We snuck around, and he kept me like his dirty little secret. He never allowed me to post photos of us together on social media. Always said it would put his job at the university at risk.
Now I realize he didn’t want his girlfriend to find out.
“Tell your fiancé he’s got something I want.” He lets me go and I stumble, nearly dropping my coffee. “And I’m going to come collect soon.”
His tone is ominous, despite the dazzling smile on his face and I realize what he’s referring to.
Me.
Seamus McTiernan still wants me.
Not going to happen.
I don’t even realize I throw the coffee at him until it’s too late. The cup smacks him square in the chest, the lid popping off and spilling hot liquid all over the front of his button-down shirt. He yelps in surprise, his expression enraged as he shouts and curses. Women in the coffee shop scream, startled by his reaction, but I don’t stick around to witness it.
I run. Straight for the elevators, slapping the up button over and over again, glancing back to see if he’s following me.
So far, so good.
The elevator takes forever and I yank my phone out of my pocket, trying to find Perry’s name with trembling fingers. When I finally do, I hit the call button, a breath of relief escaping me when the elevator doors open and a stream of people exit the car.
I jump in, the ringing in my ears making me agitated. I hit the PH button and then smack the “close door” button repeatedly, shouting, “Sorry!” when the doors slide closed on a woman just as she’s about to enter.
Perry finally answers, his voice warm. “Hey, beautiful.”
Any other day those words would send a thrill through me. But not now. “I need your help.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t—I can’t explain it right now. I need you to come back to the hotel. Right away.”
“Why, Charlotte? Tell me.”
“There’s someone here I know. Someone from my past.”
“What? Who? Fuck, Charlotte. You’re scaring me. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Who are you talking about?”
I hesitate, not wanting to go into the details. Not wanting to rehash a terrible time of my life when I’m about to get married.
Oh God. I’m going to get married and what if Seamus shows up at our wedding?
“Charlotte, what the fuck is going on!”
“I’m sorry! It’s…it’s him. From Paris.”
“Wait a minute, the guy you had an affair with?”
Oh he makes it sound so sordid, which it was. The shame I feel over this is almost overwhelming. “He’s related to the Morellis.”
The line goes silent and I’m scared I lost him. “Perry? Are you there?”
“I’m here,” he bites out, going quiet again for a moment before he asks, “He’s a Morelli?”
“His name is Seamus. Seamus McTiernan.”
More silence. I can’t believe I still have him on the line, even while I’m in the elevator. I clutch the phone tighter. “Perry.”
“Where did you see him?”
“In the coffee shop in the hotel,” I admit.
“Go to your room and don’t leave until I get there, do you understand?”
“Yes. I understand,” I whisper.
“I’ll be there in fifteen. Stay in your room, Charlotte. Don’t answer the door to anyone but me.”
Before I can respond, he ends the call. I sag against the elevator wall, closing my eyes. Everything’s going to be all right.
Perry’s going to save me.
He has to.
*
Thank you for reading THE RELUCTANT BRIDE by Monica Murphy!
We hope you loved this sexy modern take on an arranged marriage… and we have more angst, drama, and scorching hot scenes to come. Find out what happens next for Charlotte Lancaster in THE RUTHLESS GROOM.
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Money can buy anything. And anyone. As the head of the Constantine family, I’m used to people bowing to my will. Cruel, rigid, unyielding—I’m all those things. When I discover the one woman who doesn’t wither under my gaze, but instead smiles right back at me, I’m intrigued.
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