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I know exactly what I need to do.
Sebastian comes closer, and I smooth down the lapels of his tuxedo. “I like you in this tux.”
“You’ll like me more out of it.” Sebastian dips his head to kiss my bare shoulder, already sliding his hands over my body. “God, Avery, I’ve been going crazy wanting you…”
“And you’ll just have to wait a little longer,” I beam, ducking out of his embrace. I told him I wanted to wait until after the party before having sex again, to make it special. I don’t know why, but he bought it, so at least I’ve been spared the feel of his touch and my own self-loathing for enjoying it. “After the party,” I warn him.
He groans. “What if we skip the party, and have a private celebration?”
“Seb!” I protest. “We have people waiting. Lots of people. They all came to share this happy occasion with us and celebrate our future.”
I beam some more. I can’t believe he’s buying my breathless act, but he must truly be in love with me—or half out of his mind with lust—because Sebastian just smiles indulgently.
“You’re right. I wouldn’t have needed all this show, but this is a good way to kick off our fresh start. Speaking of, I have something for you.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a little black box. “Every bride-to-be needs an engagement ring.”
He opens the box, and even I have to admit that, objectively, it’s a stunning ring. Princess-cut, flawless… Simple but a statement.
“It’s perfect,” I say, as he slides it on my finger. I hold it up to admire the sparkle. I may as well enjoy it while I can. Because this engagement won’t last the night. And I’m pretty sure it’s not proper etiquette to keep the ring after you’ve utterly destroyed your fiancé. “Thank you, baby. I love it.”
And I’m going to love it even more when I get to throw it in your face.
“I’m glad.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. I try not to flinch.
“You ready to head downstairs and show it off?” he asks.
I giggle, unwilling to let him suspect anything is coming, even for just a second.
“Let’s do it.”
I loop my arm through his and he leads us out of the bedroom and down the stairs. I’ve spent the week with the most famed event planners around who made sure that everything is perfect, and now, I look out at the packed party outside with satisfaction.
There are hundreds of people here, who have flown in from all over the world, and the event spills effortlessly from the terrace to the rolling lawns overlooking the lake. Hundreds of tea lights are strung in a twinkling canopy, and lavish floral decorations of roses and peonies spill from every surface and balustrade, making it look like a fairytale wonderland. A band plays, and people are chatting and mingling, drinking champagne, and there’s a buzz of anticipation in the cool night air.
As we approach the party, people rush to congratulate us. “I’m so happy for you,” his mother, Trudy, coos.
“Thank you,” Sebastian replies, smiling widely.
“Congratulations,” Richard adds, with a smarmy grin. “And you too, little missy,” he adds, giving me a gross wink. “Taming the bachelor, eh? Well played, indeed.”
Eww.
I smile, and play along, picking out familiar faces in the crowd. As well as Sebastian’s family, I recognize some top players from Wolfe Capital… Bianca and Violetta, with their friends… plus important people from the London social scene: financiers, entrepreneurs with their model girlfriends, and even a few celebrities, too. It’s clearly the ticket of the season. Not a single person is here for me, of course, but that doesn’t matter.
They’re not guests—they’re witnesses, for what’s going to happen tonight.
I spot Lulu, over by the stage. “I just need to go powder my nose,” I tell Sebastian, and then leave him to field more praise, as I slip away to rendezvous with Lulu.
“This way,” I murmur, discreetly leading her inside the house, to a quiet corner just off the living room. When I’m sure we’re alone, I drop my voice. “Is it all set?” I ask.
Lulu nods and pulls a draft of the article she’s written out of her purse. “I’ve run everything past my editor and the legal department. The story is going to print tonight, which means it’ll be live online in… a few minutes.”
I take the draft and skim the article.
‘Wolfe Capital’s Killer Secrets!”the headline blares.
“Subtle,” I remark, pleased.
“Yeah, well, you said you wanted a splash,” Lulu replies.
