The Convenient Wedding: a contemporary romance (The Rosa Legacy Book 3) (3 page)

He said, “In a few hours, we are going to present ourselves to the world as a couple. There will be no going back.”

“What if I make a mistake?” she asked him.

“We are in this together and will need to make a pact. Loyalty is everything. If you can stick with the plan then it will work.”

“I’m not an actress. Those closest to me can always tell if I’m not telling the truth.”

“Relax for a start. There is an attraction between us so we are simply expanding on that. I felt it the moment I saw you.” His hands gently stroked her bare arms and he pulled her closer until she could feel the warmness of his body and he lowered his lips to touch hers.

Instead of chastely placing a kiss on her lips as she expected, he repositioned her head with both of his hands, and invaded her mouth with a hot and forceful exchange. She held her breath and he continued to explore her mouth. Lucia clenched her hands to stop herself from touching him.

She heard him groan and her body responded by drawing in a deep breath. He continued to seek a heightened response from her by exploring her mouth.

Lucia relished the physical response he was creating deep in her core and she matched each stroke of his tongue with her own. His hands moved from holding her head to fully embrace her body, holding her tightly. Lucia clutched his arms to steady herself.

He moved his hands back to her head and gently pulled back from her. He looked deeply into her eyes and she could see gold flecks in his brown eyes. The thought passed through her mind that he was looking into her depth, trying to figure her out.

Anderson stepped back, “Maybe I am wrong about you.” With that he moved away abruptly and said “We should go”.

Stepping onto the elevator, Lucia could feel Anderson watching her. Her body was flushed and she craved a physical connection to him. How could she want him so desperately after one kiss?

Anderson adjusted his tie. He looked confident and ready to go to battle. He asked her, “How old are you? Your resume has a decade worth of corporate communications positions but you barely look twenty years old.”

What else did he know about her background? He must know that she was stood up on her wedding day. Attempting to relax her body, she said “I’m twenty-seven, lived mostly in California, parents are happily married, no siblings, graduated from Sarah Lawrence, birthday is January 26th, have a cat named Cleo and like to swim and go riding.”

The elevator opened and she could see the opulent hotel foyer was deserted and she relaxed slightly. Did she expect swarms of reporters taking more photographs?

Lucia asked him, “and you?”

Anderson placed his hand on her lower back and guided her forward out of the elevator. The small intimacy made her skin tingle. She thought to herself that the chemistry between them was a problem. It made her want to forget about her plans for the future and instead give into the feel of his masculine body. But she had allowed herself to be driven by impulsive decisions in the past and steeled her reserve to resist his charm.

Walking through the lobby, he leaned close to her and whispered, “I‘m thirty-two, have lived primarily in Greenwich but travel frequently to Asia, am an only child as well, recently lost my mother to cancer, graduated from Yale, born on July 4th, live alone in Stamford, no pets, like to swim and go riding among other things.”

Lucia bit her lower lip. They were insane for trying to trick the media. They had met last night and fabricating an elaborate tale of love at first sight wasn’t going to cause the media to back off. The congressional seat was in a tightly contested district and it brought with it power and influence.

Anderson took her hand and led her out of the main entrance of the hotel and into a waiting limousine. “Don’t worry, it will take time for us to get to know each other. For now, smile and fake it.”

“Where are we going?” Lucia asked.

“Tiffany & Co. You need an engagement ring. Brian is arranging for a local boutique to send a few dresses for you to try on.”

Lucia grasped the pendant she was wearing. She said, “Faking an engagement may be going too far.”

“Admitting to an affair isn’t enough. We need a concrete milestone to push the media back.”

The driver double-parked near the famous jewelry store and Anderson told him to give them twenty minutes. When they walked into the showroom, a young saleswoman greeted them and inquired if they would like to see anything in particular. 

Anderson silenced his phone and then glanced up at the sales associate. “Yes. Engagement rings.”

Lucia touched her chest to counteract her racing heartbeat. They were making a huge mistake. The tabloids would never believe their relationship was real, there were too many insiders who could give an interview.

Anderson stepped in front of her, asking “Will you marry me, bella? I know all of this is sudden but we are meant to be together.”

His gaze held an intensity that dared her to refuse. Lucia had to remind herself that it was all an act. “Yes.”

Anderson kissed her provocatively, before turning her toward the glass counter and saying “I want you to have the engagement ring of your dreams. Don’t deny me that pleasure.”

The sales associate smiled and congratulated them as if she just witnessed the most romantic gesture of her short career.

Lucia had to remind herself to look happy and smile. She was caught between a vindictive impulse to pick the most extravagant ring possible and a desire to get Anderson alone and convince him that a ring was not necessary. 

Anderson selected a custom ring that had a magnificently set center diamond harmoniously flanked by two matching side diamonds. The setting was elaborate and traditional but as Lucia caught sight of the price tag, she froze.

When the jeweler measured her finger and remarked that the ring was perfect and wouldn’t need sizing, she thought this charade was going too far.

The sales associate took the ring to be polished. Lucia turned to Anderson and whispered “The ring is beautiful but too expensive. My cousin, Emilia Berceto, is a sought after jeweler and could create something amazing.”

Anderson shook his head, saying “A ring is needed tonight.”

Anderson discreetly handed his Amex card to the sales associate.

Lucia asked him, “Have you inquired about their return policy?”

Anderson stared blankly at her for a moment, before saying, “I don’t return purchases. It’ll be your keepsake. I don’t care what you do with it.”

The jeweler returned with the ring and the sales associate followed with the paperwork. They discussed the design and handed Anderson the box along with his card and a small bag with the receipt.

