Vaugh rose to his feet, shaking his head. “Wow, this all seems so unreal. That your grandfather would do this to you. When is your thirtieth birthday?”
She glanced down at her watch. “Two days ago, I had a month left. And now, I have exactly twenty-eight days.”
“Sweet Jesus!”
“My plan was to find a man and make him an offer he couldn’t refuse, a hefty paycheck if he stays married to me for one year.”
“And after the one year?”
“We go our separate ways.”
Vaughn rubbed his goatee as he mulled over her words. Miranda was willing to marry a complete stranger to get access to her fortune? How did she know they could be trusted? She could get herself in a world of trouble if she made this offer to just any man. He feared the scoundrels she’d find who were out to make a fast buck. She could be hurt, physically as well as emotionally. What the hell was she thinking? Her plan was outrageous!
“Can’t you see now why I’ve been so conflicted?” Miranda asked, looking at him. “Yes, I find myself attracted to you, but I also have to look at my future. And that inheritance is a way for me to preserve my independence, to have the bed-and-breakfast I told you about. I can’t just let those dreams and goals go because I’m hot for a surfer.”
Vaughn spun around and surveyed her brown eyes. Miranda hadn’t meant for that comment to slip. She drained the contents of her coffee mug and brought it over to the kitchen sink to rinse it out. She seemed nervous and edgy as she stood by the counter putting distance between them.
“So you admit you wanted to make love with me?” His voice was a low drawl as he walked over to her in the kitchen. He had her exactly where he wanted her. She was finally confessing that she wanted him and he could capitalize on it.
“Th-that’s not what I said,” she stammered when he reached her and placed an arm on either side of the counter, boxing her in. “I said I was attracted to you.”
Vaughn grinned. How could she honestly stand there and let the lie escape her lips when it was evident in her eyes right now that she wanted him? Her eyes begged him to kiss her. “Do you care to prove if that were true?” He hauled her to him until her lips were inches away from his.
“Vaughn, don’t,” she protested, squirming in his arms.
He grazed his lips lightly over hers, giving her just a taste of what she’d sampled last night.
“Please don’t...”
“Don’t what?”
“Seduce me,” she said. “Because you know that’s what you want to do, could do, and with a little coercion maybe I would cave and you’d have me in your bed, but it would still put me right back where I am. I need a husband and I’m quickly running out of time to find one.”
His grip loosened and she slid out of his embrace. She walked away from him and back to the chairs facing the ocean. She was between a rock and a hard place. There was no way she was going to find a man good enough to marry her in this short amount of time. At least not an honorable man who would do the right thing by her, and she deserved that. He may not have known her long, but Miranda was a special lady. Soft, gentle and kind, and the wrong man would and could certainly take advantage of her naïveté.
She needed someone to protect her.
She needed him.
“You’re awfully quiet,” she responded. “I thought you had a quick comeback for everything?”
Vaughn stared at her for several long moments. He knew what he had to do. And he was the best man for the job. He walked toward her and when he reached her chair, he dropped down to one knee and said, “Marry me.”
Chapter 5
“What did you say?” Surely, Miranda hadn’t heard him correctly. Because if she had, it would be the answer to her prayers.
“You heard me. Marry me.”
Her eyes grew wide with amazement. “Just like that? You’re offering to marry me, but that’s crazy. Why would you do such a thing? You certainly don’t need the money. You have loads of it. And let’s not forget about your reputation with the ladies. I’m sure there’s plenty of females wanting to be Mrs. Ellicott.”
“But I didn’t propose to any of those females,” he responded. “I proposed to you, Miranda Jensen. Now are you going to say yes, so I can get off my knee?”
Miranda grasped Vaughn by the arm, helping him from the floor. She glanced up at him as she contemplated his offer, trying to figure out his motives, but there didn’t appear to be any. Instead, there was a hopeful glint in his eyes. “You don’t have to do this, Vaughn.”
“I know that. I want to do it.”
