The Tycoon's Socialite Bride (Entangled Indulgence) by Tracey Livesay Read Free Book Online Page A

of them the Washington Monument glowed in the distance.
    She stretched out her legs. “Why is this so important to you?”
    He didn’t want to get into his background or his history with Holcombe. “Does it matter?”
    “I guess not. It just seems like a lot to go through for a hotel.”
    “Some might say the same about a building for a women’s shelter.”
    Her laugh was too enthusiastic for the comment.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “Something my friend Shelly said about attractive people and real estate.”
    Warmth flooded him and he slid her a sideways glance. “You think I’m attractive?”
    She winced and color bloomed on her cheeks. She ignored his question.
    Moving on, he asked, “Should I send the contract to your house or will you stop by the office?”
    “The prenup? I’ll give you the name of my attorney.”
    “Okay, but I wasn’t talking about the prenup. I’m referring to our reasons for this marriage. A written representation of what we’ve agreed to verbally.”
    Her eyes widened, her mouth going slack. “You can’t be serious?”
    “I don’t enter into any business relationship without a contract.”
    “There’s a first time for everything.”
    “Why is this an issue?”
    “If you want David to believe our marriage is real, a contract detailing our motivations will have the opposite effect.”
    “No one will find out. Carter will be discreet.”
    “While other little girls fell asleep listening to fairy tales, I heard in-depth accountings of Watergate and the Whitewater scandal. These schemes are always discovered. I guarantee a contract will come back to haunt us.”
    “You’re comparing our little deal to two of the biggest presidential scandals in our nation’s history?”
    “I know this world.”
    He stared at her. “You want me to trust you?”
    “Why not? I’ll have to trust you .”
    What she was suggesting ran counter to every business instinct he possessed. Her gaze was steady, her green eyes clear. Something shifted in his stomach. Again. “Okay, no contract.”
    “I’ll send you the information for the gala,” she said, rising to her feet.
    What just happened? Had he really just agreed to forsake a written contract?
    He offered her his arm and she slid her hand into the crook of his elbow. They descended the steps and walked in silence to the waiting car.
    After he opened the car door for her, she turned to him and said, “We’ll give you a ride back to Cahill’s.”
    “That’s all right. I’ll take a cab.”
    He removed her hand from his elbow and cupped it in his own, then ran his thumb over the velvet texture of her skin, intrigued by the surprising beauty of their contrasting skin tones.
    He’d failed miserably trying to convince himself this evening was about business. Still, even knowing the danger he was courting, he couldn’t let the night end with only a handshake. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers. The kiss lasted only a moment. Heat flooded his body and he wanted more of her, but instead stepped back.
    Her lashes flew upward, revealing wide eyes and dilated pupils. Her mouth slightly open, she took a step toward him, then bit her lip, spun back, and climbed into the dark interior.
    He watched the glowing taillights fade in the distance.
    Would he regret going down this path to get the Holcombe? This woman had the potential to demolish his plans—a human wrecking ball. Was he making a huge mistake?

Chapter Six
    Marcus strode into the foyer of the Harrington Estate, anticipation coursing through him. Holcombe would be at the Harringtons’ gala tonight, and Marcus couldn’t wait to face the man. He shifted impatiently, waiting along with a long line of attendees to be allowed entrance. Through the years, he’d played the scenario over and over in his mind, imagining every word he would say, every disdainful expression that would cross his face. When he’d been in danger of giving up, defeated from working two jobs and taking a full