by J. C. Reed
He still hadn’t answered my question why he was here. The realization bothered me.
“Just so that you know, Chase. You don’t need to go through with it, you know. I promise you I’ll understand if you want out.”
For a moment his expression brightened and I thought I saw relief in his eyes. He wanted out. The realization hurt me more than I cared to admit. I smiled bitterly as I realized just how much I had wanted to go through with it all. Was it so bad that I had been looking forward to marrying him, even though it was all fake, arranged to suit a purpose?
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
How could I have been so stupid and let my guard down like that when it wasn’t even real? I should have trusted my feelings. I shouldn’t have believed it was too good to be true. Too easy. I should never have gone shopping for a dress. So many should and should-nots, but the knowledge didn’t ease my anger.
Interpreting his silence as agreement, I nodded.
“All right.” I sighed. “Then let’s call it all off,” I whispered. “You can leave now.”
“Laurie?” He hesitated, looking for words, and then his cell phone rang. Chase pulled it out of his pocket and peered at the caller ID, his frown instantly deepening. For a second, he just stared at it with the kind of mistrust reserved for an attacking cobra. The ringing stopped, only to resume again. And still he seemed to harbor no intentions of wanting to answer.
“You should take it,” I said nonchalantly. “It might be important, you know.” Like a secret girlfriend, I added mentally, realizing just how bitter I sounded. He could have as many dates as he wanted. It was none of my concern. For all I cared, he could date Jude. Actually, that one might hurt like hell, but there was nothing I could do about it.
At least I hadn’t slept with him. It would just have been a mistake; it would have left my heart scarred.
The phone kept ringing.
“It’s not important,” Chase said, still staring at the screen.
“How do you know? It might be.” Why the heck did I keep insisting? Because I wanted a sign—any sign—that would shatter my stupid hopes. The kind of hopes I should never have allowed myself to have. When did that even happen?
Chase hesitated. I knew he had made a decision when his shoulders slumped and he lifted the phone to his ear, pressing the green button in the process. He didn’t say a word, just listened to the other end of the line. The words were too muffled to understand, but I could tell from Chase’s angry expression that he didn’t like whatever was being said. And then he muttered, “Okay. Got it,” and hung up.
That was it?
I frowned. Chase was a professional actor. I could only guess that whoever had been on the other end of the line had some sort of authority, like his agent or manager. Was it possible that his agent had found out Chase was going to get married and told him it was a bad move that could possible destroy his career?
Possible. I wouldn’t have been surprised if that was the problem.
Regarding him, I bit my lip again so I wouldn’t ask the countless questions burning on my lips. Chase’s eyes refocused on me, his blue gaze as deep as an ocean on a winter’s night, and just as troubled.
“You should have asked me about the dress,” he began. “I would have come with you to help you choose it.”
Huh?
I blinked in disbelief, unsure if I should be frank or play confused. I decided directness was the better way to get answers.
“Is that why you’re so angry? That you didn’t get your say in the matter?” I raised my brows. Was he turning out to be a controlling nutcase? Did he have a problem with a woman taking charge of a situation?
“No. That’s not it.” He shook his head slowly, his eyes still ablaze with a spark of irritation I couldn’t place. Whatever battle he was fighting, he obviously preferred to keep it to himself.
“What’s going on?” I threw my hands up in exasperation. “Please help me understand, because I’m losing my wits with you.”
Finally his expression relaxed and he leaned back against the cushions.
“Look.” He drew a sharp breath and looked up. “I just wanted to surprise you with a dress, because I thought you would forget.”
“Oh.”
Had I been misinterpreting his behavior?
“But it’s okay. You’ve obviously made up your mind, so…” He shrugged, and a hint of a smile appeared on his lips, veiling whatever was going on inside him. “Anyway, I’ve instructed a friend of mine to get the necessary paperwork done by the weekend. If you don’t mind.” He raised a brow. And just like, that his mood lifted.
I swallowed hard as my heartbeat picked up in speed. He had what?
No going back.
Did I even want to go back? My mind was spinning, frozen from the hundreds of swirling thoughts racing through it, but even worse was my heart and its hopeful fluttering.
“Are you sure?” I asked, plopping down next to him, unable to stop the renewed hope rising within me—stronger than before.
“Of course I’m sure. Once everything’s sorted, we’re ready to go.” He paused as he leaned forward. “There’s just one problem, Laurie. You might not like it.”
I grimaced. “What it is?”
“I’ve just landed a job, which requires me to travel to NYC. I tried to change the time, but they didn’t agree, so…” He shrugged, his eyes boring into me. “We’ll have to get married sooner. Like next Tuesday. Will that be a problem?”
My eyes widened at the word ‘sooner.’
“Next Tuesday?” I swallowed hard.
Holy cow!
That soon?
He nodded slowly.
I had it all wrong. Chase had been serious. He was really doing it. As if confirming my thoughts, he continued, “There won’t be time to send out invitations. No time to invite your family or friends.” He sounded apologetic, as if not having a huge party was indeed a problem.
