The Tycoon's Scandalous Proposition--A Marriage of Convenience Romance

by Miranda Lee

  ‘You don’t think so?’

  ‘I already told you, Kate. She’s not my type. Now, you...’ he continued as he reached around and unhooked her bra. ‘You are definitely my type.’

  Kate’s heartbeat stopped when he peeled off her bra and left her sitting there naked to the waist. Yet, oddly, she felt more excited than embarrassed. And totally breathless. After a few dizzying seconds she began breathing again, hard and fast, her chest expanding as she sucked in much-needed air.

  Blake’s eyes dropped to her breasts with their fiercely erect nipples, all tight and hard and eager for his hands, or his mouth.

  ‘Oh, yes,’ he said thickly. ‘Definitely my type.’

  Just when she thought he was going to do what she craved he knelt down again, reaching up under the skirt of her dress and pulling down her white cotton panties. And then he was pushing her back onto the bed and lifting her dress, putting his mouth not to her aching nipples but to that part of her which she hadn’t realised until that moment was far needier.

  She gasped, then groaned. His fingers and tongue were doing things to her that had never been done before. They made her burn for him, made her incapable of stopping him. She was mindless. Tortured. Rapturous. All she knew was that she couldn’t bear it if he stopped. She was so close to coming. So close.

  He stopped.

  ‘No, don’t stop!’ she cried out.

  ‘Have to, sweetness,’ he said, standing up and pulling her skirt down again.

  ‘But I was about to...you know—’ She broke off and sat up, feeling flustered and frustrated.

  ‘Yes, I know. But so was I.’

  ‘Oh,’ she said, only then noting his ragged breathing.

  ‘Never happened to me before,’ he ground out, and stared at her as if it was her fault.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, which was crazy. What was she saying sorry for?

  ‘I suppose it has been several weeks since I’ve had sex,’ he muttered, as if he was looking for a valid reason for his lack of control.

  ‘Really?’ That surprised Kate. She’d always thought powerful, good-looking men like Blake never did without sex for long. She’d imagined they always had women throwing themselves at them.

  ‘Really and truly.’ He sighed a heavy sigh, at the same time running his hands agitatedly through his hair. ‘Under the circumstances, best we move on to the real thing.’

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  ‘I JUST NEED to go to the bathroom first,’ Blake lied. ‘Meanwhile, why don’t you get into bed?’ He made his escape, desperate for a minute or two by himself.

  Blake closed the door firmly behind him, still rattled by what had just happened. He simply couldn’t believe he’d almost lost it, having always prided himself on his sexual skills—especially his ability to control his body and not act like some horny teenager whose only aim was getting his rocks off.

  It was especially embarrassing given Kate’s sexual history. He’d been determined to give her the time of her life, and what had he done? Almost blown it—that was what he’d done.

  Maybe he’d been trying too hard to please her.

  That last thought bothered him. He wasn’t usually a try-hard.

  He glanced at himself in the bathroom mirror, shocked by what he saw. Not his usual cavalier self, but someone who was beginning to care too much. About her. That was the problem. It had been the problem from the first moment he’d seen her, walking down that staircase, looking haunted and terrified.

  It annoyed the hell out of him that she was in love with Lachlan—that she probably fantasised about him when she made herself come in her lonely bed at night. He wanted to obliterate that bastard from her mind...wanted to give her something or someone better to dream about.

  And that would be you, would it, Blake Randall? You—a man who doesn’t even believe in love, or romance, or any of the things that seem to matter to women? What can you give Kate that would really matter to her? That would be a positive influence in her life? That would make her happy? Or at least happier.

  The chance for a successful acting career, he supposed. And a healthier attitude to sex. Sex didn’t have to be connected to love. Much better to be just about physical pleasure. And fun. That was what he had told her, and that was what he was going to deliver.

  So he cared about her as well? So what? He was allowed to care, wasn’t he? There was no crime in that.

  ‘Right,’ he told himself sternly, and turned to flush the toilet before heading for the bathroom door.

