.

  Her body moved to meet my hand. I smiled into her pussy and teased her with my tongue some more. "You like that?"

  "I like your cock better," she panted. Still, she came, hard, the next time I stroked her insides with my fingers and planted my mouth on her clit.

  "You can have it now, babe." I pulled my swim trunks off and positioned one leg up on the side of the pool. Then I slid my throbbing dick toward her entrance.

  She watched me, her eyes huge in her face. "Lucas… I need you." Her voice was thick. She arched her back, spread her pussy open, and started fingering her clit. For some reason, that almost undid me. I eased myself into her, feeling her body stretch for me. I thrust slowly at first, but soon Blake was grabbing my ass, pulling me in deeper, begging me to give it to her harder. She was driving me absofuckinglutely wild. The horizon tipped as she moaned and rode my cock, calling my name, her pussy spasming around me.

  "Blake… oh fuck, Blake, what're you doing to me?" I heard myself ask lowly as my orgasm built all around me. Our bodies slammed together, hard, until I pulled back and we did it again. And again. I was in deep, so deep, and my thrusts were becoming longer now. I was almost there. I fingered Blake's clit hard, almost cruelly, and her body erupted in spasms against mine.

  And then I came in her, hot and hard.

  Later, in bed, after we'd made love again, Blake nudged me gently. "What," I said, too spent to make it sound like a question.

  "I forgot to tell you something," she said.

  "What's that?" I was on the edge of sleep, but I pulled her warm body closer, so I could feel her.

  "I like you, Lucas. I forgot to tell you that I like you, too."

  Chapter Fifteen

  Blake

  The next twenty-four hours passed in a blur of luxury and constant contact. We'd had dinner at an amazing Japanese restaurant, we'd had sex on every available surface in the suite, and I'd had more orgasms than I could count. And we hadn't stopped touching each other. We'd even showered together, making love with the hot water pouring over us.

  And I'd told Lucas that I liked him, idiot that I was. It was the truth, but in this case, the truth hadn't set me free. It was like a vise-grip around my heart. I was suddenly aware that our fake relationship seemed awfully real and important to me.

  Still, I didn't seem to be alone in wanting to always be touching. Lucas held my hand on our entire private flight to our honeymoon destination. I'd caught him looking at me several times, tracing the planes of my face with his eyes, as if he were memorizing me.

  I had no idea where the plane was headed. "Where are we going?" I asked. "Maine?"

  "I'll take you to Maine later this summer," he said. "We're going to an island first."

  "Oh." I attempted to sound casual, as if island-hopping was something I did all the time.

  "You'll like it. I promise. There's food. And pools." He smirked at me but then reached over and pulled me against him, kissing the top of my head. He'd said he didn't like to be close to other people, but ever since we'd opened the floodgates, he'd been nothing but affectionate. I hated to admit it, but I loved it; I felt as though I was blooming underneath his attention. I laid my head against his chest, loving the feel of his muscles, his warmth. It felt so good to relax and be held by someone I genuinely liked. It was the first time I'd ever experienced anything like it.

  I peered out the window at the turquoise water below. "Okay, we're definitely going to the Caribbean."

  He smiled at me indulgently, making my heart flip. "For a blonde, you're actually pretty smart," he teased.

  "Ha ha," I said. "Did you ever hear this one? What's black, blue, and brown, and lying in a ditch?"

  "No."

  "A brunette who's told too many blonde jokes," I said. "You'd do well to remember that."

  Lucas smiled at me, his dimple flashing. "I like it when you're feisty."

  "That's probably good. You seem to bring it out in me. Now, will you please tell me where we're going?"

  "No." He playfully pulled me onto his lap. "Do you need me to say that more slowly because you're a natural blonde?"

  "This could be a very long trip," I deadpanned.

  Eventually, the flight attendant came out. She raised her eyebrow when she saw me nestled on Lucas's lap. "We'll be landing soon. Please fasten your seat belts."

  I felt my face flush as I scrambled back into my seat and secured my seat belt. Properly chastised, I went back to looking out the window. I traced the outline of the island below with my fingertip. "Turks and Caicos," I finally said, triumphant.

  "How did you know?" Lucas asked.

  I pointed out the window. "Because I can see it."

