The Tycoon's Reluctant Bride (3 page)

He’s your only option,
her mind screamed. But how could she marry a man for the sake of business instead of love?

“
If you marry me, you can save your parents' company.” His eyes gleamed with determination - and desire.

He didn’t play fair.
She supposed that was one of the reasons he’d become a billionaire in the first place.

“
And if I don’t?” she challenged breathlessly.

He shrugged. “Then your clients will continue to refuse to pay you. Why someone’s trying to run you into the ground, I don’t know - yet.”

“But if I marry you, you’ll find out?” Her tone was wry.

“
Yes.” His expression became resolute. “And once all your slow-paying clients know you’re my wife, I’m sure you won’t have any more problems.”

Laura closed her eyes for precious seconds. This was it. Crunch time. In the end, she knew there was only one decision she could make.

“All right.” She gathered her courage. "I’ll marry you.”

The next day, Laura found herself in an upscale attorney’s office, sitting in a leather chair that perfectly matched the highly polished mahogany furniture, going over a pre-nuptial agreement.
Am I crazy?
she asked herself as she tried to pay attention to what the lawyer was saying.

“
This is pretty straight-forward,” the urbane man in his early sixties said, his pen hovering over one of the clauses. “In the event that you divorce, you’ll both keep everything you each brought into the marriage. Since King Royale belongs to your parents, then Mr. Trask has no claim to it, and the business will remain your parents’.”

When Laura remained silent, the attorney continued, “Mr. Trask wanted to make sure you understood that.”

She nodded, trying to still her trembling hands. Although Alex was practically a stranger, she’d thought that he was a fair man.

After she’d agreed to marry Alex, he’d immediately arranged this appointment, telling her he’d hired an attorney for her to go over the pre-nuptial arrangement his lawyer had prepared. He’d even organized a car to pick her up.

Now, sitting in the office, going over the legal document clause by clause, a part of her felt sad that Alex was already making provisions in the event their marriage failed. But what did she expect? He was a billionaire who needed to protect his assets. The rational part of her understood that, but the emotional, romantic part wondered why he wanted to marry her in the first place if he was already thinking about a possible divorce.

“
This clause states that if the marriage disintegrates, you’ll receive one hundred thousand dollars per year for the next twenty years, indexed to inflation.”

Pulled out of her thoughts, Laura stared at the man seated across the desk. “Excuse me?”

He smiled kindly at her. “Mr. Trask wants to make sure you don’t suffer any financial hardship if the marriage fails.”

“
I couldn’t--” If they did divorce, she didn’t want anything from Alex. He was already helping her.

“
And if you have children,” the lawyer continued, as if she hadn’t spoken, “Mr. Trask will pay all their expenses and suggests a joint custody arrangement.”

Her stomach tightened. She hadn’t event thought of that possibility. Although … last night, after she’d accepted his proposal, he’d tilted her chin and said, “I want to be clear. This is going to be a real marriage.” Desire blazed in his eyes and she’d gulped, images rising in her mind of Alex and her entwined, naked, on a large bed.

She thought her whole body would turn a fiery red, then he’d released her, telling her he’d make arrangements for tomorrow, then he’d
left.

Now, she swallowed hard at the mention of children
,
wondering if Alex expected to consummate their marriage on their wedding night - whenever that was.

“
But I don’t expect Alex to pay me if we … divorce.” It was hard for her to say the word, even though she hardly knew her husband-to-be. But she definitely didn’t want his money.

“
I have a note here from Mr. Trask’s legal representative. He’s very insistent that this clause is non-negotiable.”

It was important to her that Alex didn’t think she was marrying him for his money.
But isn’t that what she was doing?
Laura twisted her hands in her lap. She was marrying Alex because it was the only way to save her parents’ business, not because she wanted his money for herself.

But why was he marrying her?

“I’ve also been told that you’re getting married tomorrow.” The attorney smiled his congratulations.

