by Ravenna Tate
How the hell had he landed in this mess? He wanted the company, that’s why. And while he wouldn’t protest having this woman in his bed, he wasn’t sure how much fun it would be to fuck a wife who didn’t care about him as a person. He didn’t need to go through with a wedding to find a sexual partner who didn’t give a shit about him.
Would he ever really know her? Would it matter? He wouldn’t risk falling in love with her. If you loved someone, they got hurt. They died. No. He could never go through that pain again. Never.
Not even for someone with hair the color of sunshine, and eyes as blue as the prettiest summer sky.
****
Lynda climbed into the back of a limo with Merrick, who scooted as far to the other side as possible. When she glanced out the window next to him, he turned and followed her gaze toward the crowd pushing close to the limo.
“Don’t worry. They can’t see inside. They’ll never know we aren’t in here having sex.”
She swallowed hard at the sarcasm in his voice. What did that mean, exactly? That the idea of having sex with her was laughable?
She blinked back tears as she turned to watch the crowd from her side. Crying wouldn’t solve this, and she didn’t understand her reaction. Sex was the furthest thing from her mind these days. The last man who had made love to her betrayed her trust. Before that… Never mind. She wasn’t going there. Not today.
Merrick wasn’t Rey, nor was he a blood relative she’d trusted. But how could she simply forget the past and give herself to a stranger? And why did Merrick have to be so damn smug about it? Anger and frustration bubbled up, and she said the words that sprang to mind without thinking. “Well heaven forbid we do what real married couples do.”
Sarcasm was her only defense right now. She swore she felt his gaze on her, as well as the heat from his body. His hard, muscled body, no doubt. The tux couldn’t hide the fact he likely spent hours at the gym each week. But Lynda kept her concentration on the crowd as the limo eased out into traffic.
They would eventually head up 5th Avenue toward Central Park. Once there, she’d have to endure more picture-taking, so she had to hold back her tears. André would kill her if she screwed up her makeup or hair. Merrick had hired him, and he’d bossed Lynda around through every stage of planning this shindig.
This ridiculous dress had been his idea, as had everything else. Lynda had no say-so in any of the plans, down to the color of her bridesmaid dresses. He’d even vetted her original list of bridesmaids until all of them, including her maid of honor, were women she barely knew. He hadn’t allowed any of her close friends for reasons which Lynda felt were petty and elitist.
Once they were on 5th Avenue, she glanced toward Merrick. He was watching her, and his face was a mask of resentment and sadness. She understood how he felt. This was insane. What the hell were they doing here, together? It was so obvious he was miserable.
“Lynda, neither one of us wants to be here, but let’s try and make the best of today. The media is watching. Let’s fake it for their sake.”
“I don’t give a shit about the media.”
“I know you don’t. How you’ve managed to stay out of the spotlight is beyond me, but I do care about them. I have to care.”
She’d stayed out of the spotlight because drawing attention to herself might prompt reporters to dig. If they dug, they’d find her secrets. “Why do you care so much?”
“Because everything I do is recorded. Everything. We never dated. They don’t know anything about you. Your family’s company is a fucked-up mess, but they don’t know that. Not yet. I’m hoping to keep that out of the press, but I married you and no one knew I was doing it. It’s big news to them. They will speculate why we married, and if they can’t find a concrete answer, they’ll start making things up. They’ll dig into our lives until they find something they think they can use. They’ll be watching every expression on our faces, every touch, every glance we give each other, and every gesture we make.”
“So you want me to pretend I’m deliriously happy for the sake of your image. That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it?”
He shook his head. “Not only mine. Both our images. Will you help me pull this off?”
Her head spun. His voice was so rich and smooth. Did he speak to everyone this way? No wonder he was the Golden Boy, and his competitors simply rolled over and gave him their companies. And no wonder every woman within sniffing distance spread her legs and let him use her for sex. Or so the tabloids made it sound. She didn’t pay attention as often as she should. Would she have to start doing that now? She hoped not.
A horrible thought occurred to her. Would he continue his sexual escapades, even now? She didn’t want that. It would be the ultimate humiliation to be forced to marry someone for a company she had zero interest in running, and then have to endure seeing pictures of him catting around with other women on top of it. If she offered him sex would he forego the playing around?
Not that she was sure offering it would do any good. She hadn’t had any since the night she found the email on Rey’s laptop. She’d barely dated since that evening. How the hell was she supposed to explain this to him if he asked? She’d die of embarrassment. And if he started digging on his own, or suspected she was hiding something else…
She let the thought go once more. That wouldn’t happen. No one knew, except her father, who had done nothing about it. This was her burden to bear, and Merrick was the last person she’d let find out about it.
Better he find out about Rey. Then again, if he did, he might believe he’d married the biggest fool on the planet. Who the hell let themselves get used for that long, and not even realize their boyfriend was making secret sex tapes? Merrick might jump to the same conclusions she had. That one day those videos would surface. And from this day forward if they did, she wouldn’t be merely Lynda Shelton, heir to Shelton Energy. She’d be Mrs. Merrick Dalton.
