Billionaire's Only Marriage

by A P Gore

  Samantha nodded. What other choice did she have?

  “I’ll get the best doctor to fly with Aaron to the Caribbean. A family vacation wouldn’t be complete without my grandson.” She paused, wiping her eyes. “I’m so glad that I get to play with a grandson at long last. I was so tired of asking Gavin to get married and give me grandchildren.”

  Rosie stepped closer to her, whispering in Samantha’s ear. “I knew this would happen. She loves children. So much that she has a trust set up for underprivileged kids, and she’s always bugging Gavin about marriage and kids.”

  How did Rosie know all of this? It was like she spied on the Hamilton family in her spare time. Either that, or Gavin shared way too much with his secretary.

  “Mom, no. Please don’t force her.” Gavin pulled Samantha closer, and this time she knew it wasn’t a show for his parents. He cared for her.

  But that same thing put her in a dilemma. He was a very nice person, and that made her want to help him. Even if it hurt her in the end.

  “Gavin, it’s fine.” She looked in Martha’s eyes, and found no ill intent. “As long as Aaron receives good care, I’m fine.”

  Rosie pinched her again. Now what? She turned toward Rosie, but Rosie was already whispering in her ear.

  “You missed the part where she said they’re coming to the Caribbean with you guys.” Rosie had a mischievous look in her eyes. “All the best with your family vacation.”

  Shocked, Samantha tightened her grip on Gavin’s arm. What had she gotten herself into? What would James think if he knew she went to the Caribbean with Aaron and her in-laws for her fake honeymoon?

  Chapter 31

  Pride ran deep in Gavin’s family. Deeper than blood. The Hamilton name in bold neon letters painted on the side of the jet reflected that, declared to the world the powerful family it belonged to. Once, Gavin had asked his dad the reason behind printing their surname on the jet. It seemed lame to his fourteen-year-old self. Even his friends thought it was showing off.

  Hid dad just laughed and walked away.

  Later, his granny had told him how deep their family ties ran and why his dad was so proud of his family name.

  Today, standing at the bottom of the stairs leading to the jet, he understood what it meant for his dad. Pride. Even today, his father stared at the name for a few moments before boarding the jet.

  “What are you looking at?” A hand slipped around his arm, followed by a musical voice. He got goosebumps all over his body as Samantha stepped next to him, leaning slightly on him. No matter how many times he reminded himself of the fake marriage, his heart danced to the tune of her voice, jumped like crazy at her touch.

  “The name,” he said, glancing at her. She’d changed into a white blouse and a black skirt, her long hair flowing down her back. God, he would die if she kept looking stunning in simple clothes. Maybe he preferred her extra-large T-shirt and faded jeans after all. That attire was better for his sanity. If she kept looking incredible, how much longer could he keep his heart restrained?

  Leaning over slightly, he whispered in her ear. “May I tell you how stunning you’re looking today? Especially your hair.”

  Red rushed to her cheeks, and her eyes blinked rapidly. “No, you can’t.” She lacked conviction in her voice.

  “You should let your hair down more.”

  She eyed him from the corner of her eyes, a nervous smile playing on her lips. “Do you think so?” A single strand of hair blew across her face, landing across her lips.

  How much could he control? Tucking that irresistible strand away, he nodded, his eyes fixed on her.

  She nearly jumped at his touch. “Don’t.” She smoothed her skirt. “Can I ask you something?”

  He nodded.

  “What does your dad do?” She looked over at the five private jets his dad had here. “He seems to be quite rich.”

  “Do you really not know?”

  Still gazing at the jets, she shook her head, her sea-blue eyes clueless.

  He almost fell over. How could she not know? But then, she was his rabbit. Just running around knowing nothing. For a few days, she didn’t even notice he was the CEO. Even the security guy knew his name. It was refreshing.

  Tapping her elbow, he smiled. This was the first time a woman standing next to him didn’t know about his dad. All the woman he met, not that he met many, approached him knowing full well who he was: the eldest son of Mr. Robert Hamilton, heir to the oil empire.

