Grandfather snorted. “You call that a kiss? I’ll never have great-grandchildren at that rate.”
“We’re in a public place,” Trent replied.
The elderly man wiggled his gray eyebrows. “Everyone is preoccupied. Show me I have nothing to worry about.”
Trent turned to Kate, feeling awkward. She had never really liked him. It had all been an act on her part. Could they continue this performance? “Kate?”
She nodded her consent. He placed his hand on her warm arm and pressed his lips to hers. With just the touch of his mouth on her lush lips, desire hammered through his body as if he were on fire and it rushed to his groin. She raised her hand to cup his cheek.
Frowning at his own reaction and the touch of her palm on his face, Trent pulled away.
By the dreamy expression in her eyes, and her slightly parted lips, he thought that while she might have been only using him for her own gain, she felt the same electricity he had during the brief touch of their lips. Her breasts in the low cut gown seemed to swell up to entice him to delve inside her gown.
“Thank you,” James said, with a heavy sigh, startling Trent out of staring at Kate like a witless fool. “That makes me feel better. I’m sure you two can work past any argument, and I just might live long enough to see my great-grandchildren.”
Trent narrowed his eyes. “Slow down and you’ll live to be a hundred.”
“Trent, I’m a sick man and don’t like anyone fussing over me, but I feel a little tired. I’d be grateful if you two would stay at the house tonight—just to know you’re really close in case I should need you.”
Time to act before his grandfather tried to throw him into Kate’s vicinity. With the way they had both been affected by that kiss, this was dangerous territory.
He glanced at Kate. “That’s impossible. We need our time alone tonight, don’t we, sweetheart?”
“Yes, sorry. We can’t stay,” she said, a little too emphatically for Trent.
He gave Kate a sharp glance. He’d not been able to get in touch with her today. Just what did she do in her spare time? It never occurred to him she might be planning to meet another man—perhaps even tonight. Jealousy roared to life inside him, and he realized when it came to this woman his feelings or emotions seemed to run out of control. She might even have a significant other that he wasn’t aware of. After all, he’d been nothing to her but a con job.
“Why can’t we stay, sweetheart?” he asked, in a barely perceptible cutting tone. “Do we have other plans for this evening?”
She blushed, satisfying him that she understood exactly what he meant.
“I only have plans for us tonight,” she said in a low voice, as if she got the message.
Trent clenched his teeth. Disappointed, Kate, he said with his eyes? Who the hell are you sleeping with? He was sure the last thing she wanted to do was to spend time with him, especially now that she would be financially rewarded for just playing his wife. Did she think she could collect his money and sleep with as many men, on the side, as she desired?
So, why shouldn’t she do exactly whatever she wanted? He had a sickening feeling inside that he had no right to make these demands…
He was relieved from his spiraling downward thoughts when the announcer picked up the microphone. “Welcome to our annual State awards.” He proceeded to hand out the acknowledgements. “And now for our most prestigious award of the evening. The winner is Trent Farrington, of Farrington Construction.”
Applause broke out in the room.
Trent exhaled a deep breath. His hard work had paid off. This would put his mark on the family company for the next generation. In that moment, he understood what his grandfather meant about the sense of pride in accomplishment. What Trent did with his company was the legacy for the Farringtons who would follow after him.
Trent strode up to the podium, took the award and plaque and spoke into the microphone. “Thank you. I’m honored. The company is honored. We look forward to building the best buildings possible.”
He said a few more words about his vision for the future direction of the company. Then he made eye contact with Kate. He was surprised to see pride shining in her eyes.
* * *
There were a few speeches, then congratulations accepted, and Trent stood there with Kate playing the beautiful and devoted wife at his side. He found he enjoyed the support, and that having her there eased him through a time he would otherwise want to avoid. When dancing resumed in the ballroom, Trent considered asking Kate to dance—for appearance’s sake.
Before he could ask Kate, Eden sauntered up to him. “Trent, would you mind dancing with me?”
