Brittney: Britbrat!! Gah, who knew an Instagram post would land me a friend? Thank you for always being there and for listening when I stress about my characters. Your support means the freaking world to me. I'm incredibly lucky to call you friend and I can't wait to see where this wonderful journey will lead us.
Illuminate Author Services: You guys did one amazing job, thank you so much! You have helped me make Shattered the best it could possibly be!
Readers and Bloggers, without you guys I would have no reason to write. Thank you for every share, every like and every comment. You guys are AWESOME!!
About the Author
Now, this is the part I hate the most. I get an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach whenever I have to talk or write about myself…
There isn't much to tell though. I am a happy wife and mother to a sassy little girl. Lover of all things chocolate, coffee, and romance. And one very blessed individual to have so many people read and love my words.
Love,
A.K.
If you happen to have stalker tendencies, like me, you can find me here:
Facebook Links:
www.facebook.com/groups/zestyromantics/
www.facebook.com/akmacbride/
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17676228.A_K_MacBride
Amazon
www.amazon.com/author/akmacbride
Bookbub
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/a-k-macbride
Instagram
www.instagram.com/akmacbride
Twitter
www.twitter.com/a_macbride
Website:
www.akmacbride.com
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C8R8PZV
Zach has only one goal in life:
To make the man, who had taken his mother from him, pay for everything he'd done.
Now, the only thing standing between him and the revenge he so desperately craves is a marriage to a woman he despises.
But from the moment they say 'I do', he learns that his bride is not what he thought she'd be, and walls that he'd built around his heart start to crumble.
What happens when he realizes the woman he is living with, is also the woman he can't live without.
And how will he handle it when he finds out that he isn't the only one with an agenda?
Natalie has only one goal in life:
To get as far away from her current situation as possible.
The out she so desperately seeks comes in the form of an arranged marriage to a man who makes no secret of the fact that he dislikes her.
Natalie soon realizes that Zach will not be her knight in shining armor, but that doesn't stop her from hoping that he would see past the rumors and lies to notice the woman she keeps hidden from the world.
The office seemed cold and impersonal. It suited the man behind the desk just fine, Zach thought to himself. Luckily he didn't have to like the man to do business with him, and business was the sole reason he found himself seated in Trent Stevens' office.
"So, you want to have my wonderful spas in your casinos? We'd be partners then?"
"I would think that's quite obvious." Zach was not one to beat around the bush; he did not become the respected businessman he was by sitting around and making pleasantries. Time was money. Across from him, the silver-haired man bellowed out a loud laugh that reverberated through the sparsely decorated space. Zach's lips didn't even twitch. Trent might find business matters funny, he didn't.
"I like you, de la Fuente," Trent folded his large arms on his desk and leaned forward while Zach gritted his teeth. The only time it was acceptable for anyone to address him by his last name, was when Mr. was used in front of it. "Tell me, are you a gambling man?" Trent asked.
Zach raised one thick, dark eyebrow. "I am the owner of a multi-billion dollar casino franchise, what do you think?"
Again, Trent howled with laughter. Zach clenched his jaw in irritation, what was so damned funny about a venture that could net them both billions of dollars? If it wasn't for the fact that he had other interests in Trent Stevens he would walk out the door without even looking back.
"I tell you what, de la Fuente," Trent stood and walked over to the bar at the far side of the office, he grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet and held it up, Zach shook his head and Trent shrugged his shoulders before pouring himself a drink. "You're a gambling man, I'm a gambling man. Why not entertain ourselves with a little high-stakes gambling?"
Zach straightened in his seat. "I'm listening."
After walking back to Zach, Trent picked up a frame off his desk and studied it for a while before handing it to Zach. A sour taste filled his mouth, he recognized the person in the photo, it was Trent's daughter–his self-centered, spoiled daughter - who, without a doubt, hadn't worked a day in her life. In no mood to stare at a photo of a pretty girl who had succeeded to make herself quite ugly through her actions, Zach placed the photo back on Trent's desk.
"My daughter, Natalie," Trent said. "I'm sure you've heard or read about her once or twice, hmm?" Zach only nodded; the man did not need to know Zach's exact thoughts on the matter. "I want you to marry her."
Zach stared and waited for the loud bellow of laughter to follow such an incredulous statement, but it never came. Was the man serious? "I don't see what this has to do with the business at hand." The tone of his voice had not changed at all, an art he had perfected over the years.
"It's quite simple," Trent sank into his leather chair and laced his fingers atop his rounded belly. "She needs some...guidance. Someone to tame her if you will. Marry her and set her straight. If you can do that within six months, we can do whatever business you damn well please. Hell, I'll even dance naked around a fire and sing Kumbaya. If you're not up for it, we might as well call it a day."
Zach schooled his face, careful not to show even a glimpse of the disgust that was rolling through his body in droves. It should shock him that Trent was so willing to offer up his daughter in exchange for money, but it didn't. He knew more about the man in front of him than anyone even realized.
He had waited years for this moment, he had worked like a dog to get here and now all that was between him and the revenge that fueled him was a farce of a marriage to a woman who disgusted him just as much as her father. Clearly, there was only one thing left to do.
