21. Michaela
Michaela
K eira’s eyes widen in delight as she takes a bite of cake. She points an animated fork to the piece of cake on her plate as she chews, nodding in approval.
“Good God, this champagne cake is delicious, and moist, and buttery,” she says after swallowing.
Like the rest of the day, the cake cutting went without a hitch.
“If I ever get married, I’m so hiring the chefs at the Pompadour Hotel.” Her gaze slides to Rhys who’s laughing it up with Dad, Uncle Ian, and my father-in-law.
Complicit giggles erupt from both of us when our gazes meet.
“You’re so obvious,” I say.
“Says the new bride. You couldn’t stick to the script. You had to break with tradition and nix the tossing of the bouquet,” she says. “Even with my injured leg, I was ready to duke it out to catch it.”
“You don’t need a bouquet. That guy is so into you.”
“You think?”
She asks a question she knows the answer to.
I give her a, are you fucking with me right now look?
“Okay, maybe he likes me as much as I like him.” She glances over at Rhys again. She has it bad. “Like I was saying, I want to hire the Pompadour chefs because the food is out of this world and this cake is positively the best thing I have ever eaten in my life.”
“I agree,” I say, shoving another forkful into my mouth.
We’re both on our second serving of cake.
“I know your husband is a billionaire and owns a fleet of luxury hotels, but I still can’t get over how his dream team put together an outstanding wedding in a matter of days,” Keira says, her eyes scouring the garden. “And you didn’t even have to lift a finger.”
“This fairytale wedding surpasses any of my wildest dreams.” Too bad it’s fake.
Abuelita Noelia waves and winks as she strolls by, hanging from the arm of one of Phoenix’s Argentinian cousins on her way to the dessert table.
Guilt washes over me.
She believes I’m her new granddaughter-in-law. The worst part is, she’s the sweetest woman, even if she thinks my Spanish isn’t very good looking . I force a smile and wave back.
“I still can’t get over Abuelita Noelia giving you the talk ,” Keira says.
“Neither can I. Bless her for feeling the need to assume the role of sage adviser since my mother, my mother-in-law and both of my grandmas have passed away.” According to Abuelita Noelia, I look as innocent as a virgin debutante, therefore, she wanted me to be prepared for my wedding night.
I had to bite the inside of my cheek not to laugh during her Sex Ed 101 talk.
I commend Phoenix’s cousin for not cracking up.
One of them was indulgent enough to double as a translator.
“At least now you’re armed with a crash course on how to please your husband on your wedding night.” Keira laughs her head off.
I lean into her and murmur low in her ear. “Between us girls, I already crushed the course. And FYI, my husband is pleased with my performance.” I pull away from her and let my words sink in.
Her eyes widen so much, they practically take over her face. “No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did.”
“You changed your mind––”
“Do you already have second thoughts about the wedding?” A man I didn’t notice approach, interrupts Keira.
I turn to face him.
He lifts his champagne flute as a salute, but the gesture lacks sincerity. Like everything about him.
“Oh, hello––” I pause for effect. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name.” Lie.
“It’s perfectly normal, we just met. My name is Potter. Potter MacCaak. I’m one of the board members.”
“Oh, yes.” I offer a tight smile. “There’s so much happening today, it’s hard to keep it all straight.”
“It’s understandable,” Potter says. His lips curl up, but the smile never reaches his dark-brown eyes.
“It’s quite the party. Great turn out. A lot of notable people are attending.
” The silver bearded fifty-something man who’s vocal, aggravating, and the most irritating thorn in Phoenix’s side gives off an air of superiority, staring down at us commoners from his long nose.
I’d sooner trust a king cobra than this pompous jerk.
“I’m touched so many people came out for our big day.” I step into my starlet role before changing the subject. “Where are my manners? Potter, I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Keira.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he says with a formal nod before extending his hand.
He’s weird.
“Pleased to meet you,” Keira says, shaking his hand.
“Have you known the lovely Michaela long?”
Keira’s cautious gaze slides from Potter to mine.
I keep a poker face.
“Michaela and I have an incredibly tight relationship,” Keira says. “She’s one of my favorite people.”
Great answer. She didn’t even have to lie.
“I see.” Potter nods again. “Do you also live in New York?”
“No, I live in LA.”
Potter frowns. “Really?”
I can see the wheels churning in his head, attempting to poke holes in our story.
“Thanks to modern technology, it’s like we live in the same city,” Keira says.
Potter’s focus swings to Keira. “Were you in the know about the secret relationship?”
“The whole point of something being secret is that, well, it’s secret,” Keira says. “But you know… girls talk. So, yes, I was in the know. It was like Fourth of July fireworks when Michaela and Phoenix first met. It’s no wonder they had to get married.”
Bravo, Keira. Bravo.
She’s not lying. Explosions detonated when I barged into my husband’s office six days ago.
“Well, for the rest of us, the relationship came out of nowhere,” Potter says. “A bit suspicious, if you ask me.”
Good thing no one asked you.
“To answer your earlier question, Potter,” I say, “I don’t have second thoughts about marrying the man of my dreams.” I intend to drill this into his thick skull even if it kills me.
“Will the honeymoon be as speedy as the wedding?”
I glare at him.
Why is he being such a busybody? “You’re quite interested in our relationship. More than any other board member. In fact, more than anyone else here.”
