A Bride for Connor

The Berwyn Island Trilogy (Part 1& 2, Book 1)

Olivia Teese

Copyright 2013 by Olivia Teese

This e-book is licensed for your ersonal en!oy"ent only# This e-book "ay not be distributed to other ersons or re-sold without er"ission fro" the author# Please urchase an additional co y for each reci ient if you would like to share this e-book# This is a work of fiction and any si"ilarity to any erson dead or li$ing is coincidental#

Copyright 2013 by Olivia Teese Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16

Chapter 1
Monday Berwyn Island, Caribbean

Connor strolled into The %onch &hell, a worried

e' ression etched on his handso"e chiselled face# The co(y seaside caf) was *uiet, a handful of custo"ers scattered about the roo"# It boasted a si" le and cheerful d)cor, $arying shades of orange and chocolate# & rigs of white bougain$illea in green $ases adorned each table# The cool e$ening bree(e and its refreshing salty scent, "ingled with the tantali(ing aro"a of freshly brewed beans, cal"ed %onnor+s s irit slightly# ,e dro ed his tall, si' foot four, well-built fra"e into a chair and ran a hand through his dark, erfectly cut and styled hair# ,e sur$eyed his surroundings while ad!usting the tie of his dark grey -an$in suit, chest hea$ing with irritation and des air# This was the first ti"e he had set foot inside the *uaint establish"ent and it was also the closest lace he could esca e to, after recei$ing u setting news fro" the fa"ily lawyer !ust "inutes ago# .r# %hargings had infor"ed hi" that there was no way to esca e the "andate of his late grandfather+s wishes# %onnor could not i"agine what would ossess /dward ,andsu"" to i" ose such

e'tre"e "easures regarding the 0, /" ire# 1ristin noticed when the towering, i""aculately groo"ed "an had entered the caf) and sat at a table by the door# &he gas ed# ,e was scul ted like a drea"y god# ,er heart ha""ered at ninety "iles er hour# 1ristin felt as if a thousand hu""ing birds were tra ed in her generous boso"# &he instantly forgot about the atrons she was about to ser$e as her eyes re"ained fi'ed on the e'ce tionally attracti$e stranger# ,e e"anated confidence and effortless so histication# %onnor caught her intense stare and ga ed like a stunned fish# ,e thought the waitress was the "ost e'*uisite creature he had e$er seen# &he had full breasts that strained ro$ocati$ely against the blouse of her blue and white unifor" and a tiny waist that could be s anned with one of his large hands easily# ,er hair was a lustrous curtain of gold# Ti"e stood still# The tray 1ristin was holding filled with cu s of i ing hot coffee, tilted and crashed to the tiled floor# ,er ner$ous hands shook and she lanted the" on her chest in an atte" t to still the tre"ors# 1ristin and %onnor were i" er$ious to the s reading ool of brown li*uid and "ug shards on the ground or the looks of curious a"use"ent# The only audible sounds were the wa$es crashing onto the beach and their laboured breathing# 2.y goodness, you are the se'iest "an I ha$e e$er seen in "y life34 1ristin e'clai"ed, running towards %onnor# &he fell to her knees in front of

hi"# %onnor leaned forward, their faces a breath away fro" each other# 1ristin let a tentati$e hand drift to his face which was co$ered in faint stubble# 2But why do you look so distressed54 she asked softly, concerned, looking dee ly into the "ost disar"ing air of grey eyes# %onnor drank in the $ision of erfection that knelt before hi"# ,e was dying to taste her eaches and crea" skin and strawberry coloured li s that begged to be kissed breathless# %onnor felt a tightening in his groin so owerful, he could al"ost hear the threads of his ants stretch to the oint of tearing# ,e laced a hand o$er her delicate one, his "ind bri""ing with erotic i"ages of hi" burying his burgeoning "anhood into that nest of nectar that was ensconced between her thighs# 2&weet, gorgeous wo"an,4 I a" distressed because in order to take o$er the fa"ily business, I need a wife# It was sti ulated in "y grandfather+s will#4 26hhh,4 cooed 1ristin sy" athetically# 2I can re"edy that situation for you,4 she re"arked# %onnor+s face lit u with ho e and was hel lessly lost in her alluring eyes, which were as bright and green as sunbathed e"eralds# They ierced hi" to the core# 2Tell "e how,4 he whis ered fiercely# ,is heartbeat thundered in his ears like the hoof beats of a hundred stallions# 2I ha$e to get a husband, it+s the only way for "e to stay in this country,4 she gushed# 2.y work

er"it e' ires to"orrow and "arriage is "y only o tion to a$oid being de orted#4 %onnor fra"ed her heart-sha ed face with his hands, his thu"bs "aking circles on the blissfully soft skin of her high cheekbones# 2It see"s we can sa$e each other#4 1ristin nodded and s oke in a low urgent tone# 2But it has to be a "arriage in na"e only# I need a husband# But I don+t want one# &ay you understand54 ,er leading eyes "elted his heart as *uick as a glacier on the sun# 27es# 7es I do#4 %onnor knew in his "ind that it would be $irtually i" ossible to be wed to such a ge" of a wo"an and not being able to clai" her body and soul# 28hat is your na"e54 %onnor asked the beautiful waitress# 21ristin -u$leigh,4 she re lied# %onnor ulled her right hand into his and shook it gently# 2I a" %onnor ,andsu"", your future husband, and we are going to be wed today#4 1ristin s"iled at hi" war"ly# ,er face was bea"ing with relief but inside she was battling a wa$e of fear# I have to keep my secret from this man until after the wedding. I can only pray he does not go digging into my past and find out who I really am.

Chapter 2

Connor sat in the sleek li"ousine, taking in the

sight that was 9ontabelle &*uare# It reeked of decay# Burnt out buildings !utted out of the neighbourhood like angry rotten teeth# :arbage was scattered along the a$e"ents and $agrants were ru""aging through the refuse in search of food# It was a heart breaking sight for a "an who was in the business of ac*uiring and de$elo ing lu'ury ro erties# %onnor found it inconcei$able that a beauty such as 1ristin resided in such a filthy en$iron"ent# &he was a dia"ond in a landfill, %onnor thought to hi"self# ,e had !ust left .r# %hargings office with the "arriage agree"ent for hi" and 1ristin to sign# %onnor had rushed o$er to the attorney+s office i""ediately after 1ristin agreed to "arry hi"# It was "andatory for all three ,andsu"" brothers to "arry if they wanted to ha$e full control of the articular area of the 0, /" ire they wished# %onnor watched 1ristin as she ca"e down the stairs of her a art"ent block# It was one of the $ery few which a eared to be habitable-!ust barely# ;s 1ristin crossed the street %onnor watched her, "es"eri(ed# <o wo"an e$er had such a bewitching effect on hi"# ,e ad"itted to hi"self that it was custo"ary for hi" to fall in lo$e in the blink of a long-lashed eye# But there was so"ething s ecial about 1ristin -u$leigh, he

couldn+t *uite e' lain# ; gust of wind tossed her golden "ane about her face# &he was dressed in tight !eans that fit her as snug as a deni" candy wra er and white tee shirt# &he carried a $alise and a wine coloured handbag# 1ristin aused when she reached near the car and flicked a glance at her old ho"e# &he was elated to be rescued fro" her cra y a art"ent with the threadbare "attress she sle t on, the one rickety chair, tiny fridge and "icrowa$e# &he didn+t own a sto$e# In the $alise were two work unifor"s, a air of stra y heels, her work shoes, a ink su""er dress, towels and toiletries# ;t twenty-four 1ristin felt an utter failure# &he had fled her ho"etown, %ul e er, burdened with sha"e# Tra$elling island to island she grabbed any !ob that assed her way including= babysitting, lant nursery assistant and $olunteering at se$eral health institutions# &i' "onths ago she arri$ed in Berwyn and *uickly found a !ob waiting tables at the %onch &hell# But now the tourist season was trickling to a halt and she only had a few days of e" loy"ent left at the cafe# 1ristin was des erately hunting for another !ob but ossessing only a high school education drastically reduced her o tions# &he thought about the thirteen dollars and odd change in her urse and the e$iction notice tacked to her a art"ent door# There seems to be nothing in the world I am good at-no-great at. And my mother has never passed up an opportunity to viciously drill that fact into my

head. %onnor got out of the car and held the door o en for 1ristin# The dri$er :ordon, a burly "an in his "id-fifties, tossed her belongings uncere"oniously into the trunk# 1ristin slid inside the $ehicle ad"iring its lush tan interior# &he felt like a rincess# %onnor !oined her seconds later and :ordon started the engine and e'ited 9ontabelle &*uare# %onnor resented 1ristin with the agree"ent and the "arriage licences he had secured for the"# 2Pastor 8ilson fro" &t# .atthias church has agreed to do the cere"ony# 8e+ll be "arried in a cou le hours#4 2.y goodness that was fast,4 1ristin said startled, but ha y# Their fingers brushed as she took the en$elo e fro" hi"# ; bolt of unsettling heat shot u her ar" and coursed ra idly through her body# %onnor+s breath caught in his throat and was leasantly sur rised to see goose bu" s fan out o$er her skin# 1ristin dee ly inhaled in an effort to steady her ner$es and clear her head# &he ulled the a ers out and scanned the" briefly# %onnor lucked a gold- lated en fro" his !acket ocket and offered it to her# ,e watched her with eagle eyes in a rehension as she rested the docu"ents on the to of her thighs, scrawled her signature, returned the" to the en$elo e and handed the" back to hi"# %onnor was i""ensely relie$ed# ,e was ho ing she would not scrutini(e the" to ensure they