"Very well, I will marry your daughter."
The silk tied around his neck felt more like a noose than the expensive tie it was. Zach was seriously regretting making this impulsive decision, especially since it would seem that his bride had stood him up. He flicked his wrist, the lovely Natalie's tardiness was touching the hour mark. He should have traded his tailor-made suit for a damn clown getup as he was clearly being made a fool of. Served him right, he thought grimly.
Glancing around, he wondered why they couldn't have done this at the Magistrate's office. To say the church was bare would be an understatement. On the bride's side sat five people in total. A big, burly man, Zach knew was Trent's head of security. Next to him, an older couple and what he presumed to be their children. His side didn't look any better; only his assistant Sophie sat in the pews. He hadn't even bothered to tell his brother about his nuptials although he was certain Javier would know the second they said 'I do'. Trent had been broadcasting the wedding to anyone who would listen.
Irritation morphed into anger when he checked his watch again–another five minutes had passed. He should have known Natalie Stevens would not be capable of honoring their agreement. He was just about to walk off and find another way to get his hands on Trent Stevens when the shackling sound of the wedding march started.
The wooden doors at the back of the old church flung open and there stood his bride, dressed in black! He bit back a smile; it was obvious that she felt just as bitter about this union as he did. As she slowly edged toward him Zach had to admit that she had sex appeal. The way her long, lacy black dress clung to her curvaceous body would make any red-blo
oded male stand up and pay attention, the tight beaded bodice did magnificent things her to her breasts, pushing them up almost as an offering–an offering few men could resist. He was certain that gentle sway of her hips had every man fantasizing about gripping them and-
Zach clenched his fists in front of his groin and bit down hard on his back teeth, he would do well to remember who exactly was sashaying down the aisle toward him. He just managed to get his thoughts under control when her father, very unceremoniously, handed her off to Zach. Hooking her arm through his, they turned toward the waiting Priest and Zach just couldn't help himself.
"Love the dress," he whispered through one side of his mouth.
"I'm mourning." Through the gauzy material of her veil, he could make out the defiant tilt of her chin. This time he didn't hide his smile, she was feisty. Taming her would be fun.
The ceremony passed by in a blur and before he knew it, he had kissed–more like pecked–the bride, photos had been taken and they were rushed off to their reception at Trent's fancy estate. Next to him, Natalie was hugging the door as if she was contemplating jumping out of a moving vehicle, he didn't appreciate it. If anyone should be thinking about jumping ship it should be him, her reputation was worse than that of his man-whoring brother. He was about to say as much when the car suddenly came to a halt and his door was flung open.
"Ah, de la Fuente. The man to finally make an honest woman out of my wayward daughter." Zach didn't see it, but he heard Natalie's sharp intake of breath, followed by the loud slam of her door. By the time Zach had extracted himself from the car Natalie was already standing next to her father, arms folded under her breasts–her perfectly rounded breasts. Zach blinked once and then forced his gaze to the reason he was enduring all of this in the first place. He stuck out his hand and Trent eagerly shook it.
The reception was a long and tedious affair that consisted of Trent show-ponying Zach around to anyone who would listen and by the time they were headed to their hotel he was well and truly depleted. He closed his eyes and dropped his head back against the soft leather seat.
"I know we're married now, but I'm not going to have sex with you."
Zach's heavy lids slowly opened and he lifted his head at the same leisurely pace. Natalie sat with her back ramrod straight and her hands folded in her lap, her chin tilting in that defiant manner again. He shifted in his seat until he was facing her, then he leaned forward slightly.
"Rest assured, sex with you is the last thing I want. Your reputation precedes you, my wife, and I have no intention of touching what another man–or in your case, other men–have already soiled." If she was hurt or shocked by his remark she didn't show it, so he returned to his state of rest until they arrived at their destination.
His mood was further soured when they arrived at the hotel and he learned that his father-in-law had taken the liberty to swap out his presidential suite for the honeymoon suite, which meant he was going to be forced to share a bed with his wife. His wife. Coldness prickled at his neck and shivered down his spine, he reminded himself that this was a small price to pay to get the revenge he so desperately wanted.
"There's only one bed."
Natalie's discouraged voice pulled him back to the present and the ever-daunting honeymoon bed, littered with red rose petals. He was tired, too tired to deal with sleep arrangements. Shucking off his jacket and draping it over the armchair, he toed off his shoes and simultaneously began to work on his tie. His shirt followed, but it was only when he dropped his pants that he heard the very feminine gasp of his wife.
Zach pulled back the covers–scattering rose petals everywhere - and planted his hands on his hips. Natalie was watching him, her blue eyes widened to their max and her teeth digging into her bottom lip.
"I sleep in the nude," Zach said. "But that shouldn't bother you too much as you have no doubt seen plenty of naked men. Just please, resist the urge to touch." With that, he flicked off the bedside lamp and slipped beneath the cool sheets.
Natalie stared at the sleeping form of the man she now called husband, at least one of them was comfortable enough to drift off to dreamland. She, on the other hand, was as wired as someone who had just ingested ten espressos at once. Turning, she marched to the adjoining bathroom and locked the door behind her. A few minutes later she slipped into a warm, bubble-filled, scented bath. Bliss.
