Billionaire Bride

by Ava Catori

  “Set me up? What do you mean? I think he just likes me. I met him at the market, and we were sort of flirting, but he didn’t ask me out or anything. Then I bumped into him at a café, and well, one thing led to another. That’s how I ended up here, and I’m going out on a date with him this weekend.”

  “You don’t think the timing is at all weird?” She squirmed trying to point out the coincidence.

  “What are you trying to say? Just spit it out.” Brooke was getting annoyed. Was she jealous that Brooke was asked to be in a commercial and she wasn’t?

  Kennedy sighed. “Fine, it’s embarrassing, but I’ll fill you in on what happened. Your guy Ross was in on it.” She pulled her arms tightly around her chest, having a hard time spilling the details that left her feeling humiliated.

  “Go on…” Brooke waited.

  “There was a bet. The guys, your Ross, Scott, the one that’s my ex, and their other friend Hawk all set up a game with high stakes. The bet was that Scott had to get me to agree to be his bride by the weekend. It was all a game.” She closed her eyes tight. She hated him for doing this to her. “It was a million dollar bet.”

  “Wait, what?” She shook her head, not sure she understood. “Say that again.”

  “If Scott could convince me to marry him by the weekend, he’d have won a million dollars. If not, he lost and had to pay them. Ross and Hawk set up the bet.” She looked away, embarrassed. “They knew I had harsh feelings about Scott, so it was a challenge. And like an idiot, I started to fall for him and let my guard down.”

  “Shit. Are you kidding me?” Brooke’s eyes opened wide as she absorbed the news.

  “I wish I was,” she said.

  Brooke hugged her friend. “Those animals, how dare they! That’s it; I’m not doing this commercial thing. No way, those guys are snakes.”

  “I don’t want you to give up a good opportunity. I just wanted you to be aware of the type of people you’re working with.” Kennedy swallowed hard. She didn’t mean to rain on Brooke’s parade.

  Brooke knew she was jumping into the fire, but there was something about Ross Weber that pulled her in. She took Kennedy’s advice, but knew she’d go for the opportunity if it was still there.

  Chapter 12

  On arriving at his mother’s side, Scott was relieved to see she was doing better than he expected. His big fear was a broken hip, but she simply turned her ankle and it turned out to be a bad sprain. By the time he got there, they’d already wrapped it and put ice on. His grandmother was sitting by his mother’s side. He gave them each a kiss on the cheek and sat down. “You had me worried.”

  “I’m a tough, old bird,” his mom laughed. “Besides, you didn’t have to rush all the way over here.”

  “Gram said you fell, and my mind went into overdrive. I knew I’d feel better seeing you,” Scott explained.

  “Do you have time to stick around for lunch, or do you have to head back?” his mother asked.

  “I’ve got time. I cleared my schedule for a few hours.”

  They sat and talked, having a couple of sandwiches that their personal chef had made up.

  “I screwed up,” Scott started. “I sure could use some advice.”

  “What happened?” Gram asked.

  His mother turned her attention to her son.

  “My damn ego got the best of me,” he said shaking his head. “Sometimes I forget to be a decent human being.”

  “Oh boy, what did you do this time?” his mother asked.

  “This time,” Scott said with a laugh. “That’s the problem; it’s not the first time. Why do I keep doing stupid things, trying to prove something?”

  “I find a lot of times it stems from insecurity, when we try too hard. What happened?” Gram asked.

  “I made a stupid bet. Only this time it wasn’t over a few dollars or a car, but playing with somebody’s heart. I feel like an asshole.” He shook his head.

  “Scott, why? Why would you play with somebody’s heart? I’ve taught you better than that.” His mother’s disappointment showed in her face and in the tone of her voice.

  “I know. I’m ashamed that I even took the bet. It’s just…I was feeling cocky, like I couldn’t lose, and got in too deep. I feel like a jerk, and the person that was involved, I have no way to make it better.” He stood up and started to pace.

