Compromising Kessen (Vandenbrook #1)(75)

“All I’m saying, Lady Newberry, is it was a brilliant plan!” Nick threw his hands into the air. “We almost pulled it off.”

“You should be a screenwriter or an author or something,” Duncan said seriously. They shook hands as to congratulate one another and walked right in front of where Christian and Kessen were waiting.

Lady Newberry suddenly gasped. “Oh dear, I forgot my glasses. Will you two just wait for me right there? I do love to look at the garden in the evening! Especially with two attractive young gentlemen.” She winked and shuffled off.

Nick laughed.

Duncan snorted, “She meant me, not you.”

“Are you saying I’m not as attractive as you are?” Nick sounded shocked.

“I think any woman would think so.” Duncan pushed Nick back a little.

Nick laughed loudly. “Please. This coming from a man who can’t even drink coffee!”

“Oh, so it’s about tea and coffee again?” Duncan pushed him again. “Is that the only argument you have?”

“It’s the only argument there is! Coffee prevents cancer!”

“Tea has more antioxidants!” Duncan yelled.

Nick kicked dirt into the air. “Tea ruins people’s teeth way more than coffee does!”

Christian chuckled beside Kessen then whispered, “How long should we let this go on?”

Kessen pushed her lips together to keep from laughing. “Now seems like a good time, don’t you think?”

Christian nodded his head. “Brilliant.”

Kessen counted. “Okay, ready in one, two, three, go!”

They shot up from the ground and began pounding paintballs out as if it was their job to destroy their enemy.

Surges of yelps and swear words resounded throughout the yard as Duncan and Nick ran back into the house. Kessen and Christian had successfully pelted their legs and stomachs at point-blank range.

Laughing, Kessen grabbed Christian’s hand and pulled him to the ground again, just in case Nick and Duncan found guns and decided to fight them like men.

Christian appeared to trip and rather than land next to Kessen he landed on top of her, but braced himself above her so he wouldn’t crush her.

“Was that on purpose?” she asked breathlessly.

He leaned in, “What do you think?”

“I think your moves need work, my lord.”

Christian moved closer until his lips were only an inch from hers. “Practice does make perfect, my lady.”

To this day they still argue over who went in for the kiss first.

Kessen sighed as Christian claimed her mouth with his own. She felt the pressure of his tongue as it slid into her mouth and teased her mercilessly until she was without any logical thought.

She twisted so she could get on top of him and began tugging at his clothes. He seemed just as eager to remove any barriers from between their bodies, as he began tearing at hers with equal force and vigor.

Unfortunately, in all their excitement they had forgotten they were still outside. That is, until Lady Newberry walked up and gasped.

“Do you know,” she said, putting her hands on her hips, “I have caught you two in some of the most compromising situations I have ever seen?”

Kessen froze. Christian hid behind her head while she mouthed traitor to him.

Lady Newberry groaned. “It’s a good thing you’re getting married this weekend, a darn good thing.” And she walked off.

“Maybe we should…” Christian started to say.

“Yeah, we should go inside before…” Kessen was also without words.

“Before I destroy you!” A voice boomed behind the tree. They both turned to see Duncan with a helmet, two paintball guns and at least four sets of clothing on.

“Run!” Christian yelled, pulling Kessen to her feet. Frantically they grabbed their outer clothes and made a beeline for the house.

Kessen, remembering she merely needed to run faster than Christian, tried to open the back door. It was locked. She watched as Christian, arms over his head, shouted for her to run to the front of the house. They split up, each going around one side on their own.

When they reached the front of the house cameras began flashing.

“And here we have the happy couple now.”

“We are so glad to have the wedding in just a day here at the Vandenbrook country home,” the duke said excitedly.

Kessen froze in her tracks and sent a searing glance towards Christian.

He appeared to be swearing as he put on his coat and smoothed his hair. Lucky for them, it appeared they were being chased, not rolling around in the grass, mauling each other without a care for propriety.

What looked like a lot of media personnel ended up being only one news channel. The only one allowed to cover the wedding.

The next three hours consisted of tireless questions and lots of walking. The crew wanted to be shown everything. The bridal gown, the location, the flowers.

It was enough to give Kessen the sudden urge to elope.

After her little tryst with Christian in the grass, elopement was sounding better and better idea by the second. She hardly noticed when, after giving the news team a tour of the garden, he walked by and slipped a folded note in her hand.

Tonight, ten. My room. Don‘t let anyone see you.

She could hardly hide her smile, which threatened to take over her face.