His whole body shuddered with the relief of saying it at last, and Sharon's throat closed with emotion. She clutched him tighter and he pulled her onto the bed with him, pinning her to the mattress.
She opened her lips as he bent to kiss her. The scrap of terry cloth he wore did little to mute the impact of his muscular arms and legs, the lean strength of his body. His mouth was hot, his hands restless, in her hair, at the buttons of her blouse, the fastener of her skirt. She turned to help him, and then they both heard the piercing whistle of the teakettle as it started to boil.
"What the hell is that?" he muttered, his lips against her neck.
"The tea kettle."
He propped himself on one elbow and stared down at her. "You chose this moment to make a cup of tea?"
"Well, I thought you were coming out to have dinner. I'd better go turn it off."
"Nothing doing," he answered, his arms becoming like steel bands to restrain her. "You're not going anywhere."
"Tay, it will burn through the bottom to the heating coil. It could easily start a fire."
He groaned with real feeling and rolled off her. "Not another fire."
"I'll be right back," she whispered.
"I'll come after you if you're not," he replied, watching her departure with hungry eyes.
Sharon scampered to the kitchen and turned off the current, moving the kettle to a back burner. She was turning to go back to the bedroom when she caught sight of a man standing at the back door.
He was waving to her and smiling.
The man was Pete Symonds.
Chapter 8
In one panicstricken instant Sharon considered several alternatives. The first was giving way to unrestrained hysterical screaming. The second was bolting like a vampire confronted by a crucifix and locking herself in with Tay. And the third was answering the door.
She decided to answer the door. Pete was very persistent and, having seen her, would knock until his fist fell off. She checked her buttons and snaps as she walked through the kitchen to let him in and found that everything was in order.”
"Pete" she said, pulling open the door and manufacturing a smile. "What are you doing here?"
"Hi!" he said, grinning as he entered the house. "Surprised?"
"I sure am," Sharon said desperately, glancing over her shoulder.
"Well, I was missing you and I thought, I'll just take a few days off and hop on a plane, why not?"
"Why not?" Sharon echoed.
"So, this is your father's place?" he asked, looking around.
"It was, yes."
"Nice spread."
"Yes. As a matter of fact, why don't we go outside right now and take a look at it?" Sharon said hastily, attempting to shove him back out the door.
But she was too late. Pete's gaze was fixed over her shoulder at a point about seven inches above her head.
"Who's that?" he said.
Please let him be wearing a towel, Sharon prayed silently. She turned to face Tay.
He was wearing a pair of pants.
"Who the hell is this?" Tay demanded, hands on narrow hips.
Sharon tried very hard to vanish but she was neither supernatural nor Harry Houdini. She was still standing there several seconds later, with the two men glaring at each other. She finally said, "Tay, this is my colleague from the district attorney's office, Pete Symonds. Pete, this is Taylor Braddock."
Tay made no move to shake Pete's extended hand.
Sharon said nothing.
Pete dropped his hand.
"What are you doing here?" Tay said to him.
"Sharon just asked me the same question," Pete said, smiling weakly. "Maybe I should have called first."
"Answer the question," Tay advised coldly.
Pete looked from one to the other in confusion and decided to tough it out.
"I've come to ask Sharon to marry me," he announced, stepping forward and putting his arm around her.
Sharon stared at him in horror, astonished.
"Is that right?" Tay demanded, his mouth a grim line.
"Wait, Tay," Sharon interjected, "this is a mistake...."
"I think I'm the one who made the mistake," he replied tersely, looking at her.
"There's no mistake," Pete said.
"Could be," Tay said to him flatly. "I think you're a little late for a wedding, pal." He turned on his heel and strode from the room without looking back.
"Tay, wait," Sharon called after him.
There was no answer.
"Sharon, what's going on here?" Pete said, examining her anguished face.
"I... it's complicated."
"It must be."
"Pete, let's get out of here. I want to explain but it would be better if we left and talked someplace else."
They went out to Pete's rental car and he drove into Glendora, where they stopped at the same coffee shop Sharon had patronized with Tay. When they were seated in a booth and had ordered, Pete said, "I think you'd better start from the beginning and tell me all of it."
Sharon folded her hands on the table in front of her. "I wasn't entirely frank with you about the reasons for my trip out here."
"Somehow I sensed that."
"I told you that I was going to California to settle my late father's estate."
"Right."
"I didn't tell you that his will required me to marry my stepbrother in order for us to inherit the ranch."
“Tay? The guy back at your house?''
She nodded bleakly.
"You married your stepbrother?"
"As soon as I got here."
"Sharon, why? You know a piece of Victoriana like that will would never stand up in court today. You could have contested it easily."
"I know, but contesting it would have taken a long time and the ranch is Tay's livelihood. I didn't want to tie it up in a long legal wrangle that would have left him unsettled indefinitely."
"Or maybe you really wanted to marry the guy," Pete said, watching her expression.
"Not at first," she said slowly.
"But now?"
"Now, I..." She gestured helplessly, leaving the sentence unfinished.
