Marry Me, Right Now : (Marriage of Convenience Romance, Toronto)

by Haley Travis

  “Not everything. And for the record, I haven’t quite decided what to do with you.”

  She raised an eyebrow, sipping her wine, waiting. Her engagement ring shone in the light, and I noticed the woman at the next table look surprised, then impressed.

  “You’re likely tired, after all the sun today, and running around. We should likely just watch a movie.”

  Her attempt to look severely angry dissolved into giggles.

  “See? You’re overtired,” I said. “I’ll take care of you, don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll have some wine sent up to the room, and we’ll just watch a light comedy.”

  “No.” It was my turn to raise an eyebrow. “Vodka coolers, junk food, and an action movie.”

  “Whatever you like, my darling wife.” From the way her lips curled into a little grin, I knew what she was thinking. “I know, I know... just keep saying that.”

  M I A

  <<< 33 >>>

  THAT NIGHT

  The moment we stepped into our hotel room, we both kicked our shoes off, then turned to stare at each other. Jacob was so damn sexy, seeming completely calm, as if he had no idea how much I needed him to take me hard, fast, now.

  Then suddenly we were tearing each other’s clothes off, kissing, clutching, losing our minds together. He slipped my dress over my head and I reached for his belt, until we were naked, and darted for the bed.

  As we crawled in, I was surprised that Jacob turned us so that we were spooning, with him behind me. But then his hand gripped my hip bone and roughly yanked me back against him, taking my breath away. His fingers wandered along my skin, then between my legs, stroking along my tender flesh while I leaned back, rubbing my back against his firm chest.

  “You are the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen,” he breathed into my ear, and I felt myself vibrating from the inside out with an overload of pure desire.

  It was odd not being face to face, but when his throbbing shaft slipped between my legs, then slowly slid inside me just a little, I moaned with desire as he pulled me tight. The way he gripped me, moved me, took hold of me so confidently was driving me wild. I was so excited that I must have been wet already, as he glided inside me in just a few strong thrusts.

  “Oh, Jacob,” I gasped, turning over my shoulder to kiss him. The arm gripping me tightly from underneath reached up so that his hand could grip my breast. His other hand tightened on my hip bone as he plunged deeper. My body was so relaxed on my side like this. Completely free.

  He raised my top leg, pulling it back over his hip so that I was even more open for him to caress me everywhere. I was losing my mind, reaching behind me to grab his ass. His fingers were digging into the top of my inner thigh. He gripped my breast so tightly it would likely leave bruises.

  “Yes,” I moaned.

  “Mia, you are luscious,” he groaned, filling me over and over, taking his time to enjoy me.

  The possessive way he took hold of me was making my pulse race, and everything tightened inside me. His fingers explored my soft folds again, then latched onto my clit. Rocking into me slowly but incredibly deeply, he massaged me with a little fluttering motion that made me quiver deep within.

  “Do you like this?” he asked softly.

  “Yes,” I sighed, rocking back against him.

  Jacob was normally so gentle that it was startling that he was a bit aggressive with me, but I loved it. Having him take charge was amazing. He was pinching and fondling my nipple, making me flush with shivers. At this angle I was so full I couldn’t believe it. The pressure inside was amazing. He felt huge inside me, hitting nerves I didn’t know I had.

  I couldn’t stop crying out, moaning, squealing. It was all too much and I couldn’t get enough. He turned my shoulders a bit so that I could twist my head back to kiss him. Having my front exposed like this felt raw and strange, but the passion of him throwing me around was indescribable.

  His deep, forceful strokes were surging straight through me, and I heard myself whimper into his mouth.

  “Are you going to come for me?” he growled against my lips.

  “Yes,” I cried, feeling the waves of heat gathering quickly.

  “Do you want it harder?”

  “Yes.”

  Gripping me tighter, he plunged faster, deeper, shaking me back against him like a rag doll. My lower hand reached behind, grabbing the back of his neck. I’d never been taken this hard and my entire body was screaming for more.

  His lips tickled along the shell of my ear as he breathed, “Come for me gorgeous. Let me hear it.”

  I couldn’t have stopped the squealing if I tried. Crying out a strangled wail, I shook wildly as he rammed me deeply. The warm wave overtook me completely as I twitched helplessly. The climax flowed through me, igniting sparks in a chain reaction deep within.

  “Oh fuck, Mia,” he growled, gripping me tightly as he thrust hard and fast while my gushing pussy clenched in waves along his length.

  I could sense that he was totally losing control, which was a side of him I was thrilled to experience. “Yes,” I moaned, clutching his hair as I rocked back against him. “Harder… Oh, Jacob–”

  Suddenly he gripped my hips with both hands, pounding hard as he erupted inside me, that thrilling surge of heat flooding me with sensation.