Lynda closed her eyes and tried to push everything out of her mind but the present. He was right about one thing. The media were watching everything. Nothing good would come from her letting the media think she hated her brand new husband. He might even change his mind about saving the company, and then all this would have been for nothing. No sense in making it worse by putting on a public display of bitchiness or indifference.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. “I can do that. I’ll help you fool them all.”
“Thank you.” They stared at each other for long moments. Lynda had the feeling he wanted to say something else, but he stayed silent. She used the time to study his face. Chiseled cheekbones, full lips, and a five-o’clock shadow. He really was handsome, but in a rugged sort of way, like he spent a lot of time outdoors, which surprised her. She’d always pictured him as an indoor person.
Her traitorous body tingled with lust until she finally had to break eye contact. The fact that she could even feel arousal this strong was a shock. Three years was a long time to go without sex, but the memories of that October evening were all mixed up with the searing betrayal by the only man she’d ever loved. It had taken Rey a year to get her to be able to have sex with him at all, but he never knew why. She hadn’t told him what her uncles had done to her.
Even if Merrick wanted to consummate this marriage, she wasn’t sure she could handle it without telling him everything. And that was likely the last thing her brand new husband wanted to hear. No. It was better this way. A business arrangement only. At least no one could accuse her of turning her back on the family. She’d just made the ultimate sacrifice, which was a far cry more than those three had ever done.
Lynda only hoped she and Merrick could find some common ground, otherwise, her life was going to be very lonely.
Chapter Three
Lynda kept her word. Merrick watched her smile for the endless pictures in the park, and for all intents and purposes, she looked every bit the adoring, happy bride. When the photographers insisted they take a series of pictures kissing, he hesitate
d only a split second before smashing his lips against hers.
Time to find out whether she truly hates you.
Amidst the catcalls and whistles, he probed her soft lips with his tongue, knowing André would have a hissy fit when he saw her smeared lipstick, but not giving a shit. Even the uncertainty he glimpsed in her eyes before he moved in for the kiss couldn’t spoil this for him.
She finally parted her lips, and he pushed his tongue inside, trying to hold back the surge of hormones. She tasted like peppermint, and it was then he realized she must have mints stashed somewhere in the folds of her dress. Had she done that for him, knowing they’d have to do this multiple times today for the media?
He cupped her face, and nearly lost it when she moaned softly into his open mouth and put her arms around him. So much for the doubt he’d seen in her eyes earlier, and that sarcastic comment in the limo about doing what real married couples do. She might be in this for the money and the social standing, but her body said something different. She didn’t hate physical contact with him.
But what would that mean in the long run? That the cold, distant marriage he’d envisioned was wrong? Or did it merely mean she enjoyed kissing him and that’s as far as she’d take it? They would need to discuss the terms. He’d treat it like the business arrangement it was and outline what they expected of each other. That’s the only way something like this wouldn’t drive him batshit.
One thing was certain. His days of casual dating and casual sexual encounters were over. The last thing he’d ever do was give the media that kind of fuel. So unless he could convince his beautiful bride to let him do more than kiss her, he was in for a lot of jacking off.
When he released the kiss, her eyes were filled with surprise and fear. What the hell? Merrick kept his gaze on her face because the cameras were still clicking. He leaned close to whisper in her ear, “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”
“Thank you.” Her voice was all breathy, and it caused him actual physical pain to hear it. Why the hell was she afraid of kissing him? Had he been too forceful, or had he completely misinterpreted her responses?
On the heels of those thoughts came Todd’s words, explaining exactly why his daughter had agreed to this. So that was it, then. The reason for the fear. This was a business proposal, and she had expected no intimacy of any kind.
The photographers called for more poses with the rest of the wedding party, so Merrick had to push his conflicted thoughts aside once again and put on his game face for the press. Once they were back in the limo, he didn’t sit so far away from her this time. The reception was at the Plaza, so he didn’t have much time with her alone before the limo would arrive there.
They also had a suite for tonight, although Merrick would have been fine to return to his own apartment. But this way they could change clothes or use it to freshen up as the evening wore on. André had thought of everything.
He decided to try making small talk. They should at least be able to pull that off. “You look very pretty. The dress is stunning.”
“Thank you.” She fiddled with the lace overlay. “It’s so expensive.”
“And you only wear them once.”
She nodded several times. “Exactly. It’s obscene to spend this much on one dress.”
He bit back the retort that sprang to his lips. He’d given André carte blanche, but he’d never heard of a bride who didn’t insist on choosing her own dress. He’d had no part in the wedding preparations other than to choose the groomsmen and buy a new tux. He assumed the dress had been her choice alone.
Merrick didn’t like feeling this off center. He’d never been uncomfortable around women, but he was damned if this one hadn’t thrown him for a loop. “I didn’t mean to frighten you in the park. You’re a great kisser.”