  "Have you been here before?"

  "Never," I turned back to the window and stared out at the turquoise water. "But I've always wanted to."

  "Then this is even more perfect." Lucas linked his fingers through mine. "It's one of my favorite places."

  A driver was waiting for us at the airport. "Mr. Ford, it's a pleasure to see you again."

  "Davian. Nice to see you."

  I shot him a look. "You have a regular driver on an exotic island?"

  "I own a home here," he said without looking at me.

  "You what? When were you going to surprise me with this one?"

  "Today," Lucas said. "So are you? Surprised?"

  "I'm basically suspending disbelief at this point." I smiled at him and accepted Davian's hand as he lifted me up to the SUV.

  Lucas slid in behind me, his dimple flashing intermittently as I oohed and aahed over the island—the trees, the colorful houses, the amazing white sand beaches. "It's paradise," I said.

  Lucas ran his fingers down my back, making me shiver and making me feel hot at the same time. I was never going to forget this.

  I didn't ever want to forget this.

  After a twenty-minute drive, Davian pulled up to an intricate wrought-iron gate and punched in a code. "The staff will be happy to see you. Everyone's excited, Mr. and Mrs. Ford. Congratulations." He smiled at us in the rearview mirror, his teeth flashing.

  "Thank you, Davian." We drove down a long drive, shaded by palms, and pulled up in front of a massive estate.

  "This is your home?" I asked. "Your second—no wait, your third home?" It was enormous, stone-faced, and stately. He needed to pay me more.

  He shrugged. "I bought it for tax purposes."

  "That's some tax bill." How much money did Lucas already have? And he'd married me so he could inherit even more? I was so asking for a raise.

  We parked, and Davian held out his hand for me. But Lucas stepped in, pulling me protectively against him.

  "You don't have to protect me from your driver," I teased lowly. "I promise I won't like holding anybody's hand better than yours."

  He still kept me close. "I just like having you next to me. Is that okay?"

  My insides warmed. "Of course it's okay."

  We ascended the massive stone steps and entered the house, which was formal and imposing on the outside but warm and cheerful on the inside—thanks in large part to the smiling staff that was assembled within. "Mr. Ford!" they called. One of the women wrapped her arms around me and gave me a huge hug. "Mrs. Ford. Welcome. And congratulations."

  Lucas was reserved in his gratitude toward
everyone, but I saw his dimple creeping out. He was genuinely pleased.

  "Come on, now," Davian said to us after we'd been hugged and congratulated and generally fussed over. "I know Mr. Ford likes his privacy. We'll leave you two in peace, I promise. We've been here all weekend. The house has been cleaned and fully stocked. Your dinner has been prepared. You'll have the entire property to yourself in no time. Housekeeping will come back tomorrow, and you know I'm always just a text away."

  Davian threw open the double doors that led to the tremendous interior courtyard and infinity pool. I marveled at the gorgeous view of the white sand beach beyond. Davian smiled at the delighted expression on my face. "Enjoy your stay, Mrs. Ford. I'll see you soon."

  And with that, he was gone. Then it was just Lucas and me, his infinity pool, and the amazing view of the water.

  "This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen." I felt overwhelmed.

  "Do you want to swim?" Lucas sounded excited. He was already stripping out of his clothes.

  "I’m going to live in this water," I said. "Are you kidding me?" The ocean back East was freezing, even in August. I'd never even seen a pool like this before, not to mention the aqua waters beyond, except in magazines and movies.

  "Go grab your suit." He pulled me in for a quick, hot kiss that left me wanting more. "I'll be waiting."

  I practically ran to get changed. By the time I got back, he was already in the pool, and a bottle of champagne was chilling on a table nearby. "Slowpoke," he called. I could see the chiseled lines of his chest glinting in the sun.

  "I had to check out the house," I said, wading into the water. "It's amazing, Lucas. I wish we were going to live here for the whole year."

  "I'm glad you like it. We can come back whenever I can get away from work." He grinned at me as I got closer, then I couldn't wait anymore—I dove underwater to close the distance between us. I sprung up when I reached him, and he yelped. And then I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, unrestrained. The strange and overwhelming feeling of unbridled happiness filled my heart.