Cocky Billionaires: A Contemporary Romance Box Set

by J. P. Comeau

  I peeked up at him. “How?”

  He shrugged. “You could be married to Clint.”

  And as a breathless giggle fell from my lips, he crooked his finger beneath my chin.

  “I’m going to fix this. Okay?”

  I sniffled softly. “Okay.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  “I think so.”

  He kissed my forehead. “Then, that’s enough for now.”

  And for some reason, his words comforted me. Enabling me to breathe a little deeper as he ushered me back down that aisle for the second time that weekend.

  10

  _____

  BRENDEN

  I decided to give Kelly some space once we got back to the honeymoon suite, but even entering the penthouse with everything that had happened seemed, well, off. She pulled away from me completely and headed straight for the balcony. Probably just to have some space and think. So, I gave her the space she needed, and I made my way into the bathroom.

  I needed a hot-ass shower after all the nonsense.

  I stripped off my clothes and ran the water as hot as I could stand it. I closed the door, letting the steam wrap around me before I even stepped into the glass-encasement. The shower could easily fit four people at a time. I had planned on using it for some serious fun, especially with the removable showerhead it boasted. But, it seemed as if that balloon had popped.

  And when a soft knock came at the bathroom door, I knew what was coming.

  “Brenden?”

  “Yep?” I said, rinsing the conditioner out of my hair.

  “Can I come in?”

  “The shower is glass all around. So, you might get an eye-full.”

  She paused. “Oh.”

  “But, if you want to open the door and talk that way, we can.”

  I heard the door ease open a bit as the hot water battered against my red back.

  “So, I’ve been thinking,” Kelly said.

  “I’m all ears.”

  “Do you find it a little weird for us to be staying in this place now? I mean, with everything that’s happened?”

  I shrugged. “Maybe a bit. But, I’m still down for our agreement if you are.”

  She snickered. “Of course.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “Nothing. It means nothing.”

  I turned off the water. “No, Kelly. It means something. So, why don’t you tell me what it means.”

  “It means, of course, you’re still down for sex. Never mind the emotional turmoil this is giving me.”

  “I said, I’m down if you are. Which means that if you aren’t, then neither am I. It simply puts the ball in your court. So, I’d appreciate it if you stopped painting me as a terrible human being when I did all of this to make you comfortable in the first place.”

  “Oh, so now it’s my fault? Mr. I’m Going To Get My Brother Drunk So She Doesn’t Sleep With Him?”

  “I was just looking out for you!”

  “No, you were looking out for your own interests. Never mind.”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. “If you want to go home, I’ll take you home.”

  She sighed. “Is that what you want?”

  “Make a damn decision, Kelly. Grow that backbone you were wailing about in the chapel.”

  Silence fell between us, and I shook my head.

  “I’m so sorry. I--.”

  She clicked her tongue. “I’ll catch a ride back to my place.”

  I reached for a towel. “Let me at least--.”

  “No. I’m good. I’ve got it.”

  “Kelly, please.”

  “I said, no!”

  I halted my movements. “Okay. Okay, Kelly. What do you want me to do?”

  “Stay in this damn bathroom until I’m gone.”

  I leaned against the wet shower wall. “Yeah. I can do that.”

  Stupid, stupid fucking idiot.

  She closed the bathroom door, and I sank to the floor. I heard her rummaging around in the bedroom, probably gathering up all of her things. I dug the heels of my hands into my eyes, trying to find a way out of it. Trying to find a way to salvage the experience for her. I didn’t want her to leave with that kind of impression. Not just of me, either. I didn’t want her to leave with a frown on her face because she deserved to smile.

  Kelly deserved everything good in the world.

  But, apparently, I wasn’t the good thing she needed.

  Did you really expect anything else, you asshole?

  “I’m heading downstairs!” Kelly called out.

  I scrambled out of the shower and swung open the bathroom door.

  “Let me know when you get home safely?”

  “Sure. I’ll have someone text you,” she said.

  Then, with a slam of the front door, she was gone.

  “Fuck!” I roared.

  I ripped the towel off me and started snatching my things up. All of the money, gone. The entire experience, ruined. Every surprise I had waiting for her, lost. And none of it was refundable. Not that the money mattered. But, if it was all there, couldn’t we at least try to enjoy it? Sex didn’t even have to be on the table. We could’ve just had the experiences to try and distract ourselves for a little bit!

  “What Kelly wants, Kelly gets,” I murmured.

  So, I stuffed my things into my suitcase and left. I sure as hell didn’t want to stay in the place without her.

  Especially once I knew how wonderful it was to wake up to her beside me.

  I hailed a cab and took my idiotic ass back to my place. But, the second I dropped my bags, I realized I didn’t want to be there. I raced back down to catch the cab as it pulled off before hopping back inside, and I rattled off the address for Zane’s place.

  I needed some serious advice.

  I stared out the window as the world passed me by. It looked dull and dreary. Even the gray clouds hanging low overhead boasted of the way I felt inside. I blew it. I ruined everything. And I knew there was no chance in hell Kelly would ever let me make things up to her. I closed my eyes and sighed, and I felt the cab slowly swaying side to side with every turn the driver made. Then, my phone vibrated against my leg.

