Temporary Wife

by Aria Ford

  Neither choice felt right, but I knew I couldn’t just sit there. I had to at least try.

  “I’ll see you later, Rex,” I said, taking a step toward the door.

  “I’m sorry again,” Rex said.

  I waved away his apology and ran out of the bar. When I reached the parking lot, my eyes roamed around, searching for a sign of Olivia. She was nowhere in sight.

  I was about to give up when I saw a familiar black dress running away from the parking lot. I squinted, trying to make out her form in the dark. Her hair was bouncing against her back, and I knew it was her. There was no mistaking it.

  Without thinking, I sprinted after her, not slowing down until I was right beside her.

  “Brad!” She shrieked and jumped away from me, breathing heavily and holding her hand to her chest. “Shit, you scared me!”

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I just didn’t want you to leave without an explanation.”

  “I just… I just need to get out of here,” Olivia said, not meeting my eyes.

  “I know what Rex said to you,” I said softly. “He shouldn’t have butted in.”

  “He’s right,” Olivia said bluntly. “I’m leaving. This thing between us, we both know it won’t last.”

  “Who cares?” I asked, grabbing her hand. “I like what we’re doing, and I don’t have to stop.”

  “I’ll be leaving soon,” Olivia said softly.

  “One more night won’t hurt,” I said, my voice low and pleading. “Will it?”

  She looked at me with emotion behind her eyes. I could tell she wanted to argue, but her attraction to me was overpowering. Her green eyes swam as she searched my face, desperately trying to decide on an answer.

  Before she could speak, I pulled her against me and claimed her lips as my own. She froze against me, then melted. Her lips softened and the sigh she released sounded like heaven. I held her closer, kissing her until we could barely breathe.

  When we finally pulled apart, that familiar fire was dancing in her eyes. I grinned, and she grabbed my hand, leading me to her hotel room.

  ***

  I knew this moment was one I would want to remember. As we stepped inside her hotel room, my eyes moved slowly over her body. I took in the sight of her in that black dress, feeling myself harden. She was gorgeous, and no matter what happened between us, I wanted her. At that moment, I didn’t care if this would be our last night together. I had to have her.

  Our kiss was like dynamite, setting off explosions in my stomach and groin. I groaned when she stepped out of her dress and laid back on the bed, open and waiting for me. The growl that escaped my lips was out of my control. I removed my own clothes, my eyes on hers the entire time.

  She trailed her hands down my naked body, lighting running her fingers across my cock. I shivered and kissed her with a gentleness I didn’t know I possessed.

  Our bodies were alive with desire as we clung to one another. Her naked breasts pressed into my chest and her smooth legs wrapped around my waist. I could feel her wetness rubbing against me, and the sensation was too much. It wasn’t how we usually did things, but I took her slowly, sliding inside of her while my arms were still wrapped tightly around her back.

  My lips never left hers. We kissed and thrust against each other, moving slowly and deliberately. Every thrust of my hips was powerful and desperate. She moaned and panted against my lips, her tongue dancing over mine. She surrounded me, overwhelming with her scent, her taste.

  I’d never felt anything so intense in my life. My orgasm was building, but I didn’t care. It was like my body had fused with Olivia’s. I wasn’t moving inside of her. She wasn’t lifting her hips against mine. We moved together, one being. The rhythm between us was more than just in sync. We were unstoppable. I knew I would never feel this connected to another woman.

  As my pleasure increased, I tore my lips from hers to gasp for breath. She cried out as she came around my cock, her pussy collapsing and her back arching. I could feel her entire body tremble, and when her eyes found mine, they were full of desperation. I held myself up on my hands, watching her while I continued to thrust inside of her.

  My movements sped up. As I got closer to my own release, I couldn’t control myself. I slammed forward with speed and ferocity, making her body jerk and her breasts tremble. The sight of her perky nipples was enough to send waves of desire running down my spine. My body was covered in sweat, and I knew I wouldn’t last much longer.