corres onded with the $erbal agree"ent they "ade earlier> they would se arate discreetly after one week, she would be aid half a "illion dollars they would di$orce one year after she beca"e a citi(en# 2Thank you, thank you for being "y hero,4 she said in earnest, resting a hand on one of his "uscled thighs# %onnor flinched at her touch, lust bla(ed owerfully through his loins# &he leaned into hi" to lant a kiss on his cheek# ,e caught her li s hungrily with his, letting his tongue del$e into the soft war"th of her "outh, his hands settled at her waist# 1ristin fro(e "o"entarily then the hesitance dissol$ed, her hands tra$elling u %onnor+s broad fir" chest as she res onded to his kiss with une' ected assion# They "oaned in unison# &uddenly %onnor felt so"ething hard against the back of his head# 1ristin had flung hi" away fro" her and he fell backwards against the car door# 2I can+t, I can+t,4 1ristin "uttered, rubbing her
hands together and staring out the car window# 2<o "an has e$er-I+$e ne$er-I can+t#4 %onnor+s

"outh fell o en as he reali(ed what she was atte" ting to say and a look of astonish"ent registered on his face# 2.y :od34 %onnor uttered# 2I want to re"ain this way %onnor# I want to wait for lo$e# &o you understand we could ne$er "ake lo$e# /$er#4 %onnor sat u straight# 2But 1ristin-4

2<o# 8e stick to the lan# ; "arriage in na"e only#4 &he insisted e" hatically# 2But 1ristin, here in Berwyn Island, "arriages ha$e to be consu""ated to be official,4 %onnor infor"ed her# 1ristin+s face fell with disa oint"ent# 2?o you know how I got stuck here in the first lace54 &he turned to face %onnor 2I followed a "an who I thought lo$ed "e here to Berwyn, only to find hi" in the "outh of another wo"an#4 1ristin blurted out angrily# 2&atan curse the day I "et @ohnny :ates#4 %onnor+s eyes went as wide as dinner lates# 2@ohnny :ates54 he re eated# 2%hrist al"ightythat+s "y brother34 %onnor e'clai"ed# 6n his way to the lawyer+s office he had "ade two hone calls# The first one was to his brother ?aniel who was in :olden %ay and the second was laced to @ohnny in Barbados# ,e had honed the" to share the news and in$ite the" to the wedding# %onnor wisely refrained fro" sharing with her, that @ohnny was going to be resent when they e'changed nu tials#

Chapter 3

Kristin

stood at the cha el entrance wearing a stra less, ankle length i$ory gown# It was cinched at the waist with a braided sil$er belt and her hair was swe t into an elegant chignon# ;t her ar" was %onnor+s dri$er :ordon in his chauffeur unifor" and ca # ,e would be gi$ing 1ristin away# %onnor stood at the altar with Pastor 8ilson, staring at his breath-taking wife-to-be# ,er beauty howe$er was so"ewhat shadowed by her tightly set "outh and clenched !aw# ,is "ind !erked back to the bridal bouti*ue, Beautiful Belle, where they sto ed at !ust o$er an hour before# 1ristin had ranted about his brother until his head felt as if cathedral bells were bouncing around inside it# &he ractically threw a tantru" with the sales staff, sna ing at the" and tossing about dresses that she didn+t care for# The dressing roo" was a launch ad for lace and satin "issiles# ;fter she had $ented 1ristin a ologi(ed rofusely for her beha$iour and %onnor had ti ed the sales clerks $ery generously for the abuse they sustained# ,e was in disbelief as to how s"all the world really was# @ohnny had been ado ted into the ,andsu"" fa"ily when he was eight years old# %onnor and his brother ?aniel had welco"ed @ohnny fro" the first day their grandfather had brought hi" ho"e twenty years ago# %onnor and ?aniel were twel$e and ten res ecti$ely back then# @ohnny had changed his

surna"e !ust a few "onths before /dward+s assing# ,e had held on to the :ates title for senti"ental reasons, which ulti"ately had caused hi" great sorrow# The organist struck u the custo"ary wedding tune and 1ristin sto" ed down the aisle# &he ca"e towards the" as a soldier would in a "arch ast# :ordon was ractically running to kee u with her and he stu"bled se$eral ti"es# Pastor 8ilson+s eyebrows drew together in an arch of curiosity and his li s curled u wards slightly# %onnor fidgeted with the tie of his Isaia tu'edo and cleared his throat# 8hen the cou le reached to where he and the astor were standing, 1ristin slanted %onnor a glare that could shatter dia"onds# The cere"ony roceeded with grunted res onses fro" the bride and sedate answers fro" the groo"# :ordon ke t his eyes a$erted to the cha el roof as though he was seeking an esca e route# 8hen the sealing state"ent was "ade by the astor, %onnor ga$e 1ristin a swift eck on the li s and tugged gently on her ar" to lead her out of the cha el# @ust as they neared the e'it, a wo"an dressed in a tur*uoise halter neck dress was hurrying in their direction followed closely by a "an decked out in a tu'edo# 2;"anda34 1ristin s*uealed in e'cite"ent# 2%onnor this is "y friend ;"anda,4 1ristin infor"ed her husband# &he and ;"anda e'changed a long, hard hug#

2I+" so sorry I "issed it but a cou le hours+ notice is cra(y#4 ;"anda said as 1ristin released her# 2But congrats hun, I+" so ha y for you# 1ristin swung around suddenly when she heard a fa"iliar $oice greeting %onnor# It was @ohnny# @ohnny was al"ost as tall as his brother %onnor but the si"ilarities ended there in ter"s of rese"blance# ; loud crack ierced the air as 1ristin+s hand "ade contact with the face of her husband+s brother# 27ou son of a bitch3 :odda"n you @ohnny for screwing with "y life34 1ristin e' loded# %onnor breathed a long sigh of relief that she used the word screw and not the alternati$e# ,e dragged his new wife away fro" his @ohnny as she wound u her ar" to deli$er another blow# :ordon hustled to the li"ousine# 2@esus %hrist 1ristin3 8e are still in the -ord+s house34 @ohnny ground out# 2I can e' lain e$erything if you !ust gi$e "e a chance#4 %onnor groaned in e"barrass"ent and "entally struggled with the fact that his brother had been with his wife# 2Is this the @ohnny that du" ed you for that whore fro" the launch arty54 ;"anda asked 1ristin who nodded tersely# 1ristin+s eyes were boring into her brother-in-law+s with fire# ;nother shar crack echoed in the church as ;"anda backhanded @ohnny, who stared at her in shock as he rubbed his burning !aw# Pastor 8ilson rushed towards the co""otion, his dark robes bustling about hi"#

2.y children, lease, this is a church,4 he re"inded the" in an urgent, leading $oice# @ohnny backed away fro" the li$id wo"en# ;"anda ulled 1ristin aside# 27ou didn+t tell "e he was so hot,4 she whis ered# ;"anda sha"elessly ad"ired @ohnny+s "uscular hysi*ue and black wa$y hair that brushed his shoulders# ,is cobalt blue eyes and se'y "outh ga$e ;"anda shi$ers# The "an e'uded "asculinity and $irility# &he winked at hi"# 1ristin nudged ;"anda in the ribs, who was twirling her red long curls as she continued to ogle @ohnny# 27ou are awful,4 she chided# They both snickered softly# @ohnny scowled at ;"anda but there was a glint of "ischief in his e' ression# ,e returned ;"anda+s wink# @ohnny thought ;"anda was ositi$ely hot, with her i$ory skin, s"oking cur$es and fiery waist length hair# ,e "ade a oint to a$oid hot-headed wo"en but this one threatened to bring hi" to his knees# %onnor was asha"ed at the trio+s outrageous beha$iour but knew he was no better than the eo le who stood before hi"# ,e offered dee a ologies to the astor and then ushered the two wo"en out of the cha el and towards the li"ousine# @ohnny followed the" at a fair distance# %onnor ke t listening for a fork of lightening to strike hi" for the web of deceit he was s inning where 1ristin and their "arriage was concerned# 8hen she found out what he had done

to her he could al"ost feel her hitting hi" like she did @ohnny# But 1ristin robably wouldn+t be using her hand and he held no false ho es that his head would still re"ain on his shoulders with the force he knew she would surely "ight use without "ercy#

