Chapter 2

Nikki stepped back from the mirror and critically examined her image. The dress was a slinky burnt orange with thin lace straps at the shoulders and crisscrossing at her lower back, leaving her smooth caramel complexion bare.

Romano’s original cost was a fortune, but she knew the occasion called for it, and it was well spent. The material hugged her curves and did not allow for any sort of underwear.

Her thick golden-brown curls had been tamed and styled in a tight chignon at the nape of her neck. A thin gold necklace with a teardrop diamond pendant settled between the volleys of her small breasts.

Diamonds were at her lobes and around her left wrist. Her makeup was flawless, and her lipstick was a shimmering orange, highlighting her full bottom lip.

She was beautiful—the fact was there and could not be denied—but she had never used her looks to get any special favors. She had been brought up to use her mind.

“When your beauty will have faded, the mind is what you must rely on.” Her mother had drummed into her head.

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she recalled the once strong and beautiful woman whose sharp mind had been reduced to a child”s.

Shaking her head, she entered the closet to get her stole and a beaded purse. It was June, and the weather had turned balmy, but it tended to become chilly at night. Draping the stole around her shoulders, she left the bedroom and went downstairs.

The house was the same one she had grown up in since she was a baby. She had been about to sell it but had felt the terrible feeling that she was getting rid of memories of not only her childhood but also that of her parents.

Something else she would never acknowledge to anyone but herself: the hope that her mother would someday get better and walk back inside and be the woman she had been.

It was too big for one person, but she had someone coming in three times a week to take care of the place.

Her neighbor, Ben, did the yard work and ensured the place was cut and the hedges trimmed. Getting into her vehicle, she closed her eyes as the intoxicating scent of begonias and sweet peas blooming near the front porch hit her nostrils. Reluctantly, she put the top of the BMW up and set out to the Royal Palace Hotel several miles away.

*****

In the half-hour he had arrived, he had switched from champagne to scotch. And he was avoiding his entire family, even his sister, who had nothing to do with this pickle he was facing.

After talking with Nikki last night, he had gone to his townhouse and drank from a half bottle of bourbon before stumbling into bed. He had also ignored his mother”s call and had spent the morning suffering from a massive hangover.

Now, he was dressed in a tux and pretending that he wanted to be in the elegant ballroom waiting for a woman who would be his wife. Maybe she would not turn up. Or she had decided this was a ludicrous plan and had changed her mind.

He was lifting his glass to his lips when he heard the stir and the shift in the air. She was walking into the ballroom as if she owned the damned place, and he had to admit that she was a beauty. She knew it as well, he thought in disgust.

He had seen Simone and ignored the silent plea for him to come over. The press was out in abundance, and he knew that people were watching, especially her husband.

His mouth tightened when he saw his father going over to take Nikki’s arm and knew they were heading towards him. Wondering what they would do if he ignored them and left, he had to fight the temptation to do just that.

People had turned to watch the progress while the rest were watching him. Forcing his face to relax into a neutral expression, he leaned against the counter negligently as he sipped his drink.

It seemed to take an interminably long time for them to reach him because of the numerous stops they had to make with people wanting to talk.

Finally, they were in front of him, and he was forced to smile when his facial muscles were anything but relaxed.

“I was hoping you would not show up.” he retorted bluntly, insolently sliding his gaze from her exquisite face to the volley of her bosom.

“Were you?”

He felt the unreasonable anger rising inside him at the amused look on her face.

“Why don’t you take her out on the dance floor, son?” James asked with a determined look on his face. “And I hope I don’t need to remind you that almost everyone is watching.”

“Shall we, darling?” His deep voice was caustic as he reached for her arm, his fingers digging into her bare skin. “I have not been brought up to speed on the amount you are being paid to become my wife, but I am guessing you are very well compensated.”

“Marcel-”

“Why don’t we discuss how materialistic I am on the dance floor?” Nikki intervened smoothly with a blinding smile.

Keeping his hand on her arm, he took her into his arms, trying to ignore the feel of her slender curves and the intoxicating scent of her perfume.

“We are being watched.”

“What?” Jerking his head from a point over her left shoulder, he looked down into her dark brown eyes.

“We are the focus of everyone. You should smile.”

His lips parted into a parody of a smile, his eyes hot with temper.

“How’s this?”

“It needs work, but that’s a start.” Her hand was on his chest and sliding up to his shoulder.

“Are you amused by all of this?” He asked in a furious undertone.

“Somewhat.” She nodded over his left shoulder. “Your mistress looks positively distraught. Someone should remind her that she is standing next to her husband and should try to pretend she is not longing to feel your arms around her.” She gasped as he sank his fingers into her bare back.

His smile was positively feral, and his eyes glittered. “Why, darling, is that jealousy I hear in your voice?” he jeered.

Angling her head, she stared at him and felt herself reacting to his nearness. She had been able to avoid him in the past, but now, it would not be the case. And she had no idea how she would pretend that the only thing she felt was contempt. “It’s disgust.”

“Why?” He asked her coldly. “Because I happen to like her and not you?”

