“When are you finally going to get excited about this wedding?” Nora Stewart asked her daughter as the limousine drove them to the bridal gown shop. “You do realize it’s only a couple of weeks away? I can’t believe you’ve pushed back getting a dress this long. You’re going to have very little time for alterations. Thank God Gage said money was no object because it’s going to cost a fortune to turn it around this fast.”
“I know, Mother,” Fallon said, clenching her teeth. The woman had been on a tirade since the moment they’d gotten in the vehicle, talking about flowers and centerpieces and the like. Fallon didn’t care. It didn’t mean anything because she wasn’t marrying for love. This was an expedient marriage, a marriage of convenience. It wasn’t some grand love story.
“Then act like it,” her mother responded. “When we go into the bridal shop, you’d better act like the giddy bride. I won’t have you embarrassing me with your somber mood.”
“Duly noted.” Fallon stared out the window. Heaven forbid she embarrass her mother in front of Austin’s society ladies. She knew that’s why Nora had chosen this particular store. It’s where everyone went when they wanted a one-of-a-kind, jaw-dropping dress. And she was sure Nora wanted the same for her daughter.
When they arrived, they were immediately greeted by a sophisticated saleswoman. The blonde looked every bit the fashionista in a crepe sheath and Manolo Blahniks. She ushered them to a private area complete with a three-way mirror, pedestal and plush sofa. A bottle of Dom Pérignon was already chilling in a bucket nearby.
As her maid of honor, Shana was already waiting for them on the sofa. “Hey, cuz.” She rushed over to give Fallon a hug and then glanced at Nora. “Auntie.” Shana’s new look consisted of kinky twists that hit her shoulders, a cold-shoulder top and ripped jeans. Fallon was sure her mother was horrified at her niece’s appearance.
“Shana.” Her mother was not a fan of Fallon’s opinionated cousin and had no qualms about showing it. She left them to speak with the staff, allowing Shana to pull Fallon in for a private word.
“How are you doing, cuz?”
“I’m fine.”
Shana stared at her. “Are you sure? You’re marrying a man you hardly know. And you’ve allowed your mother to hijack the whole wedding like it’s her own.”
“It’s fine,” Fallon replied. “I told Nora she could plan to her heart’s content.”
“Because the wedding means nothing to you?” Shana asked. “It might not in theory, but it is legal and binding.”
“I’m aware of that, Shana.”
“I don’t know if you are.” Shana shook her head. “I think you’re in way over your head on this one, Fallon. When I mentioned Gage to you, I thought you’d get a loan from him. Not go off and marry him.”
Fallon shrugged. “What can I say? I like to live dangerously.”
“Yeah, you must. Because Gage Campbell is dangerous to your well-being.”
Fallon sighed. “You realize you sound ridiculous, Shana. Gage would never hurt me.”
Shana folded her arms across her chest. “Maybe not physically, but he could emotionally. I know the huge crush you carried for this dude. Remember, I listened to you wax poetic about this man for years. And you’re not like me, moving from man to man. Once you guys have sex, it’s going to be a game changer.”
“I may not have your vast experience, but I am capable of guarding my heart.”
“You’d better be.”
The saleswoman came over and interrupted their conversation. “Are you ready to find the dress of your dreams?”
Fallon feigned a smile. “Absolutely.”
An hour later Fallon stood on the pedestal staring at herself in the three-way mirror. The wedding dress was everything she never thought she wanted. A shimmering tulle bodice accented in intricate beaded patterns trailed into a voluminous glitter tulle ball gown. Then there were the beaded spaghetti straps gliding from the sweetheart neckline to a sexy V-back with its crystal buttons.
The salesperson added another touch—illusion open-shoulder sleeves accented in beaded lace motifs—and the look was complete. Fallon was a princess.
“She’s stunning,” her mother cried from the sofa. “This is the one.”
Nora had had Fallon try on nearly a dozen dresses before the beleaguered saleswoman had brought out this confection. Nora was right. This was the one.
“For once, I’m going to have to agree with Auntie,” Shana said. “You’ve found your dress, Fallon. You look beautiful.”
Fallon smiled genuinely for the first time all day. The wedding hadn’t seemed real until this very moment. Until she was standing in this fairy-tale gown.
“Are you saying yes to the dress?” the saleswoman asked.
Tears sprung to her eyes and all Fallon could do was nod. She was just so overwhelmed and remained that way during the ride home as she tuned out her mother’s nonstop chatter about how the dress would look lovely with the flowers she’d chosen. She was getting married. To Gage. Suddenly, Fallon wanted out of the limo as quickly as humanly possible. She was thankful when her mother exited after a quick kiss on her cheek.