Chapter 4

It was sunset when :ordon

ulled the li"ousine skilfully under a orte cochere of .ahogany Aidge .ansion# The ,andsu"" ho"e was a s lendid @acobean structure, boasting ?utch gables, coral stone finials and a :eorgian styled ortico# 1ristin ga ed in awe at its beauty and the s ectacular gardens that surrounded it# :ordon hastily e'ited the $ehicle# ,e yanked the doors o en for his assengers, retrie$ed 1ristin+s bags and disa eared into the house# The ride ho"e had been *uiet but e"otionally charged# %onnor was the first to break the hea$y, s"othering silence# 21ristin, could you and ;"anda sit by the ga(ebo lease, I need to s eak with @ohnny#4 @ohnny followed his brother who was heading through the e' ansi$e gardens of the estate# ,e was dreading the i""inent awkward con$ersation# %onnor halted by a koi ond and straightened his tie# 2;lright little brother, what+s the story54 he began# @ohnny !u" ed right in telling %onnor how he and 1ristin "et at <orth .ercy %linic in Be*uia, where he was recei$ing hysical thera y for a "inor leg in!ury he sustained in a "otorcycle accident# @ohnny aused "o"entarily when %onnor+s eyes narrowed at hi"# @ohnny had told no one about the accident, not wanting to suffer through "ore lectures on the dangers of riding a ?ucati at

suicidal s eeds# ,e lunged ahead before %onnor could interru t hi"# 1ristin was $olunteering at <orth .ercy and they started dating after he co" leted his treat"ent# @ohnny was *uick to "ake the oint that they were ne$er inti"ate# ; weight shifted fro" @ohnny+s shoulders and he sighed inwardly in relief# %onnor was insanely leased that @ohnny had not had se' with his wife# ,e obser$ed @ohnny+s disco"fort with undisguised leasure# 2&he always said she was waiting for lo$e and dee down inside we knew we didn+t ha$e that#4 @ohnny said# 2But we did ha$e good ti"esB##4 his $oice trailed off# 2&o what ha ened ne't54 %onnor ressed on# 2;s you know I had to co"e here to Berwyn for the launch arty for "y race track ro!ect# I ca"e without 1ristin#4 @ohnny blew out a hard breath before continuing# 2I had left her a breaku note but she ne$er got it and flew out to see "e# 1ristin saw "e kissing one of the "odels#4 @ohnny shrugged and shook his head sole"nly# 2I didn+t "ean to hurt her %onnor but you know how I a" with relationshi s# I couldn+t do it to her face# <o wo"an has e$er treated "e so kindly without an ulterior "oti$e and you know how co" licated life is when you+re a ,andsu"" billionaire#4 %onnor re"ained silent for se$eral seconds before re lying, digesting what @ohnny had said #

27ou+re a fool little brother and a raging whore but I at least res ect your decision for doing the right thing in letting her go, e$en if it was a chicken "o$e#4 @ohnny laughed lightly# %onnor ste ed closer to hi" and s"ashed his fist into his younger brother+s face# @ohnny cru" led to the well-"anicured lawn# 28hat the hell was that for54 @ohnny barked# 2?efending "y wife+s honour,4 %onnor re lied rubbing his knuckles# ,e was "ystified as to why he sna ed like a dried twig under a giant+s foot# 2&he still has it you ass34 @ohnny yelled# %onnor hunkered down ne't to his brother and hauled hi" to his feet# @ohnny brushed off his dishe$elled suit and s"oothed it with his hands# 2I know but I can+t e' lain it @ohnny# I !ust felt the irresistible urge to unch you#4 %onnor couldn+t understand how his e"otions had s iralled so out of control so suddenly# It was uncharacteristic for hi" to lose his co" osure so easily# @ohnny frowned at %onnor then his "outh fell o en# 2%onnor, are you in lo$e with 1ristin54 he $entured# %onnor looked his brother dead in the eyes# 27ou know how you are when it co"es to "atters of the heart# 7ou fall so eas-4 %onnor silenced @ohnny with a wa$e of his hand# 2&he+s the lo$e of "y life @ohnny,4 %onnor confir"ed in a serious $oice#

26kay then,4 @ohnny said# 2I "ust say this ti"e see"s different so"ehow,4 he added# The two "en grinned at each other chuckling then roceeded to "ake their way back# :uilt weighed on %onnor+s conscience, he felt like a hy ocrite for chastising @ohnny for what he had done to 1ristin, when the $ery foundation of their "arriage was built on betrayal#

Chapter 5

Kristin and ;"anda were engrossed in ani"ated

chatter when %onnor and @ohnny returned# 2It+s ti"e we went inside,4 %onnor announced# 2I would like to talk to ;"anda,4 @ohnny said# ;"anda snorted at his re*uest# 2?on+t you think you should be talking to 1ristin54 she asked# 2I will but I want to ha$e a word with you first,4 @ohnny re lied# ;"anda folded her ar"s across her chest and ta ed her heeled foot on the floor of the ga(ebo in annoyance# 1ristin cleared her throat and walked o$er to her husband, obser$ing @ohnny and ;"anda with "uted interest# 2I+ll gi$e you two a few "inutes,4 %onnor said taking his wife+s hand# I+ll gi$e 1ristin a short tour of the gardens in the "eanti"e then we+ll head inside# ,arold is robably catching a fit by now#4 %onnor had honed his butler to gi$e hi" the news that he had found a wo"an to "arry and to re are a "eal for four une' ected guests# ?uring their con$ersation %onnor also learned that they had a $isitor at .ahogany Aidge # .argaret ,andsu"" was as welco"e to their ho"e as a swar" of cockroaches bearing the swine flu $irus# &he was conni$ing and greedy and %onnor dreaded facing her# ,e could handle .argaret but knew the e$il wo"an would relish targeting his new wife 1ristin# ,e redicted the e$ening will *uickly transfor"

fro" a celebration to a ossible altercation, es ecially with @ohnny disco$ering she was at the house# ,e needed to ha$e a $ery i" ortant con$ersation with his bride#

Chapter 6

Connor and 1ristin stood beside a grand four tier

fountain in the gardens# %onnor wedged his hands in his ockets, 1ristin watched hi" with curious eyes# 2There is a $ery undesirable guest in our ho"eaunt .argaret# &he is here to bilk us#4 1ristin sat on a nearby bench, arranging the folds of her gown so it wouldn+t brush the dewy grass and offered %onnor her full attention# ,er husband roceeded to fill her in on .argaret, her "ission to "ake the" "iserable and a slice of fa"ily history# Their grandfather /dward ,andsu"" had cut her out of his will for reasons he ne$er disclosed# The first ti"e they e$er "et her was the day after /dward had died, ten days ago# .argaret had left Berwyn when %onnor was !ust two and ?aniel was a baby# &usan ,andsu"" had died gi$ing birth to her last child, ?aniel# ,arold, the butler, was hired shortly after along with a babysiter# They had ne$er e$en heard their aunt+s $oice on a tele hone call, so of course they were co" letely sur rised when she had shown u at the house bearing an ar"load of anthuriu"s, eyes filled with tears, offering the" condolences# The day after the funeral .argaret had la"ented that her "oney was gone, the co" anies she had in$ested in had folded in the recession# %onnor had ro"ised that he would

ha$e funds transferred to her bank account by the ti"e she reached back ho"e in ;ruba# 2That was a cou le days ago,4 %onnor said# 2&he called two days after I wired the "oney, li$id, telling "e the a"ount I sent was an insult#4 2,ow "uch did you gi$e her,4 1ristin asked# 2Two "illion,4 %onnor said# 1ristin was astounded# 2.y goodness and she wants "ore54 1ristin asked incredulously# %onnor "ur"ured yes# 2<ow she+s back insisting that she deser$es "ore but she is not getting another enny# I bet grandfather is clawing at the roof of his casket at the fact that I obliged her in the first lace#4 1ristin stood u and laced a hand on %onnor+s chest, ga(ing at her husband, his eyes slightly clouded in sadness# 2I+" sure he would understand if he were here,4 she said softly# %onnor felt a war" surge of e"otions crash through his body# ,e let his hands re"ain in his ockets for fear that he would be swe t away in the "o"ent and kiss his wife until she sto ed breathing# 2I lo$e you 1ristin ,andsu"",4 he declared# 27ou ha$e "y heart and soul tra ed in the al"s of your hands#4 1ristin ti toed and laced a brief kiss on his cheek# 2I do not wish your heart sweet one# I want to go "y own way in se$en days as you ro"ised# This

lo$e talk is cra(y and irrational# Love-is crazy and irrational 4 %onnor+s heart instantly deflated at her state"ent# How can I make this woman fall for me why won!t she let me love her" 2-et+s get the others and ha$e dinner,4 %onnor said ste ing away fro" 1ristin and leading the way# 1ristin felt awful for hurting %onnor+s feelings but she did not want any "isunderstandings about what they really were# .an and wife in na"e only for one week, no co" lications and there was nothing her husband could do to change things# &he fell into ste beside %onnor and they "ade their way back in silence#

