The Blackmailed Bridegroom

by Miranda Lee

  ‘In a word? No!’

  ‘Believe me, then,’ he stated firmly as the lights turned green and the Jag roared off, heading towards the bridge.

  Paige settled into a brooding silence in the passenger seat, angry at being rattled so easily by this declaration. But it had sounded so genuine!

  He had to be just flattering her, surely. If he’d always found her so darned attractive, why hadn’t he asked her out during any one of her many visits home? His excuse over her tender age had no longer held water then!

  She felt Antonio’s eyes flick her way as they slowed on their approach to the bridge toll, but she kept her own eyes steadfastly on the road ahead.

  ‘Do you still have that red dress?’ he asked. ‘The one you wore to last year’s Christmas party?’

  ‘What?’ Her head whipped round in shock. ‘No…no, I don’t,’ she said sharply.

  The irony of it was she’d thrown it in the gardener’s incinerator the following morning, and watched with a perverse satisfaction while it went up in smoke.

  Recalling the incident brought some understanding of what Jed had done. There was something darkly cathartic about burning something which shouted failure at you.

  ‘That’s a shame,’ Antonio said, and leant out to plop a coin in the automatic pay basket.

  Her eyes followed, their expression a mixture of curiosity and cynicism. ‘Oh? And why’s that? It’s hardly a suitable outfit for an interview, either.’

  He didn’t look at her while the electric window slid back up into place and the car moved off again, his attention returning to the road ahead. ‘I was thinking you could wear it when I take you to dinner tonight,’ he said casually.

  Paige had to admire his persistence. But not his presumption. Or his arrogance. ‘You’ll have to be disappointed, then, won’t you? I—’

  ‘No matter,’ he broke in, before she could tell him where he could stick his invitation to dinner. ‘Wear one of those other little numbers you used to tease the hell out of me with. I distinctly recall a sparkly gold one, which had no back, a microscopic skirt and a halter neckline held together by the most devious, decadent little bow a designer ever created. I used to wonder what would happen if I came up behind you and tugged loose one of those teeny-tiny ties.’

  Astonishment that he should recall any of those dresses, let alone one in such detail, sent Paige into a spin.

  ‘So what would have happened?’ he murmured, and slid those sexy black eyes over to her own startled gaze. ‘Or should I just continue to let such a scene live on in my fantasies?’

  Paige was totally speechless.

  ‘I’ve embarrassed you,’ he said. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to.’

  ‘No it’s all right,’ Paige hastened to assure him. ‘I’m just surprised, that’s all. To be honest, I’m surprised about a lot of things tonight.’

  You’re not the only one, honey, Antonio thought savagely to himself. What had begun as Conrad’s blackmailing bargain this morning had somehow developed into a personal challenge. He no longer cared about being blackmailed into marrying Paige. All he cared about was winning!

  Antonio had always been a bit like a dog with a bone whenever someone told him he couldn’t do something, or have something. It was a sure way to increase his determination to succeed at whatever project he had in mind, whether it be a business contract or, as in this case, a woman.

  And Conrad’s daughter was finally and definitely a woman. Quite an impressive woman, really, Antonio had to concede, with a surprisingly strong mind of her own.

  He had underestimated her.

  As had her father.

  But he didn’t underestimate her any longer. He understood her a lot better now as well. He appreciated the way her mind worked, not to mention her body.

  That was the key to success where Paige was concerned, Antonio believed. That beautiful body of hers, and its uncontrollable cravings.

  He’d seen the way she’d looked at him while he dressed, seen the intensity of her desire smoke up her eyes.

  He didn’t know if it was him she wanted so much, or simply sex. All he knew was it was a pretty powerful need which had propelled her into his arms tonight, not once, but twice. He’d always suspected she was a hot little number. He just hadn’t realised how hot.

  If only he could get her alone with him again. Not for a night here and there, but for a considerable chunk of time. Several days and nights. Then she wouldn’t be fobbing him off as she had that inadequate idiot, Waltham!

