The Rented Bride (Highland Billionaires Book 1)

by KyAnn Waters

  James started eating as she poured coffee. Cassie had to admit, breakfast smelled heavenly. She pulled her plate closer and took a bite of what she figured had to be the tattie scone.

  “Potato,” she said.

  “Mashed potatoes, to be exact,” he said.

  “They’re delicious.”

  He smiled. “My wife Addy loved them. I miss her,” he said around a bite of sausage. “When she died I lost the best part of me.”

  “You never remarried?”

  He shook his head. His smile softened. “You remind me of her, sweets. Trent, so much like me. Falling in love with a beautiful woman with a smile like an angel, and eyes that stir a man’s soul.”

  “I see where Trent gets his charm.”

  Guilt pricked. She was falling under the old man’s spell. Was deceiving him really the right thing to do? Everyone died. Someday she would lose her parents, probably an older sibling. But death had always been an unreal, very distant inevitability. Now, however, she was staring the grim reaper in the face.

  Light footsteps sounded in the hallway and a young lady entered. “Uncle James.” She smiled broadly and hurried to the table.

  He twisted in his seat and gave her a hug. “What are you doing here so early, lass?”

  “Mom got the message last night that Trent is engaged. We didn’t even know he had a girlfriend.”

  Cassie’s tummy did a little tumble.

  “He kept it secret.” James nodded toward Cassie. “This is his fiancée. Cassie, meet Evie O’Hara. Her mother was a friend of Trent’s parents, and Evie here is my goddaughter.”

  Cassie smiled. “It’s very nice to meet you, Evie.” The girl couldn’t be more than seventeen. Pretty with wide almond eyes and a soft lilt to her voice. “Are you hungry?” Cassie asked.

  She shook her head, and said, “No, I wouldn’t mind some coffee, though.”

  Cassie glanced at James who gave a slight nod, and Cassie smiled. “A woman after my own heart.” She pulled one of the empty cups closer and poured the coffee, then set it front of the seat to James’ left.

  Evie sat down and poured in a liberal helping of cream followed by two scoops of sugar, then stirred. She took a sip then set the cup down and said, “My mom said you took over the planning of Uncle James’ birthday party.”

  Cassie sipped her own coffee and nodded. “That’s right.”

  “I guess Trent is lucky to be engaged to a party planner.”

  Cassie laughed. “I would say so.”

  “Lucky indeed.” James winked at Cassie.

  Annie entered the room. “Good morning, everyone.” She sat on James’s right, reached for an empty cup and poured herself coffee.

  “Hey, Annie, how are you?” Evie asked.

  “Good. Are you still touring universities?”

  “Yep, I’ve got it narrowed to a few. I still want to visit the University of Colorado in Boulder.” Evie shifted her gaze to Cassie. “I still can’t believe you and Trent are getting married. How long have you known each other?”

  Cassie’s mind went blank. She and Trent hadn’t talked about any of those details. How long did a couple date before they got engaged, a year, two, five?

  “About a year,” she said.

  Evie’s brow furrowed. “Really? Wow, that’s a long time. I’m surprised you could’ keep it a secret so long.” She reached across the table and plucked a mushroom from the platter of vegetables.

  Cassie’s gaze shifted from Evie to James. “It’s probably because we spent most of our time in Miami. That’s where I live.”

  “Where she used to live,” James corrected. “Brettonwood is home now.” He smiled.

  “I love Florida,” Evie said, her voice rising with excitement. “I considered applying to the University of Florida.” She popped another mushroom into her mouth.

  “Get a plate,” James scolded.

  Evie rolled her eyes. “So how did you and Trent meet?”

  Cassie’s pulse jumped. No, no, no!

  James’ gaze turned to her. “I want to know, too. How did you and Trent meet?”

  Her mind raced. She and Trent hadn’t talked about this—they hadn’t talked about anything. Had he told his grandfather some story about their first meeting?

  “Trent must have told you that story. I don’t want to bore you by telling it again.”

  “Well, I haven’t heard it,” Evie said.

