by J. C. Reed
“What are you doing here?” His voice was so cold every vein in my body froze.
I frowned at him. “It’s none of your business. I can do whatever I want.”
“I’m not talking with you,” he mumbled at me as he turned to the other guy. “What are you doing here?”
I stared at Chase, then at the guy who had stood me up, my glance going back and forth between them. My heartbeat sped up as a sense of dread nestled in my stomach.
Judging from their tense postures and how close they were standing to each other, I sensed they knew each other. The other guy’s lips tightened, and his hands balled to fists, and for a second, I feared a fight would erupt.
“What’s going on?” I asked warily, even though I couldn’t decide whether it was really a good idea to get involved and break the icy silence between them.
No one bothered to reply.
It was as if I didn’t exist.
At last, the guy lifted both his hands in mock surrender. “She’s all yours.” He flipped his glasses back on the bridge of his nose. “Have fun.” And then he started to walk backwards, arms wide. As he reached the corner, he turned and disappeared from our line of vision.
I looked at Chase questioningly, but his expression was stony and icy, his body tense. Somewhere, a door slammed. The guy had probably returned to his room.
I turned to Chase, eyeing him inquiringly. A pulse throbbed underneath his eyes, and a muscle worked in his jaw.
“What was that?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Chase said through gritted teeth.
“I don’t think that was nothing. He brought my bags to my room the day I arrived, and we had a little chat.”
“Nice. Good for you.” He turned to me, his tone sarcastic and cold. “Did you go out with him?”
He sounded so pissed, I flinched.
Opening my mouth, I frowned, but my reply came too late. Chase’s gaze hardened, if that was even possible. “No, don’t.”
“Are you sure that was nothing?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he whispered.
I could feel the waves of anger wafting from him.
“Chase.” I let out a deep breath. “You don’t own me. You know that, right?”
“Right.” He was being uncharacteristically monosyllabic as he forced a fake smile on his lips. “What was I thinking? You should have told me you were going out with my brother.”
My jaw dropped, and my knees went weak. I felt as though someone had just pulled a rug from under me.
“That was your brother?” I asked in disbelief.
He nodded and raked a hand through his hair.
His beautiful, short brown that I loved so much.
“But…you…you don’t look alike,” I stammered.
“Yeah. We get that often.” His eyes narrowed on me and something hard flashed across his face. “Why are you asking? Do you want Kade’s number?”
I stared at Chase, unable to digest what had just happened. My body felt numb, as though I had just been pushed into ice cold water. A cold, slick layer of sweat covered my body, making me tremble.
“Wait…” I took a deep breath to calm the sinking sensation in my stomach. “That was Kade? Kade is your brother?”
“Yeah.” He smiled grimly and grabbed my hand again. “The one and only.”
Crap.
My stars really sucked.
Chapter 11
“Chase. Stop.” I yanked my hand out of his, forcing him to stop at the staircase. My head spun, my throat closed in, and my breath came in short, shallow gasps. My body tensed as my fingers touched his back. His shoulders were rigid, but he turned to face me, his expression gloomy.
I planted my feet into the floor to steady myself for another confrontation with him, and dropped my hand.
I couldn’t believe it.
Basically, the guy I had tried to get a date with was my brother-in-law.
Really, under what kind of frigging stars had I been born?
“Kade.” Feeling faint, I almost choked on that word as I searched Chase’s angry face for a sign that it was all a misunderstanding. “That was the name on the note.”
His eyes narrowed and something flashed across his face again. Slowly, he closed his eyes and muttered something that sounded like ‘fuck,’ but I couldn’t tell for sure. His reaction confirmed my fears. He was still willing to lie to me. He harbored no intention of opening up to me any time soon.
I had no time for his bullshit. I had no more patience for hot guys and their mind games.
Husband or not, Chase Wright was the past. He had to go.
“Fuck you,” I muttered and turned around.
His fingers clasped around my upper arm, the iron grip sending an unpleasant sensation through my arm, like my blood supply had been cut off.
“I know how it looks, Laurie,” he said.
I turned back to regard him, my gaze filled with daggers of ice.
“Do you?” My voice started to rise as I pulled my arm out of his grip. “I think you have no idea, in which case let me paint the picture for you. You had me followed all the way from home.”
“No, Laurie. No.” He shook his head vehemently and pressed his palm against his chest, right where his heart was located. “I had no idea he was here.” He caught my doubtful look. “Or that Kaiden had you followed.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, shaking my head. “Kaiden? I thought his name was Kade.”
“Kade is Kaiden’s nickname.” He blinked at my cold expression. “What?”
“Why should I believe you?”
“Because it’s the truth,” he said. “Trust me when I say I had absolutely no idea he was here.”
I laughed. I was ready to trust him all right. “He’s your accomplice.”
“Accomplice?” His eyebrows rose ever so slightly at the word. “That’s a big word for my brother, particularly since he always had my back.”
