The Unintended Fiancé (Captured by Love Book 4) (12 page)

“I know,” he said, walking to the window and staring at the Perth cityscape. “But what did your cousins think about Erin’s supposed connection with this latest saga?”

“Erin’s connection? They didn’t mention Erin at all.”

Relief filled him. At least Erin’s reputation wasn’t being battered out on the streets, like his was.

“So what’s this connection to Erin?” Rick pressed.

He told Rick.

“What? That’s ridiculous, Brad,” Rick said angrily.

“What’s ridiculous, honey?” Brad heard Lexie say in the background.

He groaned silently. He and Erin were meaning to tell their family and friends about this when they got back to Sydney. Now his sister would insist on knowing everything right this minute. He waited while Rick updated Lexie on the situation.

Then Lexie was on the line. “Brad, you have got to do something about this. This can’t keep happening, and this one is particularly serious.”

“I know, Lex,” he said, running his hand on his face in frustration. “I already have someone investigating this and the other occurrences. But no concrete evidence has yet been uncovered, and I just can’t go around making unproven accusations. That would make me look like a bigger dick.”

“Hire someone else,” Lexie said. “What about Gavin Redford? Cassie said he’s a really good private detective.”

“Good idea,” he concurred. “I’ll contact him when we get back home tomorrow.”

“Great. Can I talk to Erin?”

“She’s asleep. She was tired from walking around all day, shopping and playing tourist.”

“I’m awake,” Erin said.

He turned around and found her sitting on the bed, watching him.

“I heard that,” Lexie said. “Give her the phone.”

Rolling his eyes at Lexie’s commanding tone, he went to Erin. He gave her a lingering kiss before handing her the device. He couldn’t help himself. He loved kissing her.

“I heard that too!” Lexie said with a laugh. “Quit making out for a second, will you?”

“Tell your bossy friend to leave us alone,” he said to Erin.

“Okay. But can you make me coffee, please?” Erin asked coyly, batting her eyelashes at him.

“Sure,” he said, giving her another loud smooch before going to do what she’d asked. Erin really was so cute when she tried to flirt with him.

Damn it, he’d do everything in his power to keep her safe from his enemies. Everything and anything.

“
You have him wrapped around your finger.”

Erin laughed at the awe in Lexie’s voice. “I do not.”

“You do! He’s never been like that before.”

“Like what?” she asked in a low voice, surreptitiously glancing at Brad, who was making his way to the coffee machine in the suite’s dining area. Fortunately, it was far enough away that he couldn’t hear her if she spoke softly. She didn’t particularly want him listening in on this conversation.

“For starters, he’s never invited a girl on a work trip,” Lexie said. “And you do realise that this is the longest he’s been with one woman, don’t you?”

“Have you forgotten that the commitment part is fake? You know we have to stick with being a couple for a few more weeks or it will be worse for his reputation.”

“Is it still fake?” Lexie asked with quiet hope in her voice.

Her heart fluttered. For her, it had become real. But she didn’t want to admit that to anyone. What was the point, when she didn’t want to worry her friends, or make Brad feel guilty? She’d already been foolish and got him a rose—she shouldn’t do any more stupid things, like confessing her feelings. “Even though we’re currently sleeping together exclusively, it’s still very much a non-committed, no-future kind of relationship,” she answered.

“And are you still okay that that’s all it is?”

“Brad constantly reminds me he’s not the settling-down kind,” she said in a light tone. “You know that’s an emotional turn-off for me.”

“Okay,” Lexie said, sounding dubious. “I’ll have to keep reminding myself that too. Anyway, I can’t believe you’ve gotten entangled with Brad’s problems.”

“I know,” she said, relieved at the change in topic. As she discussed the situation with Lexie, Brad came back with her coffee. Once again, he placed a peck on her lips before walking out the bedroom.

How could such a wonderful, sweet, caring, protective guy not want to be in a serious relationship? Could she do something to change his mind?

No. She’d seen the look of panic on his face when she’d given him the rose. It was only when she’d insisted it was a mere thank-you gift that he’d relaxed.

