Page 15 of Jaylen
“See.” Kicking off his shoes he stretched out full-length with his hands knotted behind his head. “I am starting to remember now. You were the one who dragged us into that chapel and suggested we get married.”
“That’s not true.”
He gave her a knowing look out of emerald green eyes. “I am also recalling how you cried out my name when you came, several times.”
“I hate you!”
His expression turned wintry. “An auspicious beginning to our new life together. I was told to come and hurry you along. The jackals are waiting and they are getting impatient.”
Suddenly the fight went out of her and she found herself wilting. “Neither of us wants this.”
“I concur.”
“Then why are you not doing anything about it?”
“Like?”
“Trying to find a way out?”
“We have a lethal team of lawyers who say otherwise.” He pushed up against the padded headboard. “There are laws in place, conditions if you may. James Monteith is worth billions and I am not so shabby myself. If you leave this marriage, it will open us to a gigantic lawsuit. We are stuck, darling.”
“Are you satisfied with that?”
“Hell no.” He shrugged. “But we do not have to be together. I travel a lot. Am out of the country more than I am in. My loft is spacious with several suites. You get to pick one. We put on a show for the public by attending a few functions whenever I am around.”
His expression became harsh. “I am under contract with a very strict line and any hint of scandal, just a tiny whiff of it will undermine my position. So, yes, I am prepared to ride this farce of a marriage.” He sent her a humorless smile. “And after the year is over, you are going to be a very wealthy woman.”
“I don’t want your damn money.”
“Who doesn’t want money?”
“I don't like you.” She gave him a contemptuous look. “You are vain and entitled. You live off your looks and strut around as if you own the damn world. I am not one of the women who will fall at your feet and be grateful for a smile or a touch.
If I am in this farce, I will play my part in public, but you had better damn well stay away from me when we are in private.”
The silence following her impassioned speech was fraught with tension as they glared at each other.
“Noted," he told her icily. “Now shall we go and smile for the cameras?”
*****
She fielded the questions thrown at them and proved that she was an ace at her job. She had also dressed the part, the navy-blue wool dress clinging to her slender curves.
James had discreetly found them a square-cut diamond ring, just in time for them to take their place in the reception area of the hotel. Her thick dark brown hair was loose around her face, tumbling artlessly down her shoulders.
And they held hands.
“We wanted it to be kept a secret," she told the eager faces surrounding them. “With my husband’s high-profile job and the fact that I am employed at his father’s company, it is very difficult for us and we wanted to try and have a life apart from the public eye.” She looked up at him and managed to look adoring towards him.
“My wife insisted on keeping us a secret.” She almost dragged her hand from his when he lifted it to his lips, but his grip tightened. “I wanted to tell the world.”
“Was that why you were not seen with anyone over the past six months or so?”
“Absolutely. People kept asking me what the deal was, but I could not say.” He slanted her a look. “I promised my sweetie here that I would keep things between us.”
“What now? Honeymoon?”
“We will be taking this time in Italy as our honeymoon. I have to fly to Scotland in the next few days and then I will be back to my loving wife.”