by Sam Crescent
The press must have been alerted by the bodyguards’ movements because they were suddenly surrounded by paparazzi. The flashes of the camera shocked her vision. Duncan placed an arm around her waist. She knew that would be on one of the papers or magazines tomorrow.
Questions buzzed over them.
“Mr. James, is it true about your latest takeover bid?”
“What happened to the American model, Lyla?”
“Are you currently fighting a custody battle?”
All the questions whirled around her head. His hand tightened on hers as the one on her hips gripped her firmly against her side. She followed him as he continued up to the front door.
“Who’s your lady friend?”
“Is she your latest acquisition?”
“Does she have a name?”
He ignored it and continued until they were at the door. She felt sick. How could people handle this kind of life?
“Sorry about that, sir,” one of the guards said to him.
“Don’t worry, Tim. It’s hard to get anywhere without them these days.”
She watched as the two men shook hands before they moved to the entrance of the restaurant. The moment the doors shut behind them she was greeted with silence once more.
“Are you all right?” Duncan asked.
“A little shaken. Is it like that all the time?”
“Only when I go to hot spot places like this.” He titled her head back. She held his waist as he stared into her eyes. He leaned down and kissed her. The rush of endorphin coursed around her body in a rush of heat.
When he pulled away she saw the cameras flashing on the other side.
“Was that for me or for the cameras?” she asked.
He caressed her cheek. His gaze never left hers. “A little of both.”
The maitre d’ came through to escort them to their table in the restaurant. Duncan was stopped several times by business associates and acquaintances. Eyes bored into her from all around the room. Many were from the men who she could only imagine were curious about Duncan James’s choice of date, while the women were scowling at her. Their vindictiveness consumed her. No matter where she looked their eyes cut through her. If looks could strike she would be down on the floor and wounded.
She noticed their eyes caressed Duncan across the room while they sent daggers her way. Her hand gripped his more firmly. The security she felt from his touch shocked her.
Tess never wanted their animosity to hit her. She hadn’t thought that far ahead to being his wife. It would seem she’d be on the receiving end of all of their hate.
Within minutes they were seated at their secluded table. A small selection of candles was scattered in the centre of the table. A single red rose was in one fluted glass to the side of the table. The couples around them were engrossed in their own tables.
They were alone at the romantic table.
“How did you manage to get a table away from all the chaos?” she asked, extremely pleased that he had. She wouldn’t have been able to bear all the stares for long.
“I’m part-owner of this restaurant. The chef is a close friend of mine. This table, you could say I own,” he said as the waiter came to hand them what seemed like special menus.
“You told me our table wouldn’t wait around forever,” she said.
“I lied to get you here quickly. I knew the longer I left you alone the higher the risk was of you backing out.”
“You wouldn’t have let me back out, Duncan. We both know that.”
He smiled then looked down at the menu.
“Why the different menus from everyone else?” she asked.
“Well, I don’t always want what is on offer. The service I get is I can have any dish I choose. The chef is more than happy to cook for me.” He smiled, his arrogance showing through.
“You always get what you want?” It was more a statement than a question. She already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it from him.
“I have spent most of my life making it so. So now I indulge in all the fruits and extras it has to offer,” he said. The waiter came over, and Duncan ordered a bottle of house red wine.
Her menu was taken off her.
“I don’t drink,” she said, trying to signal the waiter back.
“Try the wine when it comes. If you don’t like it we’ll get you a Coke.” He mocked her.
“I’m not a child, Duncan. I just don’t drink alcohol. A water would do fine.” She felt her temper rise to the surface. He was always so controlling. She liked and hated it about him.
What was so wrong with her not liking wine? He didn’t know everything.
“I could never mistake you for a child, Tess. Do you drink tea?” His smile brightened his whole face.
She struggled to be angry with him when he was charming. Her anger melted away.
Tess smiled back. There was nothing else for her to do.
She moved out of the way for the waiter to fill her glass. The red liquid was filled to the top. She stared at it wishing he’d asked for something else. The waiter left the table, leaving the bottle for Duncan to deal with. She picked her glass up, watching as Duncan laughed.
“It’s not going to bite,” he said. He laughed again as she pulled a face in his direction.
She took a gentle sip then put the glass back down. She wasn’t designed to enjoy wine.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
Tess shook her head and left the wine where it was.
“Don’t you like it?” He took a sip of the wine. He frowned then took another sip. “It’s exquisite.” He took another generous sip.
“I only taste vinegar. I don’t think I have the palate for wine. Would you order me a water, please.”
He nodded then signalled the waiter. Tess waited for some water. The waiter came over with a wine glass and a pitcher. He took the glass of red wine then left.
Duncan smiled at her. She didn’t have the energy to smile back. Everything was a fight for him, even over her drink. Would their life ever be simple?
She looked behind her to see all the other customers farther away were still nodding towards Duncan’s table.
“They’re all curious about you,” Duncan said, drawing her attention back to him. She turned around focussing on him. The moment her mind began to wander she started to feel nervous.
“Why?” she asked feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment.