  How should he answer? If he had to list his father’s businesses, he would need at least half an hour.

  “Have you seen HGS gas stations on the road?” he asked.

  “Of course. There’s one on every corner of my neighborhood. There must be thousands of them around New York City.”

  “That’s my dad’s main business.”

  Her eyes opened wide, practically popping out of her head. “Do you mean he owns all those gas stations? My god.” She covered her mouth. “Now all these planes make sense.” She nodded like she understood everything.

  “Geez, did you really not know that?” Tan pushed Gavin aside and joined them in the conversation. “Who doesn’t know about Dad’s business? Wait.” She raised her hand and stopped Samantha from speaking. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know Gavin was the son of one of America’s richest men.”

  Samantha shook her head solemnly.

  Gavin couldn’t control himself. Patting her hand, he pulled her into a half hug and led her up the stairs. “Tan, get in quick, or you’ll face the wrath of Mom.” Their parents were already on board, waiting for the kids. Of course, predictable Tan had run off to the shopping mall in the commercial airport, so they’d had to wait longer.

  “Wait, Rosie’s coming too,” Tan said.

  “Why?” Samantha practically growled.

  Tan gave her a strange look. “She always does.” She hurried past them up the stairs and disappeared into the plane.

  Samantha slowly turned her face toward him, eyes narrowed. “Gavin, why does your secretary roam with your family? And why does she know so much about your family?” Suddenly, she cupped her mouth with one hand, her brows lifting. “Don’t tell me you had an affair with her.”

  God, where did she get such ideas from? Gavin was about to explain when Rosie rushed up the stairs with lots of bags in her hands. She foisted off two bags on Samantha and another two on Gavin.

  “I swear, I’m gonna kill your sister one day. She ran off and left me with all the bags.” She huffed and rolled her eyes. “Do I look like a chauffeur?” She hurried past them up the stairs, maybe plotting to hit Tan upside the head. They fought like cats and dogs at times.

  Samantha elbowed Gavin lightly. “Why is she coming with us?”

  Gavin smirked. “Green isn’t your color, wife.”

  She shook her head and slipped away from him. “Jealous? Me?” Lifting her brows in a crescent moon, she shoved the bags at him. “No way, mister. Why would I be? I’m just curious, you know. She seems to know everything about you.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Gavin pushed further. It was so fun to see his rabbit denying what was plain for anyone to see. She was jealous, and he loved it.

  “Of course. Why would I be jealous of her? She’s...” She stared at the entrance for a moment. “She’s like a goddess. How could I even compare?” Sadness slipped into her voice.

  Shifting the bags to one hand, he put his other arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. “Oh no, you don’t. Because you’re my wife, and she’s—”

  Martha popped her head out the door. “Are you two coming or not? Your dad is already fuming.”

  Blushing furiously, Samantha tugged his hand and pulled him up the stairs.

  Chapter 32

  Jesus. With each passing moment, Gavin became more irresistible. Especially when he pulled her into a hug. What was with that? He was like a hug monster waiting for a chance, and being around his family gave him all the chances in the world. If that wasn’
t enough, his touch was getting possessive, like Samantha was his real wife.

  And the worst part? She liked it.

  As she walked up the steps to the plane, his words echoed in her mind. “Because you are my wife and she...” What was he going to say? When he said “my wife,” her heart double flipped inside her chest. The ownership in those words... Jesus, was he falling for her?

  A chill ran through her arms. She pulled them closer, tighter around her body.

  No, he wasn’t. Everything was fake. The words were a big fat lie. He had said he wouldn’t fall for her because she had a kid. Why would he fall for a woman with a kid, anyway? A woman with an average face. A woman so different from him. He should fall for someone like Rosie, who knew everything about him, who knew what to wear for every occasion, who knew how to behave in high society. Rosie would be a perfect daughter-in-law for Mr. Hamilton. When Mr. Hamilton looked at Rosie, he had a special look, a look reserved for family. Even his siblings loved her.

  But why did it hurt? The thought of losing him to someone else, it pained like a knife through her heart.