Trent glanced toward Kate. “Excuse me for a moment.” She nodded her approval and went back to the table to wait. Like a dutiful wife.
He led his mother onto the dance floor.
Before the music started, she laid her hands on the lapels of his jacket. “I just wanted to say how proud I am of you tonight. Your father would be, too, if he were here to share this evening with us.”
Her words startled him. “Thank you…” Trent kept his tone level. He wasn’t going to question her sincerity this evening.
Then a twinge of guilt about their relationship hit him. She had been acting odd lately. Perhaps she was sincerely trying to reach out to him, to become more involved, and wanting—in her own cold way—for them to be a real family. If she changed, could he forgive her after all those years...?
She seemed genuinely happy tonight. Perhaps things could get better between them. Now, if only he could get her to see Blake for what he was before it was too late.
While he slow danced with his mother, Trent said, “You’re intelligent, interesting and still attractive. There must be someone besides Blake who could make you happy.”
“Why, Trent, that’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me in a long time.”
He didn’t know what to say. He and his mother getting along––wonder of wonders.
The next time he glanced toward the table, Blake was hovering behind Kate’s chair. Jealousy slammed Trent. Was she interested in Blake, too? Maybe she worked over many men.
“In spite of everything we know about her,” his mother said, intruding into his thoughts. “You didn’t just use her to make your grandfather hold onto the company—you’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
Her words stunned him, whirled around inside his mind, and nearly brought him to his knees at the truth of something that could never be. This had to be squashed—more reason to keep Kate at a distance. He gave his mother an uneasy glance.
Eden sighed. “I won’t say anything more. I don’t want to ruin your night. Perhaps we’ll both be happy one day. Wouldn’t that be nice?”
***
While James Farrington had been talking to some of his friends who gathered around him, Kate watched Trent dance with his mother.
A hand groped her bare shoulder, sending her nearly flying out of her chair. She twisted her head to find Frank Blake standing over her.
“Mrs. Farrington,” he drawled. “Why don’t you and I share a dance?”
It wasn’t a question, but a demand.
Anxiety pummeled Kate. She bit her lip, wanting to say no. Then she reluctantly decided to find out what he wanted and followed him to the dance floor.
The band played another slow song. At the touch of Blake squeezing her hand, she tried to pull away, but he gripped her waist and held onto her hand.
“What is it you want, Mr. Blake?” she asked through tight lips.
“I didn’t recognize you on the yacht, but tonight, without the glasses, I remembered. Someone as pretty as you shouldn’t be forgotten, but has it been ten years ago already? You landed quite well for yourself as Mrs. Farrington, sugarplum.”
Her eyes widened. “But I don’t know you—”
“You don’t remember me? I’m crushed. Darker hair, no gray.” He held up a finger to cover his mustache. “Ah, yeah, you were little more th
an a child—sweet sixteen if I remember correctly—but the resemblance is still there…the golden hair. I’m surprised you’d forget our evening together. How is my good friend Bill Jackson?”
Her heart hammered in her chest as the memories of the past tumbled through her mind—memories she’d tried to block. That night the hotel room had been dark when she had entered, a cowering girl. She’d been unable to look at his face, except for a glimpse. She had not wanted to see the man who would do this to her for money. She’d been terrified to do what her stepfather forced her to do, and scared to death not to. “If you were his friend, you would have heard he was shot and killed by someone that he tried to con,” she said, doing her best to hang onto her crumbling composure.
Blake chuckled. “So that’s why I haven’t seen him around. Ah, but he taught you well, sugarplum. Good job landing on your feet, especially after your brief touch with the law. Trent Farrington is worth a fortune.”
“I was innocent!” She wanted to flee, but he clasped her hand tightly.
“Now, now, Mrs. Farrington. Not so fast. Does Trent know all about Daddy Jackson?”
A moan of distress escaped Kate. “Yes,” she rasped out. “He knows everything.” However, seeing this ‘friend’ of her stepfather’s, reminded her she hadn’t shared the complete truth.
