Читать книгу Millionaire's Wedding Revenge / Stranded with the Tempting Stranger: Millionaire's Wedding Revenge - Brenda Jackson - Страница 12

Six

Stephen stepped out of the elevators at Garrison, Inc., and the receptionist gave him a wide smile.

“Hi, Sheila.”

“Hello, sugar.” Sheila batted her eyelashes at him, and purred, “Come to make my day?”

He laughed. “I wish I could, honey, but duty calls.”

Sheila pretended to pout.

The blue-eyed, blond, ex-Playboy bunny was his type, but this time, he knew his heart wasn’t in their customary banter.

Damn Megan.

“Parker in his office?” he asked.

Sheila nodded.

“Thanks,” he said, then walked down the hall.

He greeted Mario, who was pushing a mail cart and had been with the company since John Garrison’s day, then a human resources person named Roberta, who was a recent hire.

All the while, he keenly observed every employee he passed. Someone in the firmament at Garrison, Inc. was passing along information to the Jefferies brothers, and until they discovered who it was, he and Parker and every other executive had to be careful about what they said and did within range of others.

Just last month, someone had accessed Parker’s office computer and forwarded an e-mail they’d planted to Jordan Jefferies.

At his brother’s partially closed office door, he rapped with his knuckles.

When he strode in, Parker said, “I hear congratulations are in order.”

Closing the door, Stephen made for one of the leather chairs positioned before his brother’s desk. “Thanks, but save it for after the wedding.”

He was here because he and Parker had a Monday-morning appointment scheduled with Brandon Washington, the Garrison family lawyer. Brandon was always punctual, so Stephen knew he’d be here soon.

He caught his brother’s raised eyebrows as he settled into his chair. “Somehow I knew the news would reach you one way or another.”

Parker leaned back in his mesh swivel chair and tapped his fingertips together. “Maybe not the way you expected. Anna.”

That caught his attention. “Anna?”

“I guess it’s all right to disclose this now, since I also discovered you’ve been letting the news be known yourself.” His brother paused. “Anna was over at Megan’s place yesterday afternoon, and they had a little powwow.”

Stephen felt his nostrils flare. “Tell me the wife encouraged Megan to do the sane thing.”

Parker chuckled. “Define sane.”

“Stuff it, Parker.”

“Whoa, whoa, go easy here. I just discovered I’m an uncle.”

Stephen let go with an expletive.

Parker eyed him. “You know, I should have known the minute I hired Megan four years ago that you’d find her irresistible. Of course, a redhead with flashing green eyes would send you down for the count.”

“Yeah, well, I’m up again, and I intend to win this match. Why the hell didn’t you tell me Anna and Megan were friends?”

His brother shrugged. “I had no idea myself until recently. It never came up. In fact, the first time I saw Megan again was at the wedding.”

“You haven’t reacted to my news with the same suspicion it’s been greeted with in other quarters,” Stephen observed.

“Well, I did hire Megan, and I am married to Anna.”

Just then a knock sounded, and both brothers turned to look at the door.

“Come in,” Parker called.

Brandon walked in. “Good morning.” He shut the door behind him. “I’m glad to see you’re both here.”

Stephen and Parker stood, and the men all shook hands.

Brandon took the other chair facing Parker.

“So what do we have, Brandon?” Stephen asked, as he and Parker sat back down.

“Cassie Garrison is still refusing to deal,” Brandon stated matter-of-factly.

Stephen suppressed a snort of disgust.

At the reading of his father’s will two months ago, he, along with the rest of the family, had discovered John Garrison had fathered a daughter during an extramarital affair with Ava Sinclair, a local he’d met in the Bahamas.

On top of it all, it turned out that the daughter was Cassie Sinclair, the manager of the Garrison Grand-Bahamas hotel, and that she, along with the five legitimate Garrison siblings, had inherited shares in the family business.

Stephen’s lips twisted. Cassie Sinclair now chose to go by the name Cassie Sinclair Garrison.

Something had to be done.

So far, Cassie had resisted Parker’s overtures and refused to turn over her shares in the Garrison empire.

“She apparently just wants to be left alone to run the Garrison Grand-Bahamas,” Brandon said.

“No dice,” Parker responded.

Brandon sighed. “I’m not getting anywhere by phone. Frankly, our best option is if I go down there and try to negotiate in person for a deal to buy her out.”

Parker laced his fingers together. “I have no problem with that plan.” Parker glanced over at Stephen for his assent before looking back at Brandon. “We’re willing to pay—within reason.”

