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“I give you my word I will abide by your requests.” He fed the pages into the shredder and then planted his palms on her desk and slowly leaned forward until he towered over her. He held her gaze without blinking. “Until you tell me otherwise.”
The last phrase, delivered with a cocky half smile, oozed confidence and charisma. He thought she’d change her mind about the sex ban. He had no clue what kind of lockdown she’d put on her hormones since dissolving her hasty marriage or how good she’d become at ignoring the opposite sex. But he’d learn.
She deleted the file and even emptied her computer’s recycle bin. “Done.”
“Let’s go.”
“Wait. You need to approve the advertisement for my assistant.” “No need to advertise. Your predecessor is eager to come back to work. She’s discovered she needs a break from full-time diaper duty.”
Tension squeezed Lauryn’s throat like an invisible strangler’s hand. Silently, she collected her purse and the marriage agreement and followed Adam out of the building.
“Did your attorney look at the contract?” he asked.
“I don’t have an attorney here and there wasn’t time to find one.”
Adam grasped her elbow and stopped her on the sidewalk. He met her gaze head-on. “I won’t cheat you. The settlement is fair.”
“I know. I read it.” Five times. Pages of emotionless words promising twenty-four months of her life to a virtual stranger. A year to get Adam elected and then a year to keep him in office until he’d proven he could do the job.
Would she be able to remain as detached when she shared a home and a life with this man? Would she be able to walk away as if the marriage had never happened? Her reaction to Adam’s stimulating touch said the time wouldn’t pass without leaving its mark.
But she could control her body. Couldn’t she?
She had to.
She turned, pulling free of his hand, and looked past him, but she didn’t see his BMW by the curb. A dark blue Lexus sat in Adam’s usual spot. It wasn’t the first time someone had ignored the sign marking his reserved parking place. She scanned the street, but didn’t see Adam’s convertible in any of the other spaces, and the valet wouldn’t arrive until later this evening. That meant a hike to the parking deck, which was one of the reasons—besides the prohibitive cost of parking—Lauryn always rode the bus. Thank goodness for her preference for flat-heeled shoes.
Adam reached into his pocket, withdrew a key ring and hit a button. The Lexus’s lights flashed. He dangled the keys in front of her. “You wear a lot of blue. I hope that means you like it.”
“What?” She gaped at the small SUV and then at him. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. You’re driving.” When she didn’t reach for the keys he caught her hand, pressed them into her palm and closed her fingers around them.
She didn’t know which startled her more. The pricey car or the contact with Adam. She’d have to work harder at reining in this taboo attraction. “I have a decent car.”
“Now you have a better one. Keep the old one or sell it. I don’t care.”
“But…”
“Appearances, Lauryn. It’s all about appearances.” He checked traffic and then opened the driver’s door for her. “Let’s go. Brandon’s staying after hours for us.”
She slid into the buttery soft leather seat, filled her lungs with that new-car smell and checked out the tinted sunroof. Compared to her four-year-old economy sedan, this car’s dashboard looked like something NASA built. GPS and satellite radio. Who knew what the other gizmos were? Her hand trembled as she slipped the key into the ignition and started the engine.
Adam climbed into the passenger seat. “You’ve delivered documents to Brandon for me before. Remember where his office is?”
“Yes.” She wasn’t looking forward to maneuvering a brand-new luxury vehicle through rush-hour traffic.
Adam gave her perhaps five minutes to get accustomed to the way the car handled before speaking again. “Bahamas law requires us to be in the country twenty-four hours before we can apply for a marriage license. We’ll leave tomorrow morning, get married Thursday evening and then come home Monday morning and move our stuff into the house.”
Thursday? She gulped. “So soon?”
“Waiting wastes time.”
“You’re willing to leave Estate that long?”
“The staff will survive without me, and Sandy will fill in for you.”
He had it all figured out. “Sandy’s my predecessor?”
“Yes.”
“I won’t have time for the makeover you requested by tomorrow.”
She kept her eyes on traffic but caught his shrug out of the corner of her eye. “Do it on the island. Cassie’s well put-together. She can tell you where to go.”
