Read Online Planning for Love by Christi Barth - Free Book Online

meet the
worried gaze of her best friend.
    “You can hold off on the imaginary security, Daphne. I’m
fine.”
    Ben rebuttoned the tux jacket she didn’t even remember undoing,
then turned around. “I assure you, my hands had nothing but good intentions
toward your friend’s ass.” He strode to the doorway, skirting around the
shattered remains of a vase, and held out his hand. “Bennett Westcott, True Life
Productions.”
    Daphne wiped her hands on the lavender apron covering her
end-of-the-night uniform of jeans and a tee. “Daphne Lovell. Sorry about the
mess.”
    “Daphne’s my best friend and business partner at Aisle Bound.
She’s an amazing florist.” Ivy talked as fast as possible while slipping back
into her shoes. The more she talked, the less chance Daphne would be able to ask
what the hell was going on. “She did today’s flowers. I completely forgot you
were coming back to get all the vases tonight.”
    Daphne brought her hands together over her heart in feigned
shock. “You forgot? You forgot a logistical detail
about an event?” Her blue eyes narrowed, swept from the top of Ben’s
sun-streaked mop of hair, all the way down his more than six feet of
handsomeness. “Normally I’d assume the only explanation is a sudden onset brain
tumor. But looking at what distracted you, I guess I can understand.”
    “You can?” Ivy was floored. Where were the recriminations? The
scolding at her stupidity and risking the company’s reputation?
    “God, Ivy, look at him! Who wouldn’t want a nibble? He’s hot,
built, and apparently you’ve already hooked him. I say go for it.”
    “Ladies, I’m standing right here. Could you maybe not talk
about me like I’m sex on a stick?”
    “Nope. Now you’ve permanently implanted that imagery in my
brain. But I will leave the two of you alone. Have a good time. Oh, and I’ll
send someone up here to clean up the vase, so you might want to relocate your
frolicking.” Daphne backed away, putting her hand to her ear in a call-me
gesture.
    A heavy silence thickened the air. The music downstairs had
ended. Ivy wasn’t sure what to do with Daphne’s surprising nod of approval.
Daphne’s appearance had splashed cold water all over the magical moment. All the
reasons why not to go along with Ben flooded back in a rush. And then he took
her hand, planting a kiss in her palm and closing her fingers over it like a
promise.
    Ben locked inky blue eyes with her, deep dimples ratcheting his
smile from sexy to irresistible. “So, how about that drink?”

Chapter Four
    Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.
    —Samuel Johnson
    “I feel like I’m starring in a madcap thirties movie. Rushing into a hotel in the wee hours of the morning dressed in formalwear. If only you wore a top hat,” Ivy mused as she and Ben crowded together into the revolving door.
    “Decadent, isn’t it? Until you remember that we’ve been in these clothes since noon, and worked our butts off all day. Kind of takes the shine off the image.” Ben pushed them through into the refined grey and black elegance of the Cavendish Grand lobby. A soaring atrium rose three stories, with one entire wall of windows overlooking the hustle and bustle of Michigan Avenue. The walls were covered in dove grey satin echoed in the chairs and sofas grouped around a cascade of water streaming from the ceiling into a mound of shiny black river stones. Sheets of glass formed the check-in desk, supported by columns of dark granite.
    “Miss Rhodes, welcome to the Cavendish. I wasn’t aware any members of your bridal party were staying with us this evening.” Cool as the cucumber slices Ivy used to de-puff her eyes, the starched British accent caused her to snatch her hands off Ben’s arm as though it were suddenly aflame. Yep, she’d been caught. At this rate, she might as well take out an ad in the Chicago Tribune announcing her intention to let Ben keep kissing her.
    “Don’t worry, Gib. Your