Page 16 of Her Diamond Deal with the CEO

‘You know what, Vince, I’m waiting on a call so perhaps we could do this another time.’ Like never.

‘I wish we could, honey, but this can’t wait. You see, something’s come up, and we need to talk about it.’ There was a silence and then Vince sighed. ‘I didn’t mean for it to happen. I honestly thought it would be a good investment otherwise I would never have suggested it.’

A cool shiver ran down her spine, and she felt her insides tighten. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘It’s Oli’s college fund. I’m sorry, Ondine, but it’s gone. It’s all gone.’

So that was that.

Breathing out unsteadily, Ondine tucked her blouse into her skirt and pushed her feet into her shoes. It had taken just over an hour for Vince to explain what had happened. Just over an hour for her brother’s dreams to turn to ashes.

She couldn’t just blame Vince. She might have asked him to help her invest the money but Oli was her brother. She should have looked into the fund, researched it properly, and then kept a closer eye on it, but she hadn’t. Later when Vince’s exuberance with money had seemed more clueless than charming, she had been relieved that the money was locked away where he couldn’t get his hands on it. It had never occurred to her that the investments might tank.

There was nothing that could be done. She’d rung the college and they had been very kind but all the scholarships had been allocated. The best option, they’d said, was for him to reapply the following year, but there were no guarantees.

The lump in her throat seemed to grow a little. She needed a drink. What she didn’t need was to have to go into work and face Jack. Maybe she should call in sick—

But then she thought about what she could make in tips, and right now every dime counted. Only it would never be enough. Particularly as she had other bills to pay. She thought back to how Jack had jerked open the drawer in the kitchen. No more money worries, he’d said. She could see his eyes watching her.

Feel his hot, urgent mouth against her throat.

She felt the hair on the nape of her neck rise, and then her nipples tightened.

It was indecent, the effect he had on her. And dangerous. She would be mad to spend any time in his company, much less marry him. But what other options were there? She could go to the bank. But she only had her salary. And even if she took on all the extra shifts on offer, she had less than five months to make up the difference.

Her heart felt as if it would burst through her ribs. Could she do it? Could she marry Jack Walcott?

Of course she couldn’t. It was a crazy idea. He was rude and reckless—

And rich.

But also rude and reckless, plus she had failed to stay married twice before for real, so how could she possibly manage to fake it? Easy, she thought, her mouth trembling. Because Oli needed that money.

Twenty minutes later, knots forming in her belly, she was stalking through the hotel gardens to the beach bungalows. You know where to find me when you change your mind, he’d said. Arrogant bastard, she thought, but he was right. Like every other woman in the hotel, she knew exactly where Jack Walcott was staying.

Stopping in front of his door, she knocked immediately, not wanting to give herself time to change her mind. As the door opened, she felt her mouth dry. He was bare-chested, and he looked as though he had been sleeping.

‘Come in.’

As she hesitated, he raised an eyebrow. ‘You want to do this in the corridor.’

She didn’t want to do it at all but her wishes came secondary to her need for money.

‘So, how may I help?’ he said softly, closing the door behind her.

‘That proposal you made earlier. Is it still on the table?’

There was a short silence and, watching his lazy cat’s smile tugging at his mouth, she almost turned and walked out.

‘It is.’

‘Then my answer is yes. I will marry you.’ Taking a breath, she steadied her nerves. ‘This is how much I’ll need.’ She held out a piece of paper.

He looked at it, his face impassive.

‘That won’t be a problem.’

Silence followed, a long grainy silence that seemed to scrape against her skin. ‘And I’ll need some of it upfront,’ she said finally. ‘Shall we say half?’

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