Escorting the Groom (The Escort Collection 4)

"Good," James said. "Now please leave us alone. This is date night."

"I think we need to be alone, too." I grabbed Blake's hand and pulled her toward the elevator, making sure no one was watching us make our exit. I wanted to escape the crowd and be alone with her, and I didn't want any more cheering.

"Yes, sir." Blake beamed. "Or should I just start calling you husband?" She drank some more wine, and I could tell that she was a little tipsy.

"How about I call you Mrs. Ford, and you can call me Mr. Ford?"

"It's impersonal. Therefore, I like it." Blake drained her glass as the elevator doors closed.

I pressed against her. "I'm curious to find out what else you like."

She tossed her hair and looked up at me, a challenge in her eyes. "Is that so?"

"It is if I say so." I pressed my lips to hers.

Chapter Fourteen

Blake

Maybe it was the wine, but when he kissed me, something inside me loosened a little. And then I felt as if I were going to burst.

I opened my mouth for his, relishing the feel of his tongue as it tentatively explored my mouth. He was more languorous now that we were away from the crowd, taking his time, making my body light up as if I were being consumed by a fever. When our tongues connected, a jolt of electricity went through my body, all the way down to the ache in between my legs. "I want you," I said against his mouth. I stopped myself abruptly and pulled back. "I'm sorry. I know we talked about this—"

Lucas kept his hands on me. "Stop, Mrs. Ford. I'm the one who kissed you, remember? I want to do this. Besides… we have to."

I pulled further away from him. "What do you mean, we have to?"

He adjusted his tux, his face turning serious. "Jake used to be a lawyer. I told him the truth about us. I hope you don't mind, but he guessed that there was something funny going on, anyway."

"I don't mind. Jake seems like a good guy. But what were you saying—about him being a lawyer?" My head, which had been fuzzy with lust and champagne, was clearing fast.

Lucas shrugged, looking sheepish. "He told me that our marriage wouldn't be considered legally valid if we didn't consummate it."

"So are you only kissing me because you have to?"

"Yes." He looked at the ceiling then looked at the floor, the color in his cheeks rising. "No." Lucas seemed abashed, but this was music to my ears. We were really going to do this, and it was for business reasons. No strings. No ties. No crushes. But I got to be with him. And I wanted that… even if I could barely stand to admit it to myself.

"Well then, I understand." I kept my voice even and professional. "And if you're asking me if that's acceptable, well… I accept. Let's consummate this thing."

A cloud passed over Lucas's handsome features but disappeared quickly. He smiled at me. "I've never thought of 'consummate' as a sexy word, but when you put it that way? I like it. I like it a lot, Mrs. Ford."

Excitement rushed through me as I trailed my fingers down his tuxedo. I felt as if I were about to open the shiny Christmas present I'd been hoping for all year. His piercing green eyes became hooded. He ran his fingers through my hair, twisting it and greedily pulling me closer.

The elevator stopped at our floor, and the door opened. He reached for my hands. "Come on, Blakey." I tilted my head at him, questioningly. "That's still my favorite nickname for you. Even over Mrs. Ford," he explained. And then, ever thoughtful, he picked me up and carried me over the threshold of our honeymoon suite.

He kept his eyes locked with mine as he carefully carried me down the stairs and through the suite. Lucas placed me gently on my feet just inside the enormous bedroom. I looked up at him and threw my arms around his neck, thrilling at the feel of him, loving that his gorgeous face was so close to mine. I drank in all the details—his dark curls, his dimple, his green eyes.

"Tell me that you want to do this." He ran his hands down my back.

"I want to do this," I said eagerly. "I want to do this now." I leaned up and kissed him, hard. He crushed his lips to mine, and our tongues found each other again. He pressed the small of my back and moved me against him so I could feel his rock-hard erection pressing into my belly.

"I'd love to rip that dress off of you, but I don't think I can bear to. It's so beautiful." Lucas looked down at me, his eyes shining. "I don't know if I told you how stunning you are tonight. My heart literally stopped when I first saw you coming down the aisle."

"Thank you." My voice came out husky, and for some reason, I felt the pinpricks of tears.

He turned me around and gently unzipped the dress, letting it fall to the floor. Then he carefully hung it up before turning back to me. He grinned and motioned to the garter. "I forgot about that." He rubbed his thumb along it. "We might have to leave it on for now."

He kissed me again. Then I took off his jacket, unknotted his bow tie, unbuttoned his shirt, and undid his pants. I ran my hands down his gorgeous, chiseled chest reverently. I wanted to enjoy this moment. I wanted to memorize and save it for later, for when I was alone again.