Avery
Carter assured me he was fine, and honestly, he didn’t seem any closer to freaking out than Felicity was. It would be weird if he wasn’t nervous at all, right? So I wished him and all the groomsmen luck—then second-guessed if that was the right thing to say. Were weddings a luck thing? Did you say break a leg or something weird like before a play? Oh well, no one had questioned it, and Carter probably wasn’t really listening anyway.
Once I left the meeting room where they were dressing, I wove my way through the labyrinth of hotel corridors to the ballroom where the caterers were setting up the tables and buffet.
Everything appeared to be going well there. The tables were covered with white linens, and several men and women were placing vases of flowers as centerpieces. Chafing dishes lined the buffet ready to receive the various hot foods. I glanced around and saw Susan, the wedding coordinator. She waved and I walked over to her. “Is everything going all right?”
“Yes, we’re right on schedule. Did Felicity send you?”
I nodded.
“Tell her not to worry. I’ve got this.”
“Thanks.”
I texted Felicity, and when I looked up from my phone, I saw what was probably the hottest silver fox I’d ever seen standing by the French doors that led into the gardens. Had he been there when I’d come in? If so, how the hell had I missed such an appetizing sight?
I started toward him, not even conscious of taking steps. Hot daddies like him were my magnetic north. He was wearing a tux that fit like it was tailored for him. Even with the jacket on, I could tell his ass was a work of art. I wanted to fall to my knees and worship it.
Shit. Now my cock was responding to that thought, and I really didn’t want to meet Daddy Perfect Ass with an obvious boner.
He turned toward me then. Had he seen me watching him through the glass or just felt me staring? I looked him up and down, not even trying to hide the lust he inspired. Why should Felicity be the only one having fun tonight?
“Like what you see?” he asked.
“Maybe.”
He looked pointedly at my crotch. “Oh, I think you do.”
I couldn’t protest his ungentlemanly behavior, because his dark-eyed stare and commanding tone rendered me incapable of speech. As did his obvious interest. He didn’t even pretend to look away as I took a few steps closer.
An arrogant, dominant, older man. Oh hell, yeah, he was everything I wanted.
He slipped his jacket off and rolled his shoulders. Holy hell, this was like flirting times ten, a full-on display of his prowess. And his shirt looked like it might not survive the strain his chest was putting on it.
“Oh, Daddy.” The words slipped out, and I should have regretted them, but I saw his eyes widen briefly before he controlled his expression again.
I was about to say something else, probably something ill-advised, when Carter came running in. “Dad, thank goodness you’re still here.”
Oh, fuck. This was Carter’s dad. Wow. Hot didn’t even begin to describe him. The tux should’ve been a signal that he was part of the wedding party, but I hadn’t exactly been thinking clearly as I’d approached him. Heat rushed to my face, making me curse my pale skin. I prayed Carter wouldn’t ask what was wrong. Maybe he was too distracted to notice that I’d been hitting on his fucking father.
I took a few steps back. “I’ll let you two talk about whatever Carter needs. I-I’m sure you’re busy, but it was nice to meet you, sir, and—”
“You didn’t tell me your name,” Mr. Hillingdon said.
Name. My name. What was it again? “Avery. I’m Avery.”
“I suspected as much, and it’s nice to meet you too.” He held out his hand for me to shake, and I saw a mischievous glint in his eyes. The bastard was still flirting, even with Carter right there. And what did he mean he suspected it? He knew I was Carter’s friend before he’d blatantly shown off for me?
I took his hand and damn, it was warm and big. He squeezed me just right, enough to show dominance but without crushing my fingers.
“Um. Nice to meet you too.” There, I could remember basic social niceties.
“I hope to see you again later, Avery.”
“Yeah. Yes. Me too. I’ll… I’ll see you later.”
I backed away and then practically ran out of there.
Carter had to be wondering what the hell was wrong with me. Had I acted strangely enough that he’d text Felicity about it? I hoped not. If so, I’d just say I was getting more nervous as it got closer to time to line up for the ceremony.
The real question was, what would I do if/when I saw Carter’s dad again?
Lay down and spread my legs?
No. Definitely not that.
I’d avoid him. That’s what I’d do. Unless he was approaching Carter’s mom, because I’d promised Felicity I’d make sure that didn’t happen. Damn it. I’d just have to hope they had the sense to avoid a confrontation, because if I spent much time around that man I would be in big trouble. He was everything I couldn’t resist.