The Rented Bride (Highland Billionaires Book 1) (20 page)

“Personal project?” Maryanne winked at Trent.

Cassie inwardly groaned. If her message was received, it was ignored.

“You two look great together on the dance floor. The photographer thought so too. And still does.” Maryanne indicated the wedding photographer snapping another picture of the three of them.

“Of all that is unholy.” Cassie slid from the seat. “I’ll be right back.”

For a renowned photographer he should know better. He couldn’t claim he didn’t know she wasn’t a guest. Cassie had hired him.

As she approached, he refocused his camera on the wedding party.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

“Excuse me?”

“The bride and groom are going to want pictures of their guests, not the event planner,” she said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He had the nerve to pretend he hadn’t just taken her picture.

“Just point your camera in that direction.” She nodded at the bride and groom, who were seated at their table. “The bride and groom expect to know the people in the pictures.”

“They know you,” Isaac said. “I can think of several people who would be interested in my pictures. There are some high profile guests here tonight.”

Cassie closed the space between them. “We have a contract. A contract that clearly states the Bello family owns all copyrights on the wedding photos.” Because of the senator, professional athlete, and famous singer, Cassie had made sure all employees associated with the event signed confidentiality agreements.

“Absolutely,” he said. “The wedding photos belong to Eterio.”

“Do your job,” she flatly stated. Cassie pivoted on her heels and a different kind of dread settled in her belly. Maryanne’s hands were moving a mile a minute, and Trent laughed at the words spilling from her lips.

Please don’t be talking about me. Please don’t be talking about me.

Cassie rejoined them.

“I was shocked when she finally pulled up to the church,” Maryanne was saying. “She had all eight groomsmen with her!” Maryanne and Trent laughed, and she added, “They just kept spilling out of her little car.”

“Okay, no more stories.” Cassie stepped between them.

Trent shifted closer, claiming her with a hand around her waist. The warmth of his palm penetrated the fabric of her dress and she wanted to melt into the carpet.

“Did you give him hell, the way you did Calhoun?” His lips twitched into a smile.

“My list of pet peeves is much longer than my list of virtues. Incompetence is at the top of the list.” She sipped her mojito.

“I’ve experienced your virtues.”

Maryanne’s eyebrows shot up. “Now that is a story I would like to hear.”

Trent laughed. “I’d say tenacity is at the top of her list of virtues. At our first meeting, she immediately started giving me orders.”

“That wasn’t my fault. He looked like a delivery guy not a….” She wanted to say sexy billionaire playboy. She shifted to meet his gaze.  “I guess I didn’t expect Mr. Trent Weston to be wearing torn jeans and a t-shirt.” She hadn’t expected hard steel and sex appeal, either. Or dark lashes framing brown eyes. Her gaze shifted to his white teeth, visible behind his slightly parted lips. She touched her tongue to her lip, remembering the taste of his kiss.

He touched her cheek. “It’s getting late. Come home with me tonight.”

Home? Brettonwood? She shifted her head, hoping Maryanne couldn’t see her face and telepathed with her eyes,
You can’t talk about ‘home’ here.

“Go on, Cassie,” Maryanne said. “I’m sure Trent’s Miami home is as nice as his Colorado home—well, maybe not. You don’t have a castle in Miami, do you, Trent?”

To Cassie’s relief, he laughed and said, “No. In fact, my Florida residence is in the Keys.”

“Ohh, the Keys. There you go, Cassie. A couple of days in the Keys will do you good. Well, you two work it out. This party is about wrapped for the night. I know where I’ll be once the bar closes.” She winked at Derrick.

Cassie shook her head. “Sorry, but I have to be here early to set up and oversee brunch. The clients insist on my being here on premises for the duration of the festivities, so I’m staying at the hotel tonight.”

He angled his head. “I understand. At least dance with me once more before I go.”

