The Million Dollar Catch Bundle

by Susan Mallery

  Friends who slept together.

  But sex wasn’t love and there was no way she was falling for him, so what did it matter that he thought badly of her?

  Yet somehow it did matter and when she left the bridal salon a few minutes later, it was with a tightness in her chest and a sick feeling in her stomach.

  To: Marina_Nelson@mynetwork.LA.com

  From: Julie_Nelson@SGC.usa

  Let me just say, for the record, that I’m stunned that you would sleep with Todd Aston the Third and not tell me. Even worse, I had to hear about it from my GRANDMOTHER! You slept with Todd? You slept with TODD? While I’m out of the country and we’re so many time zones apart that I’ll never hear the details?

  I know you’re telling Willow everything. I hate being left out. In time I’ll forgive you, but know for now the sisterly bonds between us are stretched to the limit.

  To: Julie_Nelson@SGC.usa

  From: Marina_Nelson@mynetwork.LA.com

  When did you become such a drama queen? The sisterly bonds? Someone’s getting just a little too carried away by all this.

  I’m sorry you had to find out from Grandma Ruth. I was going to tell you myself, but I didn’t want to put that kind of information in e-mail. Obviously I’m the only one who worries about that sort of thing.

  It was one time, or at least one night. It happened by accident. I’ll explain the details later. They’re actually kind of funny. But the point is, we’re not a couple. We’re friends who happened to sleep together and we have no plans for it to happen again.

  To: Marina_Nelson@mynetwork.LA.com

  From: Julie_Nelson@SGC.usa

  That’s it? That’s all I get? How pathetic. I want details. And FYI…people don’t accidentally sleep together. It’s a conscious act/decision. You’re not fooling me here, kid. So what’s really going on?

  Marina stared at the e-mail before answering. What was going on with her and Todd?

  To: Julie_Nelson@SGC.usa

  From: Marina_Nelson@mynetwork.LA.com

  We’re just friends. I swear. I like him, which I never thought would happen, but liking isn’t anything more. Yes, we slept together, but there won’t be a repeat performance and after this wedding is planned, we’ll see each other at family events a few times a year and that’s all. He’s not the one. He’s just a guy.

  A special guy, she admitted to herself as she sent off the e-mail. But still, just a guy.

  “I’m running late,” Belinda yelled as Todd stepped into her photography studio. “Have a seat and I’ll be with you in a bit.”

  He smiled at the receptionist, then made his way back to the large open space where she did most of her work.

  Belinda, a petite redhead who dressed like a gypsy, stood in front of a camera and stared at the adorably dressed twins sitting on a bale of hay.

  The identical little girls wore pink and white dresses and their dark hair had been carefully curled and styled.

  “Okay—heads together,” Belinda said with a grin, “but no bumping. Just touching at the top.”

  The girls complied.

  “Now think about Christmas morning. What it’s like to be awake but know it’s too early to go downstairs. Remember how excited you feel. There are so many presents and soon you’ll get to rip open that shiny paper and see what you got. It’s so fun, but you have to wait. Think about that.”

  Both girls smiled, their eyes bright, their faces alive with anticipation.

  Belinda snapped several pictures.

  “She’s good.”

  He turned and saw Marina had walked into the studio.

  Their last meeting had turned awkward, thanks to Aunt Ruth. He waited for some feeling of discomfort, or a need to be anywhere but here. Instead anticipation swept through him and made him want to pull her close.

  “The best,” he said. “How are you?”

  “Good. Busy with classes, but that’s fun.” She looked at the twins. “Adorable little girls.”

  “I agree.”

  “Really? You want kids?”

  “Sure. A lot. I’ve always wanted my own baseball team.”

  She winced. “That’s too many. But three or four would be a nice number. How do you plan to get these kids?”

  He glanced at her. “I have no problem with having a family. It’s having a wife I object to.”

  “So you’ll adopt?”

  Her eyes were the color of the sky. A perfect shade of blue. He liked how he could read her moods and how she wasn’t intimidated by him. When this was over, maybe they could stay friends…assuming he got his burning need to make love with her again out of his system.

  “Adoption is a possibility,” he said. “But I would like a couple of biological kids to carry on the family name.”

  “Inherit the family money,” she teased.

  “That, too.”

  “So what will you do? Hire someone to carry the kids? Rent a womb, so to speak?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. It’s an option.”

  Marina’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “I was kidding.”

  “I’m not. Everything is for sale.”

  “No offense, but that’s really icky.”

  “Why? Surrogate mothers aren’t uncommon. I’d have to be careful.”

  “Sure. What was I thinking?” She folded her arms over her chest. “It’s a complicated choice. After all, the biological mother contributes fifty percent of the gene pool. Plus some scientific studies suggest intelligence is inherited through the mother.”

  “Which explains why a lot of successful guys who are more concerned about a beautiful woman than one with brains or character end up with disappointing children.”

  Disapproval radiated from her like fog. It surrounded him, trying to chill him, but he was unmoved. It was his life and he could damn well do what he wanted. If that meant kids without a wife, then that was his choice.

  “You sound really cold-blooded,” she told him.

  “I’m being practical.”

