“Do you have a spread like this every morning?” Wanting to try everything, she dished up eggs, bacon, toast, fruit, waffles, pancakes, and hash browns.
“Not every morning. But I thought since it was a special occasion, I would order something extra for your benefit.”
“Thanks.” She sat down across from him, picked up a piece of bacon, and began to munch on it.
“Now I think it would be a good time for us to discuss our living arrangements.”
“Sure thing.” She sliced into the strawberry-covered waffle.
“I am a very busy man. I cannot be bothered with trifles. On a day-to-day basis, you are strictly to leave me alone. If you need something, you can contact my secretary, Olivia Preston, or ask my butler, Charles. You are only to contact me or seek me out if there is an emergency. If I am home, we may dine together at prescribed times, but I cannot assure you that I will communicate with you in any way during those meals. I may be working, and if I am, you are not to interrupt.”
Mina listened to this with mild shock and disappointment squeezing her temples and settling like a stone in her gut. She had at least hoped that they could be friends, but it seemed Spencer didn’t even want that.
“We will, however, meet once a week at a prescribed and scheduled time. I propose that time be Sunday evening. That is the time I have traditionally set aside for my weekly hour of rest. I am now rescheduling that time to spend with you. During our meeting, we will discuss the events of the week and confirm that your needs are met.”
“Okay…” She took a bite of eggs.
“I will provide you with a generous allowance to take care of your basic needs—clothing, transportation, even your current expenses. It won’t do for my supposed wife to be working in a café. I am more than willing to take responsibility for your current expenses.”
“That’s generous.”
“It has very little to do with generosity. If we are to appear to be married for a year, we should give the appearance of being married. It is the only socially acceptable option. I may not be interested in a real marriage, but I am concerned about appearances for the sake of Camden International.”
“Of course.”
“This should leave you free to pursue your career as was your intention upon entering into this arrangement. I assume that you will be happy to live under my roof and to receive my financial aid.”
“Oh yes.” She took a sip of orange juice. “I’m very grateful. It’s like winning the lottery.”
“Excellent. I’m glad you see it that way. And as far as what you suggested in the bedroom last night, none of that will ever be necessary. You should know I do not expect that from you, and I would assume you do not expect it for me. This is strictly a business agreement. There is no need for physical intimacy.”
“Oh, I totally understand.” Mina’s cheeks burned. “I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.”
“Absolutely. We are absolutely on the same page. No intimacy. We will appear in public at various times for my personal image as the CEO of Camden International. And when we finally end the marriage, it will be kept very quiet. I will make excuses that are respectful for both of us. Tomorrow, we will be meeting with my grandfather’s attorney to present him with our marriage license. And then the inheritance fiasco will be taken care of. I would let you out of the marriage agreement now. Ten million dollars is a lot of money but not so much that I would bother with a fake marriage for an entire year. However, I do think it is more presentable to stay together for a year since news of my marriage is out in the press. At the end of the year, you will get your million dollars, and we can part ways with both of us getting exactly what we needed.”
“Sounds great.” She shrugged.
Everything he said was perfectly logical and reasonable, and she shouldn’t have a problem with any of it. She couldn’t understand why she did. Every sentence he said made the stone in her stomach heavier. Her heart kept looking for a sign that he cared about her, was attracted to her, or that she meant anything to him. But clearly, he didn’t.
Why would she think he did? Just because Kitty Malone said she had a ninety-nine-point-nine-percent success rate? It all could be a lie as Spencer suggested. It probably was. Either that, or they were the point-one-percent failure rate. Considering her luck in love, Mina wouldn’t doubt it.
Chapter 6
Spencer was up at five the next morning, eager for the meeting with his grandfather’s attorney. Finally, this whole inheritance issue could be put to rest. He had acquired a wife, in accordance with his grandfather’s instructions, and now, he could carry on with his life as usual.
He dressed and prepared himself for the day before making his way into the dining room for his usual breakfast of scrambled eggs and a green smoothie. As he read the paper and drank his smoothie, Mina entered the room, looking tired and disheveled. He glanced up over his paper and drew his eyebrows together, examining her appearance.
“Are you prepared for the meeting with my grandfather’s attorney?” he asked pointedly.
“Yeah, sure.” She bit into a piece of toast she’d slathered with butter and jelly.
“You don’t look ready.” He straightened his paper with a loud crack.
“What’s wrong with how I look?”
“Is that what you usually wear?”
“What do you mean?”
“If you don’t mind me saying—”
“Can I stop you?”
“If you’re going to play the role of my wife, you’re going to have to do something about your presentation.”
Mina looked down at the ratty sweater and faded blue jeans she wore rolled up at the ankle, revealing an old pair of Converse tennis shoes. She pursed her lips and frowned at him.
“This is the only kind of thing I have. I’m a poor, recent college graduate. Remember?”
“Unfortunately, we won’t have time to improve your presentation before the meeting this morning.”
“Was there something in the will about how I dress?”
