GOING … GOING … WED!

by Amy J. Fetzer

  "Exactly the reason for the secrecy, Angus. We like our privacy. And we'd appreciate it if you'd help keep it."

  Angus studied them for an instant, then nodded, saying, "You two need another honeymoon, though."

  "We never had one," Madison blurted, then added quickly, "You know Alexander and business." Angus looked disapproving, yet before he could comment, she asked, "So, what's the name of your company?"

  Alex stiffened beside her, and she glanced, recognizing the unease in his eyes.

  Angus's narrowed gaze shifted to Alex, then back. "Little People Toys."

  Madison nearly choked on her wine and tried not to look shocked. "A very reputable company, Angus. You should be proud." There was a faded set of L.P. Toy trucks and dozers in her father's backyard right now for her sister Claire's son to play with.

  "I am."

  Alex read the message in the older man's glance. He wasn't letting his company go to just anyone. It made Alex want it more.

  "How come you didn't know?" Angus said.

  "Alex rarely discusses business with me and frankly, after five years in the New York financial world, I don't want to know about it."

  Angus eyed her. "I can't picture you in New York."

  "Neither can I anymore. I worked for Hughes & Rollins." After receiving her college degree, she'd worked for a large corporation. Although the money had been good, the lifestyle wasn't hers. She hated crowds and noise and preferred the solitude of the rural area. The country was her home, in her blood, and she refused to fight it.

  It only made her unhappy when she did.

  It was old-fashioned to want to be a wife and mother and love a family, but just the thought of it gave her a satisfaction the corporate world never offered. Peace in her heart was all she'd ever needed. When Katherine asked for her help starting her business, Madison had jumped at the chance to return home and be closer to her family. She hadn't regretted it for a second. Except she wondered when she would be the lady of her own house, since she'd been the lady of her father's house since she was fifteen.

  Alex's brows shot up. Good lord. Mean territory.

  Angus whistled softly. "A corporate raider, huh?" he said, oddly amused and stealing a quick glance at Alex. "Aren't you afraid she'll try raiding your stock?"

  Madison turned her head and met his gaze. "I guess you should keep me very happy in our marriage, huh?"

  Angus chuckled.

  Alex stared, then his lips curved slowly as he leaned closer, looking at her as if his entire world rested on her next breath. "I think I know how to please you, darlin'," he said, a willing prisoner in her gaze and for an instant, his surroundings narrowed to the softness in her eyes, the scent of her, her breath brushing his mouth. Without conscious thought, he tucked his knuckle under her chin, tipped his head and kissed her, a light, sweet brush of his lips.

  Until she kissed him back.

  She couldn't help it. She wanted it. Wanted to see if their first kiss held the unexpected shock of newness, or if this hunger she felt for him was as powerful as she imagined. Unfortunately it was, the hot knot of desire looping around her, snaring her as she worried his lips. Angus chuckled and she drew back sharply, a blush stealing up her cheeks. She wondered how Alex could make her feel both angry and desired in the space of minute.

  Angus was smiling like a proud father. "You two definitely need a honeymoon."

  "I need to check dinner." She stood and vanished into the kitchen.

  Alex watched her flee, frowning. Angus asked where he could wash up and as he headed to the bathroom, Alex stepped into the kitchen.

  "You're mad." He braced his shoulder against the kitchen door frame, watching her move from counter to stove.

  "You could have told me about the toy company." Madison still couldn't understand why he wanted it when he had a multimedia company. It just didn't jibe.

  "And you could have mentioned being a corporate raider."

  "You never asked." She slid stuffed capons onto a platter. "Did you really think after graduating with honors, that this was all I could do?"

  His features tightened at the verbal slap. "No. Why did you quit?"

  "My conscience. My firm bought up stock of a small company and when the results hit my family, more specifically, my father and the livelihood of my hometown, I decided I'd forgotten what was important. When Katherine asked me to help start Wife Incorporated I left at the first chance." She glanced up, frowning. "Why are you looking at me like that?" That stare was too hot to be legal.

