Bachelor's Bought Bride (9 page)

“I’m surprised he hasn’t.” She cocked a brow.

“He said he trusts me. They’ve had some strange things going on at the agency lately, a mole of sorts, leaking information to a rival agency, and I’ve been helping him try to solve the problems it’s caused. I also
helped to win the Reynolds account, so he wants me to do some more work on that before I go.”

“Nice to have a boss who thinks so highly of you.” Gavin glanced up. He almost thought he heard a note of sarcasm in Bree’s voice. No. It couldn’t be. Her lovely smile lit up the room.

“Yeah. I’m sure some people think I’m crazy to leave, but everything reaches its natural limit eventually.”

“Even a marriage?” She looked him directly in the eye in a way that spiked his blood pressure slightly. Maybe all the changes were making her feel insecure.

He quirked a smile. “‘Till death us do part.’ That’s the only natural limit I can see.” He kissed her soft cheek. Did she stiffen slightly as he hugged her?

It was a shame he had to leave right away. He had a breakfast meeting with the marketing director of Argos Shoes, an account he’d give almost anything to win. He was even prepared to eat breakfast again, since he hadn’t wanted to disappoint Bree by turning down the fantastic meal she’d prepared to surprise him.

“Death, yes, I suppose you’re right.” Her green eyes surveyed him with a slightly unsettling look. “Hopefully that’s a ways off, but I suppose you never know.”

“You’re in a rather grim mood this morning.”

She shrugged, which had the dangerous effect of pulling the green fabric tighter over her spectacular breasts. Gavin shoved down a surge of desire welling inside him. “I’d better get out of here before I get distracted and miss my meetings. Bye, my love.”

He kissed her and headed for the elevator. If things went well today, his new agency would be off to a flying start, and he’d be able to put Bree’s fears to rest.

Bree sagged against the door after it closed behind Gavin. She hadn’t hidden her emotions too well this morning. She’d donned the full makeup and the fancy dress, preparing a good breakfast and smiling like a store mannequin, but she couldn’t seem to hide the hurt and fear roiling just below her manicured surface.

Making love—no, having sex—last night hadn’t helped. The intimacy only reminded her of everything she’d lose when she pushed Gavin out of her life. She’d been happy alone because she’d never known anything different. Now she’d be agonizingly aware of all the pleasures of couplehood she’d be missing out on.

Ali brushed up against her legs. “I know, Princess, it’s time for your shot. You’re still my first love. I shouldn’t have asked for more.” Her stately fifteen-year-old cat paused, as if agreeing. “And at least I’ll still have you and Faith when he’s gone.” She reached down and stroked Ali’s soft back. “That will be more than enough.”

She kicked off the stupid heels she’d put on to clack around the apartment as Little Mrs. Perfect. How had she let herself get duped into this? And now she had to put on the “perfect wife” act at a party with all his friends and coworkers? She wanted to cry.

Heck, maybe she would go ahead and have a cry. It couldn’t hurt. That way she could get it out of her system and grin like a loon all night on the arm of the lying Gavin Spencer.

After Bree’s odd behavior that morning, Gavin decided to go home and pick her up so they could arrive at the party together. He worried that she felt overwhelmed by her new life, and he felt guilty for
announcing his dramatic career change so soon after their wedding. He probably should have given her a bit more time to get comfortable. And given that some of his coworkers were a bit testy about his announcement, he decided it might be better if they went to the party together so she didn’t show up and get grilled by anyone before he got there.

“You look gorgeous, as usual.” He had to pause for a moment, just to take in the vision of Bree standing in their apartment door. Her ankle-length dress, covered in tiny black-and-white stripes, flowed over her curves like water down a waterfall.

“Thanks. I did some shopping today.” Her green eyes glittered hard as she gazed at him. Or possibly he was just imagining it. All the upheaval in his professional life must be making him testy. Bree seemed taller than usual, and a glance down confirmed that she wore sleek black-and-white pumps that added about three inches to her already impressive height. “Lucky I’m over six feet or I’d be standing in your shadow.” He grinned.

