Temporary Wife

by Aria Ford

  “Can I help you find something?” a voice said from behind me. I spun around to see an older woman smiling at me. She had dark hair that was streaked with gray. Her eyes were kind as she took in my appearance. “Not from around here, I see.”

  “No,” I said, shaking my head. “Just passing through.”

  “From?” the woman asked.

  “New York,” I said. “My car broke down.”

  “Where you headed?” she asked.

  “Not sure,” I said. “Kind of anywhere. For now, I’ll be hanging around here.”

  She nodded and looked me up and down. Her eyes fell on my bag, which I was thrown over my shoulder. It was full of my art supplies and sketchbook. I brought it along today in case I found something worth sketching.

  “I’m surprised to see an art gallery around here,” I said. “Do you get many people?”

  “People come in from the city,” she said. “My stuff is pretty good. It draws them in.”

  “Pretty good?” I asked with a soft laugh. “Are you kidding? These are amazing.”

  “You an artist?” she asked.

  “Kind of,” I said. “I’ve been painting for years, but it’s not a career or anything.”

  “And why not?” she asked.

  I shrugged. “I don’t know,” I said. “I guess I’m just…”

  “Waiting to take the plunge,” she finished for me.

  “Yeah, something like that.”

  She eyed me closely for another second, then waved me over. She motioned toward my bag.

  “Let me see,” she said.

  I hesitated but pulled my sketchbook from my bag. Slowly, the woman took it from my shaking hands and flipped it open. Her eyes were narrowed as she took in each sketch. I watched her closely, trying to decipher her opinion. When she finally looked up at me, it was with a stern consideration I’d only seen from art teachers.

  “You looking for work?” she asked.

  “Actually, yes,” I said. “I’ll be stuck here for a while, and I was hoping to find a part-time job to cover my expenses while I’m here.”

  “What’s your name?” she asked.

  “Olivia Storm,” I said.

  “Well, Olivia, I’m Carla Smith. Come back tomorrow morning. You’re hired,” she said.

  “Really?” I asked, my eyes flying wide.

  Carla nodded. “Bring the rest of your portfolio. I want to take a look. Maybe we can show some of your stuff. If you’re interested, that is.”

  “Of course!” I said, excitement flooding my veins. “That would be incredible!”

  “Great,” Carla said. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

  “I’ll be here.” I smiled and bounced toward the door.

  My body felt light as I hurried back to my hotel. When I thought about getting a part-time job, I never imagined I would find an art gallery. My luck was beginning to turn around. I was grinning from ear to ear as I hurried up the stairs and threw open the door to my room.

  Hurling myself inside, I gathered my portfolio together so it would be ready for tomorrow. Then I jumped in the shower to get ready for my night with Brad. Not only did I have a sexy guy to spend time with but I now had a job at an art gallery where, if I was lucky, my work would be shown.

  When my Jeep broke down, I thought my road trip was over. I felt hopeless and lost, but after meeting Carla, I felt like I’d finally done something right. Maybe this small town on the outskirts of Santa Fe was exactly where I was meant to be.

  Chapter 9

  Brad

  I watched Olivia saunter out of the garage, her hips swaying naturally from side to side. The motion drew my attention, keeping my eyes locked on her body until she disappeared from view. It was hard to get back to work after she left. Everything inside me called out to her. I longed to run to her hotel room and strip her naked, to feel that sweet pussy wrap about my aching cock. It was impossible to keep my desire under control, and while the day dragged on, I thought of nothing else.

  Olivia was more than just a sexual escapade to me. Already, I was interested in getting to know her. When the offer to trade sex for repairs slipped from my lips, it was with nothing more than desperation in my mind. I saw her slipping away. She was leaving the shop with no promise of returning, and I knew I had to stop her. Not seeing her again wasn’t an option. I was already too involved with her, too invested. The idea of never seeing her again was unbearable, and so, I offered something that made my stomach churn.

