Page 145 of The Billionaire Who Saved My Cat From The Mafia

The ceremony proper is over and my official duties are done for the time being.Eventually, I’ll have to stand in front of all these people and give a toast to the bride and groom.Yes, the MacLaine mime-in-residence has been asked to give a toast, and fuck my marking words, it’s gonna be lit.

But I take advantage of the lull to do something I’ve been dying to do for over an hour now.

I see Frankie talking with Dad and Phyllis.She’s so beautiful in that sky-blue patterned dress that I’m sweating in my monkey suit.Her hair is pulled back in some sort of soft bun at the nape of her seductive neck.She’s wearing the delicate gold necklace I got her when she was in the hospital.

It’s safe to say that from this angle, there’s nothing about the dress itself that draws the eye and shouts, “SEX!”I admit it took me a minute to see it.

Frankie had so much fun going shopping with Victoria and Phoebe to select her wedding guest dress.It was the first all-day outing she attempted since returning home from the hospital, and she came home exhausted but giddy.

Honestly, the way she talked about the dress, I expected something eye-popping.That’s why I was confused when I saw it on a hanger in the walk-in closet.I had to stare at it for a minute.

The fabric would match her eyes, and sure, it looked pretty in a one-shouldered, long, slit-skirt kind of way.But other than that, I didn’t see what the excitement was about.It looked kind of shapeless, honestly.

And then she put it on, and I forgot my fucking name.

“May I cut in?”I ask, grabbing Frankie’s hand without waiting for an answer.

“Your dad was just sharing his favorite dry rub recipe,” Frankie says as I pull her away.

“It’ll have to wait, Dad.I need Frankie for a second.”

“But I was getting to the smoked paprika, son.”

“I’ll have her back in a jiffy.”We jog hand-in-hand out of the barn and into the June afternoon.We weave through the guests enjoying cocktails outside while the caterers set up for dinner.

“Where are we going?”Frankie asks laughing.

“Somewhere private.”

“Good luck with that.Hey, wait.My heels are getting muddy.”

“Hop on, Boots.”

She giggles as she jumps on my back.Thanks to the thigh-high slit in her dress she can wrap her long legs around my waist.I feel her slender arms slip around my shoulders and her lips brush against the back of my neck.

“You clean up real good, cowboy,” she whispers in my ear.“You looked mighty handsome standing up there.”

“Aww shucks,” I say, scanning my surroundings.I don’t know the Travis Ranch well, but after attending all those summer carnivals here, I can find my way around well enough.And I think I remember a nice little grove of Aspen up the hill here.

I’m right.

I carry Frankie up the path and set her down on an old stone wall near a rippling creek.Sunlight filters down through the leaves and dances on her pale hair.The view from here is spectacular.

Because all I see is her.

“You seem very pensive today, MacLaine.”

“You know me—the strong, silent type.”

She looks up as a small smile quirks the corners of her lips.It’s been about a month since the night in Tahoe.She’s had no medical complications and she’s regaining her strength.

The swelling on her face is gone and only the barest hint of bruising is noticeable around her brow bone and jaw.She was self-conscious today, worried about concealing the small patches of yellow with makeup.

I told her she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.Ever will see.And it’s the truth.

I lean down to drop a soft kiss on her lips.As always, she returns the sentiment.My Frankie is gorgeous, warm, loving, and all in.

She’s all in it with me.