  Turning back to kiss him, he was still twitching, his breath stuttering. “Mia, that was...”

  “I know,” I whispered, turning back toward him so that I could wrap my arms around his shoulders.

  He kissed me gently, then pulled back to stare at me. “You’re magical,” he blurted, making me laugh.

  “You’re the one that’s a unicorn, remember?” I giggled. His fingers were trailing up and down my back tenderly. As our eyes locked, I saw more than I should have. Jacob had genuine feelings for me, and as much as part of me was thrilled beyond belief, I had no idea what I should do with that. I adored him. And whatever he felt for me, it was intense.

  M I A

  <<< 34 >>>

  COMING HOME

  On the flight home, I stared dreamily out the window. My life had taken a couple of very sharp turns over the past few weeks, and I realized I was having emotional whiplash from the intensity of it all.

  A month ago I was desperate for a place to live, working in a coffee shop with no clear idea of what I wanted to do beyond survival. Now I lived in the most luxurious home I’d ever seen, and would have a lot of free time to pursue anything I wished. I also had money, for the first time ever. It was outrageous.

  But in the process, I was now Jacob’s wife. I was still getting to know him. Yet we’d spent so much time together, had so many important discussions. I felt like I was closer to him than I’d ever been with anyone before. It felt like we had been dating for at least six months.

  I had to keep reminding myself that we weren’t really together. Just because we lived together, had dinner almost every night, cared about each other, and had sexual chemistry I couldn’t wrap my mind around, we weren’t exactly a couple. It was temporary.

  After what we’d shared on our honeymoon, I didn’t know if I’d be able to turn off my sexual urges. I’d never had them before. At least, not like this. I’d never felt anything close to what I felt with him. It was like discovering a new color.

  I glanced over to where Jacob was dozing. He had let his scruff grow in a little, and it was approaching a real beard. My hand darted out to stroke his cheek without thinking. He smiled, still asleep.

  I didn’t want our physical closeness to end, but our whole arrangement had been based on us staying professional. That was impossible, I could see now, as this particular situation was all so personal there was no way to separate things.

  Neither of us wanted to talk about it. I didn’t know if we were both scared of our own feelings, or that the others didn’t match ours. It was all so confusing that it was likely best swept under the rug for at least a little longer.

  Curling my hands under my cheek, I turned back to the w
indow, watching the clouds. I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye, and Marie was giving me a silent wave, gesturing to ask if I needed anything. I shook my head, mouthing, “No, thank you.” She nodded and disappeared.

  Being waited on was weird, but I could see how people would become accustomed to it quickly. I no longer had to clean my own washroom. I didn’t have to worry about groceries, or picking up milk for my coffee. All of those tiny details that usually swirled around my head were now someone else’s stress to deal with.

  I had no idea I would feel this calm about it. Perhaps I could compartmentalize it since it was temporary. You could hardly blame a person for enjoying the easy, comfortable route if it was available.

  I knew I shouldn’t judge Jacob for what he had been born into. It wasn’t his fault, as much as his height. The fact that he was a different person than I am shouldn’t be that much of an issue, should it?

  Many so-called “experts” say that if you want to find your true love, you should sit down and make a list of their traits, so you know what you’re looking for and will recognize it when you find it. There are several articles I had read six months ago when I considered trying to date again about being clear on your needs and desires before you started looking.

  Although it sounded a little airy-fairy, I did have a friend in university who decided it was time for him to find his dream girl. He wrote out a complete description of who she was, down to details like dirty blonde hair, only five feet tall, and French-Canadian.

  He met his dream girl at a party the next night. They were engaged within a few months, and I saw online a few weeks ago that their wedding date was set.

  But that doesn’t leave things to chance. I’ve never known what I was looking for. Jacob was an accident, a random occurrence. And he was the most thoughtful, caring, sweet, funny, gorgeous man I’d ever known. The fact that my entire body screamed for me to touch him was almost beside the point.

  We both grew quiet as we returned to the condo, unpacking, sorting laundry, preparing for the week ahead. I ordered a bunch of stationary to begin sending thank you notes to the guests and the vendors, and especially Zachary. I began drafting a letter to Jacob’s mother to thank her for the wonderful honeymoon.

  Everything seemed weird. Sort of hollow. As if we had to return to reality, but we didn’t quite know what that meant.

  Jacob seemed tense, and I didn’t know how to ask him about that without feeling clingy. I could see where the glorious beaches of Bermuda would be more refreshing than the early fall weather of Toronto, even though it’s my favorite season.

  But he did seem eager to get back to the office, interested in how a couple of projects had developed in his absence. It was inspiring how involved he was with his work, and how he truly seemed to enjoy it.

  So I went to bed early with a book just to stay out of his way. My head was spinning trying to think of my next steps. I wasn’t the type to attend fancy lunches every day, or spend hours shopping. Perhaps it was time for me to figure out my career path.

