The Tycoon's Reluctant Bride by Jenn Roseton Page A

mouth to protest. “I want you to be safe, especially if you have catering jobs at night. Tony can take you wherever you need to go.”
    “ But Tony’s your driver. And my station wagon is very handy to pick up specialty items. Not all our suppliers deliver.”
    “ I’m sure the town car will have enough room in the trunk for whatever you need to buy.” A glimmer of amusement touched his lips.
    Trying another tack, she said, “But if Tony’s driving me around, who’s going to look after you?”
    The words popped out of her mouth, and she wondered if her wifely instincts were kicking in. Did that automatically happen once you were married?
    “ I’m old enough to look after myself,” he said matter-of-factly. “You’re taking Tony.”
    “ Fine,” Laura grumbled, realizing it was useless to argue any further, and wondering if this was another example of what Alex was like in the boardroom.
    “ And I’ve arranged for your own credit card.” He picked up an envelope lying on the walnut coffee table and held it out to her.
    Opening the envelope, she stifled a gasp when she looked at the black card. “But … I’ve got a credit card.” Visions of the finest gourmet chocolate in the world danced in front of her eyes. The super expensive brands, little known to the general public, that she couldn’t afford but had always wanted to try.
    “I want you to use this one from now on,” he said, his eyes on her.
    Laura gazed at the words Laura Trask emblazoned on the card. Warmth flickered in her heart. She was Alex’s wife.
    “ Okay,” she agreed slowly. Perhaps he wouldn’t mind if she bought a couple of bars of gourmet chocolate per month.
    “ And a monthly allowance will be deposited in your bank account.”
    “ What?" Her eyes flew to his. First the driver, a virtually limitless credit card, and now… “It’s too much,” she protested. “King Royale is paying me a salary.”
    He shook his head. “I’ve seen the books, remember? Right now the business is barely covering your living expenses.”
    Laura saw the credit balance of her other card flash before her eyes, but didn’t want to make the situation worse by telling Alex that “barely” was an understatement.
    “ But--”
    “ Don’t argue,” he said brusquely. “You'll receive your allowance whether you use it or not.” He paused. “If ten thousand per month isn’t enough, just let me know.”
    Laura’s mouth dropped open. Ten thousands dollars - each month? No, that couldn’t be right. Perhaps he meant to say per year. After all, what would she do with all that money? Even if she used it to pay off her credit card, she‘d still have plenty left over from the first month's allowance. Besides, how could she be okay with using Alex’s money to pay off a credit card debt that she’d accrued before she’d met him?
    “Laura?” he prompted when she remained silent.
    “ You can’t be serious,” she muttered.
    “ If you don’t think it’s enough, just tell me.” Amusement flashed across his face.
    She took a fortifying sip of her mocha. “It’s too much, Alex. I wouldn’t know what to do with it!”
    “You don’t have to spend it all at once.” He grinned briefly. “It’ll be deposited in your account every month regardless.”
    Frowning, Laura wondered how Alex had gotten hold of her bank account details, then remembered when she signed the pre-nup she’d had to provide those particulars. She’d thought it was for legal purposes to do with the pre-nup, but now wondered if it was for the sole intent of depositing her allowance.
    Laura savored another mouthful of her mocha, deciding that Alex Trask was quite impossible at times. The silence stretched. “Thank you,” she finally said. “But I don’t need an allowance. The credit card is quite enough.”
    Feeling brave, she met his scrutiny. His eyebrow arched, but his tone was deceptively mild. “The allowance is non negotiable.” He rose, effectively putting an end