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  “Well, Gavin and I are going to run our own show from now on. We’d very much like you to take a strong supporting role, but we also look forward to figuring things out on our own.”

  “Understood.” His expression contained a mix of warmth and pride. It was obvious that he respected Bree for standing up to him.

  Gavin cleared his throat. It was time for him to say his piece. “I apologize profusely for my role in the whole financial transaction. I should have refused immediately when you mentioned it. My gut instincts certainly told me to, but—like you—I saw a certain symmetry to the proposition. Perhaps we men are just too inclined to turn everything into a business deal. Anyway, I regret my role in hurting Bree’s feelings, especially since I knew almost immediately that she was the woman for me—money or no money.”

  He looked at Bree and saw tears glisten in her eyes. His chest tightened and he fought the urge to tug her into his arms. “I’ll just have to spend the rest of my life proving that to her.”

  “I have a feeling that you’ll prove it very nicely.” Elliott Kincannon crossed the room and took Gavin’s hand in both of his. “Say what you will, I’m a good judge of character, and I liked you straightaway. I won’t say there haven’t been some moments when I changed my mind—” he arched a brow “—but I stand by my original opinion that you’ll make an excellent husband for my daughter. I wish you both a happy marriage, and a long one. Longer than the brief years I shared with Bree’s lovely mother. I never did meet another woman worthy of my hand.”

  Bree’s tears finally rolled from her eyes. “Oh, Dad, I still miss Mom, too. You never speak about her.”

  “Still hurts too much, I’m afraid.” He rubbed Bree’s arm. “A love like that comes only once in a lifetime. I’m just lucky to have enjoyed it when I did.” He glanced up at Gavin. “I am relying on you two to give me grandchildren, of course.”

  “We figured.” Gavin winked at Bree. “But we’re picking the names.”

  Kincannon let out a guffaw. “Bree told you about our family tradition?”

  “I’m afraid so, and we intend to make new traditions of our own.” An idea occurred to him. “Starting today. I’d like to take both of you out to dinner to celebrate a new beginning for all of us.”

  He looked at Bree for a response. She grinned enthusiastically. “Sounds great.”

  Gavin turned to her father.

  “You’re on.” Then Kincannon lifted a brow. “But are you sure you can afford it? We Kincannons have expensive tastes.”

  “I don’t,” protested Bree. “Our favorite Thai restaurant isn’t expensive at all. I bet you’d like it, too, Dad, if you were brave enough to try it.”

  “Perhaps it’s time for me to broaden my horizons.”

  “Off we go, then.” Gavin wrapped his arm around Bree.

  She smiled and returned the gesture. He enjoyed the warm sensation of her arm tucked firmly around his middle. “And this time we’re all sticking together. No secrets and no surprises.”

  “I promise.” Gavin couldn’t resist lowering his lips to hers for a stolen kiss. The delicate scent of her skin overwhelmed him as he pressed his lips to hers. He wanted to hold her in his arms forever.

  The sound of Elliott Kincannon clearing his throat jerked him out of the romantic moment. “Save the mushy stuff for later, kids.”

  “Okay, Dad. We’ll do our best. We were apart for nearly an entire week, though, so we have some catching up to do.”

  “I’m sure you’ll manage.”

  “Yes, we will.” Gavin seized the moment to gaze into Bree’s beautiful gray-green eyes. “We have an entire lifetime to enjoy each other.”

  As Kincannon marched past them out the door, they heard the words “Indeed. And frankly I think I deserve a little credit.”

  But they were too busy kissing to reply.

  Epilogue

  “I’d almost suspect you of trying to keep me away from our home.” Bree eyed her husband suspiciously. After nearly six months of marriage he still managed to intrigue her sometimes. They’d been walking around San Francisco all afternoon, from the Presidio clear across to Fisherman’s Wharf, and he kept finding new places for them to go.

  “Me? I just want to buy you a new pair of earrings. Is that a crime?” Gavin’s gray eyes glittered with amusement.

  “You’ve already bought me a new dress, a pair of shoes, some utterly wicked lingerie and silk stockings complete with lacy garters. Anyone would think you were trying to dress me up for something.”

  He shrugged. “I enjoy shopping sometimes. Business has been so good lately, why not enjoy the rewards?”

  “I do appreciate the generosity—and I’m desperately proud of your success—but I’m kind of ready to go home.” Their new house still needed a lot of work, but already it had become a sanctuary from the bustle of daily life. High on a hill, with its little garden and breathtaking view across the bay, it promised to be perfect—after a few more months of renovation drama.

  “Well, if you insist.” Gavin smiled mysteriously.

  Bree stopped in her tracks on the pavement. “I’m actually allowed to go home?”

