An Arranged Marriage Read online

  An Arranged Marriage

  C. M. Bryden

  Austin Macauley Publishers

  An Arranged Marriage

  About the Author

  About the Book

  Dedication

  Copyright Information

  Acknowledgements

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  C. M. Bryden is a lady that believes “love conquers all”, writing romances fills her retirement days. People-watching often leads to intriguing stories as her imagination makes up scenarios. Once a character has taken root in her imagination, the story leaps ahead.

  About the Book

  An arranged marriage is not for everyone. It’s a risk many would not consider. Will this be one that fails, or will it be successful? Only time will tell…

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my man in a million, my wonderful husband of many years.

  Copyright Information

  Copyright © C. M. Bryden (2019)

  The right of C. M. Bryden to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

  Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

  A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

  ISBN 9781788485753 (Paperback)

  ISBN 9781788485760 (Hardback)

  ISBN 9781528954556 (ePub e-book)

  www.austinmacauley.com

  First Published (2019)

  Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

  25 Canada Square

  Canary Wharf

  London

  E14 5LQ

  Acknowledgements

  For my friends who encourage me to follow my dreams.

  Prologue

  Jane Reynolds drove into the car park: parking her ancient Mini neatly between her father’s old, and much loved Jaguar, and a gleaming black Porsche she eyed enviously, wondering whether its owner was equally as racy!

  She strode into the reception area, her high heels tapping on the tiled floor; the only sound to be heard in the deserted building, as she made her way down the corridor towards her father’s office.

  Pausing for a moment at his door, she ran one hand through her hair, at the same time smoothing imaginary creases from the skirt of her business suit well aware this was an important day in her father’s life, at the same time unaware it might possibly be of some importance to hers as well!

  Nervously, she composed herself before knocking on the door and waiting for her father’s command to enter. There was no response. She knocked again and then, believing the room to be empty, she opened the door and walked in. To her surprise, her father and a much younger man were standing with their heads close together, poring intently over some papers strewn across the desk: it was only the soft thud of the door closing behind her that alerted them to her presence. In unison they turned, watching as she walked towards them. One with pride in his eyes, the other with lust!

  Jake Adams had felt his heart lurch in his chest the instant he set eyes on her. He instinctively knew as he watched her walk across the room that he wanted her. He lusted after her and for more than a one-night stand!

  Jane smiled at her father, taking in his familiar features, that only months ago had been unlined and boyish, but now were careworn and haggard. His hair, once dark had changed almost overnight to silver.

  He smiled at her, more a grimace than a smile. From his expression she could see he was feeling apprehensive, as to the outcome of the proposed meeting with the young man standing at his side. He put his arm around her waist before turning to the young man.

  ‘Jake, I would like you to meet my daughter, Jane.’

  The young man stepped forward, taking Jane’s hand in his.

  ‘I’m pleased to meet you…’ he said, momentarily taken aback by his physical reaction as he looked at her and took hold of her outstretched hand, holding it for just a little longer than was really necessary. His heart and head overwhelmed for a moment or two; stunned as he was by the exquisiteness of her features.

  He studied her face and noted her eyes looking at him with interest. Two beautiful shimmering emerald jewels glittered and blazed at him, the likes of which he’d never seen before.

  Jake moved his gaze to study her lips, liking what he saw. They were shapely and full, luscious and eminently kissable. So great was his desire to taste them he found it hard not to reach out and pull her into his arms.

  By this time his loins were aching with his desire to possess her. As for Jane, she’d found his gaze equally as disturbing. For a few moments the predatory glint in his eyes had startled her to such a degree her already fragile composure was threatening to crumble.

  Jake continued to stare at her, until his gaze eventually wandered and she could see him mentally undressing her, his eyes stripping her naked; his desire to devour her apparent.

  Suddenly, Jane felt a rush of heat spreading through her body, leaving her cheeks inflamed by his blatant sexual glances, as his eyes sent out messages of his desire, making her emotions run riot.

  Jane had never met such a man before, yet her mind and body had instinctively recognised him, assessing him as a possible mate, a primeval reaction towards the man it had surely been her destiny to meet.

  Perhaps they’d known each other from a previous existence? It must have been, as Jane knew she’d never met this man before, she would certainly have remembered him! In no more time than it took for her to give him a quick glance nature had taken over her reasoning. It was as if a mist had suddenly been lifted from her eyes and thoughts. At the same time, she could see him quite clearly for what he was, a predator and a hunter, yet she knew he was the man she wanted as the father of her children. He was everything she wanted in a mate. Unaware, for a moment or two, she was subconsciously taking stock of him, she shuddered, returning to the present, knowing deep in her heart that meeting Jake Adams had been a life defining moment for her, a moment in time she would remember forever.

