Unexpected Marriage (2 page)

Kaycee ran from his room as fast as she could ignoring the curious stares that greeted her as she hit the lobby of his hotel and carried on running out the doors and down the strip, only slowing down when she began to struggle to breathe. Finally slowing to a walk she glanced around nervously unsure of exactly where she was and forgetting for the moment where her hotel was. It was as she lifted a trembling hand to her aching head that she noticed something she had not before and that was a white gold wedding band adorning her ring finger. She froze in horror at the sight of the ring and fought not to faint.

“Okay, deep breaths.” Kaycee told herself gaining a few glances her way. Just get to the hotel and then you can panic about this, she told herself. Concentrating she remembered the picture that had been on the hotel, okay now what was it called? Pandora or something like that if she remembered correctly. With a sigh Kaycee began walking the strip searching for her hotel and hoping that she wasn’t running a wild goose chase.

She had been walking for about twenty minutes when she finally found it and with a grateful sigh she went straight to the check in desk and begged for a key grateful when something finally went her way and the young man behind the desk handed over the key card without comment.

Hurrying up the stairs Kaycee finally tracked down the room she had been staying in and unlocked the door grateful beyond words when it opened immediately. Holding her breath she stepped inside and let it out slowly with a smile at the image of her friends still passed out on their beds. Thank god they hadn’t realized she was gone. Slipping past them silently Kaycee let herself in to the bathroom and collapsed behind the door with her knees pulled to her chin. Closing her eyes she rested her weary head on them and wondered just what the hell had happened last night. How had a night out with the girls to get over her ex turned in to such a nightmare?

Just what had happened?

Kaycee banged her head repeatedly on her knees trying to remember what had happened and unable to recall more than little details. She remembered a jewelry store and the ring and an Elvis impersonator and then nothing. She didn’t remember going back to his room and she didn’t remember how he had come to be naked although she hoped the fact she had still been wearing her underwear was a good sign that nothing had happened. At least she hoped that was true.

“Kay?”

Kaycee jumped as Hannah called through the door to her and she slowly slipped the ring from her finger hiding it behind her back as she got unsteadily to her feet and hid it behind her back. Opening the door she smiled at Hannah hoping she didn’t see the guilt written there.

“Hey, what’s up?” Kaycee asked hiding behind her smile as she surveyed her friends weary features.

Hannah’s short black hair that was normally perfectly in place was all mussed and makeup had run down her tanned face, she was still wearing the red dress over her plump curves from the night before and looked as bad as Kaycee felt.

“When did you get in? I don’t remember hearing you come in,” Hannah said suspiciously and Kaycee grimaced.

“I wasn’t long after you, but you were both passed out when I got here so I just left you to sleep,” Kaycee lied hoping that Hannah did not see through it.

“I don’t know what we were drinking but I feel like crap today, I don’t even remember half of last night. Do you?” Hannah asked and Kaycee frowned.

“Um, sure. I remember most of it,” she lied not wanting her to realize what she might have done.

“Hey girls, great night huh?” Vicky asked as she joined them looking more bright eyed than either Hannah or Kaycee.

“Yeah, great!” they both echoed and with a glance at Vicky burst in to giggles.

It was so relaxing to just be normal and Kaycee finally relaxed as last night became just a memory and they had a laugh about the things that they could remember. After half an hour they finally got up the energy to get ready and checked out looking far less happy than they had checking in.

They arrived home late that afternoon and Kaycee waved off her friends before she let herself in to her apartment with a sigh just wanting to lock herself in a dark room and forget that the weekend had even happened.

Only the first thing she saw was the blinking light on her answer machine that had her giving a low sigh before she pressed the play button and sank in to the comfy armchair next to it.

The first few were predictably from her family. A few off Sarah begging for forgiveness while at the same time hoping that Kaycee could make it to their wedding which would be in the next few days. She was incredulous at this piece of information. It was one thing to steal her boyfriend just an hour after he dumped her but another to marry him only a week later.

The next couple of messages were off her stepmother telling her how selfish she was being disappearing off the face of the earth just because she was jealous that Sarah was getting married and she was not. Kaycee rolled her eyes at these messages and deleted them almost immediately.

