33. Dani #2
The back of the dress is very low, held together by the diamond-dripping chains. I slide off my panties so that there’s nothing ruining the line of the dress.
“Do you think I look okay?” I turn this way and that, inspecting myself in the mirror.
“Mmm, B-minus. Nothing a little tape, a hair straightener, and makeup can’t fix.”
“You see,” Dad says excitedly as Piper adjusts the dress on me, “I told you that tape was a good buy.”
Gran and Piper needed a whole roll of it to hold me up, but now I look… well…
“Damn, I look hot.”
“Damn right you do! You got those things from me!” Gran pokes my boobs.
I don’t even feel it because I’m tape-maché’d in plastic tape.
Gran’s boy toy approves.
“Damn. So, does he actually like you, or is he just using you? Because, I mean, you look good. And I might be on the market soon.” He nods.
I am not having sex with the same person my grandmother is.
Gran purses her mouth. “Don’t worry. You’re not missing anything.”
The intercom buzzes from the doorman. “Lockwoods, your limousine is here!”
“Did you order a limo?” Mom’s mad at Dad.
“What? No! Linda. I was going to get us all taxis.”
Graham’s standing in the lobby waiting for us when we walk down. My dad greets him. Graham shakes his hand, but he’s staring at me like he wants to eat me up.
I’m giddy.
Is this what it’s like to have a guy actually like you? Not just want to hook up with you after sneaking you into his house so no one knows you’re together—but actually like you and want to show you off.
“See? Aren’t you glad you didn’t eat any cheese?” Mom hisses to me. “Stand up straight.”
Yeah, I am glad. I can’t help but think I look hot. For the first time in my life, I’m excited to go to a party instead of bribing myself with promises of late-night hamburgers to survive.
Graham steps up to me. His hand drops to my waist.
“Good evening, Dani.”
It would be customary for him to kiss me. A boyfriend would kiss his girlfriend. Expensive presents notwithstanding, we’re not like that, right?
He rests his forehead against mine.
“I knew you’d look good in that dress.” He almost purrs it. I feel the deep voice through my teeth.
I want him to kiss me, though. Want to be his girlfriend for real. Want this to be real.
“Graaaham!” Mom greets him with an air kiss. “Of course you’re going to look handsome in a tux. I hope your family is still able to make it.”
“Yes, they’re looking forward to it.”
“I tried to convince them not to come,” Graham whispers to me as he helps me with my fur coat.
“Same. Is the offer of the kidnapping, deluxe edition, still on the table?” I hiss out of the side of my mouth as he escorts me—his hand wrapped around my waist—to the limo.
“I can put you on a payment plan.” He turns to my parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood, do you mind if I kidnap your daughter?”
Piper’s eyes bug out, and my dad seems slightly apprehensive, then he relaxes.
“Kidnap her? Oh, ha ha! Good one, Graham.” He elbows him, chuckling. “Good one.”
The doorman opens the door, and there are two Rolls-Royce limos waiting outside of the building. Graham starts to lead me to the farthest one.
“You want to be in a car with her alone? No—she needs a chaperone,” Mom says automatically.
“Goddamn it, Linda.” Gran throws down her purse.
“I don’t want her having relations in the car with that man. We’re about to go to the Belmonts’—”
“Hi, Colette!” Mom waves as the doorman opens the door for Colette and my brother. “We’re just trying to figure out seating arrangements for the limos.”
“Obviously we’re riding with Graham.” Colette sweeps over to Graham and wraps her arm around his neck and gives him a big, noisy kiss. “So good to see you again.”
“But I thought…” Piper trails off.
“Oh, Piper, did you and your date already claim the limo with Graham?” Colette says sweetly.
“That’s actually my grandmother’s date,” Piper seethes.
“Oh, all single, Piper? That’s so sad. Well, we have some single guys at the couples shower coming, so maybe you’ll get lucky like me and Dani.” She links her arm with mine, like we’re best friends. “Couples who’ve found love ride together.”
“I think we could fit Piper in.” Graham frowns.
“It’s fine. I’ll ride with Aunt Linda and Uncle Hank.” Piper glowers at Colette.
“Sorry,” I mouth to her.
I know I should stand up for my cousin, but my brother is already sliding into the limo. Colette climbs in after him.
Graham holds my door open for me and offers me a hand as I try to climb into the limo as gracefully as possible without flashing anyone.
“Guess I don’t get you all to myself,” Graham whispers into my hair as the limo drives off. “Maybe I’ll have to sneak into your house and steal you out of your bed tonight.”
“I was hoping you’d just kidnap me during the couples shower.”
“Funny. I was hoping you’d kidnap me,” he whispers wryly.
“Oh shoot, did we interrupt the baby trapping?” my brother jokes.
