Billionaires with Heart Boxset: Christian Romance Series
Page 25
“I vow to make it my goal to love you like Hosea loved his bride, and to lead you with cords of kindness, and with bands of love.”
Although her eyes moistened, she smiled earnestly and began hers, looking deeply into his eyes. “Marcus, thank you for pursuing me as Christ pursues the church. Thank you for loving me as Hosea loved his bride. I promise to love and cherish you, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge myself to you.”
He felt a bottomless peace and satisfaction. God had given him a second chance at love, and he’d grasped it with both hands. While he’d never forget Bree, his future was with Tiffany, and he loved her more than words could ever express.
After they exchanged rings and the pastor pronounced them man and wife, he lifted her veil and gazed into her eyes before kissing her with passion and longing.
The reception was held on the grounds of the estate. They’d considered other venues, but none were as perfect as their very own place, with the dazzling harbour as the backdrop. As they mingled with their guests, enjoying delicious canapes and drinks, Marcus was unable to take his eyes off his bride. She was drop-dead gorgeous, and love for her swelled inside him until it hurt.
For them both, this day was the beginning of their new life together. He couldn’t wait for the days ahead, but he relished the present. This day, their wedding day, was a day of commitment and joy.
Later, as the reception came to a close, they waved goodbye to their friends and family and climbed into the limo, the very same one that had taken them to the charity ball all those months before. Marcus had chosen an exclusive six-star hotel in the city centre for their first night together as husband and wife. He’d booked the penthouse, and when they arrived, they were greeted like royalty. News must have leaked out that he was getting married, because a row of photographers snapped shot after shot as they walked from the limo to the hotel foyer.
Tiffany turned to him and laughed. “I’ve never been famous before!”
He laughed with her and kissed the side of her head. When they reached the penthouse, he pulled her close and gazed into her eyes, brushing wispy strands of hair off her face with his fingers. “Well, Mrs. Alcott, at last we’re alone.” Desire swept through him, and he lowered his mouth and kissed her the way he’d desired since the night of the ball, before gathering her in his arms and carrying her to the king-sized bed.
The next morning, when Marcus woke and gazed at Tiffany’s sleeping form beside him, he’d never been as content and as happy as in that moment. The thought that he would wake up beside her each morning for the rest of their lives filled him with joy.
Her eyes flickered and she grinned at him. “Good morning!”
“And good morning to you, my love.” He slipped his arms around her shoulder and brushed her lips lightly with his. “I love you so much, Tiffany. And you look even more gorgeous with tousled hair.” He chuckled as he showered her lips and jaw with kisses.
“And you don’t look too bad, either,” she whispered between kisses.
A little later they ordered room service and enjoyed a delicious continental breakfast while gazing out at the city and the harbour, which was as blue and sparkling as the sapphire in Tiffany’s ring.
But they didn’t have long before they needed to leave for the airport.
“I’m so excited,” Tiffany said as they packed their bags.
Her excitement delighted him. Although their honeymoon would be shorter than he would have liked, there was good reason. For two weeks, he and Tiffany would enjoy a secluded chalet in Hawaii with no one to distract them, but following that, Mike and Polly were joining them for another two weeks in Italy and France.
During their two weeks in Hawaii, they went to the beach every morning and enjoyed the sun and the surf. But most of the time they spent alone in their exclusive chalet where they had everything they needed.
One evening towards the end of their honeymoon, they sat together on the sand watching the sun set, and Marcus asked her if she was happy.
She looked at him as if he were crazy and then grinned. “I’ve never been happier in my life.”
“Me either.” Pulling her close, he kissed her passionately.
The following day they flew back to Sydney and swooped up Mike and Polly for the whole family honeymoon.
The next two weeks were spent in Italy and France, seeing amazing sights and eating wonderful food. Polly was amazed by the Eiffel Tower and Mike wanted to spend the whole vacation at the Colosseum so he could pretend to be fighting battles.
But the most amazing place for Tiffany was the Palace of Versailles. She’d never seen such splendour and beauty, but most importantly, Marcus had kept his promise, and for that, she loved him to bits.
The sum of the trip was the knowledge that they had an entire future to spend together, to love one another and to serve God.
Each morning they determined with every breath, every kiss, and every moment, to give God the glory for bringing them together and for giving them both a second chance at love.
Book 3 - Her Disgraced Billionaire
BOOK THREE
Chapter 1
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Sydney, Australia
Mitch Carmichael pried one eye open, but when the bright light penetrated, he snapped it shut. Pain seared through his head. Not just from the light. He felt as if he’d wrestled with a ten-ton truck and lost.
Maybe he had.
Everything felt blurry, murky, fuzzy. Where was he?
After blinking several times, he took in his surroundings. The room was white. Stark white. Clinical. Disinfectant hung in the air, stinging his nasal passages. To his left, a machine beeped. His head jolted up. He was attached to the thing.
