by Lena Hart
Ten
Guy was impatient to leave.
Not that Warren’s dinner party was dull. It was as conservative as he expected, but had certainly turned up a crowd. Guy, however, was eager to be back home with Mya. He couldn’t stop thinking about her—or last night.
She had been in the forefront of his thoughts all day. Making love to her again had bulldozed right through his wall of resolve. What little remained standing had been crushed that morning.
Guy’s lips curved at the vivid memory. Like he’d told her that morning, he had no regrets. She was the love of his life, and last night had not only reminded him of that, it cemented it.
It was a terrifying feeling, opening himself up to her again, exposing himself to potential heartbreak again, but he couldn’t pretend as if he hadn’t felt something last night. Not after what they shared.
After a few more minutes of polite conversation with a group of Warren’s ardent supporters, Guy went in search of Mya. He had put in enough time here.
The mayor’s mansion wasn’t as large as the Bensons’ but it was large enough to hold a sizeable crowd and turned what should have been a dinner party into a social gathering.
Guy came up to where she stood chatting with the same group of women he’d left her with earlier. When he found his opening, he leaned down and asked close to her ear, “Are you ready to go?”
She turned to him and her courteous smile instantly fell away. Her gaze fell to his lips and took on that familiar warm glow, as if she sensed the burning need he tried to suppress.
Needing the contact, he took her hand and gave it a squeeze. It was about time he reconciled with his wife properly.
“Let’s go.”
She nodded, and after they said their goodbyes, he led them through the crowd of people.
“Guy, slow down.”
Slowing his steps, he glanced back at her and caught a glimpse of her high heels. She was once again dressed stylishly, causing a stir not just in him. But she could have been in her old sleep shirt and he would have found her as irresistible as he did now.
When they were finally away from prying eyes, Guy stopped and pulled her into a deep kiss. It took only a moment for her to melt into his embrace. But before he could lose himself in her seductive taste, he pulled away. She blinked, still holding on to his biceps.
“What was that for?”
He shrugged, running the pad of his thumb along her jaw line. “No reason. Just making up for lost time.”
Her eyes moved over his searchingly. “Does that mean you finally forgive me?”
He continued to savor the feel of her soft skin as he thought seriously about her question. The sudden realization that he did—that he no longer held any more of the anger and resentment—was liberating. Almost freeing. He had his woman back and he wouldn’t waste any more time holding on to past mistakes.
“I do love you, Guy. You don’t have to say the words back. I just want you to know that I do.”
I love you too.
But he wasn’t prepared to say the words. Not yet. What he felt for her left him feeling too raw and exposed. Instead, he brought his finger under her chin and lifted her face to his.
“Don’t ever leave me again.”
“Never.”
He brushed his lips against hers. The kiss they shared was light and sweet—until she looped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
Guy stifled a groan and turned to the mayor.
“Guy, can I have a word with you?”
“Mya and I were just heading out.”
Warren glanced from him to Mya, his expression more guarded than usual. “I just need a few minutes of your time. In private.”
“Can it wait until Monday?”
Warren’s mouth was set in a grim line. “I’m afraid it can’t.”
Mya patted his hand before pulling away. “It’s okay.” Then added in a hushed tone, “I need to pee, anyway.”
Guy followed the mayor into his office, apprehension filling his gut like a pack of lodestones.
“Have a seat.”
Guy watched the mayor head to his minibar and pour himself a drink. What the hell was going on?
“Are you a scotch man, Guy?”
“Not particularly.”
Guy watched as the man downed his drink then pour himself another. Warren nodded toward the sofa behind him as he fell into the seat across.
“Sit.”
Guy reluctantly fell into the seat. “Warren, what is it?”
The mayor downed his drink and placed the glass on the table. “You understand how important this election is to me, right? I have a lot that I’d still like to accomplish, and programs that I’d like to launch that will preserve the integrity and values of our town.”
Guy frowned, irritated to be having this conversation with the man again. “With all due respect, Warren, but that’s the same message you’ve run your last two campaigns on. Not much of what you promised has been delivered in your two terms as mayor. An endorsement from me won’t do you any good until the town starts to see real progress.”
“Thank you for your candor, but an endorsement isn’t why I wanted to speak with you tonight. I actually need something greater than that.”
“Like what?”
“A situation has developed that may hurt my chances at re-election, and I need to get in front of it before it does irreparable damage to my campaign.”
“What is it you need from me?”
Warren leaned forward in his seat. “I’m going to cut to the chase. I need you to marry Sophie.”
Guy could only stare at the older man, stunned and unsure he’d heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”
“It’ll all be temporary. Until we get through this election. Then we can arrange for a quick and quiet annulment.”
“Why marriage?” Guy asked, still trying to process the mayor’s bizarre request. He’s had very little interaction with Sophia Powers and didn’t know much about her other than she was the youngest of Warren’s three girls. “Isn’t there another option?”