“You want to get married?” She didn’t believe it for a second. He was a notorious bachelor.
“Listen, we can both benefit from this arrangement.”
“How so?”
“For starters, it would help me with my business if I had a wife as fine as you on my arm.” Miranda couldn’t resist feeling warm inside at the compliment. “Plus, it would relieve some pressure I’ve been getting from my family over my bachelor status. My mother is eager to see me married in the hopes that some grandchildren will follow.”
“Grandchildren?” Miranda croaked. “You do realize that this would be a short-term arrangement?”
“Of course, I do, but it’ll get them off my back for a while. So you see? It’s a win-win for both of us. You get your inheritance and my family will feel better thinking I’ve settled down.”
“Speaking of inheritance...” Miranda hated to bring it up, but she had to know what exactly his terms were. “What do you want for agreeing to this marriage?”
Vaughn grinned wickedly.
Miranda could see the lascivious thoughts running through his mind. And she was torn. She’d never been so powerfully attracted to a man before, which could make this arrangement a very bad idea if sex was put in the mix. On the other hand, a man was standing in front of her, offering her a way out of this entire fiasco. “I meant in terms of a financial incentive. I’ve willing to compensate you quite generously for giving up a year of your life.”
This time, a frown replaced the sexy smirk on his face. “I’m insulted you would even think I’d take it, Miranda. As you’ve said, I don’t need the money. I’m quite wealthy in my own right and I won’t take what’s rightfully yours.”
“Then what?” Her voice rose. “What do you possibly get out of this?”
* * *
You, Vaughn thought as he stared back at Miranda, but he couldn’t possibly say that to her. Not right now. She was already on the fence about his offer of marriage. As soon as she’d told him of her predicament, he’d known he couldn’t let Miranda venture off to find some random stranger to be her husband, not when he was more than suitable for the position. Sure, he hadn’t exactly been looking for a wife, but he knew in the future at some point, he’d get married and have a wife and a couple of children. He was just accelerating his time line.
Miranda needed him, but that was only one of his reasons for marrying her. If he told her he wanted her in his bed, on top of his bed or anywhere else of his choosing, she’d run as fast as she could away from him. He wanted her to come to him willingly.
“Well?” she asked. “Because all I can offer you is a marriage of convenience.”
Vaughn chuckled inwardly. She was letting him know in no uncertain terms that sex was no part of that equation. Clearly, Miranda was having short-term memory loss because Vaughn hadn’t been able to forget the heat that had nearly scorched them last night and they’d only got to first base. “We’ll see.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m attracted to you, Miranda, and you’ve already admitted the feeling is mutual, but if it’ll help you come to grips with our arrangement, then yes, our marriage will be platonic. I’ve never had to force myself on a woman before and I’m not about to start now. So we’ll only make love when you come
to me.” There. He’d thrown down the gauntlet and put the ball in her court. Now it was up to Miranda to decide if she could live with their terms.
Miranda stared at him in disbelief, but she held out her hand. “It’s a deal. I’ll marry you.”
Vaughn grasped her hand in his. He was getting a beautiful, sexy wife and it was just a matter of time before she would come to his bed.
* * *
Their first order of business that afternoon was getting Miranda checked back into her hotel while their respective lawyers drew up the papers detailing their arrangement. Vaughn hadn’t cared that it was the weekend; his lawyers were on retainer and he expected them to be available twenty-four seven if a critical situation arose. Miranda needed to stay married to Vaughn for one year in order to keep her fortune. Vaughn agreed to the stipulation because it met with his goals, but he had no intention of going that long being celibate. He understood Miranda’s need to feel like she was in control of her own destiny even though her grandfather was pulling the strings. Vaughn had felt similar once upon a time. When he’d been in the Navy, he’d been at the will of the United States government and his father, but not anymore.
He wasn’t, however, giving in when it came to a wedding. Miranda was trying to convince him they should get married in secret.
