“Things are going to be fine.” Ethan reached for Kayla’s hand and squeezed it as they made their way to the front door of the Adams family mansion on Saturday evening.
“It’s because of you that I’m in this mess,” Kayla said, removing her hand from his grasp. She had spent the day at a hotel room, in part to hide from her family and their sad eyes and also because she’d needed time to get a hold of herself. After she’d left Ethan’s last night, she’d been an emotional wreck. Did he have any idea what he was doing to her? The effect he had on her?
Ethan sighed. So they were back to sniping at each other even after their romantic dinner last night.
“It’s because of me that your business will be saved,” he said, trying to maintain an even tone.
“Don’t remind me.” She was making the ultimate sacrifice to protect her family legacy. Kayla used her key to open the front door. She stood in the hallway afraid to move. Ethan closed the door behind them.
“Well, you look beautiful,” Ethan stated. The moment she’d come over to his estate that evening, he’d admired the sheath dress she was wearing. He loved the simplicity of the dress and how it clung to her curvy figure without revealing too much. Kayla would make the perfect wife.
“Thanks.” Kayla looked back and forth down the hall.
“They do know we’re coming, right?” Ethan nearly bumped into her when she tried to move out of view of the hallway.
Kayla shook her head. “No. I just told them I was calling a family meeting.”
“So I’m walking into the lion’s den?” Ethan commented.
Kayla turned around to face him. “Don’t tell me you’re scared?” She laughed tritely. “I didn’t think the great Ethan Graham would be afraid of anyone.”
Ethan paused. He wasn’t looking forward to incurring Byron’s wrath, but there was no avoiding it. Eventually he said, “I’m not afraid.”
Kayla wasn’t sure she believed him, but she didn’t have time to hold his hand. She had to go into the family room and tell her father, her family, that she was marrying the enemy. What hurt the most was that she would be disappointing her father. But what choice did she have? She would do anything to save his life’s work, even if it meant making a deal with the devil. “Let’s go.” Kayla stalked toward the family-room door.
“You’re going to do what?” her father yelled, minutes later after she revealed she was engaged to Ethan. “Over my dead body!”
“Byron, please!” her mother cried, grabbing his arm.
“Elizabeth.” He pointed to his beloved wife. “My daughter will not marry that man.” Her father jumped off the couch and came walking toward Kayla with such fury in his eye that Ethan stepped in between them. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Graham? Do you honestly think I would harm my own child? That might be something your father might have done, but not me. Now move aside.”
“Byron!” Her mother was horrified by her father’s comment. “Was that really necessary?”
Both men were over six feet and within each other’s eyesight, and Kayla hoped this wouldn’t become a brawl. “Sir, I know you would never hurt Kayla, but I would be remiss if I did not protect my future bride.”
“Your future bride?” Her father’s eyes flashed with outrage. “Like hell!”
“Kayla, why are you doing this?” Shane finally spoke. He’d been stunned into silence at their sudden announcement and had to sit on the couch. “I thought you said you had no feelings for this man.”
“I lied,” Kayla said under Shane’s steady scrutiny. The only way her family would accept this story is if she made it believable. “You all know I’ve had a crush on this irresistible man since I was a teenager.” Kayla grabbed Ethan’s arm for effect and stared up at him lovingly.
“But you’re a grown woman now, and you’d made it clear that you’d outgrown your schoolgirl crush,” Shane added.
“I was wrong,” Kayla replied. “Ethan and I have been seeing each other since he returned to Atlanta.”
“What did I miss?” Courtney asked as she rushed into the room. She’d been late to the foray as usual. Courtney grabbed a glass of champagne sitting on the coffee table.
“Ethan and Kayla are engaged,” Shane answered.
Courtney spit out her champagne and had to wipe the residue from her mouth with the back side of her hand. “Say what?”
“It’s true.” Kayla nodded in agreement.
“Listen, Mr. Adams, you know I respect you…” Ethan began.
“Then don’t insult my intelligence that my daughter has suddenly fallen head over heels for you,” Byron said, “and tell me the truth.” He turned to Kayla. “What does he have on you?”
