He remained quiet as he stroked her back, the skin pale and silky smooth. The luscious curve of her ass sat perfectly in his palm as he squeezed the tender flesh in a rough massage. She finally spoke.

“You drive a hard bargain.”

He laughed and gave her a quick slap, ignoring her yelp. “You’re too bossy. You need someone to take control sometimes.”

She huffed out a breath and lifted her head. “I’m not bossy.”

“Woman, you’d scare the hell out of a lesser man.”

She nibbled at her swollen lower lip. “Do I come off as too intimidating? Maybe I need to be a little more approachable?”

He laughed. “Julianna, I’m not giving you husband-hunting tips. Consider yourself warned.” He disentangled himself and stalked toward the bathroom. “I’m going to shower, than get back to work. I’ll see you tonight.”

She sat on the bed in a tangle of sheets, looking a bit shy and awkward. “I’ll wait for you here, then?”

“Yes, I’ll come to you. Make sure you’re naked and ready for me.”

She winced but nodded. He made sure not to look back and reminded himself this was a game. He refused to soothe or comfort her. She knew the rules—hell, she’d laid them out personally. He still needed to find his wife, but Julianna would be a pleasant diversion while in Newport, and his deception regarding his identity could be kept secret. No one would get hurt. She had no need to know he was the heir to millions, along with a juicy title. His lips twisted in irony as he turned on the spray. Thank God he’d realized her true colors before he became enchanted with a woman who was, at heart, a liar. Still, she’d gotten under his skin, and this was the best way to exorcise her demon.

Satisfied with his logic, he finished his shower and left.

Chapter Four

Julianna smoothed down the silk fabric of her black skirt with trembling fingers and took a deep breath as she stepped into the restaurant. Situated off the beaten path of the popular waterfront, it wasn’t a place where she would run into any of her neighbors. Lots of wood and shiny plank floors set off dim candlelight and a private atmosphere. Newport was incestuous in its own way. Wealthy families pried open every secret and liked to keep track of the local gossip. Her financial situation and her father's death made her a front runner until another local took the heat off. Thank God, summer made it more difficult for the nosy locals. With all the tourists flooding in, it was a little bit easier for her to hide.

She gave her name to the waitress and was led to a corner booth. She ordered a glass of Chardonnay, cursing herself for being perpetually early, and waited for her date.

Her ad had finally been answered.

The responses were limited and mostly grim. Besides Tom, she'd met a man who'd lied about his age, then shown up looking nothing like his picture and sporting a cane. With a dirty-old-man smile to match.

Her current date seemed quite handsome, if his photo was truthful. Their brief conversations over the Internet had gone well and flowed nicely. The coincidence that he was in Newport for business seemed Fate at work. They’d agreed to meet in person tonight to see if they could take the relationship further.

“Julianna?”

She looked up and smiled. “Yes. Bryce?”

He smiled back and shook her hand in a gentle, yet firm grip. Then he slid in the booth opposite her. “Sorry I’m late. I got held up in a meeting. I hope I didn’t keep you long.”

She shook her head, pleased at his dark good looks and professional appearance. The charcoal-gray suit was custom cut and emphasized a lean body. His black hair was kept ruthlessly short, and set off gray eyes with a bit of mystery gleaming within the depths. He seemed well polished, very different from a predatory handyman with no manners. She firmly pushed Jack’s image from her mind. “No, I have a terrible habit of arriving early for everything.”

“Nothing wrong with a woman who’s punctual. May I say you’re even more lovely in person than in your photo?”

“Thank you.”

They ordered drinks and spent a few minutes in casual conversation. “What brings you to Newport?” she asked.

“My family owns a shipping company based in England. We have sites scattered around the US, so I sometimes travel to check on things.”

“American women swoon over an English accent,” she teased. She thought of Jack's English accent and how his voice smoothed and curled over the ends of his sentences. Then pushed the thought away.

Bryce laughed. “Yes, I'm lucky in that area. So, I was intrigued by your ad. Is there a specific reason you need to marry now?”