  James nodded. “Aye, lass, please humor us. If I know my grandson, there’s a tale to tell.”

  She stalled with another sip of coffee, but even Annie was watching with interest. “Well, it was in Miami, of course.” Where else would it be? “He attended a party I planned.” There, that had been easy. “Of course, I thought he was attractive. But I was working. He was insistent.” She smiled, pretending she remembered the day. “He wanted my phone number. However, I don’t give my number to clients or guests of clients.” She glanced to Evie. “But you know Trent. He’s tenacious and very creative. First, he sent flowers to me at work. On the card he invited me to a gala at the SkyRise. If you haven’t been there, believe me, I was tempted. Views for forty miles in all directions.” Shut up, she ordered herself. Just shut up. She gave a nervous laugh. “I declined, of course. I had another event. We were working an outdoor auction. We weren’t hired to provide catering, and they neglected to let me know there would be no food. Trent was at the auction and when he realized my crew were hot and hungry, he brought a chef in to cook lunch for our entire crew.” Good Lord, what had gotten into her?

  “Oh my god, so after that you had to go out with him,” Evie cried.

  Cassie smiled and shrugged, hoping Evie would draw her own conclusions.

  “That’s very romantic,” Evie said.

  Romantic? She gave a mental snort. Her meeting with Trent had been anything but romantic. She’d mistaken him for a deliveryman, and he’d let her believe her mistake.

  “It was sneaky, is what it was,” she said.

  “What was sneaky?” Evie said, brows furrowed.

  “Uh, Trent charmed my crew. Thought he’d charmed me, too. I was grateful, but I hadn’t changed my mind about dating him. I saw through his ruse.”

  “Of course she did,” James said.

  “I still don’t know how he found out I’d be at the auction. But I was sure he was a player.”

  “See,” James said pointing to Evie. “A woman needs to know who she is and what she wants. Cassie is a very intelligent woman. She wouldn’t fall for such an obvious ploy. I’m surprised Trent didn’t know better.”

  Cassie’s heart began to beat fast. “You are?”

  “He should have known you wouldn’t be like other women he’s dated, blinded by his money. I know a good person when I meet her. You wouldn’t play games. You wouldn’t lie to get something from him.”

  Lie was all she’d done since she’d become involved with Trent.

  “So what did you do?” Evie asked.

  Cassie shrugged. “I ignored him.”

  Evie chuckled. “I bet you drove him crazy. Was he mad?”

  Mad? Flipping him over her shoulder had made him mad. Cassie shook her head. “It made him more determined. He figured out my weakness.” What the hell was she doing? She could have stopped at ‘we met at a party.’ She was a bad liar, a very bad liar. She should stop, but her mouth kept moving. “Trent knew that as a party planner I would prize recipes. So he blackmailed me.” It was partly true. Trent had said he would forget about her flipping him over her back if she agreed to let him introduce him as his fiancée.

  “What’s this talk of blackmail?”

  Cassie jumped at the sound Trent’s voice. He entered the room with a petite brunette, Evie’s mother, no doubt, and Cassie wanted to melt into the carpet.

  “Come in here,” James said. “Bree, meet Cassie, Trent’s fiancée. She was telling us about how you two met.” Trent’s brows rose and Cassie’s heart beat even faster.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet yo
u, Cassie,” Bree said, and took a seat beside her daughter.

  Trent sat beside Cassie. “What’s this talk of blackmail?”

  Cassie could have boxed his ears. “Don’t act like you didn’t know what you were doing,” she said.

  He poured coffee. “I usually know what I’m doing.”

  “That’s right.” She gave a succinct nod. “You knew what you were doing when you brought Chef Tony to Daley Enterprises. He gave the entire kitchen staff a personal cooking class. He shared his recipes, made that amazing chocolate mousse cheesecake.” Chef Tony? Where had she come up with that?

  Mischief lit Trent’s eyes. “Did I now?”

  Cassie gave a coy shrug. “I’m sure you’re not used to women turning you down.” She held her breath to see how he would take that quip.

  “I do usually get my way. And if I’m not mistaken, you did agree to marry me.”

