Blackmail

It was a typical Friday, and Titus was bracing himself for Trixie’s inevitable entrance. He’d already given Miss Connolly the heads up to let her waltz right in.

Sure enough, she arrived promptly, looking stunning in a white dress that left little to the imagination. Titus had to admit, she was a sight for sore eyes, and his body seemed to agree.

“Well, at least you’re punctual,” he said, his gaze fixed on her.

Trixie settled into the chair opposite him, crossing her legs with a casual grace. “I’m always on time. Now, how about we grab lunch and discuss our little deal?”

“You want me to take you to lunch?”

“Yes, I’m famished. There’s a new Spanish place down the street. I’ve been itching to try it.”

Titus glanced at his watch. It was lunchtime, so why not?

“The only reason I’m agreeing to this lunch is to keep our conversation private.” He rose from his chair, holding the door open for her. “Well, are you coming?”

Her smirk irked him, and he had to resist the urge to wipe it off her face.

As they passed his secretary, Titus informed her he’d be back in a couple of hours.

Once outside, Trixie flashed him a sweet smile. “Should we take my car or yours?” she asked, gesturing towards her compact sports car.

He shook his head. There was no way he was squeezing into that. “We’ll take my car,” he said, heading towards his BMW.

“Aren’t you going to open the door for me?”

He was already at the driver’s side, a smirk playing on his lips. “You have two perfectly good hands, and neither seems to be broken,” he said, sliding into the driver’s seat.

She muttered a curse under her breath, slamming the door as she got in. “Don’t you have any manners? A gentleman should always open the door for a lady.”

He turned to face her as he started the car. “I’m not here to kiss your ass.”

The drive to the restaurant was silent. Upon arrival, Titus committed the same offense by not pulling out Trixie’s chair.

When the waiter arrived, Trixie ordered a bottle of white wine.

Titus shot her a disapproving look. “Isn’t it a bit early for drinking?”

She smiled back at him. “Perhaps, but we have something to toast to,” she said, handing the menu back to the waiter after placing her order.

“I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”

She lifted her wine glass to her lips, her eyes scanning his face. “I have a feeling you will.”

“You’re blackmailing me into marrying you because of a mistake I made years ago. If you spill the beans, I stand to lose everything I’ve worked so hard for.”

She traced the rim of her glass with her fingertip. “Agree to it and you won’t lose a thing. In fact, you’ll gain a substantial amount of money. So, are you going to help me out, or do I need to have a chat with your boss?”

His body tensed, his hand forming a fist. “You’re such a bitch. It seems I have no choice but to play along. But this will be a marriage in name only. Don’t expect me to share your bed.”

“Are you sure about that? I recall you being quite eager to take me to bed before.”

Titus leaned back in his chair. “That was then. Now that I know what kind of person you are, I’ve changed my mind. So, how is this supposed to work?”

“We’ll get married at the courthouse next week. I’ll handle all the paperwork and you’ll sign a prenup. Once we’re married, you’ll take me back to my place to collect my things.”

“Your things?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, my things. You don’t expect me to live with you without my belongings, do you?”

He’d thought all he had to do was marry her. He hadn’t considered the prospect of her moving in. “Why do we have to live together? Why can’t you just stay at the mansion?”

“We need to convince people we’re a happily married couple. It wouldn’t look good if I weren’t living with my husband. Besides, the mansion has been sold.”

Now he was intrigued. “Your grandfather sold the mansion out from under you and left you homeless? I guess he didn’t love you after all.”

Trixie’s face paled. “He did love me and he didn’t leave me homeless. He left me his condo.

“But once I’m married, I’m expected to live with my husband, especially since the condo is too small.”

“So, when do you want to do this?”

“Friday should give me enough time to sort everything out.”

He watched her as she ate her meal. She was undeniably beautiful, and if she weren’t such a pain, he might have enjoyed being married and making love to her for a year.

Titus toyed with the idea of rejecting her proposal, hoping she was bluffing about going to his boss, but he couldn’t risk it. He couldn’t afford to lose everything.

His boss was a powerful man who could ruin Titus’s career with a snap of his fingers.

Trixie caught him watching her and raised an eyebrow. “Something on your mind?”

“For starters, I’m curious about why your grandfather did what he did. He must have left you something to live on.”

“Oh, he did: a measly two thousand dollars a month. How did he expect me to live on such a small amount?”

“Plenty of people live on less than that. I’d say he was being quite generous. You could always get a job and support yourself for once.”

“A job? I’m about to inherit millions! Why would I want to work?”

“You’re a spoiled brat, and it might do you some good. It could help you appreciate how fortunate you’ve been and give you a glimpse into how the other half lives.”