  He looked to be in his early thirties, just the right age for her. As far as she was concerned he was the ultimate in tall, dark and handsome! He was extremely good-looking yet apparently unaware of his looks. From what she could see of his well-proportioned physique, he certainly appeared to be no stranger to a regime at the gym!

  He wore his dark brown hair unfashionably long, the natural curls and waves that she wanted to run her fingers through, just brushing the collar of his jacket. He stood at least six feet tall, head and shoulders above her, which she particularly liked.

  Suddenly she had an urge, she found hard to resist, to reach out and hold him close, to caress him. She wanted, nay needed, his body against hers, to feel for herself the power of his muscles
against her, at the same time she wanted more, much more! She drew in her breath taken aback by her carnal thoughts, her body aching with her desire to be possessed.

  It must have been the pheromones, exuding from every pore of his body that were affecting her senses, attracting her, enhancing the longing she felt for him, something she’d never experienced before. Her gaze never wavered as she continued to feast her eyes on him, so transfixed was she by his total maleness she suddenly felt faint. Jake Adams was certainly an impressive specimen of manhood, the likes of which Jane Reynolds had never met before.

  Meanwhile, as the minutes ticked away, Andrew, standing at his desk watched, transfixed at Jake's reaction to meeting his daughter for the first time. Andrew knew she was intelligent, as well as beautiful, a fine catch for any young man. He could now see for himself how Jake had been unable to tear his eyes away from her. It was a compulsion the young man couldn’t resist. A look Andrew couldn’t ignore either, unable able to believe the sexual chemistry he’d witnessed between the young couple, something he’d never seen before, and then he realised if Jane and Jake had indeed fallen in love at first sight, it could only bode well for him, and the future of his company!

  Jake was still looking at Jane, as one would look at a goddess: her physical beauty filling his eyes and making it imperative that he commit everything about her to his memory: from the colour of her hair, with its lustrous waves of burnished mahogany resting on her shoulders, noting with a smile the way one stray tress had fallen seductively across her eyes.

  His eyes had then moved downwards: taking in her womanly curves and the pert breasts he longed to caress; down to the narrowness of her waist, emphasised even further by the cut of her jacket, then on to her womanly hips he wanted to caress as he pulled her close.

  He drew in his breath as he imagined how they would feel when he pulled her into his arms and held her, suddenly aware of his arousal, as his body responded quite naturally, to the thoughts of what he intended doing, sooner, rather than later, to the goddess that stood before him.

  Jake’s eyes continued to travel slowly downwards, until they reached her shapely legs, noticing the ridiculously sexy shoes she wore as she’d walked into the room. One thing was absolutely certain; Jane Reynolds was exactly the kind of woman he liked; sassy, sexy, and much more.

  She wasn’t like any other woman he’d ever met. He could see she was special, and he also knew he wanted her permanently in his life, instinctively knowing at last he’d met the one woman he’d waited for all his life. To his surprise he wanted to marry her; even more than that, he wanted her to be the mother of his children, an event he’d never thought of before, or even wanted!

  Jane was the first to look away, but only after letting her eyes have the final luxury of roaming sensually over him, mirroring his smile, showing her own set of perfect teeth.

  She’d taken in the superb cut of the Armani business suit he was wearing, cut to emphasise the broadness of his shoulders and then, the pure whiteness of the silk shirt that accentuated his tan; the top two buttons undone, allowing his dark chest hairs to be just visible, leaving Jane imagining how it would feel as she threaded her fingers through them as she nuzzled close into his chest, as she explored his body for real. The casual elegance of his clothes added to his magnetism and she smiled, a secret smile, her stomach contracting with a longing inside her that was primitive in its origin, exactly as Jake’s reaction had been to her. She imagined herself enfolded in his arms, both of them naked, just as nature intended, with nothing coming between them to stifle their desires. She sighed. Her eyes suddenly caught by a gold Rolex, peeping out from under the cuffs of his shirtsleeves. She nearly laughed out loud, it was the finishing touch to the image she had of him as being the perfect man about town.

  She looked across at his hands, strong and capable, his fingers long and elegant, and ringless like hers, leaving her to wonder whether he was married, or not? Then, finally, as enamoured as she was by his physical beauty, the mist of love cleared momentarily from her eyes, letting her see another side to him.

  She knew exactly the sort of man Jake Adams was. He was arrogant, egotistical and confidently sure of himself, but more than that, he appeared to be an animal, a creature so wild that no amount of designer clothing could ever disguise him for something other than what he was.