“Let’s just go to Vegas or to a justice of the peace,” she suggested later when he came around to pick her up for dinner.
He and Miranda had opted for casual café fare. She’d changed into shorts and a flowing white top with the shoulders cut out. He hadn’t been able to resist touching the delicate skin when he’d greeted with her a hug. He wished it would have been followed by a kiss, but Miranda was staying true to her look but don’t touch rule. So tonight, all he could do was look his fill, but that didn’t mean he was going to let her have her way. “We are not going to a justice of the peace, Miranda. We are having a real wedding.”
“Why not?” Miranda’s lips formed in a pout. “Why go through all the fuss of a wedding when our arrangement is far from real. Why have the added expense? My inheritance won’t be available until after we wed, so I won’t be able to help with the cost.”
“Did I ask you to pay for it?”
Her brow furrowed. “Well, no, but I just assumed...”
“Well, you assumed wrong. I have everything under control. We will have a proper wedding as befitting a man of my standing and a member of Prescott George.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought about that.”
“No worries, but I do have a reputation to uphold. And part of the reason why our marriage benefits me is to take the pressure off me marrying. Once the community realizes I’m no longer available, the piranhas will look for other prey.”
“Is that really how you see women?” she asked incredulously.
“Not all of them.” His eyes pierced hers. He knew Miranda was nothing like those women who were looking to score a wealthy man to ensure they lived a lavish lifestyle. Or who were seeking to trip him up by getting pregnant. Once he’d actually caught one of his dates poking holes in the condoms before she’d put them back in the drawer on his nightstand. Maybe it was because Miranda had been born into wealth. Or maybe not. She didn’t strike him as one of those greedy females. “Anyway, our marriage will work. You get what you want and I get what I want.”
Not entirely though. He was going to have to be patient before he really got his heart’s desire. Miranda Jensen in his arms.
“Alright, then you’ve convinced me. We’ll have a big splashy wedding, but I’m going to need a dress.”
He grinned. “I’ve got you covered there. My assistant, Kindra, has arranged an appointment for you at one of the most exclusive bridal boutiques in San Diego.”
“Is that right? You seem to have it all figured out, but there’s one thing you left out.”
“And what’s that?”
“Have you told your parents about our upcoming nuptials?”
Vaughn frowned. He hadn’t and she knew that. “No, I haven’t.”
“Don’t take too much time,” she warned, “because I have a feeling they may not have the reaction you’re envisioning.”
* * *
Miranda was right. Vaughn didn’t look forward to telling his parents about his sudden marriage. He and Miranda had each agreed to tell their parents separately and as he drove up the coast to the Ellicott family estate the next morning, Vaughn knew it wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.
He was right.
Vaughn Ellicott, Sr. greeted him at the door with a handshake. His father, although not as tall as Vaughn, was a formidable-looking man at six feet with steely eyes as fathomless as the dark of night. His features were rugged and although not conventionally handsome, his father’s confidence must have convinced Vaughn’s mother, Natalie Ellicott, a quiet, unassuming woman, to fall for him. He had a deep, strong voice which he was making known after Vaughn followed him into the living room and greeted his mother with a kiss on the cheek and proceeded to fill them in on the reason for his visit.
“What is this about?” his father bellowed as his mouth curved into a frown. “Marriage to a stranger whom your mother and I—” he turned to his wife of four decades “—have never even met! Why, the idea is utterly ridiculous!”
Vaughn sucked in a deep breath and prepared for the onslaught. He’d known telling his parents wasn’t going to be easy. That was why he’d opted to do it alone. He hadn’t wanted to subject Miranda to his father’s temper. And he’d been right.
“What? No smart comeback?” his father quipped.
“I know this is a shock...”
“Shock?” His father leaned forward on the sofa. “Shock is when something happens suddenly and without warning. This is deliberate. You’re deliberately setting out to ruin your future.”
Vaughn grimaced. Trust his father to throw the first blow. “That’s not what I’m doing.”
