Cole tried to stop the smile. Having Briony take his side over his brother’s had felt good. Great. He looked across at his new fiancée, his lips still pulsing from the kiss he’d demanded. Idiot. He knew better than that. Letting Briony play games with his brother wasn’t going to help him. That’s what Martha had done; this time around he was going to keep Briony as far away from his brother as he could manage.

He’d thought hiding his face in the kiss would make Rick walk on by. But he’d forgotten how focused Rick could be. Focused and insensitive to everything except what Rick wanted. Of course Rick would sit at the table even while Briony was practically melting against his mouth. Cole clenched his hands, trying to stop the mixture of lust and resentment from pouring out in a diatribe he’d no doubt regret.

“So what’s the deal with your brother? And your business? You two work together or are you in rival companies? I need to know if I’m going to censor what I say around him. Spill.”

Cole clenched his jaw. “I don’t think spilling anything to you is a good idea. Do you? Just censor everything you say. To everyone.”

“Look, I know we didn’t get off to the best start.” She bit her finger, a trait he had never found endearing until he saw her do it. Then, like she put on her leather jacket in her mind, her posture hardened and she jutted out her chin. “So I blackmailed you. Not like I had a choice. It’s done now, so suck it up. We don’t have to talk about your brother. We don’t have to talk about anything except my hotel if you want to keep it that way. But if you want me to behave appropriately I’m going to have to know a few things. And if you want me to make all nicey nice in public you’re going to have to do the same. People won’t buy me fawning over you if you’re a giant frozen Popsicle.”

Setting his coffee cup on the table, Cole put both hands on the polished wooden top, trying to steady himself. “You want me to be nice to you? Hell, you want me to share my family secrets? With you?”

She shrugged. “If you don’t want to, fine, but you’ll be breaching your own contract, which means the terms I agreed to are null and void.”

He picked up the document she’d just signed. “This says nothing about me needing to share my family’s business with you.”

“Nope, but the clause about me not bringing your reputation into disrepute has a subclause about reciprocity.”

“Reciprocity?”

“I’ll be nice to you. You’ll be nice to me. Mikey’s brother might be a law-school dropout, but he still knows to warn a girl when she’s likely to get screwed. You try and take me down, and I’ll have you up in front of a judge, with the papers biting at my heels to get the story.”

Again, the smile almost snuck onto his face uninvited. Briony Wilde was nothing if not surprising. In a good way. “Very good, Ms. Wilde. Although, of course, all that talk of getting me in front of a judge is hot air. I lose, you lose, remember? Don’t try to threaten me.”

“Who says I was trying to threaten you?”

The silence sat between them as he looked at her, waiting to see what else she would do. Cole watched the mix of emotions spread themselves around her face. In her jutting chin she was defiant, fierce. In her knitted dark eyebrows, frustrated. But in her eyes she was a little lost and afraid.

He blinked to check he was seeing things properly. The woman in front of him had everything to gain from this union. It was him that could go down in flames if she carried through with her threat. But that little glimmer of uncertainty made his heart squeeze. He’d bought off all her neighbors and his board knew someone at her bank. She must be feeling the pressure big time. That would explain her going to the extremes of blackmailing him. In different circumstances he would find her intriguing, compelling, enticing. Sexy.

The memory of the night before flickered through his brain like a celluloid film reel. Had that only been last night? Briony Wilde was not only surprising, she was unpredictable. That quality alone should have had him running for the Hollywood hills at one hundred miles per hour, but her fresh-talking, brutal honesty was such a contrast to the manipulative, smooth veneer of his last girlfriend, he couldn’t help appreciating it. Doesn’t make her any less dangerous though. No. He was going to be careful. He was being careful. His lawyer knew everything, all his secrets past and present. He’d been there when his pop bailed him out, had helped make the charges go away. He hadn’t had any trouble with the law since, and he never would again. Period.

She broke the standoff. “Fine. Let’s split the difference. We’ll be polite. Professional. We both need to treat this for what it is, a business arrangement.”

“A business arrangement with blackmail and bikers,” he muttered, but this time without the animosity.