  I hated myself for sinking so low but what was I supposed to do? Watch her walk out of my life? I just couldn’t do that, so I offered and much to my surprise, she accepted. Because of her eagerness, I knew I’d made the right decision. On the surface, it seemed dirty. Wrong. But it wasn’t about that. Olivia and I were both attracted to each other. We had fun together that night, and we both just wanted to continue that fun for a little while. It was harmless. Innocent. Just two adults indulging in a passionate arrangement.

  While I worked, I thought only of her. My mind switched between sexual fantasies and genuine curiosity. I was drawn to her body, that much was obvious, but I was also drawn to her mind. She was an artist, someone who worked with her hands just like me. Not only did we share that but we’d also turned our backs on our parents. Olivia was cut off from her family’s money, which could only mean she walked away from their lifestyle. I felt a connection to her that had nothing to do with sex. Like Olivia, I turned my back on my family and rejected their lifestyle.

  It was a small thing, but it piqued my interest more than anything. Throughout the rest of the day, I found myself thinking of questions to ask her. I wanted to know more about her family and why she walked away from them. I was curious about her art, hoping I might one day see her paintings. It was strange. I wasn’t used to being this interested in a woman. For years, I’d been alone, only focusing on myself and my work. Now my body and mind called out to Olivia, desperate to know more about her.

  Rex and I had two other cars on the docket for the day, so I didn’t get to work on Olivia’s car until almost closing time. Rex was already tucked away beneath it, working hard and sweating profusely. I kicked his foot when I walked by to let him know I was there to help. He slid out from beneath the Jeep and jumped to his feet, wiping his hands on his rag and walking over to me.

  “Do we have any payment to put down yet?” he asked, tapping the side of the Jeep.

  “No,” I said simply. “We worked out a payment plan for a later date.”

  “Since when do we do that?” Rex asked.

  “She’s stuck in town,” I said, shrugging. “It was the right thing to do.”

  Rex eyed me closely but fell silent. I could tell from the way he searched my face that he knew something more was going on between me and Olivia. Still, he didn’t ask, and I didn’t offer anything. Instead, we got back to work on the car.

  I was pulled away a few times to deal with other customers, and by the time I got back to the Jeep, it was almost time to close. Rex was already locking up the garage, pulling the doors down and fastening the locks. He slammed the hood down on the Jeep and double checked that its doors were locked. I helped him clean up the tools, and then we headed into the office, both tired and covered in grime from the day.

  “Listen,” he said as we collapsed into our chairs. “I know you own this place and all, but I think you should be careful.”

  “Careful?” I asked, frowning slightly. “What are you talking about?”

  “I saw the way that girl was looking at you earlier,” Rex said. “I’m not an idiot, Brad.”

  “It’s nothing,” I said. “She’s just a customer. I’m helping her out. That’s all.”

  “She was staring at you like she was ready to mount you in the fucking garage,” Rex said seriously. “And you were looking at her the same way.”

  “She’s hot.” I shrugged. “So, what?”

  “She is,” Rex agreed. “But getting involved with a customer isn’t the best idea,
especially a complete stranger.”

  “I’m not getting involved with her,” I said. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”

  “I’m not worried,” Rex said. “Just thought I would throw my two cents in.”

  “Well, I appreciate it,” I said, though I didn’t appreciate it at all. Rex worked for me. He didn’t have a right to assert his opinions.

  “This place is doing great, but we’re still new,” he said. “If something were to happen, if we didn’t get paid for a job or a word of unsavory activity got out…”

  “Unsavory activity?” I scoffed. “Who the hell are you right now?”

  “Your friend,” Rex said. “I’m just looking out for you, man.”

  “Well, don’t,” I said firmly. “You’re right about one thing, I own this place, and it’s up to me how it’s run. Don’t forget that.”

  Rex held his hands up in surrender and took a step back. He shook his head in frustration but dropped the subject. My annoyance quickly faded. I knew Rex was only trying to be a good friend, but still, it wasn’t his place. If I wanted to fix a thousand cars for free, then I would. That was the beauty of owning my own shop. I made the rules. No one else.

