Page 66 of Wed to You-
On the way to the bar, several people stopped and, like Marlena, were surprised by his marriage and thought Chelsea’s accent was darling. Chelsea tried not to be self-conscious even though everyone was looking at Jagger, wondering about the woman he married. She smiled, until she laid eyes on Lani Kane, a supermodel who had oncebeen photographed with Jagger at a of celebrity event. Looking at the beautiful waif who was giving Jagger a sensuous smile, Chelsea once again felt like a Southern frump. Lani probably had never eaten three pieces of pizza in her life, much less at one meal. Chelsea glanced at Jagger, but his eyes were focused on the bar.
“Scotch and...” He turned to Chelsea.
Deciding she needed to keep her wits about her to avoid losing control of her tongue, she opted not to have hard liquor. “Wine.”
Chelsea bit her lip and tried not to roll her eyes when the woman near the bar asked the bartender if he had moonshine for the “genuine Southern belle.”
When they had their drinks, Jagger steered her towards a corner, away from his father and Lani Kane. She scanned the rest of the party, noticing a celebutante and another model she’d once seen in the tabloids with Jagger.
He leaned toward her and whispered in her ear, “Don’t be self-conscious.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
He took her chin in his thumb and forefinger. “You’re as beautiful as any woman here.”
She would have snorted, except she was at a posh party. She reminded herself that she had a role to play; loving wife to Jagger. So she plastered on a smile and he rewarded her with a quick kiss.
“I know you’re not avoiding me.” A deep voice sounded behind Chelsea.
She looked up to Jagger, his eyes wary.
“Of course not.” Jagger pulled her next to him. His arm was tight around her, and she wondered if it was for her sake or his. “Chelsea, this is my father, Colin Talbot, and his wife, Gabrielle. This is my wife, Chelsea.”
Chelsea’s first impression of Jagger’s father was that he ate too much beta-carotene. She had never seen anyone so orange. Hehad jet-black hair that sat on his head like a helmet. Did he ever worry about it blowing away? His wife was elegant, as Chelsea had expected, except Chelsea couldn’t read her bland, yet smooth facial expression. Then she remembered Lexie explaining how Botox made it impossible to show expression.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Talbot.”
Collier Talbot took her hand in both of his and leaned forward, with a smarmy twinkle in his eye. “She’s not your usual type.”
Chelsea jerked back. “I think that’s why he married me.”
Collier threw his head back in a hearty laugh. “Oh, she’s fiery. All that red hair, I guess. I bet she’s a feisty one in bed—”
“Stop.” Jagger stiffened next to her. “For once in your life can you pretend to have manners?”
Collier rolled his eyes. Then he leaned toward Chelsea again with a conspiratorial gleam in his eyes. “If you ever want to know what it’s like with a real Talbot man, you let me know.”
Chelsea couldn’t stop from gaping. She looked to Gabrielle, who, if she was bothered by her husband propositioning his daughter-in-law, didn’t show it. She looked to Jagger, who had his eyes closed as if he was trying to calm himself or was maybe wishing he was anywhere but there.
Chelsea turned back to Colin, who stared at her with a smug expression, amused with himself. “Great day, ain’t that something? He thinks he can show me a better time than you, sugar.” Then she reached out and patted Colin on the arm. “Well, bless your heart.”
This time, Jagger barked out a laugh. He even pulled the handkerchief from his coat pocket to wipe his eyes. “Jesus, is it any wonder I married you.”
Colin jerked back, his brows furrowed in confusion. He was the butt of a joke and didn’t know it. Well, bless his heart again.
“Come on, Chels. You deserve another drink.”
“Jagger.” His father’s stern voice stopped Jagger. “We need to talk.”
“Not now. I’m on my honeymoon.”
“It’s important.”
Jagger was about to brush him off again, but Colin added. “It’s about Kaden.”
Chelsea realized that while she might be a target for Colin Talbot’s misogynistic, narcissistic behavior, Kaden was the weapon he used to control Jagger.
Jagger’s amusement fell away and Chelsea hated Colin for it. “Give me a minute. Go find Marlena. She’s safe.”