Caught between a rock and the devil. If it were anyone else, she would say yes without hesitation. To refuse would only put Maryanne more on alert than she already was. The thought of spending the night with Trent appealed far more than Cassie was ready to admit, and dancing with him would simply tempt her too much. She wondered if Trent didn’t suspect that as well.

Cassie smiled. “Sure. One last dance. But I’m tired enough that I might step on your toes.”

Mischief twinkled in his eyes. “I’m tough.”

The seductive lights pulsed with the slow tempo of the sultry song that began to play over the speakers. Trent led her onto the dance floor and folded her into his arms. Warmth seeped from his body into hers. Winding her arms around his neck, she pressed close against his chest. His fingers splayed across the bare skin of her back. The scent of his musky cologne surrounded her. With every breath and every sway of his body, need warred with emotion. Damn him. Heat pooled in her belly and flowed through her sex. A little kiss wouldn’t kill her. Lifting her head, she kissed his neck, grazing her lips over the slight stubble of his jaw. Trent bent his head and kissed her. His mouth opened, demanding entrance to hers. She returned his kiss with equal enthusiasm

When they parted, Trent rested his forehead against hers. “You know I would have you back here early.”

“I know.”

“You don’t even have to tell Maryanne.”

“I know,” she said again. “But under that list of virtues is being a practical woman. Sex complicates a relationship, and it violates our contract, if you recall.”

“So that’s two points in the contract I should have negotiated better.”

Cassie couldn’t help a laugh.

He sighed, resting his hands on her shoulders, then caressed his fingertips along her arm until he held her hands. “Walk me out?”

She nodded. Her heart felt heavy as they strolled toward the front of the hotel.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said. “Whenever you’re ready, we’ll fly home.”

“You really don’t have to—”

“Yes I do,” he cut in. “Granddad would never forgive me if I came home without you.”

She nodded, not trusting her voice. Words she shouldn’t say, emotions she shouldn’t feel, desires she shouldn’t want all simmered too close to the surface.

They paused in the hotel foyer. He leaned in and kissed her, lingering a moment. She relished the pressure of his lips, the taste of his tongue.

He broke the kiss and said, “Do you want to call me when you’re ready? I’ll have the jet standing by.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. Then he left.

Cassie made her way back to the ballroom. Maryanne and Derrick chatted at the bar. The DJ was wrapping up his final set and the crowd had thinned. The crew would clean up. She might as well go to her room. To what? Emptiness. Cassie began stacking glasses and plates on one table and removed the linens from each cleaned table. If she was at Brettonwood, she would check in on James and probably find him awake and reading with Annie. Cassie and Trent would talk, maybe snuggle in front of the fire, and then they would go to bed.

Regret washed over her. Why had she let him leave? Because spending the night with him was going to mess her up emotionally—more than she was already messed up. God, who was she kidding? The guy was amazing. Regardless of whether or not she slept with him, it was going to hurt when they parted. She’d already fallen for him.

Maryanne approached with Derrick. They reached her side and Maryanne said, “We’re taking off.” She glanced around. “Where’s Trent?”

“On his way home.” Her stomach did a little tumble. Would she be any worse off if she did spend the night with him?

“Tomorrow we talk,” Maryanne said.

“My schedule is clear for the next week. I’m going to take a little time for myself,” Cassie said.

“With Trent I hope.”

“Trent is strictly business.” And he was. Even if she allowed him into her bed, it wasn’t like he was going to fall in love with her.

“Whatever.” Maryanne kissed Cassie on the cheek and gave her a quick hug. “Get some rest.”

That’s what she needed. Cassie left the dirty tables and did a final kitchen check. She grabbed her little handbag and cell phone from a cubby in the kitchen office then made her way into the hotel gift shop. Once she’d picked up her supplies, she walked to the elevators.

Her thoughts swirled around Trent. The way his voice sent a shiver along her spine, the way his touch caused a quiver in her belly and how his kiss made her ache for more.

She arrived at her floor. Her cell phone felt warm in her hand. Fear flashed through her and her fingers trembled as she touched the faceplate, pulled up her contacts, and touched Trent’s name. The phone rang as she opened her hotel room door. His voice filled her ears. Her throat tightened.

