He caught her hand. “That’s right. We’re friends, good friends. Doesn’t that mean anything? If it will give her hope--” He stopped, gazing down at their intertwined hands. “Just until she’s better--a few weeks. It will take that long to get the photographs I need and the data. Who would know? We’re isolated here in Alaska. Even if the Colonel told Grandmother, she wouldn’t know the difference. She’d recover and when she was strong again, we could tell her we pretended for her because we love her so much.”
“None of that changes how Colonel St. John feels about me,” Nyssa reminded him. “He’s going to insist you pick someone else.”
Solo looked toward the door, a stubborn set to his jaw taking over. “If he wants an engagement, he doesn’t have a say.”
“Neither do I, it appears. Haven’t you listened to me?”
He grinned, and the smile was so endearing, so charming, it snatched her breath away. He did know how to get what he wanted.
“Every beautiful word. I know you won’t let me down. You never do. That’s one of the things I like about you.”
“I don’t like this.” He could charm her into anything.
“Please. I promise this is the last favor I’ll ask.”
She wasn’t sure she liked that promise even though it was what she’d begged him for from the start.
“You won’t regret it. When Grandmother is healthy again, you’ll be happy you were part of the recovery prescription. Come on, step out of your peaceful existence and live dangerously.”
Live dangerously? That was what she was afraid of. She didn’t want to pretend and she was terrified that perhaps she’d get caught up in the game and lose her heart.
“I have regrets already,” she told him. “I don’t lie well at all and--”
“You didn’t have trouble claiming I was your husband a few minutes ago.”
“That was different.” One Freudian slip and she was stuck in a quagmire so deep and so sticky she’d never get out.
“No difference.”
Nyssa didn’t have an answer for Solo. How could she tell him there was a huge difference? The conversation ended and Solo rose from the bed. He stared at her long and hard for what seemed like hours but was only a few seconds. Guilt and longing swept through her, tearing at her common sense and her knowledge of right and wrong. This was wrong.
“We’ll tell Robert.”
“No! We can't tell him. Robert can't be connected to scandal in any way. The media would get wind of it and he'd lose his bid for re-election in the fall. His career in politics was the most important part of his life." So where does that leave me?
“With the papers documenting everything my family does, he’ll find out. Sooner or later he’ll find out.”
“He can’t.”
“Telling him is the right way. Trust me.”
“No. I’d rather take my chances. If you tell him, he’ll fly here. I know him.”
“That could prove interesting.”
“You don’t want to know how interesting.”
“Oh, come on. You’re engaged to old Robert.”
Nyssa choked. “I don’t want to hurt him. I shouldn’t be parading around as something I’m not, even though it’s for Sarah. If you were in his shoes, wouldn’t you be concerned?”
For her, Solo was adventure, reckless excitement and passion, while Robert was the epitome of a conservative banker, never challenged her emotions or pushed her past her comfort zone. She could live the rest of her life with Robert and she’d bet he’d never lose his temper. But Solo--what would happen if she gave in and kissed him again, if she told him he knew how to flip her switches. That she knew they could have hot sex together.
Robert would turn scarlet as if she’d branded him with the letter itself. But Solo, dear melt your socks off Solo, would laugh first then run the other direction because she was his pal, his buddy and you didn’t do things like that with your pal. You didn’t kiss her until her toes curled either.
“I’m not in his shoes.”
“No, I guess the question’s redundant then.”
“Very.”
But Solo charged on. He was blowing her over, hurricane style, and Nyssa felt her willpower fading away. He was too good at manipulation and she didn’t stand a chance.
“All right,” she paused. “Say I agree.” She saw the flash of triumph sweep across his face. “What then? How long do we keep this up before we tell Sarah the truth? I mean--I’ve my real wedding to plan and a bike tour scheduled.”
He smiled at her, his lips widening as each silent second passed. She began to fidget with her hands, wondering what the devil he was grinning about.
“I don’t know. A few months should do it.”
“I haven’t said yes. So you can wipe that smug look off your face right now.” Nyssa knew the minute those words were out of her mouth the deed was done, the contract signed, sealed, and delivered. Solo knew it as well.
