by Kaylea Cross
“I thought we might have lunch today,” Jack said to Kelly across the table. Kelly continued to eat her breakfast and didn’t look up from the paper.
“Kelly?” Jack said, a laugh in his voice and a smile on his face.
“Hmm? Oh, me?” Kelly said looking up.
Jack laughed openly at that. Aunt Mabry listened to their exchange with a smug look on her face. “Yes, you, my beautiful wife. I thought we might go to Le Petite Morceau for lunch today. They have a new chef who’s supposed to be amazing. Unless you have plans?”
“Uh, no. I mean, no plans. I’d love to go to lunch,” Kelly said as she eyed Aunt Mabry nervously, knowing that Mabry was tracking every word, every interaction.
“Great,” Jack smiled. “I have a conference call this morning but I’ll do that from home. We can go around one o’clock?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then,” she said but she felt like an idiot. I’ll see you then? Who the hell says that when their husband asks them to lunch? I sound like an idiot.
* * *
Mabry knew perfectly well as she watched Jack and Kelly that the two of them were no more married than she was and she certainly wasn’t married the last time she checked. As soon as they finished breakfast, Mabry began to hatch a plan. She didn’t know what Kelly was getting out of this marriage – she assumed it was money – but she believed she could drive a wedge between them.
If she could put a big enough wedge there, maybe she could offer to pay Kelly enough money to admit that the marriage was fake. Once the marriage was exposed for what it was, Mabry would go to the board and show them their CEO was a fraud and a liar. And then, the company would be hers.
Mabry went upstairs to get started splitting the happy couple up. It wouldn’t be hard with all of Jack’s exes out there. After all, the man was hardly the settling down type. Anyone who read the tabloids knew that he had a different woman on his arm every weekend.
Mabry knew just the woman to help put her plan into action. She picked up the phone and dialed Caroline Harridan. Caroline had dated Jack for a month the previous year and Mabry knew that Caroline had done all she could to sink her claws into him. She wanted to marry Jack Sutton in the worst way and Mabry had witnessed Caroline throw herself at Jack repeatedly at public events since he had broken up with her.
“Caroline? Hello, darling. It’s Mabry Thompson,” she said into the phone when Caroline answered.
“Mabry? Hello! How are you? I haven’t heard from you in ages,” Caroline gushed on the other end of the phone. Mabry rolled her eyes. Caroline fell all over herself whenever she talked to Mabry but Mabry knew it was an attempt to get information or back in Jack’s good graces.
“Yes, dear. Well, you know. Been busy and all that,” Mabry said dismissively. “I can’t talk long because I have to meet Jack for lunch over at La Petite Morceau at one o’clock and I have a million things to do before then. I thought I’d call and see how you are. It’s been so long.” Mabry knew if she dropped the name of the restaurant and the time Jack would be there, she could count on Caroline to just ‘happen’ to be there as well. Mabry could sit back and let Caroline do the work for her.
“I’m fine, thank you. Oh!” Caroline practically squealed into her ear. “La Petite Morceau? I’ve been dying to try that place. I hear the new menu is to die for.”
Mabry couldn’t take Caroline’s inane chattering or the sound of the woman’s voice any longer. The seed was planted and that was all that was needed.
“Caroline, I have to run. I’ve got to get to my hair appointment before lunch. It was lovely to talk with you again.” Mabry couldn’t get off the phone fast enough but if Caroline noticed, she didn’t seem to mind. Mabry knew she was probably already in her closet picking out what to wear when she ‘casually’ ran into Jack at the restaurant.
Chapter Sixteen
Kelly and Jack sat at a corner table at La Petite Morceau a few hours later. Kelly looked around and felt out of place in such a fancy restaurant. She wasn’t used to having lunch at a restaurant that had floor-length tablecloths and wait staff that wore ankle-long formal aprons. Sure, she had been to that type of place for dinner on occasion but not for lunch on a random Saturday when there was no special occasion to be celebrated.