Lexie was saying goodbye, and Erin forced herself to pay full attention to her friend. But when she hung up, the question pushed itself back into her consciousness.

Was it within her power to make Brad fall for her to the extent that he’d want a lasting relationship?

She had no idea. She could only try, and only time would tell.

*****

E
rin closed the oven door harder than she’d intended. “I still don’t see why I shouldn’t go to your company’s Christmas party,” she said, taking off the oven mitt and chucking it on the kitchen bench.

“I already said why,” Brad said patiently. “Let’s take advantage of this new rumour that our relationship is on the rocks because you’re shocked that I’ve done something completely unethical. Let’s make people believe that.”

“There are several different rumours going around Brad. I think what we should do is ignore them. Besides, no way am I gonna make anyone believe that of you.”

“And I’m not gonna make anyone think that you’re some chick who’s scared that her fiancé would leave her, so she does something tantamount to professional suicide so she can please him.
That’s
the other rumour going around.”

“Those are what Warren wants people to believe, not necessarily what they would believe. Besides, if we break up, that’s
tantamount
to Warren winning,” she quipped.

“Hey, remember that Gavin said we should be careful about jumping to conclusions about Warren being responsible. We might miss the real culprit if we focus too much on him.”

“Right. Anyway, I honestly think that showing everyone we’re still strong together is the way to go,” she said, hands on hips.

Brad walked towards her and cupped her face. “At some point, we’d have to end our engagement anyway, right? I think this is an opportunity to start that particular ball rolling. Whoever’s responsible for the sabotage attempts only wants to hurt me. You not being connected to me anymore will hopefully free you from being dragged further into this mess.”

She turned to the sink, pretending to wash a cup. Gosh, that hit her hard in the chest. She was nowhere near ready to end this yet. “I don’t think this is the time to split up, Brad,” she said, keeping the emotion out of her voice. “We’ve already discussed why we don’t want to pile up more negative stories about you at this time.”

“Erin, we might as well get you out of the picture now rather than later.”

“No,” she said with determination, splashing water all over the sink with her frustrated gestures. “That wasn’t the plan. We’re sticking with the plan. Ending our engagement now could be a disaster for you.”

Brad sighed, putting his arms around her waist. “Why are you being so stubborn?”

Because I love you. Is that so hard for you to see?

She turned around to face him. “Because I believe that me being at your party will help quieten down some of the negative rumours about you. Your reputation is being hammered out there, Brad. Let’s not make it worse.”

“But you helping me puts you at risk—”

She grabbed his face and kissed him to shut him up.

“Erin,” Brad murmured against her lips.

“Listen to me,” she ordered, curling her arms around his neck and pressing herself against him. “We’ll stick with the status quo until Gavin finds the bastard who’s sabotaging you. Then we can
disengage
,” she said lightly, even as her heart constricted.

Brad chuckled reluctantly. “Disengage, I like that term.”

Well, he might very well like it, but she didn’t. And it was difficult to accept that even after two and a half months of practically living together as an engaged couple, Brad still saw this as a fake relationship that needed to end.

But she didn’t want to give up on him yet. She was still living in the hope that, one day, he’d wake up and realise that what they had together was something so special that it was worth giving up some of his freedom for.

Brad nuzzled her neck and squeezed her bum cheeks. “Your roast won’t be ready for a while,” he murmured.

She smiled, angling her face so she could capture his mouth. The sex was still incredible. As long as Brad hadn’t tired of her yet, she had reason to remain optimistic.

Please, God, let his heart catch up with his body soon.

*****

E
rin smiled widely as the VIP guests of Mead Commercial and Corporate Designs’ Christmas party entered the festively decorated hotel function room. Zach, Jeff and Greg Carmichael had arrived, along with their gorgeous wives Rebecca, Sarah and Gemma. Rick and Lexie walked in with them.

This was a huge coup for Brad. With some sections in the industry still disturbed by the unfavourable rumours about him, having the CEO, COO and CFO of the Carmichael Corporation turn up to this event went a long way to mend Brad’s reputation. Those brothers were well known for picking nothing but the best professionals for their world-class developments. Anyone they favoured was considered excellent in their field, having been thoroughly vetted. Thank God for Rick, who’d been tireless in persuading his cousins to see for themselves that Brad was every bit the upstanding and brilliant person that he was.