  She drew in a breath, then released it. “Given your past, I understand your reluctance to trust anyone, but there’s still a part of me that says you can have it all. You can fall in love, get married and have your kids the old-fashioned way. No contracts required.”

  “Is that what you want?” he asked.

  “Sure. There’s something wonderful about being a part of a family.”

  “You don’t seem to be in a hurry to find Mr. Right.”

  Marina nodded. “I know I have my issues, but I’m willing to take a step of faith.”

  “Cheap talk.”

  “I’ll get there. Eventually.”

  Would she? He doubted it. They might be very different, but they both had a fundamental lack of trust when it came to love. She was afraid of losing herself, the way her mother had, and he was determined to be more than a meal ticket.

  “It takes faith,” she told him. “One day I’ll find someone who makes the leap worthwhile and then I’ll jump.”

  Todd looked skeptical. “I hope he’s there to catch you.”

  The photographer finished up with the children, then came over and hugged Todd, then introduced herself to Marina.

  “I’ve never been hired from China before,” the older woman said with an easy grin. “This could be fun.”

  “We’ll e-mail Julie and Ryan some samples, if that’s all right with you,” Todd told her. “Marina and I will pick out a few.”

  “Sure. Great. I have my albums over here. I’ll show you a big selection, then point out which ones are available to be sent digitally.”

  Marina watched the easy rapport between Belinda and Todd. “How did you two meet?” she asked.

  Todd groaned, but Belinda laughed. Then she patted him on the cheek.

  “Todd’s parents hired me to take his picture for his sixteenth birthday. It was all very formal and solemn.”

  “So humiliating,” Todd muttered.

  Marina grinned. “That portrait wouldn’t
be in the sample albums, would it?”

  Belinda shook her head. “He’d kill me if I put it there, but maybe I can scan one of the proofs and send you a copy.”

  Marina leaned close to Todd and rested her head on his shoulder. “I would love that.”

  “You send it and I’ll never forgive you,” Todd told Belinda.

  “Of course you will.”

  They spent the next half hour going over Belinda’s samples. Her pictures were incredible. Romantic without being mushy, clear, artistic, yet timeless.

  “She captures personalities,” Marina said as she pointed at a wedding picture. “Look at the bride’s smile. You can tell she’s kind of wacky but fun.”

  “Yeah and he’s crazy about her.”

  Looking at the happy couples made Marina feel a little empty. She wanted what they had—love and trust. Someone she could count on, no matter what. But this day wasn’t about her.

  “Any of these would be great,” she said. “Let’s just give Belinda Julie and Ryan’s e-mail address and she can send whatever she wants. They’re going to love her work.”

  They returned to her studio to tell her.

  “Sure, I’ll send a big selection,” Belinda told them. “But before you go, let me snap a couple of pictures of you two. Having a familiar subject can be really helpful.”

  Todd looked at Marina who shrugged.

  “I have a few minutes,” she said, not exactly sure what Belinda was talking about.

  “Good. I’m all set up for my next appointment. That will make this go quickly.”

  Belinda pointed at a muted backdrop done in blues and grays. There were lights all around and a camera in front of the backdrop.

  “Stand in the middle,” Belinda told him. “Close together. Let’s try a traditional pose. Todd, put your arms around her waist. Marina, put your hands on top of his.”

  They did as they were told. Marina did her best to ignore the heat of Todd’s body and the way his nearness made her thighs tremble. The longer he held her, the more she ached for him.

  “Big smiles,” Belinda said. “Come on, don’t make me do the Christmas morning speech a second time today. It gets old. Think about something great. I know. The last time you had sex.”

  Involuntarily she glanced up at him only to find him looking down at her. She remembered everything about them being together that night. His touch, his laughter, the way he’d made her respond in ways she hadn’t thought possible.

  “Perfect,” Belinda called. “Keep looking like that. Okay, now think of something funny—like Todd in a chicken costume, complete with a big chicken tail.”

  Marina felt her mouth twitch as she got the image in her mind. Then she started to laugh.

  “Gee, thanks,” he told her.

  “You’d make a great chicken.”

  “My life is complete.”

  Marina was still laughing when Belinda told them they were done.

  “I’ll e-mail these pictures to Julie and Ryan, as well,” she said. “I’m holding the date, so if you could let me know in the next week or so, that would be perfect.”

  “Will do,” Todd promised.

  “Thanks for everything,” Marina told her. “You’re amazing.”

  “Words I live to hear.”

  Marina followed Todd outside.

  “We’re still on for the wedding this Saturday, right?” he asked as they stopped by her car.

  “You mean the wedding we’re crashing? I’m braced.”

  “We’re there to hear the orchestra. That’s not crashing. We won’t eat anything. It will be fine.”

  “I’ve never crashed a wedding before,” she said. “That will make this very special.”

  “You’ll like it.”

  She waved, then climbed into her car. He did the same and drove away first. But before she started her engine, she thought about what he’d said about having kids without a woman in his life. While she admired his desire to have a family, she was also sad at how he was limiting himself by refusing to trust anyone.

