The Billionaire’s Bride Of Vengeance Read online

  But for how long?

  ‘Don’t say no,’ he said, his eyes going all smoky as he cupped her face and his head began to descend.

  She just couldn’t resist him.

  ‘All right,’ she said, and surrendered her mouth to his.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  ‘YOU’RE spoiling me,’ Nicole said when Russell came into the bathroom with her freshly laundered dress and underwear.

  She was lying back in the bath, wallowing in the relaxing warmth and trying not to worry over her growing addiction to this man. Truly, she simply could not keep her hands off him.

  Russell hadn’t joined her in the bath, claiming that if he did she’d turn him on again and they’d never make it to dinner. Instead he’d headed for the other bathroom, where he’d showered, shaved and dressed before returning in a smart grey lounge suit and an open-necked white shirt that highlighted his olive skin.

  ‘Out of that bath, madam,’ he ordered, ‘and into these clothes, post-haste. I’m starving.’

  ‘I don’t think I have the energy for dinner,’ she complained.

  ‘I don’t wonder. Come on. Up and out of there. Our booking is for seven-thirty and it’s already ten to seven.’

  Russell left the room, closing the door after him, leaving Nicole to sigh, then drag herself out of the water. With only lipstick and a small comb in her evening bag, she didn’t take long to get ready. Fifteen minutes later they were in the car and on their way across the bridge, Russell having chosen a well-known seafood restaurant on the quay for dinner. It was called Neptune’s, after the god of the sea, and positioned on the upper level of a renovated warehouse. Its spectacular view of the harbour meant it was very popular, though the exorbitant prices did keep the clientele exclusive.

  Nicole rather suspected Russell had chosen it to impress her.

  She didn’t mention she’d been there before. Because let’s face it, she thought, there weren’t too many restaurants in Sydney—even the most expensive ones—which she hadn’t graced at one time or other.

  ‘Rather than tell you how beautiful you look,’ he said with an admiring glance her way, ‘I will just say that you are the only girl I’ve ever been with who looks fantastic, au naturel.’

  Being a typical female, Nicole focused her mind on the other girls he’d been with, rather than his very nice compliment.

  ‘And how many other girls have there been?’

  This time, his glance carried a rather smug smile. ‘You’re jealous.’

  ‘Don’t avoid the question. How many girlfriends have there been before me?’

  ‘So you’re happy to call yourself my girlfriend now?’

  ‘Russell McClain, I’ve just spent the entire day in bed with you. If I’m not your girlfriend then I’d have to be the biggest slut of all time. Which I’m not. On top of that, I’ve agreed to your coming to Thailand with me. That rather smacks of some kind of relationship, don’t you think? Now answer my question, please.’

  ‘Don’t get your knickers in a knot. Sorry, but I can’t tell you an exact number. I don’t keep count. But I would hazard a guess at forty. Maybe fifty?’

  ‘Good lord, you are a playboy!’

  ‘Nicole, I’m thirty-six years old. At that age, I don’t think that fifty’s too unacceptable, do you?’

  ‘I guess not. How many were you in love with?’

  ‘None.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Really.’

  Now, why did that make her feel so good?

  Because you think he’s in love with you, that’s why. You think you’re special. You think…you think too darned much sometimes, Nicole Power.

  ‘Is that why you’ve never got married?’ she heard herself ask before she could snatch it back.

  The silence in the car was excruciating. And embarrassing.

  Nicole wished she’d kept her silly mouth shut. The last thing you started talking about at the beginning of a relationship was marriage. It made men run a mile, which was the last thing she wanted Russell to do.

  ‘Marriage hasn’t fitted into my workaholic lifestyle,’ he said at last. ‘I will definitely consider it, when I meet the right person.’

  His head turned and so did hers. Their eyes met, his glittering at her with a thousand possessive lights.

  ‘I don’t want to scare you off, lovely Nicole, with premature talk about love and marriage. For now, I just want to get to know you better. And to never let you out of my sight,’ he added with another of his wickedly sexy smiles.

