Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

PAYTON

" H old up!" Lennie called after me.

I was halfway down the hallway when I stopped short. It wasn't like me to be rude and walk away, but I needed distance. For once, I was running from Lennie, not the other way around.

Being in close contact with him this morning was playing havoc with my head, my hormones, and strangely enough, my heart. It started racing the moment I realized he was in my bed, and it hadn't calmed since.

When he finally caught up to me, he slid one arm around my waist, and I startled. Never mind racing. I was about to have a literal heart attack.

"What are you doing?" I asked, staring up into his eyes.

I couldn't breathe, never mind walk another step.

"I'm, uh—" He paused, his face reddening. He pulled his arm away. "I guess I'm back in bodyguard mode. I don't know. Sorry. Those stilettos are beautiful, but I don't want you to trip or anything."

Was this man for real? I thought for sure when Lennie saw me in my heels, with makeup on, he'd have scampered out of my hotel room, and I'd never see him again. Most of the men I'd slept with loved my look in private, but in public? Forget it. They didn't like the attention I got, and most of them didn't want to be seen with me.

You're not sleeping with Lennie, remember? And he sees you in makeup and heels all the time.

"That's very kind, Len, but you know I'm a pro when it comes to high heels," I replied. "I manage fine on my own."

I'd been doing everything that way since I was eighteen. After high school, I studied hair and makeup while working a full-time job, and I supported my mom when she got sick, taking care of her until her passing. With only a handful of family left, I was used to being independent. I didn't need anyone.

Least of all this sweet, handsome bodyguard who was immune to my flirting.

"I know that, but you were walking so fast," he added. "Be careful."

"Careful? We blew that out of the water last night."

Lennie chuckled and offered his arm to me like a gentleman. And me? Well, I figured I might as well enjoy his attention while I had it, right? I placed my hand on his forearm, and we walked to the elevator.

I should be freaking out like I was first thing this morning. Then again, it was a silly drunken wedding. There was nothing to worry about. We'd be divorced before I knew it. Back to normal.

Then I thought about the way Lennie was eyeing me up earlier. And the way his dick was about to poke a giant hole through that towel he had on. Was that about me, or was he horny in general? Probably the latter. After all, I'd tried for over a year to get his attention, and it got me nowhere.

Focus, Payton.

I needed coffee, food, and after that, a flight back to Nashville. And then a divorce. Back to my condo and my cat. My usual. My life. I had a great one. A job I loved, a wonderful home that I owned, and good friends. What more could I ask for? Okay, maybe lately, the desire I had to share my life with someone special was haunting me. But I'd get over it. I didn't need a man. I had lots of men. Well, their attention. For an hour or two.

We headed into the elevator, and I was still holding tight to Lennie's arm, all but vibrating as we started to descend. We stopped at another floor and two couples joined us. I got a leering stare from one of the men, but it was short-lived. When I glanced up at Lennie, I realized why. My temporary husband was giving the stranger a glare so lethal, I'm surprised the man didn't drop on the spot. Bodyguard mode was right.

When we finally reached the ground floor, we headed out into the bright lobby, my heels clicking loudly on the marble floor. Lennie steered us to the right and down the hallway to the restaurant.

And there were the boys of Wayward Lane—Brodie, Holloway, Faise, and Ronin—and their security entourage, Valen, Petyr, and Regan. Not to mention Brodie's husband Van, and Holloway's husband, Dawson. The group's chatter quieted when they spotted us, and their shit-eating grins told me we were in for a hell of a wedding breakfast.

More like a roast…

"Oh Christ, here we go," Lennie muttered as we stepped closer.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you." I squeezed his forearm. "And in a few weeks, this will all be a distant memory."

"Really?" Lennie bit his lower lip. "Have you been witness to the jokes and pranks these guys pull? We're gonna get teased about this for months, never mind weeks."

"Well, maybe we can beat them at their own game," I replied with a grin.

"What do you mean?"

"What if we act like last night wasn't a colossal mistake? What if we pretend that we're happy about what happened?" I suggested.

Lennie's cheeks pinked up. "Uh, you mean, act like we're actually a couple? Valen already knows what really happened. And the rest of them won't believe it."

I stopped walking and turned to him. "Why not?"

"Look at you and look at me," Lennie replied.

