The Billionaire's Bargain (7 page)

He’d done this to humiliate her. She
was sure of it.

“I want to take you to dinner, and
this place is superb. What better place to start spreading the news about our
upcoming nuptials than the local hotspot?” He threw it off as if this was an
everyday occurrence.

Tess shook her head. “This isn’t
fair. You did this on purpose. Why?”

“Let’s just say I want our
engagement known.”

It may be an everyday occurrence to
him, and he may want to get their upcoming relationship known, but what about
what she wanted? Most of her nights were spent at home reading a book or
watching a movie. He was about to make her simple life impossible to live.

She saw the paparazzi being held
back by a sea of bodyguards. There was no way they’d get through without
getting a picture taken.
  

“I’m not exactly wife material for
you. This is all wrong. Take me somewhere else, please.” She hated herself for
begging and for showing weakness to him. She couldn’t do this. Her eyes welled
up with tears. She felt even further humiliation as she heard him curse. Tess
couldn’t stop the sob from escaping her lips. The tears stayed inside, but her
heartache released out of her.

He cupped her cheek turning her to
face him.

“I will be the envy of every man
there.” He placed his finger over her lips as she began to deny his words.
Duncan
shook his head “I
want you on my arm, Tess. There is no other woman I’d want to replace you.” She
wished she believed his words. The fact he’d said them meant more to her than
anything else. She took a few deep breaths to try to gain control of the
craziness in her head.

“And to help this
along.”
He
retrieved a small case from his pocket.
Duncan
opened the case bringing out a small diamond necklace and a small lady’s band
for her finger. “I bought this for you. I want you to wear it now. I want the
world to know who you belong to.”

He lifted her hair out of the way,
then
placed the necklace around her neck.

The moment the gold lay on her skin
she’d signed the deal of ownership.

Tess brought her hand up to cover
the expensive necklace. It was small but beautiful.
Duncan
grabbed her left hand then placed the
delicate ring on her finger.

“Is this an engagement ring?” she
asked.

“Yes, by the end of the night the
whole world will know that Duncan James is off the market.”

The ring felt heavy on her finger.
He’d picked the right size. The ring fit her finger perfectly.
 

She took a deep breath before
looking out at the chaos. The sounds were dampened by the lush, soundproof
limo.

“Are you sure about this?” she asked
as she glanced back at him.

He brought her fingers to his lips
and kissed each one.

“I’ve never been so sure of
anything.
One more thing, Tess.”

She glanced at him waiting.

“I need you to look like you’re in
love with me.” He opened the door.

Chapter Six

He wanted her to look like she was
in love with him. The sounds outside invaded the peace of the limo as he opened
the door.
 

She took his hand and allowed him to
help her out of the limo. The paparazzi hadn’t seen them yet, but already
bodyguards were moving forward to help Duncan James to the restaurant. He kept
a firm grip on her hand as they made their way to the door.

The press must have been alerted by
the bodyguards’ movements because they were suddenly surrounded by paparazzi.
The flashes of the camera shocked her vision.
Duncan
placed an arm around her waist. She
knew that would be on one of the papers or magazines tomorrow.

Questions buzzed over them.

“Mr. James, is it true about your
latest takeover bid?”

“What happened to the American
model,
Lyla
?”

“Are you currently fighting a
custody battle?”

All the questions whirled around her
head. His hand tightened on hers as the one on her hips gripped her firmly
against her side. She followed him as he continued up to the front door.

“Who’s your lady friend?”

“Is she your latest acquisition?”

“Does she have a name?”

He ignored it and continued until
they were at the door. She felt sick. How could people handle this kind of
life?

“Sorry about that, sir,” one of the
guards said to him.

“Don’t worry, Tim. It’s hard to get
anywhere without them these days.”

She watched as the two men shook
hands before they moved to the entrance of the restaurant. The moment the doors
shut behind them she was greeted with silence once more.

“Are you all right?”
Duncan
asked.

“A little shaken.
Is it like that all the time?”

“Only when I go to hot spot places like this.” He titled her head back.
She held his waist as he stared into her eyes. He leaned down and kissed her.
The rush of endorphin coursed around her body in a rush of heat.

When he pulled away she saw the cameras flashing on the other side.

“Was that for me or for the cameras?” she asked.

He caressed her cheek. His gaze never left hers.
“A
little of both.”

The maitre d’ came through to escort them to their table in the
restaurant.
Duncan
was stopped several times by business associates and acquaintances. Eyes bored
into her from all around the room. Many were from the men who she could only
imagine were curious about Duncan James’s choice of date, while the women were
scowling at her. Their vindictiveness consumed her. No matter where she looked
their eyes cut through her. If looks could strike she would be down on the
floor and wounded.

She noticed their eyes caressed
Duncan
across the room while they sent daggers her way. Her hand gripped his more
firmly. The security she felt from his touch shocked her.

