Even as he thought it, he couldn’t help but remember the devastation on her face when she’d walked out of the bathroom. One look at him and she’d paled.
Something had gone on in there, but then he wouldn’t put anything past her parents. They’d discovered his secret, and in doing so, blackmailed him to marry their daughter. Admittedly, Abby wasn’t what he was expecting.
First off, she was not classically beautiful. Men didn’t look at her and immediately pause because of just how pretty she was.
No, Abby was … sexy.
Another glance and again, he wasn’t sure.
She had brown hair; really long, glossy brown hair that he hated to admit he imagined spread out across his pillow as he took her.
Her parents and even a doctor had confirmed her virgin status to him. That was a new experience.
Gold-digging whores tended to know what to do to lure their man in. Abby was an innocent, and from the way she was holding her hands, she wasn’t happy about going with him back to his home either.
Staring into her brown eyes on the dance floor, having her in his arms, it had felt right, and he hated that. He hated everything she stood for and wanted nothing to do with the greedy bitch.
Is she like her parents?
Is she hungry for money?
For power?
“What did your mother want to talk to you about?” He didn’t mean for his voice to sound so stern, but his question spilled out on a snap.
He was pissed off.
Angry.
He wanted to hurt her family for what they’d done.
He was James fucking Darcy, and no one blackmailed him.
No one made him do something that he didn’t want to do.
There would be a time when he’d be able to get his own back. Until then, he was having to deal with this charade of a marriage.
“Erm, she wanted to give me some advice on my wedding night.”
He snorted. “It’s fucking. There’s nothing to it.”
“Easy for you to say.”
She said it so quietly that he only just heard it.
Gripping the steering wheel a little tighter, he clenched his teeth. He needed a stiff drink.
When he saw his turn was just up the road, he slowed down, coming to a stop. He loved all things speed, and as he arrived at his gate, he typed in his code and pressed his foot on the gas, heading toward his main driveway. The gates were already closing, and he parked in front of his home.
“Home, sweet home,” he said, climbing out of the car.
He didn’t wait for her to get out.
This marriage wasn’t going to last long.
He already had a good reason and a way out of this, and he was going to use it.
Walking up his steps, he made his way toward his office, ignoring his staff that waited by the front door.
They could deal with his bride. Pouring himself a generous shot of whiskey, he took a seat and waited for her to arrive.
He didn’t have to wait long. She stood in the doorway of his office, looking like a scared little rabbit.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“Nothing. Just … can I go to my, I mean, our room?”
He laughed. “We don’t share a room. This marriage. It’s not going to last.”
“It’s not?”
James paused as he stared at her. For a split second there, she sounded hopeful, and he wasn’t sure he liked that, not even a little bit.
Maybe she doesn’t want this marriage?
He didn’t see it himself.
What woman would turn down the opportunity to be married to him?
He was wealthy, lived a good life.
Money made the world go ’round, and it also made life a hell of a lot easier as well.
Running fingers through his hair, he waited and watched her. “You see, I have come up with the perfect solution.”
“You have?”
“Yes.” He finished off his whiskey and burst out laughing. “It’s so amazing I’m surprised I haven’t thought of it before now.”
“What is it?”
“Simple. You’re going to cheat on me.”
Silence followed his suggestion.
Right in that second, watching her, it had come to him.
The only way he could get out of this marriage was to make sure that she got caught and rather publicly as well. Her parents wouldn’t be able to come after him or his … personal life. They would have no choice but to stay well away.
“You want me to cheat on you.”
“I don’t want to stay married to you, Abby. I don’t like you.”
“You don’t even know me,” she said.
“Oh, I know you. I’ve met your sort before, and believe me, they leave a lot to be desired. Your parents think they have me caught. Well guess what, you’re going to help me out of this marriage, or I’m going to make your life a living hell.” He got up and advanced toward her.
She backed up, and he was tempted to stop when he saw the flash of fear in her eyes, but he didn’t.