Kelly looked at Jack. He seemed totally at ease and comfortable…but then again, Jack always looked totally at ease and comfortable no matter where he was. The only time she’d ever seen him looking the slightest bit uneasy was when she had walked into his office and pretended to be his fiancé in front of his aunt and cousin – but even then, he had covered his surprise easily and recovered quickly.
Kelly would love to be that confident and in control all of the time. With Jack around, she didn’t feel confident or in control at all. She felt like her body was constantly humming when she was around him. One look from him, or a casual touch and she was embarrassingly aroused. When he took the contact further and kissed her, she felt like he could see into her and he would know her secret – that she wanted him more than she had ever wanted any man.
Jack carried the conversation, chatting about the new menu and a fundraiser he had attended at the restaurant when the old chef was there and what they should do the rest of the weekend. They ordered their meals and just as they handed their menus over to the waiter, Kelly heard a sexy, sultry voice from across the room.
“My, my! Jack Sutton. Is that you, sweetheart?” said the voice at an embarrassingly loud volume. “I haven’t seen you in ages, darling,” Kelly heard as she watched a tall, blond goddess approach the table. The woman was stunning, with exotic green eyes and her pale hair pulled in an elegant French twist. She wore a beautiful black pantsuit and looked like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine.
Kelly did a double take. The woman had stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine. It was Caroline Harridan, the fashion model. The woman graced the pages of Vogue and Elle magazines on a regular basis.
Kelly looked at Jack as Caroline approached the table and saw a pained look on his face. Caroline completely ignored Kelly as she swooped in on Jack and planted an extremely friendly kiss on his lips. Kelly felt as though she were completely invisible and almost wished she was. They clearly had a relationship that was more than just friendly and Kelly knew she couldn’t hold a candle to this woman as she sat there in her dowdy strappy sundress and sandals.
Kelly cleared her throat and peered around the woman to Jack.
“Oh! Caroline, this is my wife, Kelly. Kelly, this is Caroline Harridan. An old, uh, friend of mine.” Jack stood and came around to Kelly’s seat as he made the introductions so Kelly stood with him and took Caroline’s hand in a brief handshake. Jack looked like the last thing he wanted to be doing was introducing Kelly as his wife and once again Kelly felt a pang of guilt at having put Jack in this position. Even though he said she was saving him from losing his company, she still felt like she had weaseled her way into the marriage and she knew she was nothing like the woman he would likely have married if he had been given a choice.
Nonetheless, Kelly drew up her pride and smiled her brightest smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Caroline raised an eyebrow at Jack. God, Kelly had always wished she could master the one eyebrow look, but she couldn’t quite get it. On Caroline, it looked confident, cocky, and oh so silky smooth. “Married?” Caroline asked Jack as she drew her hand away from Kelly as if afraid she might be sullied by the contact.
Jack nodded and slipped his arm around Kelly. “Yes, Caroline. Kelly and I were married a week ago. We haven’t quite gotten around to sending an announcement out about the wedding. We eloped.” Jack smiled down at Kelly as he said it in a very good impression of a man deeply in love with his wife.
Caroline pouted her best model pout and turned to Jack. “Jack Sutton off the market? Whatever will all of us single gals do now?” She put on a show as if she were thinking and then shrugged her shoulders and continued in a flirty voice.
�
��Well, maybe it won’t last.” Caroline reached out and pretended to brush an imaginary piece of lint off of Jack’s shirt in a blatant excuse to touch his chest. “You always know where to find me if things don’t work out.” Kelly had now seen Jack uncomfortable twice since she’d known him. Caroline ignored Jack’s discomfort and Kelly’s shocked look.
Kelly couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Hell, the marriage might be fake and she might not be able to compete with Jack’s exes, including the blond goddess standing in front of her, but she’d be damned if she were going to sit by and let this woman hit on her fake husband right in front of her. A woman has her pride, after all.
Kelly possessively caressed Jack’s chest in the very spot where Caroline’s hand had just sat, and smiled at Caroline. “I’m sure Jack won’t be needing your….” She paused and looked Caroline up and down as if she found her wanting in all manner before continuing, “Your…uh, company in the near future, Caroline. But it was a pleasure to meet you. Good-bye.” And with that, Kelly dismissed Caroline Harridan, super model and cover girl.
