His Convenient Virgin Bride (9 page)

“Oh, no,” Amber rasped.

Alec came to his feet.

Stephanie stared at her bothers. “I’m…” That was as far as she made it.

Both of them stood, but she held up a hand to stop them. “And nobody was going to
tell
me?” She turned her accusing stare on Alec.

“What did you hear?” he asked, his mind scrambling for a damage control plan.

“Is this a conspiracy?” She glanced around the room. Her gaze stopped on Damien. “Who’s this?”

Damien glanced to Alec.

“He’s yours,” Stephanie scoffed at Alec. “Of course he’s yours. Is this why they hired you?”

Alec took a step forward. “Stephanie.”

“Wow.” She gave a shaky laugh. “Is that what you’re doing for us? Is Ryder International even
in
financial trouble?”

“Stephanie,” Jared began.

“You should sit down,” Royce put in.

Stephanie rounded on him. “
You
should start talking.”

The two stared at each other for a moment.

“We were being blackmailed,” said Royce. “By Alec?”

“No,”
Alec jumped in, unable to remain silent any longer. “By Norman Stanton. I
was
looking into your finances.” He wasn’t about to hit Royce and Jared with an
I told you so,
but it was darn tempting.

“So you claim.” Stephanie glared at him. “But we both know you can fake pretty much anything.”

“Alec’s not the bad guy,” said Amber.

“Then who’s the bad guy?”

“Frank Stanton,” said Royce.

“And he’s my father?”

“Can we talk about this later?” asked Royce, his gaze going pointedly to Damien.

“Sure.” Stephanie shrugged. “Don’t mind me.” She crossed to a desk and picked up some papers. “I just dropped by for the insurance forms. Let me know how this all turns out. I’ll sign anything you want.”

“Don’t start sulking,” warned Jared.

Alec felt a flash of anger. He moved to position himself between the two. “I think she’s got a right to be a little upset,” he told Jared.

Jared’s eyes narrowed down. “Stay out of it.”

“I don’t believe I will.” Alec folded his arms across his chest. They were the ones that hired him. They insisted he marry Stephanie. Convenience or not, she was his wife.

Royce stepped up beside his brother. “It’s a family matter.”

“I’m family.”

“Not really.”

“I have a piece of paper that says so.”

Stephanie stepped back in. “And they have a piece of paper that says
I’m
not. Procured by
you,
if I overheard correctly.”

“You’re still our sister,” Jared hastily put in.

“Half sister. Out of the will.”

“There you go again,” Royce all but shouted. “The most dramatic possible—”

“I think you’d better leave,” Alec said to the brothers.

“Us leave?” Jared’s voice was incredulous. “
You
leave.”

“It’s my hotel room. And she’s my wife—”

“Give me a break!” Stephanie threw up her hands. “
I’ll
leave.”

“No.” Alec’s hand shot out to stop her. “We need to talk.” Past today, they were still having a baby, and they still had to make that work.

“Let go of Stephanie,” Royce growled.

Amber came to her feet, voice commanding. “Stop this. All of you. I mean it.”

She placed herself between Alec and Royce. “Alec wants to talk to Stephanie.”

Royce clamped his jaw in silent protest, but everyone filed out. Alec was left alone with Stephanie. “For the record,” he told her, “I advised them to tell you the truth.”

She didn’t turn around. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

“I promised I wouldn’t.”

She was silent for a moment. “So a business contract is more important to you than your wedding vows?”

Alec drew a breath.

“Never mind,” she continued. “Don’t answer that.”

He moved a few steps toward her. “It was complicated. I had no right—”

She turned. “No right to be honest with your wife?”

“Don’t twist things to score points.”

The woman had enough on her side of this argument without doing that.

She dropped into one of the French provincial chairs. “So, I guess I’m a bastard.”

He pulled out another chair and angled it toward hers, sitting down. “So am I. It’s not so bad.”

“I meant literally, not metaphorically.”

“So did I.”

Her expression softened ever so slightly. “Really?”

“My father eventually married my mother.” Though that had turned out to be more a curse than a blessing.

Stephanie slumped back in the chair. “My mother had an affair.”

“So it would seem.”

“I’ve had her up on a pretty high pedestal all these years.”

Alec leaned forward, covering Stephanie’s hands where they rested in her lap. “She was human.”

“You accept infidelity?”

“I understand weakness and imperfection.”

“Are you imperfect, Alec?”

“I took your virginity and made you pregnant while I was working for your brothers. Then I lied to you. Well, held back the truth anyway.”

“And you’ll eventually be unfaithful.”

He drew back. “What? No. Why would I—”

“Can you really stay celibate for months on end?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. He’d never tried.

