The Marriage of Inconvenience

by Nina Singh

  Her lawfully wedded husband...again?

  When Angeline Scott’s business is in trouble, she turns to the one man who can help—R. J. Davet. She needs him to pose as her husband to secure a vital deal. Surely that shouldn’t be too difficult, seeing as R.J. played that role spectacularly well until their marriage fell apart!

  Opening the door to R.J. again makes Angel realize something immediately: she’s never gotten over him. But can she convince him of that before this deal is struck and he walks out of her life once more?

  And then he was kissing her.

  Dizziness assaulted her and he must have noticed. He lowered his hands on her arms and held her closer. The sweet contact with his lips never wavered.

  Angel didn’t know why he was suddenly doing this, didn’t care. All that mattered now was that he didn’t stop.

  She noticed movement in the corner of her eye. It hit her then. Tavov had stepped onto the balcony; he was watching them. R.J. was putting on a show. He was only kissing her for Tavov’s benefit.

  The hurt opened fire on her heart. All of a sudden it was too much: their arguments, his demands, the tension. And the taste of him, his heat up against her.

  Something snapped. She pulled her arms out of his grasp and lifted them around his neck. His sharp intake of breath didn’t even make her hesitate. She stepped closer to him, feeling the rock of muscle that lined his frame.

  “Oh, we need to be so much more convincing than that,” she spoke low into his ear.

  Dear Reader,

  Writers often hear that they should write the book they’d like to read but haven’t discovered yet. For me, this is that book.

  It’s a story about a love that transcends social boundaries and overcomes the collision of vastly different backgrounds.

  Angeline Scott hasn’t seen her estranged husband in three years. Fate throws them together again when she needs his help for a business deal, and it doesn’t take long for her to realize that she’s never really gotten over him.

  R. J. Davet thinks he’s done the right thing by staying away from the wife he still loves. She deserves so much more in life than what he can give her. But their genuine affection for each other is hard to ignore when they have to pretend to be together again.

  Ultimately, Angeline and R.J. rediscover all the reasons they fell in love in the first place, and realize they need to give that love another chance.

  I hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  Nina

  THE MARRIAGE OF

  INCONVENIENCE

  Nina Singh

  Nina Singh lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband, children and a very rambunctious Yorkie. After several years in the corporate world she finally followed the advice of family and friends to “give the writing a go already.” She’s oh-so-happy she did. When not at her keyboard, she likes to spend time on the tennis court or golf course. Or immersed in a good read.

  Books by Nina Singh

  Harlequin Romance

  9 to 5

  Miss Prim and the Maverick Millionaire

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.

  Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!

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  For my generous, kindhearted and

  encouraging husband. And for my amazing,

  wonderful children who make me proud

  every day.

  Also Barb, Dee and Deb. You’ve been there

  every step of the way and I am thankful

  beyond words.

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  EXCERPT FROM THE MYSTERIOUS ITALIAN HOUSEGUEST BY SCARLET WILSON

  CHAPTER ONE

  SO NOW SHE needed his help.

  R. J. Davet shifted in his chair and looked down for the third time at the email message waiting for him on his laptop. Even if she hadn’t signed the message, he would have known whom it was from. Brief and to the point, apologetic yet demanding at the same time. All the characteristics of the woman he had known better than anyone else on earth. He almost laughed at the thought. He had known her intimately once. And it had cost him.

  Outside his hotel window, the crowded street in London’s East End bustled with activity. Delivery trucks skirted around the road. Morning commuters rushed to work, and cafés were filling with caffeine-hungry customers.

  A silver tea tray with steaming scones sat untouched on the antique table next to him. He was oblivious to all of it. His appointment with the investors in a few minutes, the importance of this trip, the weeks of preparation. He couldn’t bring himself to think of any of that now. After all this time, and all the pretenses, she was asking for his help.

  A fleeting impulse to ignore the request entered his mind. After all, she hadn’t indicated it was urgent. Every self-preserving instinct told him to pretend he’d never received it.

  But that thought was gone in a second. He would go to her. Of course he would. Even with the little information the message provided, he couldn’t ignore a plea from her. Besides, the past was behind them now. There was no reason he couldn’t assist her professionally. He was the best. Arrogance or immodesty had nothing to do with it. He knew his strengths and he knew his shortcomings. He knew his reputation within the field had compelled celebrity and politician alike to seek out his expertise, even this early in his business. He’d worked his butt off since leaving college.

  Now his skills were being sought by the one woman who could have had that and a lot more at her disposal. The bitter tang of memory formed an unpleasant taste in his mouth before he swallowed it.

  Rubbing his eyes, he stood and read the email once more.

  R.J.

