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She pushes the door open and pokes her blonde head in with a proud smile brightening her face. The staff like her who’ve worked with me since I was an infant are loving the fact that I’m engaged. They were the first to know, and of course they’re celebrating like it’s real.
“Everything okay?” I take a drag on my cigar.
“Perfect. Just letting you know River is ready and she looks absolutely breathtaking. You will be a hundred percent satisfied with your bride-to-be.”
I return her smile and set down my drink. I have no doubts that River looks breathtaking or that I’ll be satisfied. The problem is being overly satisfied.
“Thank you. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“No worries. Have fun at the fundraiser.” She places a hand on her pearls and grins back at me. “I’m sure everyone will be so excited to hear the news of your engagement. Congratulations again.”
That would be the millionth time she’s congratulated me. I didn’t know so many were eager to see me married off. I suppose most of the people around me are like parents and grandparents who wish you well no matter how ruthless you can be at times.
“I appreciate that.”
“See you later,” she pipes, clasping her hands together in glee.
Millie leaves on that note. I down my drink and take one last drag on my cigar before I put it down and leave, too.
When I reach the hallway with the grand sweeping staircase that won me over in buying this place, I’m just in time to watch River making her descent.
As I stare at her in the silver-slash-nude strapless gown hugging her body, my mind goes numb, and all my thoughts evaporate.
Literally every ounce of thought I’ve carried in my mind all day, it’s gone, and my only focus is her.
The gown has a bodice and a long flowing skirt covered in gemstones from head to toe. The thigh-high split gives a great view of her sun-kissed legs, and fuck me, that bright red hair pulled back in a high ponytail completes the look of temptation.
To say River looks breathtaking doesn’t come close. This woman has a body made for sin, and poor souls like me are fucking hopeless in her mere presence.
She gives me a tight-lipped smile when she sees me, which grows into something more polite when she reaches me, reminding me that she’s still mad at me for the way I spoke to her on Saturday.
“Hi.” She sounds mad, too. She was a little perkier on the phone earlier, so I thought she’d be less tense.
“Hey, you look great.” I’m trying for subtle.
“Thank you.” Her tone is simple, and I can tell that once again, she has no idea whatsoever of the effect she has on people or how stunning she is. “Ready when you are.”
“That would be now.”
I put my hand out to take hers. She gives me her dainty hand with the engagement ring on it—myengagement ring. Something primal flashes through me at the sight of it on her finger, knowing it makes her mine. That’s real. I’m looking at it on her body. A symbol that she belongs to me regardless of the arrangements we’ve made.
God help me tonight. I think this is going to be so much harder than I thought.
River St. James is the chink in my armor.
But then she always was.
ChapterTwenty
Jericho
We go outside, where George is waiting in the Maybach.
We get in, then we’re off, but I’m fucked because I can’t stop looking at her.
The drive to the Astoria is an hour and a half in the evening traffic. I’ve spent forty-five minutes of that time stealing glances at my wife-to-be while we drive in silence.
She’s been looking out the window, and I’ve been shamelessly staring at her breasts, the curves of her waist and hips, then down to the smooth skin of her thighs where the dress splits.
