Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Avril
The ride next to Kir was sweet. Every second near him was tinged with energy. Part of me wished we weren’t faking and this whole thing was real. His real girlfriend would be able to kiss him any time she wanted. My lips still tingled from the previous night.
The golf cart waited to bring us to the main house. I laughed and took the seat next to him. I wasn’t used to driving anything this small. “Most people spend hours in a car to drive this.”
He started the engine. “Are you objecting now?”
My heart fluttered, and I pressed my hand to my chest. “No. I’ve nothing to complain about.”
As we stopped at the front door and parked with the line of carts, he said, “Good.”
I locked my arm with his, and we headed into the foyer. The staff directed me one way and Kir another. Clearly, all the women were on one side of the house and the men on the other.
I tugged him closer. “It seems we’re separating. Kiss me. People can see us.”
His arms went around my waist. I closed my eyes. A moment later, his lips met mine, and I lost sight of everything. I was in a cocoon where he and I were alone, and I didn’t want this to end. So, I took a second kiss and stayed in heaven.
As the kiss ended, Kir stepped back. My heart thundered, and I heard the party sounds. He said, “Have fun.”
Kelly came toward me. “So, you’re here at last, Avril. Hot sex?”
I shook my head fast and wondered why she’d think that. “No. I was visiting my sister.”
She walked me to the champagne bar. “So, how well do you know Xerses and Roman?”
Interesting. “I don’t know them, though rumor is, they’re buying my company.”
Kelly put her hand on hip. “Well, that would be good for you.”
I gazed at her. “Would it?”
She nodded. “Xerses and Roman invited us into their speedboat in Cancún next weekend.”
“That will be fun,” I said.
I didn’t know much about Kelly’s history. She never opened up, but I knew that she had no close family members. It was nice to see her so happy.
We clinked glasses, and she said, “So, I have to say, Xerses would be a fun boss to have.”
I glanced across the hall and noticed Kir talking to his brothers. My heart pounded. I returned my attention to my friend and whispered, “Do you like him, Kelly?”
She lowered her lashes and hid her face. “He’s different than I expected for a trillionaire.”
My eyes widened. Kelly was never shy. My heart lifted, but I winked and joked, “So you’ve thought about trillionaires before?”
She laughed, and her face pinkened as she stared at me. “Well, I already started to change my mind about them being evil overlords when I saw how Charlie was so nice to Hope, but Xerses just offered to restore the zoo in my hometown.”
I looked through the hall at Kir again. When I focused on him, the rest of the world disappeared. “That sounds nice.”
Kelly followed my gaze and tapped me on the shoulder. “There’s Kir if you’re looking to get him alone.”
“Thanks.” I did need to talk to him. I walked toward the hall and gazed around. Most of the women were circling the bride. I tugged on his arm. “Kir, come.”
I directed him back down the hall where no one could see us if they glanced over. “What’s going on?”
Earlier, I’d almost told Kelly to go for it with Xerses. That meant I needed to do the same. Now that I was near Kir, my skin buzzed.
I went on my tiptoes and said, “This,” and I pressed my lips to his.
His arms wrapped around my waist and held me closer to his muscular chest. My body zipped with awareness. As one kiss ended, another began, and I was lost. He was wonderful and perfect.
As the kiss ended, he asked, “What was that for?”
“Avril?” Kelly and Miley both said.
“Kir?” one of his brothers said.
I sighed, pressing my forehead to his. He probably had no idea I’d put myself out there. “We’re being called. We’ll talk after.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
My heart stirred. That kiss had been inevitable for a while. I hoped he felt the same. When we talked, I would find out.