Eligible Bachelors: Wife For A Week Part 4

Sure he was. All black ops specialists were p.u.s.s.ycats. It was such a caring, non-confrontational profession. aYou know, maybe I need a different type of wife for Hong Kong,' he said. aMaybe I need a brunette.'

aI was a brunette once,' said Hallie. aThe hairdresser was a young guy, just starting out, and we decided to experiment. He left the salon not long after that.' She sighed heavily. aI'm sure Tris wouldn't really have castrated him.'

Maybe he was doomed. aOr a blonde,' he muttered. aI could always replace you with a blonde.'

aHa. You can't fool me. You're not going to replace me now; you'd have to go clothes shopping again.'

Nick shuddered. She was right. Replacing her was out of the question.

aBesides,' she continued blithely, ait's not as if I'm going to be telling any of my brothers the finer details of our little arrangement. They wouldn't understand.'

On this they were in total accord.

aSo tell me about your family,' she said, deftly changing the focus back to him and his. aWhen did your father die?'

aTwo years ago. He was a property developer.'

aAnd Clea? You said she wasn't a corporate wife. What does she do?'

aMany people find it hard to believe, but she's an architect. A very good one.'

aIs that how they met? Through their work?'

aNo, they met at a birthday party. Clea was in the cake. I try not to think about it.'

aWhat about brothers and sisters?'

aThere's just me.'

aDidn't you ever get lonely?' she asked.

aNope.' She looked as if she was struggling with the only-child concept. aI had plenty of friends, plenty of company. And whenever I had any spare time there was always a computer handy and a dozen imaginary worlds to get lost in.'

aAnd now you create fantasy worlds for a living. I guess that means you always knew what you wanted to do, even as a kid.'

aI always did it. Is that the same thing?'

aProbably. My brothers always knew what they wanted to do when they grew up too.' Hallie's smile was wry. aWith me it was different...every week a new idea...astronaut, race-car driver, professional stunt-woman...My family's still not convinced I won't change my mind about wanting to work in the art business.'

aAnd will you?'

aWho knows?' she said with a shrug. aI love the thrill that comes with finding something old and beautiful, and I love discovering its history and the history of the people behind it. Hopefully I'll find work with a respectable dealer in Asian antiquities and it'll be fascinating, but if it's not...well...I'll do something else. At least I'll have given it a try.'

aYou want to make your own mistakes.'

aThat's it!' There was fire in her eyes, pa.s.sion in her voice. aDo you have any idea how hard it is to make your own decisions with four older brothers all h.e.l.l-bent on guiding you through life? I mean honestly, Nick, I'm twenty-four years old and I'm not a slow learner! So what if I make a mistake or two along the way? I'll fix them. I certainly don't need my brothers charging in to straighten me out every time I step sideways.' Hallie's chin came up; he was beginning to know that look. aI can take care of myself. I want to take care of myself. Is that too much to ask?'

aNot at all. What you want is freedom.'

aAnd equality,' she said firmly. aAnd it wouldn't kill them to show me a bit of respect every now and then too.'

Right. Nick quelled the slight twinge of sympathy he was beginning to feel for her brothers and concentrated on the bigger picture. Freedom, equality, respect! He could manage that. It wasn't as if she was asking for the sun, the moon and the stars to go with it.

aI want you to know that even though I'm paying you a great deal of money to deceive my future business partner you have my utmost respect,' he stated firmly. aWe're in this together as equals.'

And to the drinks waiter who had appeared at his side, aTwo single-malt Scotches. Neat.'

CHAPTER THREE.

THREE days later Hallie boarded a plane to Hong Kong. She'd been manicured, pedicured, pampered and polished and was corporate-wife chic in her lightweight camel-coloured trousers and pink camisole. Her shoes matched her top, her handbag was Hermes, and Nick was at her side, thoroughly eye-catching in a grey business suit and crisp white business shirt minus the tie. She was the woman who had it all, and it was all pure fantasy.

That didn't mean she couldn't embrace the moment.

