Double or Nothing: A Menage Romance (Double the Fun Book 3)

by Marie Carnay

  She nodded. “Mm-hmm. First that local woman, then a few from New York. The guy who stopped by yesterday was furious when he found out she’d sold everything to one buyer.”

  Hank swallowed. Other buyers were interested in her collection? He tried keep his voice even. “You don’t by any chance remember his name, do you?”

  “No, sorry.” Melinda shoved the tablecloth into her bag.

  Damn it. Hank needed to find that man somehow. A million strategies were running through his head as he stood there watching Melinda pack up. Everything from calling the concierge to hunting down the head of the convention center to running loops of security film.

  “Ah! I thought I had it.” Melinda stood up and handed a shiny black business card over.

  Hank took it with a frown. “Thanks, but I’m not a buyer.”

  She laughed. “No, silly. It’s from the man who was interested in Willa’s collection. He gave me his card in case she came back.”

  Hank looked at the card. David Jeremy, Principal Buyer, Von Mere Department Stores.

  He had a lead. Hank reached across the table and wrapped Melinda up in a hug. She squeaked as he squeezed her. “You’ve just made my day. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Hank turned toward the exit when Melinda called out. “Tell Willa good luck, will you? I never got a chance to say good bye.”

  “I will.” Hank pulled out his cell as he hustled from the convention center. He only had one chance to make this work.

  WILLA

  Her favorite Merlot didn’t taste the same. Willa took a gulp, washing down the chunk of dark chocolate she’d just shoved in her mouth. “It was terrible, Bree. They must have fought all over the entire apartment. There was glass everywhere.”

  She shoved another chocolate bit in her mouth and chewed it. It didn’t even have a taste.

  “I don’t know. It sounds kind of sweet. Two guys, fighting over the love of a woman. Isn’t that what romance stories are made of?”

  Willa choked on her wine. “Excuse me? Where’s the Bree telling me I need an intervention and to get off the crazy train?”

  “That was before you told me how great they were, and how they loved you. They came to blows, Willa. Brothers don’t do that over some trivial fling.”

  “Trenton lied to me.”

  “Yes, he did.”

  “Then why aren’t you jumping up and down demanding I get back home?”

  “Because he did it to help you.”

  Willa chomped on a bite of chocolate. “No, he did it to control me.”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t hear you with all that pity-partying going on.”

  What? “I am not throwing pity party.” She glanced around at the gossip magazines and half eaten candy bar and wine. Oh. “Not a big one, anyway.”

  “Take a second and think about it, Willa. First they buy all your jewelry to free you up from the convention, then they wine you and dine you and give you more orgasms than you can count.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Only then do they tell you, oh and by the way, we’re gazillionaires.”

  Willa tucked her legs beneath her on the bed. “Billionaires, to be accurate.”

  “Whatever. Then they give you every little girl’s princess fantasy. You got to dress up, have your hair and makeup done and wear diamonds, Willa. Diamonds.”

  Willa glanced at the necklace that she’d pulled out of the hotel room safe as soon as she’d come back inside. It sparkled in the glow of the muted television as Bree kept talking.

  “What’s your point, Bree?”

  “Everything they did takes guts. Trenton could have just lied, but he planned to follow through. Your stuff was all going to be put in stores, just not the ones you thought. What does it matter that they own them?”

  Willa frowned. Bree had never understood Willa’s need for acceptance. The importance she placed on having the jewelry picked up by a buyer. After a hearty swig of wine, she confessed.

  “None of it was real. I don’t know if there’s a buyer out there who likes my stuff or not, Bree. I went to the trade show to see if I had what it takes. To see if I could land a national contract, not just be swept off my feet by a couple of billionaires.”

  “You know how that sounds, right?”

  Willa refused to laugh. “I suppose.”

  “But?”

  She exhaled. “Aren’t they acting like Mark?”

  “Absolutely not. That jerk didn’t try to lift you up or help you, Willa, he only put you down.”

  She picked at a corner of the candy wrapper. “How is this any different?”

  Bree was silent for a moment. “Do you remember that time we went dress shopping and you bought that knockout red dress?”

  “The one with the cleavage?”

  “Yep. What did Mark do?”

  Willa’s cheeks burned from the shame of it. “He told me I looked like a two-bit whore. He ripped it in half.”

  “Would Trenton or Hank ever do that?”

  “No! They let me pick any dress I wanted.”

  “Did they tell you how to do your hair or what makeup to wear or what jewelry to buy?”

  “No.” Willa poked at the last piece of chocolate. She hadn’t told Bree the details about the necklace. “They let me pick any diamond I wanted. I made the necklace at the jeweler’s place.”

  A clatter sounded on the other end of the phone and her best friend cursed before coming back on the line. “Damn it, Willa. I dropped the phone in my spaghetti because of you. Don’t you see what’s going on? They’re head over heels for you.”

  She hesitated. “What if it’s not enough?”

  “Just give them another chance.”

  Willa glanced at her clock. “They’ve got six hours. Then I’m leaving.”

