by Lori Foster
R.J. raised a hand and announced to the group, “Dana and I have arranged a celebration dinner and we insist you all join us, to allow us to show our appreciation.”
Dana almost groaned. She wouldn’t be able to swallow a bite, and she wanted this over with so she could relax. Then she realized where her thoughts had taken her. Once the celebration was over, they’d be alone—and R.J. would have to pay up, so to speak. She shuddered again at her own daring.
Among the murmur of agreements, R.J. leaned down and kissed her cheek, then whispered in her ear, “This will be the perfect time for our marriage to be leaked to the media. People will see us there, and it’ll be reported. That way we won’t have to break the news.”
“I see.”
He turned her to face him, still leaning close, holding her in a loose embrace. She knew it was for the sake of their audience and wanted to pull away. “Does that idea distress you?”
“No, of course not. I want to do whatever you think is best, R.J.”
For some reason, her reply seemed to annoy him. Then his frown lifted, replaced by a look of chagrin. “You’re not enjoying yourself at all, are you?”
She could tell the idea disappointed him. He’d gone out of his way to make things nice for her, and she was acting like an ungrateful wretch. Luckily the others were all standing a discreet distance away, giving them the privacy they needed. Dana tried to inch back, putting some space between them, and R.J. tightened his hold. She gave up. “Everything is lovely.”
He searched her face. “If you’re nervous about tonight—”
“No! I mean…” She glanced around. “I don’t want to talk about that.” Planning it in advance had been so much easier than dealing with it in the present.
He grinned, and then treated her to a swift, hard kiss on her lips. “You can still back out if you want, you know. I won’t become a demanding husband.”
He held her so close, the only way to avoid his gaze was to drop her forehead against his chest. And that treated her to the scent of his warm body and spicy cologne, the feel of his hard muscles and the rhythmic thumping of his heart. God, she wanted him. “I…I haven’t changed my mind.”
She felt his sigh against the top of her head, his hands coasting gently up and down her spine. “You are a determined woman, aren’t you?”
There was no discernible inflection in his tone, which gave her pause. “Does that bother you, R.J.?”
His tight squeeze made her gasp. “Not at all,” he said, without an ounce of conviction. “I just hope you know what the hell you’re doing.”
He stepped away from her, and they went about the formality of signing papers and discussing transportation. R.J. had rented a limo to take them all to the restaurant, and it was waiting in front of the courthouse when they exited. Dana assumed this was another measure to make certain the public took note of the wedding. And sure enough, speculation was ripe as onlookers watched the small procession climb into the shining limousine.
R.J. seated Dana in the very back beside him, while Megan sat in the long seat to their right, Drake and Hope to their left. The privacy window was up, so the driver was invisible. Soft music played, and the leather seats creaked as everyone shifted to get comfortable.
“Drake, if you’ll do the honors, the champagne is right beside you.”
Without a word, the driver pulled away from the curb and Drake retrieved the champagne from the ice bucket and went about filling glasses. When he was through, R.J. lifted his glass in a salute. Smiling at Dana, he said, “To my very special bride.”
There was a heartfelt round of, “hear, hear,” and then everyone drank a toast to Dana.
Megan watched her son and his new bride. She still hadn’t quite figured out how this had all come about, but she couldn’t have been more pleased. R.J. was a recluse in many ways, so determined to prove himself, though it wasn’t necessary at all. He’d become a total workaholic over the years, and her mother’s intuition had often told her Dana was the right woman for him, maybe the only woman for him. Dana could stand up to him, meet him eye to eye, where others wouldn’t dare. She supported him and believed in him even when he didn’t believe in himself. Dana loved him unconditionally.
But R.J. had never seemed to realize it.
Megan had known for some time how Dana felt, though Dana didn’t go about sharing that news with just anyone. But the people who knew her well could tell; it was there in the way she looked at R.J., the extreme effort she put out to be totally professional with him at all times. Like a drunk who carefully enunciates in an effort not to give himself away.