  Sitting up on my heels, I pulled Olivia’s still shaking body with me. She sat on top of me while I continued to thrust upward, making her cry out with renewed pleasure. The effects of her orgasm were working their way through her body when her second orgasm took us both by surprise.

  “Brad,” she moaned my name weakly. “Oh God, Brad.”

  Her pussy clamped on my cock, and I came so hard I thought I might burst out of her. The feelings that filled my body were unlike anything I’d ever felt before. Waves of ecstasy shot from my groin to every inch of my body. I grunted and sighed, panting and clinging to Olivia’s body with desperation.

  She was still shaking from her own pleasure, her arms wrapped tightly around my shoulders. I could feel her hot breath on my neck, and when I pushed her back, our lips collided in yet another earth-shattering kiss.

  We rolled apart, both too exhausted to speak. As we rested against the pillows, I pulled Olivia’s body to mine and held her close. I closed my eyes and breathed in her scent, trying to memorize everything about her while I still could.

  Chapter 16

  Olivia

  I awoke the next morning with a smile on my face and a sleeping man by my side. When I rolled over to face Brad, I smiled at how peaceful he looked. He was sleeping soundly, and for the first time since we met, I didn’t see a single worry line on his face. He looked years younger while he slept as if all his trials and tribulations magically disappeared while he was dreaming. I liked seeing him this way. Peaceful. Happy. Content.

  My smile widened as I sunk into my pillow, my eyes never leaving Brad’s face. It wasn’t like me to watch someone sleep, but I couldn’t help myself. I brushed his sandy blond hair off his forehead and gently stroked his naked shoulder. I slid my hand down his arm, lingering over his tattoo. Without a shirt on, I could see the entire piece of art. It was a hawk, circling above the sun. The tattoo wasn’t one I’d ever seen before, and I loved to admire it. Whenever we spent the night together, I found myself staring in awe at the talent that went into creating this tattoo.

  At my touch, Brad began to stir. He shifted slightly, breathing in a deep breath and blinking his eyes open. He smiled when he saw me staring at him. I grinned back and waited until he sat up to press a kiss to his lips. He kissed me back, long and slow. When we pulled apart, he was still smiling. The sight was enough to keep my own smile firmly in place. I grinned as he pushed himself to kiss me good morning. After everything happened the night before, I didn’t expect to end up here.

  Rex shook me to my core with his warnings. I ran out of the bar ready to never see Brad again and yet, here I was, curled up beside him in bed.

  “I’m sorry about what Rex said last night,” Brad said as if he could read my mind.

  “Don’t be,” I said, shaking my head and sitting up slightly. “He wasn’t exactly wrong. It’s not fair of me to spend this much time with you when I don’t know how long I’ll be in Santa Fe.”

  “That’s for me to decide though, isn’t it?” Brad asked, smiling slyly.

  “I guess,” I sighed. “He was just worried about you.”

  “What did he say?” Brad asked, frowning slightly.

  “Just that you never act this way with women,” I said, shrugging. “He said it was obvious you have real feelings for me.”

  Brad sighed and ran his hands over his face. He sat up and shook his hair out of his eyes. When he looked at me, his expression was open, his eyes deep with meaning.

  “He’s not wrong,” Brad said. “My life ha
sn’t been the easiest.”

  “Tell me about it,” I said softly.

  Brad nodded and continued. “My mom left when I was young. She just couldn’t deal with my father’s temper.”

  “Was he…” I began, trailing off uncertainly.

  “Violent?” Brad asked. “No, just verbally abusive. He was a mean son of a bitch, but he was my dad. For as long as I can remember, he was my only family. I did whatever he wanted, including participating in the family business.”

  “The family business?” I asked.

  “Theft,” he said without emotion. “Stolen cars. We stole them, fixed them up, and sold them. That’s how I learned everything I know about cars.”

  “Wow,” I said, raising my eyebrows. “That’s…”

  “Crazy?” Brad asked. “Insane? I know, but I didn’t have much choice. My dad did it, so I did it. Until I got caught.”