“
I am?” Laura’s eyes widened. She’d guessed that once she accepted Alex’s proposal things would move quickly, but she hadn’t expected lightning speed.

Why hasn’t Alex told me?
Was she even going to see him before the ceremony? Where would it be held? What would she wear? How could she buy a wedding dress in less than a day - or should she even be thinking of wearing a bridal gown, considering the reason for their marriage?

Laura’s mind whirled as she stared at the lawyer.

In the end, her choice was simple. Either sign the pre-nup or forget about saving King Royale. As she signed the legal document with a shaking hand, she resolved to speak to Alex about one particular clause.
She wouldn’t take his money if they split up.

Walking out of the office building, she desperately needed a square or two of velvety smooth dark chocolate, preferably fifty percent cocoa, that would just melt on her tongue, and soothe away her concerns that she was doing the right thing.

Spying a boutique chocolate shop across the road, she prepared to cross when she became aware of a looming presence beside her.

Alex.

“I thought I’d meet you after your appointment.” He took her elbow and steered her into a waiting silver town car.

Laura watched him press the button to the privacy partition, the panel sliding into place behind the well-dressed burly driver
.
Butterflies fluttered wildly in her stomach.
Was she really going to marry this man? Tomorrow?

She must be insane.

“Alex…” she hesitated. What would it be like to have him in her bed? All six feet of powerful lean muscle - that’s what she imagined anyway, since she hadn‘t yet seen him nude. She guessed she would find out once they were married - if she were brave enough.

“
What?” He looked at her assessingly as if somehow he’d read her mind, and knew what she’d been about to say.

Her heart rate sped up. Now was her chance - maybe her only chance - to get out of this crazy idea for a marriage.

“Nothing,” she finally whispered, not sure if she was sorry or glad with her decision.

“
I thought we could have lunch while we discuss tomorrow.” He picked up her hand as he spoke, holding it gently.

A shiver ran down her spine at his touch. Laura nodded, not sure if she could trust her voice right now.

The car ride was mercifully brief. After a few minutes, they pulled up outside a luxurious apartment building in La Jolla, one of San Diego’s most prestigious neighborhoods.

Laura wrinkled her brow. “Where are we?” They were the first words either of them had spoken during the short trip.

“My penthouse.” Alex helped her out of the car, her lilac dress swirling around her knees as she stood on the pavement.

“
Oh.” She hadn’t really given any thought to what would happen after the wedding ceremony -
except for consummating the marriage.
Now, it all seemed very real. “Will I--”

“
Yes. You’ll be living here - with me.”

Laura’s knees wobbled at the gleam of heat in his eyes. Alex guided her into the pink marble lobby, nodded to the doorman, and pressed the button for the penthouse elevator.

The elevator arrived with a whoosh. Confined in the golden cage with her husband-to-be, Laura wondered if she was dreaming. She discreetly pinched herself and tried not to flinch. Definitely not dreaming.

Alex ushered out of the elevator and into the penthouse. She caught her breath, her eyes widening at her luxurious surroundings. Cream walls and large, clear windows dominated the living room, while the plush rose-beige carpet made her feel as if she were walking on air.

Two comfortable leather lounges were grouped near the fireplace in a conversational nook, a bare walnut coffee table in-between them.

To her right, a big screen TV hung on the wall, with another leather lounge directly opposite. She fleetingly thought that her whole one-bedroom apartment could fit just in this living-room.

“My housekeeper has organized lunch for us.” Alex caught her hand and urged
her towards the left of the room, where a gleaming dining table awaited with an elegant place setting for two. Two silver covered dishes were placed in the middle of the table and Laura wondered what they contained.

Alex seated her at the table, and efficiently opened a bottle of Dom Perignon awaiting them in a silver bucket. Laura watched him pour the sparkling wine into two champagne flutes.

“To us.”