She smiled tightly. “Now that I’m married, I don’t have to worry that no one will dance with me because I’m too tall.”

“An excellent point.” She did look gorgeous. Her height served only to emphasize her Greek-goddess good looks, especially with her magnificent ringlets cascading over her shoulders. She must have spent hours getting ready.

Now that he thought about it, she’d been dressed to the nines even for their dinner at home last night. “You don’t have to look breathtaking every minute, you know. It’s okay to relax and wear whatever feels comfortable.”

She cocked her head, which sent her curls tumbling over one breast. “Do you think I should wear that dress I had on when we met?”

He grinned. “Okay, maybe not that one. But I don’t want you thinking you have to dress up all the time.”

“Not a problem. I just dress how I like.” She lifted her chin, tall and proud.

“As long as it’s for your own pleasure, it’s all good with me.” Who wouldn’t want a woman who looked as fantastic as this? He couldn’t understand why no one had snatched her up before him. Her father must be nuts to think she needed his help in finding a husband.

He’d transferred the money, though. Gavin had seen it in the new account he’d opened just for this purpose. One million dollars—seven fat figures—right there on the screen of the computer under his name. Could life get any better than this?

He extended his arm to Bree, who threaded hers elegantly through it. “Let’s go take the world by storm.”

The Iron Grille restaurant on the first floor of the agency building throbbed with music, and waiters in white tie swirled through the crowd with trays of hors d’oeuvres.

“Oh, Gavin!” He grimaced at the site of nutty Marissa barreling toward him on her high heels, stringy blonde hair flying. He certainly wouldn’t miss her. “Go on, tell me in secret. Which clients are you stealing, darling?”

“Marissa, I believe you’ve met my wife, Bree.”

Marissa glanced at Bree, managing to look down on her, despite the fact that Bree was several inches taller. “Congratulations on your big catch, darling.” Then she
turned her evil gaze back to Gavin. “Or should I be congratulating you, sweetheart? I hear Bree’s from old money.”

Bree’s mouth dropped open. Even he was rendered speechless. “Marissa, you’re lucky you’re a talented logo designer, or no one would put up with you.”

“So true!” She grinned. “But come on, who are you stealing? Or are you the infamous mole everyone’s been hunting for all year?”

He was in danger of losing his cool if he didn’t get away from this woman. “Bree, let’s go find a drink. I’m starting to need one.” Bree looked panicked—not surprising. Marissa had that effect on people.

“Oh, go on and get your drink, handsome.” Marissa waved heavily ringed fingers at him. “Logan doesn’t think you’re the mole anyway. And he would know.”

The mention of his second least favorite Maddox employee stopped Gavin in his tracks. “Logan? What does he have to do with anything?”

“Didn’t you know?” She pursed her lips with thinly concealed glee. “He’s not an account executive at all. He’s a private detective.”

“That explains a few things about his performance.” Gavin frowned. “Did Brock hire him to find the source of the leaks?” He couldn’t believe he had to learn this from Marissa. Why hadn’t Brock himself told him?

“You betcha, babe. And from your adorable surprise, I can see he didn’t trust you with that information. You must have been on his list of suspects.” She shot Bree a supercilious smile. “You watch out for this one, darling. There’s more to him than meets the eye.” She winked at him. “Though what meets the eye isn’t half-bad.”

Then she turned on her heels and vanished into the crowd.

Bree stood staring after her.

“Brock should get rid of her. A loose cannon like that is a danger to the company.”

“So, apparently, is a mole. What did she mean by that?” Bree wasn’t smiling or looking amused.

“Someone’s been stealing company secrets and leaking them to the competition. It’s been going on for a few months, and no one has any idea who it is.”

“It sounds like Brock thought it might be you.” Worry—or was it suspicion?—danced in Bree’s green eyes. A nasty feeling crept through Gavin.

“I suppose he had to suspect everyone, though I assure you I’d rather die than betray my employer.”

Bree simply cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. “I wonder if he thinks your leaving is a betrayal.”

“No. People come and go in this business all the time. Par for the course.”

