The Pretend Billionaire Groom: Finding The Love Of Your Life Series, #2

Chapter 1

DYLAN HAD JUST PROPOSED to me, and I said yes. But the more I thought about it, the more I knew I couldn’t ruin his life like that. I didn’t want him to feel like an absolute idiot tomorrow. Maybe I was overthinking it. I didn’t want to force his hand into anything.

Do you always hit on girls like this? I asked.

Hey! Dylan said with a slight slur. I don’t hit girls. Not ever. No man should ever hit a woman.

Lily started laughing. You are so drunk! That’s not what she meant.

I’m trouble, I said, gazing into Dylan’s eyes. You wouldn’t want to get involved with me. I suck at relationships. Just like Tommy. It’s why neither one of us got married. And because I’m trouble, I didn’t mind marrying trouble. I looked at Dylan. But you’re not trouble. You’re the complete opposite. And I can’t mess up your life.

You have your life together, he said.

Not really. I might be a vet and have a house, but I go out way too much. I drink way too much. I party way too much. I can’t keep a guy. My life is a mess. I think Tommy and I are co-dependent. We’re unstable, so we lean on each other.

Lily lifted her hand. Uh, just for the record, you’re much more stable than Tommy. You paid his electric bill last month when they were going to shut it off.

A handsome man dropped his wallet and Lily went over to help him. Of course, drunk Lily would strike up a conversation with the guy.

My hands trembled as I pondered. No. No. No. No. No. Trapping a billionaire is not my proudest moment.

Dylan moved his thumb slowly over my jaw. You’re not trapping me, darling.

We had one of those movie moments where your gazes lock, and you stare into each other’s eyes. The feel of his arms holding me was nothing short of amazing. I was completely under his spell. How could I fight against such an intense connection? I wanted to kiss him so bad, and I’m sure he wanted the same thing. I wanted to kiss him. Right here. Right now. Right. This. Second.

He can’t keep his hands off me. I know his lips can’t be far behind.

I imagined his finger traveling from my collarbone down to my stomach. Wait! Erase that. I could do better than that! Okay, I imagined his hot tongue trailing expertly down my body, leaving a long trail of heat. All kinds of images flashed across my mind. Man, oh, man! If I could only have one passionate night with Dylan Murphy, I’d take it in a heartbeat. I’d cherish every kiss and every touch. And even if we parted as friends, I’d never forget it. Not ever.

I smiled sweetly at him. My face was so close to his. I could swear the man was chiseled to perfection. He shot me a sexy smile as he slid his arm around my waist. My stomach fluttered at his touch. I stared at his lips, full, luscious, and only inches away, knowing that I could claim them if I wanted to. By the lust in his eyes, I knew he wouldn’t deny me. He ran his hands up and down my body, sending chills. I enjoyed feeling so close to him, pressed against his muscular chest. I was dying to touch his toned abs and powerful arms. His hair fell in waves to his shoulders, and his piercing gaze bore into mine.

Why did he look this hot?

He leaned in, closed his eyes, and inhaled deeply. You smell great.

Thanks.

It was an excuse to get up-close and personal while testing the waters, and my comfort level by moving into my personal space. I might not get married tonight, but I could possibly get laid by the man of my dreams. Now that’s a great consolation prize! And totally worth it, even if I did lose my inheritance.

Let’s get married, he purred.

You just want the honeymoon, I teased.

Do you know how hot honeymoon sex is? he asked in a low, sexy voice.

I grinned. No, do you?

He brushed his lips against mine in a soft, gentle, close mouth kiss. I wanted him...more than anything.

But I couldn’t make him marry me.

I don’t want you to be my partner in crime, I whispered. I care about you too much for that.

But you’ll let Tommy? Dylan asked, running his fingers down my face.

He’s different. He doesn’t have a life. And you might agree with my thought process if you were sober.

Lily returned. That guy was a loser! He said, ‘Hey, babe, lift up your shirt?’

The man she was talking with had disappeared down the street. Lucky. Because I would’ve personally kicked his butt.

I broke away from Dylan’s embrace. I’m an idiot for asking you to marry me.

I asked you, he corrected me.

You’re everything a girl could want, the hottest bachelor around. I’m sure women fall at your feet. Why didn’t you ever get married? I curiously asked.

His intense gaze focused on me. "Because none of them were you."