  An idea came to Antonio, plus what he hoped was the right approach. At least he didn’t have to lie. Or tell her he loved her.

  ‘I don’t know about you, Paige,’ he said softly, ‘but I thought tonight was pretty incredible. I can honestly say that I’ve never felt like that with any other woman in my life.’

  Oh, damn, there it was again! That look! That totally vulnerable, frighteningly fearful, sweetly adoring look! Lord, but it tugged at his heartstrings.

  The trouble was, his heartstrings didn’t lead to a heart. He didn’t have a heart. Didn’t she know that yet?

  He preferred Paige when she was tough, and just a touch cynical. He also preferred her naked and moaning. He definitely preferred her not doing anything to make him feel like a heel!

  Paige tried not to react to such an outrageous statement, but it was impossible to stop that flood of fresh yet probably futile hope.

  Because he could not mean it, surely. She couldn’t have been that special to him, not Antonio, with all his other women.

  Big blue eyes searched his darkly handsome face for any sign of sincerity, but only his mouth was smiling. His beautiful black eyes were, if anything, almost cold.

  Her heart sank at the reality behind his words. He was just trying to con her back into his bed. Her own eyes grew cold and her laugh was dry. ‘More special than the woman you were with at last year’s Christmas party?’ she scorned lightly. ‘The one you were practically ravishing on the terrace?’

  She watched his startled expression with a degree of vengeful satisfaction. ‘Come now, Antonio,’ she flung at him, ‘I’ve heard all those lines before. You’ll have to come up with something better than that if you want to go out with me again.’

  Like, I love you, Paige, and I want to marry you!

  ‘Actually, I’ve decided I don’t want to go out with you again,’ he returned coolly, and Paige’s heart lurched.

  ‘I want you to go away with me,’ he added, and she stopped breathing altogether.

  ‘I’ve rented this houseboat on the Hawkesbury River for ten days,’ he went on, while her head whirled. ‘I pick it up at Brooklyn this Wednesday. My plan was to just cruise around, fish, sunbake, read, listen to music. I always need to relax after a few months in that rat-race over in Europe. I was going to go alone…till tonight. Now, I suspect my mind won’t rest for thinking about you. As for my body…it hasn’t got a chance in Hades of resting, let alone relaxing. It will be suffering an agony of eternal frustration…’

  His eyes lanced her with a look which was anything but cold this time. It smouldered and burned its way into every pore in her body, igniting her once more with longing for him.

  ‘I’m not going to make false promises, Paige,’ he continued, while she tried not to gape, ‘but I too am reaching a stage—and an age—when I’m looking for someone steady in my life. So if you meant what you said about wanting commitment, if you still feel anything for me at all…then come away with me…

  ‘Please.’

  Was it that fervent please which swayed her? Or had she been a goner from the moment he’d looked at her as if she was everything he desired in this world?

  Whatever, how could she pass up a chance to make her dreams come true, even if it was only a slim chance? Paige wasn’t a complete fool. After her experience with Jed, she knew some men would say and do anything sometimes to get a girl into bed.

  And to keep her there.

  ‘If I come with you,’ she said, �
�what will I tell my father?’

  ‘Is that a yes?’

  She tried to keep her face nonchalant, knowing men responded better to uncertainty, strange, perverse creatures that they were. ‘I guess so. As I said earlier tonight, I’ve always fancied you. I suspect you could make me fall in love with you, if I gave you the chance,’ she added with considerable irony. ‘But I’m not making any false promises, either, Antonio. I want more from a relationship than just great sex.’

  ‘But of course,’ he replied smoothly. ‘As for what your father will say, when have you ever cared about what he thought? Still, if you’re worried, don’t tell him. Just leave with me on Wednesday while he’s at work, and leave a note behind, saying you’re going away with a friend for a brief holiday. That way, he won’t have to know about us, unless something comes of all this.’

  ‘But what if something does? A relationship with me might affect your position in the company. Have you thought of that?’

  Clearly he hadn’t, by the shocked look on his face.

  ‘I’m not sure how or why that would be.’