“They want to know who the beautiful woman is at my side. You have my complete attention, Tess. The fact I’ve never brought anyone here but business associates has caused quite a stir.”
“Why did you bring me here?” she asked.
“I wanted everyone to know you’re different. I don’t take the other women here. This place is special to me. Only the right woman at my side would ever get a chance to come here.” Duncan reached across the table to take hold of her left hand. She watched as he twirled the ring on her finger. He then removed it and slipped onto her a finger the biggest diamond she had ever seen. He pulled her fingers to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to her hand and the diamond.
She pulled her hand away, looking at the ring dominating her finger.
“What is this for? What was wrong with the one you put on my finger in the limo?” She panicked. Her hand felt heavy with the real weight of the diamond on her finger. This ring would be hard to miss.
“The ring in the car was a test,” he said.
“A test?”
“Yes, I wanted to see how you reacted to such a small, inexpensive piece of jewellery.” He leaned back in his chair watching her.
“Did I pass or fail?”
“You weren’t bothered by the small item. I find that refreshing. Any other woman in your shoes would have complained about the lack of devotion on my part.”
“Then you’ve been hanging out with the wrong women. I wish you’d stop comparing me to all your other women.”
“And you don’t compare me to your other men?
”
Tess wanted to throw her virginity in his face. Instead, she shook her head. “No, I don’t compare.”
Duncan stared at her for several moments. “You have just become my fiancée. I’ll make sure you have the proper tools to pull it off,” he said.
“It’s a beautiful ring. It must have cost you a small fortune.” She stared at the ring worried in case she lost it. She looked at him, but he was staring somewhere past her shoulder.
“Yes, it did cost a small fortune, and we both know I can afford it.” He motioned for the waiter to come.
“But I can’t have—” She stopped talking as the waiter handed them both a menu. She opened the menu and saw it was food. She thanked him before he left them alone again.
“If our marriage doesn’t last I’ll make sure the ring comes back to you in one piece,” she said.
“You won’t want to sell it on? Or are you planning on taking me for more money?”
She noticed he didn’t mention anything about her marriage comment. What were his thoughts about their upcoming nuptials?
“I don’t want anything from you. You’ve given my father freedom. I hope he doesn’t do anything else. I’m grateful for that.” She gazed down at her menu.
“You don’t have to order for yourself, and you can keep the ring,” he said. Duncan took her menu from her then opened his own menu.
“I can’t keep the ring. People will think—” She stopped when he looked at her. His stare was hard. She was looking at the businessman.
“People will think you are nothing but a gold-digger. In all my life I have found it easier to allow people to think what they want. That way you won’t spend your time telling people who won’t listen that they are wrong. It is a waste of time. They will all soon realise you aren’t a gold-digger. You’re my wife. Now, what do you want to eat?” He motioned for the waiter to come back. Duncan ordered himself a large steak meal. Tess had the same as he did, only with a smaller steak for her.
“So no salad sticks for you?” he asked. There was a teasing glint in his eye.
“Well, from my size I think it shows that I don’t go for salad sticks. I’m surprised you were able to find a dress in my size,” she said. Diets were pointless. No matter how little she ate or all the exercise she did nothing stopped her size. She’d had to accept she’d always be bigger and have womanly curves. Tess was learning to accept she would never be model thin. Some days it was harder to accept than others.
“I’ve noticed your body, Tess. I’ve felt your curves in my hands, and I have to say I love the fact that you eat more than salad sticks.” He complimented her. A red blush spread up her chest to her cheeks.
Tess was self-conscious. She felt his gaze on her. He made her nervous no matter what he did. His comment about her body made her really happy. He liked the look of her body. For a split second she was able to bask in his compliment before the old insecurities began to rear their ugly heads.
Was he taking pity on her?
She picked up her glass of water and took a generous sip. She wasn’t used to being around anyone like Duncan.
“Be careful with the water. You don’t want to drink too much before your meal arrives,” he said.
She nodded then put the glass down. Tess wished she’d kept the foul-tasting wine. Maybe it would have helped her get through the rest of the evening. When the waiter brought their steaks through and placed them on the table, Duncan asked for a glass of cold mineral water.
The waiter came back with his water, and then they started to eat. It was steak with small potatoes and a green salad. It smelled delicious and tasted wonderful. The food wasn’t classic French food, but she wouldn’t be able to appreciate the taste and flavours with Duncan looking on.
The steak was cooked how she liked it, on the griddle with a wonderful pink centre. The potatoes were savoury and buttery, and the salad finished off the meal to perfection.
“Do you like it?” Duncan asked.
“Yes, it’s the best steak I’ve ever tasted,” she said, taking another bite of her steak. While they ate Tess could almost forget what was happening between them. The diamond ring on her finger kept catching her eye, which made her very much aware of their current situation.
****
Tess was too busy looking at the diamond and eating her meal to see the worry in his eyes. Duncan was concerned at whether she would like the ring or not. He’d spent a lot of time trying to find the right ring. He’d spent more time trying to find the right one for her than he’d ever spent trying to find anything for any other woman. Duncan never personally went and bought gifts for his women. Tess was different, and he needed to find something personal to fit the woman to be his wife.
