“What do you think?” I ask, twirling around like a little girl.
His hands reach my waist as I spin, and he stops me. His eyes rake up and down my body.
“Beautiful.”
I lick my lips wanting another kiss but knowing I’m not going to get one. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a man call me beautiful before. And it feels damn good.
He tucks his hand gently around my neck and under my hair, staring intensely into my eyes before his lips press firmly against mine. I don’t think about why he’s kissing me. I don’t search for anyone lurking in the hallway that might be the reason for the kiss. I just exist in a world where Kade King is kissing me because I don’t want to ever live in any other world.
He stops, grinning against my lips. “That kiss was because I couldn’t not kiss someone as beautiful as you.”
My heart dances and my legs turn to mush as my body begins dropping to the floor. He holds me up like I’m a rag doll.
He grins wider, showing off his dimples beneath his five o’clock shadow that is beginning to form.
“I’d carry you, but then I’d take away from everyone getting to see how gorgeous you are in your dress.”
I swallow and force my legs to work so I can stand. My legs are strong, muscular. Even if my ankle is in constant agony, my legs should be able to hold me up. I shouldn’t need to rely on Kade to hold me up. But when I’m around him, my body forgets how to do anything other than kiss. I’m surprised I can still breathe without a constant reminder.
His hands slowly move down my side until he finds my hand and interlinks our hands.
“Come on, now for step two of my brilliant plan.”
I laugh. “I’ll be the judge of your plan after this is all over.”
He shrugs. “How am I doing so far?”
We step outside to the patio near the gardens where everyone gathered. They stop talking and stare at us when we step out looking like a bride and groom on their wedding day. I know I won’t ever look this good again, even on my wedding day, so I better enjoy this. There is no telling how much money this dress costs. Thousands of dollars at least.
“Pretty good,” I say weakly, not sure how I feel about being the center of attention.
“My daughter and her date finally decided to join us,” my father says, and everyone chuckles.
He raises his champagne glass as Kade and I am given our own champagne glasses by the waiter to match everyone else outside.
“I’d like to make a quick toast to my daughter Larkyn. To her new life after graduation. May she find her way, and not back under my roof.”
The last part earns him chuckles, and everyone clinks their glasses as they drink to his toast. I’ve suddenly lost my ability to want to drink.
“To new beginnings. May you find a way to shove it to all these high-class idiots who don’t know how amazing you are,” Kade whispers in my ear, as he clinks his glass with mine.
I smile and drink my glass until it’s empty. When I look up, I realize Kade has done the same. I don’t know how many drinks he’s had, but he better be able to drive me home later. I won’t admit to him, but I enjoyed riding in his McLaren.
Anastasia grabs her fiancé’s hand and starts to pull him forward as she glances at our father to let him know she’s ready to make her announcement.
He smiles at her because of course, he’s happy his princess has found love. But if I were announcing I was getting married, he’d think I was a gold digger who doesn’t want to work.
“I think we should go. I changed my mind. I can’t watch this, no matter how beautiful I feel,” I whisper into Kade’s ear, pulling his hand to lead him out of here quickly. I don’t care if Anastasia knows why I’
m leaving, I can’t stay.
Kade kisses the top of my hand, and I’m thankful he’s going to go without a fight.
A hand tugs me to the center of the crowd with Kade being the one forcing me in.
I glare at him, not liking whatever he’s doing.
He flashes me his handsome grin and gives me a tiny wink.