Читать книгу Millionaire in Command / The Bride Hunter - Catherine Mann - Страница 13

“Marry me.”

Kyle’s demand—not request—bounced around inside Phoebe’s head hot on the heels of the preliminary paternity results. Overwhelmed, she sagged in the front seat of his Mercedes, Nina asleep in the back after the exhausting day at the doctor’s.

Butter-soft leather cradled her in luxury but offered little comfort for the stress knotting her neck. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

“Now’s not the time to lose courage.” He turned on the engine and adjusted the climate control for the muggy fall afternoon, all efficiency with a calm she envied. “I’ve talked it over with Sebastian and you were right about this being the fastest, most efficient way to secure Nina’s future.”

She stared through the windshield at the busy hospital complex parking lot. Her eyes were mag-netically drawn to mothers with their children.

Mothers and fathers, too. “How long?”

“We’ll get married on Monday—tomorrow.” His jaw flexed with the first signs of stress.

A closer look revealed the pale hint under his tan.

She fisted her hands to keep from touching him, comforting him. She understood well how overwhelming this could all be, becoming a parent out of the blue. “No, I mean, how long would we keep up this charade? Who will we tell?”

“My family already knows what’s going on. But beyond them, we would need to keep up appearances for Nina’s sake.”

“Appearances?” Holy crap, she’d meant fake marriage. Not pretend-to-be-real fake marriage.

“We’ll need to live together, at least for a while.” A slight grin eased the deep lines around his mouth. “But since I live at the Landis compound, we’ll be surrounded by family to protect you from your lecherous husband.”

She tucked her tongue in the side of her mouth to keep from laughing, but she couldn’t keep from smiling…until she thought about the next hurdle she should have considered before moving forward with this half-baked plan of hers. “What will your family think?”

More importantly, how would they react to her and Nina in their lives full-time? Her smile faded.

“You’ll be welcomed as a Landis. And my mother will adore you simply because you love her…uh…granddaughter.”

“That’s a relief, at least.” Nina would never be alone and abandoned again. “I wouldn’t want things to be awkward when I bring Nina to visit.”

“Visit?” He cocked a dark eyebrow and put the car in Reverse. “You’ll need to stay at the house for at least a couple of months. At that point we could maintain two residences and claim work conflicts.”

“Months?” She pressed a hand to her forehead.

He nodded curtly. “Long enough to get official custody worked out. Or until Bianca returns.” His fist tightened on the gearshift. “If we don’t hear from her, we can start divorce proceedings after a year.”

“And about Nina?”

“I’ll want visitation for me and for my family.”

“Of course.” She went weak with relief as he backed the car out of the parking spot. It must have been hard for him to concede full custody. Even though he hadn’t known his daughter long, Phoebe had been around the Landises enough to recognize they took the notion of family loyalty to a whole new level.

Thank heavens, he wasn’t going to fight her over custody. Tears burned behind her eyes and she blinked fast to hold them back, along with the urge to throw her arms around him in gratitude.

He was far too foreboding at the moment for a hug, his normal grin and lightheartedness nowhere in sight. Maybe he needed some reassurance, too. “I want to sign a prenup that makes it clear I have no claim to any Landis assets. Can your brother draw one up right away?”

“Except I will provide for Nina.”

“Whatever you think is fair. I’m just so relieved you’re not going to take her away.”

“It’s obvious from everything I’ve seen and learned about you that you’ve got her best interests at heart.” He put the car in first gear, focusing his attention in front, his jaw flexing again, faster. “I’m in no position to be a full-time father with the travel load that comes with my job.”

“Of course, that’s totally understandable.” Although she would have given up any job for Nina, had in fact made major concessions in her own work world. But she wasn’t going to argue with him.

She did, however, want to ask him how he felt about all of this. Wasn’t he frustrated over marrying a woman he barely knew? How did he feel about having a daughter, for crying out loud?

His resolute face shut her out as he steered onto the road. He was doing what needed to be done, fulfilling obligations. She should have been relieved over his emotional detachment.

Instead, she just felt hollow inside. “I need it to be indisputably clear I’m only interested in Nina’s well-being.”

“Okay, then. I’ll let Sebastian know so he can draw up the papers.”