“No. My grandfather did not specify how or why I acquire a wife, only that I acquire one. We are adhering to the letter of the will. And it shouldn’t matter that we met each other through a mate-maker and only knew each other for one day before becoming married. There was nothing about love in the will. Only marriage. And we’ve done that. But if I’m going to pass you off as my spouse, you’re going to have to do better than that.” He waved his hand around in front of her.
She glared at him and crossed her arms. He had the distinct sensation he’d offended her. But it couldn’t be helped. He had to tell her the truth.
“After the meeting, I would like you to go shopping. Buy whatever you need to make yourself presentable enough to be my spouse.”
“I have no idea what that means.” She pushed a strawberry around on her plate with her fork.
“How could you not know what that means?”
“I don’t know what you expect or what your standards are. I told you; I’m a poor café waitress. I never imagined myself as the trophy wife of a billionaire. I have no idea how I should dress to present myself as one.”
“I assure you, you are not a trophy wife.” He folded his newspaper neatly on the table.
“Oh, well, thanks for that,” she said with her mouth full of toast.
This is not going well. And it was already taking up too much of his time. She was going to have to stop being offended by the truth if this arrangement was going to work.
“Buy a fashion magazine,” he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “That should teach you something about how to present yourself.”
“There are a lot of different fashion magazines. And they all have different kinds of fashions in them.”
“Am I going to have to take you shopping? I do not have time for such things.”
“This was all your idea. If you want me to look a certain way, you could at least tell me what that is.”
“Well, you said it yourself. You’re going to have to take me shopping. If you can’t explain it to me, you’re going to have to show me.”
Spencer rubbed his temples, growing increasingly irritated. He glanced at his watch then checked the messages on his cell phone. There was so much to be done for the Tahiti opening.
Shopping with his fake bride was his absolute lowest priority. His grandfather had gotten him into this mess, but if Spencer expected to continue running Camden International, he had to make an effort with this woman.
“Very well. After the meeting with my grandfather’s attorney, I will take you to the boutiques and make sure you buy appropriate clothing.”
“Great. I wouldn’t want to disappoint you or buy the wrong things. I might end up with a bunch of thick gold chains and a leather biker jacket. I’ve seen that look in the fashion magazines.”
“Enough,” he growled. “I’ve already agreed to take you. Do you at least have a jacket you could put on over that travesty?” He motioned to her ratty sweater.
“I think I have something from debate team in high school.”
“Well, go put it on. We have to go.”
Mina slid from her chair and glanced back at him. He saw a hint of an impish smile on her face, which made him even more irritated. The dragon within him perked up, seeming to like her sassiness. He shook his head and frowned. He pushed away from the table, stood, and strode into the front hall to wait for her.
She emerged from her room a moment later, wearing a cheap navy-blue jacket that was several sizes too small for her chest. She’d changed from the sweater into a V-neck T-shirt and had tried to button the jacket over her voluptuous breasts. This had the effect of pushing her breasts up and together, creating deep cleavage.
“Is this better?” She put her hands on her hips.
Spencer stared at her cleavage and then up at her pretty young face. She smiled triumphantly. He frowned. What game was she playing?
“No,” he said flatly.
“But I put on a jacket like you asked.”
“I didn’t say put on a jacket that was too small for you over a revealing T-shirt and then… Never mind. Let’s just go. We’re going to be late.”
She followed him out of the penthouse and down to the waiting car. Half an hour later, they walked into the law office. Spencer couldn’t help noticing how out of place his petite young bride looked in the formal space. Taking her shopping was the only solution. And as much as he loathed shopping, he knew he needed to make the time.
“I have a meeting with Winston Jacobs,” Spencer told the receptionist.
“Oh, Spencer Camden…” The secretary gave him a bright smile. “He’ll be right with you.”
Spencer turned and found Mina fiddling with the water wall in the entryway. She poked her finger in and out of the water, watching the lights flash and change. She giggled like a misbehaving child.
“What are you doing?” he grumbled, grasping her arm.
“This thing is cool.”
“You aren’t supposed to touch it.” He guided her to the waiting room to sit down.
“Who says?”
“It’s an unspoken rule.”
“I’m beginning to think there are a lot of those in your world.” She crossed her arms, pushing her breasts up and together, and gave him a disapproving look. His eyes stuck to her for two seconds too long. His inner dragon puffed smoke inside his mind. Spencer grew confused.
Who was she to disapprove of him? He frowned and drew his eyebrows together, checking his phone for messages. Mina was proving to be more trouble than she was worth. She didn’t know how to act, didn’t know how to dress, and was taking up too much of his time.
“Mr. Jacobs will see you now,” the receptionist told him. The young woman, professionally attired in a formfitting blue dress, white heels, appropriate jewelry, and with her hair tidily pulled up into a twist at the back of her head, escorted them down the hallway to Winston Jacobs’s office.
“Did you see how the receptionist was dressed?” he asked Mina as they stood at the door.
“You want me to dress like a receptionist?”
“It would be better than this.”
She rolled her eyes and groaned. “Could you just give it a rest? We’re going to go shopping after the meeting, remember?”