Laura watched him as he raised the crystal glass to his lips, and copied his motion, the bubbles easily sliding down her throat, despite her reservations. If they were getting married because they were in love with each other, she would have enjoyed the champagne in a fizz of joy. Instead, she continued to second-guess herself.

“I’ll give you the grand tour after lunch,” Alex said, setting his glass on the table. Taking off the covers of each dish, he gestured at her to help herself. “Sandra makes a great chicken salad.”

“
Sandra?” Laura stared at the gourmet salad - chicken breast, raspberries, salad leaves, cucumbers and crisp croutons decorated the elegant plate, with a small jug of dressing by its side.

“
My housekeeper.”

With a start, she realized he was waiting for her to serve herself before doing the same. Picking up the silver serving utensils, Laura placed a little of the salad on her plate. Her stomach was tied up in so many knots right now, she didn’t know if she could eat any of the delicious looking food.

She forked up a small bite of chicken breast and raspberry. The lush berry was plump and succulent, a perfect contrast to the tender chicken.

“
We’re getting married tomorrow,” Alex informed her immediately after he’d taken a bite.

Laura was glad that she already knew that much. “Why so soon?” she asked, her fork hovering over her plate.

“Why not?” His eyes swept over her, as if he were taking in every detail - not just of her appearance, but of
her.
“I see no reason to wait.”

Reaching for her champagne, she took a hasty swallow, almost coughing from the effervescent bubbles.

“Besides,” he continued, “once we’re married I can start looking into the problems your business is having.”

Laura nodded, reminding herself that was why she was marrying this man. Not because he was gorgeous, tall, and actually paid attention to what she said
.
N
ot because he was a billionaire.
Nor because of the way her pulse raced when she was in his presence.

“
Where are we getting married?” She crinkled her brow. It was all very well for him to tell her
when
they were going to be wed, but she’d like a little detail.

“
At the courthouse.”

She started to panic. “I haven’t got anything to wear!”

“Go shopping this afternoon. Here.” He pulled out his wallet and handed her a black American Express card. “Buy whatever you want.”

Laura stared at the card, turning it over in her hands. Her own credit card had a small limit with a balance she wasn't able to pay off completely with her reduced salary. Would she be able to buy
anything at all
on this card? She thought about the chocolate shop she’d seen this morning. Would she able to buy the whole contents of the store? And would Alex even notice the dent in his bank account?

“
I’ll pick you up at ten o’clock tomorrow morning. I’ve got your address.” His smooth, rich voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

“
How?” Her eyebrows drew together.

“
That would be telling.” A trace of a smile touched his lips, then he looked at her plate. “Not hungry?”

Laura glanced at the remains on her plate. She’d only had a few bites as she was too keyed up about
everything.
“It’s delicious,” she said truthfully. “I guess I’m just not very hungry.”

“
I hope you’ve got room for dessert.” He lifted the silver cover of the other dish, revealing two glass bowls of dark deliciousness.

“
Chocolate mousse?” she asked hopefully. Perhaps a touch of chocolate would soothe her jangled nerves.

“
Yep. It’s Sandra’s signature dish.”

Laura couldn’t help smiling, despite her reservations about the situation she‘d gotten herself into. “Does Sandra do all the cooking?”

“Most of it. She comes in three days per week and makes me something for dinner. I usually fix something for myself on her off days. We can get her to continue to do that after the honeymoon if you like.”

“
Honeymoon?” The chocolate laden silver spoon paused on its way to her mouth.

He shrugged. “I thought it would be nice to get away for a few days, get to know each other …
properly.”

Laura felt heat rise to her cheeks at his words. And the way he looked at her when he said
properly …

When she didn’t say anything, he probed, “You can have some time off from the business, can’t you?”

Nodding her head, she didn’t know whether to be glad or not. People weren’t exactly lining up for her to cater their events, but that meant she could take some time to know her new husband. She wondered if she would get to know him
before
they consummated the marriage.