Tess never wanted their animosity to hit her. She hadn’t thought that
far ahead to being his wife. It would seem she’d be on the receiving end of all
of their hate.
  

Within minutes they were seated at their secluded table. A small
selection of candles was scattered in the centre of the table. A single red
rose was in one fluted glass to the side of the table. The couples around them
were engrossed in their own tables.

They were alone at the romantic table.

“How did you manage to get a table away from all the chaos?” she asked,
extremely pleased that he had. She wouldn’t have been able to bear all the
stares for long.

“I’m part-owner of this restaurant. The chef is a close friend of mine.
This table, you could say I own,” he said as the waiter came to hand them what
seemed like special menus.

“You told me our table wouldn’t wait around forever,” she said.

“I lied to get you here quickly. I knew the longer I left you alone the
higher the risk was of you backing out.”

“You wouldn’t have let me back out,
Duncan
. We both know that.”

He smiled then looked down at the menu.

“Why the different menus from everyone else?” she asked.

“Well, I don’t always want what is on offer. The service I get is I can
have any dish I choose. The chef is more than happy to cook for me.” He smiled,
his arrogance showing through.

“
You always get what you want?”
It was more a statement than a question.
She already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it from him.
 

“I have spent most of my life making it so. So now I indulge in all the
fruits and extras it has to offer,” he said. The waiter came over, and
Duncan
ordered a bottle of
house red wine.

Her menu was taken off her.
      

“I don’t drink,” she said, trying to signal the waiter back.

“Try the wine when it comes. If you don’t like it we’ll get you a Coke.”
He mocked her.

“I’m not a child, Duncan. I just don’t drink alcohol.
A
water
would do fine.” She felt her temper rise to the surface. He was
always so controlling. She liked and hated it about him.

What was so wrong with her not liking wine? He didn’t know
everything.
         

“I could never mistake you for a child, Tess. Do you drink tea?” His
smile brightened his whole face.

She struggled to be angry with him when he was charming. Her anger
melted away.

Tess smiled back. There was nothing else for her to do.

She moved out of the way for the waiter to fill her glass. The red
liquid was filled to the top. She stared at it wishing he’d asked for something
else. The waiter left the table, leaving the bottle for
Duncan
to deal with. She picked her glass up,
watching as
Duncan
laughed.

“It’s not going to bite,” he said. He laughed again as she pulled a face
in his direction.

She took a gentle sip then put the glass back down. She wasn’t designed
to enjoy wine.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

Tess shook her head and left the wine where it was.

“Don’t you like it?” He took a sip of the wine. He frowned then took
another sip. “It’s exquisite.” He took another generous sip.

“I only taste vinegar. I don’t think I have the palate for wine. Would
you order me
a water
, please.”

He nodded then signalled the waiter. Tess waited for some water. The
waiter came over with a wine glass and a pitcher. He took the glass of red wine
then left.
 

Duncan
smiled at her. She didn’t have the
energy to smile back. Everything was a fight for him, even over her drink.
Would their life ever be simple?
 

She looked behind her to see all the other customers farther away were
still nodding towards
Duncan
’s
table.

“They’re all curious about you,”
Duncan
said, drawing her attention back to him. She turned around focussing on him.
The moment her mind began to wander she started to feel nervous.

“Why?” she asked feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment.

“They want to know who the beautiful woman is at my side. You have my
complete attention, Tess. The fact I’ve never brought anyone here but business
associates has caused quite a stir.”

“Why did you bring me here?” she asked.

“I wanted everyone to know you’re different. I don’t take the other
women here. This place is special to me. Only the right woman at my side would
ever get a chance to come here.”
Duncan
reached across the table to take hold of her left hand. She watched as he
twirled the ring on her finger. He then removed it and slipped onto her a
finger the biggest diamond she had ever seen. He pulled her fingers to his lips
and pressed a gentle kiss to her hand and the diamond.

She pulled her hand away, looking at the ring dominating her
finger.
 

“What is this for? What was wrong with the one you put on my finger in
the limo?” She panicked. Her hand felt heavy with the real weight of the
diamond on her finger. This ring would be hard to miss.
 

“The ring in the car was a test,” he said.

“A test?”

“Yes, I wanted to see how you reacted to such a small, inexpensive piece
of jewellery.” He leaned back in his chair watching her.

“Did I pass or fail?”

“You weren’t bothered by the small item. I find that refreshing. Any
other woman in your shoes would have complained about the lack of devotion on
my part.”

“Then you’ve been hanging out with the wrong women. I wish you’d stop
comparing me to all your other women.”

“And you don’t compare me to your other men?”

Tess wanted to throw her virginity in his face. Instead, she shook her
head. “No, I don’t compare.”

Duncan
stared at her for several moments.
“You have just become my fiancée. I’ll make sure you have the proper tools to
pull it off,” he said.

“It’s a beautiful ring. It must have cost you a small fortune.” She
stared at the ring worried in case she lost it. She looked at him, but he was
staring somewhere past her shoulder.