All too soon they reached the high-rise housing Washington & Associates. Because so many of the building’s workers were making the evening exodus, Lauryn easily found a spot near the entrance. She parked and climbed from the car. The knot between her shoulders from driving the unfamiliar vehicle sank to her stomach and expanded with each step she took beside Adam toward their destination.
He ushered her into the elevator and up to the law offices of Washington & Associates. A woman Lauryn guessed to be in her sixties waited for them by the reception desk with a big smile lined on her face. On past visits Lauryn had always left packages with the receptionist, who wasn’t behind her desk.
“What is this I hear about an engagement? Both of your brothers, then Brandon and now you. Have the men in Miami suddenly become smarter?”
“Hello Rachel.” Adam pulled the diminutive woman into a hug and then released her and extended his hand toward Lauryn. “This is Lauryn Lowes, my fiancée. Lauryn, this is Rachel Suarez.”
Lauryn reluctantly put her left hand in Adam’s and let him tug her forward. The shocking heat of his touch seeped up her arm and then oozed down deep inside her, but the woman thankfully broke the spell by enfolding Lauryn’s right hand in both of hers.
“He’ll be a good husband as long as you keep him on a short leash,” she whispered.
Wide-eyed, Lauryn darted a quick glance at Adam to see if he’d heard, but his face remained impassive.
“Thanks for that tip,” she replied and received a wink in return.
Movement down the hall drew Lauryn’s attention. Brandon Washington strolled toward them. He was Adam’s height, attractive and African-American. Lauryn had spoken with him on numerous occasions when he stopped by Estate.
The men shook hands and clapped shoulders before Brandon greeted her with a nod. Lauryn nodded back and tried to smile.
Adam indicated Mrs. Suarez. “Is she still running this place?”
“She likes to think so,” Brandon replied. The warmth in his eyes belied his firm voice. “Let’s step into my office.” Brandon turned to Mrs. Suarez. “Give us five minutes and then join us, please.”
Lauryn’s mouth dried. The deal was all but done. Her feet felt weighted as she followed the men across the carpet. The point of no return lay directly ahead.
But if she walked away what would she have learned about her mother? Not enough. Not nearly enough. And she’d probably lose her job, too, for leading Adam on and then reneging.
The door closed behind them, sealing them into Brandon’s office. He faced them across his desk and waited until they were seated before asking Adam, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I’m sure.”
Dark brown eyes lasered in on Lauryn’s. “Are you?”
“I—” She covered her flash of panic by clearing her throat and handing over the folder. “I am.”
Brandon accepted it and withdrew the prenuptial agreement and marriage contract. “Did you have any questions, Lauryn? Is there anything that requires clarification?”
Is there another way? “No.”
“She didn’t have a lawyer read the agreements,” Adam said.
Brandon stilled. “Would you like me to have one of my associates come in and go over the documents? I can assure you he’d be unbiased.”
“No. I’m comfortable with the contracts.”
Brandon nodded. “Once you get to the Bahamas you’ll have to provide proof of arrival time in the country. The airport should be able to give you that. Then you’ll swear before the U.S. Consul at the American Embassy that you’re single American citizens who wish to get married. The next day you’ll visit the Registrar General’s office to get your license. No blood tests are required, but Adam says you’re both going to be tested tomorrow morning anyway. Good decision.”
That was news. Lauryn looked at Adam. He stared back. He must really believe he’d be able to charm her into bed.
Not going to happen, she told him silently with her eyes.
One corner of his mouth lifted, and she could practically hear his thoughts. Wanna bet?
“Lauryn, are you divorced or widowed?” Brandon asked as he laid the documents on the desk in front of them.
“Um…no.” She’d been told annulments didn’t count. Legally it was as if her marriage had never happened, which was only fitting since she couldn’t remember the ceremony. Her skin burned with shame over that low point in her life. She’d just as soon nobody ever knew how stupid she’d been.
“Then that’s all the paperwork you’ll need. Cassie has arranged the rental of a cottage for you on a private beach. She’s also hired the minister, photographer and caterers. The ceremony will take place Thursday evening on the beach at sunset. Cassie and I will be your witnesses. I’ll issue a press release afterward. Any questions?”
Cold permeated Lauryn’s hands and feet. She shook her head because she couldn’t have spoken even if she’d tried.
