The Billionaire’s Forbidden Desire(82)

Nobody looking at them would suspect they were in the middle of an ugly divorce.

Mark and the officiant made their way to the front. In a perfectly tailored tuxedo, Mark looked stunning. The sun glinted on his onyx-dark hair. Anticipation seemed to bubble within him as he waited for his bride. At the officiant’s request, everyone rose to their feet, and the orchestra started “Here Comes The Bride.”

Hilary walked on Barron Sterling’s arm. The Diamante crystals glittering in floral patterns, layers and layers of intricate lace and tulle created a dress fit for a fairy tale princess. Hilary’s gaze didn’t waver behind the thin veil, her step was sure, as she walked toward Mark, who looked at her like she was the only woman in the world.

Sophia sighed. What would it feel like to be the center of a man’s universe like that?

A man slid into the seat next to her. “I can’t believe he’s getting married,” he muttered.

She glanced over and blinked. It was Ryder, dressed in a tux and very dark sunglasses. No date, for once. “When did you get here?”

“Just before the bride made her grand entrance. Everyone was so busy staring at her that I was able to make it here almost undetected. It’s almost impossible for someone like me to just sit down without causing a stir, you know.” He looked around and sighed. “At least they saved me a seat.”

She shrugged. Nobody had saved him a seat. There just happened to be an empty one next to her.

“Ah, Mark. I knew him, Horatio,” Ryder said in a mock-grave voice. “He was supposed to be single forever. At least the bride’s hot. Every one of my cousins has betrayed me, except for Dane. At least he’ll be single forever.”

Despite herself, she leaned closer. “He will? Why?”

“Are you kidding? What woman wants to marry an iceberg? He’s cold, Sophia. Cold, cold, cold. Everywhere he shows up, the temperature drops. He’s worse than Blake.”

Just then the back of her neck tingled. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Dane watching.

Unlike her, he looked well-rested and calm. He seemed forbidding and inscrutable in his tux, which fit him precisely. His eyes were bluer than the deepest Arctic sea and—sure enough—just as cold.

Sophia’s nerve endings prickled, and she turned away. So what if he was amazing in bed? He’d made it very clear how he felt about their relationship—if they’d ever had one. She was tired of his mind games. She’d always been good at playing them when she’d been competing, but this was something else. The rules were different, and the impacts left invisible wounds that oozed pain.

She focused on the couple. Was it her imagination or was Mark’s chest puffed out like it was about to burst? His eyes shone with adoration. Even though he and Hilary were only holding hands, there was something so possessive and protective about the way he stood in front of her.

“I always thought life was like a puzzle,” Mark began. “You never know how it’s going to look, and the pieces you find as time passes surprise you. For the longest time I thought I had all the pieces, even though I always felt like something was missing. Then I saw you and I knew you were the final and the most vital piece. You make me believe I can be more than I thought I could ever be. With this ring I pledge my life and everything that I am to you. And I hope I can give you even half the joy and happiness you’ve given me.”

That, Sophia thought fiercely. That’s what I deserve.

She clenched her hands, doing her best to ignore Dane. She hadn’t been throwing herself out there to be made to feel cheap and dirty. Now that she’d seen exactly what she wanted, she wasn’t going to waste any more mental energy on a man who wouldn’t give it to her.

She was going to go big on her own terms.





Chapter Thirty-Four


Sophia disappeared into the milling crowd. Mark and Hilary were on their fourth dance. They moved with grace, surety and a chemistry Sophia had seen from top ice-dancers who’d been together for over a decade.

It was just like Mark had said during his vow—Hilary was the final and most vital piece in the puzzle he called life.

Dane didn’t dance, but he sought her out with his gaze. Her stomach jittered, but she ignored him. She wove in and out among the guests, evading him without looking like she was avoiding him. This was Mark and Hilary’s moment, and Sophia didn’t want any drama with Dane to mar the occasion.

“Are you going to dance or just walk around the perimeter?” Justin asked.

Sophia looked up at the man. His dark hair was slicked back, making him look roguish. Despite his keen gaze, the affable warmth on his finely chiseled face rendered him friendly.