by Ana E Ross
“She’s not your wife, Adam,” Bryce threatened in a low, steady voice. His eyes continued to burn into Kaya’s. “And the reason I’m still living in your hotel is not open for discussion.”
“Are you kidding me?” Adam planted his elbows on the table. “Since when is discussing your love life off the menu?”
“Since he got married,” Erik said, sending Michelle a dazzling smile. “It’s one thing to share stories about our lovers, but once a man takes a wife, the rules change.”
“That’s my man,” Michelle murmured on a chuckle.
“I don’t like that rule. It’s stupid and unfair.” Adam downed the contents of his glass again and held it out for a refill from the fifty-year-old bottle of scotch Bryce had fetched from his underground cellar.
“Maybe you should take a wife and level the playing field,” Erik suggested. “Think of the advantages.” He winked at Michelle.
“If it’s one thing I know I don’t need, it’s a wife. I’m my own man.”
“Your loss.” Steven raised his glass to the women then placed it back on the table.
Relieved that they weren’t swingers or member of some type of scary cult, Kaya watched in disbelief as the men continued to argue about rules of the games and wives and lovers as they emptied one liquor bottle after the other. One proposed that they make some new rules and commissioned Steven to record them on one of her white linen napkins.
She turned to Michelle. “Do they always get like this during these gatherings?”
“I’m afraid so.” Michelle ran her fingers through her short black hair. “You understand now why the kids can’t be around these events?”
Kaya nodded, happy it wasn’t for the reason she’d thought. “But why? What’s the point?”
“It’s an agreement they concocted to protect themselves.” Libby responded.
“From what?”
Libby swallowed a bite of her cake. “They are powerful men who come from powerful families, Kaya. They have seen what public inebriation can do to men like themselves.”
Kaya had no idea what Libby was talking about. She’d seen some of her wealthy powerful clients make fools of themselves in public, but by the next day, their lives returned to normal.
“When Massimo and Adam were teenagers,” Libby continued, “both their fathers got wasted at a business convention and inadvertently spilled the details of a highly secretive joint business deal. By the next morning, both Andretti Industries and Andreas International were in jeopardy.”
“So these men made a pact never to become intoxicated in public,” Kaya murmured, nodding with understanding.
“They trust each other with their lives,” Michelle added. “They get wasted only once a month, and only with each other. It’s a time for them to forget the stress of their professional lives, let their guards down and just be… boys. And for additional protection, they added the “no business talk” clause.”
“Wow.” Kaya stared at the men, laughing, arguing, and slapping each other on the shoulders as they filled and emptied their glasses. There was no mistaking the depth of their friendship.
Steven pushed back his chair and stood up. “Who’s up for some pool?” He took control like a parent at a birthday party who wanted to move the fun along.
“I second that.” Adam staggered to his feet and swatted strands of his extremely long black hair from his face with impatient swipes of his wrist. He blew at the stubborn strands that adhered to his cheeks and mouth.
Kaya chuckled at the comical picture he made, and of the others trying to steady themselves as they vacated their chairs.
“You need a haircut.” Erik tried to help Adam with the errant strands of hair. “Men shouldn’t have long hair. Don’t you think?” He gazed cross-eyed at Steven and Bryce.
“Leave the man alone. It’s his hair. He can wear them— uh, it— any way he wants. I think you have beautiful hair,” Bryce said on Adam’s behalf.
“They also defend each other, but when you cross one, you cross them all,” Libby stated.
It was all Kaya could do not to burst out laughing when Bryce bent down, planted his hands on the table, and looked over at them, his eyes glazed and bloodshot, his mouth twisted as if it hurt to talk.
“La— ladies, you must execute— um, no—” He swirled an unsteady forefinger around and his eyes rolled back into their sockets as if he were searching for the right word. “Excu— excuse us.” A loud burp erupted from his throat and he continued as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “We’re off to the man cave to do man— manly stuff.” He picked up an unopened bottle of liquor and swayed on his heels.
