I gape as I watch after him, my cheeks flushed with frustration. “That’s it?” He’s going to leave me like this?
He’s under the stream of hot water when he peers over his shoulder to flash a wicked grin.
“You domesticated motherfucker!”
I observe from the corner of the kitchen as a man with fair skin and a lush mane of black hair pulls Henry into a hug. Given the British accent, this must be Preston.
Henry returns the gesture, roping his arms around his friend.
So, this is the guy with the swollen ego who runs the two-billion-dollar hedge fund firm. No wonder … Not only is he rich and successful, he is beautiful. Tall and fit and stylish, with masculine features and a broad, uninhibited smile that shows off straight, white teeth. The guy surely turns heads in every room he walks into.
How I missed spotting Preston at the funeral is beyond me, but I guess that confirms how many people there were and how solely focused I was on Henry.
When the two men peel away, Preston is shaking his head with disbelief. “Never thought I’d see the day Henry Wolf would be getting married and hosting dinners.” Finally, he notices me standing off to the side. Warm hazel eyes skitter over my frame, all the way to my shoes, before rising again. “And now I understand.”
It wasn’t a leering look, and yet my face erupts with heat.
“Preston, this is Abbi,” Henry introduces.
Preston hurries forward, thrusting out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet the woman who thawed Wolf’s cold, black heart.” His large hand surrounds mine.
“Same.” That didn’t make any sense. I clear my throat. “I mean, I’m glad you could make it tonight.”
“Oh, I never miss this weekend.” His smile is mischievous. “And I’m sure Wolf has told you everything there is to know about me?”
“Uh …” I dare a questioning glance at Henry.
Preston barks with laughter. “He’s told you absolutely nothing, right?”
“That’s not true. I told her you’re an arrogant fuck,” Henry retorts smoothly.
“Don’t worry.” Preston releases my hand to squeeze Henry’s shoulder. “He may play the prickly asshole, but we know he loves us.”
Henry rolls his eyes but he’s smiling. “All right, enough of that bullshit. How was your flight over?”
“Short. Kept myself busy.” He winks and then stretches an arm out toward the leggy blond who just emerged from the powder room. “Speaking of … Kendra, this is my dear friend Henry Wolf and his fiancée, Abbi.”
Kendra saunters toward us, covertly tugging at the hem of her fitted black dress before it rides up past her ass.
“Kendra works in accounting at my firm.”
“You work together.” It’s just the slightest inflection in Henry’s tone, but I catch it.
So must Preston because he smirks, seemingly unfazed by his disapproval. “Not directly.”
Henry’s eyebrow twitches, but he doesn’t say anything else as a server in a crisp black button-down and black dress pants swoops in to deliver a tray of cocktails dressed in blackberries.
Honestly, what could Henry say, considering his own indiscretions?
Preston hands a glass to his date before accepting one for himself. “This is Kendra’s first trip to New York.”
“I’m excited.” She lifts her glass in a toast, showing off the delicate tattoo on the inside of her wrist of three intertwined hearts.
“And the suite they put you in?” Henry asks. “I asked Miles to arrange something adequate. I hope it’s to your satisfaction.”
“Oh yes, it’s lovely, isn’t it, Preston?” She trails a finger along his biceps, a subtle sign of affection that he doesn’t react to.
“It’ll do.” Preston tastes the concoction, pauses, and then takes another sip.
A wave of relief washes over me. One day maybe I’ll feel like I fit into this lifestyle, okay with dropping thousands on a catered dinner party. Or maybe I won’t care to seek approval. Today is not that day.
I take a large gulp of my drink, hoping the alcohol will calm my frazzled nerves.
“We’re two floors down, between Merrick’s and Warner’s rooms. They’ve checked in already.” Preston peers over his shoulder. “They should be here any second.”
“Preston said you own this hotel?” Kendra’s bright cornflower-blue eyes shimmer with interest on Henry. She’s gorgeous. I can see why she caught the finance tycoon’s interest.