by Dara Girard
A Tempting Proposal
Dara Girard
Contents
A Tempting Proposal
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Also Available
About the Author
Copyright Information
A Tempting Proposal
Dara Girard
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Published by ILORI PRESS BOOKS LLC
www.iloripressbooks.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Author.
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About the book
Straight-laced businessman, James Fortune, always does the right thing.
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So when his reckless twin brother, Jackson, gets cold feet the day of his wedding, James decides to pretend to be the groom to protect his family’s name and honor, until his brother comes to his senses.
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However, his new bride, Ava Hughes, is also not who she seems. Soon James and Ava find themselves trying to outwit each other in a sensual game of cat and mouse.
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Until one of them is forced to surrender…
Chapter 1
A wife.
He was not supposed to end up with a wife. At least not yet. He had plans, dreams and goals. This was not one of them. James Fortune gritted his teeth as he listened to the melodious soft voice of Pastor Valentine, her pink reading glasses hanging precariously low on her nose, inches away from falling. Much like the present state of his life.
He’d managed to achieve most of his goals. He’d gotten degrees in both Biology and Mechanical Engineering and become head of Research and Development at BioMed Solutions. Yes, it was his stepfather’s company, and at thirty-four he was the youngest division manager in the company, but no one could deny that under James’s watch and careful leadership more innovative projects had been developed and funded. Morale was up and the people liked him, unlike his predecessor, a charismatic man who wasted money on pet projects that only highlighted his interests instead of others or furthering the success of the company.
James knew he wouldn’t stay in management for long, he wanted to launch his own ventures, but he’d given himself two more years before he would embark on his next career goal. He believed in taking calculated risks.
Not insane ones.
James glanced at Pastor Valentine’s reading glasses again, noticing that they’d fallen down a little further. He flexed his fingers resisting the urge to say something. Couldn’t she feel them moving? Would she let them fall off her face?
He inwardly groaned, knowing his attention and annoyance were misplaced. It wasn’t the pastor’s glasses that really bothered him, or even the sound of her voice, which always reminded him of someone in a musical about to burst into song (he half expected her to snap the bible shut, rip off her glasses and start singing), it was the entire ceremony.
He knew that what he was doing was not only reckless and insane, but criminal. He’d never done anything illegal in his life. Okay, so maybe he had done some speeding, and once—just once—when he was under charged for an item at the grocery store, he didn’t report it. But he was a law abiding citizen. A good man. Now he was a fraud. He’d put his reputation and future on the line all because of Jackson.
His twin brother was supposed to be standing at the altar, inside this elegant stone cathedral, bearing the scrutiny of hundreds of guests from the Americas and the Caribbean, marrying the beautiful, brilliant and influential Ava Simone Hughes.
James made sure to keep his gaze on the pastor, instead of her. He knew Ava’s brilliance by her reputation. She’d won an international science prize at sixteen and her research in the field of biodegradable implants preceded her. Her findings were almost legendary in the industry; her influence was also unavoidable from her innovative lab work to her connection with top universities. But her beauty.
That was his weak point.
He feared his heart would stop when the cathedral’s double doors opened and she walked down the red carpeted, flower adorned aisle towards him. Damn, why did it have to be him? He’d always found her attractive, even in the dark suits she liked to wear—sometimes with trousers other times with a skirt, always black or dark blue—but at this moment she was breathtaking in a floor-length tulle lace gown with beaded sequins. The ivory colored fabric, accented with a translucent hint of sky blue, complimented her exquisite dark skin.
She looked like a princess, her carriage regal, her fine high cheekbones striking, but he knew she was no innocent, blushing bride. She had dangerous brown eyes and without the benefit of a veil to shield him from her gaze, he had to face them head on and make sure she didn’t suspect a thing. She was the kind of woman who could kiss a man tenderly on the lips and drive a steak knife through his heart at the same time. He knew his deception would come at a price if she ever found out.
He couldn’t let that happen. He had to be careful.
He’d discovered that the first time Jackson formerly introduced her to him. Her keen, steely gaze hit him like a brick. With one look he’d seen her power and vulnerability and that combination had floored him. He knew a woman like her could be trouble, but his brother liked courting trouble so James had dismissed the feeling. He couldn’t dismiss it now.
