The Millionaire Plan

by Karen King

  She pulled her hands away from his and stood up, her chin tilted defiantly. ‘I’ll do whatever I have to do to help my parents. I owe them that. And if I do manage to get a millionaire to propose to me – which is highly unlikely with the amount of competition about and the limited amount of time I have – I’ll be perfectly fair. I won’t cheat on him. I’ll be a loyal and supportive wife.’ Her voice was laced with anger. ‘Now, if you don’t mind, I think it’s time I went home. I’ll have this dress cleaned and return it to you by the end of the week.

  ‘There’s no need. Keep it if you like,’ he offered.

  ‘No thank you. I wouldn’t want you to think I’d deliberately stayed the night on your yacht so I could get a free designer dress,’ she retorted.

  Picking up her bag, she flounced off.

  Let her go, he thought. Women like her weren’t worth chasing.

  How dare he sit and judge me? Amber thought as she walked back to Callie’s aunt’s house. He’s right, a niggling little voice said inside her head. You are being a gold-digger. But what else could she do? Stand by and watch her parents lose their home because of her? She thought of the beautiful Tudor building where she’d grown up, as had her father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Was what she was doing so bad? After all, the rich often married for profitable reasons, didn’t they? To merge their companies and other business reasons. Why shouldn’t she marry for convenience too?

  ‘Amber, thank goodness you’re home,’ Callie said as soon as Amber walked through the door. ‘I’ve been so worried about you. I tried to phone you but kept getting a message saying your number was unavailable.’

  ‘Really?’ Amber took her mobile out of her bag and saw that the screen was blank. Her battery had run down. ‘Oh, my mobile needs charging, that’s why you couldn’t get me.’

  ‘I was looking for you last night. Randy said that you’d got a bit drunk so Jed had taken you home,’ Callie continued. ‘I got in late so went straight to bed. When I got up this morning and found that you hadn’t been back I was worried sick.’

  ‘I’m afraid I was too drunk to tell Jed where I lived,’ Amber confessed. ‘So I spent the night on his yacht – in separate rooms,’ she added hastily, seeing the look on her friend’s face.

  ‘So Jed’s boss keeps a supply of clothes on his yacht in case anyone stays overnight?’ Callie asked. She’d obviously noticed the dress Amber was wearing.

  ‘There’s a wardrobe full of stuff, toiletries, make up, the lot,’ Amber told her. ‘They belong to Jed’s boss’s wife.’

  ‘I hope you’re not getting too keen on this Jed. Remember he only works for a millionaire, he isn’t one. Whereas Randy is seriously rich and he’s quite taken with you,’ Callie added.

  ‘How do you know?’ Amber asked.

  ‘He wouldn’t stop talking about you last night. And Simon told me that Randy’s father is anxious for him to marry and settle down. So this could be your big chance.’

  Amber thought about marrying Randy. She hadn’t been too impressed last night. He was handsome enough, sexy too, more in a superfluous way than a sense-reeling way like Jed.

  When had she noticed that about Jed?

  Then she realised that Callie was still talking. ‘So they’ll be here in an hour,’ she said.

  ‘What? Who’ll be here?’

  ‘Simon and Randy. They’re taking us out for lunch.’ Callie scrutinised her. ‘That dress is perfect, but you need to put some make-up on. And don’t get drunk again. You’re supposed to be confident and sophisticated.’

  ‘I don’t usually get drunk, as you know,’ Amber said defensively. ‘I was just so nervous and I didn’t realise how potent the champagne was. And I’d eaten nothing all day.’ She sat down. ‘I don’t think I can pull this off, Callie. I’m not confident and sophisticated and I never will be. So why on earth would a man like Randy, who’s loaded and can have any woman he wants, want to marry me?’

  ‘Because you are going to make him want you,’ said Callie. ‘Remember the ten rules. All you have to do is keep to them and he’ll be putty in your hands.’

  Amber watched as Callie expertly applied baby pink nail varnish to her perfectly buffed false nails. Her friend might be at home in this sophisticated world of fast living, designer clothes, expensive yachts, ‘Hooray Henry’s’, and champagne cocktails but she wasn’t. She was a hot chocolate and slippers by the fire kind of girl. She didn’t see how she was going to fool anyone otherwise.