She sighed. “Again with the negativity. And here I was thinking you’d be a glass half-full type of guy.”

“You’re right. This is getting us nowhere. I’ll be polite. There’s just one more thing I need to do before we go ahead with this. I need to call the board and tell them about us. Your hotel staying changes the development.”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

“Not here. My office.”

“So let’s go.”

“You’re not coming to my office with me looking like that.”

She looked down at her red leather vest with the Raising Hellfire patch and DM boots and smiled. “I forgot, you’ve seen Pretty Woman. Going to go all Richard Gere after all and give me your credit card?”

“Not a chance. Come on.”

* * *

He could have gotten his secretary to take Briony shopping, but the less she knew about his new fiancée the better. He was new in town. His secretary could be moonlighting for his competitors for all he knew. Cole rubbed his face as he stood in the women’s clothing area of a high-end department store he’d hoped would have a big enough range to suit their needs.

This move was supposed to be straightforward, and instead he was second-guessing himself and getting engaged to someone before he’d even been in the city a couple of months.

“Will this do?” Briony pointed to a rack groaning with black leggings and cotton tank tops.

“No.” He waved to a shop assistant. The woman came over, smiling graciously at him, and trying very hard not to stare at Briony.

“How can I help you, sir?”

“We need a new wardrobe. Business casual. Nothing white, but not too much black.”

“Certainly, sir. If you’d like to come with me?”

“Ahem.” Briony cleared her throat. Loudly.

“Yes. It’s for . . .” Cole stumbled over the word.

“It’s for me. His fiancée. And I’m looking for an evening gown, too. Oh, and shoes. So perhaps you might like to address your comments to me rather than him?”

“Of course.” The shop assistant had the courtesy to blush and Cole didn’t bother to hide his smile this time. He wasn’t supposed to be enjoying this quite as much as he was. Briony Wilde had sass-a-plenty and wasn’t afraid to use it. It made his insides warm to see it. His insides and his outsides. The shop assistant pulled out a dress covered in sequins.

Briony turned to him and her face was creased with a mix of little girl excitement and outraged warrior. “You think I need something this fancy?”

“What would I know? You’ll need an evening gown. Whether you want one that’s masquerading as a solar panel is up to you.”

She snorted and allowed the shop assistant to pile her arms high. “Come on, then.” She raised her eyebrow at him and he realized he was being invited into the dressing room.

Big mistake. Seeing her naked would not end in a professional way. He needed to get out of there for a moment. “I’m just heading downstairs. Back in five. Make sure she tries all those on,” he said to the assistant with an approving nod to the clothes she’d selected.

As he rode the escalator he wondered at what his life had become. Again. Briony Wilde had been in his world less than twenty-four hours and already she was making him feel confused like he never had before. He’d planned on calling his board when they got back to his office, but his dad deserved to hear the news in private and he needed to hear the old man’s voice to get his feet back on the ground.

He punched in the number and thought about how his pop had reacted to the news that his brother’s wife was expecting. Family was everything to the old guy, and here he was getting engaged to someone he hardly knew. Worse. Someone he should hate, and yet found himself enjoying the more time he spent with her. He almost hung up, but his pop answered on the fourth ring.

“Pop. It’s me. Cole.”

“My boy. How’s L.A.?”

Cole paused. “Interesting.”

“Interesting isn’t usually a good thing with you.”

“What do you mean?”

The older man sighed. “It was your go-to evasion technique when you were younger. I’d ask you how your day went and you’d say interesting. I thought that meant you learned something new in class. Turned out it meant you’d skipped class altogether and gone shoplifting. Or the other thing.”

Cole’s stomach contracted at the memory. He’d been bored. Lost. Looking for something just out of reach, a way of building something that they didn’t teach in school. And it turned out you couldn’t find it in any shop. Depression arrived at his door when he turned thirteen as if turning the magical age had flipped a switch that had meshed his hormones into some direct line with darkness. Nothing fit at school. And at home his pop was busy enough that he barely noticed when Cole stopped talking unless he absolutely had to. When Cole started “borrowing” cars and got into racing, he’d figured he could outrun any trouble. Truth was, he’d been running from himself. He sighed. “It wasn’t really about the stealing or the racing.”