“I’m afraid not. Besides, Eric Benson’s wedding has been the talk of the town. Wouldn’t hurt to give them another one. I get a bump in the polls and find a temporary fix for this problem.”
“And what problem is that?”
“I need to know if I have your support before I go into any detail.”
Guy stared at him, incredulous. “We’re talking about marriage here, Warren. Not some endorsement or campaign contribution.”
He shrugged. “Many may not agree, but politics is like a marriage, and marriage is dirty business. Complete with all the contracts and commitments.”
“For me, marriage is bigger than that.”
Warren cocked a brow. “I didn’t know you were so sentimental.”
Guy clenched his jaw. The mayor could believe whatever he wanted, but marriage was about making a commitment to the woman he loved—the woman he planned to have children with and grow old with.
Mya was that woman. And she was his wife.
“I can’t marry your daughter.”
Warren’s eyes were shrewd. “That’s it? You’re not even going to hear what I’ll offer you if you go through with this?”
Son-of-a-bitch.
Guy shouldn’t have been surprised by this ploy, but he was disgusted the man thought he would enter into such an absurd arrangement just for a promotion.
“Whatever you have to offer won’t change anything, Warren. I can’t marry your daughter.”
“Why not?”
“I think the real question is why me?”
“Let’s just say you’re the only man I trust to act…honorably and with discretion toward my daughter.”
Guy scoffed, not buying his bullshit. “No, you thought I’d be desperate enough for the promotion to agree to some sham marriage.”
The mayor shrugged. “I wouldn’t call it desperate, but you want som
ething that I can give you. In turn, I’m asking for this favor.”
Guy rose from his seat. He was done with this conversation. It wouldn’t amount to anything, anyway, since he was already married and he had every intention of staying that way.
“The answer is still no. I’m sure you’ll find someone more suitable to take your daughter off your hands.” He started toward the door and froze at the mayor’s next words.
“There’s a sizeable raise that could come with that promotion, Guy. And I’m sure we can find some money in the budget to make sure you and your deputies have all that you need.”
“I won’t be manipulated,” Guy snapped.
Warren got to his feet. “Don’t let your feelings for Miss Daniels get in the way of your better judgment.”
“Keep her out of this.”
The mayor’s eyes widened at the vehemence in his voice. “Look, I can see how strongly you feel for her, but you’re looking at this all wrong. Marrying Sophie would be strictly a business arrangement. Temporary at that. And don’t you want the best for your deputies?”
“I do, but I won’t accomplish that by letting you worm your way back into office.”
Something cold flashed in Warren’s eyes before he quickly masked it. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe this is really about helping my daughter?”
“I’m sure whatever your reason, it has everything to do with you and your damn campaign.”
“Remember, your position as sheriff is only temporary. I would hate to start actively looking for a more permanent one.”
Guy’s jaw clenched as he held on to his temper. “I’m not going to be bullied into marrying your daughter, so save it. Besides, you said it best. Making my position permanent could only help you in this election. Either way, I get to keep my job, so do whatever the hell you want.”
Warren’s lips curved in a mirthless smile. “We have nine months until the election, Guy. A lot of good could come from my office to your department in that amount of time. Why don’t you take this weekend to think about it? We’ll touch base on Monday.”
Guy shook his head. “I don’t need to think about it. The answer is, and will always be, no.”
Warren fixed him with a level glare. “You would sacrifice everything I’m offering for one woman. You love her that much?”
“Yes. I do.”
“Then I was wrong about you. You’re weaker than I thought.”
* * *
Mya shifted above him, her naked body moving sleepily over his.
Guy absently ran his hand along the smooth dip of her waist and down the curve of her hips.
She shifted again then lifted her head from his shoulder. “Guy? You’re still awake?”
“Just thinking, babe. Go back to sleep.”
She ignored him, and instead ran the back of her fingers along the short, stiff hairs budding at his jaw. “What are you thinking about?”
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. It was late and they both were exhausted. Just an hour ago they had been locked in a fiery embrace, his body making up for lost time, yet still unable to get enough of her. But that wasn’t what kept him up tonight.
“You’re thinking about the talk you had with the mayor tonight?”
“It is that obvious?”
“Yes. You had the same frown on your face after you talked with him. Like you do now.” She brought a finger to his forehead and began to smooth it over his furrowed brow. “Was it about his daughter?”
“What makes you say that?” he asked, keeping his voice neutral.
“You mentioned the other night that the mayor was throwing his daughter your way. I’m not surprised. You’re a great catch, Guy. I’m not surprised that he wants you dating his daughter.”
Guy bit back a snide remark about the mayor. The man’s inability to see anything beyond his own self-interest and greed was staggering.
“Have you?”
Guy brows pulled together. “Have I what?”
“Dated anyone while we were…”
“Separated?” he finished for her.
She nodded, but above him, her body was rigid.