  Chapter 21

  HANK

  This damn well better work. Hank stood inside the conference room, idly chit-chatting with the man who gave him the only chance he had at reaching Willa. If she didn’t like the guy or he changed his mind at the last minute…

  He didn’t have any time to come up with a back-up plan. It was this or nothing.

  The door to the conference room opened and Hank’s lungs caught. Willa. She stepped inside as gorgeous as ever. With her hair pulled back into a messy bun at the nape of her neck and a simple cotton dress in pale pink, she radiated warmth and hope.

  A diamond sparkled in the light and Hank smiled. The necklace she’d made at Davio’s hung around her neck, so delicate and beautiful. One look at that and any buyer would be jumping at the chance to sign her to their store.

  He offered an olive branch. “Thank you for coming.”

  Willa nodded. Was that nerves Hank spied in the tremble of her hand as she tucked her hair behind her ear? God, how he wanted to rush to her and wrap her up in his arms. Take all her fears and hurt and concern away.

  But there would be plenty of time for that if she gave him and Trenton another chance.

  Hank motioned to the man standing next to him. “I’d like to you meet Mr. David Jeremy.”

  The man held out his hand. “Ms. Gordon, it’s a pleasure to meet you at last. I’m the national buyer for Von Mere department stores.”

  She shook his hand with a raised eyebrow. “Von Mere? That’s a luxury brand, isn’t it?”

  David smiled at the compliment. “Yes. We have fifty-six stores nationwide, all in exclusive, high end shopping areas. Century City, the Magnificent Mile, Fifth Avenue, and the like.”

  Willa glanced at Hank. “What’s going on?”

  “I’ll let David explain.”

  “Thank you.” David turned back to Willa. “I came across your display at the trade show the first day. I was immediately impressed, but our company president requires that every buyer tour an entire show before they make any purchasing decisions.”

  Willa frowned. “Okay.”

  “When I came back to your table, you were gone. I spoke to the woman
set up next to you…” he paused, “forgive me I can’t remember her name.”

  “Melinda.”

  “Yes, that’s her. I spoke to Melinda and she told me your entire collection had been sold.” David shook his head. “To tell you I was disappointed would be an understatement.”

  She smiled in response, but Hank could see the hurt lurking just beneath. “Well, it’s your lucky day because that sale fell through. My entire collection is available.”

  “That is wonderful news for Von Mere. I’d like to discuss featuring two of your lines in our stores, more if the reception is positive.”

  Willa didn’t say anything, but the concern creasing her brow spoke volumes.

  Hank leaned in. “Is there something wrong?”

  Her eyes darted up to his face. “Can I speak to you for a moment? In private?”

  Oh, no. Whatever she had to discuss with him, it couldn’t be good. He managed to smile. “If you’ll excuse us, David.”

  “Of course.”

  They stepped out into the hall and before the door shut behind them, Willa turned and poked Hank square in the chest. “Tell me you didn’t put him up to this.”

  Hank blinked. “The buyer? No. Not at all. I didn’t even know he existed until I talked to Melinda.”

  “When was this?”

  Hank checked the time. “Five hours ago. What’s the issue? I thought you’d be happy.”

  She crossed her arms and the pink cotton stretched across her chest. Hank tried to focus.

  “Tell me you don’t own Von Mere.”

  Hank’s mouth fell open before he clamped it shut. “Is that what you’re worried about? You think this is just another scheme like Trenton and Dawn?” He shook his head. “Give me some credit, Willa. I wouldn’t be that much of a fool.”

  She wouldn’t let it go. “Do you own the company?”

  Hank exhaled. “No. I don’t own Von Mere. It’s a publicly traded company.”

  Willa’s cheeks blushed pink, but she didn’t back down. “So this is legit? He’s not here because he owes you a favor or you paid him off or anything?”

  God, she was a tough woman to win over. Hank reached out and pulled her arms free to grasp her hands. She tried to pull away, but he held her fast. “I swear on my whole fortune Willa, that Mr. Jeremy is the real thing. He wanted your collection from the start. If Trenton hadn’t gone and screwed it all up, you’d have had a contract with a national buyer.”

  She chewed on her lip as he held her there, willing her to forgive him.

  “I know Trenton made a mistake, hell we both did in not telling you who we were from the start. But I’m standing here, not as a Beauchamp or a casino owner or any of it. I’m standing here as a man who loves you, asking for a second chance.”

  Her lip sprung back into place as she let it go. “I’m not ready to commit to anything yet.”

  Hank held back his disappointment and dropped her hands. “Then don’t. But put aside whatever your feelings are about me and go back in there and negotiate with that man. It’s what you came to Vegas for in the first place. Don’t let our mistakes ruin that.”

  Willa stared at the closed door to the conference room for what seemed liked forever. At last, she nodded. “All right. But this doesn’t mean I forgive you.”

  “I understand.” Hank held open the door and Willa walked inside.

  “Thank you for your patience, Mr. Jeremy. I’d love to work with you.”

  The door swung shut on silent hinges and Hank exhaled. Willa hadn’t forgiven him, but he’d given her back what Trenton had stolen: a chance at independent success.

  It might not repair all the damage they’d done, but it was a start.

  WILLA

  She shook hands with Mr. Jeremy one last time and smiled as he walked out of the conference room. The second he disappeared, Willa collapsed into a chair.

