by Jane Peden
“Right.” Sam decided this was not the right time to tell his partner that phase two of the plan involved not only divorcing Camilla but seeking full custody of his son as well.
“I know you’re doing this for what you think are the right reasons,” Ritchie said. “But going into a marriage with the specific intention of getting divorced a year later isn’t right. Have you thought about the effect this is all going to have on that little boy?”
“I’ll still be his father. I’m not divorcing him. ”
“Here’s a thought, Sam. Have you even considered marrying the mother of your child and leaving yourself open to the possibility that the marriage could actually work? Then you wouldn’t be making a mockery of a sacrament this afternoon.”
“Ritchie, that’s just not—”
“A lot of marriages start with an unplanned pregnancy, Sam. Yours is just happening a bit later than most.”
“Ritchie, I’m sorry you disapprove. But I can’t pretend this is something it’s not.”
Sam had started to fall for Camilla once before. He wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice. And there was no point speculating on what might have happened if he hadn’t walked away the first time.
…
Camilla woke up the morning of her wedding wishing she were anywhere except in the Florida Keys, about to marry Sam.
And it only got worse. She was having a cup of coffee and Olivia had just headed to the beach with JD when Sam called to ask her to meet him for breakfast.
She walked into the restaurant in time to see Sam’s partner Ritchie getting up from the table. There was a stack of papers in front of Sam.
Ritchie nodded. “Camilla.”
“I didn’t realize you were coming to the wedding.”
“This is one I definitely wouldn’t miss.”
The look he was giving her was anything but friendly. Great. The other partner was probably here somewhere, too.
Ritchie was studying her, an odd look on his face, and she hoped her own expressions revealed nothing about her thoughts.
“I’ll see you tonight at the wedding,” Ritchie said, nodding curtly.
Ritchie left, and Camilla sat down uneasily at the table with Sam.
“So is your other partner going to be there tonight, too?”
“Jonathon is flying in this afternoon.”
“Great.”
“You don’t like my partners?”
“I can feel the hostility every time Ritchie looks at me.”
“It’s not personal. He just doesn’t approve of what we’re doing.”
“He doesn’t approve of marriage?” When Sam didn’t answer, she felt her stomach clench. “He doesn’t approve of our marriage. Well. Either he took an instant dislike to me, or you told him.”
“I don’t keep secrets from my partners.”
“You told him? Both of them? About JD? How could you do that, how could you take such a risk? What if—”
“If you’re about to suggest that one of my partners would discuss this situation with anyone else, then don’t. Some people are actually trustworthy,” he said, the implication clear that she was not.
“I thought we agreed not to tell anyone.”
“I just told you. I don’t keep secrets from my partners,” he said briskly. “Besides, I needed their help putting together some documents.” He tapped his hand lightly on the stack of papers on the table.
She looked down. “What is that?”
“Why don’t you go get something from the buffet. Then we’ll go over the paperwork.”
“I’m not very hungry.”
“Suit yourself.” He handed her the stack of documents, and she started looking at the titles.
“You’re already starting paperwork for the adoption?”
“No reason to waste any time.”
“You’re right.” She looked at the next paper in the stack.
“Okay, a prenup. I expected that.”
She glanced through it.
“I’m not a lawyer, but doesn’t this seem a bit one-sided?”
“Most prenups are. That’s the whole point.”
“This says that if we divorce within five years, I will receive a cash settlement of…” She looked up. “Well, that’s generous.”
He nodded. “Did you think I was going to throw you out on the street?”
“Me, maybe. But not JD.”
“Which is another reason for us to go through with the adoption. Once he’s legally my son, you’ll have the comfort of knowing that I’m legally responsible to provide for his support.”
“I’m not questioning your intentions where JD’s concerned,” she said, speaking more sharply than she had intended. Camilla took a deep breath. “Sam, this agreement is obviously all about protecting your assets.”
“That’s right.”
“What about my assets?”
“What?”