“You shouldn’t ask questions you don’t really want to know the answer to,” he said quietly.
“Does that mean you have?”
He sighed. It meant that he didn’t want to know. If she had gotten involved with another man while they were separated, he didn’t think he could handle it. Hell, just the thought drove him crazy. He was content with the way things were going between them. He didn’t want anything to disrupt that.
“You can tell me, Guy. I won’t like it, but I won’t be mad.” There was a tension in her that was hard to ignore.
“Then why does it matter? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to hash over what or who we did while we weren’t together.”
Her next words were clear and direct. “Guy, I didn’t date or sleep with anyone while I was away. Meeting someone else wasn’t why I left.”
Though her confession eased some of his tension, it gave him little comfort because whether she wanted to admit it or not, she had left to get away from him. That was a harsh reality he couldn’t forget.
“Why don’t we just focus on right now and the future?”
“I just think our future will only be stronger if we’re honest with each other. Even if it hurts.”
She was right, of course. It was a lack of communication that had led to two wasted years.
“I haven’t dated anyone else,” he finally admitted.
The tension had left her body and silence fell between them. She didn’t ask for an explanation and he didn’t offer one. Two years of celibacy hadn’t been easy, but he’d still been married—and the woman he’d really wanted had been far out of his reach.
“So what did the mayor say tonight to upset you?”
“What makes you think he upset me?” he asked carefully.
“Because I know you, remember. And I know when you’re upset. Now stop answering my questions with a question. You do that when you’re trying to avoid being direct with me.”
He chuckled and pressed his lips against her shoulder. “You know me too well.”
“So…what did you guys talk about?”
How much did he tell her? He wanted to be honest with her in everything, but how could he tell her about the mayor’s bizarre request?
“It’s just a work thing. Nothing for you to worry about.”
“You can still tell me, Guy. I’m your wife. We should talk about these things, especially when they keep you up at night.”
My wife…
Those two words triggered something primitive in him. If that made him weak, so be it. Only she had the power to devastate him, but he had to trust that his love was safe with her. Warren Powers may think he was weak for loving his wife, but it was the opposite. Loving Mya made him feel as if he could conquer anything. He wouldn’t let the mayor or his jaded views on love and marriage get in his head.
Guy glided his palm down her lush curves. “We could talk about how the mayor has cut the budget for the department and how difficult he’s made it for all of us, but I’d rather focus on other things.”
“Like what?” she murmured.
He moved his hand between her legs and slipped a finger inside her. “Like this.”
Her soft sigh soon became a low moan, and his shaft stirred then hardened. He loved the sounds she made. Almost as much as he enjoyed the feel of her naked body pressing deliciously against him.
He flipped her on her back and entered her with one smooth stroke. Further thought of the cynical mayor vanished as Guy lost himself inside the woman he loved.
Eleven
“You’ve been nothing but smiles all day today. I’m guessing you and Guy had a nice weekend?”
Mya looked up from the display she was arranging, her cheeks warming. “Yes, it was nice.”
Actually, it had been better than nice.
She stifled a gigg
le, her body still humming from the endless pleasure he’d given that weekend—and this morning.
Mya turned away from Gloria, hoping the older woman couldn’t read the salacious thoughts running through her mind. This weekend had been Guy’s one weekend off. They had spent it making up for lost time, and she loved every moment of it.
“I’m glad to see you smiling again. I was starting to worry you two wouldn’t work things out.”
“You were right, Gloria. He just needed time.”
She would be patient. Things may not have returned completely to the way they once were, but the walls Guy had placed between them were slowly starting to crumble. He was kissing and touching her freely and the boyish grin she had fallen in love with so many years ago was back. This weekend alone had done a lot to strengthen their bond. It was just unfortunate that they wouldn’t get another one like that until next month.
She sighed. “I only wish he didn’t have to work so much. Maybe then we could spend more time together.”
Gloria’s nose scrunched. “You can thank the mayor for that. He’s made budget cuts all over town. I understand there are times when we need to scale back, but I just don’t understand how cutting funds at the hospital and police department helps us. Guy and the few deputies there have tried filling the gaps the best they can. Mike only took the job to help Guy out, but he’s practically working for nothing.”
From the little Guy had told her, Mya could finally understand why he worked so much. The past week Mya had seen him leave early and come home late. He did it without complaint—and practically every day. It hadn’t been to avoid her, but to lessen the burden on his deputies.
“Can’t we do something? Maybe write to his office?”
Gloria waved her hands away. “You know how these things go. I think everyone is just waiting out his term. At first, I was skeptical of Eric running for the position. He’s so young, you know. But maybe he’ll be the fresh air we need.”
Mya hoped so. She liked Eric, but politics had a way of changing people. She remembered Mayor Powers had been a huge advocate for the safety of their town and the police officers who served it. Now he was stripping away the very protection the people of Cedar Bend had come to rely on?