She snapped her head up and he glimpsed the fear again, but then it was gone. In its place, she gave him a long, searching look that had him wondering what the fuck had happened to this woman in the past. “You didn’t frighten me.”
Bullshit.
“And thank you for the compliment. You’re a great kisser, too.”
Her voice was small and timid. Surely she wasn’t a virgin. She was twenty-nine years old, for God’s sake.
He watched her pick leaves off the train of the dress, and then he picked up the phone and asked his driver to take them around the back of the hotel first. “We want to go up to the suite and freshen up first.”
She shot him a questioning look as he replaced the receiver.
“That train should come off or you’ll be tripping all over it the entire reception.” He grinned. “André will kill us both if you tear it and a picture of that gets taken.”
Her gaze softened. “That’s true. Good idea.”
He had more than her dress in mind. It was time to have a talk. They’d be expected to dance and act like they were blissfully happy at the reception. His head already ached from the act he’d put on in the park for the pictures. No way could he do this for hours yet without first clarifying the terms of this marriage.
****
Lynda bunched up the train in one hand as she and Merrick were escorted into a back entrance of the hotel, surrounded by men she assumed were part of his security staff. She’d have to get used to that, too. They were given access to a service elevator. Once it stopped, they wove their way through a series of hallways until they emerged into a lavish anteroom.
“This is the service entrance to the suite.” Merrick turned to the men. “Wait here. We’ll be along in a while. Is our luggage in there?”
“Yes, sir. Exactly as you ordered.”
When had Merrick had time to take care of that?
She followed him past a full kitchen and a formal dining room, then into a great room with lavish wallpaper, expensive furnishings, and a grand piano. “We’re staying here tonight only, right?” Who the hell needed all this space for one night?
He gave her a look that was pure lust. “Unless you want to stay longer.”
She averted her gaze as he led her down a hallway. She’d have to deal with this eventually. Judging by the kiss in the park, she had misinterpreted his comment in the limo. He clearly expected to have sex with her, no matter what his reasons for agreeing to this marriage were.
The thought of explaining her reaction in the park after his kiss her made her stomach cramp, but there was no denying she had liked it. A lot. More than a lot. He was a fantastic kisser, and she’d found herself wanting more. The fact that she could feel such desire was a pleasant shock.
He opened a set of doors. “I had them put your things in here. My room is across the hall. You’ll need help removing the train, so would you like to take care of that first?”
Well, that was an interesting twist. She’d been married to him less two hours, and already her emotions were on a rollercoaster. Tonight was their wedding night but they’d be sleeping in separate rooms. “Yes. Let’s do that first.”
He followed her into the room, and she spotted her luggage on the stand. It was the most lavish hotel room she’d ever seen. The view overlooked the park, and it was breathtaking, but she’d be admiring it alone.
“Turn around.” She did as he asked, and had to bite back a gasp as he placed his hands on her hips and moved her back toward the bed. If a hot kiss and his touch on her hips could arouse her this way, was she ready to try again?
That would be unexpected. She hadn’t dated anyone seriously enough to let it get to that point in three years. One does not simply forget and move on, but how then did she explain her reaction to Merrick?
He sat on the bed behind her, and she felt him unfasten the tiny hooks that held the train on. He knew his way around dresses, and she almost made a quip about that, but decided it wouldn’t come out right. There was no reason to be rude to him.
“Thank you for doing this, although André could have followed us up here and taken care of it. Where is he, by the way?”
“In the hall downstairs, m
aking sure everyone hates him well before the second course is served.”
Lynda laughed. There was no way to help it. She had no idea Merrick Dalton was this charming or funny.
“You know I’m right.”
“Oh, I agree. Where did you find him, anyway?”
He stood and deposited her train on the bed. “Are you kidding? He’s the most sought-after wedding consultant there is.”
“Oh, well I guess I wouldn’t know about that.”
He frowned slightly, and the quick burst of happiness she’d felt at finding common ground with her husband was gone, just like that.
“No, I don’t suppose you would.”
Well, thanks for reminding me I’m not in your league.
They locked gazes for a moment. Lynda was acutely aware of the huge four poster bed right next to them, the scent of his cologne, and the fact that they were now married. They had matching gold bands to prove it. They also were completely alone in here. If this had been a different situation, like a wedding with a husband of her choice, she’d have suggested they skip the reception entirely and instead enjoy this amazing suite.
Instead, she was left wondering whether he now realized he’d married an awkward woman who knew nothing about hob-knobbing with society, and was conflicted about sex. And did it matter what he thought? Merrick wasn’t in this to give her a romantic wedding night. He was here for Shelton Energy, which now technically belonged to her.
He started to speak at the same time she did. They both stopped, smiled, and then he told her to go ahead first.
“I was wondering when you wanted to take care of the transfer of the company. I imagine as soon as possible, right?”
His expression changed so drastically she became confused all over again. Gone was the relaxed look of someone who had just shared a private joke with a friend. Instead, his face took on the cold, distant look it had held during the ceremony and the limo ride to the park. What the hell? That was why he’d done this, after all. Why not bring it up?