“Then what are you doing, sweetie?” His mother spoke. The softness of her tone caused him to stand down because Vaughn had been ready to tell his father a thing too.
At sixty-three, his mother was a beautiful woman with skin the color of nutmeg. Her oval face was delicately carved and her large expressive eyes always had a way of pulling Vaughn in. She was a meek woman no thanks to years of his father’s dominant personality. Yet she carried herself regally and was always the height of sophistication wearing tailored slacks and a twin set with pearls.
“Miranda and I are eager to start our lives. I would think you both would be happy. For years, you’ve been pressuring me to settle down. Get a wife. Have a couple of kids.” He repeated comments they’d made previously.
“We would be ecstatic if you weren’t springing this on us all of a sudden and we’d gotten to know your fiancée. Why now? What’s the rush?” she asked.
“Your mother’s right. Did you knock the girl up? Is that why you’re rushing to the altar without giving the family a chance to get to know her? Didn’t I teach you how important it was to protect yourself against gold diggers? She’s probably marrying you to get her hands on your money. You’ve amassed quite a bit of wealth.”
“I’m surprised you’d noticed,” Vaughn returned. “Considering you wanted me to stay in the Navy.” And be like him. Well, no, thank you. Vaughn never wanted that kind of life.
His father glared at him. “Of course I noticed. And so has every other woman in the San Diego area.”
“Your father’s right, Vaughn. You’re an eligible bachelor. The papers are always saying so. How do you know she’s not after your money?”
“Because she has money of her own. A sizable inheritance.”
“Then why not wait?” his mother implored. “Let us get to know her and vice versa. You haven’t known her long. Surely, you can wait until we’re all better acquainted?”
Vaughn appreciated his m
other’s softer stance and in any other situation, he would take her advice, but Miranda needed him now. Otherwise, she would lose the fortune that was due her. So he would have to spin it another way. “I’m sorry, Mom, but that’s out of the question. Even though we’ve just met, Miranda and I are in love and we’re eager to start our lives together.”
His father stared at him. Vaughn wasn’t in love with Miranda, but in just a few days he’d come to care for her and he was certainly attracted to her physically. Who knew if it could develop into more?
“That’s a load of hogwash, Vaughn,” his father said. “Don’t try to sell me on a marriage that I know is bound to fail. I don’t know the real reasons you’re marrying this girl, given your claims that she has money of her own. But something is not quite right in Denver and I smell a rat! I will not support this lunacy.”
“Enough!” Vaughn yelled. “My marriage or the reasons why are not open to a family discussion and I didn’t come here for your blessing.” At his words, his mother’s entire face blanched and Vaughn hated that he was hurting her. “I came here because I wanted you both to know that Miranda and I are getting married this coming weekend and I’d like you both to be there. I hope you can make it.”
“And your sisters?” his mother asked. “Are you going to tell them?”
“Of course, I’ll contact Emily, Brianne and Eliza.”
“Maybe they can talk some sense into you,” his father responded hotly. “Because talking to you is like talking to a brick wall.” And without another word, his father exited the living room.
Vaughn stared at his retreating back.
“Vaughn?”
“Hmm...?” He turned back to his mother, who was sitting across from him.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” she inquired. “This marriage is awfully sudden and I’d hate for you to make a mistake which you might come to regret later.”
Was she speaking from experience, he wondered? Vaughn Ellicott, Sr. couldn’t be an easy man to love or live with and they’d been together forty years. That was a long time to deal with his father’s dominant ways. It was his way or the highway. That’s why they’d always butted heads. Vaughn might be his namesake, but that was as far as the similarities went. They couldn’t be more different. His father was tough, opinionated and regimented. Everything was black and white, but Vaughn saw things in shades of gray. It was why as soon as he’d become eighteen, he’d left home. Although the Navy was his father’s old stomping grounds, Vaughn saw it as a way to see the world—and get away from his domineering father.
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