A Trap So Tender

by Jennifer Lewis

  But unless James had hired a private detective—which he apparently hadn’t—he and everyone else thought her stepdad was her real father.

  In the best room at the Four Seasons, at James’s insistence, her mom pulled clothes from her extensive luggage, while her stepdad experimented with the TV remote.

  “Really, sweetheart, we could have stayed with my sister. I don’t know why I brought this dress. It’s far too hot here. I forgot how hot it is. And I still don’t understand why we had to come here in such a rush.”

  To help me choose my wedding dress. Or not. “I wanted you to meet my new…boyfriend.” She couldn’t bring herself to say fiancé to her own mother, when she had no intention of marrying him.

  “You two must be serious.” Her mom paused, a satin negligee in hand. A broad smile broke out on her face. “I’m so happy that you’re dating. You never seem interested in boys.”

  “He’s not really a boy.” She couldn’t help smiling. “He’s several years older than me.”

  Her mom waved a hand. “That’s nothing. A husband should be older than his wife. And he’s Singaporean! I can’t believe I moved across the world and my daughter goes back home to find a husband.”

  “Actually, he’s Scottish.” Even though she was telling the absolute truth, this whole conversation felt like a horrible wasp’s nest of lies she was building. “He does a lot of business here. I visited him in Scotland, though. He has a big castle out in the middle of nowhere.”

  “A castle?” Her mom almost dropped the shirt she was putting on a hanger. “Dan, did you hear that? A castle!”

  Fiona nodded. It was hard not to smile. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if she and James really were madly in love and getting married? It would be like some kind of fairy tale come true.

  But fairy tales didn’t come true. Not in her life, anyway. She wondered what her mom would think if she knew her whole relationship was phony. She certainly wouldn’t find it entertaining the way her dad did. He’d chuckled and promised to keep quiet when the engagement was announced. Her mom was a gentle person whose main goal in life was to make others happy. She hadn’t been able to make Fiona’s dad happy, and she’d warned Fiona about expecting too much from him. Fiona didn’t worry, though. She and her dad were a lot more alike than her mom gave her credit for.

  “So when do I meet this amazing man?”

  “At dinner tonight.” Her stomach constricted. James had booked them a table at the most impossible-to-get-into restaurant in town. Where he was no doubt going to start conversations about wedding dresses and engagement parties and guest lists. She doubted the topic of her real dad would come up, since her mom tended to act as if he’d never existed and her stepdad, Dan, was her birth father. Still, a situation like this could explode in her face. “But maybe we should cancel. You’re probably tired.”

  “Nonsense. I can’t wait!”

  * * *

  An hour later she met James at his penthouse apartment. Her heart jumped as he opened the door, and her lips tingled in anticipation of their kiss.

  Which was rich and full and made her toes curl.

  Why did he have to be so delicious? He looked devastating in a dark suit—apparently this man never wore jeans—with his hair slicked back and slightly damp. “I’ve missed you.” His low murmur stirred the desire already rising inside her.

  “I’ve missed you, too.” Worse yet, it was true. She’d both dreaded and longed to see him in equal measure.

  “We have an hour and a half before our reservation. Shall we go pick up your parents and take them out for a drink?”

  “No.” She said it too fast. “I mean, they’re resting after their flight. They’ll meet us at the restaurant. They’re both from Singapore so they know their way around.”

  “Perfect.” He smiled. “Won’t you come in?”

  She glanced over his shoulder into the sleek, minimalist interior. “How about a walk?” She didn’t really want to come in and kiss him and get all hot and confused. Better to stick to her goals and try to keep this thing on track. And her dad’s factory was only about five blocks away. “I’d love some air and a chance to stretch my legs. I’m nervous about you meeting my parents.”

  Truer words were never spoken.

  “Don’t be nervous. I’m quite well behaved.” His mischievous grin was adorable. “And I promise to charm them.”

  “I’m sure you will.”

  He slipped his arm through hers, which sent a shiver of excitement right through her. How odd that they’d slept together in Scotland, but back here he seemed to want them to stay apart. Really, it was better, but she couldn’t help feeling slightly hurt. Which was ridiculous. “Uh, I haven’t yet told my parents we’re getting married.”

  “Why not?”

  “I want them to meet you and like you before I tell them.”

  “Sounds like a sensible plan.” His beaming smile made her feel so guilty. Especially as their stroll took them out of the expensive shopping district toward the more up-and-coming area where the factory lay. She knew exactly which building it was, but James had no idea she’d ever heard of it before. She slowed the pace as they drew near. The concrete shoebox looked even more depressing than she remembered, with Chinese characters daubed in green paint directly onto its mildewed surface. Old window air conditioners provided nesting for local birds, and there was garbage sitting on the front doorstep. How did you tactfully express an interest in a dump like this?

  “You’re not going to believe it, but I just bought this building.” James took the weight off by bringing it up himself.

  “Why? It looks like a wreck.” She worked hard not to show her excitement.

  “The land under it, of course. Some old guy had been sitting on it, operating some kind of factory at a near loss for years. Since taxes are based on the potential value of the land—as if it had a new multi-unit building—he didn’t make enough to pay them. So I stepped in, paid them and now it’s mine.” He gazed proudly at his ugly new acquisition.

