Unyielding (Tortured Love Book 1) Read Online Free

words, explaining exactly why his daughter had agreed to this. So that was it, then. The reason for the fear. This was a business proposal, and she had expected no intimacy of any kind.
    The photographers called for more poses with the rest of the wedding party, so Merrick had to push his conflicted thoughts aside once again and put on his game face for the press. Once they were back in the limo, he didn’t sit so far away from her this time. The reception was at the Plaza, so he didn’t have much time with her alone before the limo would arrive there.
    They also had a suite for tonight, although Merrick would have been fine to return to his own apartment. But this way they could change clothes or use it to freshen up as the evening wore on. André had thought of everything.
    He decided to try making small talk. They should at least be able to pull that off. “You look very pretty. The dress is stunning.”
    “Thank you.” She fiddled with the lace overlay. “It’s so expensive.”
    “And you only wear them once.”
    She nodded several times. “Exactly. It’s obscene to spend this much on one dress.”
    He bit back the retort that sprang to his lips. He’d given André carte blanche, but he’d never heard of a bride who didn’t insist on choosing her own dress. He’d had no part in the wedding preparations other than to choose the groomsmen and buy a new tux. He assumed the dress had been her choice alone.
    Merrick didn’t like feeling this off center. He’d never been uncomfortable around women, but he was damned if this one hadn’t thrown him for a loop. “I didn’t mean to frighten you in the park. You’re a great kisser.”
    She snapped her head up and he glimpsed the fear again, but then it was gone. In its place, she gave him a long, searching look that had him wondering what the fuck had happened to this woman in the past. “You didn’t frighten me.”
    Bullshit.
    “And thank you for the compliment. You’re a great kisser, too.”
    Her voice was small and timid. Surely she wasn’t a virgin. She was twenty-nine years old, for God’s sake.
    He watched her pick leaves off the train of the dress, and then he picked up the phone and asked his driver to take them around the back of the hotel first. “We want to go up to the suite and freshen up first.”
    She shot him a questioning look as he replaced the receiver.
    “That train should come off or you’ll be tripping all over it the entire reception.” He grinned. “André will kill us both if you tear it and a picture of that gets taken.”
    Her gaze softened. “That’s true. Good idea.”
    He had more than her dress in mind. It was time to have a talk. They’d be expected to dance and act like they were blissfully happy at the reception. His head already ached from the act he’d put on in the park for the pictures. No way could he do this for hours yet without first clarifying the terms of this marriage.
    ****
    Lynda bunched up the train in one hand as she and Merrick were escorted into a back entrance of the hotel, surrounded by men she assumed were part of his security staff. She’d have to get used to that, too. They were given access to a service elevator. Once it stopped, they wove their way through a series of hallways until they emerged into a lavish anteroom.
    “This is the service entrance to the suite.” Merrick turned to the men. “Wait here. We’ll be along in a while. Is our luggage in there?”
    “Yes, sir. Exactly as you ordered.”
    When had Merrick had time to take care of that?
    She followed him past a full kitchen and a formal dining room, then into a great room with lavish wallpaper, expensive furnishings, and a grand piano. “We’re staying here tonight only, right?” Who the hell needed all this space for one night?
    He gave her a look that was pure lust. “Unless you want to stay longer.”
    She averted her gaze as he led her down a hallway. She’d have to deal with this eventually. Judging by the kiss in