Pete stared at her. "Sharon, I came out here to propose. I have a ring in my pocket. Now you tell me you've married somebody else because of some antiquated will and, even crazier, that you want to keep it that way?''
"I know it all sounds... odd," she said weakly.
"It's clear I jumped to a conclusion here."
"Pete," Sharon said gently, "I'm sorry if you mistook my feelings, but I don't recall doing or saying anything that would have led you to believe I was ready to marry you."
"No," he admitted.
"What, then? What brought this on?"
He shrugged. "I guess it was impulsive. I want to get married, I want to have children, and we've always gotten along…"
"Do you love me?"
He looked abashed. "I guess so. I, well, I don't know."
Sharon remembered the passion in Tay's husky voice as he said, "Oh, God, I love you. I always have." She dropped her eyes.
"I know that's not a statement to sweep you off your feet," Pete admitted, "but I'm afraid I'm not sure what love is exactly."
"You'll be sure when it happens to you," Sharon said quietly.
"Has it happened to you?"
She nodded.
The waitress brought their iced teas, and Pete waited until she left before saying, "So fast?"
"Not so fast, really. I knew Tay years ago when I was just a kid. I fell in love with him then and it has never changed."
"And he feels the same?"
"He says so."
Pete sighed heavily. "You were making love with him when I arrived, weren't you?''
"Not exactly."
"No?"
"I've never slept with him."
Pete looked properly bemused. "I know I shouldn't pry, but that strikes me as a singularly taxing situation."
"Tell me about it," Sh
aron said fervently.
"You've been living in the house with him?"
"I've been living in the house. But not with him."
"And he hasn't tried anything?" Pete couldn't believe it.
"We sort of agreed in the beginning that it would be a marriage in name only. We thought we could stick it out long enough to inherit the ranch and then go our separate ways."
"But it hasn't worked out like that."
Sharon shook her head.
"I guess my timing's not so hot, huh?" Pete said sheepishly.
Sharon had to laugh.
"Are you going to stay with him?"
"I want to, but after today I don't know what's going to happen."
"You're afraid he'll think you were using him to get the estate settled quickly, all the time planning to marry me?"
"Bingo."
"Is he that suspicious?"
Sharon shrugged. "You don't understand. We have a long history of hurting each other. He's very sensitive where I'm concerned and very..."
"Jealous?" Pete supplied.
"Yes."
"Why don't I talk to him then? I could tell him that I decided to come out here on my own, that you knew nothing about it. Surely he's not that unreasonable."
"He's pretty unreasonable," Sharon said darkly. "I think I should talk to him alone. I don't want you to get hurt."
Pete's spine stiffened. He was not the man of her dreams, but he was no coward either.
"I'll take my chances," he said tightly.
"Why don't you just drop me off at the house?"
"I'll go in with you," he said firmly. "I saw the tape on his ribs. He was in a fight recently, wasn't he?"
Sharon nodded.
"Is he violent?"
"He's... testy."
"Would he hit you?" Pete asked worriedly.
"Me! No, of course not, Pete. He might hit you, though. That's what I'm worried about. I don't want you to get in the middle of this awful mess.''
"I already am in the middle of it," he said. He hesitated and said, "Are you sure you want to stay with this guy? He sounds... questionable."
"I've loved him for more than a third of my life," Sharon replied simply. "I can't give up on him now."
"If you say so," Pete answered doubtfully. "But I'm still going back there with you.''
Sharon didn't have the strength for another debate so she let that pass. "I'm sorry this didn't work out the way you wanted it to, Pete," she said.
He made a dismissive gesture. "It was a shot in the dark really. I guess I knew you weren't in love with me, and if I asked you to marry me directly you would say no. Blindsiding you didn't exactly improve my chances, did it?"
She smiled noncommittally.
"I hope my arrival didn't ruin things for you," he said sincerely.
I hope so too, Sharon thought. "So how are things at the office?" she asked brightly, diverting herself from that unhappy thought.
"Nuts, as usual. Everybody's overworked, and we just got a memo about new staff cutbacks taking place next month."
"Cutbacks! We've got the paralegals doing briefs as it is."
"The secretaries are going to be doing them next. Real estate is looking better every day."
“Are you really thinking about leaving?''
He nodded. "And the offer is still open for you, even if you don't marry me," he said, smiling.
"I'll bear it in mind. But I may be staying here."
He nodded again. "Well, I guess we'd better get back and face the music, huh?''
Sharon agreed and stood up. Pete paid the bill and they walked out into the balmy night.
"I feel like I should reimburse you for the plane fare or something," she said inadequately as they walked to his car. “You came all the way out here for nothing.”
"Don't be silly. I'll take a vacation. I've always wanted to see Carmel and Monterey, Big Sur. I'll drive up there and play tourist. Who knows, maybe I'll meet a friendly lady who'd like to show me around.''
Sharon turned and hugged him impulsively. "You're a nice man, Pete."
“Nicer than your wonderful Tay?"
"In some ways, yes," she admitted.
"But no chemistry?"
She didn't answer.
"Unfair question," he said as he opened the door for her. "No lady will tell a man to his face that there's no chemistry between them.''