  And when I saw that I had a text from Zane, I knew what he was about to say.

  Zane: Why am I getting a text from Roxy with instructions to tell you that Kelly made it home safely.

  I typed back quickly before shoving my phone into my pocket.

  Me: Be at your place in fifteen. I’ll talk then.

  The driver pulled up to my brother’s estate, and I paid him well for his efforts. But, when I turned back towards the house, I saw Clint’s beat-up pick-up truck in the driveway. Damn it, seriously? He was here, too?

  Time to suck it up, buttercup.

  I made my way up the steps and let myself in. I heard Zane and Clint talking in the kitchen, so I made my way back there. When I entered the room, they both fell quiet while I rummaged around, trying to make myself a sandwich. But, once I sat down with my food and a bottle of water, I realized I wasn’t actually hungry.

  “So…?” Zane asked.

  Clint stared at me. “I take it things didn’t go well.”

  I smirked. “You know how the wedding was supposed to be fake?”

  Clint paused. “Uh, oh.”

  Zane’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”

  I shook my head. “Apparently, the receptionist I coordinated all of this with, quit a couple of days before the ceremony. So, instead of signing off on the waiver at the end of the ceremony, we signed an actual marriage certificate.”

  Zane cocked his head. “How the fuck did your information get filled out on one of those things?”

  Clint chuckled. “Holy fuck, you really did yourself in this time.”

  I glared at him. “Shut up.”

  Zane leaned forward. “Seriously. How did it get filled out?”

  I shook my head. “The man told me that they usually fill out the information themselves a
nd just have the couples sign because couples come in so happy to get married that they don’t want to deal with all the extra paperwork.”

  Clint started laughing. “Holy shit, did she change her name? Is her last name ‘Hearthstone’ now?”

  I kicked him under the table. “This isn’t funny. Kelly isn’t doing well with all of this.”

  Zane grinned. “She’s married to you. Of course, she isn’t doing well with this.”

  I pointed at him. “Don’t you make fun of her like that. She’s torn up about the whole thing. I’ve robbed her of her perfect wedding, guys.”

  Clint clapped my back. “Oh, come on. It’s not like you knew that was happening?”

  “If you don’t stop laughing, I’m going to--.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’d like to see you try, little brother.”

  Zane chuckled. “It is kinda funny. Once you really think about it. I mean, how many times did you ask that girl out in college? And it took marrying her to even get you in the game?”

  Clint threw his head back in laughter, but none of it was funny. So, I sure as hell wasn't going to tell them everything that was on my mind. Which were the feelings I felt that morning when I woke up to her at my side in bed. The spark of electricity that ignited had stuck with me all damn day. And it made me wonder how long I had been harboring such deep feelings for Kelly.

  Since college? Is that even possible?

  “Well, first thing Monday, my ass is at that courthouse. The man gave me all I needed to have this shit taken care of, so that’s what I’m going to do,” I told them.

  Clint tried to catch his breath. “Holy hell, you know what I just realized?”

  Zane buried his smile. “What?”

  I hardened my eyes against the profile of Clint’s face. “Don’t you dare.”

  He smiled at me. “You’re the old married guy now.”

  “I’m going to kill you,” I glowered.

  “And again. I’d like to see you try.”

  The day passed by in a blur, and I ended up crashing at Zane’s place and woke up to people laughing and talking in the backyard. The smell of smoked brats and juicy hamburgers wafted up my nose, and it drew me to the window in the guest bedroom. I gazed down at the small crowd while the smell of chips and dip made its way up to me. I saw people cracking open sodas and beers. I saw a bartender slinging cocktails and hard liquors around. And there was Zane, manning his grill.

  Who the fuck threw a cookout after something like that?

  Still, I dragged myself into the shower and tried to clean up. I stole some of Zane’s more casual clothes, so I didn’t wear my outfit from yesterday, and I made my way downstairs. I gazed out over the backyard full of people while I chugged down some lukewarm coffee I found in the pot in his kitchen.

  But, when I looked back through the window, I found Kelly staring back at me.

  My heart leaped into my throat. I coughed and sputtered as my coffee went down the wrong pipe. I tossed the mug into the sink and bent over, wheezing and trying not to puke on myself. A door crashed open next to me. I felt someone’s hand on my back. And as the soft circles of warmth relaxed my windpipe, I heard her voice.

  That wonderful, beautiful, angelic voice. Right in my ear.

  “You okay? You need something to drink?” Kelly asked.

  I shook my head, but I couldn't stop coughing. So, she started patting my back.

  “Control your breathing. Try to breathe through the pain, Brenden.”

  I blinked back tears as the pain in my throat finally subsided.

  “There we go. That’s better, right?”

  I wiped my mouth, looking over at her. “Thanks.”

  She smiled softly. “Anytime.”

  I rose up. “How are you--? I mean, are you--?”

  I couldn't come up with the right words to say. So, I bit my tongue and kept quiet. But, Kelly took the reins. And soon, things fell back into an easy pace with her.

  Despite what happened yesterday.