Once she made it to her cottage, she went to her bedroom and fell across the bed. It was happening. She was going to be a wife. Gage’s wife. His lover.
The implications were finally hitting home when her cell rang. It was Gage, as if he had ESP.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Hey, how’d it go today? Did you find a dress?”
“Yes.”
He chuckled. “Are you not going to give me any more than that? No hint? Nothing?”
“I’m sorry. You’re going to have to wait until the wedding day.”
“Thank God that’s only two weeks away. This is the longest month of my life. All the anticipation is driving me crazy.”
Fallon sat upright. “Really?”
“Isn’t it for you? Aren’t you tired of waiting? Don’t you want to know if we’ll live up to the hype?”
“From what I’ve experienced thus far, I imagine you’re a very good lover,” Fallon responded, priding herself on keeping her cool as they discussed their soon-to-be sex life with such casualness.
“I wasn’t looking for a compliment,” Gage murmured.
“Of course not.” Fallon was sure he was very confident in his sexual prowess.
“But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to the day when you’re my wife in every sense of the word.”
When they ended the call, Fallon realized she was thinking the exact same thing.
* * *
The day of their wedding came much quicker than Fallon would have liked. It seemed as if she’d been trying on dresses with her mother and Shana only yesterday. But the day was finally here and she was a nervous wreck.
She woke up that morning in the Fairmont—where the wedding was being held—with a knot in the pit of her stomach. Was she doing the right thing? Logically, she knew that she’d done what she’d had to. Stewart Technologies and its employees depended on her making the right decision. Yet intuitively she knew today would change everything.
“Good morning.” Her mother flitted into the room with a tray. “I’ve come bearing gifts.” She approached Fallon and put the tray on the bed. “I have some tea and toast for you. Don’t want you to bloat. And some cucumber slices for your eyes.” She glanced at Fallon. “You did get some rest last night?”
Fallon nodded but she was lying. It had been hard to sleep. She’d been on pins and needles during the rehearsal dinner, afraid of some sort of outburst. How could she not be? Gage’s mother had had to face her parents, the people who’d fired her and run her off the estate. Grace couldn’t be happy her son was marrying the daughter of the man she surely despised. It was awkward to say the least.
Nonetheless, Nora acted as if it was water under the bridge and carried on as lady of the manor as she always did on such occasions. And if Fallon had wanted to confide in her cousin, that had been impossible because Shana had kept a steady drink in her hand all night while flirting with Theo, Gage’s best man.
As for her fiancé, Gage had been surprisingly stalwart all evening. He’d kept his hands to himself the entire night and only showed signs of affection when he thought someone was watching. He wasn’t his usual amorous self and it didn’t help her mood. When the night finally ended, Gage had walked her to her suite and placed a quick peck on her forehead before leaving.
Was he regretting asking her to marry him?
Was that why she was having second thoughts this morning?
Fallon attempted to eat the toast, but it tasted dry in her mouth so she sipped on some tea while she slipped into her robe. One of Austin’s top hair stylists and makeup artists would be here within the hour to begin working on Shana’s, Nora’s and Fallon’s makeup for the big day. She wouldn’t have much time to herself after that.
A knock sounded on the door and Shana walked in wearing sunglasses. “Rough morning?” Fallon asked.
“Yeah, you could say that,” Shana murmured, snatching off her glasses. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.” Fallon turned her back so her cousin couldn’t read her true emotions. She busied herself with pulling out the new lingerie she’d purchased for the day. She was sure Gage would appreciate the silky, lacy pieces of fabric when he unbuttoned her.
“Fallon, are you sure?” Shana asked, touching her shoulder. “You don’t have to do this. There’s still time to change your mind.”
“It’s normal to have second thoughts,” her mother interjected, apparently having overheard their conversation. “I had them when I married your father, but ultimately I knew I was making the right decision. And you are, too, Fallon. You’re going to have an amazing life. With a husband as successful as Gage, anything you want will be at your fingertips.”
“I thought you didn’t like him,” Fallon responded evenly.
Her mother chuckled. “I admit he isn’t the man I would have chosen for you. But surprisingly he’s done quite well for himself, so I have no reservations. Though I doubt Grace agrees. Did you see the evil eye she gave me last night? It was positively wretched.”
Of course Nora would take Fallon’s wedding day anxiety and make it about her. “Thank you, Mother. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to shower before the dream team arrives.”
Fallon quickly rushed off before Shana could say more. Too many thoughts were whirling through her head and she needed some breathing room.
* * *
“Are you sure you want to marry her, son?” Grace Campbell asked as she fixed Gage’s tie and straightened the lapels of his custom-made tuxedo.