Chapter 7

2You always !u" into your friends+ battles without *uestion54 @ohnny began# ;"anda "arched o$er to @ohnny and wagged a finger "enacingly in his face# 27ou don+t think what you did to 1ristin was !ust cause for what you got34 she bit out# 27ou !udged "e without knowing the whole story,4 @ohnny shouted back# 2I know enough,4 ;"anda threw at hi"# But she saw so"ething in his eyes she couldn+t e' lain and for a fleeting "o"ent she wondered if his words bore so"e truth# 2I can+t stand wo"en like you,4 @ohnny drawled in annoyance# ;"anda lanted her hands on @ohnny+s chest with the intention of roughly sho$ing hi"# ,e caught her ar"s, inning the" at her sides as he ushed her against a colu"n of the ga(ebo# 26n the other hand,4 @ohnny "ur"ured, bringing his face within "illi"etres of hers and staring into her sky blue eyes# 28o"en like you "ake "e hot#4 @ohnny ressed his li s against hers, fir"ly rying the" a art, seeking entry# ,er flowery scent and luscious li s into'icated hi"# ;"anda struggled for a few "o"ents then her tongue danced with @ohnny+s# ,e freed her and she sli ed her hands inside his !acket and around his waist, drawing hi" closer# ;"anda felt herself drowning in @ohnny+s addicti$e kiss, losing control# &he suddenly ushed

@ohnny away and sla ed hi" soundly# @ohnny stared at her, bewildered# 28hy can+t you !ust ad"it you want "e as "uch as I want you,4 he asked in irritation, "assaging his !aw# 2I ha$e to retend I don+t want you to ra$ish "e# I ha$e to tease you, blow hot and cold until one day we "ake lo$e that blows each of our "inds,4 ;"anda e' lained# @ohnny+s face contorted with disbelief# ;"anda rushed around hi" and ran down the ste s# &he sto ed short when she saw 1ristin and %onnor a roaching# ;"anda wondered if they saw her and @ohnny kissing but did not dare ask# @ohnny "uttered a string of e' leti$es under his breath# ,ad his father been a irate he would ha$e been roud# 2It+s ti"e to go,4 %onnor said# The four of the" entered .ahogany Aidge "ansion#

Chapter 8

The butler was

osted at the door as they "ade their way into the s acious foyer# ,arold was a tall distinguished looking "an, s"artly attired in black ants and a cris white long-slee$ed shirt with a black bow tie# ,e had greying hair at his te" les and wore an e' ression of utter dis leasure# <e't to hi" was a wo"an who rese"bled a re"enstrual shrew, outfitted in a long grey dress with ca slee$es# .argaret ,andsu""+s sil$er streaked hair was scra ed back into a se$ere bun and she regarded her ne hew with frank disdain# 2I a" glad you arri$ed when you did sir, I was about to cho all four heads off this wretched dragon#4 %onnor glanced at his brother who had "urder si""ering in his eyes, then "et his aunt+s icy stare# ,e knew @ohnny would be $ery u set that he did not gi$e hi" a heads u about .argaret# %onnor did not regret his decision es ecially considering the catastro he in$ol$ing her and @ohnny at grandfather+s funeral ten days ago# ,e still shuddered a little inside when the "e"ory resented itself# 2.y a ologies for not gi$ing you a ro er greeting#-I welco"e you to .ahogany Aidge "ansion,4 ,arold cordially addressed his guests# ;"anda and 1ristin !ust nodded, totally absorbed in the scene that was unfolding#

2%onnor dear, I thought by now you would know that the trash is ke t outside the house# .argaret i ed in a derisi$e tone, her eyes trailing to 1ristin# ;"anda lunged at .argaret# @ohnny reacted *uickly ulling her back to hi" in a bear hug as .argaret took two hasty ste s backward# 2?o not s eak to "y wife that way .argaret ,andsu"",4 %onnor warned, drawing hi"self u to full height# 1ristin+s eyes shi""ered with tears# 2I want you out of this house first thing in the "orning# ;nd no-not another enny34 he stor"ed# %onnor rested a al" at the s"all of his wife+s back and ushered her into the dining roo"# 2-et+s ha$e so"e dinner#4 The others followed hi" lea$ing a chagrined .argaret with her boso" hea$ing in fury as she went u the stairs with her nose three "iles to the sky# ,arold seated the" at the grand dinner table and ro" tly filled their glasses with chilled water# %rea" of to"ato sou and ca$iar brioche, followed by gla(ed ha" and herbed otatoes with s icy as aragus were eaten *uietly# 1ristin stole a few concerned glances at her husband# ,is body was rigid with tension# &he des erately wanted to talk with hi", ease his ain but knew it would ha$e to wait until later# ;n unfa"iliar feeling cre t into her heart, it was so owerful, it "ade her catch her breath# 1ristin dis"issed the e"otion as !ust worry for %onnor# ,arold cleared the dishes to "ake way for dessert#

2:reat "an,4 @ohnny said in a so"bre $oice, looking u at a ortrait on the wall of the dining roo"# 2That he was#4 %onnor agreed in reflection, ausing with fork in hand, also focusing on the icture of their late grandfather, /dward ,andsu""# The two brothers resu"ed eating# 2&o ;"anda what do you do54 @ohnny asked# The absence of con$ersation was too weird for hi"# ;"anda la(ily took a si of water before s eaking# 2If you "ust know I work as a "aid at %oconut Bay ,otel#4 @ohnny stared at her intensely# 2I ho e that+s not a look of ity @ohnny ,andsu""# I "ay not ha$e been ri$ileged like you to ha$e hundred dollar bills as acifiers but I ha$e li$ed3 ;"anda said hotly# @ohnny+s eyes widened at her outburst and sly grin cre t onto his face# The butler a eared to ser$e dessert and to u their glasses with wine and water# 28here did that co"e fro", did "y kiss "ake your anties catch fire54

Chapter 9

Connor

and 1ristin+s heads sna ed around at @ohnny+s *uestion# 2,e kissed you54 1ristin s*uealed in shock# %onnor glared at @ohnny who ignored hi"# 2;"anda sweetie, you ha$e not li$ed until you ha$e e' erienced a ,andsu"" orgas"#4 1ristin nearly choked on her wine# &he coughed $iolently# ,arold atted her gently on the back# ,e re"ained co" osed and went about his tasks as if he had not heard a word of the fiery e'change# 29or %hrist sake @ohnny what is wrong with you54 %onnor de"anded# ;"anda !u" ed u fro" her chair abru tly, knocking it o$er backwards# @ohnny s"iled tauntingly at her and raised his glass of wine# 2If you sla "e again I "ight sli "y tongue so"ewhere else this ti"e,4 @ohnny threatened# The wo"an unra$elled hi" like no other e$er had-she "ade hi" cra(y# 1ristin grabbed ;"anda+s ar"# 2Please, lease sit back down,4 she begged# ;"anda was seething with anger# &he yanked the chair back on its feet and slowly lowered herself onto it, her eyes ne$er lea$ing @ohnny+s# They tucked into the delectable white chocolate crC"e BruleD#

2I take it ?aniel couldn+t get a flight out fro" :olden %ay with the short notice you ga$e hi",4 @ohnny said to %onnor# 2,e is organi(ing the annual ru" festi$al,4 %onnor re lied in a cli ed $oice# 2I would lo$e to stay and s end so"e ti"e with you and your new bride but I ost oned se$eral "eetings to co"e here so I need to get back as soon as ossible#4 2I understand and thanks for "aking a s ecial effort, I really a reciate it#4 2<o roble" big brother,4 @ohnny said# 2I also need to get going I ha$e to work the early shift to"orrow,4 said ;"anda# 2,arold, could you lease call Eincent and tell hi" to get the helico ter ready# @ohnny is returning to Barbados# ;lso get :ordon to bring a car around to take ho"e ;"anda#4 2%ertainly sir,4 the butler res onded and returned to the kitchen# 1ristin+s asked %onnor in a"a(e"ent# 27ou ha$e a helico ter 54 28e ha$e four,4 %onnor infor"ed her# 2There is one for each ,andsu"" brother#4 2;nd the fourth one54 26h, that one is for when we get bored of tra$elling in the others,4 %onnor elucidated# 26h,4 1ristin said# &he decided not to be da((led by the lu'uries of a billionaire lifestyle, after all her

ti"e as a ,andsu"" was going to be e'tre"ely brief# &he turned to her friend# 2I would say $isit "e soon but after one week, I will be out of .ahogany Aidge#4 ;"anda s*uee(ed 1ristin+s hand noting a faint look of unha iness in her eyes and wondered what was going on# &he and 1ristin had worked together at the %onch &hell cafeD# ;"anda was fired after a "onth for e'cessi$e flirting with the custo"ers# &he stole a glance at @ohnny ,andsu"" and chided herself for letting hi" get under her skin# ,e was infuriating yet "ade her want hi" beyond co" rehension# 28e+ll see each other soon enough,4 she ro"ised# The two la sed into con$ersation about lanning a girls+ day out while %onnor and @ohnny discussed business# ,arold announced a few "inutes later that the trans ortation for ;"anda and @ohnny was ready# /$eryone got u and filed out of the dining roo"# 1ristin walked with ;"anda to the li"ousine while %onnor and @ohnny stood in the doorway# 21ristin see"s like a great girl but I don+t want you setting yourself u for disa oint"ent, you can+t "ake her lo$e you back,4 ad$ised @ohnny# 2&he will,4 %onnor stated confidently# 2&he will#4 27ou "ight ha$e a chance after she gets a dose of a ,andsu"" org-4 @ohnny broke off his teasing when he noted the re ri"anding look on his