Of the final three, two were from her dad. One asking her to call him, as he did not understand exactly what had gone on and the other begging her to call, as he was worried about her. He knew that this was not normal behavior for her as Kaycee had never sulked or had a tantrum in her life.

She thought that all the messages had played until the last one came on and her stomach flipped at the sound of Jake’s voice filling her living room with it’s soft timbre.

“Kaycee, we need to talk. I found something and well I think we did something that we need to talk about. I’ll speak to you soon,” he said and she gaped at the phone as the message ended.

How had he gotten this number? Did he know where she lived? Shit! She was in deep trouble and she had no idea how to get herself out of it.

“What do I do?” she asked herself in a panic, for she was not ready to deal with him yet. She barely knew what had happened and didn’t feel ready to discuss it with anyone especially not him. Not until she’d had time to examine her feelings on the matter.

It was then that the phone rang and in a panic Kaycee jumped up staring at it with wide eyes scared that it might be him. When her stepsister’s voice rang out Kaycee actually breathed a sigh of relief and that was when she decided to go visit her dad. Anywhere was better than here where Jake could appear at any moment.

She had already changed in to jeans and a black figure hugging sweater back at the hotel so after collecting up her car keys Kaycee let herself out of the apartment and drove to her dad’s house hoping that it would buy her a few more days until she had to deal with Jake.

It was awkward to say the least.

After her disappearing act it seemed neither her stepmother nor Sarah knew quite what to say so they said nothing making the moment awkward and strained as they struggled to think of what to say and Kaycee found her mind wandering back to Jake and their current situation.

“I’m sorry. I just want you to know that. I hope you can forgive me!” Sarah begged as she broke the silence and Kaycee was jerked out of her reverie.

“Hmm? Oh sure, whatever,” she responded having not heard a single word Sarah had just said and not really caring one way or another. After all she had worse problems than a small break up from a boy that if she was completely honest was a complete and utter wanker.

“You really forgive me? You’re not just saying that?” Sarah asked her expression hopeful while Susan looked completely disbelieving.

“Well sure, I mean if he would dump me for my stepsister then I’m sure he’ll cheat on you too and then you can discover just how I feel. Karma for you!” Kaycee explained as she examined her nails with a frown at the peeling nail polish and a deeper frown at her ring finger.

“Rob won’t do that, he loves me!” Sarah responded doubtfully and Kaycee shrugged.

“Don’t you listen to her sweetheart. She’s just trying to spread her poison.” Susan reassured Sarah and Kaycee snorted at that.

“My poison? I have never said a poisonous word in my life. I’m only telling the truth and Rob clearly cannot be faithful, I mean he cheated on me with my own stepsister.” Kaycee explained calmly and Sarah frowned at her mother.

“That’s not going to happen to me! Rob and I are in love and he will never cheat on me,” she said and Kaycee shrugged unconcerned.

“Like I care, I have more important things to worry about,” Kaycee offered and her stepmother snorted in disbelief.

“Of course you do dear, I’m sure that the man you loved for ten years and who then dumped you is worth barely a moment of your time,” Susan said with a laugh but Kaycee barely spared a moment for it.

It was weird but somehow even though she had only known him a few hours, Jake was filling her mind far more than her stupid breakup with Rob who if she was honest had always been a bit of a bastard. He had never really cared about her. She didn’t know if it was because she thought she might be married to Jake or that she cared so little for Rob now but all of a sudden she realized what a waste all those years had been.

“Not when they are as worthless as Rob!” Kaycee confirmed and her stepmother’s eyes narrowed at that.

“At least my daughter will win your father’s little bet!” Susan told her with a smile and Kaycee frowned.

“What bet?” she asked unconcerned for her father was always setting up little challenges between Sarah and Kaycee that she never knew about and never won.

“Your father has decided he needs a male heir to pass his hotels on to, and naturally the first daughter to marry would receive them. Such a shame that you are no longer in the running!” Susan supplied mockingly and Kaycee froze as she regarded her stepmother furiously.

“That’s why you stole my boyfriend? Did you promise him money?” Kaycee asked Sarah furiously and she looked uncomfortable.