Bree simply closed her lips in a tight smile. Did she really think he was capable of undermining the company? What was going on with her? “I think we both need some wine. Or maybe champagne.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Gavin spent the rest of the party reassuring people that he had no intention of stealing Maddox clients for his new company. Some were surprised he was even there. Everyone was whispering about Logan Emerson being a private detective, but no one knew if he’d uncovered the spy.

At one point, Elle grabbed Bree by the hand and whisked her away. She explained that they were going out for some girl talk, and she’d escort Bree home. This was
rather a relief for Gavin, since Bree seemed unusually tense. On top of the drama of his own departure and the hushed mutterings about the in-house traitor, the party was unusually exhausting. After only half an hour, he ducked out and headed upstairs into the Maddox offices to box up the last of his stuff. He was more than ready to leave Maddox Communications behind and start fresh.

He grinned at the weary security guard as he got off the elevator on the sixth floor. “Is the place locked? I might need you to let me in. I handed in my key.”

“Mr. Maddox told me you’d be coming by. He’s inside himself.”

“Brock is in the office?” Odd. Gavin had noticed he wasn’t at the party.

“Been there all evening. Sent out for dinner a while back, but told me to make sure he wasn’t disturbed by anyone except you. Sent out for a bottle of whiskey, too.” The elderly security guard raised his wiry brows.

Gavin frowned. What was going on? He couldn’t take much more of this intrigue. He pushed into the open offices. “Brock?”

“Back here.” His boss’s voice was gruff. “Come on in.”

He crossed the dark office to the light pooling out of Brock’s door. Tension hung in the air like day-old cigar smoke. Inside the office, Brock sat in his big, leather chair behind the antique desk, his face uncharacteristically haggard.

“I didn’t know my leaving was going to have such a dramatic effect on you,” Gavin quipped.

“Trust me, you’re the least of my problems.”

“You do know I’m not the spy, don’t you?”

Brock rubbed a hand over his face. “Believe me, it would be easier if you were.”

Gavin strode across the room and pulled up a chair. “You know who it is?”

Brock drew in a deep breath. “Sure do. The gumshoe I hired finally found irrefutable evidence.” An odd expression flickered across his face.

“The suspense is killing me.”

“It’s Elle.”

Gavin frowned. “Your assistant?”

“Do you know any other Elles?”

“But she was at the party just now, downstairs. Bree left with her.” Panic gripped his heart. Exactly what was going on here?

“I haven’t yet told her that I know.”

“Why not?”

“We’re lovers.” Brock picked up a crystal tumbler and took a hearty draught of the gold liquid.

Gavin sank back in his chair. “Holy—”

“What surprises you more—the fact that I’m having an affair with my assistant or the fact that she’s a corporate spy?” He lifted a black brow and leveled his piercing blue gaze at Gavin.

“But why?”

“I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you’re asking why she was spying. You won’t believe this. She’s Athos Koteas’s granddaughter.”

Athos Koteas ran Golden Gate Promotions, Maddox’s long-time rival on the San Francisco ad scene. The enmity dated back decades and had intensified lately, since competition for good clients was tighter than ever. “You really think they sent her here to sabotage your business?”

“I know it. And I’ve been fool enough to give her access to all our files, even the most confidential, as well as my bed. She’s been undermining our operations and giving Golden Gate a top crack at all our clients for months.”

Gavin blew out a long, hard breath. “I assume you’re going to fire her.”

“Right now I don’t know what the hell to do.” His blue eyes glittered with pain. “You think you know someone, and then…” He rubbed a hand over his brow.

A curse fell from Gavin’s lips. “You know, I introduced Elle to Bree. They’ve even spent time together on the weekends. Now I’m worried she may have tricked Bree into something.” That might explain why Bree looked so tense earlier.

“I have no idea what kind of damage she’s done, and all the while I thought…” Brock growled. “I don’t know what I thought. Women. You’d better watch out, Gavin. You never quite know what’s going on in their minds.”

B
ree was pacing the apartment when Gavin arrived home shortly before midnight. Elle had tried to console her and convince her that Gavin was worth a second chance, but right now she was in too much pain to do anything but try to get through the night.