  “That seems rather unfair.” She wanted to see how James felt about this. “Why can’t they tax it as it is right now?”

  “It’s to prevent people squatting on promising pieces of real estate. If half the waterfront were lined with fishermen’s shacks, Singapore wouldn’t be the great city it is today. And, of course, it brings in revenue that pays for services.”

  “But what about the poor guy who lost his building?” Why was she treading into such dangerous territory? She must be mad. But she couldn’t seem to help herself.

  “It’s business. If he wanted to make money he could have developed the property himself. Maybe he was planning to, but if you’re going to do that, you have to pay the taxes. I keep my eyes open for opportunities like this all the time. I’ve gained some of my best properties this way.”

  “What are you going to build here?”

  “I haven’t decided yet. At first I thought a small office complex would be good. There are a lot of companies out there that need more space. But since the retail area has expanded in this direction, now I’m thinking it could be a destination retail space.”

  “Like the one I plan to build.”

  “Exactly.”

  A chill rose through her as she realized she’d accomplished exactly what she needed to do. The groundwork was set. And she was every bit as devious, coldhearted and ruthless as any business tycoon in Singapore.

  She quickened the pace, wanting to leave before there was any further discussion of “the old guy” who owned the place. James’s arm was still linked with hers, and she tried not to think about the muscle moving beneath his expensive suit. Better to think of him as a business entity, not a man with feelings and emotions. She knew he must have his reasons for their sudden engagement, and sooner or later she’d find out what they were and feel better about her deception. “Maybe we should head for the restaurant.”

  * * *

  James glowed with pleasure as he ordered wine for their pa
rty. Fiona’s mother was charming and gregarious and her husband soft-spoken and funny. Even though the stakes were high he felt quite at ease. Fiona was rather quiet, but perhaps she was overwhelmed by so much happening so quickly. Who wouldn’t be?

  “So you only met two weeks ago?” Fiona’s mom seemed to want all the details. Which were rather thin and made him uncomfortable when she shone the bright light of curiosity on them. He could understand why Fiona wanted them to get to know him before she announced their impending marriage. Still, they had to get past the preliminaries and get everyone on the same page, as he’d already made arrangements for their engagement party the following week in the ballroom at the Marina Bay Sands hotel.

  “We’ve traveled a long way in two weeks.” He rested his hand on Fiona’s. It felt oddly tense.

  “Literally and figuratively.” Her smile was oddly bright. “Scotland and back!”

  “Fiona tells me you have a castle.” Her mom leaned in and peered at him through her glasses. “Did you build it yourself?”

  He laughed. “God, no. I’d have made it a lot smaller and better insulated. The oldest parts of the castle date back to Roman times. Every now and then someone tries to make improvements, but they don’t help much. Fiona tells me you’re from Singapore.”

  “Yes, lah! Didn’t leave the place until I was twenty-six and met Dan.” She patted her husband’s arm affectionately. “And he spirited me off to California when he got transferred there by his bank.”

  Relieved that he’d managed to steer the conversation off him and Fiona briefly, he asked her questions about Singapore and what had changed. As Dan regaled them with a story about his grandmother who owned a noodle shop, James saw the man he’d been waiting for enter the restaurant. “Do excuse me.” He rose from the table and walked past several white-clothed tables of elegantly dressed diners, before extending his hand to Goh Kwon Beng, the president and CEO of SK Industries and the man whose partnership could remove nearly every obstacle from his most ambitious project ever. “What a surprise.” He knew Beng dined there at least three times a week with his wife and daughters, who had headed off to their usual table, so their encounter was anything but accidental. “I’m here entertaining my fiancée’s parents.” He gestured to the table, where Fiona and her mom and stepdad were conveniently laughing about something.

  Beng frowned and peered at the group. “I didn’t know you were engaged.”

  “It’s not been formally announced yet, but we’ll be celebrating next weekend. I do hope you’ll be able to attend.” Fiona had insisted on telling her parents in person before releasing the engagement announcement to the papers.

  Beng seized him with both hands. “Congratulations! And welcome to the world of men. You’ll appreciate how much easier and more content your life will be once you have a wife.”

  “It was a long journey to find the right woman, but happily I’ve arrived. Would you like to meet them?”

  “I’d be delighted.”

  James realized on the way to the table that he’d just announced his impending marriage, when his in-laws knew nothing about it. This would take some deft handling. “Fiona, this is Goh Kwon Beng, one of my wisest and sharpest business associates. And this is Fiona Lam.” Before Beng could get a word in edgeways—congratulations, for example—he introduced her mother and father and rattled off a long itinerary of all the things they should catch up on while they were in Singapore after a long absence. This led to an exchange about the old days, and the noodle shop on Penang Road and some laughter before one of Beng’s daughters came over to retrieve him so they could order.

  James sank into his chair with relief as Beng retreated.

  Fiona’s mother smiled. “What a nice man! He looks familiar. I feel like I’ve seen his face before.”

