The Billionaire Takes a Bride (Billionaires and Bridesmaids, #3)(10)

“Actually, I know the groom. We’re business associates.” They weren’t all that close—he didn’t think many people were truly close to Hunter, but the few times they’d worked together, he’d enjoyed the man’s company. They’d even started indoor rock climbing together recently. Maybe that’s why he was a groomsman.

Either that, or his new wife wanted to be on TV. Sebastian didn’t like to think about that. “Gretchen’s not the type to want to be on The Cabral Empire, is she?” He wondered if that was why he was a groomsman.

Chelsea made a face. “God, no. Gretchen is very much not a TV person. I don’t think she even likes having her picture taken. And I don’t think she’d do that to Hunter. She seems protective of him.”

That was true enough. Then he’d been invited to the bridal party for another reason . . . perhaps to match up with the lovely blonde in front of him. If Gretchen was indeed out to find him a new girlfriend, he had to admit she had a good eye. He watched Chelsea’s ass rise as she stood on her tiptoes and peeked out into the hall again. Too bad he wasn’t looking for a date. The last thing he needed right now was a romantic entanglement. Not with his life currently ensnared with legal issues around The Cabral Empire.

“So, listen,” Chelsea said, moving back toward him. She licked her plump lips and looked back at the hall, then at him from under thick, dark lashes. “Since everyone seems to be coupling up . . .”

He could watch her lick those lips all night. “Yes?”

“You . . . want to be each other’s designated buddy?”

Sebastian’s lips quirked into a smile of his own. This might have been the first time a beautiful woman had asked to be his buddy. “Really?”

“Yeah, I mean, this is the pre-engagement party, right? The engagement party’s in a few weeks, and then from there we’re going to have a few more of these things to get through.” She gave a delicate shudder that made the spangles on her nude dress glimmer and shake. “We should be each other’s designated safety date so we don’t have to worry about people hitting on us or trying to couple us up. We can have an agreement, you know? Just friends.”

His libido was offended that this gorgeous creature wanted to be “just friends,” but Sebastian had to admit he was intrigued . . . and it was a smart idea. “So basically if we act like we’re together, no one’s going to hit on us or try to push us into a date?”

She snapped her fingers. “Bingo. Awkwardness solved. It’s like we’ll be in on the joke. We can share phone numbers and everything.”

“You sure?” He couldn’t help but tease her a bit. “Lots of eligible men at these things.”

She actually shuddered. “I’m positive. I mean, you’re pretty harmless so I’d rather be with you.”

And now his libido really was offended. Harmless? Him? He’d been known to seduce at twenty paces just with a smoldering look. “Harmless, eh?”

She moved in and patted his chest. “Don’t be offended. It’s because I know you now. It wasn’t a jab at your manhood.”

He shrugged and pulled his phone out again. A safety date would be just the thing. He could avoid being set up because he already had a “date.” He could avoid other women who were looking for a man at a wedding—because there were always a few—and no one who looked at Chelsea would think she was with Sebastian platonically. She was perfection in high heels. “All right,” he said, sliding his thumb over his phone. “Give me your number, Safety Girl.”

Chelsea laughed and reached between her cleavage to pull out her phone, where it was tucked away between her breasts. He tried not to stare at that, he really did.

And he tried not to wish that it wasn’t a safety thing after watching those tits produce that tiny phone.

A safety date was a good thing, he told himself.

They exchanged numbers and then she beamed at him, trotting off down the hall. “I really need to send this back to its owner,” she said, holding up the lashes. “See you in a few, Safety Date.”

“Call me SD,” he called back after her, grinning, and her laughter floated down the hall. He found himself smiling despite the absurd situation, and headed back for the dinner party. Sure enough, it was turning into couples-fest. He sat down and pulled out his phone.

Sebastian: You called this one. I’m pretty sure we’re the only ones here without a hookup agenda.

Her reply came a moment later.

Safety Date Chelsea: Told you!!

Sebastian: Just so we’re clear, this isn’t a roundabout relationship thing? It’s just a friendship thing?

Safety Date Chelsea: God no, no relationships. I’ve had enough of men.

He thought of the bruise he’d got a flash of on her inner thigh and wondered. But then the dinner party started, he put away his phone, and Chelsea appeared from the restroom with her friend, all smiles and bouncy hair and charming personality.

And he forgot all about the bruises for a while and just enjoyed himself.

That night, when he went home, he pulled out his sketch pad and pencils. He immediately began to draw a rounded face, big, shining eyes, and wavy blonde hair. She was so happy and carefree, how could he not draw her? She reminded him of the pinup girls of old.

Friend or not, he suspected that Chelsea Hall was going to be art inspiration for a long time to come.