It had only been a couple of weeks since the wedding, but so far he hadn’t had any overwhelming desire to sleep with other women. Ironically the only person he wanted to make love to was Stephanie.

“You’ll eventually give into temptation,” she determined.

“Where is this coming from?”

“My mother did. Your parents did. We did.”

“You’ve really wandered off on a tangent here.” He wanted to talk about her family, to make sure she was coping okay with the truth.

“I’m merely pointing out that we both have the infidelity gene.”

He coughed out a surprised laugh. “It comes down to principles and personal choice.”

“
We
slept together.”

The reminder made him aware of their joined hands, her sweet scent and those cherry-red lips that were slightly parted with her breath.

“Yes, we did,” he agreed.

“When we shouldn’t have.”

“That’s debatable. We didn’t betray anyone.”

“Except maybe ourselves.”

Alec shifted his chair closer and raised their joined hands. “Do you feel guilty, Stephanie?”

She gazed into his eyes. “Do you?”

He shook his head. “I don’t have a single regret about making love to you. And I don’t hate Frank Stanton. And I’m glad your mother gave into temptation. If not for that, you wouldn’t be here.”

“So, I should be grateful?”

“You should be sensible. Don’t rail against things you can’t change. Just make the best of what you have.”

She seemed to think about that for a minute. Then her lips softened, and her voice went low. “I miss you, Alec.”

Desire instantly overran his brain. “I’m right here.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know.” He steeled himself against the urge to drag her into his arms. “But you’re upset and vulnerable, and I still have a few principles left.”

Silver sparkled to life deep in her eyes. “How can I get rid of them?”

Simply by breathing.
His hands convulsed around hers. “You can’t.”

A sharp rap sounded on the suite door, and Stephanie frowned.

Alec felt like he’d been saved from himself. They were only going to stay away so long.

“Y
ou know Stephanie’s going to see him,” Amber warned Royce in an undertone.

Alec slowed his steps, not wanting to intrude on what was obviously a private conversation, but wanting to know about anything that involved Stephanie.

She and her brothers had talked late into the night. Then Alec had seen her briefly at breakfast. But Wesley was in final preparation for competing tomorrow, so Stephanie’s entire day was being spent at the arena. It annoyed Alec that Wesley was still flirting with her.

Royce gave Alec a nod of welcome. “I’m half tempted to buy it for her,” Royce said to Amber.

“You know you can’t do that,” Amber returned. “The price tag’s up over a million dollars.”

“Hey, Alec,” Royce greeted, and Amber turned around to face him.

Alec wished he could ask what they were debating. He hoped there weren’t any more family secrets being kept from Stephanie.

He settled for, “What’s up?”

“Blanchard’s Run is here,” said Amber.

Alec nodded, hoping to bluff his way through the conversation.

“Stephanie’s still upset,” said Royce.

“You can’t buy her a million dollar horse to make her feel better,” warned Amber, jabbing Royce with her elbow. “Tell him, Alec.”

“She’s right,” Alec agreed. Stephanie didn’t need monetary bribes from her brothers. She needed them to respect her enough to be honest with her.

“She’s had her eye on him for months,” said Royce.

“Here she is now,” Alec warned them, as Stephanie approached from the opposite end of the barn. Her smooth, sexy stride carried swiftly along in her tooled cowboy boots.

Amber and Royce both turned.

“Uh-oh,” Amber breathed.

Stephanie’s attention had been caught by one of the stalls. She stopped and drew back in obvious surprise. Then she turned to walk to the gate.

She stood there for a few moments staring at the horse inside. Then she squared her shoulders and resumed walking toward them.

Nobody said a word as she approached.

“You knew, didn’t you?” she asked her brother.

“We just found out,” Amber quickly put in.

Stephanie cocked her head as she gazed steadily at Royce.

“We just saw him,” he backed Amber up.

“But you weren’t going to tell me.”

They didn’t deny it.

“Was that for my own good, too?”

When nobody immediately answered, she shook her head in disgust then paced off down the center aisle of the barn toward the hotel and the main offices.

Alec went quickly after her. “What was that about?”

She didn’t break her stride. “Blanchard’s Run.”

“He’s a horse, right?”

“He is.”

“And you want to buy him?”

“I do.”

“But he’s expensive.” Alec had the full picture now.

“He’s a bargain.”

“A million dollars?”

“You’re just like the rest of them.”

“Hold up there for a second.” He snagged her arm, tugged her to a stop before she could exit the barn and join the crowds outside.

She stopped, but turned on him, eyes blazing.

“Is this important?” he asked.

“Not at all,” she denied.

“Stephanie?”

She drew in an impatient sigh and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. “Why do you want to know?”

