“What the hell is this? The Dark Ages?” Tori cried out the following morning as she faced her father and his lawyers in the corporate boardroom. The smile that had been glued to her face the day before was now gone. Permanently gone, and she doubted she’d ever smile when thinking about Chase McNamara again. “You want me to…to marry some man I just met?”
“Now, Tori,” her father said calmly, “it’s not exactly as if you don’t like Mr. McNamara.”
“No, but I won’t want to marry him either.” She stood from the leather chair and paced. Two lawyers with bland expressions looked on and Tori couldn’t believe how awful her morning had turned. The high she’d been on following Chase’s visit had completely and totally disintegrated and now so much about yesterday made sense.
“Tori, it’s a good arrangement,” Norton told her. “Here, look at the papers.”
“I don’t want to look at that legal mumbo-jumbo,” she snapped. “And Chase? He agreed to this as well?”
“When he arrives he’ll look over the paperwork. I’m sure he’ll agree. After all, he and I have talked about it extensively over the past few days. He wants a wife. You need a stabilizing force in your life. You obviously find him attractive so what’s the problem?”
“Father!” Tori cried, wondering if he had lost his mind. “Sure, he’s good-looking, but I’m thinking more along the lines of a dinner and a movie, not a life-time commitment.”
Seemingly having had enough of her outburst, Norton rose and said firmly, “I have known Chase’s family for years. He comes from good stock. He’s rich, he’s honest and he thinks you’re what he’s looking for.”
“And he figured it out after one brief afternoon?” Tori questioned.
“He knows how to make up his mind,” Norton countered. “He’s willing to marry you. He liked you. And you want your inheritance. So…”
Tori gasped and placed a hand over her mouth. This was the only way she could ever get her inheritance? The only way she would be free of her family? Free to be herself? But how could she be herself in a marriage of convenience? Would Chase allow her any freedom? After all, this man was agreeing upon an archaic arranged marriage and any man who would force a woman into that had to be a barbarian despite his good looks.
And just then, that barbarian walked in. He was smiling and dressed in another suit. Apparently the devil only wore suits when he was luring unsuspecting women into a trap!
“Hello, Tori,” he said with a dazzling smile and Tori turned away, crossed her arms over her chest and frowned.
“I’m afraid she’s upset,” Norton explained.
Chase wrinkled his brow with confusion and walked over to one of the lawyers. He looked down at the paperwork they had prepared and inquired, “Is there something in the contract she doesn’t agree with?”
“Yes, the entire marriage for money part!” Tori spun back around and shouted. “How dare you try to buy me, Mr. McNamara!”
Chase narrowed his eyes on his accuser and frowned furiously. He didn’t like being accused of wrongdoings he hadn’t done. He would gladly take responsibility for the wrongs he did commit, but what Tori was telling him now just wasn’t true. Norton had explained everything…hadn’t he? He had assured Chase that Tori had liked him from the moment she’d seen him and wanted to enter into this agreement. That’s why they were completing the final paperwork today.
“Could you all please excuse us for a few moments?” Chase requested and when the lawyers stood, he reached out and placed his hands on the paperwork. “Leave the contracts.”
The lawyers stood and when Norton remained, Chase looked at him. “You too, Ambrose. Please.”
Reluctantly Norton left and when the door closed Chase looked at Tori. All she gave him was her back.
“I was under the impression that you knew what my visit was about yesterday,” Chase began.
“Business. That’s what I was told. I didn’t know it was a test-drive for a fiancé,” she quipped.
“I can understand how you’d be angry, then,” Chase said. “Your father purposely misled us both. He’s a savvy businessman. He made it seem like you were game to an arrangement when he called me last night after our luncheon and obviously he never told you anything about my desires.”
“You want a wife,” she said. “Yesterday I just thought you were maybe interested in a date.”
“I’m sorry, Tori. I don’t want a date. I want more.”
Tori sighed with relief and looked at him with eyes that were rimmed with tears. “I’m so glad you understand. I like you but…I don’t want to be married and not like this. So, let’s just rip up that paperwork and forget this embarrassment ever happened.”
Chase’s face suddenly went rigid and he slid the legal paperwork her way.