  "I didn't think anyone could look … appetizing in an apron."

  "Angus isn't around. You needn't play the role." He pushed away from the door and came to her side. "Was that kiss part of the role?"

  "If you have to ask, you don't know me at all."

  She wouldn't look at him, busy with shifting food into serving dishes, yet he stopped her. She met his gaze. "Was it?"

  She scanned his handsome face for the bitterness surfacing, yet she saw only a sweet vulnerability that nearly broke her heart. "No, Alexander. Despite your tactics with Angus, and your numerous failings—" he scowled "—I like you." He smiled. "But then, it hardly matters, hmm?" She pushed a platter into his hands, took one up herself and inclined her head to the dining room.

  Alex didn't move for a second. It did matter, more than he wanted to admit, and he didn't like this twisted feeling in his chest. Getting emotionally involved with her wasn't in his plans. The thought of risking that kind of pain again scared the hell out of him. Love was for poets and fairy tales. He'd had his chances and failed. He'd proven that more than once.

  They enjoyed their coffee and dessert on the patio until a light sprinkle of rain sent them inside. Angus decided it was time to leave. Alex was anxious for the night to be over, afraid he'd slip up and ruin Madison's hard work. Shaking Angus's hand, he stepped back and was surprised when the older man hugged Madison, whispering something he couldn't hear before she brushed a kiss to his cheek. He marveled at how easily Madison made friends, made people feel welcome as she had the night of the party. Alex felt like an outsider, on the edge of other people's lives. Her life. And though he insisted that's what he needed, wanted, Madison Holt gave him a glimpse of what he was missing. He didn't want to look at what he couldn't have.

  With a relieved sigh, they watched the limo pull away, then they turned into the house.

  Madison immediately went into the dining room and collected up the dishes. Alex helped, yet not a word passed between them as she put away the leftovers and rinsed dishes.

  Lightning flashed beyond the kitchen windows.

  Alex stood on the opposite side of the open dishwasher, taking each item and loading them in. "You're awfully quiet."

  Her only response was a slight shrug.

  His brows drew tight. "Madison, look at me." She turned her head, and the sadness in her eyes struck him like a blow. He frowned. "What is it?"

  "I hated lying to him. He's a sweet old man only looking out for his people. And I'm angry with myself for joining in your stupid games."

  His features tightened. "Then why did you do it for me?"

  "A moment of weakness. You were against the wall and looked so helpless. Heck, I don't know." But she did. Beyond that he was the sexiest man alive and she needed the money to get ahead of her father's hospital bills, she was drawn to him, to find something beyond the bitterness he maintained like a wall to keep everyone from seeing more than he chose. But the real trouble was him. He was charming, a gentleman, considerate of her all evening, showering her with sultry smiles and tender touches. But it was fake. And it hurt. She wished it didn't, but it did. Because every time she looked into his blue eyes, she lost her breath and had thoughts she'd no right to be thinking. Not with a career bachelor. The worst thing was that despite this joke-of-an-evening and her feelings, tonight confirmed how merciless he could be when it came to business. "You're coldhearted to think Angus won't be angry when he discovers the truth."

  "He
won't. I'll have an affair, and you'll look like a saint."

  Her eyes flew wide. "Don't you dare!"

  He smiled. "I was teasing."

  "Well, I'm not." She yanked off the diamond ring and slapped it into his hand. "Next time you're in a jam, call Elizabeth."

  He shoved the ring in his pocket. She grabbed her purse and headed out the front door. "Madison, wait."

  She waved overhead, not turning to look at him, though she could feel him racing to catch up. Fishing in her purse for her keys, she unlocked the car door, yet didn't have the chance to slide into the driver's seat before he was there.

  He caught the door, holding it open between them. "Wait, please."

  "Why?" Overhead the sky rumbled, threatening rain, the wind kicking up and loosening strands of her hair.

  "Don't leave this way."

  "Why didn't you tell me it was Little People's Toys you wanted to buy? What does a man like you want with a family toy company?"

  "That's my business."