  Gram spoke sternly. “What the hell gives you the right to toy with somebody’s mind? Who does stuff like that? The Scott Bishop I know would do whatever it took to make it right. Where did that Scott get off to?”

  “Worse yet, I realize I have feelings for the person, and I messed up so badly that I don’t even know how to fix it. She found out about the bet.” Scott shoved his hands in his pockets, his shoulders dropping.

  “That poor girl; I’m embarrassed for you. Whatever you do, go make it right. Stop letting your foolish pride get in the way. You men, I have no idea what it is about your inflated egos, they’re always getting you in trouble.” Scott’s mother scolded him.

  “That girl is Kennedy.” He was ashamed.

  “Oh, Scott.” Gram shook her head. “Hasn’t she been through enough? She gave you her heart. That girl loved you like the moon and stars, and you couldn’t see it. Now you’ve gone and hurt her again?”

  “I know. I feel like a dog. First off, I realize it was an idiotic thing to do, taking the bet in the first place. The other problem is after seeing her again and talking with her, I realize I still have feelings. Only, I’ve shut her down for good this time.” Scott looked at his watch. “I need to head back in a bit; I’ve got an appointment at three.”

  Scott’s father came into the room. “Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. I was tied up in a meeting. I’m glad Scott was able to come right away.”

  The attention turned toward his father, which allowed Scott to say good-bye and head back to work. A car was waiting on him.

  On the drive back, Scott tossed around the week’s happenings. First things first, he needed to fix this. It didn’t matter if Kennedy took him back or not, but he owed her a first-rate apology. He then needed to pull his head out of his ass and stop trying to prove something with bets that were getting way out of control. It was one thing to bet a few bucks, but to toy with somebody’s emotions for cash, that was just wrong. And when had they started pushing into bigger and bigger money? A million dollars, hell even the Maserati and BMW were bets that they never should have made. It was time to get things in check. Something had to change.

  Until he had a plan, he’d hold off on reaching out to Kennedy. He wasn’t doing this half-ass. If he did it at all, he’d do it right.

  Once he got back to work, Scott was too distracted to do much of anything other than the work in front of him. They’d gotten back reports on the new properties they were looking at, and needed to measure out if growing too fast would hurt the bottom line. It could be an incredible push to get to the next level, but if the stores underperformed in some of the neighborhoods they still needed to test, it would cost them a fortune. Scott buried himself in the numbers.

  It was easily midnight by the time he got out of there. The last couple of days he’d pushed work aside and he needed to catch up. This was his company, and the time he took off earlier in the week was something he couldn’t afford right now. It was time to focus on Scott, the business man, not Scott the man-child.

  Rolling home, a wisp of an idea twisted in his brain. It was risky, but it just might work. It would be the biggest, boldest jump he’d ever made, but nothing else seemed grand enough. It would take some doing, and he’d have to make some calls, and there was no guarantee it would work, but it sure as hell couldn’t hurt to try.

  He was going to fly under the radar and make things happen. Once the seed started to grow in his mind, there was no stopping him. Scott Bishop walked a little taller. He was getting married. Now all he needed was a bride. The money…he had plans for that as well.

  Chapter 13

  This was either go
ing to be the stupidest thing he’d ever done or the best. Either way, he was diving in and not looking back. Scott Bishop suited up in his tuxedo, checking himself in the mirror as he fixed his bowtie. He filled it out well, and was pleased by what he saw. Usually he only wore the tux for black tie events, but most things had gone casual over time and a traditional suit was the more common attire.

  While his mind was full throttle ahead, his stomach and nerves were going in another direction. Scott’s belly twitched and knotted. His hands shook when he tried to steady them. This was a big jump. He’d be married by the end of the day if everything went well. He wasn’t even sure how they’d transition. There were so many details to take care of. Would she be willing to sign a post-nuptial agreement? He wasn’t pushing for a pre-nuptial, or it might ruin everything. Worst case scenario, he could get an annulment if this was all a big mistake. He’d only know after it happened.

