Billionaire Games Boxed Set (The Marriage Bargain, The Marriage Caper, The Marriage Fix)

by Edwards, Sandra

  Andre stepped up beside her. “Denise says,” he said of the realtor, “there’s a terrace just beyond the lawn on the way down to the beach. She says it’s just a few steps down to get to it. Want to take a look?”

  Tasha glanced at Andre. “Sure.” She pushed off the doorway and kicked her shoes off before stepping onto the soft, supple grass.

  Andre reached for her hand. They strolled together toward a wooden walkway that dropped down a few steps to the terrace, then twisted and turned all the way down to the Pacific.

  Cozy beige and tan chairs circled a round table on the patio. Andre waited until Tasha sat, then he did the same.

  “God, it’s beautiful here,” she said, her eyes still glued to the Pacific. A slight hint of salt wafted in on the sea air.

  “That it is.”

  Tasha could feel his eyes on her. She pulled her gaze away from the ocean to look at him. The wind tousled his dark hair about his face. Even though Andre was smiling, his blue eyes weren’t successful in shielding the torment hiding behind them. He hadn’t said much about the baby since he’d discovered the pregnancy test stick in the bathroom yesterday.

  She knew he wasn’t keen on marriage. Until recently she hadn’t been a fan of it herself. But now, with a baby on the way, her opinion was changing. She wanted the baby, but she also wanted Andre to raise it with her.

  “So…will you be selling the house?” she asked.

  “To Papa and Claudette’s dismay…” He shook his head. “Unfortunately not. With the current state of the economy, the market is just too unstable. Lecie would lose millions on the deal. Papa and Claudette aren’t going to like it, but I’m going to recommend that Lecie retain ownership for now.”

  “I don’t get it.” Tasha twisted sideways in the chair to face Andre. “If they don’t want her to have this property, why’d they buy it for her in the first place?”

  “Oh, they didn’t. My sister inherited it from my lately deceased uncle, Edouard Renault.”

  “Something Maurice can’t control.” Tasha chuckled. “I’ll bet that’s driving him mad.”

  “More than you can imagine.” Andre shrugged a little, then his whole demeanor changed, growing serious. “Have you given any more thought to what you want to do? About the baby?”

  “I know this is crazy, but I want to keep it.” She waited until his gaze came back around to meet hers again. “You’re welcome to as little or as much involvement as you want. No pressure.”

  Andre sucked in a breath, then said, “How do you feel about me?”

  “Huh?”

  “It’s a simple question. Do you have feelings for me?” While Andre waited for her answer, sensuous thoughts of them played in her head. He must have seen the mischievous smile that touched her lips because he followed his inquiry with, “I don’t mean like that.” He hesitated, then added, “Do you love me?”

  Her head began nodding before she said, “Yes.” And that, she realized, was why she couldn’t consider aborting their child. “Of course, you know I do. If I don’t say it enough…I love you, Andre.”

  He leaned toward her and wrapped his hands around hers. “I’m glad you said that because you know I feel the same way. I love you.” He hesitated again, squeezing her hands this time. “Why don’t we get married?”

  “Married?” Seriously?

  “Sure, why not? We love each other. We should get married and give our child a proper family.”

  “A baby isn’t a good enough reason to get married.”

  “Sure it is, if the parents love each other.” His eye contact with her was powerful, even more intense than when they were making love. It was a look that turned her inside out and made her want to say, yes.

  The need to cry, born from somewhere deep down in her gut, clawed its way up her chest and into her throat. She inhaled sharply, trying to crush it.

  “Tasha…” Andre continued his bid to win her over. “All the baby does is prompt me to do what I should’ve done a long time ago.” And then he did it. Andre de Laurent went down on one knee. “Marry me. Spend the rest of your life with me and make me the happiest man on Earth.”

  Her voice broke as she said, “Are you sure?”

  Andre stood and pulled her into his arms. “Never more sure of anything in my life.”

  “But what will your family say?”

