Married by Midnight (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series, #12) (11 page)

This was not the story Reed had expected.  “I’m sorry to hear this,” he said, his voice solemn, now realizing that there was a lot more to Golden than he’d thought.  Behind the shyness was a determination that this man, Manchester, could not shake.  He admired that.

“And that’s why you see me living in such a nice house but looking like the poor field mouse.”

Reed tightened his lips, stifling a wry smile.  He wouldn’t have put it quite that way but she was nothing if not brutally frank.

“He’s taken control of everything,” she continued, “including the money my father left for Mother and he’s determined that I should have as little of it as possible.  That’s why I have to make my own living.  I refuse to go to him, begging for money that’s rightfully mine.”  By the time she stopped speaking Golden’s breathing had quickened and her eyes flashed with an anger Reed had never witnessed in her before.

Obviously she was unhappy in her own home, all because of this man who had appointed himself her guardian and banker, to boot.  “Why don’t you just leave?” he asked.  He knew that would not solve all her problems but it would be the first step.  At the very least, she would not have to see the man every day.

But Golden’s next words surprised him. 

“I can’t,” she said, her voice a tearful whisper.  “Not without my Mother.”

I
t took a moment for Golden to collect herself.  Why, oh why had she told Reed all of that?  Now he must think her a perfect wimp, living in a home where she was being bullied every day.  How could he understand that she had no choice, that if she left Dunstan would have won both the battle and the war?

The real problem, though, was the fact that her mother would never leave that man.  Even though he was sixty-one and she was only forty-two, still so beautiful she could have her pick of men, she clung to this one like he was her world.  She did nothing without his approval.  Sadly, although she was the one with the money, the way she gave her husband free rein she might as well not have any money at all.  She certainly didn’t have the freedom to give any of it to her own daughter, not without his consent. 

Golden shook her head, not wanting to spend any more of her date thinking about her depressing situation.  “I’m sorry,” she said, pasting a smile on her lips, “I’m sure you’re not the least bit interested in me and my mundane problems.  You’re a CEO.  You have more pressing issues on your plate.”

“It’s not always about business,” he said, his face unusually serious.  “Most times it’s our personal relationships that determine our happiness.  Business is secondary.”

His comment gave Golden the perfect opportunity to change the subject.  “Speaking of personal relationships, you know practically everything about me but I know nothing about you.  What’s your family like?  Do you have brothers or sisters?”  Then as her thought went to family she grew wistful.  “I always wished I could have a sister.”

Reed regarded her with what looked like polite interest.  “I don’t have a sister but I do have two sisters-in-law.  I can share them with you, if you like.”

That made her laugh.  She would have taken him up on his offer if she could but how in the world was she going to do that?  That could only happen if she married him.

At the thought, Golden’s eyes widened and she looked away, momentarily confused.  Why did she keep thinking these outlandish thoughts?  Heavens.  She needed to rein herself in before her wayward thoughts made her blurt out something really stupid.

“I have two brothers, though, older than I am.  They’re both back in the States.”  Reed continued speaking, seeming not to notice Golden’s consternation.  Thank goodness.  “One of them runs a computer software business and the other does cosmetics.”

“All businessmen,” Golden said.  “Your family must be so proud.”

“Yeah, well.”  Reed shrugged and for the first time since she’d met him she saw his face color with embarrassment.

That made Golden smile and she suddenly felt confident enough to ask even more questions.  “But are you and your brothers all about business?  What about you?  What do you do for fun?”

The question made his face brighten.  “I golf and I swim.  I also play polo on the weekends.”

“That sounds like fun.”  Even though she’d lived on a farm as a young girl, Golden had never climbed onto the back of a horse in her entire life.  Maybe she would put that on her list of things to do one day.  “And do you go out a lot, to the pub with friends?  You certainly don’t sound like someone who’d stay put at home like me.”

She’d thought it was an innocent enough question but Reed’s face darkened in a frown.  “The pub?  No, I never go there. Have no plans to, either.”