brother+s face# ,e s"irked and cla ed %onnor lightly on the back# 2I can+t wait for when it+s your turn to find a wife,4 %onnor said to @ohnny# 2I+ll call and let you know when I+" flying back in#4 @ohnny re lied, discounting his brother+s co""ent# ,e dashed down the front ste s, heading towards the north of the "ansion where the heli ad was located# %onnor s"iled at his brother+s hasty de arture# ?aniel and @ohnny had at first relished the fact that he had to get hitched first as he was the one to be in charge of the e" ire# <ow it was their turn# 2,a$e a good tri @ohnny,4 %onnor called after hi"# 1ristin !oined her husband by the doorway, wa$ing goodbye to ;"anda# 2I need to check "y cell hone for "essages,4 1ristin told %onnor# 2,arold ut your things u stairs, second roo" on your left# I+ll !oin you in a few "inutes#4 %onnor said# 1ristin went inside the house# %onnor waited se$eral "o"ents then followed, heading for the study which was two doors down fro" the "aster bedroo"# ,e ulled the en$elo e fro" his ants ocket which contained the "arriage contract and tucked it under his day lanner then left to !oin his wife# ; few "inutes after he closed the door .argaret sneaked down the corridor and into the study#

Chapter 10

Kristin sat on the "a""oth-si(ed four

oster bed in %onnor+s bedroo", still donned in her wedding dress# &he stared in horror at a te't "essage dis layed on the screen of her cell hone# From>Julia Luvleigh co i!g to see yo"# $ %a!t y o!ey&

1ristin+s blood ressure started to escalate# &he was glad she had tied the knot *uickly# But she didn+t think that %onnor would causally look the other way when he found out who her "other was !ust because they were "arried# It would be a ublic night"are for the ,andsu"" fa"ily# 1ristin breathed dee ly and tried to block ainful i"ages of the ast that started to crowd her "ind# &he heard the door o en and nearly fell off the bed, startled# 1ristin sli ed the hone into her handbag which was on the nightstand# ; s"all relief was that her "other only had 9ontabelle &*uare as her last address# &he would ha$e so"e ti"e to gather her thoughts and hatch a lan# %onnor ca"e in and began to undress, he see"ed reoccu ied# 1ristin ad"ired his "agnificently toned body and tiny beads of sweat dotted her forehead as a torturous longing in$aded her body# %onnor was obli$ious to the fact that he had an audience# 8hen he stri ed

down to his underwear 1ristin anted loudly and shot u fro" the bed, nearly tri ing o$er the he" of her gown# 26h "y, that is a *uite a large, bulge you ha$e there husband# 8hen that s ecial ti"e co"es I don+t know if that will fit inside "e#4 ,er state"ent shook %onnor out of his re$erie, who initially ga$e her a blank look then laughed softly at her flustered state# 21ristin you ha$e nothing to worry about# 8hen we "ake lo$e, "y si(e will be the last thing on your "ind#4 1ristin did not a ear con$inced# %onnor went o$er to where she was standing and ressed his li s against each of her earlobes and "assaged her back with his large hands# 1ristin re"ained still as she fought to breathe e$enly# 28hen I take you dear wife, there will only be one word on your tongue-more,4 %onnor assured her# But 1ristin could not i"agine begging for "ore of his i" ressi$e endow"ent but the thought of "aking lo$e with %onnor still sent delicious tingles u her s ine# 2I+" going to take a shower# I+$e been in these clothes too long,4 %onnor re"arked, when she did not res ond to his affections# ,e ste ed away fro" her# 1ristin glanced down at her clothes# 2.e too but I ha$e to "ake a call first,4 1ristin said, fishing her cell hone fro" her bag# %onnor noticed her hands shaking slightly as she retrie$ed her hone# #he is probably thinking I want to have

se$ tonight. ,e didn+t "ind if that articular e$ent occurred but he was ho ing it would be with a willing wife# %onnor dro ed his underwear, ste ing out of the" without a shred of shyness# 1ristin blushed se$eral shades of ink and red# ,is lack of "odesty had a cri ling effect on her# 2I-I-I will be back in a f-few "inutes,4 she sta""ered and ran fro" the roo" as if she was being chased by hell hounds with "achetes# &he hurried down the corridor to find an area where she could s eak in ri$ate# 1ristin went onto the terrace and dialled her "other+s nu"ber# &he did not see .argaret ease by# .argaret *uietly entered the study and i""ediately began to rifle through files on %onnor+s desk# &he wasn+t certain what she was looking for but she was ho ing to disco$er so"ething that would deli$er le$erage on her selfish, greedy ne hews# .argaret did not see ,arold who was in the sitting roo" ad!acent to the study, olishing a side table# 8hen ,arold saw .argaret slink by, he *uickly chucked away his feather duster and hid carefully behind the door that was a!ar# I""ediately after infor"ing %onnor that his guests+ trans ortation was ready, ,arold had sli ed into the sitting roo" to roar in laughter at the entertaining dinner con$ersation# ,e heard the soft whir of the co y "achine and shortly after, .argaret e'ited the study# ,e waited se$eral seconds then headed towards her roo"# ,arold heard a $oice, hushed and urgent, co"ing fro"

nearby# ,e s otted 1ristin on the terrace who a eared $ery agitated and was acing u and down like a eacock on steroids# ,er con$ersation could not be easily heard but one sentence drifted clearly through the o en doors# 2I a" "arried to a billionaire now so getting you a *uarter of a "illion dollars is a cakewalk34 ,arold was a alled# ,e had redicted growing fond of 1ristin, she a eared sweet though a little nai$e- a stark contrast to %onnor+s re$ious girlfriends# The ,andsu"" brothers were like sons to hi" and now /dward was gone, he was e$en "ore rotecti$e of the"# It see"ed that 1ristin was a gold digger !ust like the others that receded her# The thought Fgold digger+ re"inded ,arold of where he was going before he o$erheard 1ristin+s treacherous words# ,e continued to .argaret+s bedroo"# The door was une' ectedly o en and a blue and black stri ed suitcase was on the bed but she was nowhere to be seen# ,arold sneaked inside and heard "o$e"ent in the bathroo"# ,e *uickly scanned his surroundings and s otted a sheaf of a ers sticking out of .argaret+s hand bag in a green wing chair# 8hen he unfolded the" he recei$ed another crushing shock# ,arold was du"bfounded, disa ointed# The list of de$ious "inds at .ahogany Aidge had now grown longer# ; list he ne$er would ha$e i"agined, %onnor+s na"e would be on#

Chapter 11
Tuesday

2.ore, oh :od %onnor34 1ristin "oaned loudly# &he felt an orgas"ic tide ri through her and she arched her hi s off the bed# 21ristin34 %onnor shouted his wife+s na"e# 1ristin+s eyes fluttered o en, a sheen of ers iration co$ered her body# &he looked around and reali(ed that she was still tucked under the co$ers in a tee shirt and anties# It was only an erotic drea"3 It was %onnor shaking her and not an earth*uake of leasure# 1ristin gas ed in e"barrass"ent# %onnor grinned wickedly at his wife# ,er load "oans had !olted hi" fro" his slee # 27ou+re ha$ing a grand ti"e without "e,4 he teased# 1ristin sent hi" a scathing look and scra"bled fro" the bed# 8hen she had returned to the bedroo" last night after "aking her calls, %onnor was worried about the an'ious "ood she was in# ,e was $ery curious as to what could ha$e "ade her so unsettled# ,e decided he would tackle the "atter later that "orning# %onnor got out of bed, he was only clad in underwear and the sight of his half naked flesh "ade 1ristin feel di((y with lust# There was a fir" knock on the door# %onnor handed 1ristin a fluffy crea" coloured robe and

donned a black one hi"self# &he hastily ulled it on, tying it tightly# 2%o"e in,4 %onnor co""anded# It was ,arold# 2:ood "orning,4 the butler greeted the"# ,is $oice had a hea$y undertone# 2,i ,arold,4 1ristin re lied s"iling# %onnor walked o$er to hi"# 2:ood "orning,4 he said# 2%an you call @ane and tell her I won+t be in the office until later this afternoon and also get .a' to arrange breakfast for us at &usan+s54 26f course,4 ,arold answered, *uite taken aback# %onnor had ne$er to his knowledge, taken a wo"an to dine at &usan+s e'ce t ?iane# ,arold knew in that "o"ent how dee ly %onnor "ust actually feel for his wife# ,e sincerely ho ed that things worked out in %onnor+s fa$our this ti"e, though fro" what he witnessed last night, he seriously doubted they would# %onnor+s relationshi with ?iane &el"an was a catastro he# ,arold thought ?iane one of the coldest, calculating and conni$ing eo le he had e$er known in his life# ,e would ne$er forget the day %onnor found FThe -ist+ that ?iane had created# It had de$astated hi"# 2.ay I s eak with you in ri$ate for a few "inutes,4 ,arold asked, lowering his $oice# %onnor obser$ed ,arold+s unusually stiff de"eanour and his re*uest sent off alar" bells# &o"ething was $ery wrong# But %onnor had