So cold and businesslike. Nothing in the arrangement resembled her emotional engagement to Roger. He’d proposed at the beach, no ring, no money, no complicated legal dealings to wade through. Just simple declarations of how much they loved each other and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

Yet, tomorrow she would be married to the man next to her. She’d gotten her way. Nina would be as safe as she could possibly arrange.

So why did a year suddenly sound like forever?

“By the power vested in me by the State of South Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

The jowly justice of the peace’s proclamation resonated hollowly in Phoebe’s ears, as if she was watching some kind of drama, far removed from her place beside Kyle. He wore a uniform again, a less formal version this time, but still with a jacket and tie for their courthouse wedding.

Everything had felt surreal since they’d rushed through the paternity test over the weekend, verifying what she’d known in her heart for certain since laying eyes on Kyle Landis. He was Nina’s biological father.

Once Kyle had heard the paternity test results confirming she was his, he hadn’t hesitated. Things had taken off at warp speed from there as he arranged for a Monday-afternoon wedding and an appointment with a family court judge shortly thereafter. The building complex made for one-stop shopping. This military man sure knew how to take command and move mountains.

Her fingers clutched around the bouquet of mango calla lilies with yellow roses. One of his sentimental sisters-in-law had thrust it into her hands—Ashley, the pregnant one married to the oldest politician brother. The other wife, Marianna, jostled her son on her hip, while Ginger stood beside her general husband and proudly held her new granddaughter, Nina.

Phoebe was a part of this family now, even if in name only.

The justice of the peace closed his folder containing the vows, a South Carolina flag and American flag behind him. “You may kiss the bride.”

Phoebe looked up sharply at Kyle, any feeling of being a distant observer gone in a snap. Surely nobody expected them to go through with that part of the ceremony. Except the magistrate.

Kyle’s face creased in a one-sided smile and he dipped his head toward her. She barely had time to register his oldest brother smothering a laugh before Kyle’s mouth touched hers. Firm and gentle all at once, he kissed her. Her eyes closed, her ears roared and she lost track of everyone around her.

It had been so long since she’d felt a man’s lips against hers. Too long. All her buried sensuality smoked back to life, steaming through her at just a simple, closed-lips caress. She wanted to open for more, more of this, more of him. Dots sparked in front of her eyes and she realized she’d forgotten to breathe.

He eased away slowly, thank goodness, so she had time to regain her balance. She clutched her bouquet, the floral scent teasing her with romanticism, and she opened her eyes. Kyle stared back at her for just an instant and then offered his elbow along with his typical lighthearted grin. She couldn’t help smiling in return. Maybe, just maybe they could wade through this tangled mess.

As they turned toward the gathered family, Ginger held Nina out for them to hold. Kyle hesitated. Only for a second but long enough to bring her back to reality.

Phoebe thrust her bouquet of roses and lilies toward him and took the baby from Ginger. “Come here, sweetie. You were so good, so quiet.”

She smoothed Nina’s floral pinafore, adjusting the bonnet and booties until it seemed the momentary awkwardness had passed. But she hadn’t forgotten. In spite of his speed in stepping up to the plate—honorable though that was—she could see he hadn’t connected with Nina in any real way.

Not exactly the dream wedding day she’d fantasized about as a child, although she did feel like she was playing dress-up. She wore a knee-length gown borrowed from her new sister-in-law. The woman had graciously offered for Phoebe to keep the simple drape of pale yellow—with a Versace label. Marianna had insisted it didn’t fit her anymore since she’d given birth to her son.

Nina grasped the strand of pearls resting on Phoebe’s collarbone, Roger’s gift to her the day they’d exchanged vows. Their wedding had been a simple affair, as well, but she hadn’t minded. There’d been so little money in those days. He’d sold one of his first-edition books to pay for the necklace.

A fresh ache stabbed through her over the thought of never having Roger’s baby. Nina was her one chance at motherhood, for however long that lasted.

A camera flash went off from a corner of the room, taken by a photographer hired by the Landises and soon to be released to the press. She blinked against the continuous barrage of flashes. At least the pictures had been staged by them, along with a story stating simply that Kyle had married his daughter’s guardian.

She’d never seen such choreographed control before.

Kyle angled down conspiratorially. “Welcome to living with a family full of politicians. Watch what you say, and don’t ever, ever chew with your mouth open. Well, unless you want it plastered on some Internet blog before you’ve swallowed your food.”

Nina reached to pat his face, more of a thumping actually with her drool-covered palm, then she giggled and stuffed her plastic panda teething toy into her mouth. He was so charming with adults, why did he freeze with Nina? Or was it all children?