He’d noticed she didn’t seem to like the attention they got at the restaurant. She tried to hide away from all the onlookers. He’d seen the women who had sent her scornful looks. Other women would have basked in the attention this place had to offer. He hadn’t been lying when he’d said she was the first woman he’d brought here. She was refreshing to him after being around so much superficiality. He knew she spoke the truth about giving him back his ring. She wouldn’t want anything from him other than what he was willing to give.
Tess cut into her steak, the hunger on her face refreshing. He glanced at the tables near to him to see most of the women had a salad or were pushing their food around. Duncan loved watching her eat. It was a new experience to watch a woman eat. All his other dates that he took to other restaurants ordered salads with no dressings with no carbs, no fats. The chef’s were always at their wits’ end by the last course of the meal.
It had become an embarrassment to have his companion order something on the menu and then list more things not to have.
Model thin maybe the fashion, but it was no longer part of his fashion. He stared at Tess knowing her curves were a huge feature in all of his future fantasies. She looked good enough to eat. He couldn’t wait to get his ring on her finger.
His appreciation was interrupted by an old friend. “Duncan, what a pleasure to see you here.”
Duncan greeted Carlos but didn’t bother to get up from his table.
Now was a better time than any to introduce Tess.
“Carlos, I’d like to introduce you to my fiancée, Tess.” Duncan reached for her hand while Carlos took her other, placing a kiss on her fingers.
Duncan watched as Carlos was startled by his news before he covered up his surprise with a smile.
“You’re finally going to get married, and to this exquisite woman.” Tess pulled her hand away but smiled. He saw she didn’t like the other man’s attention. The fact she allowed him to touch and kiss her meant a lot to him. Duncan noticed all the other guests listening.
Duncan kept a hold of her hand knowing she didn’t like being on public display. She depended on him to keep her safe.
“I just saw her and fell instantly. I knew then and there that I wanted her for myself and no other. She’ll be my wife very soon.” He made sure to speak louder so most of the guests nearby would hear his news. The sooner he got Tess by his side and in his bed the happier he would be.
He was certain his impending marriage would be all across the news by tomorrow. He wanted Tess with a passion. The sooner he started her seduction the better. She was ripe and ready to be plucked. Her response to him made it all the more essential for him to get her where he wanted her.
Carlos gave his congratulations then left them to finish their meal.
Duncan saw how nervous Tess was. Her hand shook ever so slightly as she lifted her glass of water and took a large gulp.
He wanted her in his bed. Duncan wanted to take care of her. He wanted to own and possess her. There was so much he wanted to teach and explore with her. His revenge would come against Miranda and his father. Tess would be the icing on his cake.
In two weeks he’d be able to have it all.
He was not the most patient man. Duncan was desperate to have her.
Two weeks later
The church was full of his relatives and business associates. There were a handful of friends and her father there to watch her sell her soul to the devil. In a few short hours she’d no longer be a single woman. She’d be Duncan James’s wife. She took a deep breath to try to contain her nerves.
Tess closed the door then glanced at her reflection in the mirrors provided. It was moments like these where she wished she had a mother. Her mother should be with her on this day. It didn’t matter the marriage was a farce. What mattered was the fact she would be married. When she was satisfied that she looked the part as Duncan James’s new bride she went and took a seat near the window overlooking the cemetery at the back of the church.
His secretary sure worked fast. The clock on the wall confirmed it was ten o’clock. It was a bigger sign of the power and money Duncan possessed. In minutes she’d be married, and Tess Williams would be a million miles away.
He didn’t know anything about her. Duncan didn’t know her favourite colour, favourite meal, or any of her hobbies. The more she thought about how unsuitable they were as a couple the more her fears were constantly getting the better of her. For the past two weeks she’d been bombarded with calls from so-called friends and magazines asking about her upcoming wedding with the bachelor of the year.
All of their attention was false and devoted to the imaginary woman she was pretending to be. She wasn’t the Tess Williams who’d managed to snag the multi-millionaire. She was Tess Williams the librarian. Tess hadn’t seen Duncan since the night he had given her a ring and took her to dinner. Not one phone call, nothing. The distance he’d created between them unnerved her.
Her dreams were filled with his kisses and daring touches. She’d had no choice but to hand in her notice at the library. The press were stalking her wherever she went. She’d spent the last week trapped in her apartment. His secretary had assured her Duncan was handling the situation.
She wished she hated her father enough to tell him to go to prison.
Tess had convinced herself the wedding was a fantasy. There was no way the most eligible bachelor would ever consider her as a wife. Then today, stylists and designers had turned up to her small apartment. They’d all surrounded her, pulling at her hair or plucking this or that until she had finally turned up as the bride-to-be. The paparazzi had followed her from her apartment to the church. She’d heard most of the events of her upcoming wedding from the news. The press had fired questions at her asking Duncan’s reputation. They’d made sure she’d heard about the gossip surrounding the recent story of his conquest with the latest fashion model. Each question making her wonder if this decision was an act of desperation or the right one?