  She halted as the chilly air brushed past her, scattering her hair all over her back. He said he liked her hair loose, didn’t he? Why would he like her hair? Why would he say heart fluttering words to her? He should just leave her alone.

  Gavin draped his jacket across her shoulders. “Let’s get inside. You’ll catch a cold like this.” His voice wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

  “I’m fine.” She slipped the jacket off and shoved it into his hands. “But my hair, I’m not letting it run wild again. Ever.” She pulled it back and wrapped the hair band from her wrist around it. She hated loose hair.

  Gavin opened his mouth, but Samantha charged ahead, leaving him behind. The more she looked at him, the sadder she became. He was like cheese in a rat trap. Delicious, but unobtainable.

  Soft chatter greeted her as she moved deeper into the lavish plane. Rosie was chatting with Tan. God, she hated her voice. How could she be so perfect?

  “Sam, come sit with me,” Martha said, pulling her attention to the lush interior of the plane. She gasped in awe. This was miles away from Gavin’s plane. If she had to compare the two planes, she would score Gavin’s as eight out of ten, and this one at least twelve out of ten.

  Four long, lavish cream couches ran along the walls. After that section finished, two big round dining tables filled with delicious looking food occupied the next section. Rosie and Tan sat at one of the tables.

  Ignoring them she turned her attention forward and was awed once again. A big television hung on the far wall, with a few recliners arrayed before it. Gram was relaxing in one of them, watching a movie.

  “No, Sam, come here! Come see what I got for you,” Tan called from the dining section. “Hurry up! I bet you’ve never seen such a thing before in your life. It’s very expensive.”

  Martha frowned, and Tan stopped blabbering.

  “I’m sorry,” Martha said, “She’s the youngest, and doesn’t understand how her ancestors suffered to obtain what she uses so freely today.”

  Samantha patted Martha’s hand. “It’s okay. I grew up poor, and I’m not ashamed of that.”

  Martha’s face lit with a beautiful smile. “I like you already. Now, sit here and talk with me. I wanna know all about you. Especially all about you two.” She glanced at Gavin who was talking with his father. Something serious was going on between them.

  Samantha rubbed her neck. What could she say? They hadn’t discussed this part before, because they hadn’t expected to have to tell their fake love story to anyone.

  Tan wandered over and dropped onto the next couch. “Yeah, Sam. Tell us!”

  “I wanna hear this too.” Rosie said, following Tan over to the couches. Even Gram quickly turned off his movie and joined them.

  Samantha’s neck muscles tightened. This was getting tougher. Now she’d be lying to four people. Well, not Rosie. Rosie knew the truth—which made her eagerness to hear the story rather annoying—but what if someone else asked Gavin about their first meeting and he told them a different version?

  God. What should she say?

  Tan tapped her shoulder. “So, what happened? Did you guys kiss on your first encounter? Or did something else happen that you can’t say?” Her eyes shone with a strangely naughty light.

  Samantha shook her head firmly. “No. Nothing happened. We met in an elevator.”

  “An elevator? Did you get stuck? Did you hug him when it went dark suddenly?” Tan clasped her hands near her heart. “Wow! How romantic.”

  Rosie slapped her shoulder. “You’re hopeless. This is why you can’t get a date. I’m telling you, Noah won’t fall for your chirpy nature.”

  Tan shot her a fiery glance, then turned to Samantha. “What happened in the elevator. Did you guys kiss there?”

  “No, no, no. I was actually carrying a box for him. Or, well, for the CEO. But I didn’t know he was the CEO.”

  “What?” It was Gram’s turn this time. “You didn’t know he was the CEO?”

  “That’s not all. I heard her asking Gav about Dad. She didn’t even know what he does,” Tan said.

  Everyone stared at her in surprise, all wide eyes and gaping mouths.

  Samantha wanted to hide in a corner and never come out. How shameful.

  “She didn’t.” Gavin slipped between the arm of the couch and Samantha, pushing her a little closer to Martha. “She even accused me of trying to steal coffee from the CEO’s box.”