The horrid scandal with the baby had been hardest on R.J., and Megan couldn’t help worrying about her son. Maybe, just maybe, Dana would be able to save him.
She tilted her head, smiling at them both. “I’m still amazed at how sudden this has been. Honestly, I’d suspected all along there might be more to your relationship than mere business, especially the way Dana has always been able to read you and manage your nasty temper. But marriage?”
Dana blinked, as if surprised by Megan’s words, then she blushed. Megan’s speculation doubled—and so did her satisfaction. She’d be willing to bet her son had met his match. “I swear, R.J.,” she added, deliberately teasing, “I never thought to live to see the day. Dana must be a miracle worker.”
Dana thought about sinking beneath the limo seat and hiding. Did Megan know what was going on? Had R.J. told her, despite his assurance that no one would know?
R.J. merely chuckled while Dana’s face grew hot. He was sitting so close beside her in the plush seat, his hard thigh lying alongside her own, his muscled left arm draped around her shoulders.
He tugged her close, almost making her spill her champagne with clumsy nervousness. “There’s not another woman in the world I’d have married.”
“Then I’m doubly glad to have Dana around,” his mother replied.
Dana had a horrible suspicion that they’d both been telling the truth. R.J. had told her many times that he wouldn’t have propositioned any other woman, and Megan had never made a secret of her affection. Dana knew Megan liked her, and the feeling was well returned. R.J.’s mother was so different from her own mother, so lively and filled with laughter.
She shook off the disturbing comparison. The last thing she wanted to think about right now was her mother and her lifelong disapproval of her only daughter. But at the same time, Dana hated duping Megan. The woman deserved better from them both.
“Drake,” R.J. said, “Next to the champagne there are some gifts I picked up for everyone. Would you pass them over to me, please?”
Surprised, Drake glanced around and located the tray of small packages. He handed it to R.J. with a grin. “I think I like this best man business.”
R.J. laughed. “Then by all means, you should go first. Here, this one is for you.” Drake took the package, and R.J. turned to the others. “Mother and Hope.”
Drake opened his gift without hesitation, then whistled under his breath at the diamond tie clip. “Very nice! Thank you.”
“Oh my!” Hope exclaimed when she opened her gift. “R.J., thank you, it’s lovely.” She held the small gold charm bracelet up for everyone to see. The charm, a golden rose, had a diamond set in the very center.
Megan shook her head. “You are outrageous, R.J. Now, let’s see what you got me—oh, goodness. It’s lovely, son.” She lifted out the elegant diamond stick pin for everyone to see.
R.J. still held one box, and he pressed it into Dana’s hand. “A wedding gift, sweetheart.”
Dana swallowed nervously. This entire day seemed magical, and if any part of it had been real she’d be the happiest woman alive. Instead, she felt slightly hollow, as if she herself was a sham.
But she was also filled with expectation for the coming night. Conflicting, volatile emotions that made her feel totally off balance.
Her fingers shook horribly as she tore away the silver tissue paper. When she hesita
ted, R.J. sighed and took the long velvet box from her and carefully opened the hinged top so that Dana could see inside.
This time, the tears almost got her as she glimpsed the emerald bracelet. With a gasp, she launched herself at R.J., making him laugh and gather her close. Likely he assumed it was the costliness of the gift that had so pleased her, but her response had nothing to do with money, and his next words made her chest tighten with the effort to choke back her tears.
To the onlookers R.J. said, “I noticed earlier in the week that Dana looked very fine in emeralds. The color suits her. They perfectly match her eyes.”
He didn’t think she was too plain to wear such extravagant jewelry.
Dana continued to hide against his shoulder, then she got control of herself and pushed away. She would not continue acting like a complete ninny. One tear slipped down her cheek when she blinked.
Drake gallantly handed her a hanky, which made everyone chuckle again. “I’m sorry,” Dana said as R.J. took the hanky from her and tenderly dried her eyes. “I don’t know why I’m acting so absurd today—”
“Women are supposed to cry at weddings, silly, even their own!” Hope assured her, then dabbed at her own eyes.