Wispy streaks of cloud scattered the midday sky, their seats were business cla.s.s, the take-off was perfect, and Hallie relaxed into her seat, prepared to be thoroughly indulged, only to discover that any woman sitting next to Nick was more likely to be thoroughly ignored. That or she was currently invisible to the women of the world as they dimpled, sighed, primped and preened for him.

The flight attendants settled once the flight was underway and went about their business with efficient professionalism, but the encouraging smiles of the female pa.s.sengers continued. One innovative young lady even managed to trip and fall gracefully into Nick's lap amidst a flurry of breathless apology and a great deal of full body contact.

aDo women always fall over their feet trying to get your attention?' she asked once the woman had gone.

aActually, she fell over my feet,' said Nick. aThey were sticking out into the aisle. It was my fault she landed in my lap.'

aAnd her b.r.e.a.s.t.s in your face? That was your fault too?'

Nick shrugged, trying to look a picture of innocence and failing miserably. aShe was trying to get up,' he said in her defence. aThese things happen.'

aSo I see.'

He was used to it, Hallie decided. He was just plain used to women falling all over him. aYou know, you'd save yourself a lot of unwanted attention if you wore a wedding ring,' she said. She was wearing one, along with a diamond engagement ring the size of a small egg. As far as the world was concerned she was well and truly taken. Nick's hands, however, were ring-free.

aI wasn't wearing one last time I visited,' he countered. aIt'd seem a bit strange if I turned up wearing one now.'

aNo, it wouldn't, considering what happened.' She was beginning to sense some reluctance here. aSay we really were married, would you wear a ring then?'

aYou'd have to insist.' He slid her a sideways glance. aYou would too, wouldn't you?'

aAbsolutely.' She held her left hand up between them, angling her fingers so that the diamond sparkled in the light. aSome people actually respect the sanct.i.ty of marriage and don't hit on a person wearing a wedding ring.'

aFunny,' he said dryly. aYou don't look that naive.'

aHah. It just so happens I don't think I'm being naive. But I do concede that if you never wear one we'll never know.'

The clumsy young thing was back, all purring solicitousness as she asked Nick if she'd hurt him, if he was feeling all right, and was there anything, absolutely anything, she could do for him.

Honestly!

aOh, I think we've got it covered.' Hallie smiled, sharp as a blade as her hand-the one with those shiny rings on it-came to rest high on Nick's trouser clad thigh. Nothing subtle about that particular manoeuvre; she was claiming ownership and the other woman knew it. aOn second thoughts, darling, you feel a bit cold,' she said to Nick as she squeezed gently and slid her hand a fraction higher up his thigh. Muscles jumped beneath her palm even as the rest of him went absolutely still. aWould you like a blanket for your lap? There's one in the webbing in front of you.'

With an annoyed pout and a narrow-eyed glare for Hallie, the other woman made herself scarce. Not that Nick noticed. His wife had his attention now. His complete and utter attention.

aWhat are you doing?' he rasped.

aPractising.'

aFor what? The mile-high club?'

Hallie's smile widened. Really, his imagination was so delightfully easy to manipulate. aI'm practising my possessive moves for when I meet Jasmine.'

aWell, would you mind practising with your hand somewhere else? I'm not made of stone.'

This was debatable. Right this minute, Nicholas Cooper's thigh was hard as a rock. aSorry, my mistake. I thought we agreed on physical contact in public places,' she said as she withdrew her hand, reached for the blanket and draped it across his knees. She shouldn't bait him; she knew it. But she couldn't resist. aThis is a public place,' she said sweetly. aAnd we did have an audience.'

aYou know, you're right. You're absolutely right,' he said. He flicked off the overhead light, brought her hand back to his thigh and drew the blanket over his lap with a smile that was pure challenge. aFeel free to continue.'

Okay, so there was a slight chance she'd been asking for it. Now he was asking for it and she was tempted, very tempted, to deliver. But if she did, things would get out of hand and heaven only knew what would happen after that. Come to think of it, she had a pretty good idea what would happen after that...

And what if they were caught?