  Callie was right, Randy is definitely interested in me, Amber thought as she returned home much later that afternoon. That was clear from the way he’d been all over her at lunch at the yacht club, not wanting to leave her side and practically insisting she join him at the private party held at the yacht that evening. Callie and Simon were going to so Amber had agreed. However, she had to admit that, although Randy was pleasant enough, she wasn’t attracted to him.

  Not like she was to Jed.

  Well, she had to forget about Jed. She had to marry someone seriously rich, not a hired hand.

  ‘Apparently, Randy turns thirty next year, and he comes into a huge sum of money – hundreds of thousands – if he’s married with a baby by then. And his father has promised to give him another fifty thousand as a wedding present,’ Callie told her. ‘You need to make a big effort tonight, Amber. You’ve got to make sure you’re the prettiest, sexiest, wittiest, and most fun girl at the party.’

  ‘Is that all?’ Amber stifled a yawn. ‘I’ve got no chance of doing that. Maybe I should just give it a miss.’

  ‘Do you want to save your precious family home from being sold? Because Randy is your only chance of doing that.’

  Callie always did say things how they were. ‘I was only joking. Of course I’m going to the party. And I’ll do everything in my power to convince Randy that I’m the woman for him. OK?’

  ‘Good. Remember what the book says. “Once you’ve got him interested don’t let him go”. In fact, I think we’d better go over the main points in the book. This could be an important night for you.’

  Amber groaned. The last thing she wanted to do was read through that tiresome book again, but she knew better than argue with Callie. ‘OK, but at least let me have a cup of coffee first. Want one?’

  ‘A skinny latté please. I’ll highlight some things for you to remember while you make it,’ Callie replied, reaching to pick up the ‘Millionaire Book’ from under the coffee table.

  Amber sighed and went into the kitchen to put the kettle on. Then she glanced at her mobile phone and saw a missed call from her mother – two hours ago. Worried that something had happened to her father, she dialled the number.

  ‘Oh, Amber, thank you for getting back to me dear.’ Her mother’s voice sounded wobbly. ‘Your father said not to bother you but I thought you ought to know. After all, it’s your childhood home, you still have things here …’

  ‘What is it?’ Amber asked anxiously.

  ‘Well, the bank has foreclosed, dear. We have to sell the house. We had some estate agents around and it’s going on the market tomorrow. ‘

  ‘Oh, Mum. I’m so sorry. Is there nothing we can do?’

  ‘I’m afraid not, dear, but I don’t want you to worry. We’ll be fine. There’ll be some money left over to buy us a little place. I just wanted to let you know. That’s all. I’ll not keep you talking. I’m sure you’ve got lots to do. Have a lovely time.’ And she was gone.

  Amber knew that although her mother was trying to put on a brave face, she was dreadfully upset. That’s why she’d got off the phone so quickly. And her father would be devastated.

  I can’t let this happen, she vowed. Callie was right, she had to make a play for Randy, especially as he was so obviously interested in her. And by the sound of it, they’d both be doing each other a favour. She made the coffee and carried it into the lounge.

  ‘Right. What does the book say I do next?’ she asked.

  He knew she’d be there. He’d heard Randy an
d Simon talking at the bar in the yacht club lunchtime, discussing how they were taking the ‘fillies’, as they called Callie and Amber, to the dance that was being held there later that evening. Jed hadn’t planned on going to the dance himself. It wasn’t his scene. But the image of Amber dancing in Randy’s arms kept flashing across his mind and in the end he donned a dinner jacket and set off.

  He spotted Amber as soon as he walked in, standing by the bar, talking to Randy. She looked breathtakingly beautiful in a slinky black strapless dress that hugged her body like a glove. As she walked over to a nearby table where Callie and Simon were sitting, he noticed the dress had a slit up one side that gave a tantalising glimpse of her shapely thigh. Watching her, his stomach tightened and his body instantly responded to the sensuous sway of her hips. Cool it. That girl is only interested in marrying someone with money, he reminded himself firmly.