“Everything?” Blake chuckled. “You’re lying to me, Mrs. Farrington. Why I’d say those perky breasts are as enticing…as the last time I touched them.” He whispered a vulgarity in her ear.
Shock nearly knocked her off her feet. She didn’t want to be reminded of that night.
Blake hauled her closer to him. “Damn, I could have had some fun with this. Oh, I wonder what you would do to keep your secret. Maybe even slip into the sheets with me.” He squeezed her fingers.
Rearing her head back, she wanted to slap him. “Let me go.”
He smiled and let go of her hand. “Your husband is approaching. I imagine he hasn’t heard everything about you or Bill Jackson or you wouldn’t look like you’re about to faint. I think I should tell him.”
Her heart was racing and she choked on her words. “No…please, don’t.” Trent already knew too much about her... And she didn’t realize how much she hoped with time that he’d come to see she was truly a decent person—that she’d only been a little impetuous to find evidence on who was responsible for Matt’s death—but with what Blake had to say, Trent would never think so.
Blake chuckled. “Don’t look so worried, Mrs. Farrington. I won’t say anything. I don’t want any more bad blood between Eden and me, or Trent for that matter—as long as I get what I want. I’d love to get my hands into your pants, but I’ll be discreet. We’ll take this up later and finish what we started.”
“You’re a bastard. If you said anything, I think Trent would punch you in the face for what you tried to do to me.”
“Does Trent know his bride was for sale, for her virginity no less?”
Kate shook her head vehemently. “That’s because you offered my stepfather so much money! You knew he couldn’t resist. And I wasn’t going to let him turn me into a prostitute.”
“You ran away before I got what I’d paid for, but Bill didn’t believe me. You owe me a $10,000 roll in the hay.”
“Go to hell,” she said through clenched teeth. She wanted to run off the dance floor, but she wouldn’t make a scene here in front of everyone. This was Trent’s night and he deserved for it to go smoothly.
Blake shot Kate a wicked grin. “Oh, I’ll go to hell all right, Mrs. Farrington, but I wanted to make my position clear. Just make sure you put up no resistance if the Farringtons decide to sell the company to me. Or else I’ll be telling Trent a few details, I’m sure you won’t want him to know. We’ll be talking. That’s a fact.”
Dread washed over Kate.
Trent strode up to them. At the deadly look in his eyes, Kate’s throat went dry. She had to quickly compose herself. She couldn’t bear for him to hear this horrible story about her past.
“May I cut in?” Trent asked. She had the impression he might pound Blake into the floor if he refused.
“By all means,” Blake said with a smile. “I don’t like to keep a bride from her husband’s enjoyment.”
Clenching her jaw, Kate struggled to regain her composure as Blake walked away and Trent picked up her hand.
“Did you like dancing with him?” he asked coolly, his dark eyes studying her.
She shrugged and lowered her gaze to his crisp white shirt with the black bowtie. She had promised herself she wouldn’t lie to him anymore, but if he asked her about Blake? Perspiration beaded on her top lip.
If Trent found out she’d met Frank Blake before, that her stepfather had sold her to him for a night, he might consider that additional evidence that what he thought about her was correct. She couldn’t bear that. How many women of his acquaintance would have gone through such an experience? None she was sure. Tears burned the backs of her eyes. Yes. Her virginity had been sold by her own stepfather.
Trent clasped Kate’s hand in his. “Your hands are clammy and you’re trembling. What did he say to you?” he demanded.
Holding her tears inside, Kate pulled herself together and shook her head. “I just don’t like him.”
“That makes two of us.”
The song was slow. For a moment, she allowed herself to relax in the security of Trent’s arms. She wanted to weep and tell him everything about herself. But even though she knew none of this had been her fault, she thought that Trent would somehow think she’d been responsible.
When the song ended, he held her a little away and gazed down at her. “Why did you dance with him, Kate?”
“Why? I—”
He put his finger on her lips to silence her. “How can I trust you to tell me the truth?” He glanced over her shoulder and swore. “My grandfather’s watching. Act as if you’re enjoying yourself. You know he wants us to stay at his house tonight.”