  Paige wished she hadn’t brought the subject up now. It might give Antonio second thoughts. But surely he must know how ruthless her father could be sometimes.

  ‘You saw how he was tonight,’ she pointed out unhappily. ‘He wasn’t too thrilled with our going out together. He also might be very annoyed if he thinks we’ve deceived him. You should know better than anyone that my father is not a man who likes to be crossed. He might take it into his head to fire you, or something horrible like that!’

  Antonio’s frown cleared, and he slanted her a reassuring smile. ‘Don’t you worry your pretty little head about my position in the company. I can guarantee your father won’t fire me over any relationship I might have with you. In fact I think he’d be pleased as punch to see you with a man who wants more from you than the obvious.’

  Her stomach contracted. ‘Do you really want more from me than that, Antonio?’

  ‘You have no idea how much more, darling Paige,’ he murmured, those sexy black eyes of his flicking over her once more.

  Her eyes widened while her heart flip-flopped.

  Well, how could she have any idea? All this was as unexpected as it was beguiling.

  Wednesday suddenly seemed an eternity away.

  ‘Do…do you still want to take me to dinner tonight?’ she asked breathlessly.

  He didn’t answer for a few seconds. Perhaps it was the tricky intersection they were going through at the time, but Paige suspected it wasn’t traffic on his mind.

  ‘I think,’ he said finally, ‘since you’re so worried about your father’s reaction…we might give dinner tonight a miss.’

  ‘Oh…’ She could not keep the disappointment out of her voice, or her face.

  ‘Yes, I feel the same, believe me. But the waiting will make our time together all the better. Be ready for me at nine Wednesday morning.’

  His words evoked the perturbingly erotic thought that she would always be ready for him.

  ‘Don’t forget,’ she said thickly, ‘I…I don’t have much in the way of clothes.’

  ‘You won’t need much. Those casual things you mentioned you had at home should do. The weather forecast is for warm sunny weather for the next few days, but bring your jeans and jacket just in case it turns nasty. What you’re wearing would be perfect if we stop off for dinner any night at some riverside restaurant.’

  Paige’s mind went to that gold lamé dress Antonio seemed to remember so well. Would she dare wear that for him one night? And if she did…what would he do?

  Exactly the same as he’s planning on doing to you every night, darling, came a decidedly cynical voice. That’s what this little boat trip is basically all about. Sex. Sex. And more sex. That line about his reaching an age where he’s looking for commitment is probably nothing more than exactly that. A line.

  And you fell for it, didn’t you, you fool.

  But it was too late now. She’d said yes. And, if she were honest, wild horses would not stop her going off with Antonio this Wednesday. Her earlier resolve not to ever be alone with him again had been swept away by the slimmest of hopes, and the strongest of desires. The truth was the thought of having him all to herself for ten days in the privacy of a houseboat was just too exciting to resist.

  And, who knew? Maybe something would come of it.

  Maybe.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ANTONIO’S bedside phone rang at seven the following morning. It persisted, despite his attempts to ignore it. Only one person, he finally accepted, would be so rude, or so persistent.

  He snatched up the receiver and put it to his ear. ‘Conrad,’ he said firmly, ‘I’m on holiday.’

  ‘Only in a manner of speaking,’ his boss replied wryly. ‘So what happened last night? Evelyn tells me Paige got in very late.’

  Antonio bristled. ‘Is that one of your housekeeper’s duties? Spying for you?’

  ‘She’s an employee.’

  ‘Which means she’s expected to do your bidding, regardless,’ he said sarcastically.

  ‘She’s a naturally observant woman.’

  Antonio thought of the atmosphere between Paige and the housekeeper last night and found himself very much on Paige’s side.

  ‘Was it Evelyn who told Lew about the incident with Paige by the pool all those years ago?’ he asked.

  ‘I would imagine so. But what in hell has that got to do with anything?’ Conrad snapped. ‘I rang up to find out about here and now, not past history. Did you or did you not make love to my daughter last night? Is she or is she not going to marry you?’