  And his house, his personal space, the thought of sharing it didn’t enthuse him. And then there was the matter of kids. Oh boy. Scott sat on the edge of his bed. Maybe he was doing this for all the wrong reasons. He needed to make a point and show Kennedy that his feelings were true. It may have started as a game, but once he saw her again, it became very real.

  Scott closed his eyes and pictured her beside him. Inhaling, he drew in the imaginary scent of her hair. He wanted to hold her, to take Kennedy into his arms and kiss her. A deep, long, lingering kiss, one filled with passion. But did he want to live with Kennedy? Start a life with her? What was he thinking? This wasn’t the way to marry someone. Before he could change his mind, his ride arrived.

  “I need a minute,” he said to the chauffeur. There was no guarantee she would even be there when he showed up. Scott stood on the edge of a cliff, not sure he was ready to jump. He stared over the edge and panicked. His throat closed up on him, making breathing futile. It was all or nothing. Finally, after what felt like far too long, Scott Bishop got into the car.

  His fingers tangled together as he fidgeted. Another car went to pick up the other people needed. A bouquet of fresh red roses and baby’s breath sat in a box next to him. A photographer, minister, and two witnesses would arrive with them in the other vehicle. The closer he got to her residence, the more nervous he felt. His mind was zoning out. He was bargaining with his life. This was as stupid as the bet he made against his friends. Scott swallowed hard, trying to understand what he was doing. It made so much sense at the time, but now that the moment was here he wasn’t so sure.

  As they pulled onto Kennedy’s block, Scott took one last deep breath, calming himself. Clearing his mind, he prepared for anything. Was it all a dog and pony show? Or did he truly want to get married? Scott looked down at his polished shoes, wondering if they would move when the car stopped.

  Time stood still. He reached for the handle of the door and opened it. Met with the glaring sunshine that had been blocked by the tinted windows, Scott slipped his sunglasses out of his pocket and slid them over his eyes. Walking up the small path in front of her home, he rehearsed the words he had planned ahead of time. Only when the door opened, he choked. Nothing came out.

  “Scott?” Kennedy rolled her eyes. “What is all of this,” she said waving her hand at the two black cars and people waiting on the sidewalk.

  Scott stared at her, unable to speak. He took his sunglasses off, buying a few precious seconds. Finally, he found his voice, but the words came out garbled. “Will marry, you want to?”

  “What?” Her eyebrow went up. “What game are you playing? This stupid bet of yours has gone too far. Pack it up, Bishop, and take it home.” She slammed the door.

  Scott rang the doorbell over and over until she caved and opened the door. She was royally annoyed. “Really? What now?”

  “I couldn’t figure out what’s been missing in my life. I realized it was you,” he started.

  “Let me save you the trouble. Not interested.” She started to close the door.

  Scott put his foot in the door. “Wait.” He wanted to talk. He wanted the words to come out, but a wall of water was building in his eyes, and his throat wasn’t cooperating.

  As the first tear fell down his face, Kennedy stared, not sure what to think. She’d never seen him cry.

  “Please, just listen to me. I was a fool. I have never been a bigger jerk in my life. I’m sorry. I truly am. To play with your emotions, there’s no excuse. I was being some ego-laden caveman. I thought it was a game. And then I saw you come storming into my office... I didn’t want to like what I saw. I didn’t want to go back there again. We’d already tried, but there was a problem. After that moment, I couldn’t shake your image from my mind. All I can do is think about you and where we left off. I know I was a fool and didn’t appreciate you, but I’ve never loved another woman the way I loved you. I still do love you. It took me by surprise, but I do. I didn’t even realize until you walked away. It hit me like a ton of bricks.” He turned toward the people standing on the sidewalk. “I’ve brought a minister, a real minister, a photographer and some witnesses. If you’ll have me, I’ll marry you this instant and prove my feelings are real.”

  Kennedy stared at Scott. “You’ll go to just about any length…”

  “No. It’s true. He’s a real minister.” Scott dropped to his knee. “Kennedy Reynolds, will you marry me?”