“You’ve never...” Her voice trailed off.  Had she offended him?  “You don’t drink, then.”

“Not anymore. It was drinking that got me into the mess I’m in today-”  He stopped short.  It was obvious that he’d meant to say more.

“What mess?  What happened?”  She was being nosy, she knew, but she blurted out the questions anyway.  She couldn’t help it.  She wanted to know. 

“Trust me,” he said, his tone bitter, “you don’t want to know.” 

***

C
onscious that a late return might create problems for Golden, Reed made sure not to keep her out late.  By nine o’clock he was calling for the bill and by nine-fifteen they were on their way back to her house.

But there was another reason why he’d wrapped up the conversation and drawn the evening to an early close.  The discussion had grown too personal, too close to the issue that was constantly on his mind.  He was afraid he would slip and say too much.  There were just some things about himself that he didn’t want this girl to know.

The fact was, he liked her and he wanted her to like him, too.  Digging up the demons of his past was not the way to make that happen.

By the time he’d come to the end of the road that led to her house Reed had made up his mind about one thing.  He had no idea what Golden’s reaction would be, but tonight he would let her know how he felt about her.

In fact, he was sure she already had some idea about that.  The fact that he’d asked her out must have sent a very clear message – he was interested in her, far more interested than an employer should be in an employee.

But if she wasn’t sure of his intentions by the end of the night there would be no doubt left in her mind.

Reed pulled up to the house but not so close that they could be observed by curious eyes peeping through the window.  As he turned toward her she looked back at him, her eyes uncertain.

She swallowed.  “Thank you,” she said.  “I had a wonderful time.”

“You’re most welcome,” he replied then before he could change his mind he lifted a hand and touched her cheek.  “May I tell you something?”

Her eyes widened, just a bit, and she looked like she was holding her breath.  “Yes,” she said softly.

“Right now,” he said, his hand sliding down to cup her chin, “I want nothing more than to kiss you.  May I?”

Golden sucked in her breath and then, eyes wide, she nodded.

Reed gave her no chance to back out.  As he lowered his lips to hers she closed her eyes, lips trembling slightly, her fingers digging into the car seat.  Gently, he touched his lips to hers, knowing instinctively that this was a girl who had never experienced a real kiss.

She jumped and her eyes flew open, her lips parting involuntarily.  Her hands left the seat they’d been clutching and now they were on his arms, her fingers gripping him like she was falling and he was her lifeline.

It was the shock, he knew, and the fear but he would take it slow and make everything all right.  Slowly, so as not to frighten her, he slid an arm around her and pulled her close, brushing his lips over hers, teasing her but giving her no more than that.

As he’d hoped, a soft sigh escaped her lips and, ever so slightly, her fingers on his arms began to relax.  That was the sign he’d been waiting for.  She wanted this and she was ready.

Still taking it slow he gradually increased the pressure of his lips on hers and only when her sigh turned into a moan did he take full possession.  When her hands slid up his arms to cling to him, he let his fingers glide through her hair to cup the back of her head, tilting her so she rested against the seat, giving him full access to her.  But then he pulled back, remembering her innocence, remembering that a sleeping princess should only be awakened gently, never in the heat of passion.  With a soft groan of regret he brushed her lips again, lips so sweet and soft he wanted to kiss her all night, and then he laid her back against the tan leather seat and slowly drew away. 

“Thank you,” he said softly, leaning down to give her a peck on the forehead, “for a wonderful evening.”

Lips still soft and parted, she stared up at him and nodded.

Reed almost smiled.  He’d been told he was a good kisser but he hadn’t expected to leave her dumbfounded.  “Come,” he said, giving her a gentle pat on the leg. “Let me walk you to your door.”

Long after she’d gone in, Reed sat in the car remembering the taste of Golden’s honey lips.  She had so much to learn and he was looking forward to being the one who would waken her to womanhood.

He knew it was wrong to pursue her.  He knew he could offer her no future, not when he was trapped in a situation he was desperate to get out of.  Until then, he had no right to lead the girl on.