Brandon named what he’d offered as a reasonable price for Cassie’s shares, and Stephen’s hand flexed on his armrest.

“You lowballed her first?” Stephen heard himself ask.

“Of course,” Brandon said.

Stephen trusted Brandon like a brother. The Washingtons—Brandon and his father before him—had been the family legal advisors for years. Still, it was vitally important they get this problem with Cassie wrapped up soon and to their satisfaction. They couldn’t let the future of the Garrison empire rest with an unknown quantity—a potential loose cannon.

“And if she still refuses to sell after I approach her in person?” Brandon asked, voicing the question on all their minds.

“Everyone has their price,” Parker said grimly. “We’ll have to think about how much more we’re willing to offer.”

Stephen arched a brow. “Or we can borrow a page from the world of celebrity.” He looked over at Brandon. “When you get down there, why don’t you first see if you can dig up some dirt on Cassie’s past? It’ll give us some leverage to force her hand.”

Parker nodded thoughtfully. “With stakes like this, I’ll take any ammunition I can get.”

When Megan walked into Stephen’s office at Garrison, Inc., she had some design plans in hand. But more importantly, she had a decision.

Stephen stepped around his desk and strode toward her.

“I’ve drawn up some preliminary plans,” she said. “You can take a look at them at your leisure, and then we can discuss them. Anything can be changed, of course.”

He took the plans from her and dropped them on a nearby table. Then he shut his office door and braced his arm there. “Well?”

They both knew the real topic of this meeting.

She told herself she wasn’t afraid of him. She wasn’t afraid of the vast Garrison family wealth and influence. But she had to face reality.

She chewed her lip. “I’ve thought about your proposal.”

His proposal had been a far cry from her girlhood dreams, but those she’d buried along with their relationship four years ago.

“Good. I expected you to.”

She walked farther into the room, and he followed.

Stephen’s immense office had a view of the beach and endless blue water. His desk stood in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, and off to one side were a sofa and chairs arranged around a low table.

Like the rest of the hotel, the office was light and airy. The only thing she’d change was the abstract artwork. Though she was sure it was all very valuable, she’d prefer to see something less geometrical and more soft, maybe impressionist.

But more importantly, the view from Stephen’s windows said everything, and that she couldn’t change. She watched as a toned blonde walked past to head into the hotel.

She turned toward Stephen.

His too-handsome face gave nothing away.

Nervous energy thrummed through her. She rubbed a palm against her taupe linen skirt. “I’ve decided to accept your proposal.”

His eyes shot dark fire, and she could read the triumph in them. “We’ll have the wedding next weekend.”

Her stomach flipped over. “Next weekend? That’s not enough time!”

She’d thought she’d have more time to adjust to the idea of being Mrs. Stephen Garrison.

“You’ve already had four years,” he said in a clipped voice, as if he’d read her mind.

“A week is not enough time to plan a wedding—”

A grim smile slashed his face. “It is if we have it here at the Garrison Grand, where conveniently I’m the boss. In fact, I just put together Parker and Anna’s wedding in a short time.”

“I have a job I just started,” she began.

“You won’t need to do anything but show up.”

She stared at him doubtfully.

“Let’s seal the deal.” He looked at her innocently. “I hope that’s okay?”

Then before she could react, he pulled her into his arms, and his lips came down on hers.

First there was the warm pressure of his mouth, then he slipped inside, his tongue touching and coaxing hers.

Hot, sweet sensation flooded her, and a rainbow of colors danced behind her eyelids.

When he eventually pulled back, he gave her a heavy-lidded look. “Just like I remembered,” he murmured.

She touched her fingertips to her lips, feeling him there still.

Ordinarily, the stolen kiss might have sparked her ire, but under the circumstances, it reminded her of what she had to do.

She dropped her hand. “I forgot to mention something,” she said hoarsely.

“What’s that?”

She took a breath. “I have a couple of conditions of my own.”

His look turned guarded. “Shoot.”

“I want to wait until after the wedding to explain to Jade that you’re her biological father.”

He looked ready to argue, so she rushed on. “I want to give her time to adjust. It’s enough for the moment that I’m springing this wedding on her.”

“Aren’t you just drawing this out when it would be better to explain the whole thing at once?”

She shook her head. “I want her to get used to you…get to know and—and like you, first, without putting any sense of obligation on her three-year-old shoulders.”

“Fine,” he said, though she knew he still wasn’t thrilled with her idea.

And now for the hard part, she thought.