“Your birthday might be in three weeks, but with me gone, this is the only time I can offer you, so…” He shrugged, leaving the rest unspoken. He didn’t need to spell out the obvious. I had to be married by my birthday, which left us to do the deed when it was convenient for him, which was fine by me. “So…what do you think?”
“I think it’s…great.” In spite of my nerves, I smiled. “Let’s do it on Tuesday, then. Sounds as good as any other day.”
His brows shot up. “What about your family and friends?”
“It’s just a fake marriage, Chase. Besides, I don’t really have a family. My grandparents died a few years ago after my mom’s death. So, it’s just me and you and Jude.”
“All right. That’s settled, then.” He smiled, all traces of anger gone. “Do you have any special plans? I was going to invite you over for dinner so we could talk.” His lips twitched at the corners again. For a moment I just stared at him, astounded both by how quickly he could change his mood, and by the fact that he looked so damn sexy doing it.
Focus, Hanson!
He still wanted to talk. What else did he want to talk about? Because there sure was nothing to discuss. Sign the papers and then move on. But instead of asking the obvious, I found myself simply nodding and mumbling, “Okay.”
“Tonight?”
“I can do that.” My heart beat so fast, I feared it might just burst out of my chest. He looked at his watch and stood, signaling the end of our conversation. “About seven?”
“Sounds great.”
“I’ll pick you up.”
“Thanks.” I tried to sound nonchalant, but failed miserably. Chase headed for the door and I followed a step behind. When he stopped mid-stride, I bumped into him. His arm went around my waist to steady me, but instead my bathrobe almost came undone. My hands clenched quickly at the fabric, pressing it against my chest, while my eyes remained connected with Chase’s. There was something in his gaze—dark and broody, and much too disconcerting.
I groaned inwardly at the way my insides seemed to melt, giv
ing way to a deliciously warm sensation I had never felt for another man.
Chase lowered his head and for a moment I held my breath, both hoping and fearing that he might be about to kiss me. To my dismay, he stopped an inch from my lips, and when he spoke his hot breath caressed my skin.
“You need to learn to fall with no safety cushion, Laurie.”
“Why would I want that?” I whispered, unable to control the shaking of my voice.
“Because I’m right there to catch you. No matter what happens. Just don’t play with me.”
No matter what happens.
Dangerous words coming from a man like him. I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat as my heart did a flip-flop. Chase smiled, and in that instant I forgot the world around me. I forgot that we were two strangers soon to be married for convenience. I forgot that I wasn’t supposed to open up to him, because I couldn’t lose my heart to a man.
Lifting on my toes, I raised my mouth to his until our lips connected in a brief but tender kiss. And then I pulled back.
“See you later,” I said.
“You can’t be serious.” Chase groaned but didn’t make any attempt at trying to get more than I was ready to give.
“What? I was just trying to say thank you.” I squealed as his hand palmed the nape of my neck and his fingers curled in my hair, pulling slightly but not enough to hurt.
“Watching you in that bathrobe and imagining you naked underneath it was hard enough,” he said hoarsely. “Now you’re seeing me off with a sweet kiss and expect me to leave unaffected?”
Holy cow!
He was affected?
I could barely contain my stupid grin.
“How about you give me a little more?” Chase asked.
My core began to pulse at the insinuation in his deep voice, and a warm sensation pooled between my legs. As though he sensed my sudden arousal, his hand moved between the layers of my bathrobe to stroke my abdomen, inches from the hidden spot that no man had ever touched—except him. And it was such a good memory. One I ached to repeat. But if I didn’t resist now, I might just find myself entangled in the sheets with Chase on top of me. The thought wasn’t half bad, only Jude would be back soon. How could I possibly explain that to her?
“No. Not now.” I pushed his hand away, gently but determinedly, even though my whole body screamed for him, begging my brain to let it happen.
“Why not?” Chase whispered against my skin, his hot breath caressing my earlobe.
So close. Too close.
I shook my head, suddenly trembling, and not from the cold. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I—” I moistened my lips and forced myself to meet his heated gaze. It was so obvious what he wanted, but I couldn’t give it to him now. Even though I wanted to. Madly. In fact, it was the one thing I could think about before falling asleep. “If we want our arrangement to work, we can’t get involved like this.” I pointed at the air between us in the hope he wouldn’t expect me to spell out the obvious, because I knew if he kept talking about it I might just change my mind.
“Maybe. For the time being.” Chase grimaced and pulled back but didn’t let go of me immediately.
I set my jaw. “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”
“We need to set some ground rules before I lose control and can’t be held accountable for my actions,” Chase said, grinning. “In fact, I think I’ve just come up with the perfect plan. Dinner. Seven sharp. And don’t be late.”
And with that he turned around and left, slamming the door behind him, leaving me standing with my arms wrapped around myself and absolutely no idea what the hell he had been talking about.
Chapter 12
What the hell just happened? That was the one question that lingered in my mind for the next three hours.
Blowing hot and cold.
That’s what Chase was. Erratic and impulsive—a dangerous combination in a man. I realized that ever since meeting him, I had tried my damnedest to place him…without much success, and for the first time I asked myself whether our marriage, as short as it would be until we got divorced, would be as unpredictable as the man himself.
Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I smoothed my hands down my buttoned blouse and pencil skirt, and then took a deep breath, readying myself for the evening ahead when I heard the door.
“How was it?” I asked as soon as Jude let herself in.
She dropped her handbag on the floor and took her time slipping out of her shoes, all the while avoiding my gaze.
I regarded her intently as I tried to read her expression. Was her silence a good or a bad thing? I had no clue, and had almost assumed the worst when a smile lit up her face. “They want me back.”
I drew her into a hug, proud of her.
“I told you. Didn’t I tell you?” I followed Jude into the kitchen and watched as she opened the fridge for what I assumed was a celebratory tub of ice cream. “When are you starting?”
“This week. And get this.” She retrieved two dessertspoons and turned to face me. “I’ve been assigned my very own assistant. Just like you said would happen.”
“That’s—” I shook my head, for once lost for words, but happy, so very happy.
“Yeah. That’s exactly how I reacted when they told me.”
“God, that’s so amazing. You’ll be a star, Jude. You’ll be huge.”
“I hope so.” She beamed at me.
We settled on the sofa and began to tuck into our chocolate chip ice cream.
“So, tell me all about it,” I said.
“There’s not much to tell,” Jude said with a shrug. “I was introduced as the expert on interior design, then was asked a few questions. They liked what they saw, so they offered me the job on the spot.” She was being modest; I could tell from the way her gaze kept darting across the floor, evading me. Or maybe she felt bad for progressing in her career while I was stuck with no way out. “I’ll be on air five days a week for two months. Might get busy. We’ll see how it goes.” She smiled faintly.
“Oh, Jude.” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. “You have no idea how proud I am of you.” And I was, big time.
“Thank you.”
Was that a sniffle? I could only hope it was out of joy rather than a bad conscience.
“Want to celebrate tonight? Maybe dinner. My treat,” Jude said. She felt bad. I cringed inwardly at the fact that she was so desperately trying to refract from her success to spare my feelings.
I shook my head. “I’m meeting Chase. Rain check?”
“Wow. Another date, huh?” Jude’s gaze brushed over my clothes as though she was only now noticing that I was dressed to go out. “You two aren’t wasting a second.”
“He wants to talk. Nothing big,” I said nonchalantly, even though my heart was beating so hard I knew she could probably smell my bluff from a mile. If she just knew how close I had been to sleeping with Chase, she would insist on celebrating. I was so sure of it; I could almost see her high-fiving the air.
Just as expected, Jude’s eyebrows shot up. “About what?”
“No idea.” I shrugged. “But listen. Chase and I are getting married sooner than planned.”
“You’re doing what?” She let out a laugh.
“He came over to tell me we’ll have to do it by Tuesday. He’s already arranged for the papers, so our date is fixed.”
“Oh God.” She leaned back, barely able to stifle her laughter. “Hanson, he’s definitely not wasting time. I’ll call that the blue-balls syndrome, because that’s why he wants to get hitched as fast as possible. I’d gladly take a bite, if he weren’t yours.”
“What?” I raised my eyebrows. “You can have him.” Even as I uttered those words, my pulse sped up.
“I don’t think I’m his type. And frankly, you need to get laid. Like big time or else we’ll have another forty-year-old virgin.” She let out brief laugh. “The stars have listened to you, Laurie. I told you it was going to be a great year. All your d
reams are coming true.”
Gee, she was starting to sound like a fortune cookie.
“Oh please.” I shook my head, smiling. “He’s doing it because he has no choice.”
“Because his heart tells him to?”
I rolled my eyes. Yeah, right. She wished. “No.” I drew out the word. “Because his agent booked him a job.”
Jude opened her mouth to say something, but the doorbell cut her off.
He was here.
Speak of the devil.
I brushed my hair out of my eyes nervously, wondering whether I’d ever stop being nervous around him. I figured probably soon, when I got used to his looks…and then I opened the door and my heart sank in my chest.
Holy moly.
Talk about gorgeousness.
Talk about god among gods.
How could someone as good-looking as Chase be so earthly and human?
Standing in the doorway in his shirt and blue jeans that hung low on his hips, with his dark hair and ocean-blue eyes, he was beautiful. I swallowed hard and managed a “Hi” past the lump in my throat.
“You ready?” Chase said, peering over my shoulder. I turned and noticed Jude standing there, watching us with a strange expression on her face.
“Take good care of her,” she said, pointing at me. “She’s a diamond and a sweetheart. I entrust you’ll be good to her.” She made it sound as if she was giving me away at the altar and he had to take care of me for the rest of my life. My lips twitched, and not with amusement.
Trust Jude to be fully into this whole marriage thing, no matter how fake it was. Turning my head back to Chase, I watched his reaction, only to find my heart sinking a bit—this time for a different reason.
“I will.” Chase nodded. His expression darkened just a little bit—just like it had earlier when we had been alone. Or maybe it was my imagination, because an instant later it was gone.
I squeezed into my jacket and grabbed my handbag, waving Jude goodbye. Her mouth pressed into a tight line and something crossed her features.