“I’m just pointing out the obvious.” His dark eyes narrow.
I fix him with a hard stare. “I don’t have to remind you Phoenix is juggling a lot since stepping in for his father on top of his other responsibilities as COO. Being the romantic he is, my husband is whisking me away to the city of love for our short honeymoon.”
“Vegas?” Potter smirks.
No, asshole. “Paris.”
“Ah. The other city of love.”
Since when is Vegas associated with love?
“Everything is so ephemeral in Vegas, I’m sure you and Phoenix would feel right at home there, but Paris isn’t bad.” He turns his lips down in an unimpressed pout.
It’s an effort not to roll my eyes.
“You wouldn’t happen to be pregnant?” He arches a brow.
What the fuck?
Potter’s eyes drop to my belly. “That would explain the speedy wedding.”
Irritation grits at the surface, but I bite down the litany of insults ready to irrupt from my lips.
Do not verbally assault the board member.
I pray for calmness.
“It’s true Phoenix can be a bit of a hot head, but I never pegged him for a man willing to have his balls chained to the wall.” Potter has more to get off his chest. “If you’re pregnant, it’s a big day out for you and the baby. Who cares about the women he sees on the side, right?”
My jaw drops.
What a repugnant douchebag.
He leans into our circle. “You know he’s been around. I mean, a lot. The man has quite the unflattering reputation. This quickie marriage won’t stop his philandering.”
I’m just about to give this idiot a verbal lashing, when Phoenix comes and stands next to me. He wraps me in his arms and brings my body close to his before placing a soft kiss on my lips.
“I needed to kiss you,” he says.
I offer him a tight smile.
Recognition flashes bright in his blue eyes.
He shifts his attention to the sorry excuse of a man standing in front of us.
“Potter, are you pestering my wife?” Phoenix’s tone is so cold, you can practically see his breath.
“Not at all,” Potter says. “We’re getting better acquainted.”
Phoenix sneers. “In other words, you’re being your normal charmless self.”
My husband is a strapping man and easily towers over Potter by a solid six inches, if not more. The pesky board member is no match for King Konig. He seems oblivious to that fact. Either that or he likes living on the edge.
Potter takes a step towards Phoenix and pumps his chest in defiance, poking a menacing finger in my husband’s face. “It’s no secret you don’t like me?—”
Phoenix swats his hand away. “No, I don’t. I don’t trust you either,” he says.
“Too bad for you, Phoenix, I’m going nowhere, so?—”
“Potter.” Soren interrupts the nasty man as he approaches our circle. Wilder and Slate flank their father. “You seem obsessed with my daughter-in-law. Not that I blame you. She’s precious. My son married well.”
Potter takes a step back and adjusts his suit jacket before offering an insincere smile. “He did. And since Michaela is a new member of the Konig family, it’s only normal I get to know her better.”
“I understand.” Soren nods. “But this isn’t an inquisition. Today is a day of celebration.”
There’s no denying God favors the Konig men.
How else can you explain this level of manliness?
They take hot to the next level. All four men are tall, well-built, sporting strong jaws, blessed with refined, straight noses, and gifted with excessively handsome good looks.
Their blue eyes, in various shades, are weapons of seduction few women could resist. And those dazzling smiles…
I’m sure Roman is equally handsome in person.
Phoenix would make beautiful babies.
Wait. What?
What the hell is wrong with me?
No babies will come out of this fake marriage.
“My sentiments exactly,” Potter says. “Which is why I was hoping Michaela and I could become friends .”
I’d rather lick the pavement.
“There’s plenty of time for that,” my father-in-law says. “Like I said. Let’s leave the lovebirds to bask in the glory of their big day.” That’s not a suggestion.
Potter’s suspicious eyes bounce from Soren’s, to Phoenix’s, to mine.
“Humph… Lovebirds…” He nods. “Yes, you’re right.”
This guy won’t be easy to fool.
“I was telling Slate and Wilder I have an amazing bottle of whiskey I’m dying for you to try. Vintage. Exclusive. Refined. Rare.”
“That sounds like my kind of drink,” Potter says.
“I thought so,” Soren says. “Let’s head to my office and crack that baby open.” His tone leaves no room for argument. “We’ll grab a few other board members on our way.”
The recent heart attack might have slowed down the patriarch of the family, but it hasn’t dulled his edge. The man is as sharp as ever. Thank God.
“I’ll catch you kids later.” Soren winks at me.
I offer him a small smile of appreciation.
“Son, dance with your beautiful wife.”
“I’m right on it, Dad,” Phoenix says.
Keira and I giggle.
The Konig men laugh.
Potter doesn’t crack a smile.
“Let’s go enjoy that bottle of whiskey.” My father-in-law gestures between him and the jackass who looks constipated.
The four men stroll towards the mansion.
Phoenix turns to my best friend. “Keira, is it okay if I steal my bride?”
“She’ll all yours.” She leans in. “For the record, that guy is a jerk.”
Phoenix lets out a wry laugh. “He wants my balls on a silver platter.”
“I thought your balls belonged to me.” I brush my shoulder off.
“Put it here, girlfriend.” Keira holds a hand up.
I high five her.
Phoenix narrows his eyes at me. “You’re asking for it, kitten.”
I’m proud of my retort.