“Hi, Bree.” Gavin closed the door behind him. Tall and majestic in his dark suit, he looked as strikingly handsome as ever. Was that fair?

“Hi, Gavin.” Her voice cracked slightly, so she forced a bright smile. “How was the rest of the party?”

He frowned. “Very interesting. What exactly did you and Elle talk about after you left?”

She froze. Had Elle told Gavin that she knew about his deal with her father?

“I ask because Brock has discovered that Elle is the
spy at Maddox.” He threw his jacket down on a chair and marched into the room.

“What?” Bree’s head spun. The neat puzzle of her new life was breaking apart and she no longer had all the pieces.

“Brock had a private detective working in-house. He’s been tracking and tailing the staff for weeks, undercover as an account executive. A very bad account executive, I might add. I kept wondering why Brock didn’t fire him.” He pulled a soda from the fridge and popped it open. “Want one?”

“No,” she managed. “Elle is a crook?” Her voice came out high and squeaky.

“I don’t know if she’s broken any laws, but she’s certainly broken Brock’s trust.”

“But they’re…” She felt her face heat. Maybe Gavin didn’t know about Elle’s intimate relationship with Brock.

“Having an affair. He told me that, too. Maybe she planned it that way so he’d be less likely to suspect her.”

Bree found herself staggering backward to the sofa where she sat down heavily. Wearing high heels all the time was a bad idea when the world kept tilting beneath you. She blinked, conscious of the green contact lenses she never took out. It was hard work being Little Mrs. Perfect.

Especially when everyone you liked and trusted turned out to have an ulterior motive.

Gavin walked toward her. “Did she extract any information from you?”

“Elle?” Bree racked her brain. “I don’t think so. What kind of information might she have wanted?”

“About the Maddox accounts, I imagine.”

“I don’t know anything about them. How would I?”

He turned and paced across the room. “Could be she wants information about my new agency. I’m going to be more competition for Golden Gate. Did she ask about my plans?”

“She didn’t, but even if she had, I don’t know anything about them, either.” There was a trace of bitterness in her voice. He hadn’t mentioned his big plans to her until after he’d secured the funding for them by marrying her.

“True.” He shoved a hand through his dark hair, and she cursed the sting of arousal that heated her belly. “What kinds of things did you talk about?”

“Girl stuff.”
You.
“Nothing about business at all.”

“I suppose that’s something.” He took a swig of his soda. “Let’s put all this intrigue behind us and move on to more important things.”

Bree sat stiffly, wondering what they would be.

“First of all, we haven’t kissed since I came in the door.” He rose from the chair and before she could protest he’d picked her up off the sofa, whirled her around and planted a big, hot kiss on her lips that turned her insides upside down.

When he pulled back he was grinning. Breathless, heart pounding, Bree struggled to be put down. How could she still be aroused by him? Her nipples tightened and heat cascaded over her, settling between her thighs. She felt breathless and unsteady.

All because of a man who didn’t care one bit about her.

He set her down gently on her precarious heels. “The
really good news is that I have my first client. I got the call while I was at the party. Crieff Jewelers wants me to put together a campaign for them, to run in the top glossies.”

“That’s fantastic!” Bree couldn’t help the expression of genuine glee. How could she be happy for him after all she’d learned? “You’ve worked hard for it.” Marrying a virtual stranger was pretty hard work, after all.

“And I’d like you to be the photographer.”

Her heart leapt. “You’re kidding.”

“Not even a little bit. I’ve seen your work and you’re a top-notch talent.”

Bree blinked. Did he really admire her photography, or was that just part of the act? Surely he wouldn’t risk his first real client if he didn’t think her work was up to scratch.

Unless there wasn’t a real client and this was just a ruse to butter her up.

Crieff Jewelers, though. They were probably the most highbrow and expensive jeweler in the entire Bay area. The kind of place her dad would go for some custom cufflinks. And they were known for particularly sleek and eye-catching ad campaigns. Ideas and imagery began to dance in her mind.