  The subject of marriage was dropped after that, Russell turning the conversation away to her seafood preferences. By the time the car was safely stowed in a small car park at the back of the quay, both agreed that lobster was their favourite, with oysters and prawns high on the list.

  But her heart was racing all the while.

  When Russell opened the passenger door and took her hand, that same heart lurched tellingly. When he smiled down at her, she smiled fatuously back. When he pulled her up onto her slightly shaky legs, she was more than ready to be kissed.

  He took his time, only letting her go when she was decidedly light-headed. Nicole was glad of his supporting hand as they walked towards the restaurant. Her legs were as jelly-like as her brain.

  When Russell’s step faltered she glanced up to find him frowning.

  ‘Is something wrong?’ she asked.

  His sigh sounded frustrated. ‘I have an awful suspicion that Hugh might be here tonight at Neptune’s. His car’s parked just over there.’

  Nicole’s gaze followed his to land on a shiny red Ferrari. How typical of Hugh Parkinson, she thought tartly.

  ‘But there are lots of restaurants within walking distance of this car park. He could be at any one of them.’

  ‘He’s very partial to seafood.’

  ‘Lots of seafood restaurants, too,’ she pointed out.

  ‘True. It would be bad luck if he had chosen ours.’

  She stopped and stared up at him. ‘Why bad luck?’

  ‘You’re wearing the same dress you were wearing last night. It’s a possibility Hugh might be with one of the bridesmaids from the wedding. He was zeroing in on her before we left. They’ll know we spent last night together, and all today as well.’

  Whilst Nicole was touched that Russell was protecting her reputation, she wasn’t inclined to change their plans for the likes of Hugh Parkinson, who probably slept with a different girl every other week. His bed-partner count would be mammoth compared to Russell’s.

  ‘Don’t be silly,’ she said. ‘Why would Hugh care if we spent the night together? Why should anyone care?’

  He still looked worried for some reason.

  ‘Come on,’ she said, and tugged at his hand. ‘I’m not traipsing around a lot of other places in these killer heels. If Hugh’s at Neptune’s, then so be it.’

  Russell just knew Hugh would be there. And he was, sitting at the best table in the house, looking rakishly handsome and sipping a glass of no doubt outrageously expensive red wine.

  That he was alone was the only surprise.

  Hugh didn’t see them till they were shown to the second-best table in the house, not far from his.

  ‘Hello, Hugh,’ Russell said before Hugh could give voice to his astonishment. ‘Fancy meeting you here. I don’t need to introduce you to Nicole, do I? I gather that you’ve already met.’

  As always Hugh quickly found his cool, and his charm. ‘Indeed, we have,’ he agreed with one of his woman-winning smiles. ‘But it’s some time since we’ve actually spoken. Life must be treating you well, Nicole. You’re looking exceptionally lovely tonight.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Nicole said as she sat down, a faint flush coming to her cheeks.

  ‘You must tell me what you’ve been up to since we last met. But not from that distance. I insist you join me for dinner. And you, too, Russ, of course,’ he added nonchalantly.

  Russell’s teeth clenched down hard in his jaw. He’d seen Hugh go i
nto action with members of the opposite sex before, and they invariably succumbed to his charms. The thought that he might turn Nicole’s head evoked a jab of jealousy which was as dark as it was powerful.

  ‘Only on condition you don’t flirt with my girlfriend,’ Russell pronounced, his eyes throwing dagger-like warnings at his friend.

  Hugh’s eyebrows lifted. ‘Girlfriend? My, but you are a fast worker. I got the impression you didn’t even know Nicole before last night.’

  ‘Haven’t you heard of whirlwind romances?’

  ‘Unfortunately, yes. My father thrives on them. But I never took you for being someone so impulsive. No casting aspersions at you, lovely Nicole. If ever anyone could knock my old mate there for six, it would be you.’

  Russell was grateful that Nicole would not grasp the wicked irony in this last statement. He still considered grabbing her hand and dragging her away from what was going to be a very awkward dinner, but knew that would look odd. He had no option but to brave it out. But inside he was furious with Hugh. He was supposed to be his friend, damn it!