Tears blinded Kayla’s eyes and choked her voice, forcing her to move away. “Daddy, please.” She rushed over to a nearby ottoman. She was feeling weak in the knees at deceiving her family.
Ethan could see Kayla faltering so he came and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Kayla is with me of her own free will,” he responded. “I knew Kayla had feelings for me as a teenager, but she was much too young for me to act on them.” Then Ethan went in for the kill. “But that hasn’t been the case now. Kayla and I have been sharing a bed for weeks.” Ethan heard Kayla’s sharp intake of breath at his audacity, but he continued, “Isn’t that right, Courtney? You saw us making out at the Atlanta Steeplechase event.”
All eyes turned to Courtney for confirmation. Courtney nodded. “It’s true, Daddy. I caught Ethan and Kayla kissing in the stables weeks ago.”
“And that day in your office?” Shane stared at Kayla. “I knew I had interrupted you two during the middle of something, but I never imagined…” His voice trailed off and he ran his fingers through his curly fro.
“All right. You’re lovers,” her father said. “I can accept that.” He pushed past Ethan and kneeled down in front of Kayla who was sitting on the ottoman. “But you don’t have to do this, Kayla. You don’t have to marry the man. If you need to get over the schoolgirl fantasy you had over him, then do it, but baby girl, please don’t tie yourself to this man for life.”
“It’s more than that, Daddy. We share a love of business, which is why—” Kayla stood up and faced her family “—I have signed an agreement which will allow Graham International to purchase the thirty-seven and a half shares, currently on the market, in addition to thirteen of my shares.”
“Kayla, no!” Her mother shook her head in despair.
“That means, you’ll have over 50 percent.” Byron rose from his knees and glared at Ethan. “Making you majority shareholder and in control of Adams Cosmetics.”
“That is correct, sir.”
“So this was your scheme all along, wasn’t it?” Byron asked. “Get my daughter to fall for you so she could turn over our family business to you.”
“Daddy, you make me sound gullible and naive.”
“Enough, girl!” Her father held up his hand. “I hope you’re happy, Graham. You finally were able to get revenge for your father because I left GI and started my own cosmetics firm which is ten times better than anything GI has ever done. And now you got your grubby hands on my company. I hope you choke on it.” Her father stormed out, leaving her mother crying in her handkerchief. Shane walked to the bar and poured himself a whiskey.
Only Courtney came up to congratulate them, or so Kayla thought. “Congratulations, sis!” She gave Kayla a hug and whispered, “I hope you know what you’re doing, because you just broke our father’s heart.” And with that comment, she walked over to their mother on the couch and escorted her out.
“Shane.” Kayla looked to her brother, but he just shook his head and went out the side door to the terrace. Seconds later, she heard glass shattering on the concrete.
“Ohmigod, what have I done?” Kayla began crying uncontrollably.
“In time, they will understand,” Ethan said, pulling her into his arms. “In time they will see that you did what you had to, to save this family.” But Kayla was hearing none of it, she was just sobbing in his arms. A feeling deep in Ethan’s gut took over him. He didn’t recognize it at first, but then he realized he wanted to protect her, to shelter her from harm and ensure no one ever hurt her again.
When had that happened? Marrying Kayla was supposed to be about business, about creating a partnership between two successful people and merging her niche company with his conglomerate. Or so he’d told himself. When had he begun developing feelings for this woman? He didn’t know when it had happened, but it had, and now he wanted to do right by her.
“I promise you, Kayla. I promise you I will make this right.”
“Wow!” Piper was shocked. “You and Ethan engaged! I never saw that coming.” When Kayla had asked to have a girls’ lunch the next afternoon on the spur of the moment, Piper had definitely not expected to hear that news. “And you’re getting married? Did I miss a step somewhere?”
Kayla shook her head. “No, you haven’t.”
“Then what? How did this all come about?”
“I was backed into a corner,” Kayla replied honestly. Piper was the only person she could confide in. “That’s how.”
