Stalking His Bride - Lucy Darling Page 0,10

set reminders for everything.”

“Smart.” When we’re done I get up to clear our food and put everything away.

“Wait. Who is Williams?”

“My assistant.”

“Oh.” He takes the plate from my hand.

“Go get ready. I’ll clean up and then we’ll head out.”

“We?” He takes the plate over to the sink and starts cleaning. “You clean?” This man is an anomaly. I never know what he’s going to say or do next.

“I think everyone knows how to clean.” He chuckles.

“Yes, but not everyone does it.”

“Go get ready. I’m taking you to the dress shop.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“Carly.” He turns around, coming over toward me. “It’s not a burden for me to do something nice for you. I’m not sure why you got that shit in your head, but I’m going to work on getting it out.” I bite the inside of my lip. I think that a lot. That I’m a bother or a burden to everyone. That’s how my parents have made me feel over the years so those things just don’t go away overnight. It’s a habit of mine to try not to make people go out of their way for me. I’ve learned to handle most things myself.

“Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me either.”

“You’ll take my thanks yous and deal with them.” I huff, turning around to head toward my room. I let out a scream when his hand comes down on my ass. I take off running down the hallway. I hear his deep chuckles behind me.

I have no idea what this is, but I know I don’t want to let it go.

7

James

Carly fidgets with her phone while sitting next to me in the bridal shop. I had no idea there were so many fucking wedding dress styles. Not to mention all the accessories that come along with them. I’ve never been shopping with a woman before, so this is definitely an eye-opening experience.

“Do you want a big wedding?” I ask Carly. She looks up from her phone.

“No, but I’m sure my family will make a big thing out of it.” I clench my jaw, disliking her parents more and more by the second.

“What would you want if you picked?” Her eyes get all dreamy as she thinks for a moment.

“To be swept away. To get married in France and travel around Europe for a little then end up in one of those huts you see over the water. Those are beautiful. I’ve always imagined spending a lengthy amount of time there relaxing.”

“I like the sound of that.”

Her phone dings in her hand. “Crap. I’ve got to take this.” She hops up from her seat. I have to fight myself to not grab her and pull her down into my lap. There’s no reason she can’t take her call right here. I know it’s too soon, though, to take those liberties with her. I’m actually surprised she’s put up with my ways thus far. I look at my own phone as Carly ventures over toward a rack of wedding dresses.

It’s her mom. I put my phone away, leaning back as I watch her pace back and forth. Her eyebrows are furrowed and she doesn't seem to like whatever her mother is telling her.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I look up to see Reed standing there with a very disheveled Tinsley next to him. Now we all know why they were late. It doesn’t surprise me. Those two can’t seem to keep their hands off of one another.

“I brought Carly. She doesn't have a car.”

“I would have picked her up,” Tinsley says. She tries to go over to her but gets nowhere. “Let me go, brute. You’re not even supposed to be in here.” She gives his chest a smack. He finally lets her go. Reed comes around, dropping into the seat next to mine. His eyes never leave Tinsley.

“Try again.”

“I don’t have to tell you shit.” He jerks his head to give me a hard stare. One that’s gotten him far in life. Too bad for Reed I can be as ruthless as him. The difference between us is I can put mine in a fancy box with a bow and sugar coat it. People underestimate me and sometimes that’s my greatest advantage. Reed, on the other hand, is outwardly a dick. Sometimes I think his way is better.

“If you ruin this fucking wedding—” he growls.

“I’m not going to ruin your wedding.” I want to say that I’m trying to get Carly to agree