Regardless, he would be jetting off again soon to his base for some mission and she would be alone again with Nina. She just had to make it through a few days, not much time to ache for another kiss.

Ginger gave her a one-armed hug that seemed genuine and not just for the photo op. “Welcome to the family, dear.”

“Thank you.” Phoebe paused, lowering her voice. “But you know this is only temporary.”

Her new mother-in-law gave her shoulder a final squeeze. “You’re a Landis and you’re an important part of my granddaughter’s life. We’ll worry about tomorrow when it gets here.”

Panic constricted her breathing and the diamond-studded band on her finger seemed suddenly too tight. She should be happy. Everything was going just as Kyle had said it would, with his family accepting her even knowing the full circumstances.

Once the photographer had been ushered out, Marianna stepped alongside her with a supportive smile. “You look exhausted. Let’s finish up the paperwork so you can get out of those heels.”

If she could just go back to her apartment for even a little while and regroup. “You’re so thoughtful to have loaned me your clothes, but I can’t keep borrowing from you forever. I’ll need to go back to Columbia. Nina and I are out of—”

Ginger waved a manicured hand. “No worries, dear. I’ve already taken care of everything. There are clothes waiting for you at the house. You can choose whatever you like. Marianna arranged for a complete nursery to be set up closer to your room and ordered clothes for the baby.” She ticked through the list with a thoroughness that likely made governmental issues run more smoothly but felt a little steamrollerlike at the moment. She clapped her hands together. “Now if you’ll pardon me, I need to pop in upstairs to speak with a judge friend of mine about something that came across my desk last week.”

Ginger strode out of the office and into the hall with a fast, efficient click of her high heels.

Phoebe sagged with an exhale and turned to Marianna. “She set up all of that to happen while we were here?”

Marianna leaned closer, jostling her baby son more securely on her hip. “Money, influence and a personal assistant make things move much faster.” Like with that overnight paternity test. “She means well and is usually right. You might as well go with the flow for now. If you have a stand you want to make, you’ll be better equipped to do so well-rested and with a full stomach.”

“You’re encouraging me to leave?” She hadn’t expected to find such total support within the Landis camp for whatever decision she made.

“I’m simply telling you that if you intend to fight, you would be wise to choose your timing well. The Landises are all charming—and stubborn. Of course, you’re a Landis now.”

“Temporarily.”

Marianna didn’t answer.

Realization seeped in with the full weight of what she’d done. The sense of claustrophobia she’d felt on her first night at the family compound squeezed tighter. The Landises had accepted Nina because of her blood tie. However, it was also a double-edged sword.

They didn’t know Nina. So they didn’t love her, not really, not yet. But they wouldn’t let her go.

Kyle tossed the bouquet on the clerk’s desk and picked up the pen.

The final paperwork sealing this marriage waited in front of him by the blob of yellow-and-orange flowers. Today should have taken care of all problems by securing Nina’s future. His kid. His child. He still hadn’t sorted through all that in his head, beyond moving ahead and taking care of his responsibilities. However, instead of smoothing out his life, this ceremony had introduced a new problem—not totally unexpected—but certainly surprising in the magnitude.

He wanted his wife. One kiss had made that more than clear.

His grip tightened around the pen, darkening the stroke of his scrawl. It was all he could do not to send everyone away so he could seal a deeper, fuller imprint on Phoebe’s mouth and in her memory. The scent of her lingered on his shirt from the brief brush of her breasts against him and left him aching to explore. He’d found her attractive from the first time he’d seen her at the welcome-home bash. He’d even wanted to ask her out on a date.

Then they’d started talking, he’d met Nina and here they were.

At least Phoebe looked as stunned as he felt by the kiss. Thank God, he’d scrounged up enough control to keep his hands to himself so he wouldn’t give the photographer an unexpected headliner. He glanced up from the paper over to Phoebe standing with Marianna. The yellow silky dress hugged the subtle curve of Phoebe’s breasts, gliding over her slim hips in a way that made him wonder what she wore underneath.

Kyle checked over his shoulder fast to make sure the photographer hadn’t slipped back in.

He’d been lucky to stay out of the spotlight this long, but now that he was out of the military, he was fair game for the media hounds. Although he had to admit Phoebe certainly made for a beautiful subject for the photographer with her cool, blond good looks.