Jack laughed and pulled Kelly tighter to him. In a huff, Caroline turned and stalked away from the table. As soon as they took their seats again, Kelly felt the heat climbing her cheeks.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered across the table to Jack.
“What for?” Jack whispered back, smiling.
“I’m sorry. You probably wanted to see her again after this is over and I think I must have ruined your chances for that. I just thought… Well, I couldn’t. I mean, she was just so rude, I just….” Kelly blew out a puff of air, blowing her bangs up in a small gust. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think.”
“Kelly, first of all, I’m married to you for the next year.” Jack spoke quietly so no one would overhear their conversation, but also gently so that Kelly would understand that he meant what he said. “I won’t embarrass you or treat you with disrespect during that time. While we’re together, we’re together and I won’t be with another woman, even if you and I aren’t exactly together in the traditional sense.”
Jack continued as Kelly stared at him with wide eyes. “But, second, that woman drives me up the wall. We dated briefly. We went out a handful of times over the period of a month or so and she has stalked me ever since. Lord knows how she knew we were here today but you can bet it wasn’t a coincidence. She shows up at events and fundraisers and throws herself at me because she’s determined to marry a wealthy man and she couldn’t care less that we had nothing in common and no spark whatsoever between us. You can chase her away any time you’d like,” Jack finished with a smile and a wink at Kelly.
“Hmm,” Kelly said, frowning.
Jack laughed. “What now?”
“You didn’t have a spark with that?” Kelly said, looking toward the door Caroline had walked out of moments before. “How could you not sizzle with that?”
Jack looked at the door and back to Kelly and shrugged. “Just didn’t. She’s pretty vacant. A big old empty package with a huge bow but not a damn thing inside the box.”
Chapter Seventeen
The following Monday, Kelly went shopping at the mall and then drove to New Haven to meet Jennie for lunch. Kelly pulled her car into a space in the parking garage and glanced in the rear view mirror before opening her car door to get out. Kelly had a strange feeling that the car pulling past as she got out of her car was the same one behind her earlier that day at the mall. She watched nervously as the car continued by and figured that she must be imagining things.
Kelly walked through the parking garage and took the elevator down to the street level. She stepped out onto the street and went two doors down to the café where Jennie was waiting. It had been a couple of weeks since she’d seen her friend and they definitely needed to make up for lost time. She needed to fill in Jennie on her ‘married’ life with Jack and she wanted to know how Jennie’s new job was going.
Kelly spotted Jennie at a table and pointed to the counter to signal that she’d grab a coffee and order lunch then join her. Kelly ordered a turkey and avocado sandwich, picked up her iced coffee, and made her way over to Jennie.
Jennie’s eyes immediately went to Kelly’s left hand and the rather large diamond that sat alongside her wedding band. “He bought you an engagement ring?” she whispered in surprise as Kelly sat down.
“I know,” said Kelly as she squirmed under Jennie’s scrutiny. “I felt a little weird about it but it was sweet, don’t you think?”
“Very,” said Jennie and she took Kelly’s hand and examined the setting. “Tell me all about married life.” She giggled.
Kelly lowered her voice, not wanting anyone to hear the strange conversation they were about to have, given the state of her rather unconventional marriage. “He’s actually really sweet. I mean, who would think that Jack Sutton would be so sweet, right? We have dinner together almost every night. He asks about my day…. We watch movies or T.V. after dinner. It’s really nice, right?”
They paused while their sandwiches were delivered to the table.
Jennie watched Kelly for a minute as if reading the emotions on her friend’s face. Her eyes were big and round and she leaned in to whisper at Kelly. “Uh oh. You’re falling for him a little aren’t you? You have a crush on your husband!”
“Ugh,” Kelly said and rolled her eyes. “Yes, I am most definitely falling for him. His aunt moved into the house with us Friday. She pretended it’s because she’s having work done on her townhouse but we’re pretty sure she’s trying to prove the marriage is fake. That, of course, means that we needed to start sharing a room…and a bed.”