Even though Brad’s company still didn’t have a contract with the Carmichael Corporation, it was currently on a shortlist for their next major project. Apparently, the Carmichaels had more business than their existing design partner could cope with, so they were keen to add another business partner to the mix. Mead Commercial and Corporate Designs was among the top contenders.

The other guests—Brad’s current and potential clients—were already clearly impressed, engaging in whispered conversations with their companions while glancing at the VIPs. Hopefully, those who’d been quietly believing the negative talk would be swayed by this show of confidence by the powerful and influential Carmichaels.

She walked towards the group, just as Brad approached them from the other side of the room.

“Hey, darl!” Lexie said, meeting her halfway and giving her a hug.

“Hi. Thanks so much for coming. This means a lot to Brad.”

Lexie let out a low giggle. “Spoken like a true fiancée. Of course I’m here to support my brother.”

“Of course,” she said, blushing.

Lexie sighed, shaking her head almost imperceptibly. “We need to have a serious talk later,” she whispered. “But for now, say hello to the other guys.”

Erin put on a smile as she and Lexie walked to the newcomers, whom Brad was already busy welcoming. She’d met the Carmichaels twice before, during Jade and Lucas’s wedding, and Lexie and Rick’s engagement party. It had always struck her how down-to-earth and lovely they all were.

“And here’s Erin,” Brad said, smiling at her as she approached.

“Hey, Erin, good to see you again,” said Zach, the oldest of the brothers, who gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations on your engagement, by the way.”

“Thank you,” she said, and proceeded to greet the others, expressing her gratitude for their attendance.

As the minutes ticked by, she found herself huddled in a group with Lexie, Rebecca, Sarah and Gemma.

“We’ve heard a bit about what’s going on, Erin,” Gemma, Greg’s wife, said with sympathy in her voice. “How are you holding up?”

“Not bad, thank you,” she said with a smile. “It’s not easy to hear all the bad things being said about Brad, especially when they’re not true.”

“But you have help in trying to figure out who’s responsible, right?” Rebecca, Zach’s wife asked.

She nodded.

“If you need anything, we’re here for you,” Rebecca offered.

“Yes,” Sarah, Jeff’s wife said. “We’ve been through our fair share of false gossip just so the magazines could sell tons of copies. We try to ignore most of them, but in some cases, we have to let our lawyers step in. If you need advice or contacts, just let us know.”

“Thank you, I will,” she said sincerely.

These Carmichael ladies had gone through worse public attention. With their husbands being a favourite of the gossip rags because of their good looks, power and wealth, they’d had their fair share of unwanted publicity. She was touched by their empathy, but she also felt guilty that they didn’t know that her engagement to Brad was fake.

Her only consolation was that their lie didn’t hurt anyone, apart from whoever had started the rumour that Brad was after James Coyte’s wife. It also wouldn’t hurt anyone else when they finally broke up—apart from her.

Ugh. Did she have to think of that right now?

“Is that James Coyte?” Lexie asked under her breath.

She followed her friend’s line of sight. “Yes,” she answered, hiding a smirk.

James was exuberantly greeting the Carmichael brothers, and completely ignoring Valerie, who was touching Brad’s arm as she simpered and batted her eyelashes.

She narrowed her eyes at James’s wife. Seriously, with all the rumours going around, Valerie would flirt with Brad in front of everyone else? She better save her man.

She excused herself from the others and walked towards Brad.

“Hi,” she said with a bright smile, linking her arm with his and pressing close.

“Hey, babe,” Brad said with a grin. He put an arm around her waist and kissed her temple.

The smile on Valerie’s face remained, although her eyes had hardened. Ha! What the hell did this woman want with Brad when she already had a husband? But Erin still had her manners. “Hello, Valerie,” she said in a friendly tone, although she dared match the ice in Valerie’s gaze. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Likewise,” the other woman answered. “I was just indulging in a little bit of gossip and telling Brad how a mutual acquaintance of ours got divorced. She realised she picked the wrong man and got back with her ex.”