  She felt as if he'd slammed a door in her face. "Fine. The sooner this night is over, the better."

  He scowled. "You didn't look as if you were having such a rotten time."

  "I wasn't, actually, until I had to lie so blatantly." Until she remembered that anything he did was a fabrication for Angus's sake. She slipped into the car seat and shoved the key in the ignition.

  Unaccustomed panic seized him. "I don't like you driving home this late."

  She swallowed the knot in her throat. "I'm a big girl."

  "I could call the limo back."

  "No, thank you. I've had enough of the posh life for one night." She turned the engine over, yet it wouldn't catch. She tried twice more, and the traitorous thing groaned to a sick halt. She sank back into the seat, staring at the ceiling. "Damn."

  "I have a spare bedroom."

  "I'll call a cab."

  He shifted around the open door and knelt. She could feel the heat of his body and didn't dare look at him. The urge to feel his arms, his kiss, might run right over her good senses. It was clear she didn't have too many of those left.

  "This is ridiculous. We're adults. Stay here the night. I don't have to be anywhere till noon. I'll take a peek at your car in the morning." She looked at him, arching a brow. "I am a decent mechanic," he defended. "Getting a cab this late will take another hour at least." The rain fell, first in droplets, then steadily heavier. "Especially in this weather. Besides, you shouldn't be driving. You've had a few drinks."

  She wasn't drunk, yet her head was already pounding, and although Madison knew it wasn't wise to be near him, his sincere look almost turned her to mush. Besides, he looked as if he'd stay there, getting drenched until she agreed. She left the car after checking the windows, then ran with him to the front porch. Inside he reset the security alarms.

  She immediately went to the phone, then put it down when she saw the time. She'd burn a few friendships if she woke a friend at this hour, yet the thought of her car in his driveway and people thinking she spent the night with him, in his bed, irritated her. Her hand fell away and she faced him, but he was already heading into the kitchen. She followed.

  He poured himself a glass of milk, found the cookies and dropped onto a stool. She leaned against the doorjamb. He looked like a kid, dunking the chocolate cookie and jamming it whole into his mouth. It was the fracture in the cold reserve she'd longed to see.

  "You're insulting my cooking, mister."

  He looked up, chewing. "I had seconds, which were delicious, by the way. Want some?" He nodded to the milk and cookies, intent on his dunking.

  "No, thanks. Do this often?"

  "Sort of a ritual. Can't seem to sleep without it."

  She smiled gently, pushing away from the frame and walking to a stack of napkins she knew were in the top drawer. She handed him one, then poured herself a glass of water before sitting on the stool beside him. She watched him.

  Alex was too aware of her, of the curves of her face, her mouth and her body and how incredible both felt, trapped against his own. He kept telling himself he should just ignore it. He'd become damned good at that over the years. Yet this strange feeling, like a fragrance hovering on the edge of his senses, seized him whenever he looked in her eyes. Like now.

  "Regardless of what you think, I had a good time, Madison." Her brows shot up. "Angus adores you." He waved a chocolate cookie to entice her.

  Madison snatched it, taking a bite. He smiled and her heart did one of those flips in her chest.

  "I knew you could be lured."

  "Takes more than a cookie, Alexander."

  His eyes danced with fresh heat as he chomped into another cookie. "What does it take?"

  It was just conversation Madison told herself. He wasn't really interested. "Certainly not limousines, champagne and diamonds, although I'll admit that was fun."

  "Are you saying you don't care about money?"

  "Not in the sense that you do." He looked curious. "Well, look at this place." She gestured to the expensive condo, the priceless artwork covering the walls. "When is enough? When are you going to enjoy it? 'Cause, honey, you can't take it with you. And alone, it's just … stuff."

  "It's my stuff. I worked hard for it."

  Now he looked like a little boy defending his end of the playground. "I know, be proud of it. I would. But are you happy, Alexander?" His features shifted with confusion. "Kat told me how hard you work, how you keep expanding, but when will you enjoy it?" Her gaze narrowed sharply, suddenly. "And I swear, if you pull apart O'Malley's business and sell it off, I will never speak to you again."

