“I appreciate that, yes, a witness would be good.” Justin paused, watching her long enough she looked up and met his peridot gaze. “I thought we’d marry now. I considered bringing someone to perform the ceremony here, but decided you might like to change. There is a chapel at The Aussie we can use instead, if you are amenable.”
Hannah’s heart skipped a beat and the blood rushing through her head echoed in her ears.
“This marriage. Will it be true in every way?” She wasn’t able to keep the slight tremor from her voice.
He blinked then looked at her again. “Do you mean sex?”
She looked away, unable to meet his gaze while they spoke of such things. “I do.”
“It is my intention, though I won’t force you. I’m not into rape.” He fell silent for a moment, then spoke again. “I have no doubt you caught that I expect fidelity. I don’t ask for things I don’t intend to give.”
A weight settled in the pit of her stomach. She wasn’t sure she was ready for this, but she didn’t have any other option. “All right.” She nodded, steeling herself to face the life she was committing herself to. She was attracted to him, at least on a physical level, and if he turned out to be a real asshole, she could avoid him as much as possible. A soft touch along her cheek startled her. She looked up to find him watching her, the back of one finger smoothing along her jaw.
“I won’t hurt you. Just give it a few days, you might find you like me.”
Hannah smiled. She hoped she could like him, but if he was likable and a good guy, then why resort to a mail-order bride?
“I’ll try.” She’d been so disappointed, so let down by her parents and those in their circle recently, she wasn’t sure she could trust him.
“We can sit here a while if you wish, or we can head back to The Aussie.”
The Aussie? That was an odd name for an estate, but some people were a bit eccentric. She’d learned not to question it. She might as well get it over with.
Chapter Three
Justin sat beside his bride, heat pooling low in his stomach as he waited for her to be ready to leave the plane. When he’d decided to send off for a bride, he’d thought it would be easy. Now he knew better. Nothing that involved others was as easy as you wanted it to be.
He’d been a little surprised when she’d not gotten off the plane like he’d expected. He’d questioned the flight attendant as she’d stepped off, who had assured him that Hannah was on the plane, but didn’t know why she wasn’t getting off. She had contacted the pilot and gotten permission for Justin to board.
The moment Hannah looked up at him, he knew what was wrong. He’d let it slip his mind that she’d recently lost people to a plane crash and when she looked up, eyes wide and lower lip slightly trembling, he knew in an instant she was terrified. While it could be of the unknown, he strongly suspected it was the plane.
“I’m ready whenever you are.” Her voice was steady this time, telling him she’d managed to regain her composure.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” He gave her his best smile and hoped it would calm her nerves, “I have a car waiting. We can go any time.” He glanced around. “Do you have luggage?”
“I do, they checked it.”
“My driver will take care of that, if it’s not ready by the time we get out of here, then he’ll have it sent over to The Aussie.”
“The Aussie?”
“Yes.” He didn’t bother to explain, she’d see it for herself soon enough. Justin stood and held out one hand in her direction. After only a moment’s hesitation, she stood, smoothed the pale pink skirt on the designer suit she wore, then picked up the small bag from the seat next to her and looped the long strap over her head. Hannah bent again to pick up the manila envelope she’d been holding, tucked it under her arm then laid her hand in his. The simple touch sent a spark of awareness through his entire body. Her hand was soft in his, speaking of a life like he’d always wanted to have. She’d never had to build calluses from hard work like his mother had.
“Let’s go.” He led her off the plane and through the terminal. He’d been in the smaller section of McCarran reserved for private and charter flights several times and knew his way around. In only a few minutes they stepped out into the scorching desert heat.
Hannah gasped as the sunlight and dry air hit her, but she didn’t say anything. Whatever had driven her to sell herself into marriage, it seemed she wasn’t prone to complain. He liked that.
“Thank you,” Justin said to Barry, his driver, who held the limo door open while Hannah slid inside. “She has a bag that will need to be retrieved, and we’re headed back to The Aussie.” He’d brought the limo so they could have some privacy on the way back to the casino.
“Yes, sir. I will see that her bag is delivered. I’m not sure how long the delay will be, but shouldn’t be more than a couple hours.”
“No problem. Just have it delivered to my apartment.”
“Yes, sir.”
Justin ducked into the car and settled into the seat beside Hannah. “Have you ever been to Las Vegas?” The interior was nicely cool after the shocking heat they’d passed through, Barry had kept the air conditioning running while he waited.
“No.”
He watched as she folded her hands in her lap and stared out the darkened window. “Ah. Well, it’s not always this hot. Only about three months of the year. The good news is on the strip you can go days without ever leaving the building. Even then, much of the city is twenty-four hours, so what you have to do outside The Aussie can be done at night. In a few months it will cool off and you can go back to traveling normally. Oh, and there are plenty of pools to help cool off if you need some sunshine.” He couldn’t help but notice the slightly sun-kissed look to her honeyed skin. He didn’t know if it was a cultured tan or because she liked being outdoors, either way, it made him want to taste it. He wanted to see if she tasted as sweet as she looked.
