The Reluctant Billionaire's Temporary Bride: Love is worth fighting for (Las Vegas Brides of Convenience Book 1) Read online

  The Reluctant Billionaire’s Temporary Bride

  or

  Saving Sunny

  Las Vegas Brides of Convenience

  Book 1

  Anne Martin

  Copyright 2019 by Anne Martin

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold, or given away. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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  Prologue

  Nix Death-Hammer

  I stood in front of the massive fireplace of the front parlor of the southern plantation, the dark wood as aged and experienced as I felt. It had been a long year. For a thirty-two year old who had been street fighting professionally since I was eighteen, it was about time I started feeling it. I needed to promote myself to a more managerial position in the world of desert warfare I’d created out in Vegas along with a few other remarkable fighters.

  I heard my mother’s heels clicking across the floor, then silence as she crossed the priceless rug. I didn’t turn until she was close enough to stab me through the heart.

  “Mother,” I said with a smirk I didn’t feel.

  “Son.” The woman with a ramrod straight back and pale blonde hair didn’t glance at me, instead walking to a side table and touching the pale pink peonies to make certain they were perfect enough to grace her world. The vase that held them was priceless.

  “I’m here. If you want to disown me, I wish that you’d get it over with. I’m not interested in the family fortune.”

  “No. You’ve done very well on your own, if you like rolling around in the mud with reprobates.” She drew her hands away from the petals and rubbed her fingers together, lips curling.

  “Which, I do.” At least my associates and friends were honest about rolling in the mud.

  Her eyes met mine, cool blue eyes that could pierce a heart. My own heart started to pound in spite of the fact that I was a grown man who had been on my own the second I could get away.

  “Nix,” she said in her gentlest drawl.

  Sweat beaded on my forehead. “Ma’am.”

  She circled me while I tried not to twitch. The sooner this was over with, the sooner I could get on a plane and back to the hard-living world she had such contempt for.

  She sighed and put her hand on my shoulder, squeezing with those perfectly manicured blush nails. “The thing is, you have so much potential. I can’t see you throw it all away. Here’s my ultimatum.”

  Finally. She would disown me and I’d never have to see her or her platinum world again.

  “You prove that you’re a changed man for a year’s time, and I won’t destroy everything you’ve worked so hard to build. I’ll destroy the whole industry. It’s such a disgusting business, all those half-dressed men and women sating the voracious appetites of the lowest classes.”

  “We’re American, ma’am. We don’t have classes.”

  She gave me a slight smile. “I wasn’t talking about money, son. One year without those cheap females and cheap friends. One year with only one woman, a woman with class and gentility.”

  I took an unsteady breath. “I’m disinclined to do so.”

  She studied me for a long time. “I’ll give you the weekend to think it over. You’re looking old, Nix. That life you’ve chosen isn’t an easy one.”

  “Being idle rich might suit me more if it didn’t come with platinum chains.”

  “There are always chains. Better platinum than aluminum. You’ll have brunch with me and your cousins on Sunday. Enjoy your stay.” She turned and walked off, her steps so steady, so perfectly even.

  I picked up the vase of peonies and lifted it to smash it, but that’s what I would have done as a teen. I was completely grown. I wasn’t a victim of her terrifying decrees anymore, except apparently, I was. I clunked the vase back down on the side table and started pacing.

  I’d worked so hard to become the highest paid fighter in the field I’d created out of the dust. It wasn’t just the fighting either. I had a team, did media, was on the edge of every tech so my audience would keep following me. They did. They would unless my mother shut it all down. Money, power, and a shark’s instincts for blood were what drove her beneath that genteel veneer.

  “I thought I’d find you here.”

  I glanced over at my younger cousin, blond, the perfect southern gentleman who made regular visits to my mother in case she decided to turn the fortune over to someone more worthy like him. I wished she would.

  I grinned at him. “It’s your lucky day. You want some boxing tips? You should come work for me. The cameras would love you.”

  He raised an eyebrow then smiled slightly. “I thought you were quitting the life.”

  I ground my teeth. “Did she already announce that?”

  He nodded. “Are you going to smash the vase? We have a bet going on how much property damage you’d do.”

  “I didn’t think you liked making bets. It’s not proper, and you are the perfect gentleman.”

  He stared at me, his eyes going hard. “Sometimes I wonder. Nix, do you think that I’m an eligible match in spite of my mother being disowned from the family fortune?”

  I studied him. “How old are you, twenty-two? I’d say that you were too young for marriage, but you’ve always had an old soul. You have a girl in mind?”

  He hesitated then nodded.

  “If she’s after money, she should find someone ugly, close to death so she doesn’t have to earn it for too long. If she’s after love, bless her poor heart.”

  He shook his head. “She’s not after money.”

  “Then I congratulate you on finding the single woman in the world so inclined.” I grinned at him. He was so adorably idealistic. He’d always been like that, which was a wonder considering his upbringing and genetics. He’d grown up well. He’d always been a scrappy kid on the outskirts of the family because of the unfortunate match his mother made, but he’d never been one to be ashamed of her or his lack of money. If his father hadn’t been a total wastrel, he could have had the kind of upbringing that anyone would envy.