They'd be thrown off the plane in disgrace. A big red adeviant' stamp would appear in her pa.s.sport and then Interpol would sign her up for s.e.xual misconduct reform school and Tris would find out and, oh, the horror...

Nick wasn't the only one with a vivid imagination.

Feigning nonchalance, Hallie withdrew her hand from his thigh and reached for her gla.s.s of water. She was fl.u.s.tered; she was aroused; she was totally out of her league.

She was enjoying every minute of it. aActually, I've changed my mind,' she said.

aGood call.' He exhaled deeply.

aAfter all, it wouldn't do to forget that this is strictly a business arrangement.'

aExactly.'

Exactly. The sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach was not disappointment. Nick was her employer, nothing more, and only for one week. After that it was contract fulfilled and goodbye. Surely she could resist his considerable charms for one lousy week.

All she needed was a more professional approach.

aSo how do you want to approach this business of being married?' she said crisply. aAre we aiming for warm and fuzzy or a fiery attraction of opposites?'

aThink of yourself as a cross between a personal a.s.sistant and a German Shepherd,' he said. aSupportive, loyal, and, when necessary, extremely protective.'

A German Shepherd? Ugh. This new approach worked fast. aAnything else?'

aAre you sure you couldn't manage a simper?'

aOnly if there was a bucket handy. Because I'd probably have to throw up immediately afterwards.'

Nick sighed. aJust be yourself, then. That'll work too.'

aOh.' And after a moment's reflection. aThat was a nice thing to say.'

aYou realize that was almost a simper.'

aIt was not!'

Nick's answering smile was suspiciously gleeful as he flicked on his overhead light, reached for the in-flight paper and snapped it open, effectively ending the discussion.

Hallie glared at the back page of the paper. It was shaking ever so slightly. He was laughing at her, dammit. aThat was not a simper.'

aIf you say so, dearest.'

A fiery marriage, she decided. A constant battle of words and of wits and it was a d.a.m.n good thing this marriage was only going to last a week.

Any longer and she'd probably kill him.

Twelve hours and several time zones later, they touched down at Chek Lap Kok International Airport, collected their luggage, and met up with the Teys' driver. They followed the silent Jet Li look-alike through the streamlined arrivals terminal, out through the huge automatic-opening gla.s.s doors, and they were in Hong Kong.

aPhew.' Wide-eyed at the sleek steel-and-gla.s.s building they'd just emerged from, Hallie paused to gather her composure. aIt's cooler than I thought it would be.'

aIt's winter,' countered Nick. aIf you want hot and humid, we'll have to come back in September.'

aAh.'

They followed the Teys' driver towards an illegally parked Mercedes, and Hallie began to watch him with increasing interest. Maybe it was the way he moved or the way he seemed to know what was happening around them without ever seeming to notice. Maybe it was the way he loaded their suitcases into the trunk as if they were empty, which was definitely not the case. Maybe it was simply that he was gorgeous, with a quiet intensity about him that drew the eye, but...no. That wasn't it either. He reminded her of someone.

He reminded her of Tris.

aThis is the Teys' driver?' she whispered to Nick. aI'm guessing that's not all he is.'

aNo,' agreed the driver in a soft, cultured voice as he shut the trunk and opened the car door for her. aI also cook.'

Great. Just what they needed. High-end security with supernatural hearing and a penchant for kitchen knives. Lucky for Nick she'd had years of experience when it came to outwitting suspicious, eagle-eyed men whose mission in life was to serve and protect. At least this one wasn't related to her. aPleased to meet you,' she said cheerfully.

aAnd you, Mrs Cooper.'

Mrs Cooper. Oh, h.e.l.l. This was it.

For the next five days she was Mrs Nicholas Cooper.

The drive to the Tey residence was a silent one. The driver drove, Nick brooded and Hallie grew wide-eyed again as they entered the neon lit tunnel that would take them beneath Victoria Harbour and across to Hong Kong Island. Awe at the tunnel added to her anxiety about meeting the Teys and set her stomach to churning. Funny, but she'd never actually thought posing as Nick's wife was going to be hard.

Until now.