s ecial lans for hi" and his wife and wanted nothing to "ar the day# 2;s soon as we return ,arold,4 %onnor told hi"# ,arold nodded in disa oint"ent# 2Is .argaret still here5 %onnor asked# 2<o, the geriatric heifer left about an hour ago#4 1ristin snickered at the butler+s co""ent# &he really wanted to s*ueal in laughter but restrained herself# 26h by the way sir, a .r# %lerk called fro" the i""igration office# ,e wanted to infor" you that he would be aying you and 1ristin a $isit this afternoon at one Fo+ clock# ;lso a .s# <osee fro" the It Peo le "aga(ine wants to do a lunch inter$iew with you and your wife#4 %onnor sighed hea$ily in dis leasure# ,e had intended to s end se$eral hours during the "orning eriod ro"ancing 1ristin# 2Tell .s# <osee we+ll do the inter$iew to"orrow here at the house,4 %onnor instructed# 2Eery well,4 ,arold said, turning to lea$e then ausing# ,e faced %onnor and 1ristin with slight disco"fort showing on his face# 2Gh", .r# %lerk also indicated that you ha$e until si' to"orrow e$ening, to ha$e se' and finali(e your union if you ha$en+t already-his words#4 ,arold turned abru tly and left the roo", closing the door behind hi"# 1ristin stared at %onnor#

2;fter all the hours we+$e been together, you can+t talk to "e first before "aking such decisionsinter$iews are a big deal %onnor4# 2I+" so sorry sweetheart,4 %onnor said, feeling terrible for e'cluding her# 2;nd I a" really, really sorry for "y aunt+s beha$iour last night#4 1ristin told hi" it was fine# 2&o retty soon I won+t be a $irgin any"ore,4 1ristin said sadly# &he sounded as if so"eone had !ust infor"ed her that her best friend had died# 28ill "aking lo$e with "e be so de$astating54 %onnor asked# 27esterday at the cafe you "ade "e feel like I was the only "an in the world#4 1ristin flung herself at %onnor, grabbing his face with her s"all hands and ga(ing u into his eyes# %onnor wra ed his ar"s around her, instantly aroused# 2I+$e ne$er wanted a "an so badly,4 she ad"itted, then wriggled out of his e"brace# 27ou+re gi$ing "e a lot of "i'ed signals 1ristin,4 %onnor stated# 1ristin started to twist her hands and ace the large bedroo"# 2I want you %onnor, I don+t want to-I "ean so"eti"es I+" not sure but I+" certain that+s what it is,4 1ristin ra"bled# &he sto ed acing, looked at %onnor then dashed into the bathroo", "u"bling that she was going to take a shower and get ready# %od I love that woman %onnor thought# ,e heard his cell hone $ibrate# ,e headed to the

anti*ue oak writing desk in the corner of the bedroo" and icked it u # ,e had a te't "essage# '$& preg!a!t( %e !ee) to tal*# $&ll be i! to%! to orro%, %ill visit yo" i! o++ice#, %onnor was astounded at not !ust the "essage but who sent it# ; bitterness rose in his throat, threaded with anger and an'iety# ?iane &el"an was the last erson on earth he wanted to set eyes on#

Chapter 12
%onnor and 1ristin left .ahogany Aidge in a na$y blue ;udi with :ordon at the wheel# It was one of se$eral lu'urious cars owned by the ,andsu""s# %onnor refused to gi$e his wife any details about where they were headed# 1ristin was worried she "ay be o$er or under attired in her ink sundress# In ten "inutes they arri$ed at an airstri north of the island# ; !et was on the runway, its engines whirring# There was a huge hangar to the west that housed two s"all aero lanes# :ordon sto ed the car and got out to hel his assengers# %onnor led 1ristin to the waiting lane# ,e introduced her to the ilot .r# 9ly"an and ushered her to a seat# .r# 9ly"an closed the cabin door and went to the cock it# 1ristin "ar$elled at the beautifully a ointed interior# The decor was as grand .ahogany Aidge+s# There were a$ocado and offwhite wing chairs and an o$ersi(ed sofa# 9resh flowers were carefully arranged in a crystal $ase in the centre of an elegant, coffee table# %ha" agne was chilling in a large ice bucket# %onnor o ed o en a bottle of bubbly and filled two cha" agne flutes# ,e handed one to 1ristin while raising his glass# 2To our one day anni$ersary .rs# ,andsu"",4 he toasted# 1ristin broke into a sunny s"ile as they glasses clinked# ;s they took off 1ristin asked

%onnor to tell her so"ething about Berwyn# &ince she had been to the island the "ost she e$er got to do was work# &he ne$er got the o ortunity to e' lore and indulge in the island+s culture# ,e started by telling her how the island got its na"e fro" a 9rench war boat that had sunk off the east coast of the island in 1H1H# The o ulation was not large but was a rich "i' of se$eral ethnicities# ,e ro"ised to take 1ristin on an island tour whene$er she wished# Twenty "inutes later they landed on another island called Baliceau' and a li"ousine whisked the" away and they arri$ed at a "arina shortly after# They got out and %onnor led his wife towards a gigantic yacht# %a tain &ea"an a eared and hel ed 1ristin and %onnor aboard the grand $essel# 26h you sly de$il %onnor,4 1ristin e'clai"ed# 2&o this is #usan-she+s beautiful#4 %onnor laughed at her ani"ated e' ression# ,e was leased at her reaction# 2I+" glad you a ro$e# 7ou know how the "agic can fade *uickly fro" a relationshi after you+$e been together for se$eral hours like we+$e been#4 1ristin walked around the deck ad"iring the boat and her husband, who looked si" ly di$ine in ,ugo Boss !eans and a snug fitting black tee shirt# %onnor showed her to a table laden with a delicious s read for breakfast# ; bou*uet of white orchids adorned the centre of the table# There were

latters of astries, sliced fruit, berries, fruit !uice, ca$iar, bacon, croissants and white wine# 27ou did all this for "e,4 1ristin whis ered, $isibly i" ressed# 2I did it for us,4 %onnor corrected# %a tain &ea"an "anoeu$red the yacht fro" the "arina and out to the tur*uoise sea# %onnor went o$er to the table and ulled out a chair for his wife# 1ristin took the offered seat and laced a cloth na kin in her la # %onnor !oined her, o ening the bottle of wine and filling their glasses# They toasted for the second ti"e that "orning# 1ristin could not recall when last she was courted in such a fashion-if e$er# &he ut strawberries and ca$iar onto her late# The sea bree(e was cool and $ery rela'ing and the wa$es+ "o$e"ents was "usical# 2&o dear wife, tell "e so"ething about you,4 %onnor said buttering toast# 28ell,4 1ristin started, swallowing a "outhful of berries# 2I+" fro" %ul e er#4 2;"anda too54 2<o, she is fro" Turtle Bay# 8e actually "et at the air ort here in Berwyn, we ca"e in on the sa"e flight on our first $isit here#4 26h,4 said %onnor si ing his fruit !uice# 28hat about your arents54 29ather dearest has been li$ing in Paris since I was born, I+$e ne$er "et hi"# .y "other and two

sisters li$e back in %ul e er# .y "other sells ro erty and "y sisters work for her#4 26h that+s great# 8e would ha$e so"ething in co""on to talk about when we "eet,4 suggested %onnor, who e'celled in the field of lu'ury ro erty de$elo "ent and sales# 2:od no34 1ristin al"ost shouted, her eyes filled with anic# %onnor was totally confused and sur rised at her outburst but did not co""ent# ,er ner$ous dis osition worried hi"# %onnor reflected on the re$ious day and concluded e$eryone see"ed to be acting cra(y# ,is "ind (oo"ed back to the dinner ti"e debacle# Gsually %onnor was able to kee @ohnny in line to a certain e'tent-the "an could try the atience of :od with $ery little effort# ;"anda was a fireball and she see"ed to dri$e @ohnny absolutely nuts and he returned the fa$our in kind# ,e unched his own brother and 1ristin was growing "ore an'ious and !u" y with each assing hour# The only two eo le who were still acting nor"ally were :ordon, who always ran away fro" dra"a and ,arold, the rock of the fa"ily# 28hy did you lea$e %ul e er54 %onnor asked 1ristin# 2; change was des erately needed,4 1ristin re lied with a slight frown# %onnor did not ry into the "atter any further#