“Oh boy, have you…?” asked Jennie as her eyes went even wider.
“No!” Kelly shushed Jennie and looked around to be sure no one was listening. “No, I’ve been going to bed ridiculously early and pretending to be asleep when Jack comes in,” she confessed with a grimace.
“Oh, God, you are not!” Jennie covered her mouth with her hand but couldn’t cover the laughter. Kelly nodded and she felt the now-familiar red heat creep into her cheeks.
When she recovered, Jennie pursed her lips and thought for a moment. “Well, you could go with it and have hot, wild monkey sex for a year with one of the hottest men on the continent.”
Kelly laughed at Jennie’s characterization of the situation but then dropped her smile. “No way. I couldn’t do that. The guy dates supermodels and actresses with gorgeous, stick-thin bodies. I’d feel so stupid.”
Jennie’s normally fun demeanor was gone and she put her coffee back down on the table and leaned toward Kelly. “Kelly, you’re gorgeous and you know it. He probably wants you already.”
Kelly gave a little shake of her head and smiled at her friend. “Uh uh. He just kisses me to keep up appearances. I’m no idiot, Jennie. I mean, don’t get me wrong…. You know I’ve always liked the way I look. I know I’m good looking and my body’s not bad. I know that. But let’s face it Jack Sutton is in a totally different universe in the looks department. He could easily be a model himself and he dates models who wear a size two not ten.”
“Hey, don’t knock the ten. Wasn’t Marilyn Monroe a size ten or twelve? Something like that,” Jennie grinned.
Kelly shook her head at her friend. She picked at her chips and then pushed her plate to the side and changed the subject. No matter how attractive he was, and how much they shared space, she was not going to throw herself at Jack Sutton, whether she was married to the man or not.
“Tell me about your new job. What do they have you doing now?” Kelly quickly changed the subject away from herself.
Jennie brightened and launched into the topic wholeheartedly. “It’s great, actually. Whenever Sutton Capital is looking at investing in a company, they send someone from our office to do an audit. I’ll go in from now on with whoever we send and serve as their secretary for the time they’re there. Then, I just work my magic. Sometimes it’s a matter of people thinking I’m so innocent they forget not to
talk in front of me. Or, I play up the ditz factor and they just think nothing they tell me will matter. Other times, people end up opening up to me because they feel guilty about something they’re not disclosing so they want an outlet and they think it won’t matter to tell me. So even though they know I work for Sutton, they often seem to just open up and tell me stuff. Like, if there’s any weakness in their company or if they’re hiding anything about their finances or a problem with a patent, it has a way of coming out.”
“Really?” Kelly asked? “They just tell you stuff even though they know it might hurt their chances of getting financing?”
“Yup. It’s weird. Sometimes it’s another secretary or support person and they want to gossip but other times it’s even the higher ups that blurt stuff out to me. Chad says a lot of times, people are just looking to spill their guts and they’ll do it if you give them a chance. It’s nice because I thought I’d have to lie to people and I was worried I would feel dishonest, but I don’t even have to lie. I’ve only been on three assignments so far but, people just told me what we needed to know within days.” Jennie seemed really happy with her new role.
Kelly grinned at Jennie thinking back to Jennie’s introduction of Kelly and Jack. “It’s not as if you’re above a little spying now and again, though, huh?”
Since Jennie couldn’t deny it, all she could do was laugh and Kelly joined her, feeling better by the time they finished lunch.
* * *
Kelly and Jennie came out of the restaurant after they’d finished their lunch.
“I never thought I’d say this, but good luck avoiding sex with your hot-as-hell husband,” Jennie said with a smile.
Kelly laughed. “All right, I’ll see you next week for lunch?”
As Kelly dug in her purse for her car keys, she looked down the street past Jennie…and froze. Kelly was absolutely sure that the car she had seen in the parking garage was now parked halfway down the block with a man sitting in it. He pulled out and turned at the corner, moving away from them but Kelly was positive this time it was the same car and the same man.