  Brad sighed deeply and looked down at his arms. For the first time, I noticed faint scars spread out over his skin. They were so light that they were barely visible, but when I looked closer, I saw the same scars scattered over his chest.

  “I was arrested when I was still a kid,” he said. “I thought my dad would bail me out or at least try to get me a lawyer. He didn’t.”

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “He said he couldn’t put himself at risk,” Brad said. “That, if he got involved, the police would find something to implicate him for. He didn’t want to take that chance, so he left me in juvie. When I turned eighteen, I moved to a higher security prison. I stayed there for a few years, then got out.”

  “Wow,” I said. “I never would have guessed that.”

  Brad laughed. “Most people don’t,” he said. “It’s not exactly something I advertise.”

  I nodded and took his hand, stroking my thumb along his palm. It was shocking to me that this man, this gorgeous and intelligent man, had spent time in prison. Still, it didn’t change how I felt about him. If anything, I felt closer to him now.

  “I guess we share the whole ‘shitty parents’ thing,” Brad said with a soft laugh.

  “Well, mine never left me in prison,” I said.

  “No,” Brad said, laughing again. “But you never told me what happened to them. Why did you leave New York?”

  I sighed. “I went to NYU for liberal arts, which they didn’t agree with,” I said. “Even after graduation they kept pushing me toward a more practical degree, something I could make a living with. No matter how many times I insisted that art was my passion, they wouldn’t hear it. Eventually I decided to give their offer a chance. I thought if I took this road trip I would be ready to buckle down and do something practical. They didn’t agree with this little adventure, so they cut me off. Now I don’t really know where we stand.”

  “That’s crazy,” Brad said. “If art is what you love, then that’s what you should do. Everyone else be damned.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately,” I said softly. “Being here, working for Carla, spending time with you… I just feel like I’m in the right place, you know? The idea of leaving right not just doesn’t feel right.”

  “What are you saying?” Brad asked, hope blooming in his eyes.

  “I’m saying that I want to stay,” I said with a smile. “I want to stay here and work for Carla. I’m learning so much from her. I’m going to look for a cheap apartment, so I can move out of this hotel and then after my Jeep is fixed, I guess we’ll see what happens.”

  Brad grinned and kissed me long and deep. His smile never faded from his lips during the kiss. When we pulled apart, there was hunger in his eyes that I’d grown to recognize. Pulling myself out of bed, I held out my hand to him. He took it and let me lead him to the bathroom.

  The shower was scalding hot as it fell over our bodies, fueling our desire. Brad’s lips were on mine in an instant, tasting me and leaving me breathless. By the time we pulled apart, his cock was hard against my leg, and my pussy was dripping with need.

  He growled and spun me around, pushing me forward against the shower wall. I supported myself against the tile while he gripped my hips, wasting no time at all. He took me hard and fast, slamming himself against me and rocking my entire body with pleasure.

  Like every time before, Brad left me trembling and satiated. My body was more relaxed than it had been in years. After the orgasm washed through us both, we held on to each other and kissed gently until the shower ran cold.

  When we climbed out, Brad had to get to the shop, and I planned to spend the day painting. We kissed goodbye, lingering longer than we should have.

  “Okay,” Brad said after about twenty minutes. “I really have to go now. I’ll see you later?”

  “Yes,” I said with a nod. “You can help me find an apartment.”

  “Deal.” He grinned and turned to leave.

  My smile never faded as I gathered my art supplies and headed out for the day. There were a few scenes nearby that I’d planned to paint and today seemed like the perfect chance. I settled myself down on a bench, facing out over a barren stretch of land. The only thing on the land was a single cactus plant. I loved its solitude, so I spent the day painting it slowly, making sure to get every detail just right.

  Not two minutes after I finished, my phone rang loudly in my bag. Frowning, I pulled it out to see my father’s face dancing across the screen. A heavy weight dropped into my stomach. I knew I couldn’t avoid him, so I took a deep breath and answered.

