Purchased By The Billionaire

That Duardo Alvarez had reached the pinnacle of success was no mean feat.

‘Ensuring his life runs smoothly.’ It was a statement, not a query, and Spence chuckled.

‘I guess you could say that.’

Security covered a whole range of possibilities, of which bodyguard and driver were only two.

It was almost eight-thirty when Spence drew the four-wheel-drive into the hospital’s main entrance. ‘Meet me here in three quarters of an hour. Duardo suggested we undertake a shopping expedition until your midday appointment with the lawyer.’

Shopping? We? ‘You’re joking, right?’

His gaze remained steady. ‘You have a problem with me accompanying you?’

Oh, my. ‘Not if you’re authorised to use Duardo’s credit card.’ Kayla checked her watch, then offered a dazzling smile. ‘Nine-fifteen.’

It took only minutes to reach the upper floor and locate Jacob’s room, a single suite with a view from the window.

‘Hi.’ Kayla crossed to the bed and brushed her lips to his forehead.

‘Right back at you.’

His voice was drowsy with the faint huskiness of sedation, and her heart ached for him.

He was all she had. The one person who’d been there for her, unconditionally, since their mother’s death.

Together they’d shared the grief, weathered the despair and fought to regain a modicum of dignity through Benjamin’s fall from grace.

And afterwards, when the grim reality of poverty made itself felt, Jacob had given up everything…as she had…to work every waking hour in an effort to survive.

She noted the bruises to his jaw, his cheek…much more noticeable than they had been last night. How many more were there, marring his young body?

His leg…his shattered knee. It sickened her to think of the surgery he had to undergo, and she worried if it would be totally successful. If he’d be left with a limp…not be able to run or play sport.

His welfare brought vividly to mind just what Duardo’s proposition meant in real terms. And why she’d accepted it.

‘How are you feeling?’

A faint smile parted his lips. ‘Almost out of it.’

‘You’re going to be fine.’ Words, sincerely meant in reassurance.

He squeezed her hand. ‘Thanks.’

Tears momentarily blurred her vision, and she blinked rapidly to dispel them.

Within minutes a nurse appeared, took his vital signs, then signalled for an Orderly to take the patient to Theatre.

‘There’s a visitors’ lounge at the end of the corridor where you can wait. A cafeteria on the next level.’ She checked her watch. ‘Given surgery, recovery, he won’t be back in his room much under five hours.’

Jacob managed a slow smile as the Orderly trundled the bed from the suite, and Kayla walked at his side until they reached the lift.

She left her cellphone number with the sister-in-charge, together with a request to call should Jacob recover from the anaesthetic sooner than anticipated.

Spence was waiting when she emerged from the main entrance, and his choice of venues soon became apparent when he entered Double Bay.

Exclusive expensive boutiques, and once, in another life, her preferred shopping mecca. An area where serious money could be spent on designer originals…apparel, shoes, bags, jewellery.

‘Wedding attire is a priority,’ Spence informed as they hit the pavement.

Was she supposed to display joyous anticipation? Enthusiasm? Just how much did Spence know of her connection with his boss?

Enough. It couldn’t be any other way.

‘You’ll need to enlighten me.’

He didn’t pretend to misunderstand. ‘A small, intimate ceremony, with myself and Duardo’s lawyer as witnesses.’

No guests. Well, that narrowed it down. ‘Classy, but not over-the-top.’ And not bridal. She could do that.

Elegant boho-chic, white or cream, stilettos, a single, long-stemmed red rose held in one hand? Too fashionable-of-the-moment?

Maybe she should go for formal black, or deep scarlet. Although she doubted Duardo would appreciate or approve of the irony.

She found the perfect outfit in the first boutique she entered. In pale cream, it was a nineteen-twenties-style dress with a delicate crystal-beaded skirt overlay reaching just below her knees, and a sleeveless beaded top. It was elegant, outlined her slender curves, and felt right.

Different, so very different from the long white fitted gown she’d packed to take to Hawaii for her first wedding.

Then she’d married for love, and had melted into Duardo’s bed with willing fervour.

Now…now it seemed as if a hundred butterflies had taken up residence in her stomach at the mere thought.

Could she slip easily into intimacy? Close her eyes and pretend? Enjoy what they’d once shared together?

The vivid memory of how it had been heated her blood and caused sensation to pool deep inside.

Don’t think, a silent voice bade. Just…deal with it.

Kayla took a deep breath and spared her mirrored image another critical look. Yes. The dress more than met the required criteria for a quiet civil ceremony.

The price tag sent her into a momentary state of shock. So, too, did the matching stilettos.

How times had changed. Five years ago she wouldn’t have given the cost a second thought. Now she stood to one side while Spence presented Duardo’s credit card and the boutique vendeuse packaged the purchases.

She spared the lingerie boutique a quick glance and walked on by…only to pause when Spence redirected her inside.

It was akin to being shown Aladdin’s cave. Exquisite silk and lace in abundance. She could have had a field-day. Instead she selected a matching bra and brief set, and ignored Spence’s encouragement to add more to a steadily growing collection of glossy carrier-bags.

There was time for a restorative coffee before dealing with the bank, the lawyer to sign the pre-nuptial agreement…whereupon she was handed a manila envelope.