Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22835 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“What’s up?” I say into the phone as I put down the champagne glass and try not to focus on the potential security guard. I can feel his gaze on me and he’s not going anywhere until I acknowledge him.
“I was wondering if you had plans tonight.”
“If I have plans tonight?” I repeat what Jack said, unsure if I heard him right. I might not be looking at the handsome man in the suit, but he’s holding all of my attention. I can’t think straight.
“Yeah, I was near your place and thought—”
“My place?” I cut him off, wondering how the hell he knows where I live. Before I can ask him, the phone is pulled from my hand.
I stand there in shock, looking up at the giant in all black. All he needs is a pair of glasses and he really would look like he was with the FBI or something. I guess our wedding crashing days are over. We’ve been caught. I wonder what the charges will be.
“You’re not coming to her place,” his deep voice thunders into the phone, making my eyes widen in shock. He hits end on the call before handing the phone back to me and I take it from him automatically.
“Thanks?” I say, but it comes out squeaky. He got me off the phone with Jack, but he stole it right out of my hand.
It’s not like I can start throwing accusations around because I’m not supposed to be here.
Chapter Five
Hank
“You want to tell me who you’re here with?” I can’t place her and I don’t see her here with a date and it’s clear from that phone call she’s got admirers left, right, and center. “Your blonde friend doesn’t look familiar either.”
“Nikki? Which way did she go?” She looks around me with a worried expression and I fight a smile.
“Don’t you worry about her. I think she’s in good hands.” I saw her earlier circling the dance floor. The last I saw, my cousin Dean was about to close in on her.
“Look, just let me go and I promise I’ll never do it again.”
“Do what again?” I cock my head to the side and fight a smile. “And why would I ever let you go? I’ve been chasing you all over this crowded ballroom.” I step closer as I reach out and touch her chin so she has to look up at me. “Now that I’ve got you, I have no intentions of setting you free.”
My chest does that weird tight thing again and I have to take a breath. The closer I get to her, the stronger it feels and for half a second I wonder if I’m having a heart attack.
“But don’t you want to kick me out?” Confusion clouds her face, but she doesn’t make a move to pull away.
“Why would I want to do that?” I can’t keep the laughter out of my voice this time. “Besides, you haven’t even had any of the cake.”
She freezes at my words and her eyes widen. “Do I know you?”
There’s something about her that is so familiar, it’s like I’ve known her my whole life. But as I run my hand down her arm and twine my fingers with hers, I shrug.
“It feels like it, doesn’t it?” I lead her to where the caterers are set up and they’re cutting the dessert. “What’s your name?”
“Sugar,” she says, and I see her try to hide her blush.
“I should have guessed.” I lick my lips, wondering just how sweet she tastes.
“Hey, Hank, what can we get for you?” the server asks. He was the one who helped me bring the cake in earlier.
“How about a little of everything?” I look down at Sugar and her eyes widen again, but she smiles and nods.
“Coming up,” the guy says as he reaches behind him to grab two full-size dinner plates instead of the small ones for dessert and serves us up a slice from every layer.
“Perfect.” I nod to him as I pass a plate to Sugar, and I take the other as I hold on to her hand and lead her through the crowd.
There’s a garden outside with a fountain and benches set up nearby. When a waiter passes by us, I ask him to bring us two glasses of champagne outside and he follows us.
“Thanks,” I say to him as Sugar takes a seat and places one of the flutes beside her.
I take the seat next to her and put my glass down on the ground as the waiter leaves us in the quiet. The sun has completely set and the stars are beginning to show. The soft sound of the fountain is in the background and the glow from the wedding inside highlights her body.
“Oh shoot, we didn’t get forks.” There’s a sadness to her voice as she looks longingly down at the cake.