Lifting her left hand to her face, she eyed the simple band nestled between her pinkie and middle finger. She was married to a man who made no secret of the fact that he did not hold her in high regard. A pity really because the only reason she agreed to this sham of a marriage was because of him. And it wasn't just his good looks that had drawn her in–although they played a huge part–it was the fact that he was just as powerful as her dad, if not more so. She really needed someone with influence on her side.
Zacharias de la Fuente was a name that everyone knew, the Spaniard who had come from less than nothing and had made a fortune for himself as the owner of Clear Fountain Casinos. He spoke of her reputation, but his also preceded him. Unlike in her case, the press had nothing but good things to say about him. There was not a man or woman that didn't speak highly of him, no jilted lovers or wronged business partners. By all accounts, the man appeared to be a saint. She'd hoped that he might be willing to help her, but after their earlier encounter in the limo and then later in the room, she knew his help was the last thing he'd offer her.
Natalie sank beneath the bubbles and unbidden an image of her husband standing naked–very naked–next to the bed, came to mind. Where he got the time to tone and shape his body into the masterpiece that it was, she didn't know. All she knew was if he kept walking around naked, resisting touching him for the next six months was going to be a challenge. And that thought made her laugh out loud because what she knew about touching a virile man was, in fact, laughable.
She grabbed the provided fluffy robe and hugged it tight around her body before stepping out of the steaming bathroom. Her feet paused in the doorway; there was only one bed and then the couch in the other room. There was no way she was slipping into bed with a man wearing only his birthday suit. She padded to the couch and hoped that her body was too tired to miss the comfort of a soft mattress.
Zach pulled on his pants and went in search of Natalie, she hadn't slept next to him, which meant she either slept on the couch or went in search of a warm body to satisfy her needs. The last option filled his mouth with bile, even though this marriage was a farce, he fully expected her to remain faithful and he had made that very clear in the prenuptial agreement both of them had signed. He secured the clasp of his thick, silver watch and strode out of the bedroom with determined steps.
He froze the moment he spotted Natalie. She was sprawled out on the red couch looking like something an artist had conjured up. Her blonde hair fanned out behind her as if someone had purposefully spread it out like that. Thick, long lashes fanned her pink cheeks and her full lips were slightly parted. The fluffy robe gaped somewhat at her chest, teasing him with just a hint of her cleavage. He raked his eyes lower and, courtesy of the parted robe, one long, creamy leg was on display.
His body stirred at the image in front of him, he didn't welcome the reaction. Yes, there was no doubt that Natalie Stevens was a beautiful woman, he knew as much. In fact, he'd been floored when the veil had been lifted and he realized that not one of the photos he'd seen of her had done her justice. But being beautiful wasn't enough, and he knew for a fact that her beauty only went skin deep.
Irritated, he cupped her shoulder and shook her. "Natalie."
Ever so slowly her lids parted and for a second he was mesmerized by the color of her eyes, they almost appeared glass-like. "Wha...what?" Her groggy voice snapped him out of the trance.
"You need to get dressed. The plane leaves in two hours." He conveyed the message the same way he would ask his PA to get him a cup of coffee, no emotion.
Natalie pushed into a seated position and rubbed her eyes with
the heels of her palms. "Plane? What plane?"
He smiled, it wasn't a warm one. "The one taking us on our honeymoon, dear wife."
For what seemed to be the hundredth time, Natalie stole a glance at the aloof man seated opposite her, an espresso in one hand and a newspaper in the other. His Armani-clad leg was crossed over the other, while a shiny shoe stabbed the air repeatedly. Rows of creases marred his olive-skinned forehead while his dark gaze was focused on whatever he was reading. Clearly, he was comfortable flying, she, on the other hand, was not.
Gripping the handles of the luxurious seat Natalie pushed her body deeper into expensive leather and focussed on calming her breathing and her racing heart. She needed to think of anything else except the many things that can cause a metal-bird to fall out of the sky. Closing her eyes, she let out a steadying breath and dropped her head back. Perhaps if the plane fell, all of her problems would be solved, or if by some miracle, she survived such a crash she could disappear and start over and finally be who she wanted to be.
"Can I get you anything, Mrs. de la Fuente?" The soft voice of the prim and proper stewardess drew Natalie's attention and it took her a moment to register that the stewardess was speaking to her.
Natalie shook her head and then added a soft, "No, thank you." She didn't have to turn her head to know that Zach's eyes were on her, she felt his scrutinizing gaze burn her skin. She didn't know why, but it unsettled her even more than flying did. She closed her eyes again and allowed her head to fall back.
"My plane's not up to your standards?" The rich baritone of his voice forced her to open her, now, heavy eyelids. The newspaper lay abandoned on the seat beside him and his empty cup had been taken away. Muscled arms were folded in front of his chest–which she now knew was well defined and chiseled–his foot was still stabbing the air, but the movement seemed impatient rather than relaxed.
Shattered (Willow Creek Book 1) Page 17