  As if she could sense him, Amber suddenly stopped, half-turned, and glanced over. Their eyes met and locked. For a moment everything and everyone else seemed obliterated, as if they were the only two in the room. Then she smiled, waved, and turned away to continue walking over to the table.

  It took him a moment or two to pull himself together. Get a grip, Curtess.

  Someone clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Jed, my lad, glad you could make it!’

  It was Lord Guy. He and Jed had got talking the other night at the party on board his yacht, and Jed had found him entertaining company.

  ‘Lord Guy,’ Jed nodded. ‘Good to see you again.’

  ‘Come and join me for a drink,’ Lord Guy invited him. ‘There’s a couple of people I’d like you to meet. They’ll be interested in your travels, they do a lot of sailing themselves.’

  Amber forced herself not to turn around and stare at him. He’d looked so handsome in that dinner suit that it had taken all her willpower to tear her eyes off him. The way he’d looked at her had unnerved her, like he could see right through her, read her mind. Not that he could, of course. Which was good because she didn’t want him finding out just how much she was attracted to him.

  All evening, as she was chatting to Randy, Callie, and Simon, Amber was so aware of Jed. It was like all her senses were on alert, listening and watching for him. She longed for him to join them, yet dreaded it too because she knew that he disapproved of what she was planning to do. As far as he was concerned, she was just a gold-digger. Well, damn him, she thought, angrily. Who was he to judge her? All she was trying to do was look after her parents. After all, she was responsible for getting them in this mess and her dad’s health was so fragile.

  ‘Shall we join them?’ Randy asked her as Callie and Simon headed for the dance floor.

  Amber hesitated. She wasn’t very good at dancing. Not proper close up dancing like this. The only dancing she’d done was jiggling about to the latest hit at a disco when she was in her teens. Still, it couldn’t be that difficult. Everyone else was managing fine.

  ‘Sure.’ She nodded, getting up and taking his outstretched hand.

  It was a slow number so Randy took her in his arms and led the way around the dance floor. He smelt of expensive aftershave and alcohol and held her close. Too close. She felt awkward and constantly stepped on his feet or danced out of tune. Oh, great work, Amber, she scolded herself as she slipped up once again. You’re supposed to be acting cool and sophisticated and you can’t even keep in step to a simple tune.

  ‘You haven’t done much dancing, have you?’ Randy sounded amused.

  ‘Er, no … it’s not really my thing,’ she replied.

  ‘Maybe you should get a bit more practice,’ he suggested.

  ‘Maybe she just needs a better partner,’ a familiar drawl cut in. ‘Allow me.’

  ‘Be my guest.’ Randy released her. Then she was in Jed’s arms and her senses were reeling at the sheer potent male scent of him, the closeness of his body, the feel of his skin against hers.

  ‘Just relax and let me lead.’ Jed pulled her close.

  She let herself sink into his strong, powerful arms, moulded her body against his, followed his steps. To her delight, she actually managed to dance in step. She noticed Jed looking at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement, and realised that she was grinning like a loony just because she’d actually managed to get a few steps right. He must think she was so totally crass.

  ‘See, it isn’t that difficult, is it?’ he asked as they swept across the dance floor.

  ‘Not for you maybe.’ She smiled up at him. ‘I constantly seem to be doing things wrong. Do you know I actually went to drink out of the fingerbowl at dinner last night?’ she confessed. ‘I was just about to put it to my mouth when I saw Callie glaring at me and shaking her head.’

  He chuckled, a deep, throaty chuckle as if he was really amused. ‘Oh, Amber, why don’t you just forget all this marrying a millionaire scheme and be yourself? You’re too good to mix with half this crowd anyway. Most of them are just spoilt, self-indulgent, pompous snobs.’

  ‘You know why,’ she reminded him. ‘And the situation is getting even more urgent. My mum phoned me today. They’ve had to put their house on the market. And a place like theirs will soon be snapped up. I’ve got to pay them back the money they’ve lost.’