Piper threw her head back and laughed. “That doesn’t sound like the Kayla I know. How did Ethan manage that feat?”
“This isn’t funny, Piper.”
“Okay, okay. Take it from the top.”
“Well, you know I told you we shared a moment at the premiere where we almost kissed.”
“Yes. I remember.”
“Well, I went to Ethan’s house to tell him that I wasn’t interested and before I knew what was happening, we were kissing. That’s when Ethan got it into his head that he wanted me.”
“I don’t see how that’s necessarily a bad thing. It has been a while since someone’s evoked that kind of passion in you.”
“Thanks a lot, Piper.” Kayla rolled her eyes, but she continued, “Anyway, he came to me with a proposition.”
“Which was?” Piper reached for her drink and took a large gulp.
“Graham International would invest the money necessary in exchange for my marrying Ethan.”
Piper nearly choked on her drink and coughed several times. Once she’d composed herself, she asked, “Ethan wants you for himself and in exchange he saves your family company? Admittedly, his method is over the top, but I admire a man who goes after what he wants, and clearly that’s you.”
“At what expense?” Kayla inquired. She brushed away a hot tear. “My whole family is against this marriage. And they weren’t too happy to hear I sold Ethan their shares and mine to make him majority shareholder.”
Piper nodded. “There is that.”
“Piper, you know my family means the world to me. To go against their wishes—”
“You mean against your father’s wishes.”
“Same difference.”
“No, it’s not.” Piper stared at her best friend. “You have always been your father’s daughter, so I know it’s killing you to be at odds with him.”
Kayla gulped hard and tears spilled down her cheeks. “You have no idea. This morning at breakfast, my father wouldn’t even look at me. I couldn’t bear it anymore, so I called you. I needed someone to help talk me through this. Everything is happening too fast. My head is spinning.”
“Like your feelings for Ethan, bubbling to the surface?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Kayla, to be honest with you,” Piper said, “I don’t think you’ve ever gotten over the man. You’ve never really given any other man a real chance, because they didn’t compare to Ethan.”
“That’s not true,” Kayla replied, shaking her head furiously even though deep down she knew Piper was right. “What about Ayden?”
“As soon as things got serious and Ayden mentioned marriage, you used work as an excuse. And now that Ethan has shown genuine interest in you, you’re scared to death.”
“Am not.” She didn’t like that Piper could read her so accurately. She was scared. She was scared of the feelings that Ethan brought out in her. She didn’t consider herself a wanton woman, but every time she was around him, she felt like she was on fire.
“Liar!” Piper called her out. “You do realize what marrying the man will entail.”
“I do,” Kayla responded, “which is why I have a proviso.”
“Which is?”
“That our marriage is in name only.”
“You mean no sex?” Piper asked, then threw her head back and laughed again. “Exactly who would that benefit? You would both be miserable and sexually frustrated.”
“If we never consummate it, after some time has passed I can have it annulled. Adams Cosmetics would be solvent by then.”
“And you don’t think Ethan Graham hasn’t thought of every scenario? He doesn’t strike me as the type not to have all his bases covered.”
“Well, maybe he has never met his match before.”
“Those are big words, Kay. I hope things work out how you hope.”
“I can’t believe the lengths you’ve gone to protect this family,” Shane said from the doorway of her office midweek. He’d taken time to let the news of Kayla’s engagement to Ethan settle, but it still stuck in his craw.
“What are you talking about?” Kayla looked up from the speech she was preparing that would announce the merger of Adams Cosmetics with Graham International.
Shane walked toward her. His misgivings were increasing by the minute. “I know what you’re doing, sis. You don’t have to put up a front with me. You might have to do it for Dad and Mom, but not me. I know you.”
Kayla’s eyes welled up with tears and her younger brother came over to embrace her, but she shook her head. “Shane, don’t. You will ruin my makeup for the press conference.”
“And we have plenty of makeup artists that can repair it for you. So let’s sit for a minute.” Shane grabbed her hand and forced her to sit with him on the couch. “So you sacrifice yourself to save this family by marrying Ethan? Kay, this is above and beyond the call of duty. We don’t expect you to give up your life for us, for this company.”
