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"You really think we could make this work?"
He brushed his lips against her forehead and held her close. "I do."
They arrived moments later and a valet opened their door. Everett exited first and extended his hand to Isabel. She swiveled her long legs out, the split in her dress giving him and the valet a glimpse of pale flesh and sparkling high heels as she stood.
His grip tightened on her hand and he tucked her to his side. "I like that dress," he growled into her ear.
She giggled, and in that moment, Everett knew he was a total goner. Somehow, someway, he had to convince her. That or lock her up and throw away the key.
"Mr. Drake, this way!"
"Mr. Drake, over here!"
"Mr. Drake, who is your lovely companion tonight?"
"Is it serious, Mr. Drake?"
Everett felt Isabel's desire to turn and run into the building to escape the flashing lights of the media outside the highly publicized event, but he tucked her to his side and held tight, giving them the pictures they wanted. "Smile," he murmured into her ear.
The flashes intensified as Isabel did, and Everett had a good idea of what they looked like with his murmuring into her ear, smiling, while she responded. And even though some might think it was all part of a game, it wasn't. Somewhere along the way, his feelings for his newfound wife had solidified into something more. Something he couldn't allow himself to acknowledge considering she still thought of walking away.
Hours later Isabel left the ladies’room and spotted the exit to the rooftop garden. The twinkling lights drew her, and she pressed through the doorway, breathing in the crisp air. The party was everything extravagant and delectable, but the crush of people and noise had started to give her a headache. Her feet ached in the heels, more proof she'd spent far too much time barefoot at the beach, if such a thing existed.
Could anyone ever spend too much time with their toes in the sand?
The question prompted more, and she wandered through the maze of potted plants and shrubs, unable to come up with an answer. Everett obviously thrived in the city, and to be fair, she had as well since being here.
The city had opened up her creativity, introducing her to new sights and textures, and she loved the results slowly appearing on her canvases. Just thinking about her art made her want to find an exit and leave the party to go play in her paints because that's where she felt most at home.
Carolina Cove. New York City. Everett. Their alone time together had strengthened her feelings for him. She'd be lying if she said otherwise. But the rational part of her brain still floundered when it came to the speed of their relationship and the heartbreak at risk.
Insta-love only happened in romance novels and ninety-minute rom-coms. Not real life. No Las Vegas stranger turned out to be husband material, much less billionaire husband material.
"You left me defenseless in there," Everett murmured.
She turned to find him watching her, hands tucked into his tuxedo pants like the rich, gorgeous businessman he was.
That was yet another thing to ponder. She'd grown up in a wealthy family, even though she'd been on her own for a while now. Still, Everett was on a whole other level of wealth she couldn’t even fathom.
"What's got your mind going in circles, sweetheart? Did someone say something to you?"
He seemed genuinely concerned and upset on her behalf of some slight, and she shook her head. "No."
Everett stepped closer, and she waited for the zing of electricity to fill her body when his hands landed on her upper arms.
"You're chilled."
"It was too hot inside. I needed some air."
"What's going on, Isabel?"
She stared up at him, deciding it was time to get real, even though it meant saying some things he probably didn't want to hear. "Why are you so insistent on making this work? Is it…is itbecausethere’s no prenup? Are you afraid I'm going to demand money from you? Because I won't. It was an honest mistake and I don't want anything from you. You've already done more than anyone sho—"
He lowered his head and kissed her, silenced her. Not a light, brief kiss but one that stole her breath and trapped her soul. A kiss that destroyed her lipstick and left her clinging to him for support just to stay upright.
By the time Everett lifted his mouth from hers, they were both breathing heavily. Without a word, he snagged her hand in his and led her through the maze to the door and then the elevator. Thankfully it was unoccupied as the party was still in full swing. Everett didn't say anything as he pulled her onto the elevator with him, but the moment the doors closed, he pressed her against the wall and kissed her again.
By the time the elevator doors opened, Isabel's mind swirled with hazy what-ifs, and she watched with dazed eyes while he stooped to pick up the clutch she hadn't even known she'd dropped.