  “She won’t marry me because she’s dying.” He said the words calm and matter-of-fact.

  I laughed, but the look on his face, the soberness around his eyes made me hook an arm around his shoulder instead.

  “She’s clearly too good for this world. Sorry to hear that.”

  He studied me. He wasn’t finished. “She won’t marry me because she loves me and doesn’t want to break my heart and ruin my life when her health declines.”

  “That’s almost noble. Where do you find these girls? She sounds exactly like the sort of girl mother would approve of me courting. Me courting one girl. Can you imagine?”

  “She’s a proper lady,” he said with a nod, then gave me a slight smile and pulled out his phone. He played a video of the prettiest girl I’d ever seen with her heart-shaped face and big blue eyes. She waved at the camera and then jumped off the ledge. In short shorts and a white tank top she flew down a half-pipe on a skateboard. “Except when she gets bored with it,” he added in a low voice.

  “That’s your proper lady? Where do you find these girls?”

  “Girl. I don’t know anyone else like her.”

  He showed me another video. Homecoming? How prosaic. There was my cousin with his golden hair and her in her ladylike dress, waist cinched and cons
iderable charms on display, in only the properest way, naturally. When they brought the crowns out, she had them crown her king and my cousin queen. When she smiled at my cousin, it was the sweetest smile I’d ever seen.

  I cleared my throat. I really shouldn’t be fascinated and drawn to a girl my cousin had intentions towards. “Interesting. I’ve known you your whole life, but you’ve never mentioned this girl. Why is that?”

  “She’s too good for you.”

  “I agree. I agree wholeheartedly. That princess is the kind of thing that makes men insane. Which explains why you’re here, talking to me. You’re trying to do something that will fix her, and you need me. If you need money, you’ve got to talk to the crocodile.”

  He frowned. “Money isn’t enough, and you know how your mother feels about distributing wealth to unworthy recipients.” His mouth did something funny when he said that, all snarly and furious, but carefully controlled.

  “I do, and I’m the least worthy of us all. I’ve worked hard to become so. Her latest ultimatum is so infuriating, her dictating that I’m supposed to find one perfect southern belle to be faithful to. She just waited for me to gain some leverage, to accomplish something noteworthy before she relishes tearing it down. I wish I didn’t see this coming. Do you know any assassins looking for work?”

  He stared at me.

  I sighed and ran a hand through my unkempt hair. It was sexy unkempt hair. That was my thing, sexy. I’d made a name on the way I looked while I hurt people. Maybe I was catering to the lowest denominator, but that was my prerogative.

  “I have an idea that might just save your livelihood.” He shook his head. “I don’t suppose it’s possible, though. A woman who refused to marry me would never stoop to your level.”

  My heart started to pound. Was he really suggesting that I step in and woo the girl of his dreams? She was pretty, and sweet. The relationship would be short term by default. I wouldn’t be stuck with a woman as terrifying as my mother. “Is that a bet?”

  He raised his eyes to mine and smiled.

  Chapter 1

  Sunshine Wilson

  The porch’s wind chimes tangled together, telling me to hurry.

  I pulled on my sweater and juggled my bag and thermos while I tried to lock the door behind me. I laughed as my sweater caught in the door and I dropped my thermos.

  “Slow down. Life isn’t a race,” I told myself. I took a deep breath, feeling my chest rise and fall before I was able to focus and do one thing at a time like a proper Wilson. My correct posture lasted to the porch steps. I threw myself off them as I dashed to my dad’s yellow ’67 Camaro.

  Today was a good day. I felt it in the sun shining on my pale hair and the strength in my bones. It was a new semester for me, and it would be perfect.

  As I backed down the driveway, I noticed the moving truck two houses down. I also noticed a guy carrying two enormous boxes with his very muscled arms all bunched and delicious. I almost hit a garbage can as I craned my neck to watch him go inside the screened porch.

  Moving guys were so beautiful. I hummed to myself as I headed to school, the sun shining, the wind blowing my hair, feeling all cool in my big shades. I felt so normal and one hundred percent. By the end of spring semester I’d been ready to crawl into bed and never come out, but it was a new season, a new life, a new world. And I felt good.

  When I got to school, I pulled into a parking spot incredibly close to my first class. I laughed and pulled down the visor. A picture of my dad was clipped in the corner.

  “Dad, it’s a good day. No, the car does not need a tune-up. Okay, maybe it does. I’ll call Manuel after school. Wish me luck on the new class. It’s Philosophy. Love you!” I kissed two fingers and pressed it to his forehead before flipping the visor back up.

  I grabbed my backpack and adjusted the extra padded straps on my shoulders, shifting until it felt just right then headed towards the boxy building where Humanities happened. Philosophy. How hard could it be?

  I sketched a rough image of the moving guy in my notebook while other people surfed on their laptops, pretending to take notes of the instructor’s lecture. Who needed notes about a syllabus? The teacher was a brunette in red heels who threw her head back and laughed even if no one else laughed with her. I liked that. This would be a good class.