“Of course not. I wouldn’t do that. He loves me,” Sarah said but she still wouldn’t look Kaycee in the eyes.

“Well, I don’t care. I never wanted daddy’s money. And I don’t want it now,” Kaycee refused but even as she said it she had a disturbing vision of Jake and what they had just done. Her father must never know of it.

Easier said than done she realized a moment later when her father appeared and her ready smile faded as a young man accompanied him. And not just any man but,

“Jake,” she breathed.

It was like her worst nightmare come true!

Well, the nightmare she had been dreading since she had woken up that morning. How had he found her father so quickly? And what was he doing here? She was so confused right now and not just about what had happened last night. She wondered what he and her father had been discussing and how long they had been discussing it for.

“Hi daddy!” she said jumping to her feet and giving him a hug while glaring at Jake over his shoulder.

“Hi sweetheart. I’m glad to see you’re okay,” he said with a relieved smile while his wife cleared her throat to get his attention making both of them turn to gaze at her questioningly.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend?” Susan asked with a big smile at Jake and Kaycee felt herself bristle indignantly at the hungry look she was giving him.

“Of course, sorry darling. This is….”

And here it came Kaycee thought with a wince as she waited for the hammer to fall; now everyone would know that Jake just might be her husband. Oh god, how was she going to face them after this?

“… Jake Wentworth. Of Wentworth Hotels. He has been trying to get me to sell my hotels to him for a while but as I have explained to him. I will only give them to my son-in-law, when I have one of course. And as Sarah’s already spoken for and I know Kaycee would never be foolish enough to fall for his charms, he is out of luck. Got to give the boy credit for trying though!” her father finished explaining and Kaycee stared at him open mouthed.

Jake was part of the Wentworth family? Her father’s biggest business rivals and she had unwittingly married their son. Could this get any worse? It surprised her though to realize that not only had Jake not come here to tell her father about them but also that he hadn’t revealed it even when her father had dropped that little bombshell.

“Such a shame that your daughter wouldn’t consider me a good husband,” Jake offered thoughtfully with a meaningful glance Kaycee’s way and she fought not to blush.

“My girls are too smart to fall for your charms Wentworth, right Kaycee?” her father asked with a grin and she offered a weak smile as she fought not to glance at Jake.

“Yep, too smart for that, daddy.”

“Soon you will have your son-in-law to pass your hotels on to and I doubt whether Kaycee will have a chance to find a husband before then,” Susan said her very tone dripping acid that made Kaycee grit her teeth furiously. She had never been fond of her stepmother but she was starting to really hate the woman.

“Now Susie, Kaycee has always been a beautiful girl, I’m sure she’ll have no trouble finding a husband when she’s ready. Right princess?” her father asked with an indulgent smile and Kaycee smiled back at him.

“Speaking of looks, what on earth have you done to your hair, sweetie? You look like a clown at the circus,” Susan offered and Kaycee self-consciously touched her hair even as she cursed herself for doing it.

“Well I like it and that’s all that matters,” Kaycee told her firmly determined that her stepmother would hold no more power over her.

“I think it suits you!” Jake offered and she narrowed her eyes at him wondering why he was still here, not noticing the way Susan stiffened at his comment or the way her father smiled.

“Maybe I should show Mr. Wentworth out for you, daddy.” Kaycee suggested but her father shook his head with a laugh.

“I know you’re protective, princess, but even I am not so crude as to send our guest away without even offering him some dinner.” Her father said firmly and Kaycee sighed as she cursed her father’s good manners.

“I’m sure Mr. Wentworth has more important plans than a family dinner,” Kaycee said hopefully only for her hopes to be dashed.

“Not at all. I would love to join you for dinner. And please, call me Jake!” he corrected with a smile that was all for her.

“How wonderful, Sarah and I would love to get to know you better. Right, sweetie?” Susan asked and her daughter nodded with a flirtatious smile on her face that made Kaycee grit her teeth as jealousy took hold of her.

“Absolutely. So, tell me Jake, are you single?” Sarah asked fluttering her long eyelashes at him.