  “Well, Julian won’t be happy that he wasn’t the one to deliver the first grandchild, but Papa is going to be over the moon. And Claudette…we may have to fight her for that baby.”

  Andre pulled Tasha’s mouth to his and kissed her long and hard and convincing.

  Two days later, Tasha leaned back against the plush couch on the de Laurent jet. Andre and Simon were huddled together on the other side of the cabin near the wet bar. They had to be up to something, but what she couldn’t guess.

  Andre turned toward her with a mischievous grin tipping the corners of his mouth. He looked at her and something in his manner soothed her. She smiled, and he went to her and cuddled up next to her on the couch.

  “So we’re headed to Tahoe, right?” she asked. It had to be Tahoe because that’s where her parents lived.

  “Yes.” Andre caressed her face. “Are you feeling all right?”

  She nodded. “I’m fine.”

  “You’re not nervous about telling your parents?”

  “You’re not?”

  “Of course I’m not.” Andre grinned. “They love me.”

  “That they do.”

  Tasha had taken a page from Camille’s play book, insisting that she and Andre marry before leaving the States. And since they were going to marry before heading to France, she wanted do it in Tahoe, with her parents at her side.

  The way Tasha saw it, Andre didn’t have anything to lose if they got to France and he was talked out of the marriage. If she was going to give up her apartment and quit her job, she wanted some reassurance that when they got to France she wouldn’t be shown the door by the de Laurent faction.

  Not that she thought Andre would do that to her. He’d never do anything to hurt her, not on purpose anyway. But emotions were running high, what with the baby and all.

  Andre was an honorable man. She knew that. She also knew he was trying to do the right thing. In the light of day, Maurice—who might not be as on board with this baby adventure as Andre thought—stood a pretty good chance of talking Andre out of marrying Tasha. It was, after all, something that until now Andre himself hadn’t been in favor of doing with anyone. Ever.

  That’s why Tasha had asked that they marry before leaving America. In her mind, it would be a lot harder to show a wife the door rather than a fiancé.

  “Mon trésor…” Andre fingered her bangs back out of her face. “Why the long face? Are you unhappy?”

  Tasha closed her eyes and shook her head. “Oh, no. I’m very happy.” She opened her eyes back up and looked at him. “I’m just a little nervous.”

  “But why?” Andre fiddled with his tie. “I know you think you’re giving up your dream to marry me and have our baby, but that’s just not true.”

  “My dream?” She narrowed her eyes.

  “You want to be an actress.”

  “Well, yeah…I did.”

  “If you want to be an actress,” he said. “I will make that happen.”

  “I don’t know, Andre.” She dragged her fingers through her hair. “It just doesn’t seem that important anymore.” She shrugged and tilted her head to one side. “People’s dreams can change right along with the circumstances.”

  She supposed that’s what happened to Andre, too. He’d gotten a new dream, just like she had. And that’s why she was on this plane about to head to Tahoe to marry him.

  “There’s something I want to tell you.” His demeanor became quieter, less animated. He reached for her hand and cut his gaze away from her.

  This was starting to sound an awful lot like a confession. And confessions were rarely good. Fear knotted in Tasha’s gut. “If you�
��ve changed your mind,” she said behind jittery nerves, “you’d better talk to the pilot before he takes off.”

  Andre laughed, loud and hearty. “I’m not changing my mind.” He shook his head. “Remember the house we went to see? For my sister?”

  “The one she inherited from your uncle?”

  Andre nodded. “I need to tell you about my inheritance.”

  “Okay…” The word fell off her lips. Tasha wasn’t sure what Andre’s inheritance had to do with her, but considering that his inheritance would someday lead to her own child’s inheritance, she supposed she had a right to the details. Immediately, she felt the need to reiterate her position, and said, “I’ll sign any prenup you want. I know you’ll provide for our child.”

  “The prenup will be fair to both you and our child. But that’s not what this is about.” He paused long enough to catch his breath. “My uncle, or rather my mother’s uncle, Edouard Renault, didn’t have any children. Julian and I were his nearest living relatives.”