“I don’t think there’s one more suitable, considering he’s probably the guy who called you. Did he send you the pics that had our faces circled with a red marker or will you pretend you don’t know who did that, either?”
“The pics?” Confusion crossed his features. “You know they were from your stepfather, right?” His eyes narrowed. “And what phone call are we talking about?”
I swallowed hard as I realized that I had just blurted out the truth.
“Did you go through my phone, Laurie?” Chase asked slowly.
For a moment, I just stared at him. Of course, I could just deny it, but what was the point? The things he had done were so much worse.
“Not on purpose,” I said. “It rang, and I assumed it was my phone so I picked up.”
I eyed him carefully, not sure why I felt guilty when it was the truth. Besides, I had every reason to be angry at him, not the other way round. There was no way I’d feel bad at stumbling over something that had helped me realize the whole fake marriage was a sham.
Talk about irony.
Oh wait…
“Are you trying to change the subject right now?” I asked. “Because I can tell you it’s not working. I—”
He pressed a finger to my lips, cutting me off. “I believe you.” He cocked his head, his lips twitching. “See how easy it is? That’s how I want our relationship to be—trusting and forgiving, with a sprinkle of hope.”
Sprinkle of hope.
Who talked like that?
“Let me guess, you want the whole ‘agree to disagree’ crap, too?” I asked, my voice oozing sarcasm.
He smiled. “Wow, you’re reading my mind now.”
I stared at him, unsure if it would get me into prison if I slapped him real hard.
God, I had never been one to condone violence, but just this once…just really hard…
“You’re obnoxious, you know?” I said.
“Yeah. I get that one a lot.”
I shook my head, and, at last, his smile died.
“Okay.” He sighed. “How ab
out this, I need you to believe me. Is that better?”
I frowned. “If that’s your attempt at saying sorry and at worming your way back into my trust, you’re wasting your time. You know why they say never trust a liar? You lie once, you lie again, and before you realize it, you have created a whole bunch of them, not knowing what’s true and not, and it all goes down the drain, because no one believes them anymore. Tell me one good reason why I should believe you, Chase?”
“Point well taken,” he said. “I admit I don’t deserve your trust. I married you for selfish reasons. I can’t deny it started that way, but now—” He paused, letting the last word linger heavy in the air. “—now that we’re married, I want a chance to explain.”
I shook my head, my head reeling from his words.
“Wow,” I said at last. “You’re unbelievable. That’s the shittiest reason I’ve ever heard.”
“I know.”
I looked up to meet a glint of amusement in his eyes. His face was clean-shaven, his mouth soft. His lips looked deliciously kissable. My pulse sped up at the thought of kissing him for the sake of it. Just to be close to him one more time.
His lips twitched and his gaze lingered on my mouth for a bit too long, as though he could read my thoughts and had a few of his own.
I sighed. “Chase, when I say you’re unbelievable, it’s not a compliment. What you did is despicable.”
God.
What was it with this guy and his ego?
“I know,” he said again. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t. So, do you want an explanation or what?” Judging from the way his fingers tapped on his thigh impatiently, it really had to be important.
I shrugged. “There’s no point in fighting it anymore.”
“No, there isn’t. Not if you don’t want me pestering you for the rest of your life.” He gave a short laugh and his fingers brushed mine, the motion sending a jolt of pleasure through me. “Come on, birdie, we’re late.”
“Late for what?”
“Just go with it.”
“Fine.” I sighed, already hating the fact that I was caving in.
***
We left the hotel. The sun was still high on the horizon, and it was insanely hot. My damp hair dried in minutes, and a layer of sweat covered my skin. I fought the urge to tie my hair at the back of my nape as I followed Chase to a string of shiny cars.
At first, I didn’t realize what was happening, until a man standing in front of a black Lincoln Stretch Limousine greeted Chase and opened the doors for us.
My jaw dropped.
Oh, my God.
I stopped in mid-stride.
“What now?” Chase turned to face me and gave an exasperated sigh.
“I said I’m giving you a chance to explain.” I gestured at the car and the driver. “I never agreed to a date.”
“I know that.” He grinned. “But why shouldn’t we have some fun in a smooth ride while I get to explain?”
“Fun?” I raised my eyebrows.
I didn’t want fun. I wanted an explanation or at least some form of proof that Chase wasn’t the bad boy I imagined him to be. Another limousine pulled in. The driver threw an anxious glance at Chase, muttering something in Spanish I didn’t understand.
“It’s bulletproof and safe,” Chase said when he caught my expression. “Come on, baby. We’re in the way.”
His hands moved to the small of my back—his fingers warm against the thin material barely covering my skin—and he helped me in. Before I knew it, the doors closed behind us. I was about to ask him to let me out when I turned around to scan our surroundings.
“Oh, my god,” I exclaimed, overwhelmed.
Wow.
Talk about huge. Talk about awesome.