“I’m not.” Kayla said the words but avoided looking in Shane’s hazel eyes, afraid he would see the truth.
“You are merging Adams Cosmetics with Graham International, the corporate goliath you vowed we’d never be a part of, and on top of that you’re marrying the man you claim you no longer have feelings for. And you say you’re not giving up your life? I beg to differ.”
Kayla hung her head low. “Wow! When you put it like that, it makes it seem like not only am I giving up my life but sacrificing my principles, too.”
Shane shrugged. “If the shoe fits.” When Kayla sniffed, he wrapped his muscular arms around her shoulders. “Listen, kid. I may not agree with your method, but no matter what, we’re still family, and I will always be here to support you.”
“Me, too.” Courtney had suddenly appeared in her office. She stood stalwartly in her Dior suit, poised for battle. Where had she come from? Had they decided to double-team her?
Kayla and Shane both stood up and Courtney joined them in a group hug. “You have always got us,” Courtney said, and Kayla immediately felt better. She didn’t see Ethan step away from her doorway.
Ethan stood outside of Kayla’s office, amazed at the family solidarity Kayla’s siblings were presenting. Despite how they’d felt days ago, when she’d announced their engagement and the company merger, they still vowed to stand by her side. He doubted Carter Graham would have done the same for him. He would have disowned him. He guessed that’s why he’d always wanted to be part of the Adams family. And now he would be.
Shane came walking out moments later and noticed Ethan standing there. “Ethan.” He nodded.
“Shane, I’m glad to see you’re here for Kayla. She was upset the other night when everyone walked out on her.”
“Well, that’s what families do, Ethan. We may argue and maybe even yell, but we stand together. So let me give you a piece of advice if you want to make it in this family.” Shane came closer to face Ethan and whispered, “Don’t ever try to come between Kayla and her family again. Otherwise, you’ll find you’ll remain an outsider and that’s not a pleasant place to be. I’ll see you at the conference.” Shane gave him a salute.
Ethan watched Shane walk away. He had no intention of coming between Kayla and the Adamses again, but she was about to become his wife and possibly the mother of his children one day, so he would not be pushed aside like he didn’t exist. He would make his presence known.
“Are you sure you’re ready to do this?” Courtney asked from the other side of the wall. “Because if you want to make a run for it, I know a quick exit.”
“There will be no running,” Ethan said from the doorway with his arms folded across his chest. “Kayla knows what’s at stake.”
Courtney spun on her heel. “This was a private conversation between me and my sister.”
“Then you should have closed the door,” Ethan replied.
Courtney glared at him. She turned around and squeezed Kayla’s shoulder. “Come downstairs to hair and makeup and I’ll have Viola touch you up, okay?” She wiped a stray smudge off Kayla’s face.
“Okay. Thanks.” Courtney held up her fist and Kayla gave her a fist bump before she left her office.
“If looks could kill, I would be dead as a doorknob with the look your sister just gave me.”
“Honestly, what did you expect, for them to be your biggest fan?” She gave him a brutal and unfriendly stare.
“Wow!” Ethan held up his hands at the hostility emanating off Kayla. Where was the pliable woman he had kissed and who had been putty in his hands? “A little less sarcasm, fiancée, would be nice.”
“C’mon, Ethan.” Kayla buttoned up her suit jacket and smoothed down her skirt. “We are not the average couple. Never will be. Which is why I’d like to suggest an addendum to your proposal.” She walked to her office door and promptly shut it so they could have some privacy.
Ethan stepped back and leaned against Kayla’s desk so he could watch her sashay back over to him. He loved the way her hips moved when she walked. “What did you have in mind?”
“I want a platonic marriage.” Kayla cut right to the point. “In name only.”
“Hell no!” Ethan roared, standing up straight.
“You haven’t heard my argument,” Kayla began, maintaining her composure at his outburst. “I am willing to turn my head to any dalliances you may wish to have.”
“And you would expect me to do the same no doubt?” Ethan mocked.