“Sorry, but no. I’ve made up my mind. I made it up yesterday. I want a wife. I’m thirty-three and last of my family. I want a child to carry on the McNamara name. I want someone who can withstand life on my ranch and who’s not some phony socialite. You want your family inheritance so you can save the planet from the destructive forces of humanity. Well, this is the only way you’re going to get it.” He was a reasonable man, yet he had made a decision yesterday and just because Norton had blind-sided his daughter, didn’t mean he was going to back out of his decision now. He felt for Tori, but he was positive they could make this marriage work. After all, there had been sparks yesterday. There had been attraction. Why couldn’t they make it work?
Tori glanced at the legal wording on the page and bit her bottom lip as it trembled. Half of her trust fund was being transferred into Chase’s name to be given to her how and when he deemed her ready. The rest would be held by her father until she was either settled with children or thirty. But it was only contingent upon the requirement that she remain married to Chase in a mutual marriage. If at any time either ended that marriage then the inheritance would have to be renegotiated in terms that both her mother and father agreed upon. She would have no say, just like now.
“This is blackmail,” she hissed.
“Call it what you like, Tori, but your parents are at the end of their rope with you.”
Tori bit back an oath that she wanted to let fly but she checked it and asked, “What if I don’t agree to this?”
“Of course you don’t have to. I don’t want a wife who’ll be unhappy for the rest of her life. But know that you loose any chance at your inheritance.”
“Any chance?”
“Any chance.”
“And what do you get out of this? Access to my money?”
“No,” he said tersely. “I have my own money. And if you look closely at the contract, I can’t use your money without your consent and your father’s. But I assure you, I will not touch it.”
“And when will you hand it over to me if I agree to this?”
“When you fall in love with me.” He smiled devilishly at her and raised an eyebrow.
Tori gaped at him. Love? If he thought there was any way she would ever love a man who would railroad her into a marriage of convenience he was sorely mistaken.
“I could never love a snake like you,” she told him as she rounded the table and stood before him. “I can’t believe you and my father are doing this to me. I don’t know you, I don’t know anything about you.”
“You seemed to like me yesterday,” he pointed out arrogantly.
“Yes, when you were simply a lunch guest at our house and not a thieving bastard!”
That seemed to spark something inside him for his eyes darkened with rage and he leaned toward her, caught her chin in his large hand and forced her to look at him.
“I’m not a thief, Tori. I’m simply a man looking for a wife and I’m tired of playing the field. You want your money, I can get it for you. All you have to do is say ‘I do’ and eventually it will all be yours. I’m fairly liberal in my attitudes, you’ll see. You’ll have free reign to pursue your passions as long as you don’t embarrass me. You can bring home any destitute animal you want and work with the homeless for all I care, but you will be my wife in every sense of the word. I want loyalty and commitment and children. That’s not asking too much. In return, I’ll give you anything and everything you want. And I won’t expect you to paint your nails and put on a fancy dress for dinner every night. I’m healthy, you can even check with my doctor if you want. I don’t smoke, I only drink occasionally and I don’t physically abuse women. I’ve been told I’m good in bed and I know how to be a decent companion.”
Tori wanted to break free but the grasp he had on her face was too firm. Besides, his words intrigued her and despite herself, she found that she was interested in all he had to say.
“Now, is there anything else you need to know to make your decision?” he asked and Tori shook her head. She was trapped. She had no choice unless she wanted to never be able to pursue her dreams and goals. The only way she could really do good for people would be if she had her money. Without it, she’d just be another struggling social worker with no money, too much to do and deflated by the system.
“I know enough. As long as I have your word that I can pursue my interests and work to help others then I’ll…agree to marry you.” It was difficult to say but she forced the words out. She was caught in a trap and Chase was the only person who had the key to unlock it.
Chase smiled down at her tightly.
“Good. Here’s your ring.”
With little ceremony he pulled out a ring box from his pocket and slapped it in her hand.
“I’ll expect you to be wearing it the next time I see you. If you don’t like
it, we can exchange it. I went with simplicity because I was positive you wouldn’t
like austere or ostentatious.” He pulled her closer and added, “Oh, and I checked.