With a slight jerk, the car started moving.
“Do you have any questions?”
She looked at his face then shook her head. “No. The agency was quite clear on my half of the contract, as long as I keep to that I trust that you will keep yours as well?”
“I was a little surprised when the agency contacted me that you had stipulations of your own.” He tipped his head to one side while he watched her reaction. “However, considering my own requirements, I was happy to oblige such reasonable requests.” It hadn’t been the fidelity clause that she’d asked for, nor the one that awarded her fifty million dollars should he abuse her, not that ever would. Her only request had been the stipulations that she had the right to leave, and ask for a divorce, after one year. And that he would provide for any children that the marriage might result in. He’d taken her request farther and had added settlements for her at different intervals, depending on how long the marriage lasted. He’d also added a few clauses about any children, to make her feel better. He’d never leave his children un-cared for, but she had no way to know that. He wasn’t looking to trap her, only to get into the right circles.
“Thank you.”
She turned back toward the window again and he let her watch the city pass by while he watched her. Something about her pulled to him and he wasn’t sure what. That intrigued him.
When they reached The Aussie, the car pulled up outside the entrance Justin typically used. It was an out of the way, unobtrusive door that patrons didn’t use, and most people didn’t even realize existed. He waited until Barry opened the car door.
“Come see your new home,” Justin invited before ducking out of the limo. He stood and straightened his suit jacket while Hannah stepped out. “This side’s not as impressive as the front, but traffic on the Strip is horrendous and it takes forever to get even half a mile. Most of the big casinos are designed to cater to foot traffic off the Strip. There are other, more public entrances, but I didn’t want to get stopped with business on our way in.” He reached to smooth a finger do
wn her face, but stopped before touching her. “I wanted to keep this between the two of us as long as I could.” He watched as she stared up at the tall curved wings of the almost shell-shaped building. “Let’s go inside where it’s not so hot.” He opened the door, knowing it would unlock with the proximity of the chip he’d had embedded in the phone in his pocket, and held it while she went inside, then followed.
“This way.” Justin led her through the hallway toward his business office on the main floor. “Do you want another dress or anything special to mark the day?”
“No. I came prepared. Ms. Creed said to be prepared to make things legal as soon as I landed.” She kept pace with him and he didn’t have to drag her or slow his own pace like he had with some women he’d dated in the past.
“I like that you came prepared.” He let it drop at that and they made the rest of the short trip in peaceful quiet. Contrary to what he’d expected his stomach fluttered with nerves. He was about to commit himself to a woman he’d met less than an hour before. He wondered, not for the first time, if he was making a mistake. No. He pushed the thought away. He’d planned things carefully and this was what he needed. A wife with the social connections he didn’t have. “Through here.” He opened another door, this one leading to the back hallway. It had taken him a while to learn the hallways, but he was glad now he’d taken the time. He wanted to get there and get this done, not get stopped by customers and employees who wanted to talk or check on something. “This shouldn’t take too long, then I’ll give you the grand tour.”
Chapter Four
Twenty minutes after stepping foot in the building, it was done. Hannah was married and Mrs. Justin Scarborough. Her hands shook as she signed the marriage certificate, but as soon as she laid the pen aside, she gripped her handbag to keep the tremble from her hands. She had no doubts. This was what she had to do, her only choice, but that didn’t keep her from being nervous about it.
“Congratulations!” the officiant who had performed the ceremony said. She hadn’t caught his name.
Hannah forced a smile on her face and pretended this was what she wanted. That she was excited about it. No one was to know that this wasn’t a love match, at least for now. That was part of the agreement she’d signed with Diamond Bridal Agency. They were an elite, highly secretive agency. She wasn’t even sure how they found their clients, brides or grooms, really, as it was only after she’d become desperate to find work or a husband that someone had told her about a bridal agency that specialized in what they’d called a ‘select clientele’ and had given her a phone number.
“Thank you.” Hannah smiled and hugged the witnesses who seemed genuinely happy for them, maybe Justin a little more than her, but they were his people, not hers.
“Thank you.” Justin smiled as he spoke to each one. “If you’ll excuse me, I think we’ll retire to our apartments for a while.”
“Are you going on a honeymoon?” one woman asked.
“I’m not sure yet.” Justin smiled as he looked over at Hannah. “This has been a little fast and we haven’t had time to properly make plans. But I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
Hannah nodded, not sure what he wanted her to say. She decided it would be better to keep her mouth shut, at least for now.
Moments later, she was in a mirrored elevator riding to the top of the center-most clamshell of what she now knew was a replica of the Sidney Opera House. Her stomach flipped as she thought about being alone with her new husband for the first time. The elevator ride didn’t count, she was sure there were cameras.
He’d already said this wouldn’t be a marriage of convenience, but could she trust him not to force her? The light kiss after they’d said their vows had sent lightning bolts of heat through her. For some reason she didn’t understand, she’d been on edge ever since.