“Are you okay?” He sounded concerned.

Tears burned behind Cassie’s eyes. “Yes, I’m okay. I-I…Are you home yet?” Her voice trembled. What was she doing? Acting on impulse, following her heart or just being reckless?

“Cassie, what’s wrong?”

She closed her eyes and images of Trent filled her vision. Her words echoed through her mind.
Sex complicates a relationship.

“I’m turning around. I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” he said. “What room are you in?”

She hesitated a moment, then said, “Room 2025.”

Trent checked his watch. Driving fifteen miles per hour over the speed limit, he cut twenty-minutes to twelve. He handed the hotel valet a Benjamin and the keys to his Mercedes, then strode inside to the elevators and punched the button. What had happened in the few minutes between his departure and Cassie’s call? The elevator doors finally opened, but he was forced to wait until a couple got off before he could enter. Once inside, he pressed the button for the twentieth floor. Trent loosened his tie as he ascended. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. The elevator doors opened on her floor, then he strode down the hallway, located her door and knocked.

A moment later she opened the door.

“What happened? What’s wrong?” He brushed past her into the room.

The door clicked closed followed by the click of the lock. She leaned against the door, her gaze meeting his. “I can handle complicated.” She lowered her gaze, her lashes sweeping down. And then she stared into his eyes. “Can you?”

In three steps he had her pressed against the door, one hand braced against the door and the other around her waist. Lips crashed against lips. He kissed her, deep, passionate and with total possession. Shifting his hand, he cradled her breast in his palm. Trent rasped his thumb over her turgid nipple through the silken fabric of her dress. His cock stretched and hardened so quickly he was nearly in pain. He pressed his erection against the apex of her thighs.

Cassie groaned, her head falling to the side. Trent trailed kisses along her neck, traced the shell of her ear with his tongue then kissed her mouth again. Hot, wet and arousing. He swept the sensitive tissues of her mouth with his tongue.

Heat surged through him. He softened his kiss, gently sucking her upper lip as she kissed his bottom. Inching his hand higher, he slipped his palm inside her dress.

Her low moan further encouraged him. He cupped the velvety smooth flesh of her breast, rolling her nipple between his thumb and finger.

A knock sounded at the door.

Trent growled.

“My fault,” she whispered. “I ordered wine.”

Trent removed his hand from her dress and stepped back.

Cassie opened the door. The waiter supported a silver tray bearing wine and two glasses on it in his hand.

“I’ll just take it,” she told him.

He extended the tray toward her.

“Let me get it, Cassie.” Trent stepped forward and took the tray as she signed the bill.

“Thanks,” she said, and the door clicked shut.

She reached his side as he set the tray on the table near the window.

“Do you want me to pour the wine?” she asked.

“No.” He reached around her and turned off the lamp. “Are you sure, Cassie?”

She trailed her fingers along his shoulder to his neck, then tugged his tie loose and slowly pulled it from around his neck. “You ask too many questions.” Standing on tiptoes, she kissed his lips while her fingers slipped his shirt buttons free of the button holes.

Like a blind man, he explored her body with his hands and his mouth, trailing kisses along her neck as he slipped the dress straps from her shoulder. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he pulled the pins from her bun. With a gentle tug, her hair fell free, cascading around her shoulders.

But it wasn’t her beauty that sent his heart racing and clenched his stomach. In a few days with her, he’d realized he needed more than a wife. He needed a love match like his parents and grandparents had. Lindsey might have been his partner, but it would have been more business arrangement than love. What irony. He had a business relationship with Cassie, but his emotions were now dictating the terms. He was falling in love, real love, for the first time in his life.

With his shirt unbuttoned, he shrugged it from his shoulders and stripped it down his arms. The cuffs caught on his hands. Trent cursed under his breath and quickly freed the buttons. Cassie rested her slender hands on his bare chest, smoothing her palms over his torso. Trent closed his eyes as his cock swelled to near agonizing hardness.

