26. Drew
Chapter Twenty-Six
DREW
I’m already tugging on my collar and grimacing when I pull up to Kate’s hotel—this time, trading Black Jack for a black town car. Whoever invented the cummerbund was mad. Everything about this gray suit feels stiff and stuffy. It reminds me of how uncomfortable I was growing up. We were always made to dress up so our father could show off what good little boys we were while attending church on Sundays and events with royals and other London elites. And how can I forget the ridiculous uniforms from boarding school?
I remember watching American teen movies when I was young and wishing I could have that kind of life—dress how I wanted, flirt with girls in the hallways, drive my motorbike, and sleep in my own bed at home. If I complained, Dad would scowl and tell me that I should be grateful for all the opportunities and education I was privy to. It would’ve been perfect if the life I was groomed for was the life I actually wanted.
Kate makes her entrance out on the street, and the sight of her takes my breath away. My American girl looks very English in her vintage cut dress and matching red fascinator hat. Her black studded heels give her that little edge that I love about her.
I knew the moment she mentioned the dress that night at my flat I had to get it for her. Of course, I had to call in Kent’s personal shopper and describe it as best as I could. Kate would look stunning in anything. And she’s drop-dead gorgeous when she wears nothing too.
The driver opens the door, and I step out, greeting my wedding date with a smile. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She glances away bashfully, batting her lashes. Then, she steps her foot back and descends into a curtsy fit for the Queen. But at this moment, she’s my queen.
“What are you, English or something? Where did you learn to curtsey like that?” I ask.
“I learned it on YouTube,” Kate says in a posh London accent.
“Your accent’s getting pretty good,” I say, doing my best to sound American.
Kate laughs, her green eyes glistening in the daylight. “Yours needs some work.”
She leans up on her toes, and I meet her for a kiss. The touch of her lips shoots a trembling sensation to my stomach and a tingle in my tailored trousers. It’s a shame there’s no time to go back up to her room for another shag before the wedding.
She looks into my eyes and wipes my bottom lip, caressing my cheek with her fingertips. “You shaved. I’ve never seen you without stubble.”
“Yeah, I need to at least look like a respectable gentleman.”
“Well, you are a respectable gentleman, and you look . . . very handsome.” She bites her red lip with her pearly teeth. I smile, take her hand, and lead her to the car. “Maybe later, when your five o’clock shadow grows in, you can change back into those ripped jeans,” Kate says, pinching my ass.
Oh, yeah. This girl gets me.
“I was hoping we could get naked instead,” I whisper in her ear.
She grins and shivers at my words, and I lean in and kiss her neck, inhaling her sweet perfume. “You smell delicious.” I place my hand on her nylon-covered knee and slide it up her thigh.
Kate closes her eyes, letting out a little moan. “Drew, the driver’s right there,” she whispers.
“When did you get so shy?” I ask playfully, and she flicks her brow with a sexy grin. I growl inwardly. How much longer before I can get her out of that dress?
“I can’t be shy anymore. My name’s all over the fashion news circuit. My L.A. office has already been getting a ton of calls from retailers who want to carry the new line. It’s crazy.”
“No, it’s not. That makes complete sense.” I want to ask her if she’s feeling better since the incident with that bloody wanker last night. But I don’t want to ruin the mood. I don’t want her to stop smiling.
“So where is this wedding anyway?” she asks.
“Westminster Abbey,” I say with a downplayed tone, but it’s no use.
Kate’s jaw drops. “West—Westminster Abbey? As in where the Duke and Duchess were married?” she asks, and I nod, leaning back into the leather seats and resisting the urge to make a face. “Will the Duke and Duchess be attending?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“Whoa. Are you a secret royal too? Should I start calling you Prince Charming?”
“No.” I shake my head. Thank God for that.
Her pretty eyes grow worried. “Geez, I’m glad I wore this hat.” I glance up at the ornate piece on her head, then look down at her long lashes and pink cheeks. I kiss the tip of her nose, then her rosy red lips.
