by Emery Cross
At least, I had the right nightwear for a wedding night. I tucked a satiny red nightie in my purse.
When I presented myself to him, his gaze swept over me. His eyes darkened with lust.
“Well, hell,” he said.
Of course, he looked handsome and respectable in a suit and tie. And I looked like trouble in my lace shirt and skintight skirt.
“This is all I could come up with on such short notice. If you want to put this off until I can buy something more appropriate—”
“That will do,” he said, cutting me off.
He insisted on driving, but he drove with his window open for the blasts of cool air and he'd turned the music up loud.
By the time we said our vows, he was clearly dead on his feet. He dragged himself to the hotel room and sat down heavily on the bed. I slipped into the bathroom with the nightie.
I came out to find him asleep on the bed, still wearing his shoes. I carefully untied them and eased them off his feet. I considered opening the complimentary champagne we'd been given at the wedding chapel, but drinking celebratory wine alone was just sad.
I was all keyed up. I looked at the imposing man lying crosswise on the bed. There was no way I was going to be able to shift him and it would be heartless to wake him. I tried watching some TV with the sound off, but there was something about that bland, beige, soulless room that made me suddenly claustrophobic.
I needed some air. This time I wasn't choking on the fact that I'd made a huge mistake. This wasn't deja vu. This panic came from worrying that I might let him down. It didn't help knowing that he was plenty worried about that himself. That he thought he'd taken a big chance marrying me.
I pulled off the nightie and put my top and skirt back on. I slipped my feet into my pumps and grabbed my purse. I leaned over and gave him a whisper of a kiss on his stubbled jaw. My fantasy had come true. I'd landed Rowley Ford. Okay, maybe not quite in the sweeping romantic way I'd envisioned or daydreamed about, but still I'd gotten him. I hoped Kat would finally back off and stop stalking me.
I closed the door and then realized I'd forgotten the key card. I knew he'd get the wrong idea if he were to wake and find me missing.
I wondered how long it would take for him to realize he had nothing to worry about. I couldn't foresee crossing that threshold of trust in the very near future.
Instead of disturbing him with a text, I tore a page out of the paperback I had in my purse and scrawled a note. Locked myself out. Going to get a snack. Call me once you're awake.
What a silly way to phrase it. Of course, he'd have to be awake to read my note. I added an ‘I love you’ and then quickly obliterated it with scribbles. He'd been clear about not wanting those words from me. I signed Goldilocks with a string of kiss signs before sliding the paper under the door.
Everything about this casino was huge including the elevator. I stepped out onto the main floor. The high ceilings and massive chandeliers, combined with the huge patterns on the carpet, made me feel small.
There were gamblers at the roulette table and playing blackjack, but otherwise it was relatively quiet. But then it was two in the morning on a Wednesday.
I heard the clink of coins dropping. They had a couple of the old-fashioned coin-operated slot machines. I remembered seeing my father feeding quarters into a machine like that on one of our rare family vacations. They couldn't get a sitter and they weren't going to give up their weekend away just because of us. Matt and I had been confined to the hotel room almost the entire trip.
On impulse, I headed toward a digital slot machine and pulled up a stool. This was my lucky day, right? I'd married the man of my dreams. Maybe my lucky streak would extend to winning a jackpot.
There were only two people playing in that aisle. One was an older lady with a big, teased hairdo and silver and turquoise jewels around her neck, wrists, and fingers. She sat at the end of the row, pulling the lever with grim determination. She'd probably planted herself there all night. Two machines away from her was a young guy with a beat-up fedora, a scruffy beard, and arms loaded with homemade tattoos.
A tired looking waitress stopped beside me and asked if I wanted a complimentary drink.
"Sure, a mojito," I said.
She wrinkled her nose. "Between you and me, you're best sticking with something like a martini or a gin and tonic."
"Okay. A gin and tonic."