  Russell decided to deflect the conversation away from his relationship with Nicole as quickly as possible.

  ‘It’s not like you to eat alone,’ he directed at Hugh once the three of them were seated together and extra placings had been set. ‘What happened to what’s-her-name from last night?’

  Hugh wrinkled his nose. ‘You were right. Far too clingy. So what would you two like to drink? Some of my red, or should I order some champagne to celebrate your getting together?’

  ‘Some champagne would be lovely,’ Nicole said politely whilst Russell was still gnashing his teeth. He’d get that troublemaking devil later. Nicole was sure to go to the ladies’ at some stage.

  And when she did…

  The champagne was delivered with the kind of swift service that a billionaire’s son and heir invariably commanded.

  ‘To Nicole and Russ,’ Hugh toasted with a supercilious smile as he clinked his champagne flute with Nicole’s.

  Russell eyed his friend coldly. ‘There’s no need to overdo things. We’re not engaged, just dating.’

  ‘But just dating is a big step for you, Russ. He’s a dreadful workaholic, you know, Nicole.’

  ‘Yes, so he’s told me,’ she replied with a quick smile Russell’s way. ‘But he didn’t go to work today.’

  ‘I rather gathered that,’ Hugh replied with a telling glance at Nicole’s dress. ‘Speaking of engagements,’ he went on, ‘the last time we met was at your and David Porter’s engagement party. That obviously didn’t work out.’

  ‘No,’ Nicole agreed, the smile fading from her face.

  Russell could have killed Hugh. ‘He was a bastard,’ Russell snapped.

  ‘Men can be bastards,’ Hugh agreed, and looked Russell straight in the eye.

  ‘Takes one to know one,’ Russell countered.

  Hugh dropped the ironic remarks after that, instead using his natural charm over dinner, not to flirt with Nicole, but to try to get her to talk about herself. But she cleverly deflected his personal probings, keeping the chit-chat to general topics.

  Russell sat back in the main, grateful that Nicole wasn’t one of those girls who confided everything to everyone. She didn’t reveal any details about their affair so far. Neither did she mention her coming trip to Thailand, or the fact that Russell had offered to go with her.

  Russell admired people who kept private things private.

  Every now and then she threw him a glance that was just for him; a warm and intimate glance which gave him great satisfaction.

  By the time she excused herself to go to the ladies room, he no longer felt any urgent need to have a go at Hugh. Nicole was handling him just fine all by herself. Russell felt something close to pride as he watched her walk away from the table, her beautiful head held high on her long, elegant neck. Several male heads turned to look at her, their expressions openly admiring.

  It came to Russell then that marriage to Nicole would have a lot of benefits and bonuses. Not only would it feed his craving for revenge, but he would also acquire an exciting bed-partner, plus an accomplished hostess and the most exquisite piece of arm candy that any man could possess.

  ‘What in bloody hell do you think you’re doing?’ Hugh snapped.

  Russell took a second or two before answering. ‘With regard to what?’

  ‘You know what. Hell, Russ, what you’re doing to that girl isn’t right. Surely you can see that.’

  ‘I see that I’m finally getting some sort of satisfaction after all these years.’

  Hugh shook his head at Russ. ‘Look, I don’t give a damn about what you did to Alistair Power. I don’t care if he’s rotting away in some Third World hell-hole. But Nicole’s an innocent pawn in all this. She wasn’t responsible for your father’s death.’

  Russell’s face darkened. ‘That’s what you think. I’ll have you know that she worked for Power Mortgages in their marketing section till a few months ago. She must have known what was going on there, so don’t give me any of that “innocent pawn” crap. Oh, and I doubt Alistair Power is in some Third World hell-hole,’ he sneered. ‘He’s been supporting Nicole’s overseas jaunts since she broke off her engagement to Porter. Takes a lot of money to float around the world for several months.’

  ‘All right, all right. I get your point. But damn it all, Russ, enough’s enough. You’ve had the pleasure of seducing your enemy’s daughter, in your enemy’s bed, no doubt.’

  ‘How did you guess?’

  ‘Because you’re twisted. But you’re not cruel, Russ. You’ve never been cruel. Seduction is one thing. Making the girl fall in love with you is another.’

