by A P Gore
Her fingers tapped the notebook, raising his blood pressure with every slow tap. Why was she taking so long?
“I’m here to apologize.”
Damn, she was going to say sorry and back out of the marriage. He pushed his hair back with both hands. No, no. This couldn’t be happening. Why was she doing this? What did he do wrong? Was it his father? But how could it be?
“Did my dad visit you?” he asked, his voice rising a little.
She lifted her chin, confusion visible in her blue eyes. “No.”
“Then?”
Her lips parted to say something, then closed without uttering a single word, her fingers running over the rim of the notebook.
Damn, why did he leave that notebook there? It was killing him already.
“I...” She paused again, now brushing her fingers over the artwork on the notebook.
Enough. Rising, he walked over and snatched the damn notebook out of her hands.
“Sam, what do you want to say? Please say it,” he said through his teeth.
“Oh, yes.” She touched her earlobes, playing with the small diamond studs piercing them.
He ran his fingers through his hair, grabbing it at the back, suppressing the urge to grab her chin and force her to look at him. If she wanted to pull away, then for God’s sake do that. The wait was killing him.
“I need to tell you something about James.” Her words skidded together like she’d forced them out with difficulty. Once they were said, she sighed heavily and leaned back on the couch like a heavy weight had lifted from her heart.
Gavin dropped onto the couch next to her and rubbed his forehead fiercely. It was about James. Okay. Then why all the drama? If she had waited much longer, he would have had a heart attack.
“I’m sorry for my reaction when you asked about him. It’s been four years, but I felt like I was cheating him, so I snapped at you.” Her chin dropped, a tear falling on her knees. “And I’m sorry about that breakdown on the plane. I couldn’t control it when your father shouted.”
Protectiveness thumped against the walls of his heart. Sliding his right arm around her shoulders, he pulled her closer. From the moment she’d met his father, he knew something was off. So, this was it.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve protected you better.” A surge of guilt filled him. He should have flown her in a commercial plane. Using the private jet was risky. His father had eyes everywhere, so it was no wonder he’d taken the chance to scare his girl.
She leaned on his shoulder. “No. I behaved immaturely. I shouldn’t have cried, but it just...” She sobbed again.
Something clicked in his mind, and he moved next to her. Sitting on his knees, he took her hands in his.
“Sam. Do you trust me?”
Looking up, she brushed her nose with the back of her hand and nodded.
“I don’t know what happened in your past, or why you broke down and cried like that. Nor can I take away your pain. But I can promise you one thing: I’ll never let anyone take Aaron away from you.”
A glint appeared in her eyes, like the sun rising after a long, dark night. “You’d do that?” Hope sparkled in her voice.
“Yes. I promise.” A surge of protectiveness filled his heart, firming his desire to protect her and her son from any harm. He wasn’t sure what that meant, but he was sure of one thing: he would protect them both, no matter what.
“Thanks.” A warm smile played on her lips, and her tight posture eased up. “I feel better now. Thanks, Gavin.” His name on her lips was music to his ears.
“You’re welcome,” he said softly.
“For the first time, I’m feeling happy about this marriage. I’ll stay married to you as long as it takes you to get the money, even if it’s more than six months.”
Her words were a cold splash of reality. This was a fake marriage. A fake marriage. The word fake stabbed his heart again and again. Suddenly, he didn’t want that money to come. Six months seemed like too short a time.
Was he falling for her?
Chapter 26
The moment Samantha entered her room, a chilly sensation ran down her legs. The room was dark and cold, so cold that she could see the breath puffing out of her nose. Maybe the A/C had malfunctioned, or she had been transported to Atlantis, like the hero in the manga she’d read in Gavin’s room.
Putting the wedding dress bag down on the couch, she searched for the A/C panel. Where would it be? God, this was hard. This suite was huge, and the A/C panel could be anywhere in one of its five rooms. Gavin sure liked to waste money. They could have lived in singles.
But why were the lights off? When she left the suite, all the lights were on. Maybe she should ask Gavin to help her.
