“That was also in the contract.”
ChapterFive
MINNA
I’ve slept so deeply that my face is almost stuck to the pillow when I open my eyes. I sit up, pulling the covers around me and checking the floor. The pillow and blanket on the sofa are neatly folded and there’s no sign of Kade. The shower’s running in the bathroom. I yawn, stretch and then snuggle back in the nest of pillows.
Although Kade was obviously amused by my surprise at the big double bed, he didn’t tease me for me standing there like a goldfish, pointing at it with an anguished expression. I’d had too much champagne and stress for one day, and it was like I’d run out of words.
My bag had been brought up to our room and I looked through it in despair. When I realized all I had to wear to sleep in was the dress I arrived in, it was too much. He took charge, giving me a shirt of his to wear to sleep in and providing me with a spare toothbrush. I scrubbed the makeup off my face and put my hair in two long braids. When I came out of the bathroom, he was on the sofa, snoring gently.
I grab my phone and text Millie.
Minna: What’s happening? Guess what, I’m still here. And I got married yesterday.
Millie: Everything’s fine. Neither of the firefighters were badly injured but they say the rebuild for Peppermint Lodge will take at least six months.
Millie: Did you say…married?
Minna: Yes. Now I’m on honeymoon. I’ll be here for three days. Don’t worry, it’s all fake. And it wasn’t five hundred dollars…it was fifty thousand.
Millie: WHAT?!? ??????
Minna: I know. Horace is going to be dining on smoked salmon and caviar from now on.
Millie: Seriously, Minna. Are you okay? You don’t have to do anything weird?
Minna: No, just pretend to be married to…Kade Harrington.
Millie: You’re kidding me. The billionaire?
Minna: That’s it. There was some mix-up with that advert and now I’m here. He’s gorgeous. I kind of wish this was all real.
“Sleep well?”
I jump as Kade’s deep voice interrupts my texting. He’s come out of the bathroom wearing a small towel. My eyes nearly pop out as I take in his huge, muscled body. His thighs are like tree trunks, his abs muscled and his shoulders big and broad.
“Very well.” My voice sounds gooey, like I’ve just spied a particularly delicious doughnut.
“You sound hungry. I’ll see to it you get breakfast ASAP. It’s the least I can do after the shock of yesterday.” He smiles at me, dropping the towel from behind the sofa and pulling on his clothes. I’m trying to look away but it’s difficult. Naked men don’t usually have this kind of effect on me. I quickly divert my attention to a book on the nightstand, picking it up and reading out the gold-embossed title.
“Crested Peak Country Club: A Full History. This place goes way back, doesn’t it?” I say.
“It’s been around forever. And Harringtons have always been members. It’s this ridiculous marriage stipulation that’s keeping it from staying in step with the times.”
“You’re not a fan of marriage?” I ask.
“I’m not a fan of convention for convention’s sake. And anything which excludes a member of my family because of their sexual orientation.”
“That Henrik guy was making such a big deal of that in his speech. Did he annoy you?”
“No.” Kade’s face says the opposite, his dark brows drawn together. He finishes buttoning up his shirt. “I’ll send breakfast up in half an hour if you want to get ready.”
I get the impression I’ve asked too many questions. I want to ask what I’m getting ready for, but I head to the bathroom instead. The shower is huge, one of those modern steam ones that isn’t in keeping with the classic decor of the bedroom. I soap myself down, my fingers pausing between my legs as I recall Kade’s muscular body barely covered by that tiny towel. The steam wraps around me as I imagine the towel dropping and him joining me, my fingers working my clit until I come with a sigh.
In my dreams.
I put on the dress I wore here yesterday, thanking my past self for choosing the pretty, fifties-style sundress. I won’t look too out of place walking down the halls of this club.
