Escorting the Groom (The Escort Collection 4)

I was surprised at how many people had shown up on such short notice. I guessed their curiosity had gotten the better of them. Lucas Ford, ruthless loner billionaire, was finally tying the knot. I'd tried to avoid making eye contact with James and Audrey after we'd said our initial hellos. They knew the truth, and I didn't want to see the curiosity burning in their eyes. Everyone there was curious, but not for the same reason as my cousin and his ex-escort wife.

We were in a special outdoor section of The Warner—a beautiful, ethereal garden filled with twinkling white lights and flowers. Blake had chosen well. Even though we were in Vegas, the setting was classical, almost magic.

I felt excited, which annoyed me.

But all thought, rational and otherwise, ceased when the wedding march started and I saw Blake. She was standing at the top of the aisle, holding onto Jake for dear life. She looked magnificent in her wedding dress. I couldn't breathe, let alone think. Her long white gown fit her graceful figure like a glove. I could see every curve of her beautiful body, but the dress was so much more than just that. She was absolutely stunning in it. Her long blond hair was loose around her shoulders, and I saw my mother's bracelet sparkling on her wrist. When our eyes locked and she smiled at me, my heart stopped.

I briefly noticed my sister, who was looking at me with her brow furrowed, as if she couldn't piece something together. But I couldn't concentrate on anyone but Blake. She seemed to glide toward me, that same happy smile on her face as she looked at each of her bridesmaids. Jake was beaming the whole way down the aisle. I knew what he was thinking: that he was delivering the goods. I pushed my annoyance with him to the side. I was about to get married to the most beautiful woman in the world.

And I was a hell of a lot more excited than I should have been.

Blake finally reached me and handed her bouquet to Nikki, who was her maid of honor. Then she turned and grabbed my hands, holding on tight.

"Hi," I said stupidly.

"Hi." Blake’s smile was infectious. "Thank you for the gifts. They mean a lot."

"I know you're superstitious. And I wanted you to have my mother's bracelet."

"I'm touched. Truly," she said softly, squeezing my hands.

The justice of the peace came out, and everyone went quiet.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Blake Maxwell and Lucas Ford—"

Nikki suddenly turned and ran for the bushes behind the altar. She threw up noisily onto one of them. Everyone in the audience groaned.

"Amateur," Jake called, laughing.

She served him with a quick, fierce glare, wiped her mouth, looked at Blake apologetically, then grabbed the bouquets she'd dropped on the ground. "Well, go on," she said to the officiant.

He smiled at her with good humor, his eyes sparkling. "It's Vegas," he said to the crowd, shrugging. There were chuckles as Nikki took a brief, red-faced bow. "Now, let's try this again."

Blake and I each listened to the officiant and repeated our vows solemnly, our hands remaining clasped. I didn't take my eyes off of her once. She smiled the whole time, giving me strength and courage to recite the words in front of all of our guests. Then, finally, it was over.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant said, beaming. "You may now kiss the bride."

I wrapped my arms around Blake, careful of her dress, and pulled her to me. I put my lips against hers gently, but then she threw her arms around my neck and deepened the kiss. The crowd whooped and hollered as our kiss lingered. Blake's hands twined through the hair at the base of my neck. My whole body was on fire for her. I finally pulled back, embarrassed, but she had that same smile on her face. She laced her fingers through mine, and we turned to face our guests together, triumphantly, as husband and wife.

"Robert. So glad you could make it." I clapped my ex-brother-in-law on the back. He stood there stiffly. I pulled back and noticed that he had dark circles underneath his eyes. "How've you been?"

"Busy." He nodded. "Exhausted." He was an emergency room physician at Boston Medical, one of the biggest inner-city hospitals. "Congratulations, by the way. I never thought I'd see the day."

"Me either. But Blake's special."

"I'll say. She's even gotten Serena to behave somewhat." We watched as my new wife and his ex briefly chatted about something. Serena actually laughed. Robert turned back to me. "Why did you invite me to your wedding?"

I leveled him with a stare. "Why did you come?"

He turned back toward my sister. "I think you know why."

I clapped him on the shoulder. "Go have a drink with her. You know she's nicer when she's wasted."

Robert scrubbed a hand across his face. "Not always." But he headed toward my sister nonetheless. Blake looked up at me then and smiled, making my heart seize. My stupid fucking heart couldn't seem to get this straight. It was a pity that I couldn't fire both it and my cock. They were both giving me a hell of a time.

Wine? Please? Blake mouthed, and I nodded, heading to the bar.

"Not only are you an amateur, you're a libertarian," Jake was telling Nikki. "And I can't believe you didn't vote for me. Frankly, I'm disappointed in you."