We arrive just as the esteemed guests are filling in with cameras flashing all around them. Kate gawks out the window, mesmerized. “Oh, my God. Is that Geoff Sterling?” She points to the British movie star sporting a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses.
“Yeah. Mick did his father’s triple bypass last year.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said this would be a circus.” Kate presses her nose to the window as we wait for the crowd to disperse so we can pull up.
My phone vibrates against my thigh, and I check the alert.
KENT
Where are you? Find me asap! We’ve got a big problem.
Big problem? What does that mean?
DREW
I’m pulling up now.
“We’ll get out here,” I tell the driver, feeling a sense of urgency, even though Kent’s likely being dramatic. He’s taken his role as best man very seriously.
Clouds roll in overhead, and a cool breeze whips through us as we step out of the car. Kate and I circumvent the crowd and cameras and make our way inside the majestic church. Angelic chamber music fills the room as the guests fill the pews.
“Let’s find your seat,” I say, passing the ushers and peering around the room. As we make our way near the front, we come face-to-face with my father and his overpowering presence. My chest tightens.
He darts a glance at Kate, then lends a half-smile. “Andrew, you’re on time, and you have a date.” Before I can say anything, his attention shifts to my lady in red. “Dean Bonnaire. I’m Andrew’s father,” he says, offering his hand.
“Bonnaire? As in Bonnaire Capital?” Kate asks with a rigid line down her forehead. How does she . . . ?
Uh-oh.
“Yes, that’s right. I’m the head of Bonnaire Enterprises.”
Kate’s stare burns into me, and not in the passionate way I’m used to. “I thought your last name was Blake.”
My dad scoffs. “That’s his middle name. For some reason, my son likes to pretend he’s not a Bonnaire.”
My face grows hot with every second that Kate looks at me with the pain of betrayal. I thought she didn’t know about my family, so why does my last name make a difference? I’m Just Drew. “Does that matter?” I reply.
“Of course it matters,” My father chimes again. “And you are, Miss?”
“Kate Golden,” Collin interrupts, appearing to my dad’s right like a shadow. “So, you actually brought her?” My date drops my arm and steps back. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see Kent rushing over. He darts his panic-stricken eyes to the back of our dad’s head and stops short, then signals me toward him. He’ll need to wait.
“Kate, this is my mate, Collin,” I say.
Collin stares at my date. “We’ve met.”
Met? “When did you—” I turn to Kate, whose bright blush has disappeared from her cheeks. She says nothing, but the look on her face says everything. My mind races, and I quickly put the pieces together. She knows Bonnaire Capital. She knows Collin. A venture capitalist. But it can’t be. Can it? Collin wouldn’t. Or would he?
“Nice to see you again, Kate,” Collin adds, then flicks a cold glance my way, and I know it’s true. A furious heat swells in my chest, and I clench my fists. I’ll kill him. Right here in the middle of Westminster fucking Abbey.
Trembling with anger, I glare at Collin and plant my patent leather foot back, ready to throw down. Just as I’m about to swing, someone pulls me back. “Whoa, whoa,” Kent says, keeping a tight grip on me, and Kate gasps.
Dad steps in between Collin and me, so close that his nose could poke me out of my eye. “I don’t know what’s happening here, but I will not have a scandal at your brother’s wedding. Do you hear me?”
I shoot a biting glare at Collin, then at my dad, who’s waiting for compliance. He’s right. This is Mick’s wedding. I’ll take care of Collin later. I step back and take a breath. Kent releases my arm.
“I should go,” Kate says, taking two steps back.
“What? Why?” I reach for her hand, but she’s already heading for the exit as if she can’t get out of here fast enough.
I follow her down the aisle. “Kate! Where are you going?”
Kent grabs my arm, pulling me back. “Just let her go. We’ve got bigger problems.”