I’ve never identified with women that date for money. Love has always been everything to me, which made Derek the center of my world. Now, standing next to a man thatwantsme to use him for his cash, so he can tell his parents to shove it and prove a point to me, I can’t help but feel powerful. This is a win for me, no matter how you look at it. Sure, I’m going to end up divorced at twenty-two, but that’s almost common now.
“…we can continue our arrangement.”
His words haunt me. They’re the only thing that truly scares me. What if I fall in love with the money? What if I don’t want to go back to my life?
If you had asked me yesterday, there’s no way I would have agreed to enter into a marriage for money. Not even the slimmest possibility. After you know what love is, it’s not something you can give up.
But now, after being left at the altar, I wonder if maybe marrying for money isn’t so bad. After all, you never get your heart broken.
I notice Roderick looking at me, and I see the Elvis waiting expectantly. “Oh, what’s going on?” I whisper.
“This is the part you say, ‘I do,’” Roderick chides.
“I do!” I blurt out.
“You may kiss the bride!” the Elvis says.
Kiss the bride?
I remember how his lips had pressed against mine and the feelings he stirred within me. Hot, sticky feelings that felt invasive.
I immediately wanted more. I wanted to feel invaded.
His hand slides around my waist, and I feel his warm breath washing over me. My lips meet his, this time, willing and eager.
My heart races as my body melts into his arms. I’m not used to the feelings Roderick incites. Feelings foreign to me, even with Derek.
It’s not that I didn’t love Derek, but a part of me has always thought of him as a brother. After all, we’ve known each other since preschool.
Roderick pulls back gently, but I snake my hand around to the back of his neck and press him to me, extending our kiss. His tongue lightly licks my lips before sliding into my mouth, caressing me with its shallow thrusts.
“…it’d be awfully awkward if we sent him a picture of my giant cock.”
I gasp at the memory of his words.
“Hmmm, I love how responsive you are,” Roderick whispers into my ear.
It’s then that I remember that we have an audience.
I right myself, smoothing out my dress as Roderick looks on with a glint in his eyes.
“Congratulations!” the Elvis enthuses.
I smile tightly, more than a little embarrassed.
A burly man walks through the doors and straight up to Roderick.
“Cars waiting outside. I have four men lining the walkway.”
I furrow my brow.
“Security,” Roderick says. “I’m fairly good at staying incognito, but since I tipped off the tabloids, I had to bring in the big guns.”
My mouth gapes open. “Security? The tabloids?”
“When we walk out those doors, there’s going to be dozens of people outside vying to get a picture. We’re going to be on the front page of Chatter probably, amongst others.”
“But-but—my hair! My makeup! I look like shit!”