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes.

I wish we were sober, I said.

And I’d still feel the same way.

Lily fell into me, and my head accidentally hit the brick wall.

Are you ladies okay? Dylan asked.

I regained my balance. Yep, we’re good.

Lily laughed.

Getting drunk is always a disaster, I said.

Okay, so you lost the mermaid bra when you were drunk that one time, but...

Lily! I pointed toward Dylan. Possible fiancé standing right here! My soon-to-be-husband doesn’t need to hear my deep, dark secrets when I got wasted and how I lost my most cherished bra. I then patted Dylan’s arm. No offense sweetie.

None taken.

And I apologize. Why is it drama and alcohol are always best friends? I asked.

Two pairs of hands flashed out to grab me as I tripped drunkenly toward the street. They angled me instead towards a lone square yard of grass—a solitary monument to nature in a city corrupted by disco and machinery.

Thanks, Dylan.

Hey! Hands off the merchandise! Lily said. You’re not married yet. Dylan immediately took his hands off of me, and she continued. Rose isn’t easy. She wants to give herself to her husband, body and soul. So she’s waiting until her wedding night... Which very well could be tonight!

Blushing, I playfully slugged Lily.

She nudged me. But anyway, back to the topic at hand. Marrying Dylan Murphy. Rose—it’s not a bad idea. So stop playing hard to get! Besides, you know I’m way better at it! She grinned as she plopped down beside me, tilting dizzily to the side. I mean, you were going to marry Tommy because you knew him, right? Why not Tom?

You mean, Dylan, I corrected. Why not Dylan?

Exactly! Her face lit up. Sorry, I’m a little drunk. But why not Dylan? Besides, she lowered her voice conspiratorially, despite the fact that the billionaire in question was sitting just a foot or so away, you remember our little talk in the bridal boutique? About this being the city where anything could happen? What I meant by that was—

I clapped a hand over her mouth, determined not to let her finish. Instead, I turned to Dylan—who by now—was just as drunk as me.

Why would you do something like this? I asked pointedly.

You already asked him that, Lily laughed. He said why. Because he should’ve been the one to take you to the prom.

I turned to Dylan. We haven’t seen each other in years. Why would you do something this huge for me? You didn’t get to take me to prom and see me in a poofy dress, so...

I get to see you in another poofy dress, this one preferably white.

"This isn’t a competition thing between you and Tommy, is it? He got prom pictures with me, and you outdo him by getting wedding pictures with me."

Lily finished off the bottle of beer she was drinking. Yep! That definitely beats Tommy. I will hold Dylan’s hand up in victory and congratulate him.

We passed by a few passed-out people on the stairs.

Why are steps a magnet for drunks? Lily asked.

I chuckled. They either fall, or say, ‘Oh, look, a bed!’ My attention then drifted back to Dylan. C’mon, possible future husband. I need a real answer. Why do you want to do this? Is it liquid courage? I need complete and utter brutal honesty.

He thought for a moment before his lips turned up in a smile. Because you’re the girl I used to throw crawdads at when we played by the pond. Because that’s how little boys tell little girls they like them.

Okay...sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.

Lily melted into an emotional wreck behind me, as I tried to keep it together.

And I think you might’ve liked me too, he said.

What makes you say that? I asked.

His eyes twinkled. Because you used to throw crawdads at me, too.

I smirked.

He laughed softly and offered out his hand. What do you say, Rose? Do you want to get married?

Lily was nodding so hard behind him that I thought her head might fall off.

With a shy smile, I placed my hand in his. Okay.

Wait! Lily said. Tommy sprang for professional pictures. It comes with the package. You take them now, and pick them up tomorrow.

No pictures, I said. My eyes will look horrible.

Gotta have pics! Lily insisted. For the lawyers. We’ll get you in different poses, like Dylan kissing you, or you gazing into his eyes.

Sure.

She playfully tapped me. Fate tried to screw you by taking Tommy out of the equation. But we rigged it up anyway. We’re just that good.

She gave me a fist bump.

I looked up at the sky. I defy you, fate!

We both laughed. 

Chapter 2

WE DIDN’T WASTE ANY time. A hair stylist did my makeup, nails, and hair, and then I slipped into my beautiful white wedding gown. She then did Lily’s hair and makeup while I pounded a few Jäger shots. Dylan said I deserved anything I wanted on my wedding day. It was so nice of him to line all this up. He called his assistant and she made all the arrangements. We couldn’t thank him enough.  