  Rex and I finished out our paperwork for the day, and soon Rex was ready to leave. He grabbed his keys and stuffed his wallet in his pocket. He slapped my shoulder on the way out and stopped just before he reached the door.

  “Listen,” he said. “You know I didn’t mean anything by that shit, right? I just don’t want you to get hurt, man. She’s not from around here, you know? She’ll leave soon, and then what?”

  “I get it,” I said with a sigh. “But I’m a grown man, Rex. I can take care of myself.”

  Rex nodded and turned to leave. I watched him go, listening to the door slam shut behind him. I heard his receding footsteps as he crossed the parking lot and fired up his truck. The engine rumbled loudly and revved as he pulled away. I stayed in my chair, just listening to the sounds of the night.

  My work was almost done, and I was eager to see Olivia. Still, Rex’s words echoed in my mind as I closed out the register and locked the safe. He wasn’t entirely wrong. Olivia never said anything about staying in town. Once her Jeep was fixed, she’d probably hightail it out of here without throwing so much as a glance my way. The thought made my stomach clench painfully, but I pushed it away.

  This wasn’t something serious. Olivia and I were having fun, indulging in a little erotic enjoyment while her Jeep was being repaired. It didn’t matter that she might leave soon. All that mattered was right now, and right now she was waiting for me in her hotel room.

  I cleared off my desk and locked up the office, leaving through the lobby to make sure the front door was locked. I jiggled the handle and then checked the garage doors. They were all secure, so I hurried to my truck and climbed inside. I thought about going home to change first. Grease covered every inch of my clothes, but I didn’t care. I’d been waiting to see Olivia all day, and I couldn’t wait another second.

  Rex was right about a lot of things, and I knew I should give his warning some consideration, but I couldn’t change the fact that Olivia had completely captivated me. Body and mind, I was enthralled by her. As I drove toward her hotel, my heart pounded in my chance. Just the thought of seeing her again, of watching her green eyes light up with desire, filled me with an anxious anticipation I’d never felt before.

  I pressed my foot on the gas pedal, speeding faster toward what I knew would be an amazing night.

  Chapter 10

  Olivia

  When five o’clock rolled around, I sat on the edge of my bed and waited for Brad’s arrival. I wore a simple outfit: a tight-fitting T-shirt and a pair of shorts that showed off my ass. I knew the outfit would seduce Brad, and the thought filled me with a desire of my own. I still couldn’t believe I was actually doing it, but somehow it felt right.

  There was something about Brad that drew me to him. It wasn’t just his body or animalistic nature. It was more. It was easy to talk to him, to tell him things. In the garage, I found myself spouting out the truth about my parents without hesitation. I was embarrassed, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable or nervous to tell Brad the truth. It was odd how at ease I felt around him. Other than my undeniable sexual attraction to him, I didn’t shy away from anything when he was around. That, more than anything, was what fueled my desire to say yes to his enticing offer.

  I wondered if Brad would go home to change before coming over. Checking the clock, I saw that it was half past five. If he did go home first, he might not arrive for another half hour or so. I sighed and leaned back on my hands, staring up at the ceiling and trying to quiet my aching need for him. Now that I had a job, I could pay him for the repairs on my Jeep, but that fact didn’t change how desperate I was to be with him again.

  Just before 5:45 p.m., I heard a firm knock on the door. I jumped and giggled to myself. I felt like a teenager with her first crush as I flew across the room to let Brad inside. I pulled open the door, and he stepped over the threshold, his eyes traveling over my body with a desperate hunger. I pushed the door closed and took a step back, staring up at his face. He hadn’t gone home to change. He was still covered in grease from the day, which made him even sexier than before.