“I want some assurance that when we divorce, all of my premarriage assets will remain my sole property.”
“You want me to sign a prenup?”
“That’s right. Is there any reason why you wouldn’t?”
“Absolutely none.” He leaned across the table. “If you’ve got some secret little fund tucked away that you managed to get from your last husband, then you’re welcome to it—” His eyes narrowed. “But that’s not what we’re talking about, is it, Camilla?”
She tried to keep her breath steady. “I don’t know what you mean.”
It was none of Sam’s business what Danny had done to ensure that Olivia would be fine. She was just the trustee of those funds and Olivia wouldn’t get direct control herself until she turned twenty-one. It was a discretionary trust and she didn’t think they could become marital property. But she wasn’t sure.
“Well, I guess the rumors were true,” Sam said.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Apparently plenty of people thought your stepfather managed to move a great deal of money into foreign accounts. ”
She felt her face flush with anger. “How dare you. You didn’t even know my stepfather. You don’t know anything about my family. And if you ever breathe a word of this to Olivia, I—I—it’s bad enough, the things she’s had to deal with.”
“I would never say anything to upset Olivia. Don’t you know me any better than that by now?” His eyes narrowed. “I get that it was traumatic losing her parents that way. Is there something else she’s had to deal with?”
“For God’s sakes, she was in the car when her parents died. And that was just the— Oh, what’s the point. You don’t care anything about Olivia or me, so why bother even asking.” Camilla tossed the papers back on the table and got up. “Bring me a prenup agreement that you’ve signed in my favor, and then I’ll sign these. ”
She looked at her watch. “And you better be fast. Because without it, I’m not marrying you tonight. Let’s hear you explain that to Margot the Event Planner.”
Camilla had always thought anything lawyers did moved slowly, but Sam hadn’t wasted any time. Within an hour he had presented her with a signed prenup that was a duplicate of the one he wanted her to sign, just with the parties reversed. The only difference, he explained, was that the one she was signing gave her a cash settlement when they divorced.
She’d signed the papers without reading them any further.
And now she was alone, in her wedding dress. It was slim and form-fitting, with subtle touches of lace. And after seeing herself in the mirror, and glancing at the tears shining in Olivia’s eyes, Camilla hadn’t bothered to try on any more. It was perfect.
As she studied her reflection now, she wondered momentarily if she had lost her mind. For the second time in her life, she was going to marry a man she didn’t love to protect someone she loved very much indeed. The first time she’d done it for Olivia, and she didn’t regret that decision, not for a moment. And now, by marrying Sam and moving forward with the adoption, she woul
d make certain that the Winthrops would never again be able to threaten her custody of her child. Even after she and Sam divorced, he would still legally be JD’s father, and the Winthrops would have no legal standing at all.
Olivia burst into the room.
“Where’s JD?” Camilla asked, when she didn’t see him bouncing in behind her sister.
Olivia snorted. “He’s in Sam’s room. The men are putting on their tuxes. He told me no girls allowed. Besides, this is where I’m supposed to be, fussing over the bride.” She stood behind Camilla’s chair and looked at their two reflections in the mirror. “You’re not sorry you’re doing this, are you?”
She met her sister’s eyes in the glass. “Of course not. It will be fine.”
“I kind of like him,” Olivia said. “Maybe the two of you will fall in love.”
“Livvy, I don’t think that’s going to happen. Sam is having a hard time getting past the fact that I never told him I was pregnant, that he never knew JD even existed. This is just an arrangement for JD’s best interests. Shouldn’t you be getting dressed?”
Olivia went to the closet and pulled out her maid of honor dress. Olivia had chosen the cocktail-length coral-pink chiffon dress, with a one-shoulder neckline and a skirt that had swirled prettily from the slim waistband when she’d tried it on. It was young and flirty and perfect. Chalk up another point for Margot.
“Well, I think he’s hot.”
“Great.”
“No, really. And I see the way he looks at you sometimes.”
