The Millionaire's Redemption

by Therese Beharrie

  On his balcony.

  With the sun rising behind her.

  And then she was lost in the kiss.

  His lips felt as if they belonged on hers as they nudged. As they teased. As they sent warmth flowing through her body. And then his tongue joined hers, and she tasted the mint from his toothpaste, the coffee on his lips. She felt the temperature rise, the warmth now heat.

  She put her hands on his waist, under the shirt he’d thrown on, and let them skim the sides of him. Her body responded when she felt his shudder, and she closed the distance between them so that she could memorise how those muscles would feel against her. So that when he realised he didn’t really want her she would remember what it had been like to feel him against her.

  To feel what it was like to have a man like Jacques want her.

  He angled her so that she was pressed against the balcony railing, moaning when her hands slid over his abs and back down again. She couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe with his hands on her. She moved one of her own hands from where it explored his body, so that she could slide it through his hair as she’d wanted to do from the first night they’d met.

  And then, when she felt him press even closer to her, she moved that hand to the base of his neck, wanting to taste more, to give more. A deep sound came from his throat, and pleasure thrilled her body at the thought that she was the one making him moan. That she was the one he was so greedily taking in.

  He pulled back, and with fire in his eyes rasped, ‘Stop me. Stop me now before we do something neither of us will be able to forget.’

  ‘I don’t want to stop,’ she said, before reason could kick in.

  Desire flared in his eyes as he dipped his head down towards her again.

  His mouth was just a breath away when they heard a crash.

  Jacques immediately shoved her behind him, but she moved to see what the sound was, her heart beating hard for an entirely different reason now. At first she saw only a short man with dark hair, sprawled across a bin on the beach. The cause of their interruption. Then, when he pushed himself up, she saw the camera around the man’s neck.

  ‘He’s taking pictures of us...’ she breathed, and shock planted her feet to the ground before she willed herself to move.

  She was in the house in the seconds it took for Jacques to take the steps down to the beach. A moment later she heard another crash that she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to know the cause of. She wrapped her jersey tightly around herself, stuffing her hands under her armpits to stop them shaking.

  It was still strange to have someone take pictures of her. She was growing used to it at public events, but this kind—the kind that she couldn’t prepare herself for, the kind that had photographers climbing fences to get their shot—still felt as if someone had told the world all her secrets.

  And it succeeded in reminding her that real intimacy was out of the question for her and Jacques. She wasn’t there to make memories she’d never forget. Memories that would probably haunt her for the rest of her life. She had to face reality, and that reality was that she was just a prop for Jacques. It made her wonder if he’d known about the camera. If he had kissed her because of it.

  The hurt stunned her.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Jacques said when he walked into the house a few minutes later.

  He slammed the doors shut, locked them, and pressed a button that tinted the clear glass.

  ‘I’m... I’m fine.’

  ‘Lily.’ He took a step forward, and then stopped when she took one back. ‘I took the memory card from his camera. He doesn’t have any pictures of us.’

  The words told her that he hadn’t only been kissing her for the camera. And even if her mind still doubted it, her eyes saw that he held a small square memory card in his hand. She wanted to feel relief at that—should have—except that the fact that she’d doubted Jacques told her that she didn’t quite trust him.

  Was it because she knew those pictures would benefit him? Was that thought even fair? Jacques’s actions over the past weeks had shown her that he was willing to protect her. That he was willing to risk losing publicity to do so. So why didn’t she trust him?

  Because the last man she’d trusted had hurt her, she thought.

  And just as quickly she realised that she was scared the man she now loved would, too.

  ‘I... I have to go. The shop...’

  She couldn’t say any more, too raw from the realisation.

  ‘Okay...’ Jacques replied slowly. ‘Lil, can we just talk—?’

  ‘No,’ she said quickly.

  The responding coolness in his eyes had her stuttering through an explanation.

  ‘I’m... I’m already late. I have to go. I... I’m sorry.’

  She didn’t wait for him to speak. Instead she fiddled with the locks on the door and, when it opened, checked that there was no one else waiting to take her picture. When she was sure, she ran to her car.

  She ran because more than anything else she wanted to stay.

  And that terrified her.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  I’ll pick you up at seven.

  THAT WAS IT. That was all Jacques’s message had said. But it was seven now, and Lily had to stop herself from looking at the text message again to check whether she’d read it correctly. If she hadn’t she would feel like an even bigger fool, standing there in her store—in front of its glass wall—in the scandalous dress Jade had sent her.

  She and Jacques had decided—before the fiasco of that morning—to meet at her store, since the charity event’s venue was around the corner from it. But as she looked down at the tight plunging neckline that pressed her breasts together, exposing more of them than the world had ever seen, she wondered if that had been a good idea. It seemed even worse when she considered the way the white dress hugged the curves of her body, barely brushing her knees and leaving nothing to the imagination.

  Lily couldn’t deny that the dress would draw attention to her and Jacques that night. And, while she had grown to be okay with Jade’s other dress choices for that very reason, this one was the worst.