  “Sure, why not?” His handsome face beamed with good humor. “We can go home and kick back with a glass of wine. It’s Sunday tomorrow, after all.”

  “Phew.” Bree hoisted a glossy shopping bag onto her shoulder. Gavin was carrying three others. “I was beginning to think you’d march me around the city all weekend.”

  “Just one thing first, though. We have to stop by my office on the way.”

  Brew blew out an exasperated sigh. “I knew there would be something.”

  “Important paper I forgot.” The twinkle in his eye made her suspicious. “But don’t worry, we’ll get a cab.”

  Gavin told the cab to wait outside the small brownstone he’d found to house modest offices on the third floor. Once inside, Bree was surprised to find a bottle of champagne chilling in a silver bucket.

  “Who put this here?” She touched the condensation droplets on the frosty bucket. “It’s still ice-cold.”

  “Who cares?” Gavin uncorked the bottle and poured it into two flutes. “Let’s drink it.”

  Bree frowned and glanced about. Everything else looked the same. Cluttered desk, piles of correspondence, big leather sofas for clients to wait on. Still, she took the offered glass and sipped. “Mmm, that’s delicious.”

  “I agree. Just what the doctor ordered after a long day of shopping. Now get changed.”

  “You’re very bossy all of a sudden. What’s going on?”

  Gavin just gave another mysterious shrug. “I’ll bring your bags into the conference room so you can have some privacy.” He swept up the colorful bags and carried them to the long walnut table.

  “Privacy?” Bree frowned, a growing feeling of excitement—or dread—swelling inside her. “We’re married.”

  “I know. Let me know if you need help putting on the lingerie.” With a mischievous smile he closed the door behind him, leaving her alone with their purchases.

  When she emerged, smoothing her new jade-green dress, a big grin lit his face. “Would have looked better with earrings, but not half-bad.”

  “Oh, you!” She put her hands on her hips. “What’s going on? Is that cab still downstairs? If so, let’s grab him before he leaves. I’m not sure I can walk more than a block in these shoes.” She stuck out one of her new suede Manolos.

  “Then let’s go.” Gavin grabbed her by the arm and pulled her down the stairs.

  Despite persistent quizzing in the cab on the way home, she couldn’t get a word out of him. They pulled up in front of the house. Windows dark in the dusk, it looked the same as always. No sign of anything suspicious going on. “Why am I all dressed up?”

  “Why not?” Gavin paid the cab driver. “Let’s go inside and relax.” He marched up the front steps and she followed as fast as her heels would allow. “Huh. I forgot my key—do you have yours?”

  “Sure.”
She frowned and reached into her purse. Gavin never forgot or lost anything. Yet more to be suspicious about. She slid the key into the lock and turned it. As she pushed the door open, a blast of light filled her eyes, and she saw their modest hallway was crammed with people.

  “Surprise!”

  Bree might have fallen back down the steps if Gavin hadn’t been standing there to catch her. “It’s our wedding reception,” he whispered in her ear. “A few months overdue, but better late than never.”

  “Oh, Gavin.” Tears welled in her eyes as she recognized the faces of her friends from high school and college, even from nursery school, and her old nanny! All the people she would have invited to her wedding—if she’d had time to let them know about it.

  Her father stepped forward out of the throng and kissed her on the cheek. “You look radiant, darling.”

  “Thanks. It’s all Gavin’s fault.” She wiped away a tear. Then she glanced up. “The walls, they’re painted!” She and Gavin had been painting—and plastering, and sanding, and varnishing—for several weekends. He’d insisted on doing most of the work himself and wouldn’t let her pay for a thing. As a result the renovations had promised to take most of the next decade. Now, suddenly, everything looked perfect.

  Gavin squeezed her. “I got a crew in today. Fifteen guys. They promised to knock it all out in an afternoon, and it looks like they kept their word.” He led Bree through the foyer into the high-ceilinged living room, where, sure enough, the walls gleamed with new paint, the exact soft yellow they’d talked about. “It’s beautiful.”

  They greeted friends and talked and laughed and drank and ate a fantastic catered buffet, then danced on the newly paved terrace until the sun started to peep over the horizon.

  Gavin caught her and twirled her around. His breath heated her cheek as his strong arms wrapped around her like a cocoon. “Do you forgive me for keeping you guessing all afternoon?”

  “I forgive you, my love. I forgive you for everything.” Laughter and tears mingled together in a soft sweet kiss that lifted them above the merry crowd into a world of their own.

  Special thanks and acknowledgment to Jennifer Lewis for her contribution to the KINGS OF THE BOARDROOM miniseries.

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-5510-8

  BACHELOR’S BOUGHT BRIDE

  Copyright © 2010 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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