Trixie moistened her lower lip, leaning in closer to him. “I won’t need to work, seeing as my future husband is doing so well for himself. My job will be to keep myself looking good for you.”

He recoiled from her. “How am I supposed to explain a sudden marriage when everyone knows I’m not dating anyone?”

“I’m sure you’ll come up with something,” she replied, fluttering her eyelashes at him.

Titus rolled his eyes and checked his watch. “I need to get back to work.”

She could tell he wasn’t thrilled about this arranged marriage, and his smug smirk irked her. So, she decided to tease him a bit.

“You could cancel your afternoon appointments and take me back to your place. I could give you a preview of what you’ll be getting once we’re married.”

“I’ve already told you, I’m not sleeping with you,” he retorted, standing up and reaching for his wallet.

She looked up at him, a wicked smile playing on her lips. “Oh, I’m sorry. Are you having trouble getting it up?”

He’d had enough of her games. He grabbed her arm, yanked her out of her chair, and marched her out of the restaurant.

A nagging feeling told him that marrying her was going to be the biggest mistake of his life. But did he have a choice?

Once they were in his car, she rubbed her arm and pouted at him. “You hurt me.”

“Please, it’s just your ego that’s bruised. I bet you’re not used to men rejecting you. Why didn’t you just get one of them to marry you?”

“Because I don’t trust anyone else.”

“And what makes you think you can trust me?” he asked as he started driving back to the office.

“It’s not about trust, but leverage. If I have something on you, I can make you do what I want.

“Look, if we’re going to be married for a year, why can’t we be friends? It could be a fun year for both of us.”

“You and I will never be friends. I don’t like you and I can’t stand being around you. We won’t be spending much time together this year, and I want you to stay out of my way.”

She leaned back in her seat and stared out the window. The first time she’d met him a year ago, he’d seemed like a nice guy—charming and attractive.

But she’d seen a different side of him: an angry and bitter side. Sure, she was blackmailing him, but it wasn’t like he was getting nothing out of it.

When they got back to the office and he parked his car, he didn’t bother to open the door for her. “I guess I’ll see you next Friday,” he said, starting to walk towards his building.

“Titus, wait.”

He turned around. “What?”

“Don’t forget to get some wedding rings for us.”

“Why the hell do we need wedding bands?”

“We’re getting married, silly. It wouldn’t look right if we weren’t wearing wedding rings. We need to make sure everyone knows we’re taken.”

“Then you buy the damn things.”

“I don’t have enough money. Remember, my grandfather canceled all my credit cards? And I’ve already spent my allowance for this month?”

He walked back over and got right in her face. “I’ll buy the damn rings. But listen to me and listen well. Don’t ask me for any money once we’re married because I’m not giving you a dime.”

Seeing the anger in his eyes and the way his jaw clenched, she backed away.

He was a little scary, but at the same time, his anger excited her. It made her wonder if angry sex with him would be amazing.

That was something she was definitely going to try to find out.

After leaving Trixie by his car, Titus stormed into his office building and slammed the door behind him. He was seething and wanted nothing more than to strangle her.

But damn it, why did she have to be so beautiful and sexy? Her dress had only highlighted what was underneath.

“Mr. Albani, your next client is here.”

Titus looked up at Mrs. Connolly. He had completely forgotten about it and wasn’t prepared. “Give me five minutes and then send him in.”

***

Trixie kept herself busy arranging everything for Friday. She started by going to her lawyer’s office and instructing him to draft a prenup. Then she set a date at the courthouse.

Over the next few days, she had her grandfather’s maids pack up her belongings, while she went through the mansion and picked out everything she wanted to keep.

By the time she was done, there were boxes stacked on top of boxes, and she realized she would need a small moving van.

At first, she thought of asking Titus to do it but, knowing he would lose it, she decided to arrange for one herself.

All the things that she wanted to keep, like pictures and artwork and some of her grandfather’s belongings, she would store in the condo.

Later, once she’d got her money and found a place of her own, she would have everything transferred there.

So, all she had to take with her to Titus’s home was her clothing and some personal belongings.

She knew Titus was going to lose it when he saw everything she was bringing into his home. But that was his problem; she needed her clothes and jewelry, among other things.

On Thursday night, Trixie called Titus to inform him she would bring her car to his place on Friday so they could drive together to the courthouse.

She had to listen to him grumble about how he had to take the day off, and getting his address was like pulling teeth, but finally, with a loud growl, he gave in before hanging up.

She had never been disrespected like this in her entire life.

But could she blame him? She was forcing him into something he didn’t want to do.