The elevator door opened and Justin stepped off. Hannah stood on the elevator a little too long, and Justin turned to watch her, a frown creasing his brow.
“You okay?” he paused, but she just nodded. “I don’t bite, not unless you want me to.”
He smiled and a shiver of desire crawled down her spine. She tried to ignore the odd sensation as she followed him off the elevator. Her new husband led her down a short hallway.
“This side is our apartment,” he motioned to one side of the hall, “and this side is my office. I sometimes have meetings and you may encounter Garrett in the hallways, so no wandering around out here in your birthday suit.” He shot her a playful grin.
She shook her head. Leaving the apartment without being fully dressed was something she would never do. Even if she wore a bathing suit, she would wear a cover up or a dress over it. To do otherwise would be scandalous.
“Would you like to see the office?” He watched her with lifted brows.
“Sure.” Anything to delay going into the apartment they would share and getting closer to a bed. She craved the feel his lips against hers again, but there was no way she could ask.
He pushed the door open and led her inside. “This is Garrett’s area. You’ll meet him later as he’s already off for the day.”
“Garrett?” She glanced around the room. It was nicely appointed. A solid wood desk, several leather chairs for people to wait and a couple plants in the corners to make it feel more welcoming. The only thing she would change would be the ice blue paint. It made the room feel cold. She’d change it to a warmer color.
“My assistant.”
Hanna frowned. He had a male assistant. She wasn’t sure how to feel about that, but decided at least there was a good chance he wouldn’t be screwing around on the side with his secretary… unless he liked men too. The idea intrigued her and she looked at him in a different light. Was that why he’d sent for a bride? To be his beard? But if he had, then why tell her he expected sex, and that he would be faithful to her?
Justin opened the double doors to one side of the desk and led her into another room. She glanced around and knew this had to be his office. It was partly paneled in a rich warm, honey oak, and partly glass wall that overlooked the city. Black leather seating and a rich mahogany desk told her the room belonged to a man who was comfortable with who he was and knew what he liked. She liked it and didn’t see anything she might change, then she stepped closer to the glass wall and was ensnared by the view. The sun had set not long before and someone had turned on all the lights.
While she’d been unimpressed with what she’d seen from the plane, she was stunned now. The lights were unlike anything she’d ever seen, in person at least. Sure, she’d seen Vegas in movies and on TV, but she’d assumed it was for the screen, not real. Below her was what seemed like miles of bright, flashing lights shaped like places from all over the world. She shouldn't be shocked considering where she was standing, but she was. It was beautiful.
“It’s stunning isn’t it?” Justin came up behind her and set his hands on her shoulders.
Heat seeped through her clothes as the front of his body brushed up against the back of hers. Something about it made her want to lean back against him, let him hold her and warm her.
“It is.”
They stood together for several minutes before Hannah’s stomach rumbled, breaking the spell the view seemed to have them under.
“Oops. Sorry.”
“No need.” Justin stepped away, she instantly felt the loss of his warmth and wished she had it back. “When was the last time you ate?”
“A while ago.” She looked away. She didn’t want to tell him she’d been so nervous about getting on the plane she’d skipped breakfast, and lunch, for fear of being ill.
“It doesn’t matter. Come on. Let’s go over to the apartment and order dinner. I’ll show you around while we wait for it to be delivered.” He took her hand and she let him lead her from the office.
Chapter Five
Justin watched as she ate, very neatly and with every manner he’d ever been taught and more, but it was plain she was starving. He frowned.
Hannah shook her head and kept eating. He guessed she didn’t want to talk about it, but something inside made him need to know.
“Did you not have the money?” He couldn’t imagine that, seeing where she’d come from and who she’d been engaged to.
Her head dipped and he couldn’t be sure, but thought she might be blushing. The tips of her ears turned pink, making him sure that was at least part of it. “Money’s been a little tight for a while, but that’s not it. Not entirely.” She kept her eyes averted as she continued eating.
He took a bite and watched her, wondering what it was. Then it hit him. The articles about her parents. Her ashen face when he’d seen her on the plane. They’d died in a plane crash.
“It was flying wasn’t it?”
Hannah swallowed then looked up, her face a little drawn, her fear showing through the pinkening of her embarrassment. “You know?”
“Of course I know. Did you think I wouldn’t Google you when I found out your name?” He took a deep breath. “I assumed you’d done the same for me.”
Hannah shook her head. She’d been so terrified by what she was doing and afraid of what she might be getting herself into it had never occurred to her. If it had, it might have saved her from some of her fears.
“Why did you not say anything about flying? I’m sure other arrangements could have been made.”
“I didn’t want to do anything to risk you turning me down.” Her voice was so soft he almost didn’t hear her.
Why was she so desperate to marry him that she’d gotten on a plane when it was clear flying terrified her? And with good reason. Anyone who’d lost what she had on a plane would be hesitant of boarding one, much less a small private jet like the one that had brought her here, so much like the one that had crashed.
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