Page 162 of Wicked Lord

I nodded against him, trying to believe it.

A long moment passed before his fingers slipped beneath my chin, tilting my face up. His eyes locked onto my mouth, and I knew where his thoughts were going before his lips brushed mine. I knew, because the reason we were already late was that we’d had a quickie in the car before we drove over.

Apparently, I was too irresistible in my prim and proper knee-length dress, and he’d needed to dirty me up a little.

A whisper of heat skated up my spine at the memory as he deepened the kiss. For a few seconds, the dark receded. There was only Axel’s mouth, his hands, his body reminding me I was still here.

But now was not the time for another quickie. Slamming my palms to his chest, I pushed away despite every nerve lighting up at his proximity.

“We can’t do this again!” I squealed. I still had some remnants of cum trickling down my inner thigh from the last time.

“Why not?” Mischief lit the deep blue of his eyes. “You’re so fucking sexy in that dress, baby, I can’t help myself. Besides, my brothers will be there to keep my parents company.”

I pressed another quick kiss to his lips before lacing my fingers through his and hauling him off the car. “Later.”

“You’re no fun, blondie,” Ax grumbled as I led him toward the entrance of the Copper Cove Country Club.

A gull squawked as it flew by, calling my attention to the white-capped sea below and the yachts dotting the harbor.Already, there were fewer than last week. Fall was right around the corner, which meant school would start.

For the first time, the thought didn’t terrify me because I had a plan. Maybe I didn’t need Daddy’s money, or Brock’s, or some husband with a last name powerful enough to keep me polished and protected. I had planned countless charity events throughout my years as a Zeta down to the last pink cocktail napkin. I’d salvaged a catering disaster in stilettos and still charmed half of Copper Cove into emptying their wallets before dessert.

People paid a fortune for perfection, and God knew I was a pro at manufacturing it.

Maybe Lorelei Battenberg didn’t have to be anyone’s trophy wife.

Maybe I could build something on my own, one flawless, overpriced, champagne-soaked event at a time.

It was a long-term goal I knew I could accomplish. Now, I just needed a short-term fix. With no engagement to Brock, the Battenbergs were officially on their way to bankruptcy. After everything that happened, the only part I was really upset about was the possibility of having to drop out of Stonewall for a semester until I figured it out.

But I still had a few weeks, and Axel promised to do whatever it took to make sure that didn’t happen.

He’d even offered to loan me the money, which of course I politely declined. The last thing I wanted was to start off our real relationship with a huge chunk of money hanging over my head. I’d already started applying for jobs and even financial aid. Hopefully, something would pan out.

Axel’s hand tightened around mine as he steered me past the putting green to the dining room. “Why are you so quiet?”

“It’s nothing.” I drew in a breath, letting the country club noise, the clink of glasses, and the distant murmur of wealthypeople pretending the world was simple settle around me. “Just enjoying the calm after the most chaotic few weeks of my life.”

He stopped walking and turned to me, gripping my shoulders with his big, firm hands. “Everything’s going to be all right now, Lore. You know that, right? It’s over.”

I dipped my head as he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“We got through all the bullshit, and we’re finally together for real.” He cupped my cheek, then brushed his lips against mine. “I love you, Lorelei, and no one will ever keep us apart again.”

The familiar prick of hot tears threatened, but this time, I didn’t shove them all the way down.

“I love you so much, Ax.” My voice trembled, and I let it. “I never would’ve gotten through any of this without you. If it wasn’t for you, I’d be in Texas right now married to Brock, miserable, beaten and abused.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my nose in his shirt. “I’ll never forget what you did for me. Never be able to repay you.”

“You don’t owe me anything, blondie.” With one tight squeeze, he finally released me, holding me at arm’s length. “Now come on. You’re right, my parents must be dying to see us. Or rather, you. My dadistotally obsessed with you. He’s already warned me that I better go through with my proposal soon, or he’ll steal you away from me himself.”

A surge of heat coated my cheeks as I stared up at the best man I’d ever known. Marrying Axel would be a dream come true, but there was no rush now. “Well, you better warn him that you’re the only Vanderhart I want.”

He chuckled, the smooth, warm sound filling my heart with so much happiness that all the anxiety about the unknown future softened around the edges.

The happy chatter of voices echoed across the massive table filled with Vanderhart men, girlfriends and wives. I was squished between Ax and his dad and across from two of his older brothers, Jeremy and Aaron. I loved Axel’s family. They were so different from mine, so warm, loving and supportive. I couldn’t help but wonder how I would have turned out if I’d been born into a family like theirs instead. As it was, my father was barely speaking to me, not that I wanted to see him either, and my mother had vanished to Switzerland to enjoy her final weeks at a luxury spa before the repossessions began.

The part that sucked the most about losing everything was not being able to afford to pay for our live-in housekeeper anymore. Gisella had been more of a mother to me than mine ever was. She promised to stay in touch, and I knew she would, but nothing would ever be the same.

“More champagne, Lorelei?” Axel’s dad held up the bottle of Dom Perignon, drawing me free of the dark musings.