Page 5 of Seduced By You

Oof. Just what I’ve always wanted.

“Stop. You’re making me blush.” I tapped my finger against the card, an idea developing in my mind, one that was more insane than Benedict inviting his ex to his wedding after the way he’d ended it, but it would give me a chance to get close to Lee. As close as I deserved.

Would it make me a bastard? Probably. But I’d lived through rock bottom. What else did I have to lose?

“Want to know what I think you should do about this?”

“Burn it?”

“I think you should go.”

Her eyebrows flew up her head. “Thenyou’rethe insane one. Why the hell would I do that? So Benedict can humiliate me some more?”

“Hear me out. What’s the best way to get back at an ex, and one who admitted he only dumped you for this new chick because her daddy could do more for his career than you could?”

Jesus, saying it out loud served as further evidence of how much of a fucking dick Benedict Oberon was.

She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “Enlighten me, oh wise one.”

“You turn up to his wedding with a new flame. One who’s richer, more successful, and better looking than him. One who will treat you like a queen and show him what he gave up in the name of ambition.”

She rubbed her furrowed forehead. “And, pray tell, where do I find this godlike creature?”

I’m going to hell.

I pointed at myself.

Lee laughed. “You’re not serious.”

I tried not to let her reaction slice my already damaged heart into a million pieces. “Deadly. We know each other well enough to pull this off, and imagine the fun we’d have.”

“You’re nuts.”

“Think about it.”

She got to her feet, shaking her head. “Mad, mad American.”

“Promise me you’ll think about it.”

Suddenly, persuading Lee to be my fake girlfriend overtook every rational thought inside my brain. It was a ridiculous, stupid idea, but that wouldn’t stop me. Pretending Lee was mine, even for a short time, might be the closest I ever got to living out my fantasies. And who knew? Faking it might lead to us making it.

I didn’t deserve her, but that wouldn’t stop me from giving it all I had to win her heart.

She gave me a quizzical look, followed by another shake of her head. “Nothing to think about. I’m not going. End of story.”

Pivoting, she left my office with a cheery wave over her shoulder, leaving hope scattered like confetti behind her.

Chapter3

Leesa

Ohh, buddy.

You messed with the wrong chick.

“Mr. and Mrs. Devereaux.Welcome to Kingcaid Saint Tropez.” I handed our VIPs (or Vee Eye Pees, according to Claudine, which cracked me up every time I thought about it) glasses of crisp champagne. “I’m Leesa Alarie, the operations manager. We’re so pleased to have you.” I beckoned to our bellhop, who scurried over to take their bags. “Please follow me. Your bungalow is ready for you.”

Kadon’s beach club had various levels of membership. The lower levels entitled guests to use the main pool, the day beds, two of the restaurants, and direct access to the private beach. They could pay an extra six hundred euros for a cabana, which included a ceiling fan, a refrigerator stocked with a variety of soft drinks, a phone, and a fifty-inch TV. From there, levels of service and comfort increased. Those who paid an extortionate membership fee received access to a private bungalow, boasting a sitting area, a bedroom and a fully equipped bathroom, complimentary spa treatments, and a butler who attended to their every whim.

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