Read Online Kiss and Makeup by Taryn Leigh Taylor - Free Book Online

wedding, so I had the car service bring me here. I thought you could come back to the bridal suite with me. You can get ready there, so I don’t have to worry about you being late for tonight’s ceremony. Also, I need someone to keep an eye on your sister while I check on the catering staff. You know they...”
    Her mother’s eyes widened and the rest of the chastisement died on her lips a split second before an arm slipped around Chloe’s waist.
    â€œI’ve got our bags, babe. Mrs. Masterson, it’s great to finally meet you. I’m Ben.” He extended a hand in Fiona Masterson’s direction, and Chloe could only mirror her mother’s shocked expression as he delivered the coup de grâce. “Chloe’s boyfriend.”

5
    I T WASN ’ T ON PURPOSE . He wasn’t a knight in shining armor. But something about seeing this smart-mouthed goddess who’d rocked-and-socked her way into his world fade into a shadow of herself was disheartening.
    He liked Chloe. She was funny and jaded, but not quite as jaded as she thought she was. Their conversations over the past twelve hours had been the most fun he’d had with a woman in a really long time. And had he mentioned the sex had been hot as hell? Truly top-notch. So why bring the fun to an end?
    Besides, it wasn’t like he had plans tonight. His meeting with hotel magnate Edward Burke was at four o’clock. By five he’d be free and clear. And a guy had to eat, so what did he care if it was room service or fancy wedding food?
    â€œI’m sorry, what did you say your name was again?”
    â€œBen, ma’am.”
    â€œBen. Is that short for Benjamin?”
    â€œIt is.”
    â€œMay I call you Benjamin?”
    â€œOf course.”
    She finally accepted his outstretched hand, eyeing him coolly. He felt every second of her assessment, like her eyes were shooting tiny, prickling ice shards as they studied him. His face, his suit, his arm around her daughter’s waist, his shoes. He was glad he’d taken the time to polish them that morning. “It’s nice to meet you, Benjamin. Chloe failed to mention she was seeing a handsome professional man. What is it that you do for a living?”
    â€œMom! Boundaries. Geez.”
    â€œFine. We’ll talk about it in the car on the way to the suite.”
    Ben put on his best client-wooing smile. “I really appreciate the offer, Mrs. Masterson—”
    â€œFiona,” she corrected.
    â€œFiona. But I’ve got a business meeting this afternoon, so we should really head straight to our room.”
    â€œYes, Ben’s got a meeting first!” Chloe latched onto the excuse with all her might. “He can’t be late for that. So...yeah, what Ben said. Gotta get to our hotel. Check in and stuff.”
    â€œHotel Burke,” Ben added, hoping the ritzy name would impress Chloe’s mom a little, or at least thaw her a bit. She didn’t bat an eye. Chloe groaned.
    â€œWell, I’m relieved to hear you’re staying at the wedding venue. I figured you would have picked something clear across the city, just to be contrary.”
    â€œSee you tonight, Mom.” Chloe reached for her luggage, but Ben beat her to it, grabbing her scratched-up plastic suitcase in his left hand, his pristine black one in his right. “I got it.”
    â€œWhat the hell was that?” Chloe whirled on him the second they stepped outside. The frigid wind whipped her hair around her head, and Ben set their suitcases down on the snowy sidewalk so he could shove his hands in his pockets.
    â€œUnbalanced seating plans are wedding kryptonite.”
    â€œOh, God. You heard that?”
    Ben shrugged his shoulders against the cold. “It’s a well-known fact. I can’t believe you weren’t aware of it, Chloe Marie.”
    â€œI can’t believe you told her you’re my boyfriend.” Chloe jammed a hand through