“I’m agreeing to this marriage for Jade’s sake,” she said. “I know there’ll be lots of advantages to growing up a Garrison and with you there to help raise her.”

He nodded, as if he was glad she saw reason.

“That’s why,” she went on, her chin coming up, “this will be a marriage in name only. I’m doing this for Jade. I won’t sleep with you, Stephen.”

Something in his eyes flared, and his lips curled. “Strong words from a woman who just melted into my kiss.”

“Those are my conditions,” she repeated.

Their eyes held for one drawn-out moment.

“You’ll get your own bedroom,” he said finally.

She relaxed. She was thankful for the walls of a bedroom. Now she just had to work on shoring up the ones around her heart.

When she pushed back the tissue paper, Megan felt the breath leave her.

A short while ago, a messenger had delivered several boxes. She’d taken the delivery, puzzled but knowing from the sender’s information that it came from Stephen. She’d wondered why he hadn’t bothered to bring the boxes himself, since he was due to arrive in a short time.

Now, Megan let her fingers stroke over the smooth white satin revealed when she’d opened the first box.

A multitude of conflicting emotions stormed her.

She understood now why Stephen may have chosen to send the boxes by messenger before he arrived. Once she’d seen what he’d bought for her, he’d known she’d find it hard to resist.

Carefully, she lifted the gown from the box and examined it.

It was a backless sheath dress with a small swallowtail train made of satin overlaid with lace. The bodice, which had a sweetheart neckline, was held up by two spaghetti straps.

Simple but sexy, it would be spectacular with her flaming red hair, as well as show off her generous chest to advantage.

Stephen knew her so well. And that, she realized, was part of the problem.

She’d told Stephen she’d be wearing something practical—something she already owned—for the wedding. Instead, he’d overridden her.

He’d sent her this dress, and its message was clear: she was being served up as a delicious dessert he intended to savor.

Still, the dress was so beautiful, it brought tears to her eyes.

She’d once wished for happily-ever-after. Instead, she was getting an illusion.

A sham wedding leading to a fake marriage.

Tamping down a sudden well of emotion, she forced herself to open the rest of the boxes.

One box contained a pair of stylish stiletto sandals. Another held an adorable sleeveless flower girl’s dress with a high ribbon waist and matching white sandals.

Her heart squeezed as she thought of Jade and how delighted she’d be.

When she opened the last box, however, her reaction changed, and she felt heat course through her.

The box contained a white bustier, matching lacy underwear and thigh-high hosiery.

Unbidden, images of modeling the sexy concoction for Stephen went through her mind.

Then, annoyed with herself, she let her hand drop away from the box.

Of course, Stephen had no trouble picking out her size. He was a connoisseur of the female form, she reminded herself. A playboy extraordinaire.

She was torn from her thoughts by the sound of the doorbell.

Moments later, she heard the sound of running feet.

“Mommy, there’s someone at the door!” Jade called out.

“I’ll be right there.”

She and Stephen had agreed he’d come over on Wednesday night in order to ease the transition for Jade to the upcoming marriage.

She’d already explained to Jade as well as she could that she’d be getting married to Stephen and they’d be known as Megan and Jade Garrison.

Now, she prayed Stephen’s get-to-know-you session with his daughter went well.

When she opened the door, with Jade peering around her, she was presented with an incongruous sight. Stephen held a bouquet of flowers in one hand, and a large brown-haired, brown-eyed baby doll in the other.

As annoyed as she’d just been with him, she couldn’t help reacting with a laughing gasp.

His eyes met hers, and she saw laughter lurking within them. “She rode in the front passenger seat.”

Wide-eyed, Jade stared at Stephen.

Megan covered her mouth.

Not a word, Stephen’s eyes mockingly warned her. Then he stepped forward. “Hello, honey.”

Megan stared at him—dressed as the consummate corporate executive in a charcoal business suit—before he bent forward and kissed her on the lips.

“We need to make this good for Jade,” he murmured as he straightened.

She gave him a startled look, then closed the door behind him. What was he up to?

But Stephen was already looking down at his daughter. He smiled. “Hello, Jade.”

Jade edged closer to her, and Megan put a comforting arm behind her.

“Hi,” Jade said hesitantly.

Megan realized with a start that Jade was uncharacteristically shy. Apparently, it was one thing to enthusiastically point out a stranger—as Jade had done when Stephen had appeared in their backyard on Saturday—and another to welcome someone more permanent.

Megan prayed again or all their sakes that tonight went well.