It’s not a conflict diamond from
Tori almost smiled at that, but the sadness that was overtaking her heart made any happy expression impossible. And though his hand was burning her skin and his smell was so incredibly alluring and masculine, she couldn’t bring herself to be glad for the predicament she’d been placed in. Despite her attraction to Chase, the corner he and her father had placed her in was enough to make her hate him…forever.
Just as those thoughts flitted through her mind, Tori felt his lips land upon hers. Talk about electricity! The kiss was brief and possessive, yet it gave her heart a quick start and she felt desire all the way down to her toes. How could she both desire and loath a man at the same time? Was it even possible? Was it sane? Probably not, then again, the decision she had just made to marry him in exchange for her money proved she was certifiable.
He abruptly let go of her and walked away. As he reached the door, he paused and added, “Oh, and the wedding will be in a week at my ranch. Is there anything special you want planned for the occasion?”
“No,” Tori said sadly and didn’t even look at him as he left. When the door closed, she fell to the nearest chair and wept. It wasn’t often she cried, but she was positive this marriage to Chase McNamara would be worse than prison and she had wished the Dallas PD had arrested her for that anti-fur rally and left her to rot in jail for a month. That way, she never would have met Chase and now wouldn’t be virtually forced to marry him.
**
Tori hadn’t known about the arrangement and that made Chase slightly uneasy. He wasn’t the kind of man to force unsuspecting women to do things they didn’t want to, but damn it, he’d already made up his mind about her and he wasn’t about to back down now. It just wasn’t in his nature to give up.
She was the best prospect he’d had for marriage in a long while. He liked her. He had liked her from the moment he’d laid eyes upon her. And though she was more tomboy than socialite, it didn’t matter to him because he liked a woman who could take care of herself. And as for all her liberal causes…well, he understood the need to rebel. He had been a rebel once himself and caused his father a lifetime of grief. And there was nothing wrong with wanting to help destitute animals and homeless children. He respected her for that and as long as she played by a few simple rules, he was sure they could get along.
It was a risk, but after kissing her just now, Chase was positive it was a risk worth taking.
The lawyers and Norton met him as he moved away from the door and Norton’s face held a look of anticipation.
“Well? What did she say?” Norton asked.
“Aside from the fact that she hates me, she agreed. I made it clear what I expect from her, she made it clear she wants her money to stop world hunger.” He was being sarcastic, but only to a point. More or less that was how the conversation had gone. “The wedding will be in a week. Make sure she’s prepared.”
“Yes, of course. My wife will help with all of that. She’ll be ready and be a beautiful bride.”
Chase singed the legal documents and began to walk away, then turned and abruptly added, “And Ambrose, if you ever blindside me or Tori again like that, I’ll ruin you. She had no idea…none. I was almost made out to be a fool in there. Don’t let it happen again.”
Norton gulped. Chase McNamara was no man to fool and Norton had known he was taking a chance in the way he had arranged this “marriage.” But he had to do something about Tori and Chase was certainly the man to keep her settled. If Chase couldn’t give her some direction in life, then no one could.
“Understood, McNamara,” Norton said and watched as the tall, dark man strode away.
**
For two days Tori remained in her room. She did nothing but stare at her ceiling and cry. Her mother seemed jolly and that only irritated her further. It was obviously a dream come true for her mother to marry her off to some heathen and regardless of her sadness, her mother didn’t seem to care.
By the end of the second day, her phone rang and she picked it up and merely mumbled a “hello” with little enthusiasm. The voice that met her on the other end was deep and slightly southern and if she hadn’t been so depressed, it may have made her toes curl.
“Hello, darlin’,” Chase said to her and Tori rolled her eyes though he couldn’t see the expression.
“Uh, hi,” she said.
“I figured I’d better be a good fiancé and call to check on you. How are things?”
“Considering I’m about to enter into a life of someone else’s choosing, great.”
He chuckled. “I adore your sarcasm. Just don’t overdo it, all right?”
“Sure,” she agreed.
“Listen, I’m out and about today running errands for the wedding and I just wanted to see if the ring I gave you fit.”
Tori glanced at the royal blue box sitting on her nightstand. She hadn’t even opened it to glance at the ring.
“I…uh, don’t know,” she admitted.
“Well, try it on, please. I’m buying us wedding bands. Have to be sure I have your size right,” he explained.