But did Gavin really want her work, or just some free photos? She decided to put him to the test. “I’m a professional photographer. You’d have to pay me.” She shot him an arch smile.

Gavin looked slightly taken aback, but he took her hands and squeezed them. “Of course you’ll be paid. Ten thousand for the day’s shoot, an additional thousand for each hour after five. It’s the top rate at Maddox.” He
actually looked kind of anxious, as if he really wanted her to say yes.

“Then I’ll do it.” A smile flooded her face. How could she not be excited about an opportunity like this? It would be fun, however it came about. Something new and unexpected to add to her portfolio, and who knows, maybe a whole new direction for her budding photography career.

Gavin planted a soft kiss on her mouth that intensified the rush of feelings flooding through her. “We’re a great team, babe.”

Her heart sank. They were only a team as long as she could keep up this pretense of a happy marriage. Sooner or later the façade of wedded bliss would come crumbling down, and she had no idea how she’d extricate herself from that wreckage. His smile would certainly fade when she caused an embarrassing scandal asking for a divorce—if you even needed one after so little time. He wouldn’t pay her fee, either, after her ruthless father demanded his money back.

Bree jumped up from the table and ran for the bathroom as tears threatened. The worst part was, she dreaded the prospect of hurting him, of crushing his dreams the way he’d destroyed hers. She blotted her mascara with a tissue and sucked in a deep breath.
You’re supposed to be getting revenge, remember?

Bree beamed with excitement as Gavin welcomed the clients to the full-service photo studio they’d hired for the day. The team from Crieff, a man and a woman, were young and hip. They’d e-mailed Bree snapshots of some of the pieces, and she’d sent back sketches of ideas, which they’d loved. Two sleek models sat at the
other end of the studio, ready to wear the gems against an assortment of clingy black clothes Bree had borrowed from her new favorite boutique. The store had been happy to help, possibly because Bree had bought armfuls of clothing from them to augment her new image.

Gavin’s new assistant passed around mint tea and freshly made lemonade, as well as coffee while they chatted about Bree’s ideas. She felt oddly relaxed and professional. Having Gavin by her side, confident and beaming, didn’t hurt. Why did he have to be so darned…happy?

Then again, why wouldn’t he be? His big dream was coming true. It was hard not to share his exhilaration—she had to keep reminding herself she was just a pawn in his game.

She styled the models with the help of a professional hair stylist and a makeup artist, and took shot after shot. The results were fantastic—exactly what she hoped for—especially some rather arty black-and-white ones she talked them into, using real film instead of digital for a film-noir effect.

“She’s a genius. Where did you find her?” The man from Crieff slapped Gavin on the back as they looked at some proofs on a laptop.

“I’m a very lucky man. She’s my wife.” He grinned at Bree. She glowed for a moment before remembering why she was his wife—so he could be here, getting slapped on the back by clients.

It would probably be better if she’d never found out. Right now she’d be glowing with happiness while having the time of her life, working a professional photography job with the love of her life by her side.

Revenge be damned. She couldn’t live this lie any longer. It was time to tell Gavin she knew the truth.

“They loved the shots!” Gavin exclaimed, not for the first time, as they marched along Market Street after the shoot. Warm sunset tones lit up the old stone facades of the buildings.

“Yep. They seemed pretty happy.” A contented smile snuck across her face.

“You really should consider a career in advertising photography.” He squeezed her. They were walking along with their arms around each other, presenting a façade of wedded bliss for all to see.

“Maybe I will.”
Just not with you.

“You looked as if you were really enjoying the challenge. You did a fantastic job saying just the right thing to the models to get the look right. That’s not easy, you know.”

“It was fun. I could see myself doing some magazine work.” She tossed her curls. She really could! Despite its downside, this episode with Gavin had boosted her confidence in herself and her capabilities.

“I think this calls for a big celebration dinner, so I made reservations at my new favorite restaurant, Iago’s.” Iago’s was an especially fancy dining spot that Bree had heard her father talk about.

“Why not? Sounds like the perfect spot for a big-shot advertising company president to eat.”

