Secrets of the Playboy's Bride by Leanne Banks Read Free Book Online Page A

result from her plan, she couldn’t believe it was happening so fast.
    “You look dazed and pale, sweetheart. Are you okay?” Sharon asked, her face full of worry.
    “Just wedding-day jitters,” Calista said with a smile.
    “Are you sure this is what you want?” Sharon asked. “You haven’t known Leo very long at all.”
    Calista recited her rehearsed response, “When it’s right, it’s right.”
    “But still,” Sharon said, frowning.
    A knock sounded on the door. “Oh, could you please get that?” she asked, thankful for the interruption. The photographer appeared. “Ready for me to take a few shots?”
    “Of course,” she said, smoothing her dress with her hands. “Sharon, come stand here with me.”
    Sharon shook her head shyly. “Oh, no. It’s your time to shine. You look beautiful.”
    “But I want my close family members with me,” Calista said. “Please get my sisters and bring them here.”
    Calista posed for several pictures before her sisters and Sharon returned. Then she took several pictures withthem. Tami took a few pics with her cell phone. Calista drank in the sight of her happy sisters and reminded herself repeatedly that they were the reason she was doing this. Their lives would be so much better because she was marrying Leo.
    One of Leo’s staff poked her head in the doorway. “It’s time,” she said with a smile. “Are you ready?”
    “Yes,” Tami and Tina chorused, giggling with excitement.
    Sharon placed a kiss on Calista’s cheek. “I’ll see you on the dock. You can still change your mind,” she said.
    How I wish . Calista smiled instead. “I’m all decided. Thank you for coming today.”
    “Wouldn’t miss it,” Sharon said. “Be happy.”
    Happiness for herself was the last thing on Calista’s mind as she and her sisters walked down the staircase. Just before they stepped outside, Tami turned to her and adjusted her veil. “You really do look beautiful. Leo is one lucky dude.”
    Calista laughed. “You’re sweet. Both of you look gorgeous yourselves.”
    “Do we really get to go for a boat ride after the ceremony?” Tina asked.
    “Sure do. We’re changing clothes and eating on Leo’s yacht,” Calista said. “Now let’s get this over—” She barely caught herself. “Let’s get this wedding on its way.”
    On either side of her, her sisters escorted her down to the dock. As she rounded the corner, she saw the minister, George and Leo. Her heart felt as if it dipped to her feet at the sight of him. Dressed in a designer black suit with a crisp white shirt and crimson tie, she knew the second he saw her. She felt the weight and heat of his gaze from yards away.
    “Ready?” Tami asked. “Why did you stop?”
    Calista had been so distracted she hadn’t even noticed she wasn’t moving forward. Tami glanced in the direction of Calista’s gaze and gave a sigh. “He’s pretty hot, isn’t he?”
    “Tami,” Tina whispered. “Show some dignity. This is a wedding.”
    “You were the one ready to go jump on a boat before we’d even gotten to the dock,” Tami retorted.
    “Girls, you’re supposed to be escorting me. Please stop arguing,” Calista said, gritting her teeth. She began to walk again.
    She felt Leo’s gaze take her in from head to toe and wondered if he approved of the full-length A-line ivory chiffon gown with fitted sweetheart bodice that suddenly felt as if it was suffocating her. Her hair was half up, half down in loose curls. Pearl drop earrings dangled from her ears. She felt like a sacrificial bride from the Regency period.
    Mentally rolling her eyes at herself, she stiffened her spine. Cut the martyr act . She was a woman taking control of her and her sisters’ destinies. She only had to last six months. Not a lifetime.
    She finally stood opposite the minister and focused her attention on the kindly faced man for a moment while she wondered if she would burn in hell for what she was doing. She felt a stab of guilt and