Tori flipped open the box and stared at a very simple, very pure marquis cut diamond. It was probably a karat and that was more than she had ever wanted. But she had to admit, it sparkled with perfection and as she slipped it on her hand, it was an exact fit.
“It fits,” she told him. “Did you guess my size?”
“Yes. Size six and a half. I’ll do the same for the bands.” He hesitated on the phone and Tori heard the static on the lines. He was obviously on a cellular phone and she briefly hoped the connection would break apart, but she realized that despite her anger and frustration, plans had to be made. She’d signed the contract willingly and she was going to marry this man because she knew it was her only hope of ever doing what she wanted with her life.
“Uh, Tori? I guess I should ask. Are bands all right or did you want something…more?” he questioned.
She laughed and answered, “Do you really think I would want something more?”
“No, I suppose not.”
“And if you’re asking, could you just get me a simple band? Plain gold. Nothing too thick or decorative. And…” she couldn’t believe she was going to say this, but she felt she at least should do something to contribute besides sit in her room and mope. It wasn’t like her to do nothing, to be a mere bystander, and so she quickly said, “And I’d like to pick out your wedding ring if you don’t mind. I think I should.”
“No, not at all. I just…well, I didn’t think you wanted to have anything to do with this wedding.”
“Well, I’m not happy about it, but…I am resigned to it.”
“A bit more enthusiasm would be nice, Tori. It won’t be so bad. You’ll see.” He hesitated again and said quite sweetly, “I’ll try to make you happy.”
Tori frowned. “People can’t make other people happy, Chase. A person has to be willing to be happy.”
“Fine,” he corrected. “Then I’ll try to provide you with everything so that you can achieve as much happiness as possible.”
She was silent. He was a sharp man. He caught on to her little word games quickly.
When she didn’t respond, he said, “Well, I suppose I’ll let you go. I expect you down at the ranch the night before the wedding. Your parents know the plan.”
“I’m sure they do,” she mumbled.
“And…about a honeymoon…?” he began and Tori quickly interjected, “Oh, please, no! I couldn’t…”
“Okay. We’ll give that time. Just know that I’d take you anywhere you wanted to go. Whenever you’re ready for that.”
“You’re really serious about this marriage, aren’t you? You hardly know me, Chase.”
“I know enough. And yeah, I’m serious about it. I told you, I want a wife.”
“And do you always get what you want?”
“Always.”
**
“Oh, my! Is that Tori Ambrose
I see standing before me in a wedding gown?” Martha Swanson asked as she stood
in the high-priced boutique looking at Tori in a strapless
satin gown with her manicured hands pressed to her face in surprise. She was
one of the
“Yes,” Mary immediately piped up, “she’s getting married this weekend.”
“My, I didn’t hear. Surely, Mary, you would have announced it?”
“Well, it’s been sort of spur of the moment and the wedding is out of town,” Mary explained.
“And who’s the lucky man?” Martha inquired.
Monica, Tori’s sister, shot out with a taunting tone, “Chase McNamara.”
Though her mother’s enthusiasm and her sister’s snide comments were enough to annoy Tori to death, the appalled and shocked look on Martha Swanson’s face definitely made up for the day of wedding shopping and family attitudes.
“Chase McNamara?” Martha repeated. “Oh, my.”
Her tone made it clear that she never would have envisioned the match and she asked as if to clarify, “The cattle rancher, Chase McNamara?”
Tori nodded and faked a smile. “The one and only.”
“Tall, dark and handsome as the devil?”
“Uh, yes. That would be my fiancé,” Tori cooed, acting like she was ecstatic when what she really was, was amused by the shock on Martha’s face.
Martha gaped at her for a long while and then finally cleared her throat and said, “Well, uh, I wish you luck, Tori. You’ll make a lovely bride.”
Tori turned and looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was simple and elegant and actually rather comfortable to wear considering the other dresses she’d tried on. She decided then and there this was her dress and answered, “Yes, I will, won’t I?”
The woman nodded and walked away and Monica rolled her eyes.
“Don’t pretend, Tori, that you’re so happy about this. You’re only happy about shocking Mrs. Swanson,” Monica insisted.
“This wedding has to have a few perks,” Tori insisted.
“I would think Chase McNamara would be enough of a perk, Tori. Have you actually looked at the man you’re going to marry?”