  It’s been a while. I find myself in the unexpected position of requiring your assistance. Only you have the background. Let’s discuss at your earliest convenience.

  She’d included a small icon of a dancing couple at the end: What do you say, Princess? Shall we dance?

  He leaned forward to reply to her and stopped himself. There was no reason they couldn’t interact like the true professionals they were, but there was also no reason to be hasty either. He wasn’t going to jump the instant she snapped her fingers. No doubt that’s what she expected. Surprise for her, he’d changed.

  He powered off the laptop and packed it into his briefcase, making sure hard copies of the financial spreadsheets were there. He had a lot to do in the few short hours before his flight back to the States. He didn’t need a distraction like her just now.

  His estranged wife would get his answer soon enough.

  * * *

  “He’s here, you know.”

  Angeline Scott jumped at the announcement, then tried to calm herself before turning away from the window. She leveled a gaze at her assistant, who was also her dearest friend.

  “He’s here,” Shanna repeated. “R.J. just signed in downstairs. He’s on his way up.”

&
nbsp; Angeline managed a nod in acknowledgement. She couldn’t go through with this.

  “Shan, I think we should just forget this whole thing. I’m not even going to tell him why I asked him here. I’ve changed my mind.”

  “Are you going to ask your father, then? For the money?”

  Angeline gave her friend the side eye for that question. “You know that’s out of the question. I refuse.”

  Shanna rewarded her with a look of pride. “That would only be a temporary fix anyway.”

  “But to ask R.J. to do this...” Angeline let herself trail off.

  “We really have no choice, do we?”

  “I guess not. But I know him. He’s going to look at me like I have two heads, pop a hand on his hip—” she fisted her hand and set it on her hip in demonstration. “And then he’s going to laugh. Then he’ll become angry because he’ll think it’s a joke. At his expense. That’s exactly what will happen.” She blew a stray strand of hair off her forehead, then added, “Not necessarily in that order.”

  “Then why did you ask him in the first place?”

  “Because he’s the only one who really qualifies, isn’t he?”

  “True. Technically he’s still your husband.”

  Angel sighed. Yes, R.J. was still her husband. In name only. The only reason being that they had never gotten around to finalizing their divorce. And now, after close to three years apart, she had to demean herself by asking him to pretend they’d never split up at all.

  Shanna smiled at her. “Go straighten yourself out, Angel. Your cheeks are flushed. It’s just not becoming on someone with your olive skin tone. And those curls.” She held a hand up in frustration to the mass of unruly hair Angeline knew was spilling out of her loose bun. “We can do this. Just pull yourself together. It’s the only way.”

  Angeline plunked herself into the wide leather chair behind her. Shanna was right, of course. They had gone through every other feasible option.

  “Fine,” she said, then looked up in defiance. “But I refuse to straighten myself out.”

  Shanna stole a quick glance into the outer room. “Looks like you don’t have time for it anyway. Our fella just walked in.”

  Angeline gripped the armrests on the chair and tried to assume a perfect poker face. Her heart was in her throat, and adrenaline coursed through her veins like a river during a storm. But she was certain none of it showed. R. J. Davet might turn her insides to lava, but she knew how to mask emotion well.

  Shanna gave her a reassuring wink and went to show him in.

  Angeline took advantage of the time to try to calm her nerves. She was a mature businesswoman now. Not a foolish young college student. She’d graduated top of her class, even with the distraction that was R. J. Davet.

  He wouldn’t affect her the way he used to. She was much wiser with a good head on her shoulders. She was over her once all-consuming attraction to him. She was over him.

  Angeline stood up to greet him, feeling much more certain of herself. It was ridiculous to think he could still hurt her.

  But then he walked in. And it hurt just to look at him.

  She managed to curve her lips into a smile. “Hello, R.J. Long time, no see.” She cringed as soon as she said it. Nothing like dazzling him with witty conversation.

  He didn’t say anything for a long moment, merely looked at her. Just for an instant, the hurt fell away and she was staring into hypnotic, deep chocolate eyes that were so familiar. There was nothing between them, there was nothing around them. As if sensing her thoughts, his expression suddenly became aloof and guarded.

  “Hello, Angel.” He smiled when he said it, but his eyes remained distant.

  He made his way toward her with the same confident gait she remembered. Except now there was so much more polish. In a dark Italian-cut suit, he had the elusive manner that only self-made successful people have. He looked like the powerhouse he’d always wanted to be, had always talked about becoming. He looked like the man he had left her to become.

  She checked the impulse to step back as he approached, afraid of her reaction. His wavy black hair reflected almost navy where the light hit it. The strong set of his jaw lent a hardened austerity to his face.

  Her dreams had not done him justice.

