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Chapter 16
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The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 17
One month later . . . Lacey was having a ball being back in Paris. She had stayed in touch with her friends through text and email, but it was nothing like seeing them in person – and going out on the town with them. Her mother didn’t mind Lacey spending time with her friends as long as she got time with her too. After all, they had gone a whole year without seeing or talking to each other. They had attended several fashion shows, shopped, and lunched together. Lacey’s evenings were spent with her friends, except for this weekend. Her friend, Pierre, was hosting a party in a luxury penthouse on Friday, and a fun filled overnighter on his yacht in Monaco. Lacey’s mother had encouraged her to go and have fun. “I’ll be fine, darling. This is Paris. There are all sorts of things to do,” her mother had said. It was a beautiful warm night in Monaco. Pierre had a pool so attendees could swim or just hang out in the livin
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 18
Once month later . . . It was Labor Day, and the Dandridge clan gathered at the family estate to celebrate the holiday. Blake was in attendance. Normally, he detested spending time with his family at large functions, but he was trying to be a different man. A man who appreciates women and family – God help him. The woman part was easy. The family part not so much. He couldn’t stand half the moochers and whoremongers. But per his grandmother’s request, he was there. Maybe I can stay for an hour or so and then leave. He walked in the back yard. There was a white air conditioned tent set up for them to eat in. The smell of burgers and hot dogs cooking filled the air. Blake wore a pair of jean shorts and a brown shirt with a collar. He didn’t wear denim of any kind until after he had started seeing Lacey. He had bought a few pairs of jeans and denim shorts in Maine. It felt freeing for some reason. It was like he was a teen again
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 19
You are cordially invited to Helping Hearts and Hands Charity Gala The black tie event will be held at 583 Park Avenue Hors d'oeuvres will be served at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Contributions will benefit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Albert and Cynthia Centmen had been ecstatic when Blake offered himself and Alden Investments to be the replacement sponsor of their charity event to benefit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. There was one condition. That no one would know Blake and Alden Investments were the main benefactor until the event. Blake was afraid if Lacey or her family learned he was the main supporter she wouldn’t come. Blake had learned through the private investigator’s report that Lacey and her family attended mass at St. Patrick’s. So
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 20
The front of the temporary stage had a clear glass podium and lilac curtains behind it. Soft purple light lit the room. Crystal chandeliers were above. The round tables were covered in white tablecloths. The centerpieces were shortly cut white carnations in clear round like glass vases.It was almost six o’clock. The Stevens settled down at their table, which was in the middle of the room. Roxanne and Lacey were surprised that they were located in the middle of the room. At most charity events, the middle of the room seating was reserved for major contributors. Of course, Lacey’s mother donated to any charity that assisted St. Patrick’s Cathedral because they were members of that church. But she hadn’t donated enough to warrant middle room seating – not as she knew of. They had returned from Paris two weeks ago. The invitation was at the estate waiting on them. When her mother asked if she wanted to come, she had asked if she could bring a friend. Her mother ha
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 21
The fifth and final course of the gala dinner had been served and finished. Lacey was thankful that the caterer had taste and common sense. The meal was fantastic – one of the best ones she’s ever had at a charity event. Even her father had enjoyed the food. Lacey probably would have enjoyed the food and the company more if Blake hadn’t been staring at her on and off during the meal. Granted, she stole a few glances at him, but surely she wasn’t looking at him like a hungry wolf - the way he was looking at her. A six piece orchestra had begun to play. Lacey was willing with every fiber of her being for Will to ask her to dance so she could get out of Blake’s sight for a while. After ten minutes of chatting, her father had asked her mother to dance. Her mother happily accepted. Lacey looked at Will expectantly. “I would ask you to dance, but I don’t know how to do . . . the type of dances that are done
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 22