Dana lifted the bracelet from the box. “This is so…so beautiful.” She turned to R.J. “Will you help me put it on?”
He touched his mouth to hers in the lightest of kisses, but the emotional impact on Dana was almost more devastating than his blatant performance at the altar. She mustered a shaky smile, which he returned, then he deftly hooked the bracelet around her wrist. Unlike the pendant and ring, which each boasted a single emerald, the bracelet was a multitude of perfect square stones hooked together with gold links. Surprisingly, it wasn’t heavy or too ostentatious, and it complemented the other pieces perfectly.
Dana met his warm gaze. “I didn’t get you anything.” Given his reasons for marrying her, a gift had seemed out of place.
“You married me, sweetheart. Believe me, that’s all I need.”
Hope and Megan positively cooed, but Dana, determined to be more herself, snorted good-naturedly and poked him in the ribs. “You don’t do humble worth a damn, R.J.”
R.J. laughed and gave her another hug. Dana was stunned by how much physical affection he was showing her, but she assumed it was expected from a devoted groom on his wedding day.
“You may not be humble,” Drake remarked as he surveyed his tie clip, “but you sure as hell know how to do it up right, don’t you?”
“Small gestures, that’s all. Dana and I appreciate the show of support, especially in light of all that’s going on right now.”
Hope leaned forward to touch R.J.’s arm. “That mess has nothing to do with you, R.J. We know that.”
Drake shook his head. “It is a mess, though, isn’t it? Who the hell could have abandoned the baby? And that damn ‘Tattle Today’ broad. She drives me nuts the way she fans the flames to make a more sensational story and improve ratings.”
Megan sighed. “Did you know Lana has been bringing the baby a gift every day? And Michael can’t even bear to look at the child. This is so hard on all of them, Shelby and Garrett, too, knowing that they were once abandoned themselves.”
Dana knew about R.J.’s “cousins” and their past. The four siblings had been dropped off at Maitland Maternity shortly after it opened. No one had ever returned to claim them. Megan had found a wonderful home for them with good friends of hers, the Lords, and the children had been raised well. But Dana supposed being abandoned wasn’t something you’d easily forget.
She looked at R.J. and wondered what he was thinking. He’d been accused of abandoning a baby himself. R.J. was close to the Lords and knew they still struggled with their past. Because of his own father’s desertion, his sympathy for them ran deep, and made even the suggestion that he would inflict the same pain on a child doubly hurtful. R.J. would never admit just how much the accusation had affected him, though. He’d stomp about and growl and put on a show of anger, but deep inside, Dana knew he was aching.
R.J. noticed her watching him and took her hand, though it was Megan he spoke to. “There haven’t been any dull moments lately, that’s for sure.”
“You’re the master of understatement.” Drake settled back in his seat and lifted his champagne once more.
“Enough of that.” Megan spoke with brisk command. “This is a day for celebration. There’s no reason for us to dwell on all that unpleasantness. Let’s change the subject, shall we?”
Dana noticed how R.J. suddenly focused on his mother, his gaze growing intent and purposeful. “All right, Mother. I have a topic for you. Connor.”
Megan gave a look heavenward. “What would you like to know, R.J.?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Anything. Everything. I’m sure the man has been fascinating since he’s shown up.”
The look Megan sent her son would have quelled most men. She plainly didn’t appreciate his sarcasm one whit. But Dana saw that R.J. wouldn’t back down. He was worried about his mother, and that was enough reason for him to butt in.
Megan needlessly twitched the skirt of her green silk dress, smoothing it out over the posh limo seats. “Connor is fine. And he seems to be enjoying himself.”
R.J.’s laughter was brusque. “I’m sure he is.”
“Don’t be snide, R.J.”
He didn’t answer, choosing instead to take a swallow of champagne.
Megan sighed. “You’ll feel better about Connor when you see him again at Thanksgiving dinner.” She turned to Dana. “Of course, you’ll be there now, too. We’re going to love having you in the family.”
Dana gave her a wan smile. And just how long would she be in the family? a tiny voice asked her.
