Lara walked into the room they were to share in his parents’ mansion. He came behind her, and she heard the click sound when he closed the door and locked it.
She removed her stilettos, her hands still shaking from the news she’d received several minutes ago. Troy had slept with his brother’s wife. A blade pierced through her chest. Even though this was a fake marriage, she felt betrayed. Why hadn’t he told her this vital piece of information?
“Lara, I know how it looks,” he said.
She let go of her shoes and dropped them on the soft carpet, then turned to him, folding her arms on her chest. “Tell me how it looks. Because it looks like you’re having an affair with your sister-in-law and your bro is not happy about it. Oh, and everyone else around you two is on pins and needles.” Have I missed anything?
The muscle in his jaw jumped. His blue eyes darkened to a deep gray, and the contours of his face sobered. “You got it.”
“When did you have an affair with her? How long ago?” she asked, shaking her head.
“A bit over two months ago.”
Two months! She stepped back until her knees touched the bed, and she plopped on the edge. In life, she had experienced being a fool and looking like a fool, and tonight, she’d played both roles. “Two months ago you had an affair with your brother’s wife.”
He sighed, running his fingers into his hair like he’d had that conversation many times over. “I slept with her. Once. After a dinner party.”
What could lead him to act in such a careless way? Troy could have any woman he wanted, why would he pursue his brother’s wife? Sadness stabbed at her chest. Because he’s broken. She should have known—her brother also made poor decisions. Miguel had started to act that way after their father died. What had happened to Troy? Or was he just a cold-hearted bastard? “Why?”
A trace of regret flickered in the depth of his eyes. “I was drunk. I made a bad call.”
She snorted. “Bad call? Bad call is accidentally telling your friend you regifted the shirt she gave you. Sleeping with your sister-in-law is beyond wrong.”
The regret from earlier vanished from his gaze, and he squared his shoulders. “Thank you for pointing that out.”
She crossed her legs, then uncrossed them, unsure what to do. Shit. Her accusatory tone had obviously made him retreat into his shell. Thoughts kept popping in her mind like Fourth of July fireworks—only without the happiness that went along with the holiday. “Is that why you married me? Because you want your family’s forgiveness after what you’ve done?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “My father is retiring, and I’ve been groomed to run our family business my whole life. That meant I’d work alongside my brother, even if as the oldest, I’d be in charge. We were getting close to that goal. Then I slept with Michelle and my father decided to understandably teach me a lesson and punish me.”
“Is that why you moved to Tulip? As part of your punishment?”
“Yes. He wanted me away from LA for a while.”
“Why didn’t you marry just anyone?”
He jammed his hands into his pants, leaning back against the wall. “You needed help, and so did I.”
Help? He still talked about their deal like he’d done her a favor. She hadn’t known why he needed the marriage sham, and now it all made sense. If he’d told her, would she still have said yes? Would she willingly get into this family drama and lie to his parents? She swallowed. Idiot that she was, she probably still would have. “You lied to me.”
“No, I never lied.”
“Right. But if I had known I’d be a pawn in this game to fool your family—”
“You knew you’d have to fool them before you came here today.”
She lifted her chin. “That’s different. I didn’t know your family was so fractured. I mean, do you think this is the right thing to do? To betray them again because of your career?”
He barked a low, sarcastic laughter. “I’m not betraying them. I’m giving them some peace of mind, so they’ll know I won’t sleep with Michelle again. A message.”
Did he mean it though? Would he still sleep with Michelle? The thought sent her blood on a low simmer. She shouldn’t worry about him and Michelle. “You’re selling them a new you.”
He raked his fingers into his hair, letting out a sigh of frustration. “I wouldn’t go that far. They’re not idiots.”
She slid off the bed and stood. “Are you in love with her?”
“No,” he answered, looking square into her eye. “Never been.”
An emotion she couldn’t quite understand filled her chest. She shifted her weight from one foot to another. “Then why?”
“Because I tend to screw things up from time to time.”
“Why?”
He cocked his head to the side. “Because that’s who I am.” His voice was light, but she detected the undertone of regret in his tone.
“No. This is the easy answer. You need to dig deeper.”
He started to undo the buttons of his shirt. “I’m not into armchair therapy.”
“Then go to real therapy and figure out why you’re like this.”
He removed the shirt and placed it over a chair by the desk. Then, he reached into his suitcase, fumbling for some clothes. She kept her eyes trained on the wall, trying with all she had left not to gawk at the impossibly broad shoulders and the muscles rippling his back. Was he a former rower?
He grabbed a couple pieces of clothes and turned to her. “Enough, Lara. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t think it would be so obvious so soon. Doesn’t mean you get to probe me with all these questions. That wasn’t part of the deal.”
She knew if she let her gaze wander down his chest, he’d have the upper hand. She refused to let him think she’d be into him. Troy still hadn’t talked to the O’Donnells—he was the enemy, and she should keep that in mind. “I don’t give a crap. Just because we’re not a real couple doesn’t mean you get to omit the kind of information I need to fulfill my role as a fake wife.”
“Fine. I’ll keep you in the loop.”