“I suppose a woman like her, who does not pose a challenge and does not appear to have a mind of her own, would appeal to a man like you.” She said in a reflective tone.

“A man like me?” His voice was deceptively soft, his fingers digging into her flesh. “Why don’t you explain what you mean?”

Lifting her chin, she managed a calm, disinterested look. “Entitled and arrogant. She probably comes running to you, telling you she is unhappy and cannot live without you. Something like that would appeal to a man who thinks he is some sort of a knight in shining armor.”

Her words had unwittingly hammered inside his head; the tone of her voice and the amused look on her exquisite face had such a profound effect on him that he wanted to lash out at her. Why she had always been able to get under his skin was beyond him.

“You are an utter bitch, aren’t you?” he asked bitterly, unaware of the way his words had gouged into her.

“Don’t ever forget it,” she told him sweetly. The music had ended, but they were not aware of it. The sound of laughter from his left made him release her and step back.

“It was a pleasure,” he told her mockingly before walking off the dance floor.

He watched for the next few minutes as she danced with several men vying for her attention. In retaliation, he danced with some of the eager women lining up to dance with him and cut off a guy whispering something in her ear.

“I think it’s my turn now,” he told the unfortunate guy coldly.

He was about to protest when Nikki told him with a dazzling smile that she had ignored her man for too long. “He gets jealous if I am away from him.” Stepping into his arms, she wound her arms around his neck. “Who persuaded you to come for the second dance?”

“Dad reminded me that I am supposed to be lavishing my attention on you. Are you naked under this material?”

She gave him a startled look at the change of subject.

“Yes. Why?”

His lips curled in disgust. “Is that how you get men panting after you?”

Her tapered eyebrows lifted. “Are you panting after me?”

He gave her a scathing look from beneath her hooded eyes. She was affecting him. He could not get the scent of her perfume out of his nostrils, and her slender curves pressed against him stirred his senses. “Quite the contrary. As a future wife of a Hadley, you realize that you will have to consider dressing more appropriately, don’t you?”

She tilted her head to the side and pretended to consider. “I am about to be a wife and not some mindless bimbo like, say, your very eager mistress, so the answer to that is I am going to do as I damn well please and dress accordingly.”

For a minute, the rage exploded inside his chest, and he jerked her closer to him, his breathing shallow. It took only a second for him to feel the tightness of her nipple against his chest.

Suddenly, the air shifted between them, and he felt the stirring in his loins. His hold loosened slightly, his fingers turning almost gently against her bare skin.

The flash of a camera going off brought him to his senses and made him realize that the music had ended. Taking a deep breath, he stepped back, grabbed her arm, and guided her to where his family gathered.

He did not dance with her again for the rest of the evening, and he did his best to ignore her, even though his family was surrounding her and including her in the conversation. They had accepted her, giving him no choice. He could see Simone staring at him, something he had to do his best to ignore.

He was about to call it a night when Nikki touched him briefly on the arm.

“What?”

Her tapered brows lifted at his disgruntled tone, and he had the distinct impression that she was laughing at him. “We need to set up a date. I was thinking about the Renaissance tomorrow at eight. You don’t have to pick me up.”

He was about to tell her to go to hell when his mother intervened. “I think that’s a lovely idea. The place is beautiful and very visible. People will be in no doubt as to the status of your relationship.”

“What relationship?” Marcel asked bitterly.

“Our courtship.” He had to hand it to her; his tone or words did not daunt her.

Gripping her arm, he pasted a smile on his lips and almost dragged her to the corner of the room. Placing a hand over her head and the other against her arm, he gave the impression that they were having an intimate moment.

“Are you planning on kissing me?”

“I’d rather kiss a snake,” he told her coldly. “Let’s get something straight: You don’t get to call the shots—ever. My family is investing a hell of many resources in you, and I will not stand around and allow you to think that you are in charge. I get to pick the place and decide whether or not we are going anywhere. Is that clear?”

“Perfectly,” she placed her hands on his chest and felt when his muscles quivered. “So, where are we going, darling?”

For a few seconds, he could not move. He stared into her dark brown eyes and felt the hypnotic gaze pulling him in. Before he could move, her hands came around his neck. “Your mistress is coming this way,” she whispered. “Why don’t we give her something to remember?”

His head jerked slightly, but he was not quick enough and could not avoid her arms curving around his neck and bringing his face towards hers. Her lips pressed against his and almost against his will, and he responded. Her breath touched his mouth and sent a flash of acute awareness through his body.

The hand placed above her head slid down to wrap around her neck, fingers pressing against the pulse beating there. A groan escaped him, and instinctively, he molded himself against her slender body.

He was dimly aware of the sound of laughter somewhere behind them, but he was lost in such a thick fog of lust that he could not think about anything else but the feel of her lips against his.

To his mortification and anger, she ended the kiss by pushing him away slightly. “I think we have made our point,” she said huskily.

Jerking his head from hers, he stepped back and had to take some steadying breaths.

“Marcel?”

“What?” He rasped.

“The Renaissance, tomorrow at eight.” He watched as she turned and walked away, slender hips swaying seductively. Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes briefly, opening them just in time to see Simone turning away. Swearing beneath his breath, he considered going after her but stopped himself just in time.

