Page 80 of Billionaire Devil

“You like me incorrigible.”

“I’d like you a lot more if you didn’t suddenly consider yourself the supreme controller of my entire life.”

“I’m not controlling you, baby girl. I’m supporting you.”

“Isthatwhat you think this is?”

Her pout reminds me of that first day. Driving the open road, just me and her. But now the rest of the world is crashing into our perfect bubble. “Affirmative, Sunshine.” In my best Terminator voice.

She huffs and turns away from me, but I see it: the barely-there hint of a smile. “Fine. But donottell Jessie we got married. I want to be the one to do that.”

“I can agree to that.”

“Finally. He agrees to something. It’s a miracle.”

We’re descending now. The sprawling green lawn and the wide-open ocean. The rows of white chairs and the arch, next to the beach, covered in roses. Tables have been set up. Waitstaff are milling around and a few people are already arriving.

We’re in Malibu.

26

Saturday

Malibu, California

The helicopter landsand a woman with blond hair sprints from the house and down the lawn to greet us. She could only be Jessie. She screams with excitement when Lila disembarks, jumping up and down and then bear-hugging her.

Then she holds Lila’s shoulders and gives her a once-over. “Who is this glamorous New Yorker flying in on her private helicopter? Are you freaking kidding me with this shit?” She seems like she might burst with her enthusiasm.

And then Jessie’s glance slides to me, becoming both intrigued and wary. “And who is this mysterious plus one? Wait a minute! I know you! You’re Colton Maddox!”

It happens. I hold out a hand to shake hers. “It’s a pleasure, Jessie. Hope you don’t mind me crashing your wedding.”

To Lila, she whisper-screams, “Colton Maddox is your plus one! Holy shit!How did that happen? You twoknoweach other?”

“You could say that,” I drawl, and Lila gives me a don’t-you-dare-tell-her look.

“I’ve been waiting forhoursfor you to arrive,” Jessie gushes. “I’m about to put my dress on and Ineedyou.”

“And now I’m here.” Lila gives Jessie another hug. “I’m so excited for you.” Lila places her hand on Jessie’s stomach. She’s barely showing. “Hey, little baby, I can’t wait to meet you.”

But if I’m not mistaken, Lila’s expression has become distracted, like thoughts are going through her head she wishes weren’t.

“Colton, I need to steal Lila from you for an hour, but they’re setting up the bar over there and there are tables or there’s a path down to the beach. Jacob and his brothers should be down there somewhere.”

“I’ll be fine. You two go ahead.”

Lila’s eyes meet mine, but there’s nothing there I can take heart from. She’s completely shut me out.

She and Jessie walk back up to the house, their arms around each other. I can hear Jessie questioning Lila about me and our road trip.

I watch them for a few seconds, feeling strangely bereft.I’m trying to identify the feeling.We haven’t been apart for five whole days and I already miss her. My perfect little sweet, gorgeous addiction. I need my wife. She’s mine.

I need to get a grip.

Shaking my head because I’ve turned into a walking cliché, I do my best to cowboy the fuck up.

I’ll see her in an hour.

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