"And? Is there something wrong with the way I look?" I snapped, pulling back my arm.

"No!" He reached for me again. "But come on, Payton. You're, you know?—"

"No. What?" I bit out, ready to stomp right out of here.

"You're sexy as hell," he whispered, so low I barely heard him. "Why would you settle for me?"

Now, I was never speechless. Never. But right there, at that moment? I had no fucking words. And, honey, it was a good thing Lennie grabbed my arm because I was suddenly weak-kneed. And stupefied. Why would he think that about himself?

"No one would ‘ settle ' for you, Len. They'd be damn lucky to have you," I finally replied. "You're a total hottie, and more important than that, you're kind, sweet, and caring. And I would never marry anyone, alcohol or not, if they weren't all those things. Now, are you my husband for the next four weeks or not?"

Lennie finally cracked a shy smile, and it made me hot all over.

"Okay then." I nodded. "Shall we?"

I held tightly to his arm as we walked up to the band.

"Hey there, happy couple!" Brodie called out with a smirk on his face. "Drinks are on us."

"Please." Lennie shook his head. "Don't even mention alcohol right now."

"Aw, is the honeymoon over already?" Holloway teased. "Maybe we should have invited Elias to join us today, and save you time?"

Lennie gave Holls his middle finger.

"Doesn't anyone want to see my ring?" I announced, drawing attention away from my blushing husband.

I held my left hand out and everyone oohed and awed.

Faise whistled. "Shit, Payton, it's even bigger than the picture."

"That's what he said," Ronin chuckled.

Faise gave his fianc a playful shove.

Lennie sighed and turned to me. "Can we go back upstairs and have breakfast in our room?"

"No way!" Dawson called out. "We need to hear all about last night."

"If you can remember any of it," Valen chuckled.

Then he walked up to us and gave Lennie a side hug and did the same to me.

"You be good to my friend, eh?" Valen stated and pointed to me. "Don't break his heart. Just his box spring."

Poor Lennie turned bright red.

"You have nothing to worry about," I assured him.

Lennie didn't love me, so there was no chance of me breaking anything, least of all his heart.

Regan, the head of security, stepped up beside us, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. "Only you, Payton."

"What?" I stared at Regan, trying my best to look innocent.

"Lennie, a word," she demanded.

Regan and Lennie moved away from the group as they began talking in whispered tones.

"So, are we gonna eat now or what?" Brodie suddenly asked and everyone turned to stare. "Hello? I'm fucking hungover and in desperate need of food. Don't tell me I'm the only one."

"No, but the rest of us are too polite to say anything," Van teased his husband.

Once Regan and Lennie were done talking, they joined us, and we all filed into the restaurant. The place was already brimming with guests, and we were guided by the host to a private room. Patrons pulled their phones out when they spotted the band, but thankfully, no one made a bigger deal than taking pictures.

Once we were seated at our table, the server took our drink orders, double espressos all around. Jesse, the band's manager, joined us last, looking more rested than the rest of us. Jesse was a former rocker himself, but he had a style that was more suited to a boardroom; short hair, dark-framed glasses, and always a button down, trousers, and suspenders. Then you noticed the copious tattoos on his forearms and hands, and the realization hit that he was so not a suit.

As the minutes ticked by, more memories from last night filtered through my brain. But the wedding itself was still murky. I recalled being in a room with soft music and the rainfall of glittery confetti, but not much else. Just a feeling. A moment of pure happiness, the kind of bubbly elation when everything aligns.

Speaking of bubbly, when the servers returned with our coffee, they also brought several bottles of champagne.

"Dee, you shouldn't—" Lennie started, but the lead singer shook his head.

"No matter the occasion, we always celebrate stuff as a family," Brodie interrupted.

"But—"

"No matter."

There was no changing Brodie's mind, so I squeezed Lennie's thigh. "It's okay."

Instead of pulling my hand away, I left it there. And oddly enough, Len placed his much larger hand over mine, interlocking our fingers. I should've felt guilty. Lennie and I weren't really married, so what the hell were we celebrating?

I glanced up and noticed Valen staring at us intently from across the table. But I refused to let go of Lennie's hand. This time, I was protective of him . And when Valen winked at me, I got the same unsettled feeling that I did when I woke up this morning.

This marriage was going to be a hell of a lot more complicated than I first thought.