Page 55 of One Wealthy Wedding

“Arnold Worth the Fourth. A pompous name, right? It’s a family name. He’s a prick. Takes after his father. I publicly refused him. He’s the one who gave quotes to the paper about us.”

The tightness in my chest eases somewhat at Cat’s obvious distaste. “So you never…?”

“What?” She makes a choked noise between a laugh and a snort. “Liked him? Kissed him? Got within even a hundred feet of an altar? Hell no.” She presses her head back to the seat, smiling faintly. Her delicate throat is bared, and that smile makes her look like a siren. “You know I don’t want to be married, right?” She’s still smiling when she looks at me. “I would have enlisted in the army before marrying Arnold Worth, but marriage has never been my goal.”

“Why?”

“I don’t need anyone telling me what to do. Marriage is just another way to control you, especially if you’re a woman, and especially if you come from my world. Sit there, look pretty, host events, wear the dresses and the ring, look the other way when he takes a mistress.” Her face shutters. “No thanks.” She’s fingering the ring like it’s a weight she can’t forget.

“We can get you something different,” I say abruptly.

“What?”

I gesture toward her hand. “I thought we should go with the largest because it’s the thing to do, but if you want something different, we can swap it. Some women don’t even wear them. You don’t have to. After tonight. We can make something up.”

She scans my face, smiling faintly. “That’s okay, Theo. Let’s sell this. It’s not permanent, after all.”

“Right,” I say. “Let’s sell this.”

19

Cat

I’d never admit it, but I’ve been dreading this event. I’m grateful for the dress and the way it makes me stand a little taller. I feel like a gladiator entering the ring—ready to face my fate with my chin held high.

“Theo. If there’s more gossip—”

“I know.” His hand on mine tightens. It’s comforting. Theo might be my fake husband, but he won’t leave me behind. Not tonight, at least. I’m grateful to be part of the bubble that surrounds him as we enter the ballroom. He gets us champagne from a passing waiter, and I try not to stare at him as he takes a long swallow.

Theo in a tux is dangerous to any woman’s health. He should come with warnings. Staring directly at Theo Archer in a bow tie may cause heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, and a sensation of heaviness in your limbs. His sun-streaked hair is full of product that keeps it pushed off his face. And with his high forehead bared and his cheekbones sharper than usual under the lights of the event, he looks like a king. A wicked king with the way he’s smiling as he looks around.

“Don’t tell me you actually enjoy things like this,” I say before sipping my own champagne. It’s good. Not great, but good. Charities never spring for the really expensive stuff. It’s a fine line to walk between pleasing your donors and appearing fiscally responsible.

“You don’t? But they’re so fun. So many ways to get into trouble.” He winks, and my stomach flutters. Add stomach flutters to the list of symptoms. And dry mouth, while you’re at it.

“Trouble? No, it’s more like…the perfect place to hear people talk behind your back and mock your outfit. Boring conversation and counting down the minutes until it’s over.”

“You’ve never been to one of these with me,” he counters. “Stick with me, princess. I’ll show you a good time.” His gaze goes over my shoulder. “There’s Lorenzo. Come here.”

I step closer.

“No, closer, darling.” He purrs the last words, and the flutters turn into freefall. His hand lands on the small of my back, a heated weight through the wool of the dress. “Pretend to like me, Cat. Can you blush on command?” He smiles at me, and I’m frozen.

I’m surrounded by Theo—the scent of his cologne—citrus and amber—the heat of his body, the weight of his gaze.

“I don’t think so,” I say faintly.

“You’re a crappy actress, darling. I guess I’ll have to do this all on my own.” He sips his champagne and brushes his thumb under my jaw. “I like your dress tonight. You look like a queen. An angry, vengeful queen.”

“I don’t mind that.”

His smiles grows. He leans in, splaying his hand against my back and pushing me into his hard body. “I like that image too,” he whispers in my ear. “But if I had my way, there’d be no dress. You’d be naked, just like you were earlier. You can keep the bracelets, though. Those are hot.” Heat is swirling in my stomach at his words, the reaction I know he wants. He’s doing this for show. He wants to make me blush and squirm, and I’m there. I’m so there. “Imagine it. You with just your jewelry and that pretty black thong you had on earlier. Straddle me, baby. That’s it.” His voice goes low and rough, and holy shit, the underwear Theo is talking about is wet. I know I’m blushing, because my chest is hot and my pulse is pounding.

“That is never going to happen,” I whisper, smile firmly in place. “I’d rather sleep on your roof than be naked on your lap.” I have to regain control. Poke at Theo before he totally drags me under.

“Oh, baby,” he breathes. He pulls back. His cheekbones are red, and his eyes are bright. “Don’t tease me. No, don’t step away.” He laughs softly and tightens his hand on my back. “I went too far, and now I’m dealing with…unintended consequences.” He flashes me a naughty smile.

“You’re hard,” I whisper.

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