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Chapter 21
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2024-02-03 23:50:21
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The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย Chapter 22
Three days later . . .Lacey was in her studio at her motherโs 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 hadnโt 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.โI just couldnโt keep standing there as he tried to force himself on you,โ Will had said.Lacey had assured him th
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-02-07The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย Chapter 23
Saturday night . . . Lacey was so excited she could barely contain herself as she watched the crรจme de la crรจme of New York show up at Earlyโs Gallery. โDarling, take a breath. Youโre going to bounce right out of your shoes,โ 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, โOf course, Iโll be there, sweetheart.โ When her mother had come home hours later, Lacey had burst into her bedroom while she wa
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-02-07The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย 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. โSit down, Lacey, before โโ Too late. The driver took a sharp left, sending Lacey right into her kidnapperโs arms. Blake grunted as he caught her. โGet off me you, you . . .! she shouted as she scrambled away from him. โYou fell on me,โ he said calmly. โThatโs your fault!โ she sneered nastily as she scrambled to the seat across from him. โYou shouldnโt be here. Iโm supposed to be meeting with โโ she stopped short as her brain engaged. Her mouth dropped open. โYou . . . set this up. You set me up.โ โWhat choice did you leave me?โ he asked like he did this all the time. โWhat choice โ tell Richard Petty to stop the car. I want to get out!โ โNo,โ 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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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-02-08The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย Chapter 25
Two years ago . . . Benjamin Dandridge was so ill now that his old bedroom at the Dandridge estate had to be completely made over, containing a hospital bed, monitors, IV, a breathing machine, and other medical equipment and supplies. Everything that could be done had been done, but to no avail. He was going to die. His only request was to die at home โ where he grew up. So, his mother, Phillipa, had made all the arrangements so when he had been released from the hospital everything was ready for him. Ben was sick of the pain, the medications, having to defecate on a bed pan and being sponged bathed and wiped like a child. Damn it, he wasnโt a child he was a man. And he was sick of it all. His past jet dark hair was now all white. His dick was so limp that Viagra didnโt do any good. What was once muscle was now flabby skin and God knows what else.My life is shit! Ben would do away with himself if he had the strength. No reason to linger
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-02-13The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย Chapter 26
To say Lacey was shocked would have been an understatement. First of all, if the nurse had no idea Blake had pulled the plug and his grandmother remained quiet about what had really happened, then how did the rumor of Blake killing his father get started? Second, Blake hadnโt murdered his ill father for the company. He had wanted his father to return to work so he could be at Alden with him.And third, Lacey was appalled that Blakeโs father put him in that position. In his selfish request and goading, he put a burden on Blake that he had to carry for the rest of his life. โYou do believe me, donโt you?โ Blake asked hesitantly. โYes,โ she whispered. โI just . . . canโt believe your father put you in that position.โ Blake looked down at his now empty champagne glass. โHe did what he had to do โ in his mind. Not only had I figured out later he . . . goaded me into stopping his ventilator I also figured out that he would have don
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-08The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย Chapter 27
Two days later . . . Lacey was in her studio at home slowly working on the portrait of Blake. She had started the project in hopes of working him out of her system through art but it didnโt seem like it was working. It just made her think of him more. There was a part of her that just wanted to be over it and him. But after seeing him two days ago at his penthouse, the other part of her yearned for him more than what she had during the last part of the summer. She exhaled heavily. She had to admit a man had never gone through the trouble to be with her the way Blake has. Granted, she hadnโt appreciated being abducted from her first showing at Earlyโs but it was one heck of a move. When she had confided in her mother about why she had disappeared for so long from the art showing, she had scoffed with disgust. โGoodness. What kind of a man does something like that?โ A man in love, Laceyโs thought with wonder.