  She smoothed at the non-existent creases, and then sighed. She was thinking about the dress because she didn’t want to think about that morning. Just as she’d kept busy all day to avoid it. Lily was happy to brush her feelings under the carpet—maybe if she didn’t pay attention to them they would go away.

  Love doesn’t just go away.

  A rap on the door brought her from her thoughts—thankfully—and her throat dried when she saw Jacques. He was in a slim-cut navy blue suit, a white shirt open at the collar, his hair swept back in that untidy way she liked. His broad shoulders wore the stylish look effortlessly, his handsomely rugged features making him look so much more masculine—though she didn’t know how that was possible.

  Her body reminded her about the chance she’d missed with him, and she had to take a moment to compose herself before she opened the door for him.

  ‘Hi,’ she said, her knees going weak at the smell of his cologne.

  ‘I’m sorry I’m late. Things were a bit busy today.’

  His words were stilted. Clearly that morning wasn’t going to be as easily forgotten as she’d hoped.

  ‘That’s fine.’

  She turned away from him, letting him close the door behind him as she grabbed her handbag. When she looked at him again he was staring at her. Her face flushed.

  ‘Jade was right.’ His voice had softened. ‘That dress does look amazing on you.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  She lifted a hand to her hair, and then brushed at her dress again.

  ‘It’s perfect,’ he said. ‘Lily, you’re—’

  He took a step forward and she moved back.

  ‘Jacques, no.’ She drew a breat
h. ‘Please.’

  ‘You’re running.’

  She lifted her eyes to his.

  ‘From what? There’s nothing to run from here,’ she reminded him. Herself. ‘We’re just two people with an agreement, right?’

  His eyes flashed. ‘Where is this coming from? Things were fine—good, even—until—’

  ‘Until this morning, when we kissed and almost did something to make things a little too real for the both of us?’

  She could see that he hadn’t expected her to verbalise it, but panic didn’t give her a choice. And when he didn’t answer her dread took its place, followed by something else that had her eyes burning.

  ‘Let’s just go,’ she said, when she’d composed herself. ‘It doesn’t seem like we have anything to talk about anyway.’

  * * *

  She was pushing him away. And for the life of him he couldn’t understand why.

  Or why it bothered him so damn much.

  Jacques grabbed two flutes of champagne from the nearest waiter as he walked into the venue where his charity event was being held. The room had a stunning three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view of the beach and the city through its glass walls—save for the end of the room that held the foyer. Still, it was a design unique to that hotel, which was precisely why he had chosen it.

  He handed Lily a glass, and she smiled her thanks. But it wasn’t her real smile. Over the past month he’d grown accustomed to the pretend smile she gave to photographers, to the public. He’d seen the smile she reserved only for people she cared about. The one where the skin around her eyes crinkled just a little. He’d seen it because in their private moments she’d aimed it at him.

  The fact that she wasn’t aiming it at him any more set him on edge. And that edge was quick to turn into anger. Because anger was easier than the longing he felt after their kiss that morning. Or the disappointment at her reaction to it.

  Lily shifted next to him, reminding him of where he was, and he realised that she was uncomfortable. Public events weren’t enjoyable for her, and unlike him, she wasn’t accustomed to pretence.

  The things he knew about her past made him realise there was more to it than that, of course, and though he’d already said it that night he repeated, ‘You don’t have to worry about how you look, Lily. You’re gorgeous.’

  She gave him an annoyed look.

  ‘You have to say that, since your people sent me this ridiculous dress.’

  His eyes moved over the white dress that clung to her body, desire trembling through his own.

  ‘I approve of it.’

  ‘Yes, you would. Your plan is more important than my insecurities, after all’

  His focus on his plan had been dwindling because of her, so he said, ‘That’s not fair. You know it isn’t.’

  Vulnerability settled in her eyes. ‘Maybe not. But it should be.’

  ‘Jacques?’

  He turned at the voice that interrupted his reply, and forced himself to greet Jade and Riley civilly.

  ‘We’re the first to get here,’ he said, though it was through clenched teeth. ‘I don’t think I need to work the party just yet.’

  ‘You always need to work the party,’ Jade answered, and there was something in her voice that put his back up.

  ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘I...er—’ Jade glanced at Lily, and then back at Jacques. ‘Actually, do you mind if I borrow Lily for a moment?’

  His eyebrows rose, but he answered, ‘Sure.’

  Jade gave him a quick smile, and then hooked an arm in Lily’s. Her height put her head barely at Lily’s shoulders, making them a strange couple. He watched until they’d disappeared through the doors that led to the foyer and the bathrooms, and then turned back to Riley.

  ‘What was that about?’

  ‘She was trying to get Lily away from you,’ Riley answered, and shifted his weight between his feet. ‘We got news today that some of the sponsors still aren’t convinced. About twenty per cent of them—the ones who aren’t coming this evening—aren’t prepared to stay on.’