Kate glanced around Trent’s shoulder and toward the table. Blake gave Kate a heated glance, which thankfully Trent did not see.
Her temples pounded into a roaring headache. “Sorry, I can’t tonight. I don’t feel well. Please give your regrets to your grandfather. I’m going home.”
She had to get out of there. Right away.
* * *
Like a pressure cooker with its lid blown off, thoughts exploded in Kate’s mind—her life with Bill Jackson, her wicked stepfather, and more vividly, that awful night with Frank Blake. Oh, my God. She couldn’t stop the dreadful memories. That pervert had touched her!
Her stepfather’s actions that night had been the final straw. He’d dressed her up like a hooker in a cheap sequined black gown and forced her into Blake’s house. She had escaped that wretched night, but she’d nearly died. She’d cut her stomach badly on the glass when she wiggled out the bathroom window she had to break to escape.
Once outside, she’d called her stepbrother. With Matt supporting her around the waist, they had traveled on foot to her aunt’s house, dripping blood along the way.
Aunt Kate had been furious and threatened her stepfather with child abuse. She had taken her niece to the emergency room, and then into her custody. Afterwards, Matt had also moved in with them, and they had a few blissful years.
On shaky legs, Kate stepped out the hotel’s front door and handed the valet a tip and her ticket. “I can’t wait for my car. I’ll get it myself.”
He handed her the key. “All right, ma’am. At the back of the parking lot.”
With tears blurring her eyes, and her stomach rolling, she lifted the skirt of her expensive gown and hurried in that direction. Suddenly a wave of nausea washed over her. She found her car and crouched by the hood, glad the bushes blocked her from anyone’s view.
Cigarette smoke wafted over the bushes. Her stomach heaved at the smell and she threw up. Taking a deep breath, she swiped her hand across her perspiring forehead, then struggled to her feet.
She had to get into her car. If anyone saw her like this, she would be mortified. As a member of the Farrington family, she was under scrutiny from the press. Reporters loitered near the front door like hyenas waiting for their victims. She didn’t want a picture of her like this, to land in the papers. She had been lucky so far that after the announcement of their marriage, the media had not mentioned she was related to Bill Jackson.
She couldn’t face Trent with this last humiliation hammered home by Blake, not now... It all made her feel so dirty. Swiping at her tears, she took a deep breath. Since Blake wanted to ingratiate himself back into the family, she was probably safe—for now. She just wanted to go home, take a warm shower and curl up in bed...and forget.
A man’s voice, low and muffled, drifted over the bushes. “Have patience. There wasn’t an opportunity. Believe me, Farrington will suffer…before he dies. Won’t be with the new bride for long.”
Her heart beating rapidly, Kate’s hand flew to her mouth. Trent! He was the object of the sabotage, not the building. They were trying to kill him!
Someone truly hated him. She had to get a glimpse of the man who spoke, but the bushes were too thick to see through. She followed the nearly inaudible voice down the line of shrubs, but the cigarette smell faded along with the voice. By the time she rounded the other side to get a glimpse, there was no one there.
Would this man be waiting for Trent out here in the dark tonight? She had to warn him. Regardless of what he thought of her, she would do everything in her power to protect him.
She strode back to the valet and handed him her keys. “I’ve decided to stay for a while.”
Kate headed to the restroom. Thankfully, it was empty. She splashed cold water on her face and rinsed her mouth. She popped in a breath mint and reapplied her lipstick.
She intended to tell Trent what she’d heard, but would he believe her?
As she turned to leave the restroom, Eden stepped through the doors. Her expression darkened. “Are you all right? Are you ill?”
“N-no. Thank you. I’m fine.” Kate didn’t think she should tell Eden what she’d overheard. While she didn’t think the man who had spoken was Blake, Blake might have been the person making the phone call.
Disguised with the Millionaire (Dangerous Millionaires Series Book 2) Page 29