Adam draped one arm about Bryce’s shoulders and the other about Erik’s. “Lean on me, brothers.” He threw his head back and hollered, “Mass! Massimo! Where’s my cousin?”
“You left him in Africa,” Bryce told him.
“Yeah, I did, didn’t I? Why would I do such a thing? I love my cousin.”
“Oh my God,” Kaya exclaimed as the men stagger off, arm in arm, into the vicinity of Bryce’s man cave—a soundproof room adjoining the library. It was equipped with everything a man would ever need—poolroom, bowling lane, mini-golf course, a complete bar, and an audio and video wall system Kaya knew was worth more than she’d made in three years. Each man cave was similarly equipped, as if they were trying to out-do each other.
“Unbelievable, isn’t it?” Libby said, as they began to gather the dishes from the table and take them into the kitchen. “They would go to hell and back for each other, though.”
“And for any woman they choose to be by their sides,” Michelle added. “Once they fall in love and marry, they become fiercely loyal and protective of their wives.”
“Bryce doesn’t love me,” Kaya said as she placed a plate in the dishwasher. She felt she could be honest with these women—her closest, newest friends, her sister billionaire brides, she thought with a smile. “He only married me to make a home for the children.” And for sex.
“I’ve known Bryce for a long time. He could have come up with a plethora of other ways to keep you in the kid’s lives. He married you because he sees the possibilities of a future with you, Kaya,” Libby remarked over her shoulder as she scraped some scraps into the trash disposal.
“He may already be in love with you, but fighting it tooth and nail,” Michelle said. “I was Precious’ nanny before I became the second Mrs. LaCrosse, and believe me, Erik fought his feelings for me because he was afraid to get hurt again. It’s probably the same way for Bryce. He wouldn’t show you how scared he is because he’s a macho man; they all are. They wouldn’t even let their mommas know when they are in pain. You’re Bryce’s wife, Kaya. You’re the only woman who has the power to heal him. You can do that by loving him and by caring for him in words and in deeds.”
Kaya’s hands curled around the edge of the sink. No one had ever taught her about love, much less how to love a man like Bryce Fontaine. The only men she was familiar with were the losers her mother used to bring home. They were charming in the beginning. They took her and Nadine out to nice restaurants and some even bought Kaya a gift or two here and there. But once they got enough of what they were truly after, they split.
After her father left, she’d watched her mother try time and time again to find true love, only to be disappointed. Nadine had taken out her frustrations on Kaya, and blamed her for the reasons her boyfriends didn’t stick around.
Kaya’s knowledge about sex was even more limited. The little she knew, she’d heard from Isis—a promiscuous foster sister. Isis equated sex with love, and Kaya had lain awake many nights, listening to Isis cry herself to sleep when yet another boyfriend had dumped her.
Her father’s abandonment, coupled with her mother’s and Isis’ relationship experiences, had caused Kaya to steer clear of men. She’d allowed Jack to get close to her because he’d been a good childhood friend, someone she thought she could trust. Sadly, he’d grown up to become as mu
ch a loser as Nadine and Isis’ men.
The two men she’d ever trusted had abandoned her. How was she supposed to trust another man, much less love one? Even though that man was her husband and had promised to love her, and be faithful to her.
They had exchanged their vows in the library, on Valentine’s Day, just five days after Michael and Lauren’s funeral. Pastor Kelly had pronounced them man and wife with the children and Haley as witnesses.
Bryce had taken the family to Andreas to celebrate afterwards. Jason was relieved that they wouldn’t be fighting over him and his sisters, and Alyssa was excited that Uncle Bryce was going to live with them. Jason had told his sister that she and Bryce had gotten married so that they could all live together as a family. Kaya didn’t bother to inform them that Uncle Bryce was not moving in. Bryce had made that clear before the nuptials, and Kaya still wasn’t sure how she felt about it.