  * * *

  Kate stiffened when she heard the toilet flush. She had taken off her dress and dived naked into the bed, shivering a little at the coolness of the sheets. Not that the room was cold, the penthouse obviously had ducted air-conditioning and heating.

  Her heart jumped when he emerged, but his ready smile calmed her a little.

  ‘Sorry about that,’ he said, and whipped his shirt up off over his head.

  Kate hadn’t really thought about what his body might look like without clothes. She’d known he was tall and slim, with nice shoulders and olive skin. But the reality was better than she could have imagined, with his well-toned arms and chest, and a smattering of dark, sexy curls arrowing down to his navel.

  ‘You must work out a lot,’ she said, just for something to say. Better than sitting there ogling him.

  He shrugged as he took his wallet out of his pocket and placed it by the bed. ‘I have a gym in my home. Everyone works out in Hollywood. Everyone except the really fat-cat producers. All they have to do is go to lunch and show their credit cards.’

  ‘I jog sometimes,’ she said, trying not to stare. But it was getting harder now he’d taken off his trousers. ‘And I walk a lot. I don’t have a car.’

  ‘You have a great figure,’ he complimented her, sitting down on the side of the bed in his black underpants and taking off his shoes and socks. ‘I adore it. I like natural.’

  ‘Well, I’m certainly that.’

  Maddie had had a boob job when she was twenty, which her parents had happily paid for. But Kate didn’t mind her B-cup breasts, believing they went with her more athletic shape. Her agent had once criticised her smallish bust, but she’d ignored him. Thank goodness she had. She rather suspected Blake wouldn’t have fancied her if her breasts had been surgically enhanced.

  Relief swamped Kate when Blake kept his back to her as he took off his underpants. Hopefully he would just dive into bed the way she had and she wouldn’t have to look at his penis.

  But he didn’t oblige, turning to pick up his wallet and extract a condom first. He was fully erect. Impressively so. Her mouth went dry at the thought of what was to come. Her heartbeat quickened.

  She looked away while he drew the condom on, not turning back to face him until she felt the mattress dip.

  ‘Don’t go shy on me,’ he told her as he put his arms around her and drew her close.

  She looked up into his eyes. ‘I’m not shy so much as nervous. I need you to kiss me again.’

  ‘And I need to kiss you again,’ he replied, and did so.

  It was even better with their naked bodies pressed against each other. So exciting and intimate, making her quickly hungry for more. Not just more kissing. More bodily contact. She wanted him inside her. No, needed him inside her. Her leg lifted to curve over his hip, giving him access to her body, urging him without words to take her. Now. Now!

  He did her silent bidding, his body surging into hers, rolling her onto her back and going even deeper. His mouth moved away from hers, his eyes hot and hungry as he began to move. She moved with him, lifting her legs high onto his back, clinging to him and almost sobbing with pleasure. Her heart was squeezed tight in her chest, her flesh gripping his like a vice.

  She was just beginning to think she might have a heart attack when she came with a rush, her release so
brilliant and violent that she screamed out. ‘Blake! Oh, Blake!’

  His climax quickly followed hers, and his own cry of release was loud and primal, his whole body shuddering as he came. Finally he collapsed across her and buried his face in her hair.

  Kate revelled in the feel of his weight, holding him tight lest he try to withdraw. She didn’t feel all limp and sleepy, like she’d read in books. She felt more awake and alive than she’d ever felt before. She could hardly wait to do it again. And again. She wanted to try everything with him—every possible position—and not just in this bed.

  Her fantasies were endless and wild. She was envisaging herself doing the sort of things Maddie did with Lachlan.

  Lachlan...

  It came as a shock to Kate that she could think of Lachlan whilst in bed with another man and not feel a single bit of regret that it wasn’t him in bed with her. If anything, the thought of him vaguely repulsed her. How odd. Was she over him at last? She rather suspected she was. Whatever—she’d certainly reached a point where her feelings for her brother-in-law were not going to stop her from enjoying life. From enjoying Blake.

