Without Warning: A Billionaire Romance (Playboys of New York Book 5) JA Low (e textbook reader .TXT) 📖

“Ssh… maybe.” Holding my finger up to my lips, he chuckles.

“God, I love you.” He pulls me to him, and we lose ourselves again in our kiss until someone clears their throat, forcing us apart.

“Welcome everyone, to the wedding of Chloe and Noah Stone,” Camryn Starr, the owner of Starr & Skye events, the wedding planner, states. “Tonight, we will be doing a quick walkthrough of what’s happening tomorrow, just so you know how everything will be,” she explains. “So, boys, you go with my partner, Kimberly, and ladies, you’re with me.”

Rhys stays by my side on the sofa while Chloe and Camryn talk about the logistics of tomorrow.

Turning my attention back to Rhys, while everyone else is distracted, I ask, “Did you hear from Jackson?”

“Yeah. I did.”

“All good?” Concern begins to weave across my body at his tight-lipped answer.

“It’s complicated, but I think everything might be over with next week.” He grins.

Wait.

That is huge news.

Big.

“You seem awfully calm?” I ask.

“I don’t want to get our hopes up, that’s all,” he reassures me, and I understand that. I mean, he’s been fighting this woman for years. He’s probably overthinking that this time might be it.

“Ari, stop humping your man and do your job,” Emma calls out to me.

The girls are already standing in line waiting for me.

“Got to go,” I say and press a kiss to Rhys’ lips before joining the girls.

We do the walk-through of the ceremony. It’s going to be a beautiful day.

The night continues on until a sensible hour because no one wants to look hungover in their wedding photographs.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I tell him and wrap my arms around Rhys’ neck.

“Can’t wait.” He grins, looking down at me before kissing me with passion. Then he waves me goodbye and disappears into the night with the rest of the boys. I let out a heavy sigh and head back into the living room with the girls.

“One last drink, ladies,” Emma states while moving the bottle of champagne from side to side. “Then we need to get our beauty sleep.”

34

Ariana

“I’m getting married, bitches,” Chloe squeals, rushing into the kitchen.

We raise our champagne glasses in her direction, and all say “cheers” to her big day.

“You need to eat to keep your strength up,” Lenna tells Chloe.

“I’m too excited to eat.” Chloe smiles.

“It’s going to be a long day,” Lenna advises.

“Fine.” She grabs a croissant from the table and shoves it into her mouth. “Happy?”

Everyone laughs.

The weather appears like it’s going to be incredible today, looking out the large glass windows. Chloe’s got a nice dusting of fresh show everywhere in her backyard. The blue sky has poked through the clouds and is shining down upon us today. I’d like to think it’s because of Noah’s and her parents, making sure their kids have an incredible wedding day.

The event crew has been busy working all morning. A million and one white flowers arrived earlier. Thankfully, none of us are allergic because she could probably fill a stadium with the sheer number she’s ordered.

After our delicious champagne breakfast, the photos started with us girls in our bridesmaid robes. After plentiful photographs, we are off to get our hair and makeup done.

Then there are more photos and glasses of champagne along the way.

I texted Rhys to see how he’s doing, and a message comes back.

Rhys: I’m downstairs.

He’s downstairs.

Thankfully, I’m finished with my hair and makeup and rush down. I run down the grand staircase in my robe to see him standing at the front door with a smile on his handsome face as he watches me descend. He’s dressed casually, so not sure what he’s doing here. Then I spy a red bag in his hand before I jump into his arms.

“Morning.”

He’s surprised by my enthusiasm. I think all this love in their air has made me a little crazy.

“Now, that’s a greeting.” He chuckles, wrapping his arms around me tightly. Leaning in, I kiss him ever so gently so as to not smudge my lipstick.

“You look gorgeous.” Rhys takes me in. “But you always do.”

“What are you doing here?” I slide down his hard torso.

“One of the guys forgot to drop off Chloe’s wedding gift last night. So, I told them I would do it.” He holds up the designer bag.

“Aw, that’s sweet.” Taking the bag from him, I say, “I’ll be back in two seconds.”

“I’ll be waiting.” He grins. His eyes are on my ass as I step up the grand staircase and head into the room where Chloe’s getting ready.

“Hey, babe. Special delivery from your soon-to-be husband.” I hand over the red bag to her.

“Oh, my goodness.” Chloe’s eyes widen as she grabs the bag from my hand. She pulls out the red velvet case where there’s a note attached to the box. She opens the white envelope and reads the note. Her eyes begin to well, and I can see the makeup artist slowly having a heart attack.

“I’m a lucky woman.” Chloe holds the note to her chest.

“Open up the box,” Emma calls from her chair in the corner.

Chloe shakes herself from her love haze and slowly opens the red velvet box. “Oh my…” Chloe gasps, and the room falls silent as she pulls out the most sparkly necklace I’ve ever seen. Prisms of light dance around the room as we all admire the gorgeous diamond necklace in awed silence. The diamonds on that thing are crazy huge.

I leave Chloe and the girls to ogle the necklace and head back down to where Rhys is waiting.

“Did she like it?” he asks as I step down the stairs.

“Yes. It is amazing. It’s a diamond necklace with stones the size of boulders.” I forget how rich my friends are until they do something like that, and I’m reminded that they do not live normal lives.

“Has anyone ever bought you diamonds before?” Rhys asks.

I don’t mean to burst out laughing, but I do, which makes him frown.

“No. No one has ever bought