He was surprised she’d come. He thought she’d boycott the ceremony altogether, but she was here supporting him, so he tried to be gentle in his response. “We’ve already discussed this, Mother. I have my reasons.” Did she notice he hadn’t said love?
She eyed him warily. “I don’t know, Gage. I feel like you’re not being truthful with me and there’s more to this story. I mean, you tell me you’re getting married to the woman who caused us so much misery?”
“She was sixteen when it happened, Mama.”
“True, but old enough to know right from wrong, Gage. And she willfully lied about you and cost me my job. Have you honestly forgotten how hard it was for us back then?”
“Of course not.”
“Then how can you do this?” She folded her arms across her chest, waiting for his answer.
“Trust me, okay, Mama?” He unfolded her arms and grasped her small hands in his. They weren’t as pitiful and worn with cracks and calluses as they’d once been. When he’d made his first million, he’d made sure his mother never had to work another day in her life. “I know what I’m doing.”
“I hope you do. Because if this is about revenge, it won’t change the past. We have to make our peace with it. And apparently I have to make mine today as I make nice with the Stewarts and watch my only son marry their daughter.”
“I don’t know if I will ever be at peace after how you and I were both treated, but I’ve put some measures in place that will settle the score between our families.” Theo walked in, breaking up their mother-son moment. “A word, Gage.”
Gage nodded. “Be right back, Mama.” He left her in the suite and closed the door behind him because he didn’t like the look on Theo’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“I ran into Shana in the corridor.”
“And?”
“She mentioned Fallon was having second thoughts.”
“Second thoughts?” Anger blazed through him. “On our wedding day? Fallon had weeks to change her mind. Does she honestly think she can humiliate me and leave me standing at the altar? Where is she?”
“Gage.” Theo placed a sobering hand on his arm. “Maybe it’s best if you take a minute to cool down.”
Gage shrugged his hand off. “Like hell I will. I will not be made a fool of again.”
“I’m told she’s still in her suite.”
Gage wasted no time storming toward the elevator bank. He and Fallon were staying on separate floors to prevent him from seeing her before the ceremony. But he couldn’t care less about some stupid superstition. He was acting now. He jabbed the elevator button for the top floor and waited.
His nostrils flared when he thought about Fallon backing out. He simply wouldn’t have it. She would marry him. He would not have his plans thwarted, not when he was so close.
The elevator arrived and he jumped in. Within minutes, he was knocking on her door. Shana answered and he must have looked thunderous because she immediately backed away. “Where is she?” Gage bellowed.
Shana pointed to the bedroom.
He stalked to the master bedroom and found Fallon seated in front of the mirror with several women surrounding her. She must have heard his voice because she turned and looked behind her. Her face blanched when she saw him.
“It’s not good luck for you to see the bride,” one of the women objected. But he didn’t see them. His focus was on Fallon.
“Leave us,” he ordered.
The women glanced at Fallon and she nodded her acquiescence, so they left the room, closing the door behind them.
Damn it. She was stunning with her hair in a mass of pinned-up honey-blond curls. And her face? Well, that was a work of art. Whoever those women were, they knew how to accentuate her best features—her high cheekbones, hazel-gray eyes and pouty lips.
“Are you having second thoughts?” he asked, his eyes never leaving her face. He was afraid to move closer because he feared he’d toss her on the bed and strip her naked and make her agree to be his.
She stared at him for several beats and he wondered if she was going to be stubborn and not answer him. “Yes,” she finally replied.
“Then perhaps this will make you reconsider.” He pulled out the check he was giving her to save Stewart Technologies and handed it to her.
Fallon stared down at the figure. “I—I thought you weren’t giving this to me until we were married.”
“I’m not. I’m showing you I’ve kept up my end of the bargain. In my hands I have the means to save your company from ruin. Are you honestly going to turn your back on the men and women at the barbecue who depend on you, all because you’re afraid to be my wife, my lover? You told me you cared about them and their well-being.”
Fire flashed in her eyes. “That’s not fair. I do care.”
“Then prove it. Marry me.”
Fallon turned and faced the mirror. He approached to stand right behind her where he could see her reaction. Her eyes were cloudy and he couldn’t read her expression. “Fallon, you have a choice. You’ve always had a choice. Save your company. Or not. The decision is yours.”
He turned on his heel and started for the door but she called out after him. “What are you going to do?”
Gage didn’t turn around. “I’m going to walk down that aisle as I expect you to.” He glanced at his watch. “In an hour.”
Gage left the suite. Once he was outside, he leaned against the wall. He didn’t know what he was more afraid of. That Fallon wouldn’t walk down the aisle. Or that she would.