It would not be a good idea - people were watching. He looked around to see several knowing smirks, which pissed him off enough to walk jerkily back to where his family were.

“I am leaving,” he told them tightly, ignoring the speculative looks they threw at him.

“I think Nikki is leaving as well.” His father pointed out.

Automatically, he turned to watch as she chatted with several males following behind her like dogs in heat. His hands clenched into fists as one of the men put his hand around her waist. “I wonder which one of them she is leaving with,” he said bitterly before heading to leave. He was across the room when his sister caught up with him.

“I am not in the mood,” he told her coolly.

Slipping a hand through his arm, she ignored the warning. “I like her.”

“So you marry her.” He bit out, nodding to several acquaintances.

“I think you like her too.”

He turned to stare into the lovely face, his expression softening. “She is a pain in the ass and thinks she is God’s gift to the male population.”

Julia grinned, eyes dancing. “It’s like you are describing yourself.” Her expression sobered.

“The rumors are bad, darling. Even at my yoga class, that’s the height of titillating discussion. Simone goes there, too.”

An irritated sigh escaped him. “So, I am trapped.”

“She is beautiful, exceptionally so.”

“And she knows it.” leaning over, he kissed her cheek. “Go back to the party.”

He was getting into the car the valet brought when Simone hurried over and slid into the passenger seat, eyes sparkling with tears.

“You cannot be here,” he said with a sigh as he drove from the entrance to the garden area where they would not be noticed.

“You kissed her,” Simone whispered.

“She kissed me. And she did it because you were coming over. “Leaning back in the seat, he closed his eyes. “I am getting married, Simone.” Suddenly, it did not seem so distasteful, and he could still taste her on his tongue.

“You promised to wait!”

“Until Peter agrees to give you an amicable divorce? He loves you-”

“I am in love with you!” Her hands gripped his, the tears tumbling down her pale cheeks. “You cannot marry her, Marcel. We planned that as soon as I am free-”

“Which will be when?” he asked impatiently. “We are fooling ourselves, Simone. Peter will never let you go and what we are doing, us.” he paused and felt his heart constricting at the look on her face. “We cannot continue doing this, and you should go back there. I am sure Peter, as well as others, will start missing you-”

“Take me home with you.”

“Simone-”

“Please.” She clutched at his hands. “I need to be with you. We haven’t been together for ages-”

“That’s because you originally told me you were separated, only to discover that you are still involved.’ Pulling his hands away, he turned to face her. “Rumors are spreading about us, and I must consider the firm”s reputation. I am asking you to understand.”

“You are marrying her?”

“I don’t have a choice,” he told her quietly. “Please go back inside, Simone; we will talk tomorrow.”

“Can we go somewhere for lunch? Our usual spot?”

“I will call you. Please.”

Waiting until she was back inside the lobby, he pushed the start button and headed out, his mind in turmoil.

*****

“Where the hell have you been? Or should I guess?” Peter’s fingers dug into her arms as he hauled her into one of the empty conference rooms.

“Were you spying on me?” She tried to drag her arm away, but he held fast.

“My wife disappeared almost as soon as that son of a bitch did, and people were staring at me as if they knew something I didn’t. So, yes, I came to find you.” He shoved her against the wall, his expression livid.

“What? Did you run crying to him after that heated kiss he exchanged with Nikki Johnston? Darling, they looked like they were about to make love right there against the wall.”

“Shut up!” she whispered.

“He does not want you, Simone.” His expression gentled. “All he wanted was a quick tumble in the hay, and now he was done. He shook her. “He is a Hadley, and even if I were to give you a divorce, which I am not, he would not marry you.”

“Why do you still want me?” she asked, her face crumpling. “I am in love with-”

“Don’t.” He said harshly. “I love you, dammit. I have given you everything. I took you out of that hellhole you lived in with your mother, and I married you. I have given you so much-” Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself.

“James told me that Marcel will be marrying Nikki Johnston in a short while. He is no longer available; do you understand that?” He shook her again.

Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes, the tears sliding down her cheeks.

“Oh, Simone,” Peter whispered, gathering into his arms. “Why can’t I be enough for you?”

“Take me home,” she said hoarsely. “I want to go home.”

*****

Nikki did not bother to go inside. Kicking off the killer shoes, she sat on the porch and curled her feet beneath her. Pushing the swing with the momentum of her body, she gazed at the Rhododendron bushes. She had kissed him. It had been an impulse on her part, or maybe it had been curiosity and need - the need to feel his lips on hers.

She had kept her feelings at bay for so long that she had almost become an expert. Tipping her head back, she stared at the velvety sky littered with dazzling stars.

She had fallen under his spell like all the other defenseless females at the corporate office. But unlike them, she knew there was no way he would be interested in anything other than a fling.

She was aware of his reputation and his arrogance. He was Marcel Hadley, not only incredibly gorgeous but also a brilliant lawyer. Those combinations would be enough to make him completely self-confident. And now she was going to marry him. “God help me.” She whispered shakily.