  I tried to tell him about my job at Carla’s art gallery but before I could get a single word, his lips were on mine, and he was kissing me with passion. I gasped and moaned, sinking into him. My mind went blank as my body once again took control. There was something about Brad that completely lowered my inhibitions. He was more intoxicating than alcohol, and while he kissed me, I could barely breathe. My shorts were instantly soaked, and when he ran his strong hands up my thighs, I shivered and pressed my tits against his chest.

  “You look amazing,” Brad said, pulling away just enough to rake his eyes over my body again.

  “Do I?” I asked playfully.

  “God yes,” he growled and kissed me again, harder.

  His hands flew to my shirt, lifting it up over my head. Our lips separated just long enough to him to throw my shirt to the floor. He held me to him, kissing my lips and running his fingers down my sides. I groaned with desire and searched frantically for his shirt. Once it was off, I ran my nails down his chest. He growled and threw me backward on the bed, once again taking control.

  I grinned devilishly at him while he slid out of his pants. He climbed on top of me and shoved my bra to the side, not bothering to remove it before he attacked my nipples. Just like last time, I arched my back and moaned with pleasure. He unbuttoned my pants with one hand and shoved that same hand inside my panties.

  “Shit,” I moaned when he found my clit.

  It was amazing how quickly Brad could send waves of pleasure rocking through my body. I let him take control for another few seconds before I couldn’t stand it any longer. Flinging myself up, I pinned him to the bed and kissed him hard and fast. He growled and bit my bottom lip, his hands running down my back to unhook my bra. I slid it over my shoulder and threw it to the ground while he slapped my ass with force.

  I slowly lowered myself to his neck. I pressed my lips to his skin, moving lower and lower with each kiss. Finally, I hovered above his rock-hard cock, my lips inches from his tip. He watched me with those deep blue eyes while my tongue flicked out to lick him. His eyes flew wide, and he growled as I slid his entire length into my mouth. I barely had a chance to tease him when he lifted me up and threw me on the bed.

  His hands were lightning as they tore my shorts from my body. I wasn’t wearing any panties beneath them, and his eyes lit up with desire at the sight of my bare pussy.

  “Goddamn, Olivia,” he said, his voice low and husky.

  “You like?” I asked breathlessly. “I thought underwear would just slow us down.”

  “You’re fucking perfect,” he said, diving down to bury his lips against my pussy.

  “Fuck!” I cried out as his tongue lashed against my clit.

 
I writhed and wrapped my legs around his face, lifting my hips and thrusting into him. He raked his tongue up and down so fast that I was soon bordering on the edge of ecstasy. Brad could feel my release coming, so he pulled away and flipped me roughly on to my stomach.

  My legs were trembling as he lifted my ass in the air, slapping it twice before positioning himself at my entrance. I was more than ready for him. My soaked pussy dripped for his cock.

  When he slid inside me, I grasped and hung on to the bed sheets. He moved slower this time, thrusting forward with slow power. Each time he moved inside me, waves of pleasure rocked through my body. I was soon panting and moaning, crying out for him to take me harder.

  “Fuck me,” I said, my voice low and rough. “Fuck me. Harder!”

  He slapped my ass again and railed me harder than ever. I cried out and hung on to the headboard, my tits bouncing with each thrust he threw into me.

  “You feel fucking amazing,” he growled. “Fucking shit…”

  I cried out his name as my orgasm took me prisoner. Pleasure shook my body, making my legs tremble and my ass shake. I could feel his hands squeezing my cheeks while he continued to take me. His grunts were getting louder and more intense, and I knew he was close.

  When he came, he fell forward, grabbing my hips and forcing me back against him. I felt his cock throb inside of me, making renewed pleasure cascade through my body. I felt like I’d never be able to walk away when he finally pulled out, and we both collapsed on to the bed.

  My breathing was ragged, and so was his. I looked over at him, surprised to see him already staring at me. He kissed my lips gently, more gently than he’d ever kissed before. When we pulled apart, I stared into those blues I’d already grown to love until I knew it was time to tell him about my job.

  “So,” I said softly. “I got a job at the local art gallery, so it looks like I’ll be staying in Santa Fe for a while.”