High Stakes

by Cheryl Douglas

  Liam was getting sick and tired of hearing that guy’s name, especially now that he knew he was the one thing standing between him and the woman he wanted to make his wife. “I can’t make this decision for you, Alisa. Either you want me or you don’t. It’s as simple as that.”

  “I do want you.”

  The concierge appeared at the doorway with a document in his hand. “Sir, if your bride would sign this, the officiant is on his way down to marry you.”

  Liam raised an eyebrow at Alisa. “Looks like this is the moment of truth. What’s it gonna be?”

  Alisa beckoned to the man standing in the doorway. “I’ll sign that if you have a pen.”

  “Of course, ma’am.” He walked toward her, pen in hand. “If you could just fill out the remaining information and provide us with a piece of identification.”

  Alisa reached into her handbag and produced her driver’s license as she scribbled her signature on the piece of paper Liam had signed earlier.

  His gut was telling him to put an end to this now, before it went any further, but his heart was telling him to make her his before she changed her mind.

  The middle-aged man turned his attention to Liam. “Sir, is there someone specific you’d like have as your witness?”

  “The gentleman who was here earlier. John.”

  “Of course, I’ll call for him right away.” He smiled. “Congratulations to both of you. I wish you the best of luck.”

  Liam had a feeling they would need it. How was he going to explain to his daughter that she had a new stepmother she’d never met, or make his brother and mother understand why he’d felt compelled to marry a stranger without benefit of a prenuptial agreement?

  Alisa looked up at him, her smile slipping. “Uh-oh, looks like I’m not the only one having a hard time believing we’re actually doing this.”

  He wanted to reassure her, but the words wouldn’t come until John walked into the room and smiled at them both. Liam offered Alisa his hand and pulled her into his arms. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

  She laid her hand over his heart. “I’m glad to hear you say that. I was afraid I might be the one left at the altar.” She rested her head against his chest and he brushed her hair away from her face.

  Liam thought of the drinks she’d had earlier. “Are you sure you’re okay to do this?”

  “I have a surprisingly high tolerance for alcohol.” She tipped her head back to look at him. “I must get that from my daddy.”

  Liam winced at the mention of her father. Trey Turner would be out for blood when he heard about this. Rightfully so. He’d just have to tell his future father-in-law what he already knew to be true. He loved his daughter, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life making her happy.

  “I wish you both the best of luck,” John said, coming forward to extend his hand to the bride and groom.

  Alisa laughed nervously. “Thanks, I’m gonna need it when my father hears about this.”

  John chuckled. “No one could have been angrier than my father-in-law when he found out about what me and his little girl had done. But we stayed strong, just like you and Mr. Bryson will, I’m sure.”

  Liam faced adversaries in business every day, he was used to standing his ground, but he didn’t want his impulsive decision to impact Alisa’s relationship with her family. That wasn’t fair to her. “Honey, maybe we need to think about this, talk to your family first.”

  Before she could respond, a white-haired gentleman entered the room. “Well, this is a nice surprise.” He extended his hand to Liam. “Mr. Bryson, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  The ramifications of his decision began to hit Liam as he reached for the other man’s hand. He was marrying a woman he barely knew, risking half of the fortune it had taken him a lifetime to build. His employees were probably posting about his impending nuptials online right now, and before long, his little girl, along with the rest of the world, would know before he had a chance to tell her himself.

  “Thank you…” He faltered, something he rarely did. “I hope we didn’t wake you.”

  “No, just settling in for the night. If you’re ready, we can begin?”

  Liam glanced at Alisa. She looked as nervous as he felt. “Um, I guess we are?”

  She nodded as she moved slowly to stand in front of the fireplace. “Ready when you are.”

  He leaned in to whisper in her ear. “We don’t have to do this, sweetheart. If you’re having any doubts, now would be the time to say so.”

  “You were right when you said sometimes you just need to follow your heart. That’s what I’m willing to do, for once. If this is a mistake, we’ll figure it out soon enough.”

  Liam felt sick when he realized her mistake may cost her pride, but his could cost him a few hundred million dollars. But he was in too deep to back out now. “We’re ready to begin,” he said quietly.

  He held Alisa’s hands and stared into her eyes, but the reverend’s words filtered in and out of his consciousness as he tried to figure out what made him think this was good idea. He should have let her go back to Nashville. By Monday morning, he would have been back in his office, putting out fires, closing deals, and… thinking about her. That’s why he did this, because he knew the memory of her would haunt him if he didn’t find a way to pursue this relationship. This may be the most extreme option, but it was the only way he could think of to ensure she gave this a chance, to figure out whether their feelings were real.

  “Do you, Liam Bryson, take Alisa Turner to be your lawfully wedded wife…”

  Liam closed his eyes. He never thought he’d hear those words, never expected to love someone enough to promise to love and care for them for the rest of their days. To put her first, above all else. Could he really do this?

  “Until death do you part?”

  “I do.” He was surprised by the conviction in his voice. The casual observer would think he’d had years to plan and prepare for this moment, instead of hours.