  She narrowed her eyes.” Don’t get cocky, Mr. Weston. I can still flip you over my back—again—if you get out of line.”

  “You flipped Trent over your back?” Evie glanced from Trent to her.

  “Yes, she did,” Trent said, his gaze on Cassie. “And that was just recently.”

  “I would kill to have a video clip of that. Youtube gold,” Evie said. “I would watch it over and over again. Make it go viral.”

  James laughed.

  “But what about the story?” Evie said

  “The story?” Cassie repeated as she took another sip of coffee.

  Evie nodded. “Yeah, the story of how Trent proposed.”

  Cassie’s coffee charred a path down her throat. She wheezed then coughed.

  Trent clapped her on the back between her shoulder blades. “Are you all right, Cassie?”

  She drew in a harsh breath and shot him a narrow-eyed look.

  “Let me get you some water.” He rose and hurried to the sideboard. He filled a glass and brought it to her. Cassie took a sip.

  “Tell us the story, Cassie,” Evie said.

  “Trent tells it better than I do,” she said with a rusty voice.

  “I believe that involved you throwing me over your shoulder as well, if I recall,” he said.

  “No way!” Evie cried. “You’ll have to teach me that move.” But before Cassie could reply she said, “Was the ring not big enough?”

  “You tell me.” Trent nodded at Cassie’s finger.

  All eyes shifted to her finger and Cassie realized the diamond had slipped downward, facing her palm. Her cheeks warmed as she turned the ring upright and Evie cried out.

  “Oh, that is beautiful. Surely you weren’t angry about the ring, Cassie?”

  “Cassie is a very old-fashioned girl. She expected a traditional marriage proposal,” Trent said.

  Cassie barked a laugh. “So much for traditional. If I recall, the marriage proposal included a bit of blackmail, too.”

  “I always knew it would take a special woman to catch Trent’s eye,” James said.

  “You have no idea, Grandfather,” Trent said.

  James looked at her. “I’m beginning to get the idea.”

  “So you didn’t get down on one knee and propose?” Evie asked.

  Trent looked at Cassie. A soft smile curved his full mouth and her heart melted when he said, “I begged her to marry me.”

  “That’s so romantic,” Evie said.

  Trent laughed. “You think so?”

  She nodded. “If a man finds the right woman, he should do whatever it takes to get her to say yes.”

  He nodded. “You’re right. And I did.” He grasped her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed her fingers.

  “Trent,” she whispered.

  “You’ve given me more than I deserve, made me happier than I have a right to be.”

  He had to be talking about the joy they’d brought to his grandfather’s life by getting married.

  She smiled. “I’m glad.”

  Gratitude shone in his eyes, then he released her and she looked up to see James studying them.

  “Now you have the whole story,” she said. “Do I really have to try the blood pudding?”

  They finished breakfast on safer ground than talking about her and Trent, but Cassie was sure she would have indigestion all day. Since meeting Trent, she’d honed her lying skills. And so had Trent. The rat. He’d deserted her after having one cup of coffee, and excused himself on the ruse that he had work to do. She had work too, but she couldn’t come up with a lie that would get her out of the room.

  Thankfully, it wasn’t long before Bree saved her from further perjury. “We really should get going.”

  Evie rose. “I’m so glad I got to meet you.”

  Cassie stood. “Same here.”

  “I’m sure we’ll see you again soon.” Evie hugged Cassie.

  “I hope so.”

  Evie and Bree kissed James, then left.

  Annie rose. “I think it’s time you rest a bit, James.”

  He grumbled, but Cassie could see he was tired.

  “Don’t let that grandson of mine work all day,” James said. “He’s in his office.”

  He rose, and Annie let him grasp her am, then they shuffled off.

  Cassie sat for a long moment, undecided what to do next. She wanted to speak with Trent. Could she interrupt him? What the hell. Heart pounding, she headed down the hallway toward his office. She reached the door, tapped twice and waited.

  “Come in,” his rich baritone sent a shiver across her flesh.

  She pushed open the door and blurted, “We need to talk.”

  A dozen faces turned in her direction.