  She cleared her throat. “So, I hear your business is doing well. You’re trying to expand Davet Corporate Security into Europe, aren’t you?”

  “That’s the intent, yes.” His voice rang clear with impatience.

  “I can’t believe all you’ve accomplished in the short time since college.”

  He gave a slight nod in her direction. “Likewise.”

  Angeline felt herself shiver. R.J. wasn’t interested in small talk. “It must have been a surprise to hear from me after all this time,” she said in a lower voice.

  “Getting your message was a few notches higher than surprise. Closer to shock, actually.”

  She tried not to bristle at the hostility in his voice.

  R.J. shoved his hands into his pants pockets. “Let’s cut to the chase here, shall we? We’re both busy people. You didn’t call me to play catch-up. What can I do for the reigning tea queen of the Western Hemisphere? I imagine you have some type of corporate security concern. Were your systems hacked or something? Is that it?”

  Regret washed through her. He was obviously not thrilled about being here. While he couldn’t wait to leave, she was aching inside at seeing him again. Yep, she was a fool one hundred times over. “Not exactly. Please, have a seat.” She motioned him to the red brocade chair across from her desk and waited for him to sit down.

  Swallowing past the lump of apprehension in her throat, she began, “I’d like to discuss a business proposition with you. An alliance, so to speak.”

  She saw the curiosity flash in his eyes before he managed to suppress it. “What type of an alliance would the head of a thriving tea retail and distribution business form with the CEO of a corporate security firm?”

  “I need your help. But not in the way you think.”

  He lifted a brow in question. “I’m listening.”

  Angeline walked over to the large window overlooking metro Boston. Past the traffic, the Charles River gleamed like liquid gemstone as the sun reflected off the water. Her back to him, she could feel the intensity of his gaze and imagined his eyes roaming over her. The way his hands had not so long ago. She squeezed her eyes shut.

  Somehow she managed to find her voice again. “I’m in some trouble and it could affect other people. A lot of other people.”

  He was up and behind her in an instant. She recognized the poignantly familiar scent. That same distinctive cologne coupled with the aroma that was purely male and purely his. She tried to still the shaking in her hands and clasped them together in front of her. Heavens, this meeting was playing havoc on her senses. Pure attraction. Attraction that in the end hadn’t been enough to keep them together. But the flames of desire apparently still burned strong.

  For her anyway.

  “Angeline,” she heard him say. “Are you in some kind of danger?”

  She took a moment to answer. Technically she wasn’t. But in every other sense she was. Without warning, a firm set of hands gripped her by the shoulders and turned her around.

  “Answer me.”

  “N-no, I’m not in any danger,” she managed to stutter while fighting the urge to lean into the strong, masculine chest that was so close.

  He dropped his hands. Disappointment pummeled her. He clearly wasn’t as interested in touching her as he had been once.

  Better to get this over with. “It’s the business, R.J. The TeaLC chain. I’m worried that if I don’t expand soon, we may not survive.”

  He quirked an eyebrow. “But I thought your business was flaring.”

  �
��It’s also very costly. The distribution end brings in a good amount, but the retail chains aren’t terribly profitable. Plus, I have some very expensive overhead. I need a sales spurt, soon.” She took a deep breath. “And I think I just may have come up with a way to achieve some growth.”

  “But?”

  “But it won’t be easy.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Go on.”

  Here it was, the tough part. She braced herself for the certain embarrassment and decided to just blurt it out. “We never signed the papers to finalize our divorce.”

  A dark shadow flashed in his eyes. “Is that what all this is about? You want to take care of the divorce finally?”

  “No! No, that’s not it at all.” This was even harder than she would have imagined. “Actually, it’s kind of the exact opposite.”

  Silence. He searched her face for clarification.

  “I need to act like I’m happily married. Just for one night. I need you to pretend we’re still a fully married couple who never separated.” Oh, man, she was making a complete and utter mess of this whole proposal. But there was no way to back out now.

  She lifted her palms in appeal. “It wouldn’t be for long. I realize what I’m asking and—”

  He cut her off with a quick raise of his hand. “Let me get this straight. You have to act like you’re still happily married to grow your business.”

  Before she could answer, he turned around and walked toward the center of the large room.

  She stepped toward him, afraid he was going to leave without hearing her out. She’d gone too far to back out now. As difficult as this was, she had to see it through.

  “R.J., wait. Can I just explain?”

  He didn’t answer. Angeline rubbed her arms to calm herself. He was so angry he couldn’t even speak!

  And then he turned around, looked into her eyes and broke into laughter.

  * * *

  She really was too much.

  R.J. didn’t know if he was laughing more from amusement or the unsettling experience of seeing her again. This had to be some kind of joke.