Bought For Marriage

“Of course. I’ll have Julia put you in touch with my assistant, and he’ll arrange to have the funds transferred wherever you would like.” I turned to leave once again, but threw a comment over my shoulder. “Or he can just set you up with credit accounts at the stores you wish to shop at. There will also be an ironclad prenup.”

I walked straight to Julia’s office and strode inside the open door, as she appeared to be waiting for me.

“Kinsley will do,” I told her brusquely.

Julia smiled and nodded, her face once again a polite, unreadable mask. I had expected at least some smug satisfaction, but she remained professional and got right down to business.

We hammered out the details of the contract, and she promised to have a final copy sent to my lawyers by the next day.

“I have a huge international deal that I’m brokering and I’ll need to be out of the country for several weeks to finalize the details. I’m leaving in two weeks, so I’d like to get the wedding over with before then,” I informed her. “I’ll take Kinsley with me, and it can be a ‘honeymoon’ of sorts.” I wouldn’t have much time for her, but she’d be able to do all the touristy things and shop, while I would have a warm, willing body in my bed at night. There were also a few functions I’d be forced to attend, and I had a feeling her charm would only help the deal along as we mingled with current and potential clients.

A few more minutes of discussion ensued, then I was ready to take my leave. We shook hands and I thanked her before making my way out.

I’d brought a car this time, and as I slid into the back, I drew my phone from the pocket of my suit jacket. I hesitated before pressing my mother’s office number, but figured it was as good a time as any to get this over with.

“Sullivan, darling!” she exclaimed when she picked up. “How was your day?” She sounded eager, and I wondered if she’d been waiting by the phone for my call. She’d pestered me to no end until I’d given her details of my first meeting with Julia. Her triumphant look when I told her I’d decided to give it a shot almost had me calling the whole thing off. It seemed like a dangerous precedent to set, letting her interfere with my life in such a drastic manner. But honestly, it wasn’t like anything would stop her anyway.

“I’m getting married,” I blurted without preamble. No use beating around the bush.

“You’re what?” Her voice was filled with shock.

“Isn’t this what you wanted, Mother? For me to settle down?”

“Well, yes, but didn’t you just meet the matches today?”

“Yep. And I found the woman I’m going to marry.”

“I…well, that’s wonderful, darling. I guess you’ll have time to truly get to know each other before you actually tie the knot.” She seemed to be satisfied with her own conclusion, and I almost hated to burst her bubble. I wasn’t all that happy that I was going to be permanently deceiving my parents, either, but ignorance was bliss, right?

“Actually, we’re going to get married before I have to leave for Australia in a couple of weeks. I’ll make sure you have all the details as soon as they’re set. It was a great idea, Mother. Thanks!”

I hung up before she could say anything else. This wasn’t going to avoid the third-degree inquisition I’d be receiving later, but it at least put it off for a while so I could prepare my lie.

Chapter Four

KINSLEY

In a few minutes, I was going to walk down the aisle to a man I didn’t know and take him as my husband. My gown was couture and fit like it had been designed for me, even though we’d planned the wedding in only two weeks. My hair was perfectly styled, and my makeup was so expertly done that it could have been airbrushed into a magazine spread. Money truly did make the world go round, and I was marrying into plenty of it.

My reflection in the full-length mirror started to gray around the edges as my heart began to race. I took several gasping breaths, desperate to get much-needed oxygen into my lungs, but it didn’t seem to help. Nothing did, until I felt strong arms wrap around me and a warm body press against my back.

“Relax, Kinsley. I’ve got you.”

Feeling vulnerable in front of my soon-to-be husband—the man to whom I’d barely spoken during all of the wedding planning, since he’d had me work with his assistant on the majority of the details because he was supposedly too busy with a deal to be bothered—was enough to snap me out of my near freak-out. “I’m okay. It’s all good.”