I found myself making some graceful hand gestures with my left hand just so I could admire my beautiful ring. I was spending more time looking at my ring than playing the slot machine. The diamond caught the light from the chandeliers and flashed in the most pleasing manner. Since we hadn't bought any bands, the engagement ring was doing double duty.
The air conditioning was set to frigid. I shivered and rubbed my arms. Why hadn't I brought a jacket? What if Rowley didn't wake until morning? I supposed there was a way to get a duplicate card from the desk. I'd try that after I played a few more games.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the fedora-wearing guy working his way down the aisle. He was kind of zigzagging, playing a slot machine on the row behind me and then hopping back to my row. I figured him for one of those gamblers who believes that if he hits all the slots in the building that one will surely pay off.
Minutes later, the guy landed on the seat next to me. "Howdy," he said.
I acknowledged him with a small smile then returned to trying to win a jackpot.
"Can I buy you a drink?" he asked.
"I've got a complimentary one coming," I said. Where had the waitress gone? It seemed to be taking awhile for a simple gin and tonic.
He shifted on his seat, bringing his face closer, trying to get in my field of peripheral vision. I could smell stale sweat mingled with some drugstore aftershave which I could almost taste.
"Let me buy you a real one. Those are mostly soda water or mixer."
Time to nip this in the bud. I looked away from the slot machine for a second. The man's eyes were a watery blue. "I'm good with the free one. I'm just entertaining myself until my husband comes to take me for dinner." That was a lame excuse. But surely Vegas of all places had all-night diners. Come to think of it, I was actually hungry.
Mention of a husband had done the trick. The guy pretended renewed interest in his machine.
"Hey, hon," a deep voice said on my other side. Couldn't a girl just throw her money away on this stupid game without being hassled? With an annoyed frown, I turned to find a bald headed security guard beside me. Now what? I thought.
He had a droopy mustache shot through with gray that reminded me of a sheriff from an old Western.
"Honey, you got an ID?" He squared his shoulders and hooked his thumb in his belt.
I opened my purse and began rifling through it for my wallet. I'd had to show my license when I got married, so I knew I had it. Why did I never clean this damn thing out? It was like I'd saved every receipt for the past ten years. My hands were actually trembling. I had every right to be sitting there, why was I so nervous?
"We both know you aren't old enough." He made a sweeping gesture with his hand. "So step away from the machine."
The waitress showed up with my gin and tonic at that awkward moment.
"You card her?" the guard asked the waitress.
"Yeah, sure," the waitress lied, but the drink stayed on the tray. She wasn't ready to risk her job by handing a drink to an underage customer.
Moments later, my intimidating husband rounded the corner. His hair was sleep ruffled, his shirt tails were hanging out, and his loosened tie hung at an angle. He didn't look fully awake.
The security guard gave him one glance and straightened his posture, like a soldier coming to attention.
"You know this girl?"
I continued to root around in my purse.
"Depends. What's she done?" Rowley's voice was a gravelly drawl. He sounded sleepy and oh so sexy.
I shot him an annoyed look.
"Is she old enou
gh to be gambling?"
"Yeah, just." Rowley yawned. "Baby, show the man your driver's license and let's get out of here."
I had a eureka moment. I unzipped the exterior pocket I rarely used, where I'd stashed the marriage license for safe-keeping. I pulled the wallet out and flipped it open for the guard to see.
"Thank you, ma'am." Then he turned to Rowley and said. "Enjoy your evening, sir. Sorry, for any inconvenience." The wannabe sheriff would have surely tipped his hat respectfully, if he'd had one.
The waitress set the drink down by the slot machine and hurried on her way.
I scooted off the stool and wrapped my arms around my husband. "You found my message?"
"Why the hell didn't you get a replacement key card at the desk."
"I would have eventually. But there was nothing to occupy myself with in the room." I clung to him trying to get some warmth.
"Jesus, Harper, you couldn't find anything to entertain yourself with for a goddamn hour?"