  “So he wasn’t a blood relation to Lecie? But he left her a house anyway,” Tasha said. “That’s so cool.”

  “Oh, not just a house. Fifty million to go with it.” In just a few words, Andre’s demeanor had gone from edgy and uncertain to lighthearted and amusing.

  “Fifty million?” The words caught in her throat and she started hyperventilating.

  Andre’s carefree demeanor stepped aside, in favor of a new, take-charge disposition. “Bring us some water, Simon.”

  Without a word, Simon delivered a chilled glass and a bottle of water. Andre took them, thanked Simon, then poured a bit of the water into the glass and handed it to Tasha. “Simon, inform Barkley to prepare for take-off.”

  “Right away, sir.” Simon stepped back, turned and headed through the cabin door.

  “I’m sorry.” Tasha paused to sip the cool water. “Fifty million dollars is way beyond my comprehension.”

  “As my wife, you should get used to it.” He fastened Tasha into her safety belt, then searched for his own.

  “Why? Did you and Julian inherit fifty million too?”

  “Julian did. But I inherited much, much more.” He paused to click his belt in place. “I inherited the bulk of my uncle’s fortune. There’s a conglomerate, Mont Claire Enterprises, which includes Riviera Hotels and Draco Studios among its holdings.”

  Andre looked at Tasha, probably waiting for her to say something, but she couldn’t. She was flabbergasted. She had to say something, though. The last thing she wanted Andre to think was that she couldn’t handle his world. “So…” Her tone was weak, so she cleared her throat before continuing. “I guess I don’t have to worry about whether or not you can take care of me in the style I’m accustomed to.” She capped it off with an uncertain laugh.

  Tasha had never had the luxury of not having to worry about next month’s rent, groceries, and utilities. This was going to be a new experience for her. One she hoped she didn’t muck up too terribly.

  Her wit was one of the things Andre loved about Tasha. Even when she was nervous, she had an innate ability to see humor in most situations.

  She drew in a deep sigh, then said, “Well, I suppose there’s one good thing that can come from this.”

  “And what’s that?” Andre asked, loosening his safety belt now that the airplane had reached its cruising altitude.

  Tasha said with a shrug, “It won’t do Maurice much good to threaten to disinherit you for marrying me.”

  Andre chuckled. “I have a feeling my father’s going to be very happy about this marriage.”

  He could’ve told her the rest, that he had to marry, but why invite trouble? Besides, this was no longer a temporary proposition. He intended to stay married to Tasha. For good. There was no need to make her feel as if he was only marrying her for the money. She was already worried that the baby was the reason they were getting married. He didn’t need to add to her anxiety. Too much might scare her away, or worse yet, harm the baby. Now there was much more at stake than money. Andre couldn’t bear the thought of losing Tasha and their child because of some stupid will. No, it was better for all concerned that he kept that part of the stipulation to himself.

  Andre was determined not to do anything else that might upset Tasha in her delicate state.

  The jet was small enough to land at the airport in Tahoe, which saved them a long limo ride from Reno.

  Tasha had to hand it to Andre, the man knew how to get things done, and in style. When they landed at the small airport on the California side, a car was waiting to take them across the state line into Nevada—where their American wedding would take place.

  Andre had reserved a suite at the Shoreline Hotel and Casino. The rooms were small—by Andre’s standards—and rustic, but they were clean and comfortable, which was all Tasha cared about.

  Ever since they’d left L.A., Andre and Simon had been huddled together closer than a pack of thieves. First on the airplane and now in the hotel’s lobby, whispering and carrying on about something. If Tasha was the embarrassing kind, she’d be worried. Instead, she was merely curious, and wondering what grand surprise Andre had in store for her.

  He turned away from Simon and stepped toward her. “They’ll take our luggage to our suite. Are you hungry? We can dine in the suite or the restaurant. Whatever you prefer.”

  “I suppose I should eat something.” Tasha shrugged. “Maybe in our room, though.”

  A smile relaxed Andre’s face, like he was happy about that. It was probably the papers. If the local press got wind that he and Tasha were in Tahoe, they’d be all over them.