Stephen held out the baby doll, which was dressed in pink and purple and wore a headband. “I have a present for you. This is Abby, and she’s looking for a home.”

Jade eyed the doll, then looked back at Stephen.

Megan saw a flicker of uncertainty in Stephen’s eyes, and her heart went out to him. He was clearly lost.

“Stephen bought a gift for you, isn’t that nice?” she said to Jade.

They’d agreed Jade would call him Stephen until she got used to him in her life.

Jade stepped forward, then took the doll and hugged it to her. “Thank you.”

Megan watched as Stephen’s eyes went to her again. “And these are for you.”

The bouquet that he held out to her contained lilies mixed with lavender. Her favorite. He’d sent the flowers to her when they’d dated, and he’d remembered still.

“Thank you.”

Their hands brushed over the flowers, and a sizzle went through her. And though her mind flashed danger, her heart beat rapidly.

She steadied herself. “Why don’t we go into the living room? Dinner is almost ready. Would you like anything to drink, Stephen?”

“A beer would be great.”

Jade was already playing with her doll, and Stephen planted himself halfway between the kitchen and where the little girl sat.

Megan felt a small smile rise to her lips. Big, bad Stephen Garrison was in unfamiliar territory, rendered helpless by a three-year-old.

She could see the headline: Playboy Beaten by Child’s Play.

When she came out with Stephen’s beer, she noticed Jade looking at him from the corner of her eyes.

The little girl stood, then blurted, “Would you like to see my toys?”

She watched the play of emotions on Stephen’s face, before he responded casually, “Sure. Let’s see what you got, kid.”

Her heart constricted as she watched Stephen follow Jade, and a variety of emotions swept over her.

Finally, she headed back to the kitchen. She had chicken Kiev in the oven and potatoes and broccoli on the stove.

Dinner would be a far cry from what Stephen was used to at Miami’s top-tier restaurants, including the ones within the Garrison Grand itself. She had to give a nod to kid fare, but she reminded herself that Stephen was better off finding out sooner rather than later what parenthood was about. He was determined to come into her life and Jade’s, and she wasn’t going to sugarcoat it for him.

When she’d gotten everything on the table, she went to find them—the most important person in her life, and the one around whom her world had revolved four years ago.

She located them in Jade’s room.

“…and this is Holly, and that’s Caroline,” her daughter said.

Megan watched as Stephen nodded. “Quite a crowd.”

Jade had all her dolls and stuffed animals lined up, and apparently had been introducing them all to Stephen.

“Dinner’s ready,” Megan heard herself say.

Stephen and Jade both turned to her.

“But, Mommy, I still need to introduce my dolls!”

“Later, sweetie.”

Stephen winked. “I promise I’ll come back after dinner, pumpkin.”

Jade pulled a face but trudged in the direction of the kitchen.

Pumpkin?

It was a big turnaround from where Stephen and

Jade had been a mere thirty minutes ago, and Megan was reminded again of the fact that a three-year-old’s worldview could do a one-eighty in a minute.

She watched Jade leave, then looked back at Stephen. “Quick work there.”

He gave her a lazy smile. “Charm upsets you?”

She forced herself to shrug indifferently. “Your legendary charm. Why should I be surprised?”

“Afraid you’ll fall under it again?” he challenged.

“I’ve been inoculated for life.”

He chuckled as he sauntered toward her. “Don’t worry. I leave my best for someone…special.”

She sucked in a breath, but he didn’t try to steal a kiss or make a pass.

Instead, he walked out of the room and followed Jade’s lead.

She expelled the breath she was holding, then followed him out.

In the house’s little dining area, she saw Stephen eyeing the floral display in the center of the table.

She’d set his bouquet there in a clear glass vase.

“Very nice,” he commented, “if I do say so myself.”

“I put them there so we wouldn’t have to stare at each other across the table through dinner,” she muttered in a low voice as she went past.

He had the audacity to laugh, which just sent a shiver through her because she remembered how much she’d always liked his laugh.

She felt his arm snake around her, and he gave her a quick kiss on the neck. “Glad you like them so much.”

“You know flowers that stand for devotion are my favorite,” she retorted.

At dinner, Jade kept up a steady stream of conversation with Stephen. She seemed openly curious about him now.

He handled her questions well, simplifying but never talking down to her, and it was clear that though he was still feeling his way, he was gaining confidence with every passing second.

Megan watched the interaction and thought they could all be any family having dinner together. Except this was a pretend family with an upcoming sham marriage.