  He waited, holding his breath, half-expecting Alisa to bail on him at the last moment, but when she quietly uttered those two magic words, a peace settled over him. They were really doing this. She was really taking this crazy leap of faith with him.

  When the reverend asked for the rings, Liam produced the platinum and diamond bands he’d selected from the same jewelry store where he’d bought Alisa’s engagement ring.

  She slid the heavy platinum band on his left hand and looked up at him. She smiled, a breathtaking smile that eased the tightness in his chest and reassured him that everything was going to be fine, as long as they stayed true to each other.

  “You may kiss your bride.”

  He framed her face with his hands as his lips descended on hers. He felt the same familiar lick of fire she’d ignited earlier, and the only thought running through his mind was how long it would take for him to get her upstairs.

  When they finally broke apart, the room was eerily empty and quiet. “Do you want a glass of champagne?”

  She pressed her hand to her stomach. “I better not. I think I’ve had enough as it is.”

  He looked at her closely. Her eyes were glazed, he assumed from the kiss they’d shared, but he wondered with sickening dread whether the alcohol was a factor in her decision to marry him tonight. Would she hate him in the morning for taking advantage of her inebriated state to coerce her into making a commitment for which she wasn’t ready?

  “Are you feeling okay, sweetheart? Do you need to sit down?”

  She looped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. “No, I need to lie down… with you.”

  He heard the slight slur to her words and it hit him like a fist to the gut. Why hadn’t he heard it earlier? Had he been too caught up in his own uncertainty to question her state of mind? “Let’s get you upstairs.” He led her to the bank of elevators, a steadying arm around her waist. She was wearing sky-high heels and he wanted to attribute the slight wobble
in her step to her shoes, but he feared there might be more to it than that.

  As soon as they entered his suite, she kicked her shoes off and reached for the zipper running down the length of her tight, black, strapless dress. “This is what I’ve been waiting for.”

  If she woke him in the morning, regretting her decision, it would be easier to annul the marriage if they hadn’t consummated it. He should wait until she was stone-cold sober before taking her to bed, but as she peeled her dress off and stepped out of it to reveal a silky, red strapless bra and matching thong, he couldn’t help but reach for her.

  “You are so beautiful,” he whispered.

  “I want you to make love to me.”

  “Alisa, sweetheart…”

  “Please, don’t say no. I need you.”

  Liam cursed himself for being so weak when he picked her up and carried her over to the bed. He stood back to admire her as he took his suit off. “I never thought it would happen for me, especially not this quickly… I didn’t even think it was possible…” He knew he wasn’t making any sense, but none of this made sense. Would he feel the same way with thousands of miles between them or was it the intensity of her scent wrapping around him, her curves filling his hands that made him believe he was in love with this woman? He knew only time would tell the story.

  “The second I saw you,” she said, lifting her hair so it fanned out around her head, “I knew you were different. The way you made me feel…” She braced her foot on his bare chest. “It was so… intense.”

  Liam reached into the pocket of his pants to retrieve the protection he’d stowed there earlier and caught sight of the heavy band decorating his hand. It fit perfectly, as did hers, as though they’d been made for them. He never thought he’d be the type of man to wear a wedding ring, if his day ever came, but he knew he’d never take it off. Unless… No, he wouldn’t allow himself to go there tonight. Morning would come soon enough, and it would shed light on their decision. Tonight he wanted to live in this cocoon, where anything was possible and meddling families weren’t a factor.

  He braced his body over hers and trailed his tongue over the sweet crevices that made her arch into his touch. He loved how responsive she was, how she reached for him when he would have given her space. His mouth traveled over her body, from the dip in her collarbone to the flaming bud of arousal beckoning to him between her silky legs.

  He loved her with his mouth, giving everything he had to give, stroking her with his tongue until she reached heights she’d never seen before.

  “Liam…”

  His name was a sob and a plea on her lips as he allowed her to slowly descend the peak and regain her equilibrium. Her legs were still trembling from the force of her release as he sheathed himself and positioned his body above hers. He smiled at her. “You okay, sweetheart?”

  She covered her eyes with one hand and laughed. Her chest was still rising and falling with each breath she forced into her lungs. “I don’t know.”

  He leaned in to kiss her slowly, worshipping her mouth as he sought to show her without words that he would always put her needs above his own. “Take as much time as you need, angel. I’m not going anywhere.”

  She threaded her hands through his hair. “I want you. Now.”

  Those were the most gratifying words he’d ever heard as he slowly, gently, claimed her body. He closed his eyes, trying to resist his body’s compelling urge to dictate the pace of their lovemaking. He wanted to savor every second of this, to make it last forever.

  “Look at me,” she whispered. “Since the first second I saw you, I imagined what this would be like. To see you held hostage by your desire for me. Don’t hold back. Please, I need to see that side of you. Just let go.”

  Her softly spoken words gave him the freedom to ease the ache that had plagued him since the airplane. As he thrust into her, harder, faster, deeper, the only thought on his mind was, God, this woman was made for me. She’s the one. The woman I’ve been waiting my whole life for.

  “Yes…” she whispered, tightening her grasp on him. “Oh God, yes…” She tipped her head as she pierced his back with her nails. “Don’t stop.”