He was in the hospital. No... This couldn’t be. How had he gotten here? His mind was a complete blank. Nothing made sense. And the more he tried to remember, the more his head pounded. Wooziness engulfed him and his head flopped against the pillow. His eyes fluttered and closed. Slipping into sleep, merciful relief flooded his body.
He woke to a door opening and soft footsteps approaching. The pain in his head had eased and he opened his eyes. Before him stood the prettiest nurse he’d ever seen.
While she studied the monitor, he studied her. Honey-coloured hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, a temptingly curved mouth, and the suggestion of a shapely figure under her blue smock. Beautiful. Maybe not his type, but a night with her could be fun.
Shifting her attention from the monitor to him, her grey eyes widened. “Oh my! You’re awake!” The words came out a whisper, as if she were surprised.
How long had he been asleep? He tried to speak, but instead coughed; his throat felt like sandpaper. The nurse held a cup of water for him and he sipped greedily through the straw. Water had never tasted so good.
“How are you feeling?” Her voice was soft and laced with concern.
“Like I should be in the hospital,” he replied with a weak chuckle.
Lifting a brow, she gave him a stern look. “That’s what happens when you drive under the influence.”
Under the influence? Of course. He’d been at a party. Or was it a club? Or a party upstairs at a club? Something like that. He remembered driving along the coast road with the top down. Oh, crap, did I wreck my car?
“I need to check your vitals.” The nurse wrapped a blood pressure cuff around his arm and pumped.
“Do I get to check yours?”
The way she glared at him told him she didn’t appreciate his charm. But he’d win her over. He always did.
“Your blood pressure’s improving. And your temperature is—"
“Hot.”
Another glare was followed by pursed lips. “Not anymore. The fever’s gone. But if you need a cold shower, I’m sure one of the police officers out there wouldn’t mind
helping you out.” She nodded towards the door.
A chill as cold as her expression swept through his body. Police officers? What was going on?
He tried to sit, but while the throb in his head might have gone, pain stabbed the rest of his body. Wincing, he remained horizontal. “What…what happened?”
“You were in a car accident. Apparently you were high and driving recklessly along the coast road. The officers have a lot of questions for you.” She lowered his arm onto the bed. “Don’t worry, we won’t let them in until you’re well enough to speak. We don’t want them to work you up.”
“I don’t mind getting a little worked up now and then.” He gave her what he hoped might pass for a charming smile.
“Then I can always let them in now.” Shooting him a look that was as frosty as icicles in winter, she spoke without pause through her tightened jaw. He’d need to back off for a while. There’d be time to wear her down later. “You’re right. I should get some rest.”
“Good. And do yourself a favour. Don’t speak to them the way you’re speaking to me when the time comes.”
“Ouch. Duly noted.” He pretended to grimace. He liked the nurse’s fire. Not many girls stood up to him like that. It was nice for a change. Most girls hung on his every word and would do anything he asked. Probably because of his money.
She inspected his drip. “Do you have any pain?”
“Yes.”
“The doctor will come by soon to check on you, but in the meantime I’ll top up your drip. Try to rest, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As the nurse took care of a few things, his gaze returned to the door. What would he say to the police? What if they arrested him? He’d been warned that his father’s money and reputation wouldn’t save him forever.
“What’s your name?” he asked the nurse, trying to distract himself.
“Jenna.” She answered without looking at him.
As Nurse Jenna recorded his vitals, he watched her, noting the soft grey of her eyes and her delicately pointed oval face.
“Nice to meet you, Jenna.” He spoke politely, setting aside his flirtatious manner for the moment.
“You too, Mitchell Carmichael, billionaire playboy about to make yet another appearance in the media for his poor lifestyle choices.” She looked at him directly with a clear warning for him not to try his games on her.
This girl was good. She knew better than to fall for his schemes. Somehow that made him want her all the more. But now wasn’t the time. There’d be another chance. For now, his best option was simply to relax and let Nurse Jenna take care of him.
With a nod of surrender, he settled his head onto the pillow and closed his eyes. Moments later he heard her leave, but then his ears pricked as quiet murmurs of her talking to the police outside drifted into the room.
“…needs rest…”
“…many questions. The girl…awake yet?”
Girl? What girl? Had he crashed into someone?
An image of speeding along the coast flashed through his mind. Had he been alone? Unlikely. Laughter. He remembered laughter. His own and the laughter of another. But whose?
A man? A woman? Maybe the girl the police had mentioned… As the medication kicked in and he drifted off to sleep, a name slipped through his thoughts—Kendra.
Chapter 2
Jenna Wainright stepped into the locker room to swap her nurse’s smock for her denim jacket. She had an hour’s break and hoped her new patient would sleep during that time.
“Hey Jenna, ready for lunch?” Chelsea, her best friend and fellow nurse, peeked into the locker room.
“I’ll be right there,” Jenna replied, shrugging into her jacket.
With Chelsea and their mutual friend Gwen, Jenna strolled to the bistro near the hospital where the trio liked to lunch when their shifts allowed.