  "What I do with it is not your concern."

  She was meaningless in his schemes, she thought, hurt. "Fine. You're right. We've already been over this." She put up a hand. "And before you get all indignant, let's just drop it." She left the chair. "I'm the hired help."

  He shot off the stool, catching her by the arms. "Why do you keep saying that? Good Lord, I don't think of you as the help."

  "Then what do you think of me?" Her breath snagged as she waited.

  His gaze raked her heavily, lushly. "Forbidden territory."

  Her insides tingled. "Why?"

  "You're wife material. A good girl."

  She shoved off his touch. "And you prefer the bad ones, the trash? You don't have much self-esteem, do you?"

  He shrugged. "I know where they stand and where I do."

  She stepped closer, gazing into his blue eyes. "Oh, Alexander," she whispered. "Who hurt you so badly?"

  The compassion in her eyes weakened him, slayed him, and his determination not to fall vulnerable to it made his voice harsh. "No one but my own gullibility."

  "We all get hurt once in a while. A broken heart is the only thing we can't protect ourselves from."

  Alex snickered bitterly, looking away. "I can." He wasn't getting into this, not with her. It was only curiosity, he told himself. He didn't wonder why women wanted no more from him than a piece of his lifestyle; he'd made it clear his heart wasn't in the bargain. A good time and that was it. He met her gaze, thinking that she understood, and, he reminded himself that they were as ill-matched as oil and water, but it didn't comfort him. It just made him feel hollow inside.

  "Want to talk about it?"

  He met her gaze, fighting the temptation. "Looking for gossip validation?"

  "There are people who couldn't care less, you know," she said crisply.

  "You believe it."

  The uncertainty in his voice didn't escape her. "Not everything," she offered honestly. "But I've seen you in action, and asking me to playact for you doesn't offer much of an argument on your behalf."

  "I won't defend myself."

  "I'm not asking you to. I was just a pair of ears ready to listen."

  She made it all sound so simple, he thought.

  When he didn't answer she said, "So, where do I sleep?"

  With me, he wanted to say, aching to take her in his arms right now. Almos
t needing it. What he wouldn't give to love her for a little while and safely walk away without heartache. But Madison was a woman no man could ignore – ever. She'd already left her indelible impression under his skin, and that was dangerous enough. "Third door on the left."

  She turned away. Alex lagged behind, not daring to get too close or he'd drag her into his arms for a kiss he knew she didn't want. When she reached the upper stair landing, she looked down where he stood in the foyer.

  "I still think you could have sealed the O'Malley deal without me."

  He folded his arms over his chest, half resenting her comments and half enjoying too damn much that she had so much confidence in him. "We'll never know, will we?"

  Sighing, she shook her head. "I hope you get what you want, Alexander. Good night." She slipped into the room and closed the door, sagging against the wood. Such a wounded soul, she thought, and though she wanted to understand, he was never going to let her meet his demons. He wasn't going to let anyone that close without a fight.

  * * *

  Chapter 6

  «^»

  Stepping out of the shower, Madison towel dried her hair, then herself. It was late and she wanted out of here before the world started speculating over her car in his driveway. Wishing she'd asked Alex for a bathrobe, she wrapped herself in the towel, crossing the bedroom to her clothes.

  Before she reached them, a soft knock rattled the door.

  Quickly she searched the room for the flannel shirt he'd given her last night. But she couldn't find it. She crouched to look under the bed. Nothing.

  The rap came again. "Hold your horses, tycoon." Securing the towel, she opened the door a few inches, peering around the edge. She scanned him from head to scuffed work boots, pausing on the dirt and stains dotting his green T-shirt and worn jeans. This was a switch, she thought.

  He smiled. "Good morning."

  "I overslept, my head is pounding. It's not a good morning." He kept smiling and her irritation softened a little.

  "Maybe this will help?" He held a mug of coffee. Clutching the knotted towel at her breasts, she opened the door a bit farther and accepted it, taking a sip. Light cream, no sugar and she was touched he'd remembered.