The wedding dress

was no big deal, really… Closing her eyes tightly, she focused on her breathing and the sound of the engine being brought to life, so much so that she missed the sound of the opposite door opening a

ly taking in the extravagant dusty pink bridesmaid’s gown that Aria wore and the long white garment bag in her hands. Her stomach sank as she took in the elegant black script on the front that read ‘Bride’. ‘Sweetheart…if you were planning to run from a wedding again, you could have chosen somewhere a little more glamorous.’ Aria smiled good-naturedly. Priya swallowed hard, feeling her anxiety peak at that single word. Again. Her best friend wasn’t trying to be cruel. They often joked of her disastrous first engagement and the society scandal that had come from her abrupt departure mere hours before the ceremony. But that had been in the past, when she’d believed herself free of this world with all its expectations and power plays. She pushed away the sinking feeling of dread and stood up, wiping down her moist palms on her tailored black suit trousers. ‘What time is it?’ ‘Just past two.’ Aria’s expression softened as she stepped into the office suite and closed the double doors softly behind her. Frustration she could have dealt with, but the look of kind concern on Aria’s pretty face was too much. ‘Are you sure you want to go through with this? Wit

rise guest nonchalantly pressed a button to reveal t

alising with a sharp tug of horror that she’d been so distracted she’d

yes had that same amused glow again, as thou

y are you here?’ Sh

ed hands carefully popped the stopper and poured. ‘I’ve b

ignored the gla

all handbag and gave him her best glare. ‘You have ten seco

seeming to caress each syllable as they passed his lips. ‘What kind

why did everything he say sound like a lover’s bedroom whispers? Tighteni

her reaction had deeply irritated him. Without breaking eye contact, he reache

f the man who had chauffeured her around the city many times in the past weeks. His smile held a hint o

be my driver

ul arm along the back of the seat, surveying her over the rim of his

as she could muster, considering the thousand b

tutting softly. ‘Seems my brother is hiding more from you than just his true motive behind th

t of her was anything like her finely polished and serious fiancé. Xander was dark and lean where this man was golden skinned and had shoulders that seemed to fill the entire seat. His collar was open and his long golden hair brushed ba

nsured that their pre-nuptial agreement was iron clad. She’d read through the p

ly get to it. I’m already running late.’ She smoothed her hands