A tap sounded on the door. It opened and Mrs. Suarez poked her salt-and-pepper head through the gap. “Ready for me?”
“Perfect timing as always,” Brandon answered.
The petite woman bustled in carrying her notary stamp.
Brandon offered Lauryn a pen. “Lauryn, you sign first.”
It took a second to find her nerve. She accepted the pen with an almost steady hand and scratched her name and the date where he indicated, first on the marriage contract and then on the prenuptial agreement. Adam did the same. And then Mrs. Suarez affixed her notary stamp, date and signature to each.
Done.
Heavy doubts rumbled through Lauryn like a California mud slide followed by a weird kind of numbness as Brandon matter-of-factly collected the documents and returned them to the file folder.
“I’ll make sure you each have copies and I’ll see you Thursday.” Brandon stood and then extended his hand.
Thursday.
In forty-eight hours she’d be a married woman. Again.
And this time she couldn’t call daddy to fix her mistake.
* * *
“Will you marry me, Lauryn?”
Stunned, Lauryn stared at Adam. The buzz in her ears drowned out the conversations around them in the elegant, exclusive restaurant. Or maybe a hush had fallen over the eavesdropping patrons awaiting her response.
She didn’t know much about diamonds, but she’d bet the one pinched between Adam’s finger and thumb cost a mint. The marquis stone had to be at least two carats. She forced her gaze from the mesmerizing sparkler to his eyes. Serious. Compelling. Intensely blue.
“I—I—”
Even though they hadn’t rehearsed this, even though he’d surprised her with this very public proposal, she knew what she was supposed to say. She just couldn’t get her mouth to work.
Flowers. Crystal. Candlelight. A strolling violinist. A prime table overlooking the bay. Adam had planned the perfect setting for a proposal.
And it was all fake. As fake as their marriage would be.
“Lauryn, baby, don’t leave me hanging. You know we belong together.”
She heard the warning in his deep voice and pressed a hand over her frantically beating heart. This wasn’t right. And yet what choice did she have if she wanted to learn the truth?
Answer the man.
“Y-yes,” she heard herself say. “Yes, Adam, I’ll marry you.”
A spattering of applause startled and embarrassed her. These days she hated being a spectacle as much as she’d once thrived on such attention. She briefly squeezed her eyes shut and then met Adam’s gaze. He wore a wide smile—one that didn’t reach his eyes—as he slipped the ring on her finger. And then he stood and pulled her into his arms.
His mouth covered hers so quickly she froze in shock. She hadn’t expected such a public first kiss, nor had she expected his mouth to be soft. Or gentle. Or warm. Or persuasive. Or delicious. He sipped from her lips the way he had from his wineglass earlier.
Not that she’d been watching his mouth. Much.
He lifted his head a fraction of an inch, leaning his forehead against hers. “Put your arms around my neck.”
His lips brushed hers with each whispered word and the eroticism nearly melted her. She lifted her arms as directed and his hands tightened on her waist, pulling her closer. The embrace mashed her breasts against the hard, hot wall of his chest and fused her hips to his. Desire swept through her like a California canyon fire, searing her deep inside. She planted her hands against his lapels, broke the kiss and looked away—right into the eyes of Helene Ainsley two tables away.
It’s all about appearances, Adam had said.
And Lauryn had better not forget it. That’s all this was. A charade. A setup. A chance for him to paint a convincing picture for the business council nominating committee. The heat in Lauryn’s veins turned to ice.
Adam reclaimed her hand and carried it to his lips. He kissed her knuckle below the ring and reseated her. Leaning over her, he caressed her shoulders and then pressed another scorching kiss to the tender skin beneath her ear. Goose bumps rose on her skin.
Not good. She really, really didn’t want to want him.
“Very convincing. Good job,” he murmured low enough that only she could hear.
The waiter arrived immediately with a bottle of champagne and presented the label for inspection.
Oh yes, Adam had definitely planned this—right down to preordering his favorite vintage of the Salon Blanc champagne. Lauryn knew his preferences because the club kept the brand in stock. Rumor had it that when he requested a bottle he’d chosen his bedmate for the night.
Lauryn didn’t want to be just another woman to share his sheets and his champagne. She’d better not forget the Adam Garrisons of this world bought what they wanted.