You look beautiful, Lily said.

Thank you.

You need something blue and something old, she said. I got the perfect thing!

She handed me her blue suede heels. I brought these to wear with that blue dress, you know the one. But I ended up going with the red one. Anyway, they’re old, but I love them. And they’re blue! So there ya go.

They’re perfect! Now I can go meet Elvis in my blue suede shoes.

She hugged me. You’re my best friend, and I love you so much. I’m so happy for you!

Her speech was interrupted by a knock on the door. I was even more surprised when a bouquet was dropped off by a flower shop. Dylan had been making lots of phone calls. I now had a gorgeous pastel wedding bouquet with pink king protea, pink tulips, pink garden roses, pink lilies, ivory roses, and Queen Anne’s lace and greens. It was romantic, chic, and whimsical. And it matched perfectly with Lily’s dress.

If I catch this thing, I’m throwing it back, Lily chuckled.

Since you’re the only one in attendance, there’s a good chance you’ll be the one to catch it. But have no fear, we skipped the reception.

Boy, I dodged a bullet, huh?

Okay, I can do this, I said, looking into the mirror. Fake it until you make it, right?

I’m hungry.

It was hard to keep Lily focused.

Now all we need is something greasy and delicious to eat, she said. I’m thinking pulled pork sandwiches. We can gorge ourselves on the messiest, most delicious pork around at that whatchamacallit? That place we saw!

Okay, honey. But I have to get married first, I said sweetly. Remember? ’Cause I got five million dollars riding on it.

Oh my gosh! You’re getting married. I’m so happy for you two!

It’s pretend, remember?

Oh, yeah. She winked. But you’re still going to have a honeymoon, right? Because that man is so hot.

I’ve thought about it long and hard. But I didn’t want to dig this hole any deeper. This needed to be a business arrangement and nothing more. I talked to Dylan on the phone. He’s cool with it.

This is strictly business? C’mon!

It is! I insisted. We don’t want to ruin our friendship.

She smirked. Strictly business? Then why is he crushing on you?

"Was he really?"

Yes!

Are you just really tipsy or full-on ‘uh-oh!’ drunk?

I think we both know that I’m uh-oh drunk. See? I embrace my drunkenness.

I get it. You own it. You better switch to water.

I’ll drink a Bud Light, cuz it’s mostly water, right? Anyway, back to the topic at hand. He really was checking you out. And you’ve had a crush on him for how long? And when he was on that cover of, uh, that whatchamacallit magazine? Anyway, you always kept that magazine in your desk. I don’t think you ever got over him. You should’ve told him how you felt back in high school. And I mean, come on, he threw crawdads at you. That proves he’s always loved you. You two are like star-crossed lovers. So maybe it’s time for the universe to get it right.

I laughed. This is how it’s going to play out. I’m going to get happily married, then happily rich, then happily divorced. And I’ll never be able to thank Dylan enough.

She grinned widely. "Keep telling yourself that, but you kissed him in the shower. And you liked it!"

Stop it! I said, playfully swatting her.

Did you like it?

I loved it!

"I knew it!"

We better go, I said. Dylan just texted me. He’s downstairs with the limo.

Limo? she squealed in shock. Can I stick my head out the window and scream hello to everyone?

Absolutely not.

She smiled, then pouted. You’re such a party-pooper.

Chapter 3

THERE WAS NO CHAMPAGNE, but truth be told, we had all ingested so much liquor over the course of an hour, we were set for at least the next month.

Dylan’s eyes lit up the second he saw me. He kissed my hand like in those romantic movies. You look stunning, Rose. You make a beautiful bride.

I smiled. Thanks. And you look dashing and handsome in your tux.

Thank you.

And I meant every word. I’d never been with a man so drop-dead gorgeous. He then pulled out a wedding ring set and my jaw dropped to the ground. This had to be a dream! I couldn’t stop admiring the wedding set.

I was completely shocked. Ooh shiny! Wow! They’re gorgeous! When did you find time to pull this one off?

Dylan grinned. Lily gave me your ring size. And I just worked a little magic.

Thank you, I said as tears welled up in my eyes. "I didn’t expect anything like this. You sure know how to keep surprising me, Dylan. Thank