  A national contract with a luxury store. That’s what she’d just negotiated. Willa’s lines would be featured in prominent displays all over the country. Los Angeles, Chicago, New York. More.

  Every major city would have her jewelry. Women from all over the country could be wearing her creations.

  If it went well, in a matter of months, she wouldn’t be a one-woman operation any more. She would need employees and staff. Jewelry artisans crafting her designs. A warehouse to store them.

  The thought of turning her little business into something national and massive made her head swim.

  Everything she had worked for the last few years, all the decisions she’d made and the office jobs she’d turned down, had led up to this moment. Leaving Mark, jumping on a plane to Las Vegas at the last minute.

  It all came together with a national contact and a chance to really make it. And Hank made it happen.

  The man bent over backward, tracking down a buyer Willa didn’t even know existed. He could have given up or tried to woo her with more fancy gemstones and all of his cash. Another ride in a limo or a promise of something money could buy.

  Instead, he’d done the one thing she didn’t think was possible: he’d made her dreams come true.

  Willa exhaled in a rush. Maybe Bree was right.

  The Beauchamp brothers weren’t trying to run her life or make her into something she wasn’t. That was her ex. Mark didn’t care what made her happy; he wanted her to like the things he did, do the things he enjoyed.

  Even Trenton with his rushing to buy her collection didn’t do it because it was what he wanted. It might have been a huge mistake, but he did it to fulfill her wants, not his.

  But could she forgive him?

  The door to the conference room opened and Hank stepped inside. So damn handsome.

  His brown hair stuck up like he’d been running his hands through it all day and his beard was a bit shaggy and unkempt, but he was still sexy.

  Panty-melting in fact.

  Hank’s suit jacket hung open and she glimpsed the trim waist she’d wrapped her hands around as he’d taken her. The thick chest he’d crushed against her back as his brother made her come.

  God, how could she walk away from him? Now that he’d done everything in his power to give her what she wanted?

  He must have sensed her warring emotions because he flashed her that sexy smirk she could barely resist.

  “If you’re up to it, there’s somewhere I’d like to show you.”

  Willa held her breath. She knew whatever she did next would change everything.

  “What do you say?”

  She exhaled with a tentative smile. “Okay. Let’s go.”

  Chapter 22

  WILLA

  The town car slowed as it turned down a driveway. They had left the glitter of Vegas behind an hour ago, driving through suburbs and exurbs before heading out into the vast Nevada desert.

  She hadn’t seen a car for miles.

  As a stucco wall with terra-cotta tiles on top came into view, Willa turned to Hank. “What is this place?” They were the first words she’d spoken since they left the casino.

  He smiled. “You’ll see.”

  The gates to the compound opened and Willa craned her neck to see as the car drove through. Oh, my. She supposed it was a villa, but the giant sprawling stucco and Spanish tile estate looked more like a hotel than a home.

  It couldn’t be.

  The car stopped in the circular drive and Hank pushed the door open. He reached in and held out his hand. “Welcome to the Beauchamp residence.”

  She stepped out into the desert sun and marveled. “This is all yours?”

  “The family’s. Our grandfather built it in the fifties. It’s stayed in the family ever since.”

  He held out his arm and she slipped hers around it. “Did you and Trenton grow up here?”

  “We did. I was thirteen before I ever stepped foot on the Strip. Come, there’s something I want you to see.”

  He led them through the giant carved wood front doors and into the entryway. Warm terra-cotta tile covered the fl
oor and a wrought-iron staircase curved around to the landing upstairs. It was grand, but familiar all at the same time.

  So many show places seemed sterile and cold with marble for days and stainless steel everywhere. Not this place. It was welcoming and safe. Comforting, even.

  She squeezed Hank’s arm. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” He motioned to a door at the end of the entryway and they walked inside.

  The first thing she saw were photos. They covered the walls from floor to ceiling, a million different frames of every size and shape and style, all full of life. Willa let go of Hank’s hand to take a closer look.

  Some were black and white, shot years ago when the place was being built. A middle-aged man stood outside the frame structure, hands on his hips. “Is this your grandfather?”

  “Yes. And the little boy in the background is my father.”

  Willa moved on to the next one. A wedding. The bride wore a lace dress and a veil that scraped the floor. The man looked so much like Hank that Willa blinked. “Your parents?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  There were so many of the pair of them. In Vegas over the years, at the estate, and then with children. Hank and Trenton.

  With every photo, Willa got to know the Beauchamps a little bit more. How Hank and Trenton’s parents cared so much for their boys, how they lived outside of the spotlight in a big house in the desert. How they put their family first.

  She watched Hank and Trenton grow up before her eyes, changing from little boys running barefoot in the dirt to teenagers taking girls to prom to the men they had become today.

  In every shot with the pair of them, she could see the bond between the brothers, the way Hank always looked after Trenton and how they needed each other in their lives.

  She turned to him, a mix of emotions warring inside her. “Why show me all this?”

  “Because this is us. This is the real me and Trenton. Forget the penthouse and the casinos and the high roller room. Forget Las Vegas. This is who we really are.”