“That’s what I’m thinking.” Gavin’s warm grin almost—almost—melted her resolve. Then she let the words of that overheard message replay in her head.
One million big ones.
That’s what their whole “romance” was really about.

It was time to put her plan into action, which required a few organizational steps. “I need to go home and change.”

“That’s okay, we’ve got forty-five minutes. I figured you’d want to freshen up. You’re such a stylish dresser.” His gray eyes drifted over the simple black pantsuit she’d worn.

Bree Kincannon, a stylish dresser. She had been, lately. How funny.

Panic snuck through her as she realized she needed him out of the house so she could pack her things and get the cats into their crates. “Gavin, would you do me a huge favor and pick up a box of prints from my dad’s house while I get changed?” That would take a good forty-five minutes, and he wouldn’t have time to come home. “Give me the address of the restaurant. I’ll meet you there.”

“Sure. Here it is.” He fished a sleek black matchbox out of his pocket, and handed it to her. She glanced at the address. Good, she could park in the public lot nearby.

She drew in a deep breath to steady her nerves. “It’s a big blue plastic box to the left of my desk. I can’t believe I forgot it.” She didn’t really need the box—her collection of prints that didn’t quite make the cut—but this was her chance to get some time alone. To plan her escape. Heck, maybe he’d even run into her dad and they could have a nice round of congratulations….

Right before she blew their nasty little plot out of the water.

Gavin escorted her into the city’s most exclusive new restaurant. Well-heeled diners, many in elegant evening
clothes, sat at tables decorated with fresh flowers. Golden light shone through a wall of windows with a lovely view over the water. His hand on her lower back guided her through the forest of floor length tablecloths to the table with the best view of all, on a tiny balcony jutting out toward the bay.

“You must know people to get this table,” she whispered.

“Only the best for my beautiful bride.”

Bree’s stomach clenched. This atmosphere of hushed refinement was hardly the place to make a scene. Maybe she’d better wait until they got home before she confronted him.

No, she had the whole thing planned. Her car was packed and her cats sitting quietly in their crates, with the windows cracked to give them air. She had a two-week supply of Ali’s medicine and Faith’s special food.

Terror unfurled inside her. Could she really do this? Just take off?

She drew in a deep, shaky breath, which caused her breasts to swell in the oh-so-stylish green dress she’d donned for the occasion. She wanted Gavin to remember her looking good, right before she brought the guillotine down on all his neat plans.

Gavin pulled back her seat, the perfect gentleman as always. She eased herself into it and spread the fine linen napkin on her lap. The waiter poured champagne and described the creative dishes on special.

“You were fantastic today.” Gavin rested a warm gaze on her face. If she hadn’t known better she’d think it was genuine admiration. “You had such an easy way with the clients. Some people are very nervous around them.”

“I was trained from an early age.” The heiress thing. She’d learned to converse comfortably with everyone from royalty to the staff, while mastering the alphabet. “Comes in handy sometimes.”

“And you were so calm, even though we all knew we had only one day for the shoot.”

“I knew we’d get it done.”

“I wish there were more photographers like you around.” He grinned and raised his glass. Why did he have to be so gorgeous? The smile sneaking across her mouth should be fake, but it wasn’t. She just couldn’t help it. Gavin was infuriatingly likeable.

“Why, so you could hire them instead of me?” She raised a brow and winked.

“Why do that, when I can keep it all in the family?” He reached across the table and she gave him her hand. “Isn’t it just too perfect?”

“Yes, it’s just too perfect.” She struggled to keep emotion out of her voice.

Gavin’s eyes sparkled with excitement about his new venture, not passion for her. Everything was too neat and pretty and nice to be real.

Because, of course, it wasn’t.

The waiter served the artfully prepared appetizers. Bree picked up her fork, but her stomach was not interested in food and anxiety boiled in her gut.

Now. Tell him now.

But how could she, when he beamed with such pure happiness? She was usually the one to smooth everything over and soothe the proverbial troubled waters. She preferred to ease hurt feelings and make everyone feel better—even at her own expense. She was good old Bree, who you could always count on in a crunch.