Free A Tropical Rendezvous: A BWWM Interracial Bad Boy Billionaire Multicultural Romance (African American Romance) by Ella Celestine

heart, but he refused to show it. “If that’s how you feel, maybe I won’t.”
    This was it for him. He turned to walk away from his family without knowing when he would see them again.
    But then, Angie’s voice echoed through the room stunning the family into dead silence. “Then the wedding is off.”
    “Angie, please,” Stone pleaded. “Don’t do this.”
    He looked at her and saw the sadness in her eyes. “He’s right. I’m not worth it.” Holding her gaze, he walked to where she stood and wrapped his arms around her. Ignoring the glaring gazes he was receiving, he dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Tomorrow is your day, sweetheart. Enjoy it.”
    She shook her head. “Walk away if you want to, but if you don’t show up, there won’t be a wedding.” Angie’s voice was serious and sincere. She meant business which meant he needed to man up and do this for his brother.
    “See you tomorrow, then.”

Chapter Nine
    “I’m sorry.” Those were the first words Briana heard when she stretched herself awake. Big, sad blue eyes stared down at her with so much regret.
    “For hogging the blanket? I forgive you but only because your body is so warm and hard.” She winked even though they both knew he was talking about something else.
    He sighed and tried for a smile, but it barely covered his mouth and never made it to his eyes. “For my family. For everything.”
    Briana smiled and cupped his face. “Don’t apologize, Maddox, your brother, was right. I’m a penniless stranger, and you’re not penniless. It was an absolutely reasonable accusation.” She meant the words, but still, it had hurt her feelings terribly. She’d come to the hotel and cried until the tears ran dry.
    Maddox shook his head angrily. “No. They didn’t have a right to do that.” He had a point, but she didn’t want to pour more gasoline on the fire. “Let’s just get through the ceremony and then we can go wherever you want.”
    Her heart stopped beating for several long seconds and then began to race double, no triple time. It was hard to breathe, and she didn’t know why. His words were gentle, kind even, but nothing life-changing. Except they felt pretty life-changing to her.
    “You don’t have to say that Maddox.”
    He cupped her face. “I know I don’t, but dammit, Bri, I want you around. Always.” He kissed her mouth slow and so achingly sweet a tear slipped from her eye. “You don’t know where you’re going, but wherever it is, I want to go with you.”
    “Or I could just go with you.” She wanted that more than anything. However,  the pull of independence was still too strong for her to deny. “I just need to figure out what I want to do. I don’t want to live off you, Maddox.”
    His smile was sweet. “I know you don’t, and it just makes me want to take care of you even more. You can be independent, but you should do it with me.”
    A laugh broke free from her unbidden. “How does that work?” She had to admit she was intrigued, but she couldn’t let him take care of her. Not financially. “If you try to give me money I swear I’ll maim you!”
    He laughed and pulled her close. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
    She sighed at his handsome smile. “God, I love you. Shit!” she exclaimed as the realization of what she’d just said washed over her.
    Smacking one hand over her mouth and the other over her eyes, Briana tried to turn away, but he stopped her.
    “Oh no, you don’t.” He pulled her tighter to him. “Hey, look at me. Did you mean that?”
    Still trying to cover her face, she nodded. “I did. I just didn’t mean to blurt it out like that, but dammit . . . you were being so sweet.”
    Please don’t let this be a huge mistake, her inner voice begged.
    Maddox tilted her chin up and pressed a gentle kiss to her mouth. “I love you too, Briana. I mean, if this nauseous feeling and racing heart are love, then yep, I’m totally in it. With you.”
    That drew another laugh from her.