DOUBLE TROUBLE: TROUBLE IN VEGAS series

by Patrice Wilton

  An hour later, she was dressed and having a small glass of wine to calm her nerves. She heard the tapping at the door, and a rush of heat flooded her body, her knees buckling. Nikki clutched the kitchen chair and took several steadying breaths before she could calm herself to open the door.

  David stood there, all six feet four of him, a big smile stretching his manly face. He held a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

  “Hi,” she said, nearly choking on the word. He was dressed in jeans and a tee, and she stepped aside to let him in. “Guess I’m a little overdressed, aren’t I?”

  “You look beautiful,” he said, placing the flowers on the table, and reaching out to take her in his arms.

  His hug was big and fierce, and she felt almost terrified, like her rigid body might snap in two. Her body was squashed to his and his mouth grazed her neck. “I missed you, baby. Let’s get it on before we go out. I don’t think I could hold off all the way though dinner.”

  “But I’m dressed,” she squeaked and tried to free herself from his possessive embrace.

  “And I’m wearing a hard-on so big that a mountain cat couldn’t climb it.” He chuckled and tugged her back into his arms. “Come on, baby. I know you’ve missed me too.” He put a hand on her breast and gave it a squeeze. “It won’t take long, I promise. Then we can grab dinner.”

  Of course it wouldn’t take long. His pleasure was all that mattered, and she hadn’t minded until now. She slapped his hand away. “Come on, Stud. I’m hungry. Had breakfast early this morning and we didn’t stop for lunch.”

  “I have something you can bite on,” he said with a grin and put her hand on his crotch.

  She could feel the bulge in his jeans. Big and strong, eager to get inside of her. She shuddered, tears filled her eyes, and she swallowed hard. Josh, she whispered silently. Josh…

  “What’s the matter?” He seemed to finally realize that she wasn’t playing coy. “You’ve never complained before.”

  “It’s different now. I can’t explain it, but I don’t feel like jumping into bed. Can we go? Please?” Tears slid down her cheeks, and she swiped them away.

  “What’s the matter?” His eyes turned worried. His voice cracked. “Did something happen to you there? You get raped or something?”

  “No, no. Everything’s fine. I just don’t feel like making love right now. Isn’t that enough?”

  “What is this? Pre-wedding jitters?” He gave a short laugh. “After all these years, I’d think you’d be real happy about tying the knot. Maybe we could get an early start in the baby-making department.”

  “I don’t have jitters, and I don’t want children right away. We’ve talked about that.”

  “Okay. I’ll wear a condom.” He kissed her shoulder. “You don’t have to do anything. Just lie there and enjoy it. I’m sure you’re tired, so I’ll be quick. Come on, sweetheart. I’ve missed that sweet pussy.”

  She bristled, and pushed away from him. Everything inside of her recoiled, like a snake in front of a charmer.

  “Why does that not surprise me?” she asked softly. “Did it ever occur to you that perhaps I might enjoy sex more if you put a little extra effort into it?”

  “And what is that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. Forget it.” She kicked off her shoes and started to unzip her dress. “You want sex?” Her mouth trembled, and a sick feeling rocked her insides. “Go at it.”

  “Nikki? What’s got into you?”

  “I met someone. I had an affair.” Horrified, she put her hand over her mouth, willing back the words. Her cheeks flamed and her stomach churned.

  His face went slack, as if in shock, then he recovered fast. His jaw clenched, eyes glittered with rage, and his mouth turned into a sneer. “So that’s what this is about? You cheated on me? You got it on with some other guy, and now refuse me? The guy you promised to marry?”

  “Oh, God. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to blurt it out like this. I’m sorry,” she reached out a hand and tried to put it on his arm, but he shrugged her away.

  “Don’t touch me.” He took several steps away from her, breathing deeply. “You disgust me.”

  “I know. I disgust myself.”

  He stared at her for a few minutes. “How could you? I know you, Nikki. You would never do anything like this. Did Jennifer push you into this? She never liked me.”