“It’s okay. Go for it,” he said with more of his contagious magnetism. “Look at it as an adventure. First we’ll finish here. Then we’ll go on a few bicycle trips, we’ll let grandfather think we’re serious, and grandmother will believe whatever the Colonel tells her. Once she’s on the road to recovery--” He let a long slow sigh escape. “We can apologize. I’m not saying it will be easy but I know it beats the alternatives.”
She thought the idea over again beside herself with conflicting emotions. He made the lie sound so easy, yet she knew complications would arise. Nothing was this simple, nothing was ever simple where Solo was concerned. She couldn’t think of one adventure she’d been on with Solo that had turned out the way he’d planned. Why should she believe differently of this one?
“We’re friends,” he reminded her. “We do things for each other. Through thick and thin and all that stuff. Please.”
Nyssa nodded. Deep down she knew she’d agree. Even though she’d never felt at ease with Colonel St. John, she’d always cared about Sarah. In their college days, Sarah had been the only one who would listen to her, really listen to her and because of that, Sarah knew how much Nyssa cared for Solo. If there was something, anything she could do to help Sarah regain her vitality for life, she would. She would do it for Solo. It was that simple. But thinking about the future made her head ache.
In the depths of her heart, she knew she had a different reason for saying yes to Solo. If she said no, he might be forced to find one of those sex crazed ladies that were so hot for him.
The thought of that scenario made more than her head ache. She decided if Solo planned on spending hours and hours in some female’s company pretending to love them, it would be her.
Besides, by her estimation, someone had to help him finish what he’d begun in the Alaskan wilderness. They had pictures to take. She had already decided she had time before her marriage to Robert for one last adventure. Now she might as well indulge her romantic fantasies too.
“All right,” she said quietly.
He looked a little relieved but more than that he looked as if he wasn’t quite sure he heard right.
“Is that a yes?”
Nyssa nodded. She didn’t think she had the stamina to verbally commit herself twice to this travesty engagement.
“Wonderful.” He pulled her close and gave her a quick, friendly kiss.
A friendly kiss--and without a doubt her knees felt like wet noodles. Already she felt panic well up inside her, penetrating every nerve ending she possessed.
Stepping back, distancing herself from him and her horrible, wretched physical reaction to his peck on the cheek, she held out her hand, bracing herself against his chest. “Remember this is only pretend.” Pretend, she thought dryly, a reminder for her more than for him. He obviously didn’t need a reminder.
“Okay.” He flashed a devilish grin and took her hand in order to help her up. “How’s your courage quotient?”
“What?”
“You ready to brave the Colonel in his den?”
<
br /> “Never.”
He chuckled softly and played with the engagement ring on her finger. Unexpectedly, all humor vanished and when he bent close to her ear to impart the next message his voice was serious.
“Take old Robert’s ring off.”
He clenched his fists, his shoulders tightening but then the tension vanished and he smiled again. He didn’t wait for her to remove the ring, he did it for her. For a brief second, she thought he would drop the ring in his pocket but then he changed his mind and handed it to her.
She held a symbol of love in the palm of her hand. It felt cold and empty and with it off she was suddenly very relieved.
***
“Couldn’t you have picked out one of the ladies!”
“It’s Nyssa or no one.”
The Colonel growled low in his throat but didn’t say anything more. He watched Nyssa with his eyelids half lowered. His gaze raised goose bumps on her arms and made her stomach roll. But Solo, having no idea of the discomfort he caused, remained firm.
“I love her,” he said. “I’ve always trusted her and she’s always been there for me. It’s simple, I want to spend the rest of my life with Nyssa.” He gave her a thumbs up sign while the Colonel wasn’t looking, encouraging her to agree to whatever he said. “I need to thank you. Until all this happened I took her for granted. I didn’t treat her well at all.”
Solo was a good actor. He spouted nonsense and all-the-while he pulled his grandfather into his corner. If she didn’t know better, she might start to believe him.
She had to pinch herself so she’d remember it was all a lie. When she did remember, she felt guilt wash through her once more.
“You can tell Grandmother we’re getting married and she better start to eat right. I wouldn’t want her to miss the ceremony.”
“You’re joking. Nyssa has never been anything more to you than a convenient toy. You know that kind of relationship never lasts.”
Solo’s shoulders stiffened, his neck muscles tightening. “Convenient toy?”
He’d never treated her like that. Had he? Sometimes she’d felt stepped on but never toyed with.