  Everyone laughed. Samantha put her face in her hands. She would die of shame today.

  Chapter 33

  Gavin smiled as Samantha hid her red face behind her hands. He could eat that red right away, and he had a strong urge to do that. If not for the kiss restriction in the contract, he would have kissed those red cheeks.

  “And it didn’t end there,” he said. “The next day, she dragged me through the building to her floor. She thought I was a security guy. A few days later, she tried to drag me out of the CEO’s office. She thought I was playing a prank on her with Rosie’s help.”

  Samantha groaned and hid her face in his shoulder.

  “So, when did you fall for her?” Rosie asked, amusement in her eyes.

  “I don’t know, exactly. Maybe in the elevator, or when she accused me of being a thief.” He wrapped an arm around Samantha and pulled her closer. “She’s the cutest thing that ever happened to me.” And he meant it.

  “Aw...” Tan covered her mouth. “That’s so romantic. I can’t believe you finally met someone. All these years, all you’ve done is work, more work, and some more work.”

  Martha smiled. “I’m happy to see you’re finally enjoying your life. I expect you to hand over your laptop and phone once we get to the island. I won’t have you working while you’re there.”

  Gavin wished he could. The thing that his father had told him moments ago kept playing through his mind. A storm was coming for a subsidiary company, and he needed to pull his big guns out. For the first time, his father had asked something of him sincerely, so he was willing to do whatever he could to help.

  His gaze lowered to Samantha, still hiding in his arms, comfortable, dependent. His little rabbit. Damn, he was looking forward to some alone time with her. But it seemed he wouldn’t get that chance. And if what his father warned him of were to happen, the main reason behind his marriage would cease to exist. What would she do then? And what would he do?

  Chapter 34

  A small tug in the stomach and the chanting pressure in her ears signaled their upcoming landing. Samantha buckled her seat belt to prepare for the landing. Apparently, the couch had retractable seat belts for each seat. Private planes had it all.

  She stole a glance at the handsome man sitting next to her. He’d seemed tense since she hid herself in his arms, like he was thinking deep thoughts. Had she overdone it? Maybe she did. It was all because of him. He kept hugging her, so why couldn’t she take refuge in
his arms when everyone was laughing at her? He was supposed to be nice and protective of his wife.

  “Why are you so tense?” she asked quietly, unable to contain it. “Is there issue with your dad?” She stole a glance at Mr. Hamilton, sitting not far away, and she could tell he was tense too.

  Gavin’s eyes turned toward Mr. Hamilton briefly before coming back to her.

  “Nothing. I was thinking about our next kiss.” All the seriousness from his eyes vanished like a mirage, replaced by a suggestive look.

  Tingles shot across her whole body. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Why was he saying that, making it difficult for her?

  Her eyes jumped to his lips. Those kissable lips parted in response, and she had the sudden urge to lift her head, wrap her arms around his neck, and taste those irresistible lips.

  “No, Samantha, no. Don’t look at his lips.”

  Suddenly, all eyes were on her.

  “You didn’t have to say that loud.” Gavin’s hot breath brushed her neck.

  Jerking away, she stared at him. “Did I?” she whispered.

  “Geez, Sam,” Tan said, feigning annoyance. “Can’t you wait until we land? Do you guys have to be all lovey-dovey in front of us single folk?”

  Why, why, why? Samantha closed her eyes and dropped her head.

  Gavin’s protective arm wrapped around her. “Shut up, Tan. Don’t tease her anymore.” He slipped a little bit of brotherly authority into his voice.

  Tan sighed. “Geez. What a brother. Taking his wife’s side and ditching our eighteen years’ bond.”

  Everyone laughed, even Mr. Hamilton. This was so embarrassing. Why did she say that out loud?

  “If my family wasn’t here, I’d have those lips right away,” Gavin whispered in her ear.

  Elbowing him hard, she bit her lips. It was his fault. If he hadn’t raised the topic of kissing, why would she have said something like that loud? Jesus, this man brought out the worst in her.