  * * *

  Kate stirred beneath him. Blake lifted his head and smiled down at her. She smiled back at him—a slow, sensual smile which echoed her satisfaction and hinted at her ongoing desires.

  ‘Methinks,’ he said, with a sexy glitter in his eyes, ‘that you won’t have too much trouble with that movie role after all.’

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  ‘YOU’RE DOING WHAT?’

  Kate ignored her mother’s horrified reaction—at least on the surface. She’d known what to expect and had steeled herself accordingly.

  ‘You heard what I said, Mum,’ she replied coolly. ‘I’m going to Hollywood. My screen test went very well last night. Blake said the part is definitely mine.’

  Lord, she really was a good actress. Not a hint of irony on her face. Nor shame. Not that she intended to feel shame over what she’d done with Blake last night. Or what she intended to do in the future. He’d opened a whole new world to her—one she wanted to explore and enjoy to the full. And she wasn’t just thinking about her career.

  ‘He’s also kindly offered to let me stay at his place until I get on my feet.’

  She couldn’t wait to live in the same house as him, to be with him every night. Even if it only lasted a short while.

  Janice Holiday’s eyes narrowed on her daughter. ‘Now, why would he do something like that?’

  ‘Why not? He’s a kind and generous man. Look at the way he stepped in and organised that lovely and totally free venue for Maddie’s wedding, saving Maddie from a nervous breakdown and saving you and Dad an absolute fortune. He didn’t have to do that.’

  ‘We did pay for the marquee,’ Janice huffed. ‘And the catering. Besides, it was Lachlan he was helping out—not us. He’s the one who’s making Blake Randall a small fortune.’

  ‘I think the shoe is on the other foot, Mum. It’s Blake who’s making Lachlan a small fortune. Without him Lachlan would still be a struggling actor, trying to make ends meet.’

  ‘Oh, rubbish! Anyone with any brains can see it’s Lachlan’s talent which has put Blake Randall on the map. Without him that man would be an also-ran, making boring little movies which no one would go to see.’

  Kate had no intention of arguing with her mother. Experience had taught her it was a total waste of time. She always had to have the last word.

  ‘Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on,’ her mother continued, her tone caustic. ‘Men like that always want something in return for their so-called generosity. You slept with him last night, didn’t you?’

  Kate drew herself up to her full five foot nine inches, setting reproachful eyes on her mother. ‘I did not,’ she denied, quite truthfully.

  They hadn’t slept one bit—either before or after dinner.

  ‘Well, it’s just a matter of time. When are you seeing him next? Today, I’ll bet.’

  ‘No, I’m not.’ Worse luck. ‘He’s playing golf with Byron today, and has an important business dinner tonight. Then he’s booked to fly back to LA early tomorrow morning. I plan to follow as soon as I can. I checked the visa situation online and Australians can get their visa waivered—but you have to wait three days after applying. I’m allowed to stay for ninety days before reapplying.’

  Her mother looked doubtful. ‘Surely that would only cover tourists? Not people who are going to work in the country?’

  ‘No, it says you can be going there for business or pleasure. And Blake said once I’m there and have a contract in my hand I can apply for some other visa which I will eventually need.’

  ‘So you haven’t signed a contract yet?’

  ‘No. Not yet. But I will once I get over there.’

  ‘And who’s going to pay for your plane ticket to get you over there? You don’t have that sort of money. Or is our generous Mr Randall going to pay for that as well?’

  Blake had offered to do just that, but Kate had refused. She didn’t mind temporarily staying in his house as a guest, but she wasn’t going to let him pay for other things. That would make her feel like a kept woman. All she wanted from Blake was a helping hand with her career. Oh, yes, and lots of lovely sex.

  ‘I was hoping that you and Dad would buy me a return ticket. After all, I’ve never asked you to buy me anything before.’

  ‘We give you free board and lodging. I would have thought that was enough.’

  ‘You gave Maddie free board and lodging too,’ Kate pointed out, keeping her temper with difficulty. ‘Yet she was earning good money as a receptionist. On top of which you bought her a car and paid for her to have a boob job. Not to mention a thousand other expensive items over the years. I have never asked you for anything, Mum,’ she said, her voice rising a few decibels. ‘Never.’