Was she getting too comfortable with him now? Sure, every woman wanted her husband to help her with little things. It was romantic, but he was her fake husband. Well, technically, he would be her fake husband tomorrow.
No, she would search for it by herself.
But it felt so good to be around him. After four years, she’d finally found someone she could trust. Grabbing her phone, she turned the flashlight on. Misha would be calling anytime, and she wanted to show Aaron her face. After almost a full minute of searching, she found the light switch. It was just next to the door. Stupid her. Why had she started from the opposite wall?
She flipped the lights on, and a shout nearly slipped out of her mouth when she found a man sitting on the couch with one leg crossed over the other.
Mr. Hamilton.
“Miss Hald. Please take a seat,” Mr. Hamilton said in a hoarse voice.
The image of him shouting at Gavin flashed through her mind, but she didn’t freak out like she had earlier. Maybe it was because of Gavin and his promise to keep Aaron safe. Even facing Mr. Hamilton alone, she didn’t feel scared.
She gathered all her courage and asked, “Mr. Hamilton, what are you doing here?” She shouldn’t be afraid of the scary old man—not that he looked scary. Even for his age, he looked quite handsome in his black bourbon suit, a trimmed white beard, and neatly combed hair.
“Call me Robert. Come join me for a drink.” Mr. Hamilton glanced at a bottle of whiskey on a table between the couches.
The wedding dress bag lay draped over the back of the couch across from him.
Jesus. He wasn’t supposed to know about the wedding. Dashing forward, she grabbed the garment bag and hid it behind her.
Mr. Hamilton grinned, evil dripping from his lips. “Miss Hald, did you think I wouldn’t know about your so-called fake marriage?”
Her heart jumped to her throat with spurs, pointy and spiky spurs. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Samantha tried to keep a calm face. But it was so hard. Mr. Hamilton was intimidating. Of course, every father-in-law would be. Wait, why was she treating him like her father-in-law? He wasn’t. It was a fake marriage.
“I know about that dress,” he said, “and the chapel my son booked for the wedding. Do you take me for a fool?” He poured the alcohol into two glasses. “Do you want soda?” He lifted the glass beaker containing soda and poured a little in his glass. “I prefer a thin layer. It keeps the taste alive and throbbing.”
Samantha settled on the couch across from him, the spurs getting thicker and thicker with each second. What was the meaning of visiting her like this? And how did he get in? She didn’t know Gavin’s family politics—and god forbid— didn’t want to get involved in it, but no matter what, she would help Gavin. That wouldn’t change.
“I don’t drink, and I’m sure you’re not here to drink either. Let’s not beat around the bush.”
He set his glass down and stared at her with his fierce brown eyes. Gavin’s eyes. But there was a difference. Mr. Hamilton had the eyes of a hunter, ready to take on the world, while Gavin had the eyes of an innocent man. Innocent enough to fall for.
Wait, what?
“You’re smart.” He smiled, and every bit of that smile contained contempt. Contempt for her line
age. And she knew this look. James mother used the same look on her, and she was already fed up of it. “Smart enough to marry a billionaire.”
She ground her teeth. “Get to the point.” She was done with that look. Enough of that already.
“Very well, Miss Hald.” He opened his black leather bag and pulled a check out of it.
Her hands clenched on the couch cover. Sucking her lower lip, she bit heavily on it. “If you’re trying to pay me off so I won’t marry Gavin, then I’m sorry. I’m marrying your son tomorrow.”
A sinister chuckle rumbled from his throat. “Good. That’s the answer I wanted to hear. My work here is done, so I’ll take your leave.” And just like that he rose to his feet and left her room, leaving the check behind.
Her head started spinning the moment he left. What was that all about? Was he a villain or not?
Whatever he was, he surely set her head to spinning. Now, she needed a drink. She couldn’t hold alcohol well, but sometimes you just need to doze away in comfort. And the suite’s bed was the best.
She was reaching for the soda beaker when she heard the front door open again.