“Good. And tonight, you’re sleeping there,” she said, pointing at the loveseat. “I don’t want your horny ass next to me.”
“I won’t touch you.”
That’s not the problem, she told herself. She glanced at the loveseat again. She should follow through with her threat, but a part of her felt bad for the man. He wouldn’t fit and would have a terrible night. Next day he’d be even moodier. “Okay. I’ll make a pillow barrier between us.”
“Do you really think I’ll make a pass at you at night?”
“No. Who’s to say I won’t be making a pass at you if I get bored?” Her voice came out strained and a notch sexier than she would have liked. She meant to make fun of the situation, and not increase the tension.
He gave her a smile so dirty it for sure was illegal in at least five countries. Maybe more. “Now that I’d like to see.”
A swarm of butterflies did a Black Friday stampede in her stomach. The sensation warmed its way down her body and settled between her thighs. More than ever, she wished she was alone in the room to touch herself and find some release. Instead, she had the very massive presence of a very manly man. “Keep dreaming.”
“Something to look forward to.”
She grabbed her pajamas from her suitcase and dashed into the bathroom. She looked forward to a very, very cold shower.
5
“More juice?” Laurie, the fifty-something housekeeper asked, lifting a crystal jug of freshly squeezed orange juice.
Lara raised her hand in denial. “I’m good, thanks.”
Laurie smiled and returned to the kitchen. Lara glanced around her, wishing someone else occupied the giant table filled with a variety of pastries and breakfast items. She’d left the bedroom when Troy was in the shower.
Sharing a bed with him hadn’t been ideal. She’d used pillows to create a barrier between them, but even in the dark when he was
sound asleep, she’d struggled to do the same. His presence so near, the way his body indented the bed with each small move, his aroma with notes of wood and bamboo wafting around her. It was too much.
She hadn’t been this turned on for a while… she touched her lips.
Sighing, she reached for the blueberries and picked some for her plate. “Might as well comfort myself with food,” she muttered.
“Good morning,” said a female voice behind her. Quickly, Michelle pulled a chair and sat across from her.
“Morning,” she said.
The housekeeper returned and greeted Michelle, bringing her some coffee then returning to the kitchen.
Lara tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. To think she’d been complaining about being by herself a moment ago…
Michelle drank some coffee, then said, “I’m sorry about last night. I could tell you didn’t know.”
“That’s okay. Troy and I talked, so we’re good,” Lara said, picking a piece of toast and lathering some butter on it.
“They have a delicious prosciutto,” Michelle said. “I’ll get you some.”
“No need. I’m a vegetarian,” she said. She’d given up meat ten years prior, much to her mother’s surprise.
“Oh, all right,” Michelle said. “You and Troy couldn’t be more different. He’s a big red meat fan.”
Lara leaned in, watching the other woman. Why would Michelle say something like that? She regarded her, watching how delicately she cut a croissant. Did she still want Troy? As much as Lara wanted to ask her, she knew that wasn’t her place. “I hope the sudden news of our marriage wasn’t too much for his family.”
Michelle sat back on her chair. “We were all surprised… but his parents are excited too. They’ve been telling him to get serious and commit to someone for a while.”
“I understand.”
“Yeah.” Michelle shrugged.
Don’t ask, a voice inside her warned. Don’t ask, it alerted her again. Yet Lara’s pulse spiked, anticipation tightening her stomach. “Are you okay with us getting married?”
Michelle straightened her shoulders. “Of course. I’m married myself. I’d recommend it for the most part.” She pursed her lips, and a sad emotion flickered in her eyes.
Lara almost reached out for her and gave her a hug. Then, it hit her. Michelle was in love with Troy. Her sixth sense poked at her, making her internally shudder. How could she not have seen it before? Of course Michelle had either felt before or still experienced now some deep emotions for Troy.
“I got these just out of the oven,” the housekeeper said, bringing them some biscottis.
Michelle turned to the woman, and soon, Troy’s parents joined them. The subject shifted between current events and life in Italy. Lara asked questions to engage and hopefully dispel the simmering tension from earlier. She almost felt like a surveillance camera looking in. A sense of pity overcame her.
Poor Michelle. She’d made a mistake, and no doubt paid for it. Her marriage certainly had suffered. And in the end, she’d ended up without the man she loved.
I hope that won’t be me. When it came to Troy, her heart would have to stay closed. It wasn’t like he was asking for it, anyway.
Troy swam another lap. The sun was setting in the background, and the internal lights of the pool lit up, warning he’d been home earlier than usual.
They had been married for a week and settled into a routine. Lara worked all kinds of odd hours, and when she got home, she retreated to her room or asked to use the home office. They seldom ate together, and usually when one woke up, the other had already left.
This routine shouldn’t bother him. Anyone in his position would enjoy not having to deal with the inconveniences of a relationship in which partners lived together. In fact, he kept telling himself, this arrangement was perfect by all counts.
She didn’t expect anything from him—attention, companionship, nothing. Probably didn’t want it, particularly after what she found out about him sleeping with his in-law. Any man in his position would be relieved his freedom was still intact.