I shrugged. "I'm starving can we get something to eat?"
"The twenty-four hour coffee shop around the corner serves a decent hamburger," the fedora guy piped up.
I felt Rowley stiffen and I imagined he was giving the fedora guy a warning look over my head.
"Thanks," I told the man over my shoulder and then tugged Rowley's arm, pulling him away, leaving my gin and tonic sitting there untouched.
CHAPTER 14
HARPER
WE BOUGHT SOME BURGERS to go. Rowley wolfed his down in a few quick bites. I quickly lost interest and handed him what was left of mine. He polished it off in quick order.
I wanted a wedding night. I grabbed the champagne bottle and tried to work the cork free. He took it from me and popped it with ease. I found two plastic cups in the little alcove which held the coffeepot.
I poured us each a cup. Rowley took the cup I handed him and set it down without taking a sip. "You can't just fucking disappear on me like that."
"I didn't disappear. I went for a bag of chips."
"I just found you causing trouble by the slots, brat."
He shoved the travel brochures aside and swung me up onto the dresser. Champagne sloshed out of my cup. He worked my tight skirt up past my thighs.
He stared down at my naked pussy.
"You went out like this?"
"I'd prettied myself up in the bathroom. Thought we were going to—you know," I said. "Then you fell asleep and I just put my clothes back on—"
"And forgot all about your panties." He shook his head. "This wild shit has to stop."
I wriggled off the dresser, spilling more of my drink. He took the cup from my hand and tossed it in a nearby waste basket.
“Put your hands on the dresser.”
I hesitated for only a moment before obeying him. A tingle ran up my spine.
He shoved my skirt waist high and landed a stinging smack across my bottom.
He was letting me know who was boss. Finn would have just heaved a big disappointed sigh.
Another smack and I found myself getting wet. He spanked each cheek thoroughly. My flesh felt hot. I couldn't even imagine how much that big hand of his would hurt if he wasn't restraining himself.
I widened my stance, eliciting a growl from deep in his throat. His fingers glided up my exposed sex. I was hot and wet for him. I imagined my pink folds glistening. I moaned as he thrust two fingers into me. But he wasn't done meting out punishment. He took turns plunging his fingers in me and then spanking my bottom.
I was certainly holding Rowley Ford's attention with my reddened buttocks and spread pussy. I could see his reflection in the vanity mirror on the dresser. His fierce gaze was fastened to my naked ass as he did what he wanted to me.
I spread my legs further apart and tilted up my bottom. His fingers left my pussy and one of them pressed at my anus. He pushed in the tip, still slick with my wetness. I pulled in a sharp surprised breath. It felt invasive and intimate, and painful and good all at the same time.
“Do you want me to stop?”
“No,” I said, my voice breathy. “This is just new for me.”
“That’s exactly what I was hoping for, darlin’.”
I tilted my ass up higher, asking for more. He plunged his finger in all the way and I clutched at the dresser. He drew his finger out again, his gaze never leaving my raised bottom. Then he pushed back into me, deep and hard, making my pussy want similar attention. I reached between my legs and flicked my clit ring a couple of times and then I came hard.
"Harper, baby, you're going to do me in," he growled. My body shivered as he drew down the zipper on my skirt.
HE SHED HIS CLOTHES as I settled onto the bed. I parted my thighs to accommodate his big frame.
He rocked into me thick and long, causing a slow and heated friction that took my breath away.
Forget the fact that I'd always adored him. Just the physicality of the man overwhelmed me. Every part of him was a pleasure to touch. I dug my fingers into his muscular back. I rubbed the sole of my foot down one of his legs, reveling in the crisp feel of the hair against my skin.
He's my husband now, I thought, and that knowledge made me go a little wild. Even though it caused me some pain, I bucked up against him, meeting his thrusts. I wondered if I would ever get used to the size of him. Probably not.