“Don’t let your imagination run away with you.”
“Yeah, well, we’ll see.” Olivia glanced back over her shoulder and winked. “A year’s a long time, sis.”
Camilla sighed. A year was a long time. A long time until she’d really be free to make her own choices and someday, hopefully, follow her heart.
Camilla was glad the ceremony was small and private. Or at least as private as it could be at a destination wedding resort in the Florida Keys. She’d heard the hushed ooohs and aaahs as she walked through the lobby in her gown, then stepped through the French doors onto the portico. Olivia squeezed her hand, then walked down the stone path toward the pergola where Sam stood beside the notary who was officiating. JD was bouncing on his toes next to Sam, a miniature replica in his little tux.
JD had solemnly informed her the night before that he couldn’t walk down the aisle with her and “throw her away” like when his friend’s aunt got married, because he had a very important job. He got to stand beside Sam and be the “bestest man.” Then his lower lip trembled, and he’d said if she wanted him to walk with her instead he’d tell Sam no, because she didn’t have a daddy to walk with her.
She’d assured him she was perfectly fine walking herself, and besides, Livvy would be walking right in front of her. So there he was. Her throat closed up and she felt her eyes start to water at how absolutely beautiful he was. Then she looked up, saw the same features, but hardened, in the tall man who stood beside her son. Identical except for the dark gray eyes instead of JD’s brilliantly blue ones. Those dark eyes stared back at her. And she felt a little thrill run through her. She remembered how quickly those eyes went from clear to dark gray when he was passionate. And now he was standing there, his eyes staring into hers with a startling intensity. Waiting for her to take those steps forward and join him. This may not be a marriage that was intended to last forever, but it was a real marriage—at least in the legal sense—and she was about to become Sam’s wife. He might not like her, but she could tell from the way his eyes took her in, he wanted her.
She wondered for a moment what it would be like to be loved by a man like him, and felt a fleeting stab of jealousy toward the woman who would one day truly be his wife. She took a deep breath, and as the single violinist changed tempo, began her own walk down the stone path.
Chapter Nine
It was stupid to be so nervous about her wedding night. It wasn’t like she’d never slept with Sam before. Yes, she reminded herself, but comparing the young, brash lawyer she’d met in Las Vegas to the man he was now was like comparing a summer rain to a tsunami. Sam in Las Vegas had been playful, with a touch of arrogance tempered by an almost boyish charm. The man she’d married today had a reputation for being assertive in the courtroom. And considering the way he’d made her unravel in the limo after the charity ball, she suspected he was just as assertive in bed.
He caught her eye as he turned back from the door, and she looked away, quickly. They were having dinner in their suite—the honeymoon suite, according to Margot. Camilla was still in her dress. Apparently the photography package had included intimate shots of the two of them dining by candlelight, toasting each other with champagne. This was after a seemingly endless series of photographs following the ceremony. She’d thought it was silly, but Sam had pointed out that it would be a bit strange to return from their romantic elopement without wedding pictures to display.
And so she had posed, on the beach, on the balcony, twirling with him on the terrace in their “first dance.”
Then all too soon JD and Olivia had hugged her and waved good-bye, boarding the yacht with Sam’s two partners for a three-day cruise. I know why we have to go on the boat, JD had pronounced as they got ready to leave. Sam and Mommy want to go kissy-kissy. Sam had stared at her then, eyes narrowed, and she’d known exactly what he was wondering. How many other men had JD seen go “kissy-kissy” with his mommy.
But there had been only Danny.
Sam handed the photographer a tip, then locked the door behind him, after hanging the Do Not Disturb sign. They were completely alone.
How was it possible to be so physically drawn to a man she was constantly at odds with? She’d been confident, even in the limo, that she could keep her physical desires and her emotions separate. The limo had been hot and fast and spontaneous, with no time to think before her own passions and his demands as a lover swept her away. But it felt different now that they had gone through the wedding ceremony and were alone, just steps away from the romantic king-size bed. Mixed with her anticipation of the intense and demanding lover she knew Sam would be was the certainty that things were about to get a lot more complicated. And there was no turning back.
