The Billionaire's Bargain (9 page)

Both men shook hands then turned to
enter the church. Her heart raced from seeing
Duncan
. She wished she had better control
over her body’s response to him.
  

Maybe she’d see this experience as
inspiration for her story. She’d write a story about a woman who was trying to
save her family only to fall in love with the man who was willing to blackmail
her. Tess chuckled to herself. She wasn’t under any false hope that
Duncan
loved her. The next
year or so she’d make sure to never give him her heart. There was no way for
their marriage to last. What marriage lasted on a bargain and a contract? Tess
knew she wasn’t his type. He was a rich playboy who was used to getting what he
wanted. She didn’t want to lead her heart down an uncertain path, and life with
Duncan
was
nothing but uncertain. She couldn’t be sure about her body. The attraction she
felt towards him affected her too much.

She’d write in her own story about
the passion. Maybe, after twenty-three years, she’d be able to rid herself of
her pesky virginity.
Duncan
seemed to desire her. When she thought about each of them as couples she
couldn’t contain her laughter.
The wealthy bachelor settling
for the mousy writer.

Would he be embarrassed by his wife
becoming an author and demand she stop? She visibly shook herself. Tess needed
to stop filling herself with pathetic nonsense. She’d deal with any problems
that came her way with regards to her new husband. She picked up her bouquet of
white roses. It was time to become Mrs. Duncan James and save her father from
complete chaos.

****

Duncan
pulled at his collar. It felt
irritating and too tight around his neck. He’d not seen Tess at all. He hoped
she was doing okay. The style team he’d sent to her had stopped him earlier to
let him know that his bride-to-be looked ready to bolt. People began to take
their seats in the church.
Duncan
continued to pull at his collar. It must have been put on too tight. He
couldn’t breathe. Or had the dreaded marriage nerves struck him? It would be
strange for the wedding jitters to affect him, considering this marriage was
entirely his own doing. He didn’t have to marry. All he needed to do was give
up his vengeance on his father and not marry at all.

Mark seemed to have a constant
arrogant smirk on his face. In fact as
Duncan
looked around the room he noticed everyone looked particularly pleased that he
was getting married.
Duncan
had begun to believe this day would never come. He loved his freedom too much
to give it up. A wife and kids had never been part of his plans. His father
must have known. He wanted to control him after death. This wedding was for him
to get Miranda out of his house. The moment he owned everything his father
possessed, he’d set out to destroy it all.

His father would see him married in
his grave.
Duncan
could still live his own life once Tess had completed her end of the bargain.
She was eating out of his hand. Her seduction would be so much sweeter.

You don’t want to hurt her. She’d different from the others. Care for
her.

Duncan
shook off his doubts. Tess may not
be like most of the women he’d dated, but she was still a woman with a price.
If she didn’t do as he asked, her father would pay the price.

He glanced around the church pleased
with his ever-efficient secretary. She’d produced a beautiful looking wedding
in such a short time.
 

He’d have to give her a bonus for
all of her hard work.

You made it your mission to find the right dress.

Tess needed to look the part.

Then why did you make sure the dress would not only look the part but
accentuate her curves and beauty?

Duncan
didn’t want to leave the purchase
of the dress down to his secretary. When Tess walked down that aisle he wanted
to see her in the dress he’d picked for her.
 

The wedding bells started, and
everyone, including himself, turned to look at his bride. Her father stood
waiting for her as she turned the corner for everyone to see.

A gasp sounded throughout the
church.

A magnificent angel stood in her
place. The white dress he’d bought for her fit her curves to perfection. She
looked beautiful and innocent. In the next half an hour, Tess would be all his.

His breath caught in his throat as
Tess, the stunning beauty, made her way slowly towards him. All the men in the
room had eyes for one woman and one woman alone.
The woman
who was about to take his name.
The woman whom he had
made to marry him.
Tess Williams. A name everyone would know by the end
of the day. Her white silk wedding dress clung to every curve, emphasizing her
gorgeous body. Seeing her in the dress he’d picked filled
Duncan
with so much pride. To him, she looked
good no matter what she wore. He saw past the drab clothes to the beauty
underneath.
Duncan
knew she didn’t see herself in the way others did. He hoped with the time he’d
spend with her, he’d be able to open her eyes.

The dress shaped her body to
perfection with a slight dip in the neckline teasing the viewer as to the swell
of her breasts. They were full and pert. He imagined cupping their weight in
his hands when they were alone.

He saw the men staring at her. He
knew what they were all thinking.
Duncan
felt his body tense at the thought of any man looking at his woman. Tess was
all
his,
and no man would desire her but him. Tess was
his, and he’d never let her get away from him. Every possessive instinct came
forth within him.
Duncan
felt like screaming at everyone to keep their looks and dirty thoughts to
themselves. She was his to protect and cherish.

What about love?

I don’t do love.

Tess can have everything else, except my heart.