  “He’s the head of SK Industries.” Fiona watched the retreating Beng. “One of the most powerful men in Singapore.” She shot a glance at James, which chilled him slightly. Did she know what he was up to, or have any suspicions? She was probably too smart not to. Part of him couldn’t believe she’d agreed to marry him so easily. Then again, there was a real connection between them and she must be able to feel it, too. “You have friends in high places, James.” The sparkle in her eyes relieved him. She seemed impressed rather than suspicious. Maybe she would like to discuss her retail project with Beng. His vast distribution network had a finger in almost every retail pie in the region. He slid his arm around her for a moment, wanting to feel the warmth of her body and reassure her—or reassure himself?—of the deeper connection between them.

  * * *

  Dinner was delicious, and the conversation flowed as fast as the wine. By the end of the four-course meal they were all laughing.

  “James, I can see why Fiona’s fallen for you so fast. I must commend her on her excellent taste.” Her mom squeezed her hand. Fiona looked a little tense, but smiled back. “Love often happens fast, and when you least expect it. I have a funny feeling that soon you’ll be planning your wedding.”

  James glanced at Fiona—now was the perfect moment to share their news. But Fiona stared straight ahead with a forced bright look on her face and laughed. “You might well be right!”

  He stiffened. Why didn’t she want to tell them yet? But he told himself to hold back. It was all happening very fast and she might need more time to adjust. It was hard to be patient, though. He had deadlines involving his negotiations with SK Industries, and a big wedding would play very nicely into those. Gathering all the local rainmakers together with champagne and cake and visions of his new patriarchal image was the finishing touch he needed for five or six different deals he had in mind. But he knew from long experience that some deals couldn’t be rushed.

  After dinner his plans to spend the night with Fiona were scuppered when she insisted on taking her parents back to their hotel. All he got was a rushed, “I’ll call you later.” But she didn’t call.

  At eleven o’clock James grew impatient and phoned her. “I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too.” There was an odd tightness to her voice.

  “I don’t know where you live.”

  Again, the laugh that shriveled intimacy. “I think it’s better that way.”

  “I need to see you, tonight. I can have my driver come pick you up.” The driver wouldn’t be too thrilled by his late-night assignment, but he was paid handsomely enough. And though he didn’t want to ruin his new traditional family man image by being spotted cavorting with his future wife before marriage, how many people were likely to see her coming up to his apartment near midnight?

  “I think I should get some sleep. I’m exhausted after today.”

  The sharp pang of disappointment surprised him. He’d spent the evening with this woman. Why did her absence hurt him already? “You could come sleep in my arms.” He craved the feel of her soft cheek against his chest. He wanted to wake with her and see the sparkle in her eyes outshine the sun.

  Clearly, he was losing it. “Please.”

  “I’d love to, James, but it’s not a good idea. Let’s have lunch tomorrow.” The bright tone in her voice clashed in his ears like cymbals. Lunch, no doubt in a public place where he couldn’t take her in his arms and kiss her as if the world was ending.

  “How about lunch at my place?”

  “Uh, okay.”

  Her hesitation hurt him. Which was insane! Why was he pining over this woman like a puppy? She’d already agreed to marry him. He needed to get himself together. “Twelve noon. I’ll have my driver pick you up. What’s your address?”

  “I’m not sure where I’ll be. I’ll come to your place.”

  James hung up the phone with an odd sense of foreboding. He didn’t feel entirely in control of this situation, and that was a very uncomfortable sensation for him. Tonight he was going to find out where she lived.

  Eight

  Adrenaline surged through Fiona three days later as she knocked on the scarred door to her dad’s tiny apartment. She
’d offered to buy him a house, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Far too proud.

  “Eh?” His gruff voice from inside made her chest constrict.

  “It’s me. Fiona.”

  The door swung open, releasing a cloud of cigarette smoke. She squinted and managed not to cough. “I don’t like you coming here. It’s a dump. I’d never live here if it wasn’t for that devil who ruined me.” He looked tired and older than the last time she’d seen him. A pang of affection rocked her. She wanted so badly to turn his life around so they could simply enjoy the simple pleasures together without any lingering bitterness.

  “Have you seen the papers?” She wasn’t sure if he’d read the engagement announcement. So far he’d been good about keeping quiet.

  “What papers? I don’t read that garbage.”

  “Can I come in?” She didn’t want to blurt her business out on the street. Thank heaven her mom and stepfather were busy visiting old friends today.

  “The place is a mess. Let’s go out. I’m buying.” He grabbed a few crumpled bills out of a drawer.

  “Nonsense. It’s my treat. I have something to celebrate.”

  “Oh, yes?” He looked at her intently.

  “Well, I will soon. I’ve figured out how to get your factory back.” She spoke in hushed tones as he closed the door and they set out for the restaurant.

  “By marrying James Drummond.” His brows lowered.

  He had heard. “It’s not what you think, Dad. It’s part of my plan.”

  “You’ll get my revenge by making his life a misery?”

  “No! I have a thing set up. A horse race. When I win it he has to give me whatever I want, and I’m going to ask for your factory.” They hurried along the street toward the restaurant she had in mind. Their route would take them right past the factory.