Three days later . . .Lacey was in her studio at her mother’s estate. In spite of herself, she had started on the portrait of Blake using the sketches she drew of him at The Cozy Inn. The two times he posed for her he had worn a suit and sat in a chair.She hadn’t really painted anything since her romantic debacle with him. It was like she had some sort of block. Every time she had tried to paint sketches she had drawn, her mind veered off to thoughts of Blake Dandridge. Being the artistic type, she knew that she had to express what plagued her mind through her art.Her hope was she complete the portrait of him, working out any unbalanced feelings concerning him, and then she could truly move on.The night of the charity gala Will and Lacey had gone to the estate as they had discussed. They had caught a cab. Will had apologized for his behavior and the scene.“I just couldn’t keep standing there as he tried to force himself on you,” Will had said.Lacey had assured him th
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 23
Saturday night . . . Lacey was so excited she could barely contain herself as she watched the crème de la crème of New York show up at Early’s Gallery. “Darling, take a breath. You’re going to bounce right out of your shoes,” her mother joked. Her father and Will chucked. Lacey had called Will as soon as Desmond had left the house. She had screamed into the phone with excitement and begged Will to be her escort for the night. Will had laughed and happily agreed. Then he told her how proud and happy he was for her. He wore a black suit with a white shirt and a blue and silver stripped tie. When her father had arrived home, Lacey had jumped in his lap in the study like she was a little girl again and told him the incredible news. He had laughed and said, “Of course, I’ll be there, sweetheart.” When her mother had come home hours later, Lacey had burst into her bedroom while she wa
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 24
Lacey gasped with shock as the limo took off. She had put her hand on the seat to keep herself from toppling over. “Sit down, Lacey, before –” Too late. The driver took a sharp left, sending Lacey right into her kidnapper’s arms. Blake grunted as he caught her. “Get off me you, you . . .! she shouted as she scrambled away from him. “You fell on me,” he said calmly. “That’s your fault!” she sneered nastily as she scrambled to the seat across from him. “You shouldn’t be here. I’m supposed to be meeting with –” she stopped short as her brain engaged. Her mouth dropped open. “You . . . set this up. You set me up.” “What choice did you leave me?” he asked like he did this all the time. “What choice – tell Richard Petty to stop the car. I want to get out!” “No,” he answered simply. He wore a dark gray suit with a light gray silk tie. No need to tell anyone anyt
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The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 41
It was almost eight in the evening when Blake carried Lacey over the threshold of his penthouse. Lacey had said he didn’t have to do it, but he wanted to make sure that everything was traditional the way she wanted it right down to a T. Lacey thought Blake was going to set her down in the living room. But instead he continued to carry her through the living room to the back hallway. “Where –” she stopped when she realized he was taking her straight to the bedroom - his bedroom. “Oh.” Blake chuckled. They were alone in the penthouse. Blake had given his housekeeper and butler the night off. Besides, their bags were already packed for their honeymoon in Paris. Of course, Blake had been to Paris before but he had said he waited to take her there for their honeymoon so he could see the city through her beautiful blue eyes. Blake gently placed her down on the end of the bed in the sitting position. He didn’t seem to be
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 40
The wedding party prepared to walk down the aisle. Father Thomas, who was in robes, waited for them at the archway ahead. His blond hair was slicked down and parted on the side. He had also conducted Lacey’s and Blake’s marital counseling which was required by the Catholic church. They had to wait for Roxanne, her mother, and Blake’s grandmother to be escorted down the aisle. Once that was done, it was Blake’s turn. Brad and Blake walked side by side up the aisle as Gladys Knight and a choir sang, I Hope You Dance. Lacey had wanted a professional singer at the wedding. It was Roxanne who had booked Gladys Knight. The three-piece band, although small, sounded beautiful. Blake noticed a few of his family members with their eyebrows up like they couldn’t believe this was it.A helicopter could be heard in the distance. Once they got to the front, Blake turned around. He glanced over to his grandmother. She gave him a
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 39
The day of the wedding . . . Nothing like a ninety-something chasing your guests out, saying she should call their wives and mothers. And how Grandmother Phillipa chided the girls. They hadn’t dared to say anything back to her. They got dressed and left. Blake didn’t have a hangover, thank god. He had drunk quite a bit of scotch last night. He hadn’t drank like that since his junior year in undergrad. Leo and Brad had come over for breakfast. They sat at the dining room table with Blake at the helm. Leo was to his right and Brad was on his left. “Well, today is the day. Are you nervous?” Brad asked. “No.” Blake answered simply. “Truly?” Leo asked with an inquisitive look. “Truly. Why would I be nervous about something I am beyond sure of?” Blake asked. “You couldn’t have picked a nicer and prettier girl that’s for sure,” Brad commented. “So, when will it be your turn
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 38