Warm kisses sifted over his pectoral. Then wet heat closed over his nipple. Her tongue rasped the tight nip. With a growl, Trent unhooked his belt, then opened the hook to his slacks and lowered the zipper. He slid his hand into his boxer briefs and adjusted his cock.

Cassie rested her head against his chest and slipped her hand past the elastic waistband of his briefs. Trent sucked in a breath as her fingertips grazed the moist, sensitive crown. She traced the length against her palm and then curled her fingers around his girth.

As Trent reveled in the pleasure of her touch, he lowered his head and claimed her lips. Delving in, he explored her teeth. She responded with hot swipes of her tongue along his. Dammit, if he wasn’t careful, he would come in her hand. He reached behind her and lowered the zipper of her dress. When the fabric parted, he slid his hand down and over the curve of her ass. Now loose, the dress fell, catching at her elbows. She took a step back and lowered her arms. The dress slipped off, pooling around her feet, leaving a mere scrap of black lace covering her sex.

Trent swallowed. His fantasies hadn’t come close to the reality. Strong, feminine shoulders tapered to a flat stomach. Hips curved into trim thighs. Desire further hardened his cock. Her pink nipples marbled to absolute perfection on small, firm breasts. And her long, dark hair framed her face. God, he loved her hair. Desire had him by the balls. He swooped in, lifted her into his arms, carried her to the bed, and gently placed her on the mattress. She drew the covers back and wiggled between the sheets as he toed off his shoes. Trent pushed his trousers down and when he tucked his thumbs into his briefs, Cassie licked her lips, her gaze tracking his movements.

He shoved his underwear down and, damn, if she didn’t gasp softly.

Her eyes lifted to his face. “I stopped at the hotel gift shop.”

He slid beneath the sheets beside her. “For souvenirs?”

She scooted to the center of the bed. “For condoms. I didn’t have anything and wasn’t sure you would. I…I’m not sexually active. I mean, of course, I’m not a virgin, but I haven’t been in a relationship for more than a year. I’ve been so focused on my career. But I didn’t want to assume you’d carry condoms. Not that I think you’re out sleeping around, I don’t mean that. That’s not any of my business. I’m not on any type of birth control, so I’ll shut up now.”

“Good, because I have other plans for your mouth.” He leaned in and kissed her. With their mouths and tongues entwined, Trent stretched out beside her and covered her breast with his hand and rasped his thumb over the tip. Her hands roamed over his back while she caressed his leg with a foot.

Breath mingled in the darkened room. She arched into him, slightly widening her thighs. Trent shifted lower, trailing wet kissed across her décolletage then dipping to her breast. He sucked her sweet nipple into his mouth. A low moan rolled from her chest. God, she was responsive. He leaned over her, laving the other nipple. Cassie threaded her fingers through his hair, anchoring him to her breast.

Lightning flashed outside the window. Thunder clashed as Lamont reached shore, but the real storm raged inside him. He needed her, wanted like hell to drive into her until they both fell into oblivion. But he had to go slow. Then would come oblivion. 

Trent slipped a hand into her panties. Oh god. He traced the seam of her wet slit then slid his finger inside her. After a few slow plunges, Cassie lifted her hips. Trent hooked her panties and slipped them down her thighs, then tossed them onto the floor. Both naked, he stretched out beside her. Face to face, he traced her slightly parted lips with his thumb. Her tongue poked out and touched it.

Trent rolled on top of her. Her lush curves gave way beneath him. Pure heaven. Gently, he brushed his lips against hers.

Cassie slid her arms around him clutching him tightly, flattening her breasts against his chest. His tongue plunged inside her mouth. Her silken mouth was so warm and wet, he envisioned the same erotic torture on his cock, sucking him—

Trent broke the kiss. “Condom?” he asked.