“I never could work it out. It wasn’t like you wanted for anything.”

No, Cole and his brother had never wanted for anything. That wasn’t the issue. The issue had been the dark rage that Cole had never been able to fight on his own. Not till his pop’s lawyer had gotten him to see someone and he’d finally found the help he needed. Depression didn’t care how rich you were. It just was. Till it wasn’t. At least now he knew how to deal with it, and as long as he kept his mind clear, he could work his way through almost anything.

His father continued. “Well, you gave all that up, thank god, and here we are. So, what does interesting mean these days?” He paused. Cole heard him suck in a breath. “You haven’t gotten back together with that Martha woman, have you?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s something. She was nasty. Vicious.”

Cole reeled. “What? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“That your girlfriend was a manipulative piece of work? And that her family had designs on merging with the Reapers for I don’t know how long? I don’t think that would have gone down very well, do you?”

True. Cole hesitated. But damn, it would have saved him a few sleepless nights. Screw it, this is what you called him about. “I’ve met someone else.”

“That was quick.”

“I know. Too quick, perhaps. Thing is, she wants to get married.”

“Married? She after your money?”

Ha. A thousand times yes. “Not entirely.”

“Do you like her?”

Did he like her? Cole tossed the question around in his mouth. Yes, he liked Briony Wilde. He didn’t trust her, didn’t trust her friends, he was furious with her, and a good part of him wanted to tell her where to shove her blackmailing ultimatum. But he did like her. Her voice, her sense of humor, her sass, her gumption, the way she stood up to his brother, and of course, her body. “Yes.”

“Did you like the last one?”

He’d thought he did. He’d enjoyed Martha for a while, and when they’d first started dating and they’d been nothing but two people getting to know each other it had been fun. Light. It was only when her true designs on his company started coming out that he saw her nasty side. Truth was without the pressure of her family she was fine, mostly, but he would never have been able to take her shopping, or drink whiskey with her. Or have sex in a biker lockup with her. “Maybe not.”

“Good.”

“Good?” Cole frowned. His father was pleased he’d dated someone he didn’t even like?

“Good that you didn’t like the last one, it means this one is completely different. It’s not easy to step back and see someone for who they really are. Too many people say they like someone but they don’t really. If you like this woman, and think you could be friends under different circumstances, then, hell, life is short.”

Cole’s hackles reared up. Did his lawyer call his dad about the prenup? “What do you mean by different circumstances?”

“If you weren’t lusting after her, if you met without knowing what you do about her now, could you be friends?”

Phew. “Maybe.” Maybe? On what planet would he be friends with Blackmailing Briony? The one where you almost did time. Cole rubbed his chin. He wasn’t that guy anymore. This was only happening because of his own stupidity. But now that it was, he was going to make the best he could of it. He hadn’t pulled himself up by bemoaning his mistakes. Learn from them and move on. That’s what life had taught him. “We ride in very different circles.”

“She a high-flying Hollywood type?”

“No.” He laughed. “The opposite. She rides a Harley.”

His father laughed. “That sounds good, but I’m not big on the getting married thing. Heck, I haven’t even met her. I know the board has been giving you shit about settling down but don’t take it to heart. Enjoy the ride. If she’s still the one in six months, put a ring on it and make it official.”

A ring. Cole spotted the sign for the jewelry department to his right. This wasn’t how he’d planned on buying his future wife’s engagement ring. But then he hadn’t really planned on getting married. Period. He was not his brother, never would be, never wanted to be. He’d always figured being with someone would be enough if he met the right person. The piece of paper and all the pressure and convention that came with a marriage he could do without. He’d seen too many marriages end amicably only to be turned nasty in divorce court. He opened his mouth, ready to tell his pop the real reason for this whole ridiculous charade when the old guy piped up again.

“If she really wants a ring though, go buy it. Be romantic for once in your life, women like that stuff. And it’ll make me laugh to think about it.”