Phoebe shuffled Nina over to Marianna and glided toward him, drawing his eyes to her legs. He flipped the pen between his fingers. Maybe this marriage could have some unexpected benefits. Who could fault him for sleeping with his own wife?

Her heart might well be buried along with her dead husband, but if that kiss was anything to judge by, her sensuality was alive and well.

Phoebe held out her hand. “May I have the pen, please?”

“Yeah, right.” He passed it over and she leaned by him, a whiff of her floral shampoo drifting from her loose blond hair. An image flashed through his mind of the silky straight strands splayed across a pillow while he peeled her clothes away.

He tugged at his suddenly too tight tie.

Phoebe nudged aside the bouquet to rest her wrist on the table as she signed her name. She tucked her tongue in her cheek. He could still taste the hint of coffee from her lips.

Coffee, for crying out loud. Who would have thought the simple brew would taste so sexy? His heart rate spiked.

She finished her signature with a curly flourish at odds with her no-nonsense air.

Regardless, it was official. They were married. His eyes narrowed. And he fully intended to consummate this union as soon as he could romance his new wife into his bed.

Kyle slid the papers across the table toward his mother’s assistant and focused his full attention on his wife. “Have you eaten anything today?”

The family would understand if he and Phoebe opted out of any scheduled big gatherings for some time to get to know each other. He seemed to recall a quiet little café near the courthouse. He’d eaten there before with his mother’s judge friend, later took the judge’s daughter there for a date.

Hmm…perhaps not a good idea to take the new wife to an old date site. Moving on to plan B.

Phoebe pushed her hair behind her ears with a sigh. “It’s been a busy day.”

Was she thinking about her first wedding? Understandable, but he needed to divert her thoughts of the man who still had such a prominent place in her mind.

“I would offer to take you out, but I imagine you’re exhausted. The rug rat looks like she needs to stretch her legs. What do you say I pick up some takeout along the way and we spend the afternoon on the beach at home? There’s plenty of space away from the rest of the family so that it will be just the three of us, relaxing by the shore, getting to know each other.”

“That’s really thoughtful of you.” Wariness lit her dark eyes. “I would like that, very much.”

“Then let’s get moving. Once we’re past the press no doubt waiting outside, we’ll be home free.”

Smiling reassuringly at her, he palmed her back. This time he prepared to steel himself for the jolt of awareness sparked by the feel of her under his palm. He ushered her out of the office, into the long corridor toward the elevator. He vaguely registered the footsteps of his family following and talking with each other. Cameras started clicking again from a small pack of reporters clustered behind a security guard blocking them from pressing closer.

His oldest brother, Matthew, broke away and started speaking with one of the reporters, diverting their attention by offering up a couple of sound bites. Apparently an interview with a U.S. senator trumped snagging more photos of a surprise wedding.

Kyle smiled. Thanks, bro.

He focused his attention forward, intent on getting Phoebe and Nina home. Anticipation ramped inside him. For the first time since Phoebe Slater had blasted into his world, he had control of his life.

Nina’s future would be secure.

And for however long this marriage lasted, he and Phoebe could have one hell of a totally legal affair. No worries about emotional entanglements for either of them.

He stopped in front of the private side elevator designated for employees and special guests. He jabbed the button just as the door slid open to reveal one person already inside.

Damn.

A leggy redhead in her twenties blinked in wideeyed surprise. Then smiled with recognition.

The timing couldn’t have been worse to run into one of his exes. The judge’s daughter. The one he’d dated briefly in the past.

Leslie? No. Lucy took the bouquet from him. “Okay, Kyle Landis, you’re officially forgiven.” She lifted the flowers to her nose and inhaled deeply, thrusting her breasts out none too subtly. “These are just gorgeous, you charmer. Calla lilies and roses, no less. I didn’t know you were so romantic.”

Phoebe bristled visibly beside him, stepping away from his palm at her waist. He needed to implement damage control before some reporter with a telephoto lens and great hearing put together a new headline.

He rushed Phoebe and Nina into the elevator with Lucy and pushed the Close button. “Uh, Lucy, I’d like for you to meet—”

Lucy laughed, talking right over him. “I was just going to leave you an ‘eat dirt and die, you scumbag’ message, but since you’ve apologized so nicely with flowers,” she lifted the bouquet to her nose briefly, “I’ll forgive you for breaking my heart.”