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-08The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย Chapter 28
Tonight was the night โ or rather late afternoon. Blake picked Lacey up at the estate at one p.m. in a limo.She wore a white skirt that came to her knees and a light green silk blouse. โI have to say I thought you would be picking me up during the early evening for our date. I figured you wanted to have a lunch date considering the time,โ Lacey said as the limo exceled onto the interstate.โWell, this date will be a bit unorthodox. Hopefully, youโll be pleased by the surprise,โ Blake said.Lacey licked her lips. โWhere are you taking me?โโIn due time.โSince he was being so secretive, she knew it wouldnโt be the typical boring lunch at a country club at least. Perhaps they were going to do an activity like riding. They did that in Maine. Or perhaps they were going to go hiking or go to a museum.Blake and Lacey enjoyed some light chit chat. He asked what she had been up to during the week. Then he had told her about his day at Alden.Lacey was grateful he didnโt get too detailed abo
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-08The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย Chapter 29
Blake finally revealed their whereabouts when they landed. Bora Bora. Lacey was definitely surprised. She had never been to Bora Bora. From what she understood, it was one of the most romantic locations in the world โ along with her beloved Paris, of course. Blake had rented them a two bedroom luxury beachfront villa at the Four Seasons Resort. The living room and dining room was an open floor plan. The villa had a terrace with a private pool and outdoor kitchen and shower. The living space was large, filled with ivory furnishings with colorful throw pillows. The walls were light-colored wood. The roof appeared to be made out of straw, but surely wasnโt. There were other villas around them, but they were far apart enough to give the inhabitants sufficient privacy. In New York it was after midnight but in the French Polynesia it was after 7 p.m. Luckily, Lacey had caught a nap on the jet. Apparently, Blake had done the same. He had gone to the jet be
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-03-12
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The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย Chapter 41
It was almost eight in the evening when Blake carried Lacey over the threshold of his penthouse. Lacey had said he didnโt 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. โWhere โโ she stopped when she realized he was taking her straight to the bedroom - his bedroom. โOh.โ 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 didnโt seem to be
The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย 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 Laceyโs and Blakeโs marital counseling which was required by the Catholic church. They had to wait for Roxanne, her mother, and Blakeโs grandmother to be escorted down the aisle. Once that was done, it was Blakeโs 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 couldnโt 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 Brideย ย ย 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 hadnโt dared to say anything back to her. They got dressed and left. Blake didnโt have a hangover, thank god. He had drunk quite a bit of scotch last night. He hadnโt 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. โWell, today is the day. Are you nervous?โ Brad asked. โNo.โ Blake answered simply. โTruly?โ Leo asked with an inquisitive look. โTruly. Why would I be nervous about something I am beyond sure of?โ Blake asked. โYou couldnโt have picked a nicer and prettier girl thatโs for sure,โ Brad commented. โSo, when will it be your turn
The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย 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 Blakeโs penthouse. It had been a few years since Blake played racquetball. Nevertheless, he accepted the invite and hoped he didnโt 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. โYouโre a happy man these days, brother,โ Leo remarked and sipped his imported beer. They were sitting at the bar. โThatโs what the love of a good woman can do for a man,โ Brad bragged proudly. Leo smiled. โLacey is lovely. Iโm sure youโre excited about tomorrow. Since we have a few minutes alone, I would like to say โโ โUgh, youโre not going to get mushy on me, are you?โ Blake jested. โNot too much. I just want to say
The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย Chapter 37
Four months later . . . It was early April. The sun was shining. The winter snow had melted. The birds were chirping โ 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 Laceyโs 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 didnโt want him to peak. โWeโve stopped,โ Blake stated. โnow can I take this pink thing off?โ 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. โYes,โ 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 Brideย ย ย Chapter 36
โHey, everybody look who stopped by!โ 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. โSanta has gifts for all the good boys and girls,โ Brad said. The kids happily surrounded St. Nick as he crotched in the floor. โNow, how hold on. Have you guys been good?โ Brad asked. โYeah,โ the children chimed. โAre you sure? Most of you are Dandridges. We can be naughty by nature,โ Brad said with a grin. โJust the adults are,โ 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 Brideย ย ย Chapter 35
Three months later . . . The past few months had been the happiest of Laceyโs 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 wasnโt 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 didnโt seem to mind. He had also taken Laceyโs 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 Brideย ย ย Chapter 34
One day later . . . Lacey sat across from Will at the New York County Country Club. Will wasnโt a member, but as Laceyโs guest he could come in. As they looked over the menu, Will said, โI take it you invited me out to let me down easy.โ Lacey looked up. He was staring at her with a slightly sad expression. โI . . . yes,โ she admitted. โDo you love the dirt bag?โ he asked flatly. โYes, and heโs not as much of a dirt bag as you think โ not anymore at least,โ she said softly. โWill, I am sorry. At the time we met again, I had every intentions of putting Blake behind me.โ โI know. But, heโs smarter than I am.โ โWhat do you mean?โ โHe was smart enough to fight for you. To not let you go. If I wasnโt such a fool while we were in school . . .โ he trailed off. His tone was full of regret. โYou were young. We both were.โ โWeโre not that ol
The Billionaire's Runaway Brideย ย ย Chapter 33
Blake had showered and slept in Laceyโs room. She woke in his arms. He had waken her because according to him they had a full day. Thatโs 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. โYou know how to cook?โ she said with shock. Blake chuckled. โA little. Enough to get by in a pinch.โ 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 Seasonโs 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.