  As he felt her throbbing around him, he knew he never wanted to stop. He never wanted this feeling of wild abandon to end. When he was in bed with her, he wasn’t a single dad or a hotel tycoon or some woman’s meal ticket. He was Alisa’s husband, her lover, and that’s who he wanted to be every day from now on… her husband.

  The force of his release moved through him, claiming all rational thought about who he was or where they were going. The only thing that mattered was here, now, and giving her everything he had to give.

  He rolled off of her and pulled her into his arms. “You’re incredible.”

  She giggled. “I think that’s supposed to be my line.”

  He wanted to tell her he loved her, the words were right there, on the tip of his tongue, but the soft cadence of her breathing told him she was starting to drift off. He waited a few minutes before he eased his body out from under her and made his way to the bathroom.

  After he disposed of the condom, he leaned over the sink. He didn’t know what he expected to see in the face staring back at him… fear… concern… uncertainty? But the grin he couldn’t wipe off his face told him everything he needed to know; he’d made the best decision of his life tonight.

  Chapter Nine

  Alisa moaned as she pulled the pillow over her head. A headache was too mild to describe the relentless pounding in her head, making her neck and eyes ache. Everything hurt. Well, not everything. Some parts of her anatomy hummed, and it didn’t take long to figure out why when she felt the gentle pressure of his arousal against her back.

  Oh God. What had she done? She glanced at her left hand, praying it was all a bad dream, but the boulder weighing down her ring finger told her she’d really been stupid enough to marry a man she just met.

  “Mmmmm.” He moaned softly in her ear, pulling her closer, if that was humanly possible. “I could get used to this… waking up with you in my arms.”

  Alisa squeezed her eyes shut. How was she going to tell him she wanted out? Out of this marriage, out of his hotel, out of this state… Hell, maybe she’d just go into hiding, so her new husband, overprotective father, and delusional ex-fiancé would have no choice but to leave her alone.

  “You hungry?”

  Uh, just the thought of food made her want to throw up. “No, but I’d kill for an aspirin.”

  He chuckled. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”

  So he knew she’d had half a dozen too many and he still thought she was able to make sound decisions that would potentially affect the rest of her life? Men. They really were clueless at times.

  “I think I have some in the bathroom. Let me check.”

  She peeked her head out from under the covers and watched him walk across the room. She couldn’t suppress the tiny sigh that escaped her lips. Lena was right; the man was gorgeous. Yet he’d waited forty-four years to get married, in spite of the fact he had a child with another woman. There must be something wrong with him, something he’d kept hidden from her last night.

  He was probably abrasive, cold, domineering, a workaholic, messy… but when he treated her to that slow, sexy grin, she realized she could forgive almost any sin… almost. At least he had the decency to return from the bathroom wearing a robe. It made him marginally more resistible.

  “What time is it?” she whispered, taking the two pills and bottle of water he handed her.

  He glanced at his watch. “Seven thirty.”

  “Oh God, I have a meeting with that designer in an hour and a half. I have to pull myself together.”

  “Maybe she could meet you here? At least that would buy you a little more time.” He opened the leather-bound room service menu and glanced at the offerings. “You’re welcome to use one of the conference rooms.”

  “Thanks, but my flight’s scheduled to leave right after our meet
ing, and her studio is only ten minutes from the airport.”

  He tossed the menu on a nearby table and turned his attention to her. “You’re not seriously thinking about leaving this morning, are you? We need to talk, Alisa. To figure out where we go from here.”

  She knew where she was going… home to contact her lawyer. But how was she going to tell him that without offending him, especially when her brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders? She rubbed her eyes with the heels of her palms and prayed the pain reliever would take effect soon so she could get her butt in gear and make that meeting on time and, more importantly, make her flight.

  “I’ve got a lot going on with the store right now, Liam. Shipments are coming in. Displays are being set up. The merchandiser is going to be there later to go over the layout. I have someone coming to dress the windows. Not to mention the launch party I have planned for next weekend. The party planner needs to meet me to go over the details later today so we can finalize the menu.” She sighed at his look of disappointment. Apparently, even wealthy hotel tycoons reserved the right to act like spoiled little boys when they didn’t get their own way.

  “I understand you’re busy; so am I. But don’t you think our marriage has to take precedence right now? No doubt it’s been all over the news and Internet by now. The press will want a statement.”

  She covered her face with her hands. Her parents. Oh God, what was her father going to say when he heard about her impromptu wedding to a gazillionaire twenty years her senior? A man with a teenage daughter, for the love of God. “What if my father pulls my funding because of this? I have suppliers and contractors who need to get paid. What am I going to do?”

  Liam smiled as he sat down on the edge of the bed and slid his hand up and down her bare leg. “Relax, sweetheart, money’s the least of your worries. I’d be happy to fund your project.”

  Alisa pulled the sheet up, trying to maintain some sense of modesty, which she knew was ridiculous under the circumstances. “It’s not a project,” she said through gritted teeth. “It’s a business. And I don’t need your money. Even if my father disowns me, my grandparents won’t. They know how much this business means to me.”