  Chapter 14

  “Is this some kind of joke?” She looked down at Scott.

  “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. The biggest was letting you go.” He held his position.

  She didn’t know what to say. It was like some kind of freak show in front of her house. People standing on the sidewalk, an ex-boyfriend kneeling in front of her door, and there she was still in her flannel pajama pants and an old t-shirt that had seen too much wear. Her hair was pulled up in a high ponytail. Scott was in a tuxedo. Life was funny that way.

  “Just come inside,” she finally said, after she noticed her neighbor watching. “I don’t need the entire neighborhood watching my soap opera.”

  Scott waved in the others.

  “No! They wait out there. Tell them to sit in the cars and wait. We need to talk.” She’d set the rules this time.

  Scott nodded and asked the others to wait, and then followed Kennedy inside.

  “Why, Scott? Why now? And why go to all this trouble? I mean, sure, I get it; you’re trying to make a grand gesture. Why not just talk to me and ask me out again. Getting married? You don’t even know me anymore. What is this?” She paced as she talked. “Why can’t you just do things the normal way?”

  Scott sank down onto the sofa. “Kennedy, all of this is real. Tell me you don’t feel it. Tell me that you feel nothing and mean it. I know you felt it too. There’s still a spark between us. We’ve been apart for years, but it’s still there.”

  “I don’t feel it.”

  “You’re lying. We both know that. Kiss me. Just one simple kiss, and then if you can tell me you don’t feel anything, I’ll walk away. I’ll leave you alone and never bother you again. I promise.” He was going to take one last shot at this.

  “Why, Scott, to prove what, exactly?” Kennedy shook her head.

  “To prove you still love me. You never stopped, did you?” He stood and inched closer. Lifting his hand to her face, he stroked her cheek tenderly. “We were meant to be together. You just needed me to be ready. You were always ready. It was me that wasn’t. Now I am. Are you?” Scott swallowed hard, almost afraid of the answer.

  She turned her face away from him. Looking into his eyes was too painful. She’d been devoted to him, head over heels, but each time she got too close he hurt her so deeply that she didn’t know if she could go on. And each time, it took forever to heal those wounds. She’d finally healed, or at least she thought she did until he showed up in her life just one more time. Dammit, why didn’t she ignore the things he sent? Why did she go to his office? She knew the answer. She wanted to see him, if only one more time. She wanted to look into hi
s face, the face she’d memorized years before. “I can’t do this,” she echoed, her arms wrapping around her waist. “I just can’t.”

  Scott lowered his head. He nodded, understanding why she made that choice. “I’ll go. I’m going to sound silly, but I named our kids already. Alexis and Matt,” he said. “Two kids, two dogs, maybe a cat, an awesome swing set, you know the kind with the little fort and slide attached to it; they’d have the coolest backyard ever.” He trailed off and walked to the door.

  “You remembered?” She tilted her head, just as Scott turned around. “You remembered the names I picked out.”

  He nodded. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out. You’re a great catch. I’m a fool.” He reached for the doorknob and opened the door.

  “Wait. Scott. One kiss. Just one kiss.” She shrugged. What did she have to lose?

  Scott turned around and walked over to Kennedy. She’d never looked more beautiful. She’d say she looked sloppy, but she looked comfortable, familiar, and like a woman he could love forever. His fingers tenderly traced her lips, before he moved in closer. Kennedy parted her mouth slightly. Scott moved within inches. His hot breath teased her. She needed a taste. Their gaze met. Closing his eyes, he leaned in, licked her lips, and then kissed her for everything he was worth.

  Kennedy never thought Scott would be back in her life. Fear was melting away as he poured his heart and soul into her. Scott pulled out her elastic ponytail band and let her hair fall free. Raking his fingers through it, he sighed. She didn’t want him to let go. She was afraid he’d pull away, change his mind, and leave again. No. No. Don’t fall again. He’ll hurt you. He’ll break your heart. It was too late; her resolve was sliding away, like water circling down a drain. “Scott,” she whispered, pulling back just the tiniest bit.