Be romantic? Cole swallowed the confession. If his pop wanted romance, a blackmail wedding was not something he wanted to hear about. Damn. As if he needed more reason to go through with this stupid idea. He sighed. His bed seemed well and truly made. No way was he going to hurt his old man any more than he needed to. “She’s pretty determined, and getting engaged to her would mean I could make a few changes to the development. She owns the hotel on the property. I’m thinking of renovating it rather than demolishing it.”

“Right. You had big plans for some hotel complex, didn’t you? You giving up on that?” His pop’s tone turned wary.

Cole kept his voice steady. “Now that I’m here I’m not sure we need it. This hotel already has a bunch of rooms, and a bar and restaurant and pool area. And there’ll be the lot next door to expand into if we need to.”

“Still, I liked your original hotel complex idea and the designs were great. If this girl is talking you out of it just because she’s in it for the money, I’d watch your back.”

“I’m not sure she’s interested in the money for herself.” That’s the line you’re going to give him?

“She more of the family philanthropist type, huh? Oh, well, a hotel is a hotel at the end of the day. As long as you’re happy and the development still turns a profit.”

“Making money isn’t going to be an issue.”

“If you’re sure, I’m sure. You’re the guy on the ground after all.”

Cole breathed out. “It’ll be fine. The place has character. Good to have something like that amongst all the new buildings.”

He could almost hear his pop scratching his chin as his mind thought over Cole’s description.

“As long as it’s got good bones. You’re leading the renovation. I’ll back you when it comes up with the board.”

Did Wilde’s Hotel have good bones? Cole almost snorted out loud. It almost certainly had bones, just not the type his pop was talking about. More like full skeletons under the floorboards. “Great. I’ll call the board this afternoon to let them know the details. I should have revised plans soon.” Cole was about to hang up and go wash his mouth out for the lies he’d just landed on his pop when his pop started talking again.

“I mean it when I say enjoy the ride, son. I know I’ve lasted longer than most, and I know you’re only keeping me around for my ego. I appreciate that. You’re the head of this company now despite your brother being the show pony, and it couldn’t be in better hands. We’ve had our differences, but you’ve grown up. If this woman makes you happy, if she can find the good bits in you and keep your dark demons at bay, then she’s a keeper. Just don’t rush into it. Talk to you later.” He hung up.

Cole couldn’t breathe for a moment. It was the most personal speech his father had ever made. Love and wedding bells? From his pop? What the hell had just happened? I guess it’s only as crazy as what else is about to happen. And his pop had just told him not to get married. Buying a ring wasn’t getting married though, was it? He looked over at the jewelry department sign again and turned right. Might as well make this official.

* * *

“Baby blue? Seriously?” When Cole got back to women’s wear, he could hear Briony straightaway and he let the smile play out instead of squashing it.

“I might look a little rough around the edges, but it’s better than being trussed up so tight a man wouldn’t know how to get in. If you want to get any from a man with a pulse, chill the hell out, lady.”

Uh-oh. Cole picked up his pace.

“Don’t look at me like that. You don’t want to know who I ride with.” Briony was unrepentant. And loud.

Cole didn’t need to hear any more, and he didn’t want anyone knowing too many of the details of who she rode with. Cole pushed through into the dressing room area, brushing aside the curtain and coming to a halt. Wow. The blue silk dress coated Briony’s figure as if it were poured on and was, quite literally, backless. The shop assistant had somehow persuaded Briony to try it on properly, and with no underwear underneath, it left everything to the imagination.

“Lady here thinks bike leather belongs in the bin,” Briony said with a sneer.

“In this case she might be right.” Cole let his eyes wander unabashedly down her form.

“Hardly. I can’t wear this. It’s too pale, and there’s no back. If I fell off my bike wearing it I’d look like I’d been through a cheese grater.”

“I don’t think it’s meant to wear on a bike.” He laughed, knowing she was well aware of that, and charmed at the blush that was pinking her skin. She was out of her comfort zone for sure. Her overcompensating with such a ballsy attitude was kinda cute though.