  A bellboy escorted them to their suite via a private elevator. Even though Tasha had been seeing Andre for nearly a year, she still marveled at the attention thrown their way just because Andre had a ton of money.

  As usual, Simon tipped the bellboy. Tasha had no idea how much money Andre had instructed Simon to tip people on his behalf, but based on the wide-ass grin on the attendant’s face as he backed out of the room, she’d guess it was pretty good.

  “Simon, have some chicken soup and crackers brought up.” Andre glanced at Tasha. “And perhaps a fruit platter?”

  “Sounds perfect.” Tasha nodded. “And some water, and plenty of ice.” Her mouth was always dry. Tasha couldn’t get enough ice. “Chips, if they have it.”

  “I’ll see to it right away,” Simon said.

  “Would you like to go into the bedroom and rest for a bit?” Andre asked Tasha. “I’m going to make a few calls. I’ll let you know when brunch is here. We can eat on the terrace off our bedroom if you’d like.”

  “Sure.” Tasha looked around, wondering which room was theirs. “I am kind of tired.” She could always call her parents after her catnap. Tasha was sure there’d be plenty of time to touch base with them before the ceremony Andre was arranging for later in the day.

  Andre offered his arm and she took it. “Then go rest, mon trésor,” he whispered, and led her toward their bedroom. “You take care of our little bundle—” Andre opened the door. “—And I’ll take care of everything else.”

  After finishing his calls, Andre was satisfied that he had everything in order. Davis—the same attorney who’d handled Julian and Camille’s prenup down in Vegas—was scheduled to arrive within the hour. A minister from Tahoe Dream Weddings, an hour after that. Andre’s favorite jeweler in London had assured him the rings would arrive by courier before the minister.

  Now, if only the food he’d ordered would arrive. Since it hadn’t, it might be a great time to call Claudette. He’d call her, rather than Papa. Talking to her was always a much more pleasant experience.

  Andre called her cell phone instead of the house phone, to be sure he’d get her and not Papa. The family didn’t always answer the house phone, they usually left that for the servants. But when the family did answer the phone, it was always at the most inopportune time—especially Papa.

  Waiting for Claudette to answer his call, Andre stepped ou
t onto the terrace for maximum privacy. The late summer air was cool, but not enough to raise the chills that prickled his skin. He ignored them. They’d go away soon enough, just as soon as he alerted the family to keep quiet about the stipulations of Edouard’s will.

  “Andre…” Claudette’s chipper voice greeted him. “Do you have good news for me. Shall I start planning the wedding?”

  Andre chuckled. “Yes. Yes, you can.” He sucked in a breath as the chills threatened to consume him. “There is one thing though, the wedding is real.”

  “Of course, it is,” she said, as if she were privy to some state secret.

  “No, really. I’ve asked Tasha to be my wife.” Andre shook his head. “Not to just help me fulfill a will’s stipulations for a man I hardly knew.”

  “You mean it’s not temporary?” Her tone quivered with hope.

  “Precisely.” Andre nodded. “And in light of that, you can understand why I don’t want anyone to mention the will’s stipulations to Tasha.”

  “You haven’t told her about the will?” Claudette’s tone rose with alarm.

  “No, she knows about the will. She just doesn’t know I need to marry to inherit.”

  “I can understand why you’d want to keep that quiet,” she said. “But you know, these things have a way of blowing up in our faces.”

  “Yes, and the way it’s going to blow up is if she knows about it. She’ll think I’m marrying her to inherit, but that’s just a perk. It’s not why I’m doing it.”

  Claudette was silent for a moment, and Andre thought she was building another objection. A strong one. But, to his surprise, she said, “In light of the will, I suppose you want the wedding to take place quickly?”

  “That would be ideal.”

  “How about the end of next week?”

  “Can you arrange it that quickly?”

  “Of course.” Her voice was full of confidence. “It won’t be the event of the season, but it will be tasteful and elegant. I promise, Tasha won’t be disappointed.”

  “That’s why I called you.”