Leo had called to ask Blake if he wanted to play a few sets of racquetball before they had to meet Brad at Blake’s penthouse. It had been a few years since Blake played racquetball. Nevertheless, he accepted the invite and hoped he didn’t lose as badly to Leo as he did to Lacey at tennis. As the saying goes, hope springs eternal. He lost three sets of singles to Leo at the New York Athletic Club. They went to the tap room for drinks before showering and changing. “You’re a happy man these days, brother,” Leo remarked and sipped his imported beer. They were sitting at the bar. “That’s what the love of a good woman can do for a man,” Brad bragged proudly. Leo smiled. “Lacey is lovely. I’m sure you’re excited about tomorrow. Since we have a few minutes alone, I would like to say –” “Ugh, you’re not going to get mushy on me, are you?” Blake jested. “Not too much. I just want to say
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 37
Four months later . . . It was early April. The sun was shining. The winter snow had melted. The birds were chirping – Spring was officially here. And it was the day before the wedding. They had the wedding rehearsal that morning followed by a rehearsal luncheon at Lacey’s home. Since her mother had planned her bachelorette party for tonight, they had a rehearsal lunch instead of a rehearsal dinner. After the luncheon, Lacey led Blake into the den blindfolded. She had a surprise for him and she didn’t want him to peak. “We’ve stopped,” Blake stated. “now can I take this pink thing off?” Lacey laughed. She had blindfolded him with the pink scarf she had been wearing. He liked the color on her but not him and he had let her know it. “Yes,” she reached up and untied it from around his eyes. He was in perfect position to see his surprise head on. Blake blinked his eyes open and then stilled as he got a loo
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 36
“Hey, everybody look who stopped by!” Brad shouted. Everyone turned to see Santa Clause in the doorway next to him. The adults smiled and the children cheered. Santa walked to the middle of the room with his red sack over his shoulder. Brad followed. “Santa has gifts for all the good boys and girls,” Brad said. The kids happily surrounded St. Nick as he crotched in the floor. “Now, how hold on. Have you guys been good?” Brad asked. “Yeah,” the children chimed. “Are you sure? Most of you are Dandridges. We can be naughty by nature,” Brad said with a grin. “Just the adults are,” Moxley, his second cousin, said. The adults chuckled. Santa started pulling wrapped gifts out of his sack. The names of the children were on the packages. The words. Thanks, Santa, rung around them as the kids trotted off with their gifts to open them. Their parents slow
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 35
Three months later . . . The past few months had been the happiest of Lacey’s life. She was hopelessly and totally in love and it seemed like Blake felt the same about her. They had spent almost all their free time together. Blake had attended mass with her and her mother several times even though he wasn’t Catholic. They had dinner at least four times a week. He made a conscious effort to get along with her father. Blake had even volunteered with her at the Catholic soup kitchens and orphanage. Blake really had changed. He treated people with respect no matter what their station was in life. And it turned out he was pretty good with children. The kids at the soup kitchen and orphanage naturally flocked to him and he didn’t seem to mind. He had also taken Lacey’s suggestion, going to therapy to work out any relationship issues with women. He had his last session last week. While Blake was at work, Lacey would paint and draw. She was st
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 34
One day later . . . Lacey sat across from Will at the New York County Country Club. Will wasn’t a member, but as Lacey’s guest he could come in. As they looked over the menu, Will said, “I take it you invited me out to let me down easy.” Lacey looked up. He was staring at her with a slightly sad expression. “I . . . yes,” she admitted. “Do you love the dirt bag?” he asked flatly. “Yes, and he’s not as much of a dirt bag as you think – not anymore at least,” she said softly. “Will, I am sorry. At the time we met again, I had every intentions of putting Blake behind me.” “I know. But, he’s smarter than I am.” “What do you mean?” “He was smart enough to fight for you. To not let you go. If I wasn’t such a fool while we were in school . . .” he trailed off. His tone was full of regret. “You were young. We both were.” “We’re not that ol
The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Chapter 33
Blake had showered and slept in Lacey’s room. She woke in his arms. He had waken her because according to him they had a full day. That’s when she remembered she had agreed to let him plan their last day in Bora Bora. When Lacey emerged from the bedroom, she was surprised to see Blake had prepared breakfast. “You know how to cook?” she said with shock. Blake chuckled. “A little. Enough to get by in a pinch.” He had grapefruit, sausage, and eggs on the table along with orange juice. After breakfast, they went on a morning tour in a helicopter. They flew over the main island, the lagoon, and coral islets. An hour after that, they went jet skiing. Blake had hired a boat man to drive. They had a late lunch and then they had gone to the Four Season’s spa. Blake had arranged for them to have dual massages in an overwater suite. The beds rested on glass panels above the lagoon. The outdoor tub overlooked Mount Otemanu.
