A Bad Boy is Good to Find - By Jennifer Lewis Page 0,113
kiss. “So where shall we put your art studio? How about the old carriage house? Then you could do either canvases or cars, depending on what takes your fancy.”
Lizzie blinked. “I really could paint, couldn’t I?”
“Could? Are you nuts? You’re going to paint. You’ll be a big success too. How else do you plan to support me? We old-school aristos aren’t cheap to keep, you know.”
She cocked her head and narrowed her eyes at him, her mouth fighting a smile.
Maisie stabbed her fork in the air. “You could always sell one of the cars.”
“Well,” Con leaned back. “What I’d like to do is have fun fixing them up then rent them out for weddings and films and that kind of thing. If Lizzie’s cool with that.”
“I’m cool.” She smiled. “Con was up half the night fixing the Silver Ghost so we could drive away in it for the final shot.” When he’d finally got the engine to turn over and run, he looked as if he’d just had an orgasm. Well, almost. She rubbed the back of his hand. “I want you to do what makes you happy.”
“You make me happy.” His dark-eyed gaze tightened her chest.
“You make me happy too.”
“Uh, oh, I’m getting choked up again.” Raoul reached for a napkin.
“Oh, Raoul. You’re so sentimental.” Maisie snapped open a crawdad. “Marriage is a lot of hard work. At least from what I hear. I seem to have escaped that particular burden of responsibility for the time being. Lizzie obviously has more discerning taste in husbands than I do.”
“You had a lucky escape, Maisie,” said Danny with a chuckle. “You’ve got way too much Tabasco for a man like Dwight.”
Raoul peered at Maisie over his champagne flute. “Hmm. Dwight and Danny have the same initial. You wouldn’t even have to get the silver goblets re-etched.”
Maisie turned the color of a boiled crawdad. “I’m not marrying anyone.”
“Me either,” said Danny. “I’m too young and innocent.” He took a bite of french fry and gave Maisie a look that was anything but innocent.
Lizzie glanced sideways at Con. “You really should stop your brother toying with my cousin’s affections.”
“Yeah, I really should, shouldn’t I.” Con grinned. “But it’s too much fun to watch.”
Maisie squirmed, as if something untoward was going on under the table. “Stop that!” she hissed to Danny. She sat up in her chair and glared at Con. “Don’t get too cocky. Lizzie told me these Fleur-de-lis plates coordinate with a part of your anatomy?”
Lizzie bit her lip to stop a grin sneaking across her mouth. “They, um, celebrate Con’s French ancestry.”
“We have French ancestry?” Danny said through a mouthful.
“Who knows? Lizzie’s being polite about the flaming dagger tattooed on my ass.” He winked at her. “Want to see if it matches the plates?” He made a move like he was ready to unbutton his pants.
“I think we’ve all seen it, darling.” Raoul dabbed at his lips with a napkin. “That man of yours has no shame. He was ready to run after you in his birthday suit until we stopped him.”
“Clothes can get in the way.” The cocky assurance in his expression was undercut by a swell of emotion that echoed in Lizzie’s heart. She reached for his hand under the table cloth and gave it a squeeze.
“These two can’t wait until we all get lost,” Raoul muttered, picking up his glass.
“Only one more shot to do.” Maisie dusted bread crumbs off her hands. “The happy couple driving away in the Rolls.”
“Where are you going on the honeymoon?” asked Rog, after gulping back half a glass of wine.
“Right here. The most beautiful place on earth.” Con smiled. “But certain people need a closing shot for their big TV show so we’re going to take a drive to New Orleans before we settle in. Lizzie has some important business to take care of.”
“Really, what?” Maisie could never hide her curiosity.
“Oh, we’re just getting some items emblazoned with Con’s family crest. You know, letterhead, towels…” My butt. Lizzie chuckled at how scandalized Maisie would be if she knew her formerly prim cousin was getting a tattoo. It was the perfect way to celebrate her new badass self. A sexy secret between her and Con.
“Con, why did you tie all those shoes to the car bumper?” asked Raoul. “The Manolos will get mauled. It’s a travesty.”
“It’s an ancient wedding tradition,” said Maisie. “There are a variety of interpretations of its origins, dating back to medieval—”
“I just put ’em there in case Lizzie needs something to throw at me.” Con slid his arm around Lizzie’s shoulders. “We have a tradition of our own to keep up.”
Lizzie gasped. “Con! You’re terrible.”
“I know.” He winked. “And you wouldn’t have me any other way.”
THE END
Acknowledgements
For Jordan and Mia
Many thanks to the generous people who read this book at some point during its creation, including Kathy Altman, Melissa Beck, Phyllis Campbell, Anne-Marie Carroll, Elle Kennedy, Margaret Lukoff, Anne MacFarlane, Lynn Messina and Andrea Somberg.
About The Author
JENNIFER LEWIS is the bestselling author of more than twenty books. She has lived on both sides of the Atlantic and worked in media and the arts before venturing into the world of her imagination. She lives in sunny South Florida with her family.
Copyright © 2013 by Jennifer Lewis
All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-1-939941-00-8
Published 2013 by Mangrove, 2637 E Atlantic Blvd #24692 Pompano Beach, FL 33062, USA
“The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams originally published 1922 by Charles H. Doran Co.
Without limiting the rights under copyright above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without prior written permission of the copyright owner and publisher of this book.
This ebook belongs to vzyl at 64 70 67 72 6f 75 70 forum.
Contents
Title page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Acknowledgements
About The Author
Table of Contents
Title page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Acknowledgements
About The Author
Table of Contents
Title page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Acknowledgements
About The Author