“Well, you know it’s five PM somewhere. Anyway, so do you remember Vincent and his evil plan of trying to marry me off?”
How could I forget? After getting engaged to Beckham, the next thing on Vincent Garcia’s bucket list was to marry Kira off to the highest bidder. Luckily for him, he didn’t have to go too far because his affluent family members were swimming with unwed sons who were practically signing up to be bachelors.
“Well, at our last family brunch, he was introducing me to Beckham’s cousins on his sister’s side. You remember I told you. There’s tall and rich, dull and rich, then dumb and rich.”
“Kira…” I warned.
She waved me off. “Okay, fine, but you know none of them caught my eye. Vincent was trying all night for me to get with the program, but… the kitty just didn’t purr.”
I shook my head with a sigh. “I get the picture, Kira.”
She raised a hand, holding it in the air with enthusiasm. “But! But! The other brother I told you about, Mr. Tall, Sexy, Older, and Cocky. Well, that day he showed up late, and I guess he was filled in on Vincent’s plan to marry me. So naturally, I acted like I didn’t notice him staring at me all night—but, bitch, you will not guess who showed up at the bar last night when I was enjoying my Thursday night margs.”
“No, he did not,” I muttered, my eyes widening.
She nodded. “Yes, he sure did. He’s fucking using his resources to find me. And when he did, he immediately took my tab and bought me another round of drinks. As for the money this guy has, we’re not talking about some low millionaire status. We’re talking the big bucks—the billionaire brunch sugar daddy that looks ready to fund my lavish lifestyle.”
Practically on the edge of my seat, I listened as she took another warranted sip before continuing. “And you know how big of a feminist I am. I don’t need money from any man. But for obvious reasons, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to have. So after a few drinks, I take the trip to a hotel with him, again for obvious reasons, and he is fuckinghuge, okay? The kitty was purring, but it was just about ready to tap out. And now? Now, I’m getting good morning texts, missed phone calls, and Vincent just forwarded me a marriage license to sign.”
“You’re joking,” I said, my eyes wide in utter shock and amusement.
She shook her head. “If I was, I wouldn’t be here downing this 1985 like it was my damn breakfast… Might as well be, though, you know, with the whole ’most important meal of the day’ spiel. This glass is the perfect way to start off this absolutely insane morning.”
“And you haven’t responded to any of his texts.”
She looked at me incredulously. “Bitch, I would, but I’m practically running for my life. Well,theoreticallyrunning. I could barely stand up to run out of his hotel room. Who’s to say he isn’t right behind me, ready to fuck me into the sheets like he would his future wife and the mother of his children. I’m too young to be married off!”
With a smile, I shook my head. “You poor thing. Now you know what it’s like to be pursued by a man who knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it.”
“And if you’re going to treat me like I treated you when Beckham was in his feral, possessive caveman era… I’m assuming you have no encouraging words for me here.”
I could only laugh. “What goes around comes around, my sweet Kira… You wanted the kitty to purr. Can’t start hissing now, can you?”
She glared at me before throwing the pillow beside her at my head.
Hearing a clear throat, we both looked over to see Beckham entering with a man who immediately had Kira’s eyes widened in utter disbelief.
“Look who decided to stop by to help with some of the engagement party preparations,” Beckham muttered.
I didn’t miss the hungry look of the hunk of a man standing next to my equally if not even more sexy one.
Standing, I smiled over at Mr. Tall, Sexy, Older and Cocky.
“It’s good to see you, Quentin. You’re just in time… I was just about to go over some of the silverware for the party with Kira. You know how Vincent is.”
He nodded with a small chuckle. “No need to explain. I’ve known him my whole life… he hasn’t changed one bit.”
His eyes lingered on Kira, who looked like a deer in headlights. Acting rather clueless as I handed her my closed laptop, she grabbed it slowly, gulping softly as her chest rose and fell.
I grinned. “Well, you guys can handle that. In the meantime, Beckham and I are going to go over the catering menu.”
Saying nothing, I watched as the man in a fitting dress shirt and pants walked over to Kira. He ran his hands through his hair, which was an attractive mix of black and only a few gray hairs.
I shot Kira a wink—her eyes cursed me—then I grabbed Beckham’s hand and walked to the bedroom. He was silent as we walked up the stairs, and as we entered his room, he let out a sigh and pulled me into his embrace.
“Why do I get the feeling you lied to Kira about the gold spoons and knives for a specific reason?”
“I lied because revenge is rather sweet. Bittersweet in most cases, but sweet nonetheless. Kira has been my biggest cheerleader for our relationship, even when I didn’t want her to be. It’s only fair that I return the favor.”