On their wedding night, after the children and Haley were in bed, Bryce had knocked on her door. She thought he’d come to say good night before he went to his penthouse, but when she’d opened the door, he’d pulled her possessively into his arms, and without a word had begun kissing her, and caressing her through her nightgown. His arousal was evident through the silk robe he wore. She’d been weakened by his strength and his clean, just-showered scent, but when he lifted her off the floor and took her to bed, Kaya had put a halt to his advances.
Her warped experiences and eyewitness accounts about men, along with Bryce’s reputation with women had made it easy for her to say no to him. Bryce had promised not to abandon her. And perhaps he wouldn’t, physically. But what about emotionally? What if after he made love to her, he lost interest in her? What if he started treating her differently? Indifferently? She couldn’t risk that kind of awkwardness between them. It wouldn’t be good for the children. “Bryce and I haven’t made love yet,” she said, turning to face the women.
They both dropped their gazes to the floor at her announcement.
Libby spoke first. “That’s a good thing. It proves he doesn’t see you as just a sexual object.”
“It’s not him.” Kaya pushed a handful of curls from her face. “He wanted to make love on our wedding night, but I said no. I told him I was reluctant to consummate our marriage.”
“Oh,” both women uttered, understanding why Bryce called her his reluctant bride.
“I haven’t had good relationships with men, and Bryce’s prior reputation with women isn’t a good one. He uses them then walks away when he’s done.”
“They meant nothing to him. That’s why it was easy for him to walk. I’m not condoning what they do as men, but these women enter the relationships with their eyes wide open. They aren’t innocent, so don’t waste your time feeling sorry for them. They get what they want from these men. Bryce married you because he wants you, Kaya! And he’s willing to wait until you’re ready.” Michelle tapped her on the shoulder.
Kaya crossed her arms about her stomach. “It may be too late. He’s lost interest in me. He avoids being alone with me. I only see him when the kids are around.” Wasn’t that your wish? She centered her attention on her hands clasping and unclasping in front of her. “Bryce isn’t the kind of man who gives up easily. I thought he’d be banging down my door every night until he broke down my defenses.”
“Gosh, we do need this Billionaires’ Brides Club.” Michelle steered Kaya over to the kitchen table and sat her down. “If it was only sex he wanted, that’s exactly what he’d be doing. When a man truly cares about a woman, the worst thing she could do to him is reject him.”
“Michelle’s right. Bryce has a lot of pride. You hurt him, and he wouldn’t put himself in that position again. If you want this marriage to work, Kaya, you have to make the next move.”
“Don’t make it tonight,” Michelle advised her. “He’s too drunk to perform or to remember anything in the morning. You’ll want him to remember every second of it.”
“He isn’t sleeping here anyway. Steven is driving him back to Hotel Andreas.”
“What you need to do is plan a grand seduction. I have some books and videos I can loan you.” Michelle’s eyes twinkled mysteriously.
“Books and videos?” Kaya’s voice rose an octave.
“They’ll teach you how to seduce a man, how to make him beg. They want us to be ladies in the ballroom but nymphs in their beds. I didn’t have a lot of experience when I met Erik but I quickly learned what he needed, expected from me—and believe me, I crave him every second of the day and night. I know you and Bryce will get there. And once you start, don’t limit it to the bedroom. Erik and I make love in the most unusual places. You have to keep them guessing or they’ll get bored.”
“Steven and I joined the mile-high club on our way from the Caribbean,” Libby said with a demure smile. “It was amazing. Mmmm!”
Kaya blushed. She didn’t know sweet Libby who sang in the church choir was so wanton. Seemed as if everybody in Granite Falls was having wild sex—except her and Bryce.
“I think we’re overloading her.” Libby waved a hand in front of Kaya’s face.
“It’s a bit overwhelming, but honestly, I’m just tired.” She’d been cooking all day.
Michelle glanced at the clock on fridge. “It is late, and I do have that book signing in Manchester tomorrow.” She hugged Kaya. “Tonight was awesome, Kaya, and I look forward to the next time when I can sample another delicious meal from your kitchen. Where did you learn to cook like that, anyway?”