  “It wasn’t Jennifer. Both her and Melanie were appalled. I don’t know what happened. We had a few drinks and met a couple of guys at the bar. I wasn’t at all interested. He was chatting up Melanie. Then I remember getting feverish and decided to go upstairs. It’s all a blur after that.”

  “Guy probably drugged you. Slipped something into your drink.”

  “No. It wasn’t like that. I can’t explain it. I’m still trying to figure things out myself.”

  “Well, Nik, I’m not sure if I can marry someone I can’t trust. I gotta go home and think real hard on this. You fucked things up good.”

  With that he turned and walked away.

  CUPID

  “What do you meant they left? How could they leave? I thought you had their car key.”

  “I found someone’s key. It was in a big bag next to Melanie’s chair. There was another woman on the other side and I couldn’t very well ask her if that was her bag, now could I?” Vinnie paced up and down. “I took the keys on the chance. Couldn’t find anything but a room key in the other girls.”

  “Oh, Vinnie. So you now have someone else’s car keys? And you let our bride escape.” Cupid rocked back and forth on his tiny feet. “This is a calamity. A major set-back. I’ve never seen two people better suited for each other. They hadn’t realized it yet, but all the sparks were there. It was just a matter of time, and now they don’t have the time. She’s gone. He may never see her again.”

  “I can always shoot an arrow into another girl. What about that young woman Josh works with? She set up the booth, and is always checking out his butt when he’s not looking. How about her? I could zap them both, and bingo. He’ll be in love with her and forget the bride. She can marry the selfish guy who doesn’t satisfy her. Everything will be the way it was meant to be. No harm. No foul.”

  “Is that really the way you see it?” Cupid groaned. “Josh is smitten. He might never get over Nikki, and she would make a dreadful mistake if she married that young man back home. It would be a great injustice to them both. We must pray that they are wise enough to figure this out on their own. And please, put your bow away and don’t go zapping anyone else. You and I have a lot to do before I’ll trust you with it again.”

  “Just because you won the International Cupid award, you think you’re smarter and better than me.” Vinnie got up, and stepped up to Cupid, looking him eye to eye. Then his eyes watered and he glanced away.

  “I am smarter and better than you,” Cupid said kindly. “But if you listen and you learn, one day you’ll be the greatest Cupid of all. You have the grand master teaching you all the tricks. How can you possibly fail?”

  Vinnie swallowed the lump in his throat. “You think so? You really think so?”

  Cupid nodded, keeping his reservations to himself. “Of course I do. We have the same genes, boy.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Nikki let out a sob the moment David left. Her heart ached for him, for her family who loved him like a son, and for what might have been. And yet, truthfully, when she saw his face at the door and he held her tight, she hadn’t felt the surge of warmth, the excitement and love that a woman about to be married should feel for her future husband.

  She had wanted to step away from his embrace and the idea of lying in bed with him had zero appeal. It would have felt wrong. A betrayal to Josh, the only man she wanted to be with. Yet he didn’t love her.

  He only needed a wife to further his career, and really, any woman would likely do. They’d had some chemistry, a lot to be exact, and had set fireworks off in bed. That was not a basis for a good marriage. Fireworks did
n’t last, everyone knew that.

  A marriage depended on friendship, mutual respect and trust, and common beliefs and goals. It took years and luck to find the right partner. That’s why most marriages didn’t work. People rushed into it while they were still in the first blush of romantic lust, heady with passion and no common sense. But she was more sensible than that. That’s why she and David had dated for five years. They knew everything there was to know about each other.

  It was all good—or had been until she’d set eyes on Josh and blew it.

  Somehow she had to try to forget him and to move on with her life, a life that now was devoid of David and loomed empty in front of her. She should probably call her family and give them a heads up, but another day wouldn’t matter. She couldn’t face them quite yet, and in twenty-four hours a lot could change. She was a prime example of that.

