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“Thank you, Dad. And thank you all for being here today.” I launched into the speech. The cards were there, but I had it memorized.

“To love. To partnership. To falling and staying.”

“To love!” the crowd echoed, glasses raised.

The applause that followed was so different than the last time I stood in front of a crowd. It was a success. I could feel it in the energy of the room, see it in the way people’s eyes lit up when they looked at the rings.

But all I could think about was Beau.

I worked my way through the crowd, accepting more congratulations, answering questions from journalists, posing for photos that would end up on social media within the hour. The whole time, I kept track of where he was. Near the champagne station. Talking to my father. Examining one of the display cases with what looked like genuine interest.

Finally, I found a moment to slip away.

He saw me coming and straightened.

“I’m sorry,” I said. No preamble. No excuses. “I was awful to you earlier. You were trying to help, and I pushed you away, and you didn’t deserve that.”

His expression softened. “You had a lot going on. I know how important this is to you.”

“I told you I sucked at this whole relationship thing.”

“Practice makes perfect.”

“How can I make it up to you?”

His eyes dropped to my boobs and then back up to meet mine. “A bed.”

“Come again?”

“Let’s get out of here right now and find a bed.”

I laughed softly. I loved his one-track mind. Maybe because I’d been on the same track.

“Deal.”

31

BEAU

Igrabbed her hand and pulled her toward the side exit before anyone could stop us. The event was in full swing, champagne flowing, cameras flashing, but we slipped out like two teenagers ditching prom. Her fingers tightened around mine. I felt the same urgency thrumming through her that was already making my cock twitch in my slacks.

When I had propositioned her, I honestly thought she’d tell me hell no. But she didn’t.

My car was parked out back. We slid inside without a word. The engine roared to life and I peeled out of the lot. Darcy’s hand landed on my thigh, sliding higher until her fingertips were brushing over the erection that was trying to bust through my pants. I bit back a groan.

“Fuck, baby, not while I’m driving,” I muttered, but she just laughed, her palm cupping the growing bulge.

“Payback for earlier,” she said. “I was an asshole. Let me make it up to you.”

I found the nearest upscale hotel two blocks away, a sleek glass tower with valet out front. I tossed the keys to the attendant, grabbed her hand again, and strode straight to the desk. One night, executive suite, whatever they had. The clerk didn’t even blink when I slid my card across. Minutes later the elevator doors closed behind us. I had her pinned against the mirrored wall, my mouth on hers, tongue pushing deep.

I barely noticed the room. Didn’t give a shit about the decor. I kicked the door shut. She dropped to her knees right there on the carpet before I could even shrug off my jacket. Her fingers worked my belt open, zipper down, and then her hand wrapped around my cock, stroking once, twice, slowly and deliberately.

“Jesus, Darcy,” I hissed, fingers threading into her hair. “What the hell are you doing?”

“I want to,” she cut in, voice already husky. “I snapped at you. Let me suck your cock like I mean it.”

“Damn, dirty Darcy is impossible to turn down.”