“Because I do. Because you’re not mad at me, you’re mad at them.” He jabbed his thumb back in Royce’s direction. “And because I hate it when you act like a spoiled kid.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“You’re not, you know. You’re an intelligent woman who knows what she wants and how to work for it. You want this horse, and I’m curious to know why.”

“Fine.” She drew a breath. “I’ve been interested in
Blanchard’s Run for nearly a year. I’ve studied his blood-lines and the conformation of his offspring, along with their competition records. And I think the combination of Blanchard’s Run and my retired mare, Pinnacle, would produce fast, smart, high jumpers. If science and genetics has anything to say about it, the EBVs of their offspring would be off the charts.”

“EBVs?”

“Estimated Breeding Value.”

“Oh.”

“In technical terms, they would be worth a whole lot of money.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. I can also breed him to three other mares I’ve bought this year, partly in anticipation of a future acquisition of Blanchard’s Run. Then, three, maybe five years from now, if his existing offspring prove out the way I expect them to, and if the Ryder foals show promise, we’ll be able to get top dollar for the animals.”

Alec was impressed. “So, why don’t your brothers want you to buy the horse?”

“Because they’ve never listened long enough to know my plan is based on concrete science. They assume I’m operating on emotion instead of intelligence.”

“They’re wrong,” said Alec.

“Yeah? Well, since I’m out of the will, I don’t have much of a leg to stand on anymore.”

“There is that.” Even as Alec was agreeing with her, he was coming to a decision.

It had nothing to do with guilt. And it had nothing to do with his feelings for Stephanie. And it wasn’t to help her feel better after yesterday’s revelations. It was a good business decision, plain and simple.

Stephanie blinked in disbelief at Blanchard’s Run’s ownership papers. They’d been delivered to the hotel suite five minutes ago, with her name on the envelope.

She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head against what had to be an illusion. But, no, she wasn’t crazy. That was her name, and Ryder Equestrian Center, and Blanchard’s Run’s pedigree.

The suite door opened.

Alec strode in and glanced at the papers. A grin spread across his face.

“You?”
she asked in amazement.

“I thought you made a convincing case.”

She stared up at him, her brain grappling with the situation. “You bought Blanchard’s Run?”

He tossed his key card on the table near the foyer. “Was it all true? The EBV thing?”

“Of course it was.”

“Good. ’Cause if it’s not, I just made a very big mistake.”

“It’s all true,” she assured him with a nod, emotion stinging the backs of her eyes. Nobody had ever trusted her like this before.

“I’ll expect him to make money,” Alec warned.

She nodded. “He will.”

“Are you hungry?”

Suddenly she was. “Starved.”

“You want to go out or stay in?”

“Could we eat out on the balcony?” she asked, warm feelings for Alec blossoming inside her. It was a gorgeous night, and she loved the view across the grounds to the arena. She felt like celebrating. And she felt like being alone with Alec.

“I’ll call room service,” he offered.

“I’m going to shower.” She hugged the ownership papers to her chest, smiling all the way to her bedroom.

Alec had made a business investment in her. He trusted her to make good decisions, to make money.

She set the papers carefully on the bedroom desk, smoothing them out. Then she stripped off her work-worn clothes and headed for the shower.

She scrubbed her hair and rinsed it with conditioner. Then she shaved her legs and used some of the rose scented shower gel and body lotion provided by the hotel. After blow-drying, she wrapped herself in a fluffy robe and wandered back into her bedroom.

The windows were open, letting in the fresh night air.

She felt light and happy, optimistic about the future for the first time in weeks. Blanchard’s Run would kick Ryder Equestrian Center to a whole new level.

She pulled open the dresser drawers. Her choices were limited, but she was in a mood to dress up.

She found a matching set of underwear, white lace panties and a low-cut bra. She pushed a pair of pearl earrings into her ears, fastened the matching necklace and bracelet, then crossed to the closet for the single dress she’d brought along on the trip.

A soft, clingy knit, it had narrow straps, a low square-cut neck and crisscrossed ties decorating a tapered V back. The skirt flared over her hips, cascading softly toward her knees. She quickly realized the bra wouldn’t work and tossed it back in the drawer.

In the bathroom, she put on a little makeup. She tied her hair up, then brushed it back down, then twisted it in a messy knot at the back of her head, letting wisps curl across her forehead and along her temples.

She heard a knock on the suite’s outer door. Alec’s footfalls told her he was answering, and she gave the waiter a few minutes to finish setting up. Then she slipped her feet into little black sandals and left the bedroom.

Alec wasn’t in sight, but the glow of candlelight flickered through the glass, balcony door.

She wandered outside to find hurricane lamps decorating the patterned, white, wrought-iron tables. Linen and silverware was set out, and plump, peach colored cushions softened the chairs. Salad had been served, while a low wreath of flowers surrounded the glass chimney candle at the center of the table.