“If you think you’re gonna drive me around all the time now you’re dreaming. Girl’s gotta have her own wheels.”

“I’m not stopping you from driving. And you look nice. Keep the dress, it suits you.”

Her mouth opened, but the retort must’ve gotten stuck in her throat.

The shop assistant dived in. “See. Your friend here thinks it looks nice. Surely you want to look nice for him?”

“I look nice for me. No one else.” Briony stuck her chin out.

Cole knew he shouldn’t find her stubbornness endearing, but seriously, her chin jutting out like that made her look about five years younger.

“No one tells me what to wear. Not now, not ever.”

Cole looked down at his watch. “So get a different dress and pipe down already.”

Briony turned and tried to see the back of the blue shift. The way she turned pulled the fabric tight across her ass and made Cole’s hands itch to smooth it across her skin. When she turned back the other way it pulled across her chest and his whole body tightened thinking of the ripe soft flesh that lay beneath the paper-thin silk. One good tug and the fragile straps would disintegrate in his hands.

She butted into this thoughts. “It doesn’t look ridiculous? I go out of here wearing something like this and the boys won’t know where to look. Rocco will try and be polite, but—”

He didn’t want to hear her say anything more about Rocco and the Hell’s Boys in public. Cole pulled Briony into his arms. “Shut up,” he growled and covered her lips with his.

Like the first time, the contact of their lips was overwhelming. From the soles of his feet to the hairs on the back of his neck, Cole’s body felt charged, alive. This time it was Briony who danced her tongue with his and as he opened his mouth to deepen the kiss, he wanted nothing more than to tear at the flimsy scrap of pale blue silk she was wearing and have her naked and willing up against the dressing room wall. His cock hardened and all reason fled like the shop assistant who had miraculously disappeared.

Crushed against the soft cotton of his shirt, he felt her nipples harden and lowered his hand to cup her butt. This. He wanted this. All of it. Now. He took two steps forward and Briony was pressed back against the wall just like he wanted her. Straining under his hands she seemed to know his thoughts and widened her legs so he could step in between them. He moved his hand from her butt and pulled her leg up his side, letting his erection press hard at her center. Briony put two hands to his chest and pushed him back. “You going to kiss me every time you need to change the subject?”

Down, boy. “Maybe. It’s pretty effective,” he muttered.

Still caught up in his arms, Briony made no other move to escape and for a moment, Cole thought of carrying on. Taking her right there. Owning her like he’d been wanting to again. But the shop assistant chose that moment to reappear, this time with security.

“You can’t do that in here. Time to leave.”

Briony lowered her leg and smoothed down the dress. “You’ll have to forgive my fiancé, he was overcome. We’ve been apart for a long time. He’s been fighting for all of us and now that he’s back I find it hard to refuse him anything.”

The security guard’s face went from flat to fawning. “The country thanks you for your service, sir. I don’t mean to interrupt.” He leaned in and muttered, “But you will have to come out of the dressing rooms, sir. Store policy.”

“No problem. We’ll take these and go,” Briony said, waving to a pile of clothes before pushing Cole out of the room so she could change.

Cole felt his jaw slacken, but couldn’t bring himself to snap it back into action till they were out of the dressing room and on the way to the register. “You told him I was a returning vet? That’s so out of line.”

“I didn’t say that, not exactly. Just that you were fighting the good fight. Isn’t that what you tell yourself you’re doing? Building new homes for hundreds of people? Or is it more that you’re tearing down everything the neighborhood has known and loved forever?” Her tone was light, teasing, but Cole felt his heart squeeze at her disappointment that she couldn’t save her whole neighborhood. How could she go from dressing-room vixen to anti-development activist in such a short space of time? The woman had a wicked tongue and she was not afraid to use it. His mind flicked back to her tongue, their kisses, and he clenched his fists.

Briony Wilde had him right where she wanted him. He needed to remember that. Trouble was, when she kissed him, cranked up the charm, and turned those big dark eyes on him, he couldn’t help but wonder if this insane situation might actually work.