  ‘So?’ he asked, refusing to let the panic settle in his chest. ‘That’s twenty per cent. We have the majority on our side.’

  ‘They’re the twenty per cent who contribute sixty per cent of the club’s sponsorship.’

  Riley named names, and Jacques swore under his breath. He knew exactly who they were—knew the club would take a huge knock if they pulled out.

  ‘So what do we do?’ he asked flatly.

  ‘Well, we did some digging, and we think we can get some of them over to our side. They’re family companies, and maybe if they see you as a family man...’

  It took Jacques a moment to realise what Riley was saying.

  ‘You want me to propose?’

  Riley nodded. ‘That was always our original suggestion. Of course we didn’t anticipate all the good Lily would do to your reputation. People genuinely like her. Maybe if we had a bit more time...’

  He trailed off, watched Jacques closely. And who could blame him? Jacques thought. He hadn’t been open to that suggestion when they’d first made it. And now you are? an inner voice questioned, but he shook his head, refusing to dwell on it. Or on the panic about a possible marriage—even a fake one—that had his head spinning.

  ‘How would I even do that? I mean, there’s no time to arrange a proper proposal...’

  Jacques stopped when Riley handed him a small blue box.

  ‘You got a ring?’ Jacques narrowed his eyes, his heart speeding up. ‘How long have you two been planning this?’

  ‘We only got the news today. But we thought tonight would be the perfect opportunity.’

  The box felt heavier than anything he’d ever carried, and the weight of it sat on his chest. He stuffed it into his pocket, but that did no good either. He could still feel it there, throbbing against his thigh.

  He had to talk to Lily about it. He couldn’t do this to her after everything they’d shared. She didn’t deserve—

  His thoughts halted when he saw Kyle walk into the room.

  ‘What’s he doing here?’ Jacques growled, and Riley shifted next to him.

  ‘I... I don’t know.’

  ‘You and Jade arranged this event, Riley. How the hell don’t you know?’

  Anger had him clenching his fists as his eyes flitted between the space where he’d last seen Lily and Kyle.

  ‘He must have bought someone else’s ticket. His name wasn’t on the guest list.’

  ‘You’d better hope that’s true.’ Jacques turned to Riley. ‘Because if I find out this was a scheme to get more money for this event...’

  ‘It isn’t,’ Riley said quickly. ‘We wouldn’t do that.’

  ‘I know that if this event is a success it’s more likely that the club will come to me,’ he said in a low voice. ‘And that your firm will get a bonus for helping me secure it...’

  ‘I promise, Jacques. This wasn’t us.’

  Though his colour was pale, Riley’s voice was firm. It told Jacques he was telling the truth.

  ‘I need to find Lily. Excuse me.’

  ‘There’s one more thing, Jacques.’

  He was already on his way to find Lily, but he turned back impatiently.

  ‘What is it, Riley? I don’t have the luxury of time, here.’

  His eyes were searching the room for Kyle, but with Riley’s single sentence everything in Jacques’s body froze.

  ‘Nathan called us a few hours ago to let us know he’ll be bringing your father as his plus one.’

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  ‘WHAT ARE THE chances of us meeting like this?’

  Lily thought she was imagining his voice at first. She’d escaped from where Jade had been introducin
g her to guests in the foyer to the bathrooms. But on her way there, she’d realised it wouldn’t have given her the privacy she’d hoped for and had headed to the conference room instead.

  But now she turned and saw Kyle, and realised two things. One, he must have followed her, and two, his voice hadn’t been her imagination.

  ‘I think the chances were always going to be pretty high, since you must have seen me come in here.’

  ‘I see you’ve worked on that confidence problem since I last saw you.’

  Warning coated his tone, but Lily braced herself against the inevitable fear. And, though it wasn’t easy, she found she could do it.

  ‘Why are you here?’

  ‘To see you.’ He took a step closer and her breath almost caught. ‘To remind you of your place.’

  ‘Don’t you have someone else to remind now?’

  The bravado was a farce, but it was her only defence.

  ‘I don’t have to remind Michelle of her place. She knows exactly what I need from her.’

  ‘I still don’t understand,’ she said a little desperately. ‘Why are you here?’

  She wanted him to get to the point. Because the sooner he did, the sooner she would be able to escape.

  ‘I’ve seen pictures of you and Jacques together,’ Kyle spat. ‘You’re disgracing yourself. And making me look bad.’

  ‘That’s not true.’

  ‘You were my fiancée, Lily. And everyone knows that now. So start acting like someone worthy of being associated with my name.’

  ‘No one cares about me and you, Kyle,’ she said, unable to help herself. ‘All they’re interested in is Jacques. If I need to act appropriately for the sake of anyone’s name it would be Jacques’s and not yours.’

  There was a pulse of silence, and then Kyle closed the space between them. Instinct had her moving back, every brave part of her fading into the fear that had her heart in her throat. A part of her mind was telling her she could simply escape the event if Kyle bruised her, another was formulating the apology she would have to give to Jacques if someone saw her leave.