  “Hi, Dad,” I said, keeping my voice light.

  “Olivia, I’m in Santa Fe. Where the hell is your car?” he said.

  Chapter 17

  Brad

  It was a busy day at the shop, which was great for business but bad for my mood. My hands were buried deep inside a Volvo’s engine when I heard the distinctive ring of the front door bell. I was in the middle of a tricky repair, so I ignored it. Whoever it was could wait until I finished this. Rex was out for the day, so I was on my own. I normally didn’t like to keep a customer waiting, but my hands were drenched in grease and buried deep inside an engine. If I stopped now, I would have started over from the beginning when I returned.

  As I continued working, I heard the front-desk bell chime. I sighed and looked around. From the garage, I could see the outline of a man standing by the front desk. I craned my neck around to look outside. There was a Denali in the parking lot that looked to be a rental. I frowned and looked back at the man, trying to decide if he was worth my time. While I watched him, he rang the bell three more times.

  I groaned and yanked my hands out of the Volvo. I hated that damn bell. Ever since Rex bought it, it had become the bane of my existence. Toweling off my hands, I hurried through the door into the office and stepped up to the front desk. My eyes fell on the man’s face, and I inhaled sharply.

  He was middle-aged, with dark hair that was peppered with gray. His green eyes were unmistakable. They were the exact shape, size, and color as Olivia’s. I looked at him closer and saw that they not only shared the same eyes but the same mouth and cheeks. This man was obviously Olivia’s father. I was shocked to see him in my shop, so shocked that I didn’t open my mouth to speak for several seconds.

  “Um,” I finally said, clearing my throat loudly. “I’m sorry. Busy day. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m looking for a Jeep Cherokee,” the man said with authority. “My name is Daniel Storm. I’m Olivia’s father.”

  “Oh!” I said as if I hadn’t already figured this out. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

  “You as well, I’m sure,” Daniel said politely. “I’m here to pay for the Jeep. Is it finished?”

  “Yes, sir,” I said. “Finished it this morning.”

  “Excellent,” Daniel said. “Well, I assume you take credit cards?”

  I frowned and craned my neck around. The Denali rental was still sitting in the parking lot, and I suddenly wondered if Olivia was hidden behind the tinted windows. I’d seen her just this morni
ng, and she didn’t say a word about her father coming to town. Why would he suddenly arrive to pay for her Jeep? Why now?

  “I’ve already set up a payment plan with Olivia,” I said slowly. “Are you sure you want to—”

  “Yes,” he said firmly. “I’ll pay for it in full now.”

  “Okay,” I said, nodding. I wasn’t in the position to refuse a payment, so I took his credit card from him and ran it through the machine. He stared off into the distance while I printed out his receipt. I handed it over to him, along with his card. “If you could just sign this top one for me.”

  “Sure,” he said, scribbling his name along the dotted line. “Here you go,”

  He handed it back to me and folded his copy into fourths. Tucking it into his back pocket, he looked up at me with that same authoritative expression. It made my stomach churn, but I remained impassive, professional.

  From everything Olivia told me about her parents, I already knew I didn’t like this man. It didn’t take a genius to realize this man wasn’t kind or compassionate. His clipped tone and tight lips told me everything I needed to know. No matter how polite he seemed, he was a snake in the grass, and I didn’t appreciate his presence in my shop.

  Still, if he was willing to pay for Olivia’s Jeep, then maybe he wasn’t all bad. Maybe he’d finally come to his senses and decide to support his daughter. There was something in his eyes that told me I was wrong. When he opened his mouth to speak again, I knew support wasn’t in his nature.

  “There’s a tow truck on the way now,” Daniel said simply. “They’ll pick up the Jeep and transport it back to New York.”

  “What?” I asked, unable to stop myself. “But what about Olivia?”

  Daniel glared at me with suspicion. He looked me up and down as if he was suddenly seeing me in a different light. I knew this man wasn’t any stupid. My obvious concern for Olivia wasn’t something he could overlook.