She winced. “I’m sorry, this is still a bit hard for me. I’m not the type of woman to place a request over the Internet like some desperate fortune hunter. I’m in a unique situation and need to explore my options. My family has owned the Cliff House for generations. My family is an old one, but over time, we lost our fortune, leaving only our home. The Cliff House is mortgaged to the hilt. Before my father passed away, I promised him I wouldn't let our home be taken."

He cut into his steak and shook his head in sympathy. “I'm very sorry about your father, Julianna. This is a hard choice. Have you contacted the bank to see if something can be done? Life insurance? Any other options?"

"No. I went to several banks and they can't extend me any more loans. After the life insurance paid off the back taxes, nothing was left.”

“What a difficult position. So, I assume you're looking for money?

Julianna winced. "Yes."

"Just for the record, I don't think of you as a fortune hunter. You're doing the best you can to keep a promise to your father."

His tone soothed her and she forked up a piece of flaky fish. “Why did you answer my ad? I’m surprised you’re not already married.”

He smiled and took a sip of red wine. “I haven’t been ready to settle down yet. I wanted to learn the business from top to bottom, but now marriage has become more urgent. You see, my cousin is in line to inherit the business, though he’s not been involved. I’ve been running the company and care about the employees. If I marry first, I will have a better opportunity to take my rightful place in my family’s legacy.”

“That’s terrible. So, you do all the work and he gets the credit?”

He nodded sadly. “Exactly. I’ve been wanting to get serious with someone for a while now, but haven’t found the proper woman. When I read your ad, something called out to me. Almost as if we were meant to be. Fate.” He laughed as if mocking himself. “Sorry, don’t I sound ridiculous?”

She stared at him as the puzzle pieces clicked into place. An instinct deep inside her screamed a warning, but she strangled the voice and met her responsibility head on. This was the man meant for her. A man she could respect and talk with. A man to share her life. He was everything she needed and he’d showed up like an answer to her prayers.

A little too perfect, the voice whispered. And what about Jack?

She forced the thought away. “No, you don’t sound ridiculous at all.”

They finished dinner and he walked her out, one hand supporting her elbow. “I’ll be in Newport for a while,” he said. “I’d like to see you again. Take this a step further. What do you think?”

She turned and lifted her face. His dark good looks caused appreciation and a visual pleasure. When he leaned over and his lips touched hers, they were warm and knowledgeable. He smiled and a flash of white teeth cut through the darkness.

“Yes. I’d like that very much.”

“Shall I come to your house tomorrow?”

“No!” She backed up at his quick frown. “I mean, why don’t we meet here again tomorrow night? Seven?”

“Of course, if that makes you feel more comfortable.”

He kissed her again, tucked her into her car, and walked away. Julianna sat in the driver’s seat and squeezed her eyes tight. She needed to tell Jack she couldn’t see him again. Tonight. The image of his tanned and heavily muscled body caused flutters in her tummy, and lower. His glorious nakedness and his sexual control that allowed her to finally let go and be the woman she always craved.

But he wasn’t meant to be hers. Her father had sealed her Fate by his dying breath, and she had agreed.

Julianna started the car and drove back home.

Where Jack waited for her.

* * *

Bryce poured himself a generous snifter of cognac and settled back on the leather chair in the den. The rental reflected the rustic, ocean community with some tacky fishing gear on the wall and dockside souvenirs, but the house was big and situated in the woods outside of town, which allowed him to conduct his private business.

He enjoyed his drink and thought over the evening. The plan was ridiculously simple and as easy as taking candy from a baby. Once he was informed his cousin lusted after a local socialite, his private investigator had searched the home and hacked her computer. Her ad was a gift from the gods. In fact, the woman was perfect to be his wife. He’d court her, marry quickly, and cite her own ambition for money as the cause.

After all, his one goal was to marry before Jack.

Then take over the company.

The idea of bedding her after his cousin intrigued him. He’d be able to take her any way he wanted, on his terms, and Jack wouldn’t be able to stop it. The lovely Julianna was an innocent prize. He’d enjoy parading her in public and humiliating her in private. His own special torture sessions while his weak cousin looked on, unable to help her. Yes, this was getting better and better.