  Her father suddenly appeared in the doorway, surprising Kate. She’d thought he’d be at work by now. Possibly he had a flex day. He sometimes took one on a Monday, and he was still in his dressing gown.

  ‘What are you two arguing about?’ he asked wearily.

  ‘Kate wants us to buy her a plane ticket to go to Hollywood. A return ticket, no less. She’s had this ridiculous offer of a movie role from Blake Randall and she thinks he’s doing it out of the goodness of his heart. She doesn’t realise there’s no such thing as a free lunch. He’ll want his pound of flesh in return. And it’s not as though she has a contract in her hand. On top of that, she’s going to stay at his house. Well, I ask you. It’s as plain as the nose on your face what he wants. Though Lord knows why. I mean, it’s not as though Kate is a raving beauty, like our Maddie. I could understand it if Blake Randall wanted her for a part in one of his movies. What do you think, Neville?’

  ‘What do I think, Janice?’

  He answered in a tone that Kate had never heard before. It was rather cold and very firm—not what she’d expected from her hen-pecked father.

  ‘I think we should not only support our daughter and buy her a return ticket to LA, but that we should make it business class. It’s a long trip, and I wouldn’t want her getting there looking all tired and drawn. Unlike you, I have every respect for Blake Randall, and I don’t think he has some dastardly ulterior motive in offering Kate a part in one of his movies. Why should he when she’s such a brilliant actress? Have you forgotten how wonderful she was in those plays they put on at NIDA? She was the star—not Lachlan. I dare say Blake Randall was already aware of her talent, even before her screen test.

  ‘And by the way,’ he added, whilst his wife’s mouth was still hanging open. ‘Kate might not be what some people call a raving beauty, but she is very attractive, with classic features which will last long after most women’s faces fall apart. Now, I am going back to bed. I’m not at my best this morning. Please give Kate our credit card, Janice. And Kate? Well do
ne. You’re a hard worker and a fine actress and you deserve all the success in the world.’

  * * *

  ‘I have to confess, Blake,’ Kate told him when he rang her later, as promised, ‘that I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I mean, it was amusing to see my mother stuck for words for once, but...but...’ She felt suddenly choked up and couldn’t go on.

  ‘But you were touched by your father’s magnificent defence of you?’

  ‘Yes. Yes, I was.’

  The things he’d said about her had meant so much. Kate hadn’t realised how hurt she’d been all these years by his seeming to favour Maddie. Now she saw that it had been more her mother doing the favouring than him. He’d just gone along with what his wife and Maddie wanted to keep the peace. Of course Maddie was very charming—and very manipulative. It was awfully hard to say no to her. Kate also conceded that she herself had been silly to stay in the background all the time...not asking for anything, and playing the victim, in a way.

  No more of that, she decided. She was done with playing second fiddle to her sister.

  ‘How was your golf game with Byron?’ she asked, lying down on her bed and stretching out. ‘Did you win?’

  ‘Did I win, she asks? Of course I won. In the end. I let him get close to me in the first nine, but I slaughtered him in the second.’

  Kate smiled. He really was terribly arrogant. But she still liked him.

  ‘Poor Byron...’

  Blake laughed. ‘Hardly poor. He just keeps on getting richer. That man has the Midas touch when it comes to investments. I’m always happy when he comes aboard as co-producer on one of my movies. They never bomb. Not that I ever make duds, of course. Anyway, I told him about the movie you’re going to be in and he’s agreed to put a good chunk of money in it. In the past he’s only ever wanted to invest in Lachlan’s movies, but he’s willing to take a chance now on anything I recommend.’

  ‘Maybe he thinks you’ve got the Midas touch?’

  ‘There’s nothing magical about my success. It took me years of trial and error to work out what worked in movies and what didn’t. Even so, you can never be one hundred percent sure of a positive reception. Film audiences can be very fickle.’