Jesus. Did he return for something? It must be his check. She was about to give the man an annoyed look when Gavin rushed into the room.
“Sam, are you all right?” He pulled her up and into his arms.
An odd sort of comfort overcame her, a comfort she shouldn’t find in his arms. Tingles danced across her skin as his arms tightened around her back. But the weird thing was she could feel Gavin’s heart pounding in his chest, like he was afraid of something.
“Gavin.” She patted his back. “What’s wrong?”
Pulling away, he held her at arm’s length. “Why was he here? My dad? Did he say something to you?”
Should she tell him about his father’s visit? She hesitated, but her gaze jumped to the check Mr. Hamilton had left on the table.
Gavin followed her gaze and then lifted the check. “Did he offer you money to break off our engagement?” He rubbed his forehead, nostrils flaring. “This is so typical. But this time, I’m not letting him do this.” He crumpled the paper in his hand. “Wait here. Let me talk to him. I won’t let him take you away from me.” And he dashed for the door.
God, this was crazy. “Stop!” She needed this drama to end. Her life wasn’t a soap opera, and she wouldn’t let it become one, either.
Gavin halted and turned back. “Please don’t tell me you considered his offer. Did you?” Pain was visible in his brown eyes, and his face turned ashen.
“Are you mad? No matter what he says, tomorrow we’re getting married.” She paused, wondering if she should tell him the truth. But no matter what, her decision was her decision. Mr. Hamilton didn’t have any say in her choice. “Unless you change your mind.”
Gavin ran back to her and pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank God. And I’m so sorry for putting you in this situation.” His hand rested on the small of her back, sending all sorts of tingles across her body. Her pulse was racing like a bullet train, and she worried Gavin would hear her heart pounding.
Jesus. What was happening to her?
Instinctively, she pushed him away. This was wrong. So wrong. Going forward, she would need to maintain her distance from this irresistible man. She must. For her and Aaron’s sakes. Gavin was forbidden.
Chapter 27
Gavin’s heart nearly stopped when Samantha stepped into the chapel holding hands with Rosie. Dressed in a beautiful white full-length wedding dress, she looked like an angel. Was she the same Samantha he saw the first time wearing an oversized T-shirt and faded jeans? Today, she looked like a frog turned into a princess without the kiss. Heck, she wasn’t a frog in the first place; it was more like a human turning into a beautiful angel.
Rosie flashed him a smile while Samantha kept her eyes lowered.
“Are you all right?” Gavin asked. He glanced at his parents and siblings sitting in front of the platform. When they’d arrived at the chapel, it was a shock. But they had come in support of him, not to stop the wedding. One less thing to worry about. In fact, he was happy that his mother and siblings were there.
Samantha’s gaze remained focused on the ground, cheeks tinted red. And those red lips. God, he couldn’t wait to kiss them.
An old man in a black suit and a long white beard walked onto the platform in front of them. He was the minister for their wedding.
Twenty minutes later, the minister pronounced them husband and wife and granted permission to kiss the bride.
Samantha’s face lit with shades of red as he gazed into her expressive eyes. There was anticipation, fear and so many more emotions that he couldn’t even put them into words. His knees nearly buckled as he bent to plant his lips on hers. This was his first wedding after all.
The softness of her lips touched his, and a bolt of lightning shot through his body. It was like the world stopped suddenly, and only the two of them remained on the edge of the universe, kissing each other. Those lips... Samantha’s lips were made for him, and he couldn’t just let them go, nor did she seem eager to let him go. Pulling her against him, he dived deep into the kiss, enjoying it like it was the last kiss of his life. It might be. Who knew if Samantha would allow him to kiss her again or not.
But then she suddenly pulled away like he was a piece of molten hot lava stone.
It hurt, but a clearing throat reminded him they had an audience. Yes, he needed to show some restraint.
But it was so hard to let her go from that kiss.
“Guys, that kiss was...” Rosie whispered, placing her hands on their shoulders. “Sensational.”
