The Reluctant Heir by Eve Jordan

Chapter One
    From afar, Landen Shaw watched as the people trickled slowly out of the white church and wondered if any of them actually mourned his grandfather's death.
    He'd never met the man himself, but he'd heard enough from his dad and aunt to know about the kind of man he was.
    And yet he was here.
    He hated himself for his weakness, but he'd always been interested in his grandfather. A self-made man, he’d started out with nothing and had ended up becoming one of the most prominent lawyers in the city.
    It wasn't until Landen was older that his parents explained why he’d never met the man.
    A small crowd began to form off the side of the church. His eyes narrowed when he saw that a petite brunette was in the center of it all. Was this his latest mistress? She couldn't be more than twenty five!
    His lips thinned as he took in her luscious curves and long legs. She had the alluring combination of being both sexy and demure and it was too easy to see how his grandfather could've fallen for her.
    She wore a black dress that wasn't indecently cut anywhere and yet, it clung deliciously to her small waist and showed off legs that seemed to go on forever.
    Person after person approached her with what looked to be sincere condolences and she accepted them all with teary eyes. He felt like laughing. They were all playing their parts quite well, especially her.
    She must've gotten quite a tidy sum from his grandfather.
    His eyes narrowed at the man who was talking to her right now. The man seemed too friendly in his “comforting.” Landen was tempted to interfere, but stopped himself. He didn't even know the woman and she obviously knew what she was doing. Hell. That man might even be her next victim.
    Groaning, he forced himself to look away. He should just find the solicitor who had called him and find out what she wanted. Not stare at this beauty and wonder if her lips were as sweet as they looked.
     
    ***
     
    “Call me if you need anything, Rebecca.”
    Unease swept through Rebecca's body as Carl kept a steady grip on her hand. Instinctively, she wanted to tug her hand back, but she didn't want to be rude. “Thank you. That's-”
    Feeling as if she were being watched, she looked up and was surprised when she saw Landen standing a few feet away from her, looking right at her. She was about to wave before she remembered that they had never actually met before.
    She smiled wryly. After hearing so much about him from his grandfather, she felt as if she already knew him.
    “I'm sorry, Carl. I have to speak with Mr. Shaw's grandson.” She quickly moved past him before he could stop her and headed towards Landen.
    As she got closer to Landen, she couldn't help noticing how handsome he was. She'd often seen his picture in the magazine, but nothing prepared her for seeing him in person.
    Jet black hair, strong cheekbones and eyes so deep she felt as if she could get lost in them.
    “Mr. Shaw,” she said, offering her hand when she had reached him. “I'm Rebecca Kingsley. We spoke on the phone.”
    Shivers of awareness coursed through her as he shook her hand.
    “You're the solicitor?”
    “Trainee,” she corrected. “But I'm the will's executor.” She gestured towards the church. “I have the paperwork inside.”
    He frowned. “Paperwork for what?”
    “For the will. Since you're Mr. Shaw's only living relative, he's left you the majority of his assets.”
    His jaw hardened. “Is this some kind of a joke?“
    “No. Of course not,” she blurted, surprised at his vehemence.
    “I've never seen the man in my life. Why would he leave me anything?” He nodded towards her. “Why didn't he give it to you?”
    “You've never seen him in your life?” she asked, stunned.
    “Of course not. I wouldn't betray my parents like that. And what's this about being his only living relative? His children and my cousins are all still alive.”
    Dumbfounded, she wondered if she had made a mistake before rejecting the idea. Mr.