Reed grimaced and started the car.  He was being a fool but how could he find the power to resist a flower so sweet?

“I
’m sorry?  Who did you say you are?”

“I’m Golden Browne, a friend of your mother.  I know this might seem strange, my contacting you like this, but...I need to ask you a favor.”  Marjorie Bertlam must think she was a mad woman but there was no getting around it.  Claire was suffering and Golden had to do something about it.

Before the woman could hang up on her, Golden hurried to explain.  “Claire misses you.  Could you find it in your heart to forget the past and visit her?”

There was a gasp on the other end of the line then a silence so stark it made Golden wonder if she’d screwed things up before they’d even gotten off the ground.  Finally, the woman spoke.

“She told you...what happened?”  The words sounded choked, like she was struggling to breathe.

“Just a little bit,” Golden reassured her.  “Just enough for me to know there’s a rift between the two of you.  I know it’s none of my business but I love Claire.  I just hate to see her in pain.”

“She’s ill?  The nursing home...they didn’t tell me.”

Golden almost smiled.  She should have known it all along.  Even though she didn’t visit, Marjorie had been keeping tabs on her mother without her knowledge.  That could only mean one thing.  She cared.

“No, she’s fine, at least where her health is concerned.  It’s just that she needs you.”

“That’s not what she told me last time we spoke.”

“That was six years ago,” Golden said, a hint of exasperation creeping into her tone.  “Things have changed since then.”  Then, deliberately, she lowered her voice, fighting to stay calm.  The last thing she wanted to do was offend Marjorie.  She was supposed to be helping, not making the situation worse.  “We don’t know how much more time any of us have on this earth,” she said gently.  “Don’t you think it makes sense to mend old fences and enjoy every available moment with loved ones?”  When the woman did not respond Golden decided to approach things from another angle.  “Would it be possible for us to meet?  May I invite you to lunch so we can talk?”  Then she added, “I’ll give you all the details on how Claire’s been doing.”

It was that last offer that did the trick.  As soon as the words were out of Golden’s mouth Marjorie began to speak again.  “I...guess we can talk,” she said.  “I don’t hate my mother, you know.  It’s just...she can be difficult sometimes.”

“I understand,” Golden said in sympathy.  She wanted Marjorie to know they were on the same side.  She knew she’d succeeded when she heard the woman’s sigh.

It was another four days before they found a mutually convenient time to meet but in the end it was worth it.  Golden came away from the rendezvous with an agreement from Marjorie that she would pay a surprise visit to her mother.  It could happen no other way, they reasoned.  If Claire was given forewarning, as much as she might want to see her daughter, her cantankerous nature might make her object.  Anticipating this, they both agreed that an impromptu visit was best.

That night as Golden rested her head on her pillow she had a smile on her lips.  If the only thing she could do for Claire was reconcile her with her daughter then, as far as she was concerned, she would have done a good deed.

Because, at the end of the day, what could be more important than family? 

***

G
alloping toward the ball Reed leaned down and smacked it hard, sending it flying at over a hundred miles an hour then he reined in his horse and slowed her to a canter, watching as the other riders readied for their attack.  He wasn’t worried, though.  He had excellent polo mates and there was no doubt in his mind that his team would triumph.

Reed had always enjoyed polo but today was different.  His mind was only half on the game.  The other half was completely distracted by the memory of Golden and the unforgettable evening they’d spent together.  As his thoughts began to wander he eased his hold on the reins and slowed his horse to a stop.  No matter that he’d seen Golden in the office each day, he wanted to go out with her again.  He was dying to kiss her again.

And then the lead shield he’d wrapped around his mind began to slip and his annoying guilty conscience began to sneak in, reminding him of all the reasons why he should stay away from Golden.

His brows lowered in a scowl and he shook his head.  There was no way he could continue like this, wanting her but knowing he couldn’t have her.  He could not live with this thing hanging over his head.

“Ho, Reed.  Over here,” his teammate yelled, ripping into his daydream.

He jerked the reins, turning his horse to face the other end of the field then, with a light prod from him, she set off.