Colette swats my brother. “I was just joking about that. I’m sure Graham and Dani are having fun. Graham’s not actually serious. Don’t billionaires your age usually want to play the field for another decade? Dani’s too old to wait on you. You want lots of children, don’t you, Dani?”
Graham stares right at Colette, his green eyes going eerily cold, though maybe it’s just the lighting.
“Don’t worry. I intend to get your friend pregnant. And soon. Why else would I take her?” He turns to stare at my mouth. “How many children do you want me to give you, Dani? As many as I can?”
“Does this limo come with drinks?” My brother tugs nervously at his collar.
Wordlessly, Graham opens a bottle of champagne.
“Alcohol, thank God. To the happy bride and groom!” I chirp, then I down my champagne and let Graham pour me another.
Mom is wrong. I definitely should have eaten.
I had half a glass of champagne in the limo, and I’m trashed.
I half slump against him. He’s nice and solid, and for once in my life, I have a man where I can just touch his chest whenever I want—run my fingers along the underside of his jaw, up to that divot under his ear where his hairline is clean and sharp.
The intrusive thoughts win, and I smooch his face. His nose scrunches up, but he smiles.
Colette looks annoyed, I guess. I down the rest of my champagne.
My brother is texting someone on his phone. I kick him. He rolls his eyes and turns his attention back to Colette.
I’m mesmerized by Graham’s hands—how strong his wrist is under that starched white cuff with the cuff link, the way his watch frames his hand.
“Hey, we match!” I giggle and turn.
He pulls my hair aside so he can run his hands down my back, sending the diamonds clinking.
I drape the arm holding another glass of champagne around his shoulders and kiss his neck.
“I hope your kidnapping kit includes a big fat knife,” I whisper, my teeth grazing his ear. “Because otherwise, you won’t be able to come on my tits.”
“What?” He frowns.
The car turns, and I tip over on him, sprawling in his lap.
“Wow… I really”—I hiccup—“should have had some cheese.”
“We’re here,” Colette snaps, flinging the door open.
“…Yeah.” My brother’s on the phone with one of his groomsmen. “I mean, who doesn’t like snowboarding? I’m cool with Colorado for the trip. I don’t know why he’s complaining. My grandma’s gonna pay anyway.”
Jeremy slouches behind Colette into the venue.
Graham helps me take off my coat for the coat check.
Claire and Ryan are already in the Yacht Bar.
“I told you we came too early,” Claire scolds him.
“If you’re on time, you’re late,” Ryan and Graham say in tandem.
“Weirdos. Oh my gosh!” Claire gushes at Colette. Colette lives for it. “You look amazing! This venue is amazing! I can’t believe it’s just your couples shower. This is so beautiful. Congratulations to you both.” She hugs my brother, who can be charming when he wants to be.
“It is! All thanks to Dani. You really stepped it up, sis. Apparently the bridal tea wasn’t up to snuff,” Jeremy jokes.
Colette gives him an ugly look.
“Honestly, men have no taste.” She tosses her hair.
“I saw the photos,” Claire tells Colette. “They got reposted on Vanity Rag’s account. So gorgeous. I’m getting so many good ideas for my wedding! It’s amazing that you have such amazing friends and family to plan all this for you.”
“It is. Dani isn’t a relationship girlie, so I don’t mind if she lives vicariously through me,” Colette says patronizingly. “A lot of these things are her taste, honestly.”
“Well, she is now.” My brother smirks and holds out his fist.
After a moment, Graham dabs him.
“Someone in this family had to date up. And I don’t think I have it in me to be a lapdog for a rich lady.” Jeremy smooths back his perfect hair.
“You two need to go stand over by the flower arch so people can take photos with you.” I shoo them over before Colette can go nuclear.
Unfortunately, people don’t seem to be paying as much attention to Colette as she’d like. As more people stream into the venue, they greet the bride and groom then come immediately over to me and Graham.
That’s right, I want to shriek at all the judgmental rich people. I eat my weight in pizza every Friday night, and I have a hot billionaire boyfriend.
“Love that dress,” Mrs. Fairchild says, smiling at me. “She looks great in it.”
“Yes, I know,” Graham says simply.
“I hope to be at your wedding next.”
“Might be a baby shower first,” her husband jokes. “The way your brother’s talking, you’re expecting six kids, Danielle. Better get cracking on that.”
Graham doesn’t seem annoyed by my parents’ friends. He just smiles at me and whispers, “You just let me know when you want me to come in your pussy.”
I shiver. “I hope you don’t mind if I show you off.”
“That’s what you blackmailed me for.” He doesn’t sound too mad about it, though.
“You’re so cute together!” A photographer snaps a photo of us.
My tongue’s sticking out, and I know my right eye went all droopy.
“She’s purposefully taking bad photos of me. You don’t take bad photos, of course,” I complain to him.
“I don’t know. Maybe I should ask Piper about how that dick pic you sent her ranked.”