  When I woke up, I was actually disappointed that I missed saying good morning to Jacob. He must have left quite early. Quickly making myself a cup of tea before Carol came in, I sat out on the breezy balcony with my new notebook, brainstorming what I should do with my new life of freedom.

  Once I had a million dollars, if I invested it well, I could be making somewhere in the neighborhood of two and a half thousand per month in interest. By rolling five percent back into the main investment, my cut every month would rise. That was almost enough to live on, provided I found a decent apartment.

  A strange thought flew through my head. Although I wouldn’t have endless money, I’d still have the connections that I’d made so far, and would continue to build over the year.

  Jacob’s friend Simon was a condo flipper and investor, and was going on at length at our party about finding the perfect tenants for his overseas investors. Basically, super cheap rent for being a quiet, respectful, trustworthy tenant. Certainly he could vouch for me, and find me something.

  We hadn’t yet gone over the terms of our split, but I’m sure that we’d make it amicable. Perhaps something about how he wants five children and I want zero, so we can’t resolve that. I’m sure we’ll think of something where neither of us is the bad guy.

  But there would be no reason for his friends to hate me, so I now had a connection for a great apartment. Being wealthy and well connected had more advantages than I’d ever dreamed of.

  Sipping my tea and staring off across the lake, the sailboats were zipping by, fueled by gusts of brisk autumn wind. I wondered if Jacob owned a boat.

  Scribbling down a note, I realized that I should look into everything he had and did. There was still so much I didn’t know about him. For all I knew, he might have connections at an art gallery where I could volunteer, or own a business where I could assist. If we were keeping up the facade of me being the perfect little wife, I’d need some activities, and supporting his interests would certainly help.

  Two sailboats were headed nearly straight for each other, then both leaned to their starboard side, gracefully dancing around each other. Although I couldn’t see it, I knew that they would be waving wildly to each other, in the manner of boating people everywhere.

  Wouldn’t it be charming if everyone did that, I pondered. If rich and poor meant nothing, and we realized we were all floating along together. Our friends came from very different circles, but I had found connections between nearly everyone there. If only I could use that somehow.

  By the time I finished my tea, I had made a list of all of the things I needed to accomplish this week in my new position as rich man’s wife, such as updating my driver’s license and health card with my new name, making sure I was added to his insurance, finding out all of his connections to see if there were places where I could help, and visiting his office.

  As a newly married couple, his coworkers might find it odd that I’ve never been by to see where he worked, so that should be a priority.

  Maybe I should practice being the high society wife, and dash by his office to see if I could take him to lunch. Even if he were busy, it would introduce me to a few of his colleagues, and would likely amuse him.

  JA COB

  <<< 35 >>>

  BACK TO WORK

  Everything had been running just fine in my absence, and although I was relieved, I wasn’t surprised. I had always made it a priority to surround myself with people who were more clever in their particular position than I am so that we all build each other up.

  Not only had the entire office been running like clockwork, but Evans and Mueller had also discovered an underserved mutual fund and grown it by ten percent in just a week.

  Although everything was exactly the same, I noticed one unusual change. Each bit of great news caused a new reaction – I wanted to share it with Mia. Spending so much time with her over the past few weeks had been simply amazing, and my compulsion to share each new highlight of my day with her was startling.

  I was shocked to realize that I actually missed her. Sneaking out early to hit the gym before work, I wanted to tiptoe into her room to kiss her good morning, but stopped myself. All of our lines had been blurred, and I was terrified of making a misstep and offending her.

  Staring out the window, watching the boats skimming over the lake, I realized it must be pretty windy. I didn’t even know if Mia liked boats. What sort of husband was I going to be, even if only for a year?

  On the trip home, we both carefully avoided saying anything about our honeymoon vacation fling. It had been incredible, and just thinking about it made me miss having her beside me. But we hadn’t stated that it was over, just sort of assumed. It was the only thing we didn’t talk about openly.

  I knew that I wasn’t really her type, and that made me feel completely inferior for the first time in my life. She didn’t want my money or connections. But she genuinely seemed to want to spend time with me. I felt guilty q
uite often about the money issues making her uncomfortable. Finding ways to have fun and hang out without spending money would be a good creative challenge for me, and hopefully show her that I was trying to grow and change. She has had to change so much for me that I felt I needed to pull my weight.

  Now that we didn’t have a project to work on together, would she think I was dull? I might be too boring, and not creative enough for her. Now that I was analyzing my life a little more, I spent far more time on work than anyone else I knew. I didn’t really have hobbies other than the gym.

  Before I stepped into the latest forecast meeting, I lurked in the hallway to send her a text. “About to enter the boardroom, about to be seriously bored. I guess they named the room correctly. Hope to see you at dinner?”