So why didn’t it feel as perfect as it sounded? He stretched out his arms, then lapped to the other side of his pool in backstrokes, making it there much faster than before.
Still, the boredom annoyed him.
When he heard the faintest sound of footsteps on the hardwood floor of the living room, his heartrate accelerated and he reached for the edge of the pool. The fact she had arrived made him terribly, dangerously excited.
She walked onto the terrace. Today, she wore cargo shorts and a forest green sleeveless shirt with the logo of her company embroidered on her chest. Her hair was disheveled, and sweat coated her arms and legs. There was something incredibly sexy about her. She didn’t try to impress him as she arrived after a day’s work. “Hey,” she said.
“What did you do today?”
“Oh. An employee got sick, so I had to fill in for him.”
“You actually filled in and did manual labor?” he said, unable to hide the note of fascination in his voice. The women he usually dated would never volunteer for this kind of work, whether they owned the company or not. Yet Lara acted like it was no big deal—she was successful in her own right but didn’t mind getting her hands dirty.
Did she also enjoy getting dirty in a different way? The thought popped in his head. She’d said her ex hadn’t appreciated her, which spoke more of him than her. Having bad luck with former partners didn’t mean she wasn’t a vibrant, giving, outstanding lover.
Lust stirred inside him, heating his blood. How easy was it to get off track where she was concerned—and how very dangerous…
“Yeah.” She shrugged. “Couldn’t find anyone to replace him and I want to deliver that project in time.”
He bit back a smile. “Good.”
“What are you doing in the pool anyway? Remember I told you we’re meeting my friends tonight?”
“Oh. Sure.” He had totally forgotten. But he imagined if she was nice enough to endure a night at his parents’, the least he could do was meet her friends for dinner. Usually, when he socialized with his dates that involved the same circle of acquaintances, many of them business related.
“Have you done anything about my brother?”
“I’ll meet Conor in a couple of days,” he said under his breath. Not a meeting he looked forward to. He’d been able to keep this hiccup with Miguel from his father, as no one was supervising him in Tulip. But if he didn’t make Conor O’Donnell happy, or at least somewhat content, the heir could talk to his father, who in turn would give Troy’s father a call. And not only his marriage to Lara would be questioned, but how he took care of business, putting him several steps away from his goal. “Conor is out of town, so I have to wait until he’s back.”
“All right.”
He propped himself on his arms and jumped out of the pool. Drops of water glided down his body as he reached for the towel on the patio chair. He dried himself, and when he turned to her, he caught her watching him, her gaze traveling down his body.
His eyes flew to hers, and she looked away. “I’ll go to my room, shower, then change. You do the same. I don’t want to be late.”
Without waiting for his response, she dashed out of there.
Hmm… she was attracted to him. And spending time with her had obviously shown him he could only go so long without sex. He hadn’t been with a woman for over two months, and the withdrawal symptoms began to annoy him.
But… sleeping with Lara wasn’t just scratching an itch. It could lead to unforeseen consequences. They shared a home, and even though both of them kept to themselves, sex would completely change the dynamic. What if she fell in love with him? A wave of apprehension swept through him. What if I fall for her?
No. It wouldn’t happen. He’d never fallen for someone before. Smartly, he kept his feelings at bay and never let himself nurture deep emotions for anyone. He knew if he did, he would end up hurting that person�
�whether he wanted to or not, that was what he did.
Lara seemed stronger than most people. Would she agree to a no-strings affair? Excitement stirred inside him, and he raced to his room to get changed. Tonight, he’d ask her.
6
“Hey man, how about another?” Cole asked, lifting his nearly empty tumbler of scotch.
“Sure, why not?” Troy said.
They’d arrived at Splurge, the restaurant where Lara usually met her friends for happy hour. Tonight, he met real estate developer Cole and his wife Nikki, make-up artist Brit and her husband Damian, and Violet and chef Theo. He’d also learned Violet used to be married to Damian, the plastic surgeon, who now was married to her best friend. They all got along and teased each other, and he enjoyed the comradery. Made him wonder if he’d ever laugh about sleeping with Michelle with his brother. His heart shrank in his chest. That would never happen. Nor should it. His mistake had been anything but funny.
“It’s nice to be out without the kids,” Cole said. “You don’t have any, right?”
“Right.”
Cole nodded. “Nikki had twin boys before I met her, and we now have a daughter.”
“Full house,” Troy said.
Damian’s phone buzzed, and he fished it out and made a hand signal to excuse himself while he took the call in a quieter area. Brit made a joke about being a doctor’s wife, and Nikki laughed.
The others joined in, but their voices fell into the background when he angled his head toward Lara.
The idea he’d been brewing about fucking Lara took shape in his head. In fact, looking at her and having his pulse skitter madly was the confirmation he needed. She was a confident, independent woman and knew how to separate heat from heart.
And he’d try his hardest to do the same.
Never had been a problem before, why would it start now?
“Troy.” Lara yanked him from his thoughts. “I was telling Theo how your family moved here when you were seven.”
Bad Enemy (Bad Girls Club Book 4) Page 4