His reaction to this woman
completely shocked him. No matter how much he tried to fight the feelings
building inside him, he couldn’t keep them out. Tess did something to him. She
made him feel and want things he’d never wanted before. He knew she was loyal
with the way she’d helped her father. What would it be like to have a woman be
as loyal as that to him?
Duncan
watched as she glanced at her father. After everything the older man had done,
Tess still loved him.
Duncan
saw it, and for the first time in his life he wanted her love radiating back at
him.
    

In no time at all she stood before
him, her gaze on him and him alone. The emotion he saw within her depths
shocked him. He needed to give her comfort. His stylists weren’t wrong when
they said she looked ready to bolt. Even now, standing before him in the
church, he saw the slight shake of her body as the nerves got the better of
her.
Duncan
couldn’t stop himself. He stroked her cheek in an attempt to reassure her. He
wanted her to know he wasn’t going anywhere. He was there for her no matter what.

She gasped at his touch. He felt the
chemistry ignite between them. She might not want to admit to the passion, but
her body was the best evidence he needed. He dropped his hand from her cheek
then offered his arm. Erik gave her to him then backed away.
Duncan
turned them both to the priest to
allow him to conduct the ceremony.

Tess spoke the words required of
her. When it came to him,
Duncan
stared at his bride then spoke the words. He meant every single word he spoke.
The priest spoke to both of them.
Duncan
frowned when she stuttered over her last words. She kept glancing at the floor.
Her hand shook in his. He held her
tightly,
letting
her know through his touch he’d never hurt her or let her go.

Duncan
didn’t understand where his
protective instinct was coming from. All he understood was his need to make
sure Tess was at his side where she belonged.

He didn’t care if she didn’t want to
go through with the wedding. She’d agreed to it, and he wanted her more than he
wanted vengeance. Soon, he’d have everything he desired most.
His mother in her place, Miranda in the dirt, and Tess in his bed.
 

The priest asked the audience if
there was any reason they couldn’t be together. When no one spoke he announced
them as man and wife. Tess stared at him as he cupped her cheek. It was too
late for her to back out. He sealed their vows with a kiss. Her eyes closed,
and her lips opened. He took advantage, plunging his tongue inside the heat of
her mouth. She moaned but didn’t back away. There was a round of applause. Mark
slapped him on the back.
Duncan
knew he was being indecent. He didn’t care. The whole church would know without
doubt that Tess was now his. She had his name. Tess was his.

Duncan
pulled away. There was a round of
applause all around the church. He couldn’t believe the satisfaction he felt
knowing she was his to love, honour, and cherish.

Chapter Eight

When they got to the reception,
Duncan
watched as Tess was
whisked away from his side. She was congratulated by everyone. All his friends
and clients took her hand and kissed it. He followed her around observing the
fake air kisses on the cheek from other women. When Tess turned away from the
women she was glared at. He got a chance to see the real animosity from the
women who claimed to be different. Men complimented her on how beautiful she
looked and how lucky
Duncan
was to have such a mesmerizing bride. He was proud when he didn’t growl at the
men to stay away from her. She looked so shy and reserved compared to all the
other guests. The after-party was held in one of the most notorious hotels.
He’d wanted the best for Tess on her last day as a single woman. The champagne
flowed for all the guests, and canapés and other little finger food were
offered. No expense had been spared for his wedding. Tess would look on this
day with pride. He’d made sure of it.
 

Duncan
observed her going through the
motions, smiling and cheering and working the crowd like a pro.

He knew her smile was stuck in
place. From the short time he’d known
her,
he knew she
didn’t like the attention.

When it came to the dancing Tess
made sure to be as far away from him as possible. He watched as she was spun
around by every available male. While he got to watch her, he noticed how stiff
she was with all the men. Even as they tried to talk, it looked to him as if
she spent a great deal of time tuning them out.
Duncan
got the opportunity to look at his
bride without her running away from him. He tried to cover up his obsessive
watching by speaking occasionally to the circle of acquaintances constantly
forming around him. All of his business associates were happy to see one of the
most eligible bachelors tied in the chains of marriage. He knew he’d have the
last laugh. Tess wasn’t a woman to feel chained to.

Mark had already given him marital
advice, gloating about marriage being unknown territory to him.

As if I don’t know that already.

To add insult to injury, Tess seemed
to find every opportunity to stay away from him. He’d hoped his lack of contact
with her the last two weeks would have increased the intimacy between them. If
he made a move towards her she simply turned the other way, completely blanking
him. The kiss at the church had disturbed her. He knew he’d taken it too far.

His gaze searched out his wife. For
the few seconds his attention had been pulled away someone had zoomed in to
grab her attention. She was laughing with one of his client’s son, Tyler Ward.
Jealousy struck hard and fast like lightning through him.
Duncan
ignored his companions as he moved
away. He went with intent towards his bride, his stride full of purpose.

“
Duncan
doesn’t deserve a gorgeous woman like
you.” He heard
Tyler
say with a smug sound to his voice. He watched Tess smile at her companion. She
sipped her glass of

champagne
, her gaze wandering over the dance
floor.
Duncan
felt his anger rise. Tess should be arguing
Tyler
’s claim, not smiling in some sort of
agreement with this foul-mouthed

hooligan
. There was a reason he didn’t like
Tyler
, and his dislike was
increasing with every passing second.