Sam walked back over to the table, taking off his tuxedo jacket and tossing it over the back of one the silk upholstered chairs.
“Still hungry?” he asked.
She shook her head no. She’d eaten very little of the gourmet meal, but she found she had no appetite at all. Her throat felt dry and she lifted her champagne class and gulped down half its contents.
“Good,” Sam said. Then he reached down and quite simply lifted her out of the chair and carried her through the doorway into the spacious bedroom of the suite.
…
Sam had mixed feelings as he set her on top of the luxurious bed and stopped to loosen his shirt collar and remove the bow tie. He hadn’t expected to. With JD and Olivia off on the yacht there would be no interruptions and he could finally put an end to the frustration he’d been feeling every day since Camilla had come back into his life. Despite his anger with all she’d done and giving him no alternative but to enter into a farce of a marriage, he hadn’t been able to stop himself from wanting her. Tonight would be a simple matter of satisfying his physical needs. Nothing more.
But his conversation with Ritchie kept coming back to him. Regardless of his motivations, the marriage was real. In the eyes of the law and, at least in Ritchie’s opinion, in the eyes of God as well.
This was his wedding day. The woman sitting there on the bed in her wedding dress, watching him, was very likely a lying opportunist. But she was also the mother of his child. And, for now, she was his wife.
So maybe for one night he would put aside who she really was and think of her as the woman he’d believed she was, when they met five years ago, before she’d deceived him.
Camilla was reaching behind her, fumbling with the fastenings on her gown, a
nd he felt an unexpected wave of tenderness sweep over him as he watched her. He’d been struck by how lovely, how innocent she’d looked as she walked down the stone path toward him, then quietly repeated her vows, those remarkable blue eyes looking straight into his. And he remembered how those eyes had clouded with hurt, then cleared with resolve, when he’d casually dismissed her five years ago. She’d gone about everything wrong since that point, but there had been something inside this woman that made a part of him want to cherish her.
“Let me,” Sam said, and she looked up at him, her face showing a combination of surprise and nerves that he found oddly compelling.
He pulled her to her feet and kissed her lightly, brushing his lips over hers and just tasting, while his hands slipped behind her and began undoing the elaborate series of buttons and ties. When he felt the gown loosen, he held her slightly away from him and let his eyes take in the soft swell of her breasts, then traced his hand along the sagging top of the strapless gown, allowing his fingers to dip down lower. His fingertips grazed her nipples, and he felt them respond and tighten. He let the gown fall to the floor, revealing those skimpy lacy panties that had driven him mad in the limo and thigh-high opaque stockings. High-heeled shoes showcased her pretty feet and still had bits of sand clinging to them from the wedding.
“Sam.” His name was carried on a breath like a sigh.
He brushed his lips over hers again, then used them to trail down the side of her neck, lingering at the spot just before her collarbone and hearing her quiet moan. He moved to her breasts, taking his time, coaxing a response from her instead of demanding it, as his hand trailed down her back, over the band of lace at her hips, then stroked the smooth swell of her bottom, molding her flesh. Instead of exploding with heat and passion like she’d done in the limo, she trembled in his arms.
After the way he’d handled her that night, he imagined she thought he had no finesse at all. He’d show her she was wrong.
When her head fell back and her body went pliant, he slid her panties slowly down over her hips, taking care this time not to rip the delicate lace. He lowered her to the edge of the bed, gently pushing her back into the thick comforter. He removed her shoes, then slowly rolled one stocking down her long, endless leg. He ran his mouth over the arch of her foot, then nibbled his way slowly up her calf. Her skin smelled like some exotic flower, and he breathed her in, pausing at the back of her knee to elicit shivers of anticipation from her, gauging her reaction as he moved up the inside of her thigh.