2&o what do you do for fun .rs# ,andsu"",4 %onnor atte" ted to lighten the "ood# 2;ctually I like taking hotogra hs-well I used to# .y ca"era was stolen when "y a art"ent was broken into a few "onths ago#4 26h that+s unfortunate#4 %onnor finished his !uice and sat back in his chair# ,e ate $ery little as his a etite see"ed to dislike hi" that day# ?iane cre t into his "ind no "atter how hard he tried to s*uash thoughts of her and the news of her regnancy out of his "ind# 27our turn husband,4 1ristin announced# 28ell our father died in a lane crash# /dward ado ted @ohnny when I was twel$e-?aniel was ten then# @ohnny+s father had died in a fire at a factory that belonged to grandfather so I guess he felt a sense of duty to hi"# @ohnny+s "other had disa eared fro" the hos ital after she ga$e birth to hi" so his father had been raising hi" alone#4 26h no, that+s terrible,4 1ristin whis ered# 2,ow co"e he+s a :ates and not a ,andsu""54 1ristin asked# 2;ctually, @ohnny beca"e a ,andsu"" recently, !ust before grandfather died# @ohnny had ke t his na"e this long because it was all he had left of his fa"ily# ,e has been trying to find his "other for a long ti"e des ite her abandoning hi"# ,e finally did a few "onths ago but she "ade it clear that she didn+t want to be a "other then and certainly does

not want to be one now#4 Tears filled 1ristin+s eyes# &he cleared her throat and si ed her wine# 2I o$erheard you telling @ohnny at dinner that you were still "ad at hi" about the funeral, what was that about54 %onnor stood u and sho$ed his hands in his ockets, the sub!ect clearly "ade hi" u set# 29or starters @ohnny disliked .argaret on sightwith good reason# ;t the funeral she was wailing like a lunatic, which was ludicrous and sha"eful# /$eryone knew she has not set foot in Berwyn since our "other died-she and /dward were estranged# ;nyway @ohnny got "ad and accidentally bu" ed into her and she fell into the gra$e# Then she started to really cry at the to of her lungs# The incident "ade front age news#4 1ristin gul ed down a giggle# &he didn+t want %onnor thinking she "ade light of so"ething that was bothering hi"# 2&o what does ?aniel and @ohnny do54 she asked# 2?aniel "anages elite "e"bershi clubs and @ohnny runs a chain of auto"oti$e stores, racetracks and a cricket tea"#4 2That+s a"a(ing but I lo$e what you do better,4 she said s"iling at hi"# %onnor sat back down s"iling, leased at the flattery# 26n another "atter-I+$e arranged a te" orary account so you can ha$e so"e s ending "oney and as we s eak, a rack of designer clothes for all

occasions is being deli$ered to the house for you#4 1ristin glowed with e'cite"ent# 2Thank you so "uch#4 %onnor saw 1ristin gri"ace# 2;re you alright54 he asked, concerned# 2.y shoes are killing "y oor toes,4 1ristin re lied# %onnor went o$er to his wife, knelt before her and ulled off her shoes# ,e started to "assage her feet> rose coloured nail olish adorned her tiny toenails# 1ristin+s eyes fluttered closed as sweet sensations o$erca"e her# %onnor was ha y to relie$e his wife+s disco"fort but realised he started to endure so"e of his own as a ainful erection set in# ,e started to kiss her cal$es, his "outh tra$elling u her legs as a hand slid under her dress# 1ristin bolted fro" her chair# 28e can+t do this here,4 she rotested# %onnor stood u # 28e can go down below sweetheart,4 %onnor offered# 2<o, we can+t ha$e se' here on this yacht-that+s too, too wild3 &he e'clai"ed# %onnor was stunned s eechless# ,e walked away fro" his wife and headed to the rails of the yacht, leaning hea$ily on the", staring out to the sea# 1ristin went o$er to her husband and rested a hand on his back# ,is flesh felt fir" under her touch and her heartbeat *uickened# 1ristin re"o$ed her hand and started to ush the stra s of her sundress off her shoulders,

then slid it down her body until the ink fabric ooled at her bare feet# 2%onnor,4 1ristin huskily called out her husband+s na"e# %onnor turned around and to see his wife half naked# ,e gri ed the rails tightly# ,e wanted nothing "ore than to ra$ish her gorgeous body, to take her right there on the deck and show her how "uch he wanted her# 2<o,4 he uttered hea$ily# %onnor walked away and !oined the ca tain by the wheel# 1ristin ulled u her dress hastily and sat back at the table, bursting into tears#

Chapter 13
%onnor oured hi"self a snifter of brandy at the "ini bar in the study# ,e was a little irritated at ,arold, who had ractically hauled hi" u the stairs as soon as he and 1ristin had entered the foyer when they returned fro" their little tri # %onnor was li$id with 1ristin# &he was stressing hi" out with her schi(o hrenic antics# 2;lright ,arold, out with it# 8hat is so life and death that you were staked out waiting for "e#4 2I know about the "arriage agree"ent,4 ,arold said as %onnor reclined in a huge red ar"chair in the corner of the roo"# 2,arold of course you know ab-4 2<o, no %onnor# I know about the agree"ent,4 ,arold stressed# %onnor regarded ,arold with sus icion# 2/'actly what do you know54 %onnor asked# ,arold walked o$er to where %onnor was sitting# 27ou ha$e 1ristin belie$ing she only has to stay with you for one week when it is actually fiftytwo,4 ,arold hissed in anger# %onnor rose fro" the chair to stare at the butler in sur rise# 2,ow did you-4 26h and I thought that was the cra(iest art until I read the baby clause# ;re you out of your "ind %onnor Aobert ,andsu""34 ,arold shouted#

2The wo"an barely wants to s end twenty-four hours as your wife# ,ow in hell do you ro ose to "ake her ha$e your child54 %onnor and ,arold watched each other for se$eral heated seconds# 2-isten ,arold,4 %onnor said filling his glass al"ost to o$erflowing with "ore brandy# Tension was beginning to consu"e hi"# 2I ha$e a lan okay# I will "ake her lo$e "e and she would want to ha$e "y child before the week is u # &he ne$er has to know about the details#4 ,arold gawked at %onnor 28hat ha ens if-no- when she walks out of .ahogany Aidge first thing on .onday5 ?o you really lan to enforce the contract54 %onnor sla""ed the glass on his desk# Its contents eru ted and s lashed onto docu"ents lying ne't to it# 2,arold this is none of your business# But I will offer her "ore "oney-double# /$erything will work out# &tay out of it#4 %onnor warned, looking ointedly at ,arold# 27ou are actually rationali(ing buying lo$e54 ,arold asked in sheer horror# ,e could not belie$e what he was hearing# 28hat is your lan if she finds out what you did54 2&he won+t ,arold#4 %onnor grunted in annoyance# 2I did,4 ,arold re"inded hi"# 2;nd before you ask I did not in$ade your ri$acy#4

%onnor grunted again and resu"ed drinking his brandy, walking o$er to the tall windows and looking out o$er the estate# ,arold wanted to tell %onnor about .argaret but saw no oint in it at the ti"e and their con$ersation had left hi" grossly disa ointed# ,arold left the roo" without another word but returned shortly after to infor" %onnor that .r# %lerk had arri$ed# %onnor nodded and ke t his back to hi"#

Chapter 14
.argaret ,andsu"" sna ed at the ta'i dri$er to hurry# ,e sna ed back that he was going as fast as he legally could# .argaret atted a brown en$elo e resting on the to of her handbag# ; wicked s"ile was lastered on her face# It "atched the black skirt suit she was wearing# &ince .argaret had disco$ered the "arriage contract between %onnor and 1ristin she had been brainstor"ing how best she could destroy her ne hews# &elling the story to the tabloids would kill two birds with one stone# &he would get "oney in her hand and s*uash the ,andsu"" i"age into the "ud# 6n the downside she could end u being sued for breach of ri$acy and theft but .argaret was beyond caring about those conse*uences# ;lthough .argaret wanted "ore "oney, the urge to "ake the" feel ain was greater# &he had a stroke of luck when she called the i""igration de art"ent to find out what the enalty was for "arrying solely for status# It so ha ened that the erson she ended u s eaking with was an old ac*uaintance, :eraldine# 2<ow why would you want to know so"ething like that .argaret5 7ou won+t be trying to ruin your ne hew %onnor this afternoon now would you,4 :eraldine had asked in !est# 26f course not :eraldine,4 .argaret had laughed in res onse# .argaret thought *uickly#

2%onnor is a good boy# It+s his wife I "istrust actually# I think she is "arrying hi" to stay in the island and for his "oney#4 2;re you sure .argaret54 27es, ositi$e# I actually want to sto the little wretch# %ould you be a dear and tell "e what ti"e their a oint"ent is54 :eraldine had hesitated, saying she did not want to cause any trouble but .argaret con$inced her that there would be greater trouble for %onnor if his de$ious wife had her way# .argaret had rushed to change after obtaining the ti"e for the inter$iew fro" :eraldine and called a ta'i, ordering the dri$er to get to .ahogany Aidge as soon as ossible# .argaret was beside herself with !oy# I will make you all wish you had &ust given me the money.