  Her dad was a fire chief and he was pretty stoic about most things. He’d probably be upset at first, but then would be happy that she’d found out she wasn’t in love with David before she married him.

  Her mother would probably cry and carry on some. She had been a big fan of his right from early on, when he’d been a college football star. David just had that big, solid look about him that made a woman feel small and protected. Her mother had been completely charmed by him.

  Everyone would miss him. Her most of all. They had been friends and lovers for so many years, that it would be like cutting off her left arm. He was very much a part of her. But she’d betrayed him, and as much as she’d like to erase the last few days it was impossible. The love she once had for David had been tarnished, and would never be the same again.

  Her stomach grumbled and she went into the kitchen to see what she could have for dinner. She had chicken and steaks for grilling when David would normally visit, but that wasn’t likely to happen now. They had roomed together for a year right out of college, but then he had moved back home to help out when his father had a stroke. Since he started work so early in the construction business and would sometimes work twelve hour days, he continued to live with his parents during the week, and with her on weekends. It worked for them both.

  She pushed the ice-cream aside and the frozen vegetables searching for the Lean Cuisine options she always kept there. She pulled out two, chicken fettuccine or pasta primavera? Going for comfort food, she went for the creamy chicken. She set it on the counter and realized she had no need for the festive red dress. Emotions frozen, she hung it in the closet and shut the door.

  Once she was comfortable in her sweats she returned to the kitchen, poured herself a large glass of Chardonnay and put the dinner in the microwave. She sipped on her drink, wondering why she had refused to consider Josh’s offer to get to know her better.

  What if he’d been telling the truth about his feelings? In hindsight she accepted that she may have over reacted when she heard him talking to Cory.

  It may be true that he needed a wife and family to succeed, but if that had been a priority wouldn’t he already have one? The man was drop dead gorgeous. He was a stud in bed. Women would line up for the opportunity to further his career along.

  But not her. She’d reacted like an idiot and had run away from him, returning home to face David and to try to make sense of what happened.

  She didn’t know how to reach Josh, or if she’d have the courage if she did.

  * * *

  The following morning Nikki crawled out of bed, and staggered to the bathroom with the dry heaves. She’d polished off the bottle of wine last night, eating about half of her diet fettuccine. Her stomach was doing roller-coasters, and she’d only slept a few hours.

  It was half past seven, and she’d just brushed her teeth and was getting into the shower when David called. She listened to his message. He would be over in half an hour. He wanted to talk.

  Which was the last thing she wanted to do. She couldn’t face him again, not now when she was a quivering mess inside. She needed to buck up and be strong, or she’d make a complete ass of herself. He didn’t want her. It hurt deeply, but she understood. She had broken his trust, his heart and he would never, ever forgive her.

  Once she was cleaned up and dressed in jeans and a tee, she made a big pot of coffee and waited for David to arrive. Her stomach was still bouncing around and she had to fight back the bile rising in her throat.

  When he knocked she opened the door, head low, shame keeping her from looking at him. She felt dead inside. Hollow. Empty. The light had gone out of her world, and now it was a dark and dismal place. She couldn’t blame anyone but herself.

  “Coffee smells good,” he said, walking past her and pouring himself a cup. He tossed a bag of donuts and bagels on the table. “I brought you your favorite. Raison cinnamon.”

  “Thank you.” She went to the cupboard and took out two small plates and grabbed some napkins for the table. She took one seat and he the other.

  Everything was so familiar and yet so different.

  “David…I…don’t know what to say. I’m sick about this.”

  “I know you are.” He reached out a hand and squeezed her fingers. “I know honey. That’s why I’m here. I had time to think things through and I believe we should still get married and put all this behind us.”

  Her head lifted in surprise. Could he really accept it so easily? And if he did, would it come back to haunt them later, once they were married? Perhaps after they had kids. The thought scared her. She knew her infidelity couldn’t be swept under the rug as much as she’d like it too. “I had an affair, David. It’s not easy to just put that behind us.”