  “I’m doing okay, thank you for asking. I owe you an apology for yesterday, though.”

  I shook my head. “You owe me nothing. I wasn’t diligent enough, and that’s why we’re in this place.”

  “No, we’re in this place because the head of that chapel withheld information from you, pertinent to our ceremony. None of this is your fault.”

  “I still hold some responsibility.”

  “And so do I. All of us hold equal responsibility because I was just as much a willing participant. I knew the risks going into this. It’s not all on you.”

  I grinned. “If you say so.”

  She giggled. “Besides, Monday’s just around the corner. With that signed note the man gave you, it shouldn't take long to get things back to normal.”

  I watched her carefully as she straightened up the tie I had on underneath the sweater I stole from Zane. I watched as her fingertips plucked lint from my shoulder and cast it off to the side. She slid her hands down my arms before taking my hands within hers, and I could have sworn it felt like we had always been a couple.

  “There. That’s better. That crooked tie was really getting to me. You don’t have another pair of pants you can put on? Those jeans are a bit too worn for the sweater you’ve got on,” she said.

  I smiled. “Already changing my outfits, huh?”

  “I mean, I am the fashion guru, you know.”

  “Oh, oh, oh. Yeah. Completely. One hundred percent.”

  She smiled up at me. “Want me to go get you anything to eat?”

  I turned her around, my back to the door. “Actually, that’s my job. So, you go rest, and I’ll get you something nice to eat.”

  I winked at her before I stepped outside and I felt like everyone was watching me. Especially when I set out to make two plates of food instead of just one. I kept peeking over at Kelly, wondering what she was talking about with other people. Were they grilling her about the weekend? Were they pestering her with questions? I needed to get over there. I needed to run interference, so no one bogged her down too much with stuff.

  I need to protect her from the insanity of all this.

  And that thought stopped me in my tracks.

  Why the hell do I feel the need to protect her?

  I pushed everything away and finished fixing our plates. I went to sit with Kelly over at a table in the corner, and I felt all eyes on us. We were the talk of our group right now, and I positioned myself so no one could see Kelly. If they wanted to look over at us, they could look at my fucking back, for all I cared.

  She smiled. “This looks great. Thank you.”

  I handed her a fork. “Of course. Anytime.”

  “So, what’s the plan for tomorrow? When are you headed to the courthouse?”

  “I want to be there right when the doors open. So, I’ll be heading out from my place around eight-thirty.”

  “Can I come with you?”

  I nodded. “Of course, if you want to.”

  “I do, yes.”

  “Then, I’ll come pick you up around eight-fifteen?”

  “I’ll be ready and waiting.”

  Without thinking, I picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. And I felt the entire party still around me. My eyes locked with Kelly, and I saw her searching behind me, and I started wondering if I had blown it again. I don’t know why I even picked up her hand in the first place. It just felt natural to do. But, when her eyes came back to mine, she smiled even brighter.

  Before leaning forward and pressing the softest, kindest kiss to my cheek.

  I am in the deepest of shit.

  But, whatever Kelly wanted, Kelly would get.

  11

  _____

  KELLY

  “You know, if the judge doesn't grant us this annulment, that means we have to move in together,” Brenden said.

  I snickered. “You wish.”

  “I mean, that’s what happens between man and wife. Wife move in with man. Wife cook food for man. Wife
lay down with man and massage feet after long, hard day.”

  I cackled. “Is that your version of marriage?”

  “Uh, duh. Isn’t that everyone’s version of marriage?”

  I shook my head. “Nope.”

  “Okay, then. What’s your version of marriage?”

  I cocked myself to face Brenden while we sat in his car, waiting for the courthouse to open.

  “Me, woman. Me drink wine you give me. Me say ‘no’ whenever I want. Me dress you. Me take your money. Me make your life hell so you stay at office, working hard.”

  He nodded. “So, that’s why Zane is always working late.”

  My jaw dropped open. “Hey! I bet Karina’s a wonderful partner.”

  He chuckled. “Everyone has their moments.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  His hand settled against my thigh. “You had every right to react the way you did.”

  “But I didn’t have a right to use you as an emotional punching bag. I’m really sorry, Brenden.”

  He squeezed my thigh. “I’m sorry too, Kelly.”

  I laid my head against his shoulder and watched the doors of the courthouse. And once they opened for the public, we were out of his car and charging for the right office. We were the first in line to file for an annulment, and Brenden dumped all of the paperwork he had onto the desk for the woman.

  “I’ll get this to your judge, and you should be in to see him within the next thirty minutes,” she said mindlessly.

  “Thank you so much,” I said.

  But, the woman didn’t even act like she heard me.

  Brenden took my arm, and calmly led me out of the room. We headed into the waiting room, sitting in the unforgiving seats of the cold, hard courthouse. The walls were painted a nice cream color to brighten things up, but every piece of furniture was dark. The hunter green carpet was ugly. The fake mahogany wood the place was filled with had black streaks rushing through it, adding to the dark undertones. The chairs were black and silver, which contrasted everything around it, yet still added to the lonely ambiance. Even the file books on some of the shelves lining the walls were black and navy blue and olive green.

  Everything was drab.