  The dance came to an end but Jed showed no sign of releasing her, evidently deciding she needed a bit more practise. The music started up again, another slow, smoochy number, and he led Amber around the dance floor. He must have worked with his millionaire boss for some time, Amber thought. He was so sure of himself, so at ease with these people, always knowing what to say and do. Though he had so much self-confidence that she doubted if he would care if he did or said anything that was wrong according to their rules anyway. He’d already made it obvious that what he thought about the ‘rich set’.

  In fact, Jed was just the person she needed to teach her how to act, she suddenly realised. Callie had given her some pointers, but she was far too busy enjoying herself with Simon to accompany Amber everywhere. Dare she suggest it to him? She could offer to pay him, not that she had money to spare but it would be an investment if it helped her hook Randy. And Jed must need the money if he had to wear his boss’s clothes all the while.

  ‘Ouch!’ Jed winced as she stepped on his toe.

  ‘Sorry,’ she apologised, hastily. ‘I was too busy thinking.’ She hesitated.

  ‘Oho, this looks serious,’ he said. ‘Shall we sit down?’

  The music ended, and although Jed had released her, his hand was still resting on her arm as he guided her over to an empty table. She looked for Randy and saw him chatting to a tall, exotic-looking brunette at the bar.

  ‘It won’t hurt him to see you talking to another man,’ Jed told her as they both sat down at the table. ‘You don’t want him taking you for granted, do you?’

  ‘No, but I haven’t got long to snare him,’ Amber said. ‘I’m only down here on holiday, remember?’ She took a deep breath and looked Jed straight in the eye. ‘So I was hoping you could help me.’

  ‘Me?’ he raised an eyebrow quizzically. ‘Well, I’ve never seen matchmaking as one of my many talents.’

  ‘No, but you know how to act. You’re so comfortable and relaxed with everyone,’ she told him. ‘You know how to talk to them and what to talk about, what knife and fork to use, how to dance, how to sail. You’re just as home wearing a dinner suit in this posh yacht club as you are dressed in cut-off denims mucking about on your boss’s boat. No one would guess you were just the hired hand.’

  ‘Thanks, I think,’ he said, a sarcastic edge to his voice. ‘Where’s this leading or are you just going to keep paying me compliments?’

  ‘Well,’ she swallowed. She didn’t want him to laugh at her. ‘I was wondering if you would be my adviser? Show me how to act and what to say so I fit in? I’d pay you, of course,’ she added.

  He looked at her thoughtfully for a minute, and her heart missed a beat. Would he turn her down?

  ‘Is it really that important t
o you?’ he asked. He glanced over at Randy, who was now weaving his way through the crowd, a glass of champagne in each hand. ‘To marry someone like that creep?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said simply.

  ‘OK, then I’ll do it,’ he told her. ‘But I don’t want your money. Call it a friendly favour.’

  ‘Oh, but I couldn’t …’

  His eyes met hers, deadly serious. ‘I either do it as a favour or not at all,’ he told her.

  ‘Then thank you, I accept.’ she agreed.

  ‘Right, well what’s the next step in your “Millionaire Plan”?’ he asked, briskly.

  She thought quickly. She’d already done ‘be seen at the right places’ and ‘act confident and sexy’’ Well, tried to, anyway. What was rule three? She pulled the piece of paper that she’d written them all on out of her handbag. ‘Take an interest in his work and hobbies so you can join in with them,’ she read out.

  ‘OK. Randy doesn’t work and his hobbies are drinking, spending money, women, and sailing,’ Jed told her. ‘So we’ll deal with the sailing as I’m sure you don’t need my help with the others. Can you sail?’

  She shook her head. ‘I’ve never been sailing,’ she confessed.

  ‘Then I’ll give you your first lesson tomorrow. Be at my yacht at ten o’clock.’ He nodded and rose just as Randy approached the table. ‘She’s all yours. And she only stepped on my foot once.’

  He walked away without waiting for a reply.

  ‘I don’t know what you see in that Jed, he’s just a waster,’ Randy grumbled as Amber rose from her seat. ‘Are you coming back over to our table or not?’

  ‘Yes, of course. Jed was just telling me about his travels. He and his boss have sailed across the world in that yacht, you know.’

  ‘I’ve done a lot of sailing too,’ Randy told her. ‘In fact, a few of us are going sailing on Tuesday. Why don’t you come along?’