“I suppose, yes.” Though Kayla couldn’t foresee any man making her feel quite the way Ethan did. It was why she didn’t want to become intimate with him. If he had her off-kilter with a kiss and a few caresses, imagine what the full-court press would feel like? She might lose herself, lose her edge and then he would really have her where he wanted her—in and out of bed.
“You really don’t want to share a bed with me?” Ethan asked, coming to her and circling his arms around her waist. “Is making love with me really such a repulsive thought?”
Kayla hated that her heart was beating fast at being in his arms again. “Let me go.” She struggled to get out of his firm grasp, but Ethan wasn’t budging.
Ethan leaned down until his head was inches from hers. “Not a chance, my dear. It will be my way or no way.”
“Why are you doing this?” Kayla asked frantically. “You’re getting what you wanted all along, and that’s Adams Cosmetics. Why do I have to be part of the bargain?”
Ethan smiled devilishly. “You’re an added bonus.” Kayla went to slap him, but Ethan caught her hand and put it behind her back. “Oh, someone’s feisty today.”
“I hate you,” Kayla said. Not only did he have a hold on her financially but physically.
“You may hate me now,” Ethan said, “but when I have you moaning out my name in a few weeks you will feel differently.” He swooped down to take her lips with expertise and began thoroughly exploring her mouth. He savored every honeyed crevice and dipped his tongue deeper for a taste of her sweet nectar. She was addictive.
Kayla hated that she succumbed to the domination of his lips. He had a tantalizingly persuasive method of getting her to acquiesce to him, and her traitoress body gave in every time. When he finally lifted his head, Kayla used the opportunity to move away. “All you’ve proven is that my body is not indifferent to you, Ethan. So you can have it, but you will never have my heart.”
As they stood as a united front announcing their engagement and the merger to the rest of the world, Kayla’s cold words stayed with Ethan.
Ethan didn’t know why it bothered him so much that she would freely give her body to him, but her heart was off-limits. He’d never intended the union to be more than a marriage between two passionate individuals who shared a love of the same thing: big business. So why did he feel like he had to win her heart, too? Because…ever since he’d first seen Kayla again, he’d felt strong feelings for her, feelings he’d thought he’d buried years ago, feelings he was having a hard time ignoring.
“Everyone always thought you’d be the perennial bachelor, and this engagement is quite sudden, Mr. Graham,” one reporter commented, cutting into his thoughts. “Is this a marriage of love or convenience?”
Kayla couldn’t or didn’t speak at that moment. It was obvious to everyone, including the press, that it was the latter, but Ethan refuted it.
“Sorry to disappoint you.” Ethan came forward to the microphone. “But this marriage is one of love.” He turned back and glanced at Kayla. “Kayla and I have known each other since we were kids. And there’s always been something there, but we never acted on it until now.”
“A source in the cosmetics industry says that Adams Cosmetics is crumbling financially. Does this have anything to do with the quick engagement?”
“Would your source happen to come from their competitor, Jax Cosmetics? If so, they would be misinformed.” Ethan could feel Kayla tense at his side at the mere mention of the Jacksons. “I am more than happy to help my fiancée’s family company and my board is in agreement that Adams Cosmetics is a good fit for Graham International. As you know, we already have a small cosmetics division, which Byron Adams used to be a part of.”
“And you will be merging the two?”
“Absolutely,” Ethan answered. “Kayla will be helming both divisions to ensure a smooth transition, but make no mistake, Adams Cosmetics is the main line.” He glanced at Kayla, hoping that hearing the news would make her feel better, but her expression was blank. He had no intention of dismantling Adams Cosmetics. Instead, he intended to utilize her knowledge to help boost the other line.
“Thank you all for coming.” Michael came to the microphone. “I’m sure you’ll all be surprised with what Adams Cosmetics has in store for you in the future.”
“I hope you’re happy now,” Kayla said as she walked forward and circled her arms around Ethan’s waist. He watched Kayla put on a fake smile so the press could take a picture of them as a happy couple. He knew he had a long way to go if he ever intended to win her heart.