  The room was eerily silent with the exception of the pounding in her ears. Mrs. O’Brien, Meg, Henry… She wanted to slink backwards out of sight.

  “Cassie, good morning.” Trent rose behind his desk.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “You haven’t.” He strode to where she stood rooted to the carpet. Trent cupped her elbow and guided her past the dark leather couch and high back chairs sitting around a glass coffee table to his large mahogany desk on the far wall.

  Henry rose from his chair beside Meg. “Please, sit here, Ms. Adams.”

  “I don’t want to take your seat, Henry.”

  His eyes twinkled. “I sit far too much as it is. I insist.”

  Trent gently urged her forward and she sat and folded her hands on her lap.

  Meg placed a hand on Cassie’s hands. “I think it’s wonderful what you’re doing.”

  Cassie snapped her gaze onto Trent.

  “I’ve explained our arrangement to everyone.”

  That made sense since they would all have known that before she arrived on their doorstep, she’d never met Trent or his grandfather.

  “I’m glad I could help.”

  “Thanks, everyone. I think that’s all for now,” Trent announced. “I appreciate your support on this.”

  “Of course, Mr. Weston,” Doris said. “We would do anything for your grandfather.” She winked at Cassie. “I liked you right away.” She turned to everyone. “We have another event to plan. Wedding is at five o’clock.” She herded the group from the room, leaving Cassie alone with Trent.

  When the door clicked shut and they were alone, she said. “Are you sure about this?”

  Trent leaned his backside against his desk. “Absolutely.” He twisted and picked up a document from his desk. “My attorney sent over the contract, along with the license.”

  “You got a license so early—and without my having to be there?” He nodded and she snorted. “Money really does talk.”

  “It doesn’t hurt.”

  “You’re a man of your word,” she said.

  “I take all business deals seriously. The terms are exactly as we discussed. The choice will be yours on whether you want to end with an annulment or divorce. Either way, you’ll be compensated the same.”

  He extended the papers and she took them. “Annulment.” She quirked her mouth, think
ing of her family. “Catholic. My family must never know I’ve been married.” She formed the sign of the cross. “Because, God forbid, my Grandma Rosa finds out, you’re stuck with me till death do us part. And believe me, I would really hate to have to kill you to end our marriage.”

  Amusement appeared in his eyes. “Perhaps I should take out additional life insurance.”

  “No, just—” She stopped short of suggesting that they make this quick. “Just keep us a secret.”

  He handed her a pen. “Agreed.”

  The black pen felt hot in her hand. Cassie leaned back in her chair and read the contract. Of course, he’d been thorough and professional. The details and financial compensation were as they’d discussed. At the time of their parting, she would relinquish all claim to his name and estate. She placed the paper on her knee and he surprised her by slipping a pad beneath the document. Cassie smiled thanks and lifted the pen to the spot where she was to sign, then paused. She would never tell her family of this ‘marriage’ but what about any future engagement? What about the man who one day would promise to love and care for her for the rest of his life? Would she keep this a secret from him? James’ face flashed in memory, eyes bright with happiness. God forgive her. She scrawled her name across the signatory line and dated the contract.

  “Okay, Mr. Weston, you’ve rented a wife.”

  “Thank you, Cassie.” He took the contract then straightened from the desk. He crossed the room and removed a long white box from a shelf adjacent to his desk. He returned and set the box on her lap. “Your uniform for the job.”

  “Uniform?” She didn’t have to wonder what the box held. The swish of fabric told her it was something she wasn’t prepared to wear. “I can’t wear a wedding dress.” She extended the box toward him.

  “Open it.”

  She hesitated.

  “Please,” he said.

  Cassie tugged on the silver ribbon, freeing the knot on top. She lifted the lid and fitted it beneath the box, then parted the white tissue paper. Her breath caught. This was no wedding gown, but rather a sexy slip of exquisiteness. She slipped her fingers beneath the ivory spaghetti straps, then ran a finger down the sequined cocktail dress. Nestled beside the dress were three-inch, ivory-colored heels with sexy ankle straps.