Applause echoed in the chapel, and the three of them turned back to face his family, standing and clapping.
Tan ran between the chairs and wrapped her arms around Samantha.
Gavin rested his hand on Samantha’s back, bracing her so she wouldn’t fall because of the Tan leaping on her. What had got into Tan suddenly? She wasn’t one to show her emotions like this. Whatever. He was happy that his family was here. Except his father, anyway. He was trying to figure out his father’s plan, but nothing came to mind. Why was he here, and smiling, at that?
His mother came forward and hugged him, whispering, “I’m so glad you found happiness, my son. I was a little surprised about her child at first, but your happiness is most important to me.” Wiping her tears, she turned to face Samantha who was chatting with Tan, answering Tan’s slew of questions. “Samantha, dear.” She brushed her cheeks to Samantha’s. “You look stunning. When Robert showed me your picture in a T-shirt and jeans, I was a little worried, but seeing you in the plane and now, I can say you are a perfect match for my son.”
There she was, boasting about her son. Well, he couldn’t complain. They wouldn’t understand how beautiful Samantha looked, even in her oversized T-shirt and jeans. They didn’t have eyes for that. And she wouldn’t be wearing that anymore. He would make sure of that.
“Thanks, Mrs. Hamilton.” Samantha smiled back. She seemed overwhelmed by the sudden family love. Technically, this was supposed to be a quiet wedding. But he should have predicted something like this when he saw his father at the hotel, coming out of Samantha’s room. But what was he up to?
A slap on the back disrupted his thoughts. Robert stood next to him. “Son. Congratulations.” He patted Gavin’s shoulder, then pulled him a little away. He then pulled a small envelope from his pocket and handed it to Gavin. “A small gift for your wedding. I hope you like it.”
Gavin cast him smile of thanks and shoved it into his pocket.
“Why don’t you open it now?” Robert asked.
Arching his brows, Gavin pulled out the envelope and opened it. It contained the deed to a villa on his father’s property. But why was he giving it to him?
“Dad, I don’t get it. I’ve got my apartment in the city, and I’m not coming back to live with you. You know it’s too far from work.” It wasn’t just that. Being under the constant surveillan
ce of his dad and exposing Samantha to the same? No way. He’d never live under his father’s thumb again.
“Well, if you want your grandmother’s money, you need to show your successful marriage to the trustee. That means you have to show it to me.” A wicked smile popped on Robert’s face.
A tremor passed down Gavin’s spine. Finally, he understood the game his dad was playing.
Chapter 28
They fell on her like rain. One after one they came, hugged her, and buried her in questions. The surprising thing was everyone genuinely seemed to believe the marriage was real. And it didn’t end there. It continued with Tan adding her to the family WhatsApp group, Gram organizing a welcome party for her in New York, and Martha booking a salon appointment with her next week. She said she wanted to connect with her daughter-in-law.
All Samantha wanted to do was shout, ‘Give it a break, guys.’
Yes, she was officially Mrs. Gavin Hamilton.
Thank God, Rosie pulled her away from the Hamilton gang. They were just too much. Her hurt from too much smiling. But the Hamiltons did one good thing: they took the pain and euphoria away. The pain of betraying James while she said, ‘I do.’ The euphoria from when Gavin kissed her.
Jesus. That kiss. She never wanted to feel that again. A thousand tingles running all over her body, jumping, dancing... If heaven and hell existed, she had touched heaven in that moment.
Right now, if she were a pendulum hanging between James and Gavin, she was in the middle. Neutral. Thanks to the Hamilton clan.
Rosie led her into a small room after making some excuse or another to the others. “They’re crazy, aren’t they?”
Samantha gasped for a clean breath before replying. “The Hamilton gang. Jesus. I can’t believe this.” She smoothed the wrinkles from her wedding gown. “When do you have to return this?” Looking at the beautiful gown, she regretting having to return it. Even though this was a fake marriage, she’d worn it on her wedding day, and now she would have to return it.