“I’ve looked and yes, he’s pleasant enough. But he’s also forcing me into this.”
“No one is forcing you, Tori,” Mary insisted. “You could decline and live like a normal person, get a job and fend for yourself.”
Tori narrowed her eyes at her mother and snapped, “What? And eek out a living and never be able to do good works for others? I’m not afraid of working, mother, I’m afraid of not being able to do enough. That money, my inheritance, is the only way I can make a dent in the horrors of this world.”
“If that’s how you feel, Tori,” Monica interjected,
“then why are we even bothering with a real dress? Why don’t you just show
up in a sack like all your hippie friends wore at
Turning to her mother, tired of her sister’s attitude, Tori asked, “Why is it that Monica got her money and all she does is shop? And here I want to do some real good for people with mine and you’re marrying me off to some…heathen rancher!”
“Probably because I never embarrassed the family by exposing myself at peace rallies,” Monica snarled.
Tori threw her hands on her hips and glared at her sister. “I never once exposed myself.”
“Well, you may as well have for all the bad press you’ve brought for father and the Ambrose name. And I suggest you change your name as quickly as possible to McNamara so that we can all distance ourselves from you!”
True, Tori and Monica were very different individuals, but their relationship had never been this contentious. Tori would have wondered what had her sister in such a mood if she wasn’t so upset herself both because of her predicament and her sister’s words.
“Why you…” Tori screeched and just when she was about to lunge at her sister, a strong arm caught her around the waist and pulled her back against a solid body.
“Whoa, there, Tori,” Chase said to her and she was stunned to see him in the boutique.
“What are you doing here?” Tori asked as she looked over her shoulder at Chase. He was dressed in a white western shirt and black jeans. He looked the part of the cattle rancher he was today and she took an extra glance just to convince herself it was him.
“Is that any way to address the man you’re about to marry, Tori?” Monica asked as she smoothed her hair and skirt and took a step forward. She smiled at Chase and said, “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Chase.”
Chase didn’t dare take a hand off Tori’s waist to shake hands with Monica. It was obvious if he did, Tori would claw her sister’s eyes out. He’d heard what Monica had said to Tori and frankly, he couldn’t blame the girl for wanting to fight. But he also couldn’t have his future wife brawling in a wedding boutique days before their wedding.
“I came to take you all out to lunch,” Chase explained as he felt Tori relax against him. “Didn’t your mother tell you?”
“No,” Tori answered. “She didn’t tell me anything.”
Mary acted contrite and replied, “Darling, if I had told you about those plans, you never would have left the house.”
“You’re right, I wouldn’t have,” Tori quipped and she heard Chase chuckle. The vibration of his laugh coursed through her body as well and she was suddenly quite turned on by the man.
“Oh, how pleasant it is to have such a willing, enthusiastic bride,” he drawled.
Monica smiled then and looked directly at Tori as she said, “Just wait for the wedding night, Chase. That’s bound to be interesting.”
Tori’s face flamed red and Chase tightened his hold just as Tori tried to lunge again. She was a strong woman for her petite size and he was thankful he was a sturdy man otherwise she may be too much to physically hold back in her fit of rage.
“Wedding night?” Tori growled. “If any of you think there will be an ounce of hanky-panky going on in this marriage, you’re sadly mistaken.”
“That’s it,” Chase mumbled, “to the dressing room.” He hefted Tori up and literally carried her to the dressing rooms. The first one he came to was completely empty so he moved to the second and saw a pair of jeans and a yellow top hanging up. He decided it must be Tori’s and practically tossed her inside and slammed the door shut.
“What did you do that for, Chase?” Tori asked with a whine. “I could have knocked her out with one punch. I’ve done it before.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “I’m sure you have, sweetheart, but I don’t
want everyone in
“I think so.”
“Am I supposed to see it?”
“Does it matter?” she countered. “Can my luck get any worse?”
“Yes,” he assured her, “you could be marrying Roger Morse and be bored for the rest of your life with dreary conversation and legalese.”
Tori smiled then. It was the first true smile she had cracked all day.
“I suppose you’re right,” she agreed then sighed. She didn’t want to be marrying anyone right now, not even handsome Chase McNamara.