"It takes two, Pete. I'm sure you'll have marvelous chemistry with somebody else who'll be far better for you than I could ever be."
"Can you guarantee that I'll meet her?" he asked.
"Give it time."
"I'll try," he said, walking around to get into the driver's side of the car. "But I'm lonely."
"I know the feeling."
"And you're not lonely with Tay?"
"No. Furious, exasperated and terribly upset, but not lonely."
He grinned. "Sounds... interesting."
"Oh, it is. No one could ever accuse Tay of being dull."
He pulled the car out of the lot and headed for the ranch. "He's a good looking guy," Pete observed generously.
"He's better looking without the scowl," Sharon offered.
Pete laughed. "Do you ever see him without it?"
"Occasionally."
“He really looked like he wanted to murder me."
"Well, to be fair, he didn't know anything about you. I never told him I was dating anyone back in Philadelphia. I just figured it was better not to discuss it.''
"I can see why."
The drive home was short and the house was dark when they pulled up in the driveway.
"Do you think he went out?" Pete asked.
"His car is here."
They entered together, and Sharon snapped on the kitchen light. She was about to go into the living room when Tay entered from the hall, a half finished drink in his hand. He was wearing the same pants as before with a loose cotton sweater.
"Well, if it isn't the happy couple," he said, toasting them with his glass.
Sharon and Pete exchanged glances.
"So when's the joyous day?" Tay asked, polishing off his drink in one gulp.
Sharon said nothing, trying to determine how to handle him.
"Cat got your tongue?" Tay said to her. "I would think that such felicitous tidings would be just bursting from your lips."
Pete moved in front of Sharon.
"I'll bet you thought that only you lawyers could talk like that," Tay added. "Speaking of the law, I have a question. Was the blushing bride going to wait until our divorce to marry, or was bigamy part of the plan?"
"There was no plan," Pete said.
"You're drunk," Sharon said.
"Couple drinks," he replied. "Just enough to help assua…assu….comfort me in my disappointment." He threw his empty glass against the wall, where it shattered noisily.
Pete took a step forward.
"Isn't this touching, Sharon?" Tay said sarcastically. "Your knight in shining armor is going to protect you."
"Somebody should protect her from you, bud," Pete said stiffly.
"Pete, don't," Sharon said, aware that such intervention would only worsen the situation.
"Listen to the lady, Pete," Tay said softly. "Otherwise I might have to rearrange your face."
It was obvious that Pete's usual good humor was dissipating rapidly. "You'll probably fall down plastered first, big man," Pete sneered.
"I'm still standing,'' Tay said, closing in on him.
"Oh, you're so macho," Pete taunted him, now furious himself. This was exactly what Sharon had wanted to avoid.
"You like the macho type, sweetie?" Tay said to him.
Pete's face suffused with color. "You're all talk, Braddock. Nobody witnessing this performance would believe that you've had this beautiful girl here all this time and never laid a finger on her. What's the matter, you afraid of women?"
Tay lunged for Pete, but Sharon, expecting it, was lighter and quicker. She launched herself at Tay, who
se liquor inhibited reflexes were slowed. He stumbled against her and she flung her arms around his neck, bringing him to an awkward stop.
“If you do anything to him, I swear I will never speak to you again as long as I live," she said vehemently, looking up into Tay's face.
Her intensity got through to him and he backed away, shrugging off her hold.
"I'm impressed," he said hoarsely. "Your instinct to shelter your beloved is as strong as his."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, will you listen to how ridiculous you sound? If you'd stop hurling insults long enough for me to explain, you'd realize how foolish you're acting."
"He doesn't deserve an explanation," Pete said tersely.
"Shut up," Tay said to him.
"Pete, I think you'd better go," Sharon said.
“Yeah, Pete, why don't you go?'' Tay said.
"I'm not leaving you alone with him," Pete announced. "I don't know what he would do to you."
"Oh, please, let me hit him just once," Tay said, brushing past Sharon.
"Tay, stop it," Sharon barked.
He halted.
"How would you do without your little watchdog to run interference for you?" Tay demanded of Pete.
"I'd love to show you.''
"Pete, just go. I told you this would happen. Can't you see that you're making everything worse?"
Pete hesitated.
"I'll call you later," Sharon said quickly, observing his indecision. "Where are you staying?"
"At the Palm Court, in town."
"Go. I'll be fine."
“You promise you'll call me? "
"I promise."
"Over my dead body," Tay said.
"That can be arranged," Pete replied.
"Tay, do you want him to leave or not?" Sharon demanded.
Tay didn't answer.
"If you'd stop antagonizing him, he'll go."
"Don't talk about me as if I weren't here," Pete said angrily. "And don't count on my leaving."
Sharon was ready to cry. She felt as if she were keeping two hungry lions from fighting over a piece of meat.
And she was the sirloin.
"Pete, I'm begging you," she said, and the incipient tears were evident in her voice. "I can handle this if you would just leave it alone. He's not going to hurt me."
Tay looked at her and turned away.
"If you're sure," Pete said, not wanting her to break down.
A Marriage of Convenience Page 16