“Madame?” came a low voice as a tuxedoed waiter appeared.

He pulled out her chair as Alec arrived in the doorway.

He’d also showered and shaved. He wore charcoal slacks and an open collared, white, dress shirt.

His gaze took in her outfit. “You look very nice.” The words were reserved, but there was a burn in his eyes that warmed her from head to toe.

She sat down, and Alec took the chair opposite.

The waiter poured them each a glass of ice water to go with their salads, then melted away, closing the glass door behind him as a chorus of crickets ebbed and flowed from the shrubs and grass far below.

“Do my brothers know you bought Blanchard’s Run?” She tried a bite of the fresh greens, avocado and raspberry vinaigrette salad.

Alec shook his head, tasting the salad himself. “You can surprise them.”

“They’ll be very surprised.”

Alec shrugged. “It’s your horse, your stable.”

She took a few more bites, then dared a personal question. “How did you afford him?” She loved the horse, but she didn’t want Alec going out on a limb financially.

He stared levelly at her.

“I’m sorry,” she quickly apologized. “Was that too personal?”

“No. It just hadn’t occurred to me that you didn’t know.”

“Know what?”

“Anything about my financial status.”

“Or your family. Well, except for that little bit about your parents.”

“Where I know pretty much everything about you.”

She set down her fork. “More than me, as it turns out.”

He gave a rueful smile.

The waiter reappeared, removing their salad plates and replacing them with chicken and pasta before disappearing once again.

“Financially I’m perfectly comfortable,” said Alec.

Stephanie wasn’t sure what that meant.

“I didn’t have to borrow money to buy Blanchard’s Run,” he elaborated.

“So, you didn’t marry me for my money?”

He smiled at her. “I didn’t marry you for your money.”

She cut into the tender chicken. “You know, we never signed a prenup.”

“Are you worried?”

“Not anymore,” she deadpanned.

“You could come out ahead on this,” he speculated.

“Good to know. Since I have very expensive taste in horses.”

Alec coughed out a laugh, and she smiled along with
him. His slate eyes reflected the glint of the candlelight, and the flicker of the flame bounced off the planes and angles of his face. He was a spectacularly handsome man.

Her gaze was drawn to his open collar, pushing her thoughts to his muscled chest and impressive shoulders. She couldn’t help but remember him naked, in the pale light of her bedroom, his touch, his scent, his taste.

She moved on to his hands, stilled now on the silverware that rested against his plate. The things those hands had done to her.

“Is Madame finished?” The waiter’s voice startled her.

“Yes, please.” She drew a ragged breath, shifting in her chair as she became aware of the prickled heat chafing her skin.

“We’ll skip dessert,” Alec told the man. “Thank you for your time.”

“Very good, sir.” Once more, he disappeared, this time leaving the suite. They were alone.

A full minute of silence ticked by while the breeze freshened, and candlelight flicked across the planes and angles of Alec’s face.

“You bought me a horse,” she sighed, still not quite believing it could be true.

He shrugged. “I know most guys go with flowers.”

“But you’re not most guys.”

“I guess not.”

“
Definitely
not.”

He bunched his napkin and tossed it on the table. “So, what did you get me?”

“I was supposed to buy a gift?” She feigned alarm.

He nodded. “It
is
our anniversary.”

“What anniversary is that?”

“Fifteen days.”

“Ahh,” she nodded. “The little known fifteen-day horse-themed anniversary.”

“Celebrated from Iceland to Estonia.”

“We’re in Kentucky.”

“So, no present for me?”

She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I saw a ten-gallon hat in the gift shop downstairs.”

He grinned. “Not my style.”

“A silver, long-horn steer belt buckle?”

He rose from his chair. “Try again.”

“I’ve got a nice riding crop in the trailer.”

“Did you mean that to be sexy?”

“Noooo,” she chuckled as she shook her head.

“Thank goodness.” He made his way around the table. “I mean,
ouch.
”

“You’d prefer sexy underwear to leather?”

He held out his hand. “Sexy underwear would definitely be my first choice for a gift.”

She placed her hand in his, taking a deep breath and screwing up her courage. “Had to go without a bra tonight,” she confessed.

His gaze dipped down. “Guess that saves me some unwrapping.”

She rose to her feet, heart pounding, perspiration beginning to glow on her skin. “Yes, it does.”

“I’ve missed you,” he said.

“I’m right here,” she parroted.

He smiled at the joke. “That’s not what I meant.” And his gaze did a tour of her body. His eyes darkened to pewter, going molten with desire.

“It’s not what I meant, either,” she whispered, zeroing in
on his lips, coming up on her toes, while his hand wrapped around to the small of her back and drew her close.