“So, is it true that the patient who came in this morning is Mitchell Carmichael?” Gwen leaned her elbows on the table, her eyes wide.
“The one and the same.” Jenna sighed, rolling hers. Having such a high-profile patient in her care would be the talk of the hospital, but she hadn’t expected Gwen to be in quite so much awe.
“Is he still cute with his face all busted up?”
Jenna shrugged. “I didn’t really notice, to be honest. He’s not my type, you know that.” She picked up the menu and perused it.
“Come on, Jen. What’s he like?”
Putting the menu aside, Jenna cracked her knuckles, a habit that annoyed her brother, Kyle, immensely. “If you really need to know, his face isn’t too bad. It’s mostly the fractures to his lower limbs that are the problem. I’m guessing he’ll need a couple of surgeries and that he’ll probably be in the hospital for a while.” She stifled a groan at the prospect of putting up with her patient’s pathetic attempts at flirtation for an extended period.
“Hopefully he won’t be as bad as he’s reported to be,” Chelsea said. “He has to be in a lot of pain.”
“Yes, but he’s tried flirting with me already.”
“Really? Why are rich, attractive men always so gross?” Chelsea shook her head in disgust.
“I wish I knew.” Picking up her menu again, Jenna quickly made her choice and gave her order to the waitress who’d arrived at their table, pen poised.
After the waitress had taken their orders, Jenna steered the conversation away from Mitchell Carmichael, but a little later, as the trio strolled back to the hospital, her thoughts turned to him. Despite his antics, she realised she felt a little sorry for him. After all, what kind of emptiness must someone feel to behave the way he did?
Why would a man with all the trappings wealth could buy feel the need to act so obnoxiously? It was evident to her he had more issues to deal with than merely his broken bones and drug problem.
Arriving at the hospital entrance, Jenna bid her friends goodbye and then made her way back to her floor. As she approached the main desk, she came face to face with Dr. Fletcher, the doctor overseeing Mitchell Carmichael’s care. Nearing sixty, his hair was thinning but he had a kind face and was respected by all the nursing staff for his professional but easy-going manner.
“I’ve just seen the Carmichael boy. I’m not sure we can hold the police off much longer. What do you think?”
Jenna appreciated that the older doctor was interested in her opinion. So many doctors considered they were above the nursing staff, but not Dr. Fletcher. “If we can get them to wait until tomorrow, that would be much better since he’s only just woken.”
“My thoughts exactly. By the way, how have you found him so far?”
She hesitated. Could she tell the doctor his patient was obnoxious and rude beyond measure? She bit her lip. No, she’d give the guy a break. Maybe he needed one. “He’s fine. I can handle him.”
“Good to hear. I knew you were the girl for the job.”
Her heart warmed at the doctor’s confidence in her. Although she didn’t need constant praise, it was nice to receive it occasionally and to know that her efforts were noticed. She was committed to providing the best care possible to her patients, and she loved her job, although some patients, like Mitchell Carmichael, tested her resolve.
After parting, she set out on her rounds, leaving Mitchell to the last since Dr. Fletcher had told her he was sleeping. Glad to be busy, she was also relieved when the police officers left the ward. She guessed they’d stop by the ICU before they left the hospital and wondered if anyone had told Mitchell about the girl.
She tried not to focus on him while she checked on her other patients, charting their vitals and chatting with each. One of her favourite parts of her job was interacting with her patients and their visitors. It wasn’t always easy, but whenever she could, she made an effort to be cheerful, hoping it helped them cope a little better with whatever was ailing them. She loved that she had a job that really mattered. It was deeply satisfying to serve others and offer peace and comfort in difficult and anxious moments.
Finishing her rounds with the other patients, it was finally time to check on Mitchell. As she approached his door, a stocky, bombastic, middle-aged man cut her off and strode into Mitchell’s room ahead of her. Figuring it was James Carmichael, Mitchell’s father, she stepped away to give them time alone.
Chapter 3
Groaning, Mitch struggled to sit forward after waking to strident footsteps that certainly didn’t belong to that pretty nurse. He knew it was his father even before he saw him. “Dad…”
“What were you thinking, you selfish fool?” Jowls wobbling, his father’s face was red and his jaw, tense. He’d seen his father angry before, but not like this.
“What’s the big deal? I broke a few bones. Wrecked a car. So what?” Despite his attempt to shrug it off, Mitch knew his father, billionaire media mogul, James Carmichael, had every right to be angry. Mitch was used to disappointing his father, but he didn’t need to take abuse from him.
“Are you stupid?” His father spat the words in his face.
“Chill out…Dad,” Mitch replied, adding the last for effect.
“Do you know how badly injured the girl is? She’s in critical condition and may not survive. Get that into your head.”
Mitch frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Scoffing, his father threw up his hands. “You don’t remember? You’re a complete disgrace. Some famous actress, Kendra Something or other. She was in the car with you when it crashed.”