“One of my…” Kaya let her voice trail off. Nobody in Granite Falls knew anything about her. If she told Michelle and Libby that one of her foster mothers had taught her to cook, they would start asking a lot of questions she wasn’t ready to answer. “A family friend taught me. She was a caterer. Mrs. Hayes reminded me of her,” she said with an affectionate smile.
“Well, we thank her,” Libby said. “I think I put on ten pounds tonight.” She patted her flat belly. “Five from that chocolate cake alone.”
“I’m eating for two. So bring it on.” Michelle rubbed her protruding stomach. “We have to get together more often without the men. Plan some play dates for the kids and some for us to take off in the company jets for a day. Have you been to the country club yet?” she asked as they walked toward the front door.
“No. I’ve been too busy with the kids.”
“There’s a masseuse there who gives the best massages in the world. I’ll call you tomorrow and try to set up an appointment. You could probably use one after today.”
“I like that idea.” Kaya hugged and kissed her friends goodbye.
After their limos whisked them away, she realized that she was more scared now than she was before they came. She had no idea how to begin planning a seduction, but if what Michelle and Libby said were true, she would have to make the next move. She wanted her marriage to work, but what if she messed it up even more?
Disappointing Bryce in the bedroom posed a far greater threat to their marriage than not making love with him at all.
Maybe she should just let sleeping dogs lie.
* * *
Some time during the night, Kaya awakened to the sound of a deep-throated moan. Thinking it was Alyssa having a bad dream again, she turned to wake her up, but her hand landed on a ball of warm fur, instead.
Webster. Like Alyssa, he had the habit of crawling into her bed at nights. Everybody but Bryce seemed to want to share her bed. Well, to be fair, she’d told him he wasn’t welcome in it.
It took a few moments to gather her thoughts. The children were at the LaCrosse’s. She was alone in the house. Or was she, she wondered as she heard the moan again. She wasn’t alarmed since L’etoile du Nord was equipped with a state-of-the-art security system that fed into one of Fontaine Enterprises security companies. Innumerable cameras and motion detectors lined the perimeter of the estate. An intruder would have better luck breaking into the White House than this house, Kaya thought, springing off the bed and across th
e floor to the open door.
If a man was groaning in her house tonight, she knew it had to be her husband. A tender smile spread her lips at the thought that Bryce cared enough about her not to leave her alone in this big house—drunk as he was.
“No…” The cry came from the third-floor master suite.
Half in anticipation, half in dread, Kaya raced down the corridor, bypassed the glass elevator, dashed through the family room, and flew up the flight of stairs to the third floor. She stood in the unfurnished living area of the master suite, and cocked her ears.
She heard it again—louder and more intense. It broke her heart. Kaya dashed off into the direction of the bedroom, and opened the door. There was no need to turn on the light. The glow from the fireplace illuminated the massive form of a man thrashing about wildly on an air mattress on the floor.
Kaya rushed to his side. “Bryce.” His flannel shirt was soaked through with sweat and his body was trembling violently. “Bryce,” she called again. She leaned over to tap him on his shoulder when he turned and knocked her off balance.
She landed on a massive wall of hard muscles. Steel arms wrapped about her, pressing her cheeks into the damp mat of hair exposed by the unfastened buttons of his shirt. Too stunned to move, Kaya willed her thumping heart to settle down, even as his drummed loudly beneath her ears.
He stopped thrashing, and the groans turned into an inaudible mutter. Realizing he was still somewhere on the threshold of sleep and wake, Kaya tried to ease out of his grasp. But he shifted on his side, bringing her with him.
She wriggled her nose and frowned. He didn’t smell like a man who’d spent the night drinking with his friends. He smelled fresh and clean, and his breath held a hint of mint. Kaya smiled. He must have borrowed her toothpaste. The children’s was strawberry flavored, and she knew Bryce would not have gone into Haley’s room.
She was his wife and even though they had not consummated their marriage, he still had certain spousal privileges. Having the right to enter her bedroom while she was asleep was one of them. She wondered if he’d stood by her bed and watched her sleep.