Page 32 of Wicked Lord

“True…” The hint of a smile ghosted over his lips. “And you’re sure Cordi’s going to be there?”

“She sure is. I already checked the RSVP list, Cordelia Chesson plus one.”

“Fuck,” he growled. “Who the hell is she bringing now?”

I shrugged, a tiny pang niggling at my insides. Why were girls so stupid? How could Cordi not see what a great guy she had?

“I’m not sure, but it doesn’t matter. I’m going to look so hot, Vanderhart, that she won’t be able to keep her eyes off us. I’ll be on you like a bitch in heat.”

That scowl flipped into a smile that reached all the way up to his bright blue eyes, setting them ablaze. “I don’t doubt that, blondie. You do know how to fill out a fancy gown.”

That warm gaze turned feral as it raked over my coral dress, lingering on the sheer lace at the neckline.

A twinge of heat surged up my neck at that ravenous look so I blurted the first thing that came to mind. “Since we’ll be seen a lot in public, we need to make sure the PDAs seem natural.”

“Agreed.” He threw his thumb over his shoulder at the diner. “I think we did a pretty good job back there, don’t you?”

“Umhmm.” I’d never admit my surprise at what a great kisser he was.

“That doesn’t sound very convincing…”

A laugh tumbled out, and I punched him in his rock-hard chest. “No, you were great. It’ll just take a minute for us to be more comfortable around each other.”

“You know what they say about practice…”

My jaw nearly unhinged at the flirty sparkle in his eye. “Oh, my God, Axel, are you flirting with your girlfriend?”

The warm chuckle resonated through his massive chest, the honeyed sound doing strange things to my bruised and battered heart. “Nah, of course not. I’m just saying I’m sure we’ll get better as we go.”

“Right. Definitely.”

Axel pushed off the car and stood over me, that warm smile still lighting up his face. We remained like that for a long minute,his eyes boring into mine like he could break down my carefully constructed walls and find the real me.

When I couldn’t take the intense scrutiny for another moment, I blurted, “Just remember we shouldn’t practice too much. We can’t have you catching feelings for me.”

He blew me a kiss before he slowly turned and walked to his car. “If anyone was going to fall for anyone,” he tossed over his shoulder, “it would be you for me. I’ve been told I’m downright irresistible, Battenberg.”

Spinning his head back around, he marched toward his Jeep. I couldn’t help but trail his broad shoulders and the sharp cut of his narrow hips. Not only was Axel gorgeous and rich, but he was sweet, and completely down to earth. He was the only one of all our asshole friends who didn’t wear his wealth on his sleeve.

Yup, Cordelia was an idiot.

CHAPTER 14

NOT A MIRACLE WORKER

Axel

Our first official outing as a couple, and I’d barely seen my girlfriend. After we walked into the extravagant mansion, surrounded by flawlessly cultivated gardens, Lorelei vanished in a swirl of pink and gold silk. I caught her a few times fluttering around the enormous space like a busy bee, ensuring everything was impeccable.

That girl did not tolerate anything less than perfection. It was kind of cute.

A smile hitched the edges of my lips while I grabbed a flute of champagne from the passing waiter’s tray. Antiques glittered under the chandelier lights as Copper Cove’s high society—dressed in overpriced formalwear—perused the tables set up for the silent auction to raise funds for breast cancer. A sea of pink decorated the grandiose marble ballroom, from the tablecloths to the flowers, the curtains, and even specialty cocktails Lorelei had designed.

As the perfect boyfriend, I had enough foresight to add a pink bow tie to my black tux. Lorelei’s beaming grin when she noticed had my knees a little weak. If blondie flashed that smile more often, she could rule the world.

The champagne fizzed over my tongue and down my throat as I searched for Cordelia. Where the hell was she, and who was her plus one?

Micah Preston materialized in front of a long table of bronze figurines and statues that had probably been collecting dust in some millionaire’s mansion before donating them to the auction. I sauntered toward the new Serpents & Daggers brother, attempting to keep a casual air. Maybe Cordi came with him.