“I’m just pointing out examples of good grooming,” he said.
Maybe he should have found a receptionist to marry. They walked into Winston’s office, and the attorney stood behind his desk, offering Spencer his hand to shake. He then took Mina’s hand, and she smiled at the older man.
“This must be your bride.” Winston grinned at Mina. “Lovely to meet you, Miss L’Amour,”
“It’s Mrs. Camden now.” She sat in the high-backed leather chair in front of Winston’s desk.
“Oh, yes, of course.” Winston took his own seat.
Spencer grumbled inaudibly, unbuttoned his jacket, and sat beside Mina.
“We have all the appropriate paperwork,” Spencer said. “Mina and I were officially married the day before yesterday. Of course, you already know this, having been at the ceremony.”
Spencer slid the expedited marriage certificate across the table, and Winston examined it through his reading glasses. He removed the glasses and smiled at Spencer in the most curious manner.
“It was a lovely wedding.” He turned to Mina. “I want to offer you both my sincere congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Mina chirped.
“Is that all?” Spencer asked. “Do I have to sign something?”
“No. The conditions of the will have been met. You will now receive your controlling shares of Camden International and retain your post as CEO of the corporation.”
Spencer let out a long sigh of relief and sat back in his chair.
“Where are you going for your honeymoon?” Winston asked Mina.
“I’ll have to see if I can drag Spencer away from work,” she said to Winston, playing the part of the long-suffering spouse.
Spencer had to keep himself from rolling his eyes. He’d known this girl all of two days, and already, she was trying to interfere.
“We will be at the opening for the Tahiti resort at the end of the week. That will be honeymoon enough.”
“Oh. Spencer, darling,” she gushed. “You are a romantic after all.”
He shot her a confused look and shook his head.
“Winston, if there’s nothing else, we’ll be going now.”
“He’s taking me shopping,” Mina said. “As if this big fat diamond ring wasn’t enough. Spencer really knows how to spoil a girl.”
“Keep it up, Spencer.” Winston rose to shake Spencer’s hand one last time. “You’ve done well with this girl.” He took Mina’s hand and clasped it in both of his, giving her a warm, grandfatherly smile. “I think you are exactly what Emmett Camden had in mind when he wrote this will.”
“Come now, Mina.” Spencer took her arm. “We don’t want to take up any more of Winston’s time.”
“Congratulations again, you two,” Winston said as they left the office. “I’m sure you will share a long and happy life together.”
Spencer grumbled, knowing the marriage would be over by the end of the year. This was a business arrangement and nothing more. He couldn’t understand why Winston was behaving as if it were anything else. Mina was just a poor girl in need of a few dollars, like a million others like her. Girls like Mina were a dime a dozen.
At least this is what he told himself as he guided her through the offices and out into the waiting limousine. He’d been spellbound by the round contours of her curves the entire way, making him feel flushed.
Her impish ways confounded his raging inner dragon. That teasing smile of hers did him in. He was going to have to do his best to avoid her at all costs. He couldn’t be having
these…feelings. This wasn’t how it was supposed to work.
Chapter 7
Mina liked Winston Jacobs. He was nice to her and treated her like a real bride. She knew she was teasing Spencer, but she couldn’t help it. He so deserved it. And it was exceedingly entertaining. The look in his eyes when he saw her cleavage was enough to encourage her to keep going.
Mina knew she was attracted to Spencer, even though he could be a hardhearted jerk. There was something underneath it all that she could see was soft and sweet and kind. If she could just get to it, maybe she could help him realize there was more to life than business.
As they drove away from Winston Jacobs’s offices and headed toward the downtown designer boutiques, Mina laughed to herself at the memory of Spencer’s face when she’d convinced him to take her shopping.
Mina knew exactly what Spencer meant by dressing appropriately. She wasn’t born under a rock. She had watched plenty of episodes of Real Housewives and had read her fair share of fashion magazines and celebrity gossip.
She knew how to dress like the first lady, a Hollywood movie star, or an upper-class soccer mom. What woman in this century didn’t know how to dress for different occasions? But forcing Spencer to go shopping with her was far too much fun.
If she was going to be stuck with this guy for the next year, she might as well allow herself to enjoy pushing his buttons. She bit her lip, holding back another laugh as she looked over at him. If he didn’t have a stick up his butt, he would be so cute.
She had the overpowering compulsion to lean over to him, loosen the Windsor knot in his tie, kiss his cheek seductively, and whisper sexy things in his ear. But she didn’t. Maybe someday, she’d get the nerve to actually touch him instead of teasing him like a little kid on the playground.
Mina had very little experience with men—none in fact. So seduction wasn’t exactly her forte. For now, she’d settle for making him do what she wanted by playing dumb instead.
When they made it to the boutiques, the driver opened the door and helped her step out onto the sidewalk. Wealthy, fashionable people strode past, their noses high and their shoulders back. Mina couldn’t help noticing how these upscale people walked right by the homeless man on the corner.
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