His hand reached between us, his callused fingers brushing my clit, teasing the gold ring.
I clutched his muscular buttocks and squeezed his cock with my pussy.
"Jesus, baby, stop. You're going to make me come."
"Thought that was the point." I said, tightening my inner muscles around him again.
"Harper, stop." He sounded aggravated. He reached back and pried one of my hands off his ass. He jerked over onto his back, and came all over his abdomen.
"I'm on the pill."
Sweat glistened on his heaving chest. He turned his face to look at me. "Why? We were on a break."
A break? Well, wasn't that an innocuous way to describe our nasty, but short separation? I could almost hear the gears turning in his arrogant male mind. Even though he’d ended us, he'd still expected my continued loyalty.
"I guess I was hoping we'd get back together."
Then another thought occurred to me. My stomach dropped. I felt like I'd just fallen off a cliff. He didn't trust me to have his baby.
I scrambled out of bed, bringing the sheet and blanket with me. "God forbid that you accidentally impregnate me."
He didn't say a word, just watched me steadily from beneath his thick eyelashes, as I untangled myself from the bed covers.
"Do you think I'd be the kind of mother who would just up and leave her child?"
He propped himself up on his forearms. "Fuck no."
"Then what is it?"
He sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the mattress. "Come sit here. Let's talk about it."
I stood naked in the middle of the room, the covers in a pile at my feet. "I'm fine here." I pulled in a sharp breath. "Are you worried that I'll remarry? That I'll take your baby from you?"
His face went instantly pale, as if all the blood had dropped to his feet.
“I would never allow another man to raise my child.” His voice vibrated with anger.
“Tell me then? What is this all about?”
His big shoulders heaved as he pulled in a deep breath. “All I want is for you to settle the fuck down a little before we have kids.”
I stomped the few steps to the bathroom and shut the door sharply and locked it. I turned on the shower and stepped inside before the water had warmed completely. I expected to hear the knob rattle, expected him to apologize, but it didn't happen.
After my shower, I sat on the edge of the bathtub wrapped in the towel. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. Instead, I just sat there unable to move. I knew I was flawed, and that I was far from an ideal choice for a wife. I’d warned him of that.
What if I couldn’t change to his satisfaction? Wha
t then?
I heard his phone chime and his deep voice rumbling through the door.
I started as he knocked on the door. "Harper, I need to get back to the station."
I came out in the towel. He already had his pants on and was buttoning up his shirt. The color had returned to his face, but his expression remained stony.
I couldn't switch gears as fast as he could. Maybe because I was the injured party. "How would you like to be the one on trial? The spouse who's not trusted?" I took a heaving breath. “You want me to be a different person.”
“That’s the last thing I want. All I want is for you to think before you act. Like not going on a creaky, old Ferris wheel in the middle of a fucking windstorm.”
He grabbed my clothes off the back of the chair and thrust them at me. "Don’t forget your panties this time."
I thought of the spanking. “You want to tame me.”
“Yeah, I guess I do, baby,” he admitted.
I managed to pull on my clothes, but my whole body was shaking with such fury that I couldn't manage to get the zipper up on my skirt.
And I could barely stand still for him to do it. I hurried away from him the second he'd pulled the zipper to the top.
I stabbed my feet into my pumps and grabbed my purse "For the first time in my life, I hate you, Rowley Ford."
He flinched as if I'd struck him. "Nice thing to say to your new husband."
Afraid I might say something else cruel, I decided to hold my tongue on the drive home.
He broke the silence. "I'm going to call my folks and let them know we got married. We're going to have to fly out there to see them soon. Are you going to talk to your brother or should I?"
"Let's just wait until my trial, however long that might be, is over before we tell our family and friends. You don't even have a ring. No one would even suspect. Maybe I should stop wearing mine...until I pass your test, or is it tests?"
"Enough.” The harshness of his tone made me jolt. "That ring never comes off. Understand me?"