  She could see at heart he really was a panther locked in a man’s body as he stood surveying her; his lithe body was poised and ready to pounce. His amber eyes focused on her, waiting for the moment he would capture her as his prey and devour her.

  Suddenly, her legs seemed to turn to jelly and she shivered, then paled; a frisson of fear and excitement pulsating through her body as she nervously watched him; licking her lips, unconsciously signalling her own sexual interest in him. At the same time, for a moment or two, she was powerless to even move until finally, she found the strength and an inner courage to step forward, where she held onto her father’s desk, thankful for the feel of its solid wood beneath her fingers.

  For the first time in her life, Jane felt afraid of her future, very afraid, as though a sixth sense was warning her to beware of the man who stood before her; a man whose animal eyes had never left her from the minute she’d walked into the room. This was the man her father was prepared to place his faith in; believing him to be the saviour of his failing company, but was a failing company all that Jake Adams wanted?

  Jake, was afraid. Afraid this lovely creature might already be spoken. He wanted her: without a second thought he made a decision he knew would change his life forever.

  Had Jane known what was on Jake’s mind she would have gone running from the room as though all the devils in hell were after her? But she didn’t know, and therein lies what is about to follow.

  The room was silent and full of tension, for a few moments no one spoke. Jake looked from Jane to her father and then down at the papers spread out on the desk in front of him. He started to gather them together. Andrew Reynolds watched, open mouthed in astonishment, still unable to believe what he’d witnessed happening between his daughter and this young man, and what he was seeing now as the man he’d thought was going to be his company’s saviour was preparing to leave and without any discussion. Andrew was at a loss to know what to do or say!

  Jake, suddenly aware his actions were unexpected, looked up and smiled briefly at Andrew, before continuing to place the papers into his briefcase.

  ‘I’ll contact you.’ He said quietly, ‘just as soon as I’ve studied the accounts and I’ve come to a decision.’

  Andrew nodded in return, fully aware his future and that of his business rested entirely in the hands of the young man who stood before him.

  Once he’d finished Jake clicked his briefcase shut. After a brief handshake with Andrew, and a curt nod to Jane, along with a look that left her senses confused and reeling, he left the room, leaving father and daughter to ponder individually on just what exactly had taken place.

  Little did any of them know much how their lives were about to change with the decision Jake had already made!

  As for the fates, they were already laughing at the mischief they’d caused? So, what was the outcome going to be? As it is written! So what will be will be? For Jake and Jane, it was a truism. If something is our destiny, then so be it!

  Chapter One

  The meeting in Andrew’s Reynolds office was the culmination of events that had started two years earlier when his wife, Isabel, had suddenly passed away in her early forties. Her death from a heart attack was as untimely as it was unexpected, and a terrible blow to her husband and to Jane, her only daughter.

  After the funeral, Jane had stayed with her father for several weeks at the family home in the country. It was only after watching her moping around the house for several days that Andrew finally insisted it was about time for her to return to her own home and career. He even managed to convince her he would be able to cope on his own and, believing him, Jane returned to London
.

  At first he seemed to be doing fine with no indication he wasn’t coping. She spoke to him often and could detect no sign in his manner or speech that he wasn’t.

  In the past her father had never discussed the family business with her. Therefore, she had no reason to believe it was anything other than successful as it had been for years, leaving her to assume all was well.

  Once back in London the days and weeks soon turned into months, passing quickly for Jane, as they do for those with busy working lives. It wasn’t until several months had passed that she began to notice how his tone of voice had changed; first of all, in a subtle way, which didn’t at first cause her any alarm. Her suspicions that something might possibly be wrong began only when he suddenly started to sound morose, evading her questions as to how he was feeling and passing off her concerns by telling her he was just tired. Her concerns as to how the business was faring in the current state of the economy he tended to ignore completely, changing the subject by asking about her own business life, until she began to think he might just be suffering with depression; presuming this would be quite normal for someone who’d only recently lost the love of his life. But her father was clever when she voiced her concerns. She’d advised him to see his doctor, but he’d merely fobbed her off, telling her he was fine and not to worry. This appeased her at the time, being busy as well to worry too much about him.

  As a senior consultant for a large travel company she was responsible mostly for corporate work. It was part of her job description to frequently travel abroad, where she ran training courses for the company. It was only after she’d returned from one such prolonged trip to Europe, doing just that she realised she hadn’t seen her father for some weeks. Of course they’d kept in touch by phone, but Jane knew she needed to visit him, to satisfy her own mind all really was well.

  She’d just finished checking her diary, deciding to go the next day and spend a few days with him when Jessie, her assistant and best friend, poked her head round the office door, interrupting her thoughts.