THE RINGING PHONE disturbed Janelle from her daydreams of wealth. A large home, a new car, vacations to the tropics—all the things that should have rightfully been hers since birth.
She pushed her hair away from her face and reached out with her left hand to snag the receiver. “Yeah?”
“What’s up, sweetheart?”
Janelle bolted upright in bed, shoving aside the brochures spread out around her. “Petey?”
“That’s ‘Connor’ to you, babe.”
“Don’t joke!” Janelle scooted to sit on the edge of the mattress, her heart racing. “It’s all going well?”
“Like a dream. You wouldn’t believe how easy it’s been. The condo she set me up in is posh. I could get used to this.”
“I’m worried, Petey.”
His sigh was long and aggrieved. “All right. What is it now?”
Janelle rolled her eyes. The man could be so obtuse. “There’s still been no sign of Lacy?”
“Nope. No word of any dead women being found.”
“Damn.”
“Relax, babe. I told you, it’s not that big of a deal these days. Dead bodies turn up all the time.” His chuckle grated along her nerves. “Besides, the Maitlands have had other things to occupy them, like the living, breathing bodies. You wouldn’t believe all the ruckus over the baby. Every single male Maitland around is being accused of dumping that kid. They’re all running in circles—it’s pretty damn funny.”
Janelle clutched the worn chenille spread with her free hand. “Well, don’t you dare act amused, Petey, do you hear me? You be humble and gracious and sincere.” Why did she have to tell him how important this was? “When you all get together for Thanksgiving, make them believe the only thing you want is family. Once I claim the baby and explain our ‘dire’ situation, they’ll get sucked in and we’ll be on easy street!”
“I’m a born actor, sweetheart. I told the old lady how shocked I was to find out Clarise wasn’t my real mother, that I’d been stolen from my rightful mother at birth, and she just ate it up. I told her I didn’t want to cause her trouble, I just wanted to know her, since she was my ma.” He laughed. “She’s been real motherly ever since.”
“What about the baby? Does anyone suspect anything?”
“With me? Nah. Not since I’ve told them it couldn’t be mine.”
“Still, Petey, keep on the lookout for any news about Lacy. Any bodies found with a head wound—hell, any bodies at all—I want to know about it. I can’t quit worrying until I know she’s been located. A dead woman in the alley that close to the clinic would make front-page news, regardless of what else is going on!”
“Stop fretting. I’ll let you know the second I hear anything.”
As she hung up, a cloud of misgivings loomed over Janelle’s head. The color brochure of a luxurious Hawaiian vacation resort was crumpled in her fist. She threw the wad of paper across the room.
Damn it, she had as much right to the Maitland fortune as any of them. Just because her father had turned out to be the black sheep didn’t mean she should be denied her fair share. R.J. and Anna were his kids, too, and they were being pampered, so why shouldn’t she? But until that damned Lacy was found, she wouldn’t be able to rest easy.
Things would work out in the end, she swore silently. She and Petey would have the money, and they’d take the kid for protection. They’d live the good life—she’d make damn sure they did.
CHAPTER SIX
IT WAS SEVERAL HOURS later before the limo dropped Dana and R.J. off in front of his house. Dana had never been here before, and he wondered what she’d think of it.
Actually, he’d been wondering what she was thinking all day. She’d been totally closed off from him, playing the role of new bride to perfection while hiding any real emotion.
He didn’t like it.
He liked his reactions to her even less.
Sitting in the limo, he’d taken special note of the way she crossed her legs—long legs, he had only recently realized. As she looked out the window, avoiding his eyes, he’d seen the way her chest rose and fell with nervous breaths and couldn’t keep himself from imagining her naked.
Dana.
Somehow, the fact that he felt as if he’d known her forever, that she’d always been a friend, made the moment highly erotic. He’d bedded more than his fair share of beautiful women. Hell, even if he didn’t have a healthy sex drive, he’d have been highly experienced. Women chased him down, drawn by his money, his power, his connections. Several times the papers had labeled him Austin’s most eligible bachelor—a title he’d intended to maintain forever.