  “Sure we can. It’s okay. I understand.” He grabbed a donut and stuffed it in his mouth. When he finished, he washed it down with a sip of coffee. “If it makes you feel any better, I had one too.”

  She spit out the bagel bite in her mouth and grabbed a napkin. “What? You had an affair? With who?”

  “Betty from Hooters. You know the girl. She’s always had a thing for me.”

  “Big Boob Betty?” She pushed her coffee cup aside. “Are you kidding me?” She tossed down the napkin and pushed her chair back. Her stomach clenched and she felt as though the floor had slipped out from under her. “No way. When did this happen?”

  “After you left for Vegas. And now that we’re being honest, it’s not the first time.”

  Her ears began to ring and there was a hammering in her head. Like a woodpecker stuck on repeat. “How many, to be exact?”

  “A couple of times. I knew her before you and I hooked up, and a few years back we’d had a falling out, and it happened then. So that’s only twice in five years. Maybe one other time. Not a big deal.”

  “Not a big deal? How can you say that? You’ve been cheating on me over the past five years.” A myriad of feelings rushed through her. Disgust, disbelief, anger, hurt. “You even hit on Jennifer, my best friend. How many others have there been?” She had been such a fool all these years.

  “No one else, I swear. I told Betty this weekend that this would be the last time. She knows we’re getting married and everything.”

  “You are despicable.” Her hands began to shake and she wanted him gone. Out of her life forever.

  “No, I’m not. I’m the man who loves you. Betty was just a casual thing. Didn’t mean anything. She knew it too and was okay with it.”

  “Well, I’m not okay with any of this!” Nikki stood up and wrapped her arms around her middle. Jennifer had pegged him right from the beginning. He didn’t deserve her. She might have had this one unbelievable weekend but it had only been by accident or fate, whatever anyone wanted to call it. It hadn’t been an active on-going deceit for years and years, a betrayal of the worst kind.

  “Yes, well, now you got it out of your system and so did I.” He shrugged and gave her a half smile, as if they were talking about a simple virus they’d contacted. Did he not get it? Was he that morally corrupt?

  He carried on as if nothing was wrong. “We can put this behi
nd us, never mention it again, and get married as planned. Start a family. That’s what we’ll do. A baby will make you happy, and you’ll see that this is the best thing for everyone. You. Me. Your family. My parents love you too.”

  “We can’t get married. I don’t want to marry you. That boat has sailed.”

  “Sure you do, honey. I love you. Always have. Always will.”

  She cringed. “How can you say that in one breath, and openly confess to having had a series of flings with Betty over the past five years?” Her body began to shake, and she felt cold, chilled to the bone.

  “I’m a man. That’s what men do.”

  She wanted to throw something at his big, empty head. Preferably the coffee pot.

  “You are so wrong. That is not what men do!” She walked to the door and opened it. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like you out of here.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. Sit down and let’s talk this through.” He patted the table, and gave her a sheepish smile. “We both made mistakes, but don’t throw me under the bus for something you yourself have done. I’m willing to forgive you and make you my wife. Our families would be devastated if we didn’t get married. They’ve put a lot of time and money into this big wedding. Hell, I just wanted a small affair, maybe the families and a few friends, but now we have a hundred people showing up.”

  “I don’t care!” She shut the door and moved back into the kitchen to pour herself another cup of coffee. She kept her back to him. “We can pay our parents back for any money they put out. I know your dad hired a band, which was really nice of him, and it probably cost a pretty penny too.”

  “Yeah, but Dad doesn’t mind. He’s done great lately with all the new building in town and he was happy to ease the financial strain on your parents.”

  She was well aware of how much this wedding cost, but her parents had insisted that she have this lavish ceremony, saying they only had two daughters and had expected this moment for years. When Nikki had tried to slim back the invitation list, they’d told her it was impossible to exclude anyone. How would it look if one couple was invited from their wide circle of friends, while another was left out?