Page 18 of Seduced By You

I couldn’t agree more. The best woman was standing right in front of me. No fucking contest.

Damn Fenella.

Lee’s relaxed and joyous mood vanished in the face of that woman’s cruelty. I hated that she allowed these stuck-up English “toffs” to get to her. They’d better fucking watch out, because I intended to make sure Lee emerged from that wedding not only with the upper hand but also with Benedict ruing the day he’d let the most incredible woman slip through his fingers.

Lee threw her phone onto the couch. I got to my feet and held out my arms.

“Come here.”

She hesitated, only for a split second, before wrapping her arms around my waist. “I hate them.”

“It’ll be okay. We’ll show them both you’re the better person.”

I stroked her hair, burying my nose in the silky strands. I doubted she’d notice the intimacy, but if she did, I’d tell her it was more practice.

I wished she were mine.

I wished I deserved a woman as good as this one.

I wished for a lot of things that wouldn’t come true, but that didn’t stop me from wallowing in the fantasy.

She sniffed, tightening her arms around me. “Perhaps I shouldn’t go.”

Coldness hit my chest. Not again. Every time I thought the issue was settled, something came up to snatch away the dream. This was my one and only chance to create memories to fulfill a lifetime of yearning. I couldn’t let a single text from Fenella ruin my chance at pretending Lee was mine, nor hers at getting the closure so badly warranted.

I leaned back and clipped a finger under Lee’s chin. “And let her know you’re still hurt by what he did? No, babe. That’s not what you do. What you do is walk in there with your head held high, like the fucking queen you are, and you show that bastard that you’re the one who had the lucky escape. You’re the one who’s glad he’s too blinded by his political ambitions to realize what he had. That’s what you do.”

Releasing her, I picked up her phone and handed it over. “Reply to her text.”

“And say what?”

“Tell her you’re delighted to come and share in her special day. That you’re looking forward to it.”

“What, no sarcasm?”

I grinned. “None. Trust me, this will infuriate her far more than if you rise to the bait. Because that’s why she sent the text. To goad you into a response. Don’t give her the satisfaction. Be the bigger person. That’s how you win this game.”

“You sound as if you have experience, Kingcaid.”

I laughed. “It’s like business. Never let the person sitting on the other side of the boardroom table know what your angle is. You smile sweetly, and when they least expect it, you play the winning hand.” Bending down, I kissed her forehead. “Send the text.”

She rubbed her lips together, then tapped out a message on her phone. “Done. I’ll show her who the best damned woman is.”

“That’s my girl.”

If only.

“Right. Get ready to have your socks blown off, Kingcaid, because I’m going to show that fucker what he threw away.”

She’d already blown my socks off, and they weren’t the only thing on the cusp of an explosion.

Five minutes of picturing balance sheets and Dad’s five-year business plan, and I’d gotten myself somewhat under control. Until, that was, Lee reappeared in a sleeveless, one-shoulder, floor-length purple gown with ruffles on one side and at the waist.

But that wasn’t the jaw-dropping part of the dress. No, that part was how it cut away from midthigh almost up to her hip, showing off legs for days.

Days and days and days.

Tanned. Shapely. Gorgeous.

---