  ‘You think she’s fallen in love with me?’

  ‘Only a blind man wouldn’t notice!’ Why else wouldn’t she have paid any attention to him? ‘She can’t take her eyes off you for long.’

  ‘That’s good,’ Russell said, nodding rather smugly. ‘That’s very good. Women in love are usually amenable to a marriage proposal.’

  Hugh stared at him. ‘What? You’re going to ask her to marry you? Are you insane?’

  ‘No,’ Russ said, his eyes hardening. ‘I’m just doing what I’ve waited sixteen years to do.’

  Hugh could not believe what he was hearing. ‘So when are you going to break her heart with the truth?’ he threw at his friend. ‘On your wedding night?’

  ‘No. Never.’

  ‘Never!’

  ‘I want her to be my wife, Hugh. For the rest of my life.’

  ‘So where does the revenge bit come in?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘It’s not revenge, if she never finds out the truth.’

  ‘That depends on how you look at it. Being with her has already given me great satisfaction.’

  ‘Yes, but what kind of satisfaction? Are you sure this idea of yours is instigated by revenge, Russ? Maybe you’ve fallen in love with her.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Russell denied heatedly.

  Too heatedly, Hugh thought. Nicole was an exceptionally beautiful girl, with a way about her which any man would find enchanting.

  ‘So how long before you’re going to pop the question?’ Hugh asked, his eyes continually scanning the corner of the restaurant where the ladies’ room was located. No sign of Nicole yet.

  ‘I’m going to propose when we’re in Thailand together.’

  ‘What’s this? You’re going to Thailand together! When?’

  ‘As soon as it can be arranged.’

  ‘For how long?’

  ‘For as long as it takes.’

  ‘What about your business?’

  ‘It’ll survive without me. Properties practically sell themselves at this time of year. Speaking of real estate, it seems the Belleview Hill house doesn’t find favour with Nicole, so I’ve decided to sell the place to James. Remember how he offered to buy it the other night?’

  ‘Yeah, but you said no.’

  ‘
That was then and this is now. I’m going to text him tomorrow and agree to his offer.’

  ‘You’re deadly serious about all this, aren’t you?’

  ‘Yes, and if you say anything to Nicole, that will be the end of our friendship.’

  Hugh looked into Russell’s eyes and knew he meant it.

  ‘I won’t say a word,’ he said with a resigned sigh. ‘Scout’s honour.’

  ‘There’s only one problem with that,’ Russell growled.

  ‘What?’

  ‘You’re no scout!’

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  ‘HEAVENS!’ Kara exclaimed after Nicole told her everything later that night. Levering herself up on one elbow, she glanced over at where Nicole was lying on the other twin bed. ‘It sounds like he’s really fallen for you.’

  ‘I hope so. Because I’ve fallen for him. Big time!’

  Kara flopped back down on her pillow. ‘Who would have thought when I dragged you off to Megan’s wedding, you’d actually find yourself that seriously rich husband you need?’

  Nicole shot her a reproving look. ‘Kara, for pity’s sake don’t go saying anything like that to other people. I didn’t fall for Russell because he’s rich. In fact, that’s the one thing which worries me about him. That, and that annoying friend of his.’

  ‘Who? Hugh Parkinson?’

  ‘Who else?’

  ‘I think he’s yummy.’

  ‘More like crummy. The man’s a compulsive womaniser.’

  ‘I know. But somehow that only adds to his charm. I would imagine women find him a challenge. And, of course, he’d have to be very good in bed. Practice does make perfect.’

  Nicole had to concede Hugh did have charm. And he was impossibly good-looking. But no man could match her Russell. He was all man, a simply incredible lover.

  ‘I wonder how Megan’s enjoying her honeymoon,’ Kara said out of the blue.

  ‘I would imagine very much so,’ Nicole replied. How could she not be? She was with the man she loved, and who loved her.

  ‘She’s pregnant, you know,’ Kara said unexpectedly.

  Nicole frowned. ‘How long have you known that? You never said anything before the wedding.’