  Ironically they were opposite sides of the same issue. He trusted himself, but no one else. She trusted everyone but herself. They both needed to take a leap of faith, but could they? And if they didn’t, would they ever find their heart’s desire?

  Nine

  Late Saturday afternoon Todd drove through Westwood toward UCLA. Marina had called earlier and asked him to pick her up on campus, instead of at her place, for their appointment to listen to the orchestra. She’d given him directions to one of the frat houses.

  Now he found the correct street and turned right, then looked for the address. He spotted Marina before he saw the house. She stood on the lawn with a tall good-looking guy and they were gesturing at each other.

  As he watched, the guy pulled Marina close and hugged her. She laughed and kissed his cheek.

  Something dark and cold coiled low in his belly. He narrowed his gaze as Marina spoke using sign language. She obviously knew the other guy really well. But what the hell were they talking about?

  They continued to gesture rapidly, then Marina turned, saw him and waved. The guy looked at him, hugged her again and turned back to the house.

  As she walked toward his car, Todd was torn between being unreasonably pissed off and admiring the way her dress outlined her curves. He’d only ever seen her in casual clothes, so the high-heeled sandals, dangling earrings and upswept hair were a change.

  “I’m ready for my night of crime,” she said as she opened the passenger door and lowered herself onto the seat. “I thought about bringing masks so no one would recognize us, but then I was afraid we’d really stand out.”

  He ignored the humor and stared at the big house. “You date frat boys?”

  “Date? Uh, no. That was David, one of the people I sign for. He’s a senior, he has a hot date and his car died a couple of days ago, so I’m loaning him mine. Normally I wouldn’t, but he’s planning on proposing, so that seemed like a good cause to support.”

  He turned his attention to her and saw a combination of humor and exasperation in her eyes.

  “I just wondered,” he said defensively. “Frat guys have a reputation.”

  “Sure. That was the only reason for going all primitive on me.”

  “Primitive? Not my style.”

  Not ever. That would require jealousy and jealousy implied caring. While he liked Marina, theirs was a friendship.

  “You’re weird, Todd,” she murmured. “You know that?”

  “Not weird. Charming, handsome, sexy, mysterious.”

  She eyed him. “I’ll give you complicated, but nothing else.”

  “You just don’t want to admit how much you’re attracted to me.”

  “As if.”

  But as she spoke, her gaze lingered on his mouth. He felt a rush of heat and need that had him shifting uncomfortably on the seat.

  He pulled into traffic. “The reception is in Beverly Hills,” he said. “We’ll go in, smile politely, offer congratulations, listen to the music, then leave.”

  “Whatever you suggest,” she told him. “You’re the professional criminal. This will be my first time.”

  “We’re just going to listen to music, that’s not against the law.”

  “Criminals always have an excuse. Does Ryan know about your lawless ways? You guys are business partners—he should probably be protecting his assets. Next thing you know, you’ll be pilfering.”

  He deliberately kept his expression stern. “I do not pilfer.”

  “Sure you don’t. You’re practically sainted. If your aunt Ruth could see you now.”

  Speaking of Aunt Ruth. “Did she call you?”

  Marina looked at him. “My grandmother? No. Was she going to?”

  So he’d been the only one. “No. Don’t worry about it.”

  “You can’t just bring up something like that and then drop it. What happened?”

  “She’s called me a couple of times since she dropped by the bridal pl
ace. There were a few unsubtle hints about us taking things to the next level.”

  Marina winced. “She wasn’t talking about us sleeping together again, I’m guessing.”

  “Not exactly.” Although his aunt had mentioned the whole “passion” issue several times, taking the conversation to a place Todd never wanted to go again.

  “You’re probably not going to think this is good news, but she also blabbed to Julie, who probably told Ryan.”

  He glanced at her. “Your grandmother told your sister we had sex?”

  “Oh, yeah. I had a couple of very shouty e-mails from Julie. She’s afraid she’s missing out.”

  And he wanted a family why?

  “What did you tell her?” he asked.

  “That I’d share all the details when she got back.” She smiled at him. “We’re very close.”

  He had a feeling she was kidding. Or maybe that was wishful thinking on his part. Women did talk and he had no idea what they said to each other. Like every other normal guy on the planet, he didn’t want to know.

  “I’m sorry Ruth is being a pain,” he said. “Can you ignore her or should I say something?”

  “As I’m not the one she’s calling, ignoring works for me. Are you going to have problems ignoring her?”

  “No.” He loved Ruth, but she didn’t get to tell him what to do. He knew she wanted him married and that wasn’t happening.

  “That sex thing was probably a mistake,” Marina said quietly. “It’s good we’re never doing it again.”

  He thought about how great they’d been together. How much he’d enjoyed pleasing her, tasting her and touching her. How easily they’d talked and laughed. How much he still wanted her.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” he said firmly.

  The hotel was like something out of a movie, Marina thought as she and Todd strolled down wide, well decorated hallways to the ballroom overlooking the private garden.

  They managed to slip inside without anyone asking them questions or accusing them of being there without an invitation, although she felt as if everyone in the room knew they were imposter guests.

  “Relax,” Todd said as he slipped an arm around her waist. “There have to be at least three hundred people here. No one will notice us.”