Chapter 4

The online photos of Tessa don't do her justice. She's young but more beautiful than just about anyone I've ever seen with long, blonde, braided hair pulled over one shoulder. On the walk here, I stare at her fucking shoulder blades, so delicate and lightly tanned like a puppy dog following his master.

Her warmth seeps into my skin like a slow-burning fire. The firecracker is already testing me as she pushes on her toes, bringing us closer together. A part of me wants nothing more than to give into the temptation, lose myself in her softness, and forget the world around us.

But I can't, even if it's going to be a fake marriage, and I shouldn't break the deal on the first day, remembering her father's words.

"What are you getting out of this arrangement?" she asks, her eyes searching mine for answers.

I smirk, trying to hide the turmoil of emotions swirling within me. "You'll have to wait and see," I reply, my voice low and tinged with a hint of mystery. Her father isn't privy to what I'm receiving out of the deal other than money, and I hope it stays that way, or I'm a dead man walking.

As she looks at me, confusion and curiosity mixing in her gaze, I can't help but wonder what I'm getting myself into and why I'm taking this risk.

"What do you have that Daddy wants?" Damn, she asks more questions than the Jeopardy host. "Did you request to marry me or…"

I scoff. "No."

"What's wrong with marrying me?" She folds her arms over her waist, and I see the self-doubt creeping across her face.

"Never wanted to be married."

Her brows squeeze as she rubs her hand over her forearm.

"So, why are you doing this to me?" She pauses. "You can't even have sex with me, so why would you agree to… never mind."

Now, she has me feeling sorry for her. Any man, and I mean, any man would jump at the chance to call her his wife on her looks alone. But it's her spirit, her fire and passion that has something twisting inside me. My instincts are usually on point when it comes to people. I've spent so much time observing instead of talking, I generally know how and why people react in a certain way. I pegged her as a Daddy's girl, and that's correct. Why else would she agree to this other than wanting to make him happy? But I heard the disdain in her voice when she greeted me. There's a rebel underneath the innocent white dress.

A bell sounds. "Supper is ready."

I raise my eyebrows. "You have a bell to signal suppertime." My eyebrows rise in surprise. Some people are too fucking rich.

"You're marrying into a very wealthy family. Hmm… that's why. You need our money, and I'll figure out what Daddy needs from you." She bumps into my elbow and grabs my wrist. "Come on, Mr. …"

"Landry, Beckett Landry."

"Or should I call you Double?" she asks, as a pleased-with-herself grin tugs at her mouth. Then she slides her hand into mine and for a split second, I stare down at our hands. I haven't held a woman's hand in years, except for my brother's little girl Mika. She's two.

"Should I call you Country Club?"

With a slight tilt of her head, her eyes narrow. Somehow, she's shifted the upper hand to herself with one simple gesture. She's willing to marry me, but why? Tessa's not the only one with questions.

Her parents stand on the back terrace, watching our approach with our hands interlaced. Tessa pumps my hand like don't worry. And I wonder how she's the one consoling me. She's a kid being forced to marry an older man and for what? So, I can gather evidence? Or so her father can get richer?

Collateral damage.

After a Southern dinner with her parents filling in the conversation, Mr. Hatton asks me to join him in his study. He breaks out a bottle of Barron's 12 Special Reserve. "Let's toast our business venture."

He pours the amber liquid over one large orb of ice and hands it to me. We raise our glasses and take a healthy drink.

"What do you expect from me with your daughter other than refraining?"

His eyes gleam with pride. And they should; she's beautiful and obviously courageous. "I expect you to get to know her enough to pull off a marriage in public. Show her a respectful amount of attention."

Tessa taps on the door. "Daddy, sorry to interrupt, but can I steal Mr. Landry for a minute?" She gives her dad a saccharine smile that he doesn't know is fake, but I spot it a mile away. She has her father wrapped around her finger.

"Of course, Princess. Anything for you."

There's a miniscule twitch of her lip at his words. She waits for me to set the glass down, and I glance over my shoulder. Mr. Hatton seems assured his daughter will follow his orders.

She slings her purse over her shoulder, a fearless glint in her eyes as she heads towards the front door. "I want to ride on your motorcycle," she declares, her voice daring me to refuse.

I shake my head. "Nope."

"Why not?" she challenges, her determination evident.

"No helmet," I reply curtly, trying to keep my distance.

She darts her gaze around before she suggests, "We have acres of property, just drive me around here… slow or fast, your choice. No helmet needed."

I can't find a flaw in her logic, so I hand my helmet to her. It's comically large on her head, but I adjust the chin strap as tightly as it will go. She wrinkles her nose in annoyance, but the sight of her sassiness makes my gaze linger on her lips longer than it should.

I settle onto the bike, allowing her to position herself behind me. The warmth emanating from her body against my back sends a shiver cascading down my spine, and I force myself not to flinch. I inhale deeply, steeling myself for the ride ahead.

Her fingers brush tantalizingly against my abs, sending a jolt of electricity through me. Damn, I need to get laid. Her touch shouldn't affect me this much, yet it does.

All I can do now is hope that I can navigate the next few months without causing her any hurt in the process. She's a kid and doesn't deserve to be caught in the crossfire. Keeping her out of harm's way will be my priority.

We wind around their property, which includes a nine-hole golf course. We don't stop or talk, and when I pull back to the front, I rev the engine. She swings her leg off. I wonder if she's wearing those undershorts like she did at the bar. They made her ass look plump and tight.

"Thanks for the ride, Double."

"To you, it's Beckett."

"When will I see you again? We need to spend a lot of time together, so people think it's real."

I hand her my phone. "Add your contact."

She gives it back, and I peel out of the driveway. When I reach my home, I grab a beer from the fridge and collapse onto my couch. Finally, I take my phone out and check the contact she added.

Tessa "Good Girl" Hatton

Seems like Daddy's girl isn't quite as innocent as she looks, or she's one hell of a tease.