Chapter 15
%onnor and 1ristin sat ne't to each other on a sectional sofa in the s rawling li$ing roo"# They held hands and s"iled at each other as .r# %lerk gathered his for"s together# 1ristin really wanted to walk out of .ahogany Aidge and ne$er return and %onnor was angry and frustrated with his wife+s indecisi$eness and "ood swings# ,arold stood behind the"# .r# %lerk was an odd looking little "an> large glasses erched on an unusually large nose, beady eyes and a bald head# 2&o ha$e you consu""ated the "arriage as yet54 %onnor+s brows arched in sur rise, the "an certainly wasted no ti"e# 1ristin coughed lightly# 28ell u to this "orning I was calling "y husband+s na"e#4 1ristin re lied !okingly# 2&o is that a yes or no,4 the officer asked drily# 2<o,4 %onnor su lied# The officer asked se$eral *uestions ertaining to how long they were in a relationshi and how they "et# They told the officer they had been in$ol$ed since the e$ening before# .r# %lerk infor"ed the" that the "ini"u" re*uired ti"e was si' hours so they were in the clear# 2?o any fa"ily "e"bers reside here,4 .r# %lerk asked, looking around the roo"# ,e told the" that there would be a "eeting arranged with their eers

and relati$es as witnesses to the authenticity of their "arriage, before finali(ing 1ristin+s a ers# 2G to this "orning yes but they are no longer with us#4 ,arold said# 2?id they die54 2<o but we wish they would,4 ,arold re lied# 1ristin nearly fainted and %onnor fiddled with the tie of his ;r"ani suit, his "outh in a hard line# ,e wanted to strangle ,arold# .r# %lerk infor"ed the" that 1ristin needed to learn a skill fro" an accredited institution so she could be e" loyable and not beco"e a burden on the state# 1ristin cringed# 2That would be all,4 the officer said and acked his briefcase# 27ou should get a re ly within si' days# :ood bye#4 The officer got u to lea$e and ,arold escorted hi" out and returned# ;s soon as the butler closed the door 1ristin and %onnor got u fro" the sofa, relie$ed fro" the show of retence# The doorbell rang and ,arold disa eared, rea earing less than a "inute later with .r# %lerk at his side# Beside .r# %lerk was .argaret# 2This wo"an clai"s to ha$e so"e infor"ation that ro$es your union is false# That your "arriage is for the sole ur ose of your wife gaining citi(enshi in Berwyn Island,4 .r# %lerk accused# 1ristin fro(e# %onnor watched his aunt with $eno"# ,arold re"ained cal"# .argaret ga$e the" a s"ile that reeked of "alice# &he ulled an

en$elo e fro" her handbag and handed it to .r# %lerk 2It+s all there,4 she said in a triu" hant $oice# The officer took the en$elo e and whi ed out the a ers inside to e'a"ine the"# 28hat the hell is this54 he en*uired, highly annoyed# 2These are tra$el brochures#4 .argaret gas ed and snatched the a ers fro" .r# %lerk+s hands# &he stared at the brochures in disbelief then she looked at %onnor and 1ristin, both $isibly relie$ed and ,arold, who was wearing an i" ish grin# 27ou tricked "e34 she screeched at ,arold who ke t silent# &he didn+t know how but the butler had found a way to screw her o$er# 2I know what I saw officer#4 .argaret started to argue# .r# %lerk grunted and left hastily# .argaret o ened her "outh to s eak but ,arold interru ted her# 27ou were so cocky you didn+t e$en bother to check the docu"ents before rushing o$er here# :et out# 7ou can walk back to the car or I will throw you at it34 .argaret tre"bled with rage# &he took one last look at the" and "arched out the door# 1ristin was looking back and forth between the butler and her husband, totally confused# 28hat the hell !ust ha ened54 1ristin de"anded#

2I will e' lain e$erything later,4 %onnor told his wife# ,arold shot %onnor an FI told you so+ look and headed for the kitchen# %onnor started to lea$e the roo"# 2I need to talk to you about so"ething,4 she called after hi"# %onnor sto ed and turned around# ,e returned to the sofa# Things between the" were still unco"fortably tense# ;fter they got back ho"e fro" the "orning tri %onnor locked hi"self away in his study and she was left alone ad"iring her new wardrobe in gloo"# 2I+" listening,4 %onnor said flatly# 1ristin re"ained standing# &he breathed dee ly# ,er "other had been "essaging her incessantly and 1ristin was losing her "ind# @ulia wanted her "oney before sundown# 1ristin felt sick to her sto"ach for what she was about to ask her husband and did not want to lie to hi" but she was not courageous enough to tell hi" the entire truth# &he could not bear hi" finding out about @ulia fro" so"eone else or hea$en forbid the "edia# %onnor ga$e her an i" atient stare# 2I need a *uarter "illion dollars# .y "other is black"ailing "e# ;nd "y "other does sell ro erty but not houses or $illas# &he is a hooker and so are "y sisters#4 ,arold, who was co"ing down the hallway with a tray of refresh"ents, stu"bled and nearly fell o$er his own feet as he was about to turn into the li$ing roo"#

Chapter 16
1ristin fished the che*ue out of her bag and slid it across the table ne't to her "other+s glass of iced tea# They were at a little caf) !ust outside of the city# It was ractically e" ty# 2/$ery enny you asked for4, 1ristin said staring at her "other who was dressed in a white tight fitting dress# @ulia -u$leigh and her youngest daughter strongly rese"bled each other# 1ristin wondered why such an attracti$e wo"an would wear two feet of "akeu # ,er hair was loosely curled, eyelids lastered in a blinding blue eye shadow# ,er li s were ruby red and the cologne she wore was stifling# 2I ha$en+t seen you in "onths and those are the first words out of your "outh,4 @ulia drawled# 2I had to find out about your wedding on the news#4 28hat did you e' ect "other, for "e to shower with hugs and kisses and ra$ing about how "uch I lo$e you- lease34 ;ngela took a si of her drink# 2I e' ected an a ology fro" you for destroying "y business, you and that 1yle &e'y boy# 7our nai$et) nearly landed "e in !ail#4 1ristin did not re ly !ust regarded her "other with disgust# 2&o I see you not only "o$ed u , you hooked u with the big rollers#4

28e all don+t ha$e to s rawl on our backs to get ahead in life "other,4 1ristin sna ed# 26h lease, you little fake sancti"onious slut# 7ou think a nobody like you could win o$er a ,andsu"" with !ust a bat of your eyelashes# It+s the honey between your legs darling# :row u 34 2,e lo$es "e,4 1ristin hurled at @ulia# @ulia burst into "ocking laughter# 27ou nai$e twit, "en like %onnor ,andsu"" get what they want on their ter"s, don+t think for one "inute his affections are genuine# It+s a ga"e so"e of the ri$ileged lo$e to lay and you wear the title of a awn well# I ho e you aren+t fooling hi" with your tale of $irginity-we all know 1yle &e'y bit that cherry a long ti"e ago#4 @ulia ulled a cigarette and a lighter fro" her bag# &he lit the cigarette and leaned back in the chair# 1ristin got u , infuriated# 2I don+t e$er want to see you again# @ust hold u your end of the bargain and take "y icture off that da"ned website# Take your "oney and lea$e "e the hell alone34 1ristin+s $oice started to crack# 28hy can+t you lo$e "e like how you lo$e %arrie and &te hanie# 8hy do you ha$e to be a bitch to "e all the ti"e54 @ulia shot u fro" her seat and sla ed 1ristin hard across the face# It sounded like a gunshot# @ulia snatched the che*ue off the table and stuffed it into her bag as her daughter watched her in shock#

2I "aybe a whore 1ristin Handsumm but that doesn+t "ean you get to s eak to "e like I a" one#4 @ulia -u$leigh walked out of the caf)# 1ristin left and headed towards the waiting li"ousine# &he cli"bed in and ga$e :ordon the address for -e :rand culinary school# 27ou okay "iss,4 :ordon asked, s otting the large red "ark on her left cheek# 1ristin !ust nodded not trusting herself to s eak, scared she would start to cry and ne$er sto # @ulia -u$leigh got into a cab and rattled off her hotel location# &he watched her daughter lea$e in the sleek lu'urious $ehicle and detested her youngest daughter e$en "ore# @ulia had no intention of holding u her end of the bargain# @ulia intended to ruin 1ristin ,andsu"" at any cost# &he unlocked the screen of her hone to look at a hoto stored on it# It was of 1ristin with her hands crossed o$er her bare breasts and wearing a red lacy thong, lying on her back on a huge four oster bed# ; ca tion at the botto" of the hoto read youll have sweet dreams if you taste my sugar. **
Tha!* yo" +or rea)i!g -arts 1 .2 o+ /oo* 1 o+ the The /er%y! $sla!) Trilogy&#