Oh My God! They’re like damn cats in heat, Kaycee thought furiously. First Rob and now Jake, could she have nothing to herself?

“You know what? I think I’m gonna go.” She said deciding that while they may be able to flirt with him, she didn’t have to stay here and watch.

“Shame you can’t stay. Safe journey!” Susan said immediately as she got up to lead Jake to the dining room making Kaycee roll her eyes.

“Nonsense sweetie, I haven’t seen you in days. And I think it will do you and your sister good to share a meal after all the problems you two have been having lately,” her father suggested making Kaycee laugh.

“Dad, she stole my boyfriend. I hardly think one meal will make it all better,”

“It’s a start though,” Sarah said quietly and it was more the fact that she seemed genuinely upset that Kaycee was leaving rather than being focused on Jake like Susan that convinced her to stay.

 “I guess one meal won’t hurt,” Kaycee replied though really all she wanted to do was walk out and never look back.

The next two hours were so awkward that she actually felt like she was being tortured. It wasn’t enough that her boyfriend had left her for her own stepsister or that her stepmother was conspiring to take away her inheritance but now not only were they forcing her to endure the company of her maybe husband but she realized with dismay they were also forcing her to endure the company of her ex-boyfriend. It was definitely an uncomfortable meal!

“I am sorry, care bear,” Rob whispered again and Kaycee gritted her teeth furiously. Why was she cursed with such bad luck? She had Rob sat next to her and he wouldn’t stop apologizing and trying to touch her hand, eurgh. And across from her was Jake with his dazzling smiles that he kept sending her way even while he was talking to Sarah and Susan. It became apparent to Kaycee early on that Susan saw Jake as a much better catch for her daughter and clearly thought he could be bought.

It was something that had crossed Kaycee’s mind though and she couldn’t seem to get it out of her mind now that it was there. Her father had said he’d told Jake before about his intentions to give his company to his first son-in-law, did that mean that Jake had known who she was before hand? Had he been faking their meeting just so he could trick her in to marrying him? Was that his ultimate goal?

“So, haven’t you ever thought about marriage?” Susan asked in her breathiest voice that made Kaycee want to vomit.

“I’ve thought about it!” he said catching Kaycee’s gaze and she felt shivers run down her spine at the heat in his eyes that felt like they were undressing her where she sat.

“But you never have,” Susan said as though sad about the fact though Kaycee could see the conniving glint in her blue eyes.

“I see marriage as a lifetime commitment, once I get married I intend to stay married. I don’t believe in divorce!” Jake announced and everyone except for Kaycee smiled at him with respect in their eyes. The only thing in Kaycee’s eyes was terror as she realized what he was saying to her.

“Shit!” she swore not realizing she had said it out loud until everyone looked her way. Jake seemed amused by her outburst.

“I just realized that I was supposed to stop by my neighbor’s tonight and I completely forgot. I should go. She’ll be waiting for me,” Kaycee said trying to cover her outburst.

“Sure, see you later,” Susan replied unconcerned with whatever her stepdaughter was up to.

“You’re sure this isn’t because of me? Because of us?” Sarah asked indicating Rob and Kaycee shook her head slowly.

“Of course not, I just have to go… and see my neighbor!” Kaycee responded with a fake smile as she pushed back her chair and got to her feet glad that she was escaping the evening relatively unscathed.

“You know, I should probably go too.” Jake said getting to his feet and Kaycee sent him a startled look.

“Are you sure you have to go so soon?” Susan asked and Kaycee almost laughed at this. How unfair was it that the only mother she had ever known would rather have a complete stranger stay for dinner than her!

“It’s been great, but I really should go,” he responded firmly in a tone that even her stepmother could not ignore.

“Well at least let me see you out, it’s the least I can do!” Susan offered and he gave her a hard smile.

“I don’t want to put you to any trouble. I’m sure that Kaycee is more than capable of showing me out,” he said and Susan offered a small smile in return as Jake herded Kaycee out before she could protest or mysteriously change her mind about visiting her supposed neighbor.

It wasn’t until they were outside in the cold that clear night that Jake finally spoke and it was just what Kaycee had been dreading.

“We need to talk!”