  I still felt good afterwards. I beamed at a cute guy in a blue sports cap who smiled back at me. We headed in different directions, but I wasn’t exactly looking for a boyfriend.

  I was almost to my art class, advanced Watercolor, when I saw my former best friend, Stina Delavore publicly humiliating herself with some shaggy animal. She’d been the only one who didn’t treat me like I was a freak, who let me disappear for weeks at a time for treatment then acted like I’d never been gone. Normal was what I’d wanted, needed, and she’d given it to me. Except then things had gone weird and she started hating me and throwing her life away, a life she could fill with the most amazing things, love, family, career, everything. Maybe I shouldn’t have lectured her the first time I caught her with drugs, but I wanted her to have her best life. I still did.

  Was his hand on her rear? Only one. The other was on her breast. Wow. At least she’d found someone who was coordinated.

  Why did he wear a leather jacket when the weather was one hundred percent perfect? I only had a sweater because I ran cold. Beast. Other people were staring. I twitched as I tried not to care, but I couldn’t help myself. She was right; I was a meddler.

  I marched over to them so close that I could smell his cologne, which was classic old spice, what my dad wore. I’d expected to smell stale cigarettes. That scent made me hesitate, but then I saw a couple of Freshmen girls giggling and taking photos with their phones.

  He was leaning against her, and she was leaning against the wall. Not easy access, but he was right there.

  I grabbed his nose, plugging it so he wouldn’t be able to breathe while kissing her, if that open-mouthed slobbering thing could possibly be defined as kissing.

  He jerked his head back and whipped around, taking both hands off Stina. His scowl made my mouth go dry. He was older and not the kind of boy a nice girl like me should mess with.

  I licked my lips and focused my bright smile on her. “Beauty and the Beast. Nice, Stina. Probably shouldn’t humiliate yourself on the first day. You’ve got to save something for the rest of the year. Love you.”

  I slipped around the guy and headed towards my class, struggling to regain the bounce in my step, but my heart was pounding too fast. I had to slow down and take deep, even breaths. Stina could throw her life away if she wanted. I couldn’t because I was living on borrowed time.

  Chapter 2

  Nix Death-Hammer

  “That’s your ex?” I asked as I stared after the little blond dandelion puff that had manhandled my nose. That was the girl, the sweet southern belle I was trying to entice.

  The random stranger shrugged and sauntered away from me. “Thanks for your time.”

  “You owe me twenty.”

  She turned to give me a come-hither look over her shoulder. Her smudged makeup was very morning-after. “She didn’t even lecture you. So disappointing.” She kept walking, ignoring the fact that I’d only agreed to make-out with her where her ex could see if she gave me a twenty. I’d expected a guy who knew how to inflict pain. I was looking forward to that, not Daniel’s springy little blond who looked like an angel, particularly compared to this devil. No, not an angel, a kitten, all fluff, but with surprisingly sharp claws.

  I sighed and shook my head. She was in my Philosophy class. I’d noticed her there like I’d noticed her getting into her yellow Camaro with classic black skunk stripe this morning. This wasn’t the first impression I’d been meaning to make. When the girl said she wanted to infuriate her ex, I’d expected some gangly teen boy, not that adorable creature. She smiled so bright all by herself, it was like she was competing with the sun. She’d bounced off her porch like a kitten after a milkman.


  Having her grab my nose wasn’t how I thought we’d be introduced, not that it had been much of an introduction.

  The next Philosophy class was Wednesday. I slid into a seat at the back and watched the Camaro kitten come in wearing a smiley-face t-shirt. It was too much. She was smiley-face enough all by herself.

  The teacher started class talking about various philosophies and how they would interact in a real life setting.

  “Do any of you have a philosopher whose teachings resonate with you?”

  The class was quiet. I raised my hand and spoke before she could call on me. “Hobbes.”

  Camaro kitten turned around with a slight frown between her eyebrows. “Life is ugly, short, and brutal?” she asked.

  “Brutish,” I corrected and winked at her when she recognized me as the guy who’d been publicly making out with her ex.

  Her eyes went big and her already pale skin went paler. “Does that make you ugly, short and brutish?”

  I cocked my head. “Ugly? I’ll leave that to the fairer sex to decide. It means that life is short and hard so we need to take as much out of it as we can. No regrets. No second-guesses.”

  “Live in the moment? Really? You don’t find that a little bit short-sighted? Oh, I guess that’s where the short part comes in.” She smiled at me brightly, but her eyes were hard.

  She wanted a fight. I smiled back at her. I was always obliging. “I feel like we’re on unequal footing, you knowing my deep, dark, philosophical leanings and I don’t know yours. Maybe you’re an anti-believer without anything that you’re willing to put up.”

  She lifted her chin like she had something to be ashamed of. “I’m a Stoic and I believe in Sen’s Capability Approach. First of all, you have to make the best of what you’ve been given. Secondly, people shouldn’t live carelessly and spoil more than their own lives. Life is a precious gift that has to be protected and sculpted into something beautiful. When people throw away their potential or live beneath their capabilities, it’s not only tragic, it’s morally wrong.”