James briefly looked at the ceiling. He was doing the right thing. Jilting a woman like Ava would have far reaching consequences and too much was at stake. He was doing this because his brother was too weak to accept his duty to his family and the business.
James took a deep breath, wishing he would wake up from this nightmare, but when he touched Ava’s hand and slid a white gold band of hand selected diamonds on one of her long, slender fingers he knew it was all too real.
At least his hands didn’t tremble and he didn’t drop the ring as he feared, trying his best to ignore the reality that every action he made was being watched. Unlike his brother who welcomed it like a parched horse at a watering hole, he didn’t like being in the spotlight. James inwardly groaned. He could use a drink right now. Something cold and biting. He stood stock still as he felt a trail of sweat slide down his back. He remembered saying “With this ring…” but the rest was a blur as he fought to imitate his brother’s casual flair in every word and gesture.
He’d never switched places with Jackson before, despite all his brother’s urgings when they were younger, trying to convince him that it would be fun. James never thought it would be either fun or practical. Definitely not practical. Even as a child he knew a day in the life of his brother would be exhausting.
Instead of being alone in the l
ibrary, with his science club, discussing a new discovery with a teacher or training with the track team, he’d be charming the students (especially the girls, but guys liked him too) and teachers of both genders, and partying. There would be too many names to remember, too many places to be. He liked to live a regimented, quiet life and said he’d never switch places. Ever.
He’d been wrong.
But he didn’t have a choice.
Chapter 2
James had sensed there was a problem last night at the rehearsal dinner when he’d found his brother in the dark tiled restaurant men’s room. Jackson stood in front of one of the sinks, wiping water from his face with a paper towel.
“You’ve been gone nearly fifteen minutes,” James said exasperated, looking at his brother in the mirror reflection. “What’s wrong?” The dinner was a chance for the two families to get to know each other before the big event. James had been paired with Ava’s Uncle, a boisterous man who liked to brag that the only exercise he did was work on his Molson muscle as he proudly patted his beer belly. Since he was the man giving Ava away tomorrow, she had told them she was not close to her father so he wouldn’t be attending, James tried his best to laugh at all her uncle’s jokes. But after his brother’s disappearance he was starting to feel the strain of pretending.
Jackson threw away the paper towel then tugged on the collar of his purple shirt. “I can’t do this.”
“Do what?”
He stretched out his arms. “This. Everything. It’s all a mistake.”
“What are you talking about?”
Jackson looked at him with a flat expression. “You know what I’m talking about. I can’t—”
James swore and shook his head. He usually knew what his brother was thinking, but this time he didn’t want to believe it. He couldn’t believe it. His brother’s wedding mattered too much. “Shut up.”
“Don’t worry, no one else is in here.”
James checked the stalls just to make sure before he looked at his brother again. “I don’t care. Shut up and come back to the table.”
“I have to say it.”
James rested his hands on his hips and shook his head again. “No, you don’t.”
“I can’t marry her. There’s something about her. Something that’s just not right. She scares me.”
James playfully patted his brother on the side of his face and said with a grin, “She was always scary.” He turned to the door. “Now come on.”
“You noticed that too?”
James paused then slowly turned back to him. “It’s hard to miss.”
“It’s those eyes, right? I didn’t notice them before.”
“She’s not scarier than some of the other women you’ve been with.”
Jackson waved his finger at him. “No, there’s something different about her.” He turned back to the mirror and gazed at his reflection. “I can’t go through with it. I thought I could, but I was wrong.”
James rested a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “It’s nerves. You’re not scared of her, it’s the thought of marriage that frightens you. You’re worried about how marriage will change your life, and it will, for the better.”
Jackson shook his head. “It’s not that,” he said in a grim tone. “There’s just something I didn’t notice before. I can’t put my finger on it.” He shifted his gaze to James’s face. “You know I’m good at reading people when it’s important.”
James swept his hand past the faucet sensor, letting the hot water hit his palm and slide through his fingers. He cupped some water in his hand and threw it at his brother.
Jackson jumped back and scowled. “Watch the shirt.”
James placed his wet palm on the dark marble counter. “Watch your mouth.”
“I told you I had to say it,” Jackson said, checking to see what possible damage the water had done to his shirt.
“It’s arranged. It’s planned.”
Jackson smoothed down the front buttons of his shirt. “I know.”
“Mom needs this.”
Jackson looked up, met James’s gaze and softly swore.