Anderson took the ring from the blue box and slipped it on her finger. “Enjoy, bella.” His gaze seared into her and challenged her to object.

Lucia looked away and tried to make sense of the wave of emotions she was experiencing. She could feel a slight quiver in her stomach. Were they making a huge mistake? Would this false engagement blow up in their faces? She had experienced the shame around being abandoned on her wedding day. She had no desire to repeat the experience.

The afternoon passed by in a rush of activity. They made several stops at local businesses in Greenwich and a campaign aide was on hand to take photographs. During a rather visible lunch, Anderson reminded her to smile and remember she was in love. She managed a few bites of her salad before the apprehension in her stomach prevented her for eating more.

When they arrived back at the hotel, she chose a gown for the fundraiser that evening and a stylist arrived to do her hair and makeup. The campaign team had assembled and began working on the various angles of the story.

Later that evening, they left the hotel by limousine. Climbing out of the car, Anderson held her upper arm firmly and said in a low voice, “Just follow my lead tonight. Remember we are very much in love. And I adore you.”

Lucia turned and looked into his eyes, “I’m not sure that we are doing the right thing. This could backfire on us.” She became conscious of people watching them. They were dressed in formal attire and standing close to one another on the sidewalk, bystanders were slowing down and looking at them.

“You look beautiful, bella.” he murmured. “And I worship the ground that you walk on.” He put his hand behind her head and claimed her mouth in a show of passion. Anger flashed through her body and she bit down on his lower lip. He let go of her and stepped back. She could see a flash of indignation in his sharp gaze.

“I’m not your puppet. And I’ll not be ordered around.” Lucia contradicted him.

She could see a few reporters hanging around the entrance to the hotel, less than fifty feet from them.

Anderson planted his feet wide and stood before her. “I didn’t suggest you were. But we are in this together and you have reasons of your own not to allow our association to dissolve into tabloid fodder. Don’t push me too far or I’ll walk away without a backward glance.”

Her eyes clashed with his until he broke the standoff and escorted her into the hotel.

Anderson pulled her aside and whispered in an undisguised threat, “Watch your actions tonight. This might feel like a bad dream or play-acting but this is our future. If we are not successful in convincing the media that this is a fairytale romance –boy meets girl, falls madly in love then marries her and lives happily ever after- then I can assure that you will not enjoy the results.”

Lucia’s breathe constricted in her lungs. He was trying to bully her so she would do what he wanted. Lucia considered opposing him but knew that if the wrong implications were put on the photograph then it would be mortifying to say the least. Her extended family was highly respected in Connecticut and she herself was just getting away from the embarrassment of a failed engagement.

Anderson wouldn’t give an inch. Almost as if he was made out of steel instead of plastic as she first suspected. He was definitely strong and not adverse to risk. What assurance did he have that she would not betray him and go to the media herself? Or just pack up and go back to California?

“Are you ready?”  

“Yes.” Lucia whispered, meeting his stare. She thought she saw a slight softening of his features but it was so fleeting that she couldn’t be sure.

Anderson took her hand and they walked to the circular door. There was a rush of people to greet them. Lucia tried to step aside to allow the media to showcase Anderson but he firmly held her hand and wouldn’t let her escape into the background.

A feeling of unease gripped her. There were hundreds of flashes at the same time and a string of questions were being shouted at them. She held her chin up and smiled. Lucia tightened her grip on Anderson’s hand and could feel his hand return the pressure.

Anderson smiled and greeted several of the reporters by name. They walked through the crowd to an area that was set up for a small press conference. Anderson reached the microphone and greeted everyone. He turned to Lucia and smiled broadly.

“Good evening” Anderson began. “I have an announcement to make before the festivities begin. Tonight, I asked Ms. Lucia Montgomery to marry me.” He paused for a moment and glanced at her. Lucia felt as if she was on show and could hardly think. “And she has accepted. We plan to have a quiet ceremony this summer and hope that you will respect our privacy.”

The cameras were clicking away and Lucia tried to stay calm by focusing on her breathing.

A reporter called out, “How did you meet?”

Anderson answered, “On the campaign trail. We met socially and it was love at first sight.”

With that answer, Brian Gallagher took over the microphone to answer questions while Anderson and Lucia made their way into the ballroom.

The next several hours flew by. Nearly everyone congratulated them. Anderson danced with her several times and presented the image of doting fiancée, often leaning in and sharing a private word with her. If she didn’t know better, she would have begun believing that he was crazy about her.

While Anderson was polite to everyone, he had an uncanny ability to steer the conversation and not let individual agendas take over. Lucia was hardly ever alone, either Anderson or Brian was at her side to help answer curious questions or firmly set limits on her time.

Lucia couldn’t believe how everything had changed in twenty-four hours. She tried to look happy and put people at ease by listening intently and asking them questions.

The guests and journalists easily accepted the news of the engagement so it came as a surprise when the campaign staff seemed to be thrown. Making her way around the room, she became aware of a few glares and conversations that stopped abruptly when she approached. If only they knew the truth about tonight’s events maybe they wouldn’t be so hostile. They must think that the romance was going on for weeks and they were kept in the dark. She was lying to the campaign staff along with everyone else. She wasn’t sure how Brian was planning to explain the engagement so she was careful not to say anything.

Escaping an uncomfortable conversation, Lucia went over to the bar to get a mineral water. Marissa Morton approached her. She had met the other woman earlier in the suite and knew she held a powerful position in the campaign. Lucia could tell by her tightly compressed lips and stiff mannerisms that she wasn’t pleased with the sudden engagement. Marissa was well connected politically and her father and Anderson’s had been friends for years.