Marry in Haste... Read Free Page B

around her. How could she not remember a man such as Reed undressing her, touching her—
    Someone took hold of her arm in a hard grip and she came to an abrupt halt. Her mind still filled with visions of Reed, she was startled to look up and see—Winston! He was wearing a suit—he always wore a suit—and his grip tightened even more as he said, “I found you.”
    Winston Bentley IV was handsome in a G.Q. kind of way. His curly dark brown hair was perfectly parted to the side and his dark brown eyes were angry.
    She knew she was in deep trouble, but she told herself she could handle it. “Winston. What are you doing here?”
    He didn’t ease his grip. “More importantly, what are you doing here?”
    Her conscience told her she owed him an explanation. He had been a diligent suitor, and she’d convinced herself she should marry him because he’d done and said everything right. Her mother and stepfather had approved of him… more than approved. But after last night and the attraction she’d felt toward Reed, she decided she’d left San Francisco in the nick of time. “I did both of us an injustice by becoming engaged to you, Winston. I had doubts and I didn’t express them.”
    â€œTell me your doubts and I’ll put them to rest.”
    She tried to take the tactful route. “You can’t. We’re just not right for each other.”
    â€œYou’re very right for me,” he said cajolingly. Though his voice was less steely, there was something in it that scared her.
    â€œI can’t be, Winston, because I don’t really love you.”
    Releasing her arm, he studied her. “Love? That doesn’t enter into this, Mallory. Your marriage to me would be the best thing for both of us. You are exactly what I need in a wife—well-bred, intelligent, poised, sophisticated. I’m not going to let you throw away a future together simply because you have prewedding jitters.”
    She had jitters, all right, but they had nothing to do with her wedding, not anymore. They had to do with that phone conversation she’d overheard. In the iciest voice she could imagine, Winston had told one of his associates, “Do whatever you have to do to gethim to sell. Even a little physical persuasion if necessary. Understand?”
    She was sure his associate had understood, and so had she. Winston hadn’t gotten rich by being honest or nice. Apparently he used force when he felt it was necessary. Looking into his eyes now, she was worried that he wouldn’t hesitate to use force on her. But she tried to keep from panicking and reminded herself to stay calm.
    Glancing around, she realized the lobby was empty at the moment and no one even stood as sentinel at the desk. She had to do this on her own. “I didn’t have prewedding jitters. I realized I was marrying you because my parents wanted the union more than I did.”
    â€œYour parents are very wise.”
    Nothing she said was sinking in. “I’m not going to marry you, Winston.”
    â€œIf you need more time, Mallory, I’ll give it to you, though it’s damn embarrassing to have a wedding set up and my bride run off to God knows where.”
    â€œHow did you find me?”
    â€œApparently you weren’t trying to hide. You used your credit card and your own name. It was very easy.”
    His voice was so matter-of-fact, it scared her. She suddenly understood that he could buy almost anything he wanted, including information and flunkies who would do his dirty work for him. Yet he had come here for her himself.
    Possibly he really had feelings for her. “Winston, I really am sorry. More time isn’t going to help. I’m sure marriage isn’t in the cards for us.”
    His cheeks flushed, his eyes glinted, and he clasped her arm again. “Oh, yes, it is, Mallory. And I’m going to tell you all the reasons why it is once