“I’m always right,” he said arrogantly. “And I heard what your sister said to you. I don’t blame you for wanting to punch her out. But, please, Tori, restrain yourself. It’ll only be a few more days and you’ll be on my ranch, away from your family.”
It some ways it was comforting to think she’d be away from her family and in others, it was uneasy for she would be truly leaving the cocoon of her parents for the first time. College hadn’t counted for she had still been under their support. This, however, was much different.
“Now, about that hanky-panky comment…,” Chase said and he folded his arms across his broad chest. “Do you really think we’ll live like that forever?”
“I hope so.”
A crooked grin filled his face and he reached out a long finger and trailed it down her bare shoulder. Her skin flushed automatically and when he bent to replace his finger with his lips, Tori took a stuttering step back.
“Hmmm,” he murmured, “somehow I don’t think that.”
Taken back by her body’s traitorous reactions to the man, Tori blurted out, “I want my own room at the ranch.”
“Certainly.”
“And…you won’t…you wouldn’t…force yourself on me….would you?”
“Force? No. Will I eventually try to persuade you, yes,” he said. “After all, Tori, I am a man and a man has needs. Besides, I want a child.”
“Right away?” she asked.
“No. But someday.” He cocked his head and his dark eyes burrowed into hers. She had such a cupid doll face—round, expressive and possessing of the most stubborn of chins. “Don’t you ever want children?”
“Someday, I guess. But…”
“But not with me, the heathen rancher?” he finished for her and when she merely stood there and stared at him without blinking, he was positive that’s what she had wanted to say.
Chase hadn’t even married the woman and he was already frustrated. Usually it only took one look, one command for him to have his way. With Tori it was going to take so much more. He would more than likely grind down his teeth and turn every black hair in his head gray before she’d acquiesce to him. And because of that, because he wasn’t sure what else to do with her, he grabbed her face in his hands and kissed her mouth.
She didn’t respond at first, only whimpered with surprise. But he wouldn’t let her go that easily and he moved his hands to her shoulders and pulled her against his body. After much prodding from his mouth she finally gave in with a little sigh and placed her hands stiffly on his shoulders. Her mouth barely responded to his. It was very innocent the way she kissed him back and that only spiked his desires more. Not even thinking they were in a dressing room and frankly not caring, he reached for the zipper on her dress and slowly slid it down, revealing the fine slope of her bare back.
Her skin was soft and delectable, her mouth supple and warm. Chase could easily picture a number of tantalizing scenarios for their wedding night but he had a feeling this woman wouldn’t touch him in that “wifely” manner for a very long time. In fact, as soon as she realized just whom it was she was kissing now, she would tear her mouth away and shoo him out the door.
But Tori didn’t immediately register what was happening for the spell his kiss was weaving around her made her mind blank and her body his. This man knew how to kiss, how to use his mouth to his advantage either in a war of words of a war of tongues. And as his hands slid down her back and started to push the dress off her body, Tori pulled her mouth away and grasped the front of her dress modestly.
“No hanky-panky, huh?” Chase immediately challenged her and Tori bristled despite the tingling in her lips and the throbbing in her body that urged her to fulfill herself right then and there in the dressing room. She caught her face in the mirror and saw the swollen look of her lips, the slight whisker burn from his facial hair and the sated look in her eyes. She wanted to curse.
“You tricked me,” Tori spat out. “But you can just let that hold you over for the next decade, buster, ‘cause that’s all you’re getting.”
Smiling a mischievous grin, Chase returned, “Really? I don’t think so. I think you’ll be begging me to be a real husband to you within a month of our nuptials.”
“As if!”
“Yes, as if,” he replied tauntingly. “Now, I think I’ll be on my way. Get dressed and if that’s the gown you want, I’ll buy it.”
“No, my mother wants to buy it. Let her, please.”
“Okay.”
He caved so quickly that Tori narrowed her eyes and stared at him with disbelief.
“No argument?” she inquired.
“If that’s what you wish and what your mother wishes, then no. No argument.”
“Then I also wish to have my inheritance without this marriage,” Tori added.
“Sorry, darlin’, I’m no genie, you’re going to have to marry me,” he said and before she could frown and stomp her foot like a child, he disappeared out of the dressing room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Reluctant Bride – Chapter 4