James nodded. He now had his brother’s full attention and also had him where he wanted him—feeling guilty. Their mother was thrilled about the upcoming wedding and the chance to see one of her sons getting married. She had been like a little girl during the holidays taking care of all the preparations, which Ava had graciously allowed their mother to be a part of. James remembered when his mother had shyly hinted that since she’d had no daughters she’d been disappointed that she never would have the opportunity. When James had mentioned it to Ava, she’d expertly invited her to participate fully in all the wedding plans, he’d always be grateful for that.
Jackson sighed and nodded looking defeated. “You’re right. You’re right. Maybe it’s just the thought of the ceremony. You know I hate things like that.”
“No, you don’t. You like being the center of attention.”
“Just go along with me, okay?”
James grabbed a paper towel and dried his hands. “You’ll be fine.”
“What if I forget the words?”
“Just repeat what the pastor says.”
Jackson nodded again and rubbed the back of his neck, looking just as miserable as he had before. “Right, right.”
James patted him on the back. “You like her. She likes you. You work well together. A lot is riding on this and—”
Jackson tugged on his collar again. “I feel like I can’t breathe.” He sent a wary glance at the exit. “I can’t go back in there. There’s so much expectation from…”
“Edgar,” James said when his brother didn’t finish.
Their stepfather, Edgar Fortune, was founder of BioMed Solutions, a company that manufactured joint replacements, and with a growing aging population living longer with more active lives, business was booming. Edgar lived and breathed the business and loomed large in their lives. They both had vague memories of their father, an economics professor originally from Grenada, who’d disappeared a year after their younger brother Rudy was born.
Their mother had met Edgar through a mutual acquaintance at a cocktail party. Edgar swept into their lives when they were both six years old and captured their attention, if not their affection. He was a hard man to get close to. Jamaican born-US raised, in the state of Virginia, with a taste for Cuban cigars, boxing and fast horses. Driven, ruthless, with more women than most, many wondered why he’d decided to settle down with a woman with three children. A woman who, at the time, worked as a secretary for a speech pathologist. Almost thirty years later, people still wondered how the marriage had lasted.
Although Florence “Flo” Fortune had turned herself into the perfect corporate wife, her sweet manner was in direct contrast to her husband’s. Soon after the marriage, Edgar adopted them and they lost their last name ‘Brownson’ and became Fortunes, and Edgar liked to constantly remind them of the same thing he’d told them the day of their adoption, “I gave you my name for a reason. It means your fortunes have changed. So you owe everything to me.” And they believed him and worked hard to please him.
There was no fear, just expected loyalty and they were both eager to give it. When Edgar announced that it was time one of them got married it surprised everyone when Jackson said he’d met someone. They were even more surprised when he told them who she was—Ava Hughes. A woman whose small company had developed an injectable agent that could be used in various replacement joints. Most of the replacement joints their firm created had to be replaced over time due to erosion, slippage and/or growth, especially in children, but the agent Ava’s company had developed was a biodegradable solution that allowed the joints to be able to stay in place longer and to eventually be replaced by the patient’s own cells within two or three years.
Ava’s arrival in their lives had come at an opportune time. Edgar had suffered a heart attack last year, making shareholders nervous. And there was the competition. While Ava’s resea
rch and development was way ahead, attempts to steal and duplicate her success was a constant threat.
Edgar made it clear that it would be in Ava’s best interest to join forces, both personally and professionally, offering her a handsome deal. It included a generous amount of shares; full access to the inner workings of the company; guaranteed bonus package and use of a state of the art research lab and funding to develop other ideas if she agreed to marry into the family. He didn’t want any major position outside of his control. To James’s surprise, Ava agreed to the deal and Jackson, in his carefree way, went along with it.
And now, eight weeks later, his brother was having second thoughts.
“Yes, I mean Edgar,” Jackson said with a sigh. “What if I screw this up?”
“There’s nothing to screw up.”
“I just feel the pressure. It’s happening too fast. I’m not good under pressure.” He took off his jacket then unbuttoned his shirt.
James watched him in alarm. “What are you doing?”
“Just for tonight.”
James shook his head, reading his brother’s thoughts. He wanted to switch places. That wasn’t going to happen. He held up his hands, warding him off. “Oh no.” Although they were identical twins they both dressed very different and tonight was no exception.