“You owe Nyssa an apology.” Solo told him, his brows drawn together fiercely. “From now on, if you don’t have something nice to say about my fiancée, don’t say anything at all.”
Colonel St. John chose to ignore Solo’s challenge. “Whatever for? An apology for the truth?” the Colonel went on, not even stopping to give Nyssa a glance. “If you two are so in love with each other, why wasn’t I told?”
“We knew how you felt about me,” Nyssa said. “I didn’t want to make any waves.”
By her ear, Solo whispered, “Good girl. Stand up to him.”
He took her hand in his to continue the charade between them, as if his grandfather couldn’t tell a sham when he saw one.
“And what’s wrong with a few waves?” Colonel St. John asked.
Under the Colonel’s stern, penetrating glare, Nyssa cringed. “Well, I knew you disapproved of me and,” she looked at Solo for help.
He squeezed her hand but remained silent.
“So, now you think I’ll approve.” Colonel St. John’s gaze hadn’t wavered and Nyssa felt her skin grow clammier by the second.
“Grandfather, you’re embarrassing her. Is that any way to treat your future granddaughter-in-law.” He let go of Nyssa’s hand and strode to the Colonel, squaring off as if he was determined to drive the point home. “This is what you wanted isn’t it? I don’t remember your telling me I needed your approval when I married. You’ve always told me I’d know when the time was right, that my heart would tell me.”
“If I thought she was good enough for you, I’d give you my blessings.”
Nyssa squirmed under his direct attack on her character. The Colonel talked as if she wasn’t in the room. The devil, but she wished she’d never agreed to this stupidity.
“She’s too good for me,” Solo said.
He went behind the couch where she sat and let his hands rest on her shoulders. He traced the back of her neck with his thumb. “We’re going to be very happy. Aren’t we pumpkin?”
She swallowed hard. “If you say so,” she managed to whisper.
Solo had never called her pumpkin, and now he’d done it twice in a very few hours. She wasn’t sure she liked that term of endearment but it satisfied the Colonel.
“Well, Nyssa, has the cat got your tongue? Don’t you have anything to say?” Colonel St. John asked.
“Um,” she licked her lips. “A--I’ll try to make him happy. And I won’t hurt him.”
“Hurt him? What on earth--”
“You’ve got her so rattled she doesn’t know what to say. Of course she won’t hurt me. I’ll be very safe in her arms.”
Solo stepped in and saved her again. About time Nyssa thought, breathing a little easier.
“Rattled--good. Every bride should be nervous. It means she loves you.”
Solo coughed then looked at her, his gaze searching, questioning. He walked to his grandfather and extended his hand, which the old man took in his own.
Without warning Colonel St. John strode to Nyssa and pulled her into his arms. He hugged her quickly and with warmth, then setting her aside he graced her with a devilish smile that reminded her of Solo when he had something up his sleeve.
“Welcome to the family, Nyssa.”
“A--thank you.” A hot rise of color settled on her cheeks.
“I’m tired. I’ve had a trying day and I’d like to go to bed now. Can I assume the loft is where I’ll bed down.”
“You’re staying here? But--”
It was the first time all evening Solo was at a loss for words and Nyssa found that extremely cathartic.
“Of course, where else would I stay? There’s not a motel around for hundreds of miles.” And with that Colonel St. John yawned deeply and started for the ladder to the loft bedroom.
Solo’s mouth fell open and Nyssa thought that was the first honest assessment of the situation he had expressed since he first visited her begging for help. Well, tonight Solo would have to sleep on the couch.
The thought made her feel good though she knew she was petty. He used her as a weapon, picking her out of all the women who had approached him because he knew the idea of marriage to her would annoy his grandfather, knowing too that his grandfather would have to accept her if Sarah was going to have a chance of recovery.
She felt like standing up to him and yelling at the top of her lungs that she was a fraud, that Solo no more wanted to marry her than he did any of the willing, able, and eager bodies his grandfather sent after him. But she didn’t want to give up her fantasy, not even for her better judgment.
“I’m going to bed, also.”
“I’ll join you in a few minutes.” Solo bent over, whispering words that had her panicked once again.
Join me? This wasn’t part of the plan. No way would she let him curl up next to her in that huge king sized bed. A fake engagement did not give him privileges.
***
Safari Moon Page 9