  ‘I have no intention of answering either of those questions, Conrad. Do you ask for a blow by blow description of how I go about getting you the best deals for your programmes?’

  ‘Of course not. I know how competent you are at everything you do. I trust you implicitly.’

  ‘Then trust me in this regard. Believe me, when Paige actually agrees to marry me you’ll be the first to know.’

  ‘You sound pretty confident she will.’

  Antonio was hopeful, but not arrogantly smug. It would be dangerous to presume she was a sure thing. Paige was a far more complex creature than he’d ever imagined.

  And far more intriguing.

  Frankly, he could not wait for Wednesday to come.

  ‘She’s coming away with me tomorrow for a holiday together,’ he said a little testily. ‘Is that good enough for you?’

  ‘Good God, but you’re a fast worker! A holiday together, eh? Where?’

  ‘That’s my secret.’

  ‘You like to play a close hand, don’t you, Antonio?’

  ‘I like to run my own race, Conrad. And I don’t like being blackmailed.’

  ‘I’ll bet you liked it well enough last night,’ his boss chuckled, and suddenly Antonio hated the man.

  ‘That’s my private and personal business,’ he said frostily. ‘Which reminds me. I don’t want you making any leading remarks about last night to Paige. Or asking her any awkward questions about me. Ironically, your daughter is worried for my career if we become involved. After your disapproving father act last night, she thought you wouldn’t like the idea of our having a relationship.’

  ‘I told you my opposition would work in your favour. Obviously it did.’

  ‘I have no idea if it did or it didn’t. I only know that I don’t want Paige upset.’

  ‘My God, you really care about her, don’t you?’

  Antonio almost laughed. Men like Conrad had no conception of what real caring was all about. Real caring was not what he was doing with Paige. Though, to be honest, he liked her a darned sight more than her father.

  ‘I’m simply looking after my best interests, Conrad,’ he refuted. ‘A distressed Paige is not going to make for an amenable companion.’

  ‘Mum’s the word, then, my boy.’

  ‘I’m not your boy, Conrad.’

  ‘You’re right. Yo
u’re not. You’ve always been your own man, Antonio, and I admire that about you. That’s why you were my first choice for a son-in-law.’

  ‘Really? Well, with Brock Masters as my understudy, you’d better damned well hope I’m successful!’

  ‘I’m confident you will be.’

  ‘Whether I am or not is entirely in Paige’s hands.’

  ‘I doubt that, Antonio. I would think it’s very much in your hands.’ And he hung up.

  Antonio felt a moment of sheer fury and frustration before slamming the receiver down as well.

  Only then did Evelyn quietly replace her extension, a nasty little smile on her face.

  Paige was still sound asleep at eight, when Evelyn went into her room with a breakfast tray. The housekeeper looked down at the girl’s exquisitely beautiful profile and felt a jab of jealousy so violent that she was momentarily consumed with the urge to tip the whole tray over her lovely face.

  But she kept her temper, and lowered the tray carefully onto the dressing table.

  She’d always hated the girl. Hated the beauty she took for granted and the inherited wealth she scorned. Evelyn especially hated the fact Paige didn’t seem to care about either of those things.

  But the girl cared about Antonio.

  Oh, yes…she cared about Antonio very much indeed. She would be devastated when she learnt Antonio had married her not out of love but out of ambition.

  And the silly little fool would agree to marry him. It was as sure as night followed day. She wouldn’t be able to resist her handsome hero. Antonio would be slipping a wedding ring on her finger in no time flat, and walking away as the CEO of Fortune Productions.

  And Evelyn would be there, waiting in the wings, waiting for just the right moment to let the beautiful bride know exactly why her sexy Italian husband had married her.

  It would be after the wedding, of course. No way would she be telling Paige before the big event. Evelyn wanted Antonio to get what he deserved before she set her cat among the pigeons. He was one of her kind, was Antonio. Born poor, and having to struggle to get somewhere in life, having to work hard and put up with bastards like Conrad blackmailing him.