Free Secrets of the Playboy's Bride by Leanne Banks Page B

garden view from the window. After e-mailing one of her assignments to her office, she called the guide, a charming woman named Nakato. She went on a whirlwind tour, taking in the narrow streets, sounds and smells of Tokyo with a few shopping stops along the way. Nakato took her to a six-floor toy shop and she picked up a silly gift for Leo.
    She dressed for dinner, fighting a sudden attack of nerves. When Leo walked through the door, she felt a whisper of relief until she saw his brooding expression. “How have your meetings gone?”
    “Could be better. I learned that my biggest competitorhas already been here for a visit and Mr. Kihoto was impressed with him and his wife. I think Mr. Kihoto is a little put off by how young I am. At least having a wife means I’ve overcome one of his objections,” he muttered under his breath.
    Calista went very still, taking in his last comment. “Pardon me?” she finally said. “Did I hear you correctly? Are you saying you need to have a wife to get a business deal with this man?”
    Still clearly distracted, he shrugged. “It’s part of his expectations. My marital status doesn’t have a thing to do with my business abilities, but having a wife smoothes the way.”
    “Are you telling me that you married me so I could smooth the way for your business deals?” she asked, shocked and almost hurt despite her own approach to the marriage. She couldn’t possibly be really hurt because she didn’t have any real feelings for him.
    “I had several reasons for marrying you. I’ve demonstrated that,” he said and flicked his gaze over her from head to toe. “I’ll wash up and we can leave in a few minutes.”
    Calista paced from one end of the living area to the other, fuming. The more she thought about Leo’s motivation for marrying her, the more upset she became. She remembered how he hadn’t called her for weeks. He hadn’t really had any feelings for her. He’d just been frustrated because his prospective business partners were reluctant with him because of his youth…and lack of a wife. So, what she’d really been was convenient. She wanted him to feel as vulnerable as she did.
    “The limo’s waiting,” Leo said as he strode into the living area. “Let’s go.”
    He took her elbow when they exited the elevator and she wrested her arm away from him. Despite the fact that she intended to divorce Leo in six months, she could barely swallow her indignation.
    He shot her a look of cool curiosity as they got into the vehicle. “What’s your problem?”
    “You could have married just anyone,” she said. “So, why me?”
    “I told you before. You captured my attention.”
    “Plus I didn’t want a big wedding. That was in my favor, too, wasn’t it?”
    Leo wiped his hand over his face in frustration. “Listen, there’s no reason for you to pretend you’re pissed off because part of the reason I married you was for practical reasons. You need to remember that you were very firm on getting married.” His mouth tightened. “Despite the fact that you were not a virgin when we said our I-dos.”
    “I never said I was a virgin.”
    He lifted his hand. “This is nonsense. You and I have an explosive passion for each other. More than most married couples I’d say. You’re getting what you want out of this bargain, and I am, too. If you wanted an emotional, romantic man, you picked the wrong guy. I never represented myself that way.” He met her gaze. “Now, I want this deal. I don’t want to feel like I’ve wasted my time by making this trip. So, just try to act like an adoring wife and you can resume your pissing fit after it’s over. If it makes you feel better, I’ll give you a blank check and you can shop off your anger tomorrow.”
    She stared at him in shock. “Do you really think going on a shopping spree is going to make me feel better about this?”
    “Works with most women, doesn’t it?” he asked as the limo pulled to a stop.
    She would love to