She reached toward the nightstand and he rolled off her as she grabbed a small box. Before he could take the package from her, she had a condom in hand and tore the wrapper. Trent rolled onto his side, propped up on an elbow. Her gaze met his as she held the ring of rubber. She worried her lip between her teeth.

“Touch me,” he said.

She sat up and scooted closer. As she reached toward him, his heart picked up speed and when she curled her fingers around his shaft, Trent closed his eyes. Her touch was sweet agony. His balls pulled up and tightened. Heat surged through his system, streaking along his spine and coursing into his cock. Gritting his teeth, he endured the excruciating pleasure of her fingers on his flesh as she inched the rubber down his length.

The bed shifted, and he opened his eyes as Cassie reclined beside him. She bent her head and kissed his chest, then slid her mouth across to one nipple. He relaxed onto his back and drew in a deep breath. Her warm lips closed around his nipple. Then she nipped at his flesh, and slid her mouth to the other nipple and sucked.

“Cassie,” he rasped.

Trent speared his fingers through her hair, then rolled onto her. Her thighs spread and he settled between them. He grasped her calves and gently bent her knees until her feet were flat on the mattress. With a feather-light touch, Trent caressed her outer thigh as he probed her entrance. Her hips rolled and he slid deep into her hot, silken passage. Her tight walls closed around him like a vice. Pleasure ripped through him.

Trent braced on outstretched arms and slowly drove into her, pausing deep, drawing out the pleasure as he pulled back. Her whimper sent a message straight to his erection. With each plunge, he increased momentum. Cassie grasped a fistful of his hair and thrust her hips upward to meet his strokes. She drew a sharp breath.

Lightning flashed. Rain pelted the window. Trent leveraged higher, thrusting harder. Wet head gloved his shaft tighter.

“Trent.” His name came out as a pant.

Rhythmic pulses through her core sent shards of pleasure through his cock and into his balls. Cassie gripped his arms. He thrust faster, barely keeping his release at bay. She hadn’t come yet, but she was close, she had to be close with the way she pumped her hips against his. He slid his hands between her and the mattress and crushed her to him. Her erotic, breathy exhales bathed his ear. Sweat trickled along his spine. Pressure intensified. Her thighs abruptly tightened around his hips and she whispered his name on a feminine groan.

Each spasm milked his cock. He gripped her hips, thrust deep and erupted. The force of the contractions ripped through him. Muscles bunched and burned as he reveled in the intensity of his orgasm. He growled, fighting for breath, yet not caring about anything but the pleasure and the woman beneath him.

She tightened a second time and cried out as Trent’s orgasm burst through him in one final breath-stealing spasm. Moving again, he thrust slowly, and she shivered beneath him. She released a stuttered breath while he drew a deep inhale then slowly exhaled. Her body relaxed and he reclaimed her mouth. Her arms twined around his back and her legs circled his hips as she kept him locked within her. She returned the kiss, drawing out the moment. Her fingers absently roamed his back and then her legs dropped to his side. Trent lingered a moment longer in the kiss, then shifted off her.

“I’ll be right back.” He excused himself to the bathroom and disposed of the condom. When he returned, Cassie had righted the pillows. Trent slipped beneath the covers beside her. She turned to him and he folded her into his arms.

“Do you want a glass of wine?” she asked.

“Later.” Right now, he just wanted to hold her.

She chuckled. “It’s now or never. If I lay here with you like this, I’m going to fall asleep.”

“Good. I like you right where you are.”

Thunder rumbled outside the window.

“Trent?” she whispered.

His eyes were closed, coasting towards sleep. “Yes.”

“If we oversleep I’m going to toss you over my shoulder again.”

He laughed. Reaching up, he snagged the phone’s handset and punched the button for the front desk. “Seven a.m. wakeup. Room 2025.” He hung up, snuggled into the pillow and pulled her flush against him. A few minutes later, he could tell she slept by the even rhythm of her breathing and the relaxed position of her body against his.

Tonight was different. He knew that for the first time in his life, he’d just made love to a woman. What the fuck was he going to do now? He’d fallen in love with his wife.