The limousine was much bigger than I anticipated and completely modern. While I used to travel in luxurious cars when I was a kid, and having a chauffeur wasn’t new to me, I had never been in a limousine. It could easily host a whole party of ten, or twelve, or fifteen.
There was even a mirrored, illuminated bar with crystal decanters and wine glasses, and at the farther end of the cabin there were two mounted LCD TVs. The gray carpet under my feet looked soft, urging me to pull off my shoes and bury my naked feet into the plush fabric. The expensive, cream, leather seats looked comfortable enough to snuggle up with a good book.
Even from where I was half-standing, half-hunched, I could smell the scent of the expensive leather. At the rear end of the cabin more bottles of wine and wine glasses were stacked on a side rack next to an aquarium. I took a seat next to it and peered around.
“You like it?” Chase’s voice said behind me as the limousine began to move.
“It’s okay.” I shrugged, trying not to look too impressed. He had outdone himself—maybe a little too much.
Because he wants something.
“They’re Siamese fighting fish,” Chase said casually, and I realized I had been staring at the fish.
“Beautiful,” I said and sighed.
Above us, the mirror ceiling shimmered in an array of nuances, giving the impression of a starry sky. As if on cue, the color changed from a beautiful emerald green to a royal blue.
“Red or white?” Chase asked and began to busy himself at the bar. His handsome face looked even more gorgeous under the blue light.
“Red.”
“Red it is.” He pulled a bottle of red wine from the minibar and poured two glasses. I realized the bottle had already been opened. Was it my imagination or had Chase known my choice even before I answered, or why else would he have opened the bottle to let it breathe?
“I never agreed to this, you know?” I said casually as he handed me a wine glass and sat down opposite from me, his knee brushing mine in the process.
Of all the places where he could have sat, why did he have to choose the seat next to mine?
“Relax, Laurie. It’s just a ride I booked for the day.”
“For the day?” I stared at him. “Chase.”
He cast me a sideways glance and grinned slyly. “I promise you’ll have fun.”
The fun part again.
My body heated up as images of him touching me flooded my mind.
Was it wrong to want him?
Behind tinted windows and within the confined space.
Under the starry sky, and to the sound of bubbling water.
Actually, why did those things so important that they occupied my mind more than my initial plan to find out what he was up to?
Because I wanted to touch him, kiss him, have him inside me. I wanted to repeat the experience that had left me panting his name.
As if sensing my thoughts, Chase’s gaze brushed my mouth. My lips tingled from the memory of his heated kisses.
My heart fluttered and my heart rate spiked up.
I had to change the topic before I did something stupid and he noticed just how much he had gotten under my skin.
“Is that why you wanted me to wear the red dress?” I asked quietly, turning my attention to my glass.
“No, I was actually pining for the blue one you’re wearing.” His words surprised me and I looked up again. He took a sip of his wine, his eyes never leaving mine.
“What?”
“I knew you’d choose the blue one if I so much as mentioned the red one. Plus, it’s my favorite color.” He winked at me. “It’s been ever since I saw you in your little nightshirt.”
He always knew what to say—that ability had been my downfall.
My throat choked up. The nervous bundle inside my stomach was back with a vengeance. My skin burned.
Back at the hotel, I’d had a sip or two of alcohol. Now I felt as though I needed an entire bottle. It was the effect Chase had on me. He made me nervous, more so after what had happened between us. The fact that he was sitting so close to me made it all even worse.
Meeting with him was a mistake.
Just looking at him in his blue jeans and white shirt was painful.
; He was too beautiful a reminder of what I couldn’t have.
“Why couldn’t you give your explanation at the hotel?” I asked.
Where I felt safe; where I could have walked away easily.
“Because this is my treat,” he replied. “I wanted to do something nice for you.”
I sighed. “I don’t want a treat, Chase. I want an explanation. It’s the only reason I agreed to this.”
“And you’ll get one.”
So he kept saying.
“When?” I asked.
He gestured at my glass, and I took another sip. “Can we have lunch first? You look like you haven’t eaten yet.”
He was right.
“Why do you care?”
He shrugged. “Because you’re my wife?”
“Fake wife,” I corrected, adding softly, “The target of your deception, in case you’ve forgotten.”
He wet his lips, his blue eyes darkening as he glanced down at his glass, the dark liquid swirling, reflecting the changing lights above.
I don’t know what I expected, but disappointment washed over me. Somehow, I thought he’d tell me that I was wrong, but he didn’t say anything. Worse yet, the way he avoided my gaze told me that I was more than right.
“So you don’t deny it?” I asked.
“Please, Laurie, not now,” he said softly. “Can we have lunch first and then talk?”
I bit on my lower lip, considering whether to push him. With my stomach growling, and still feeling tired and weak, I wasn’t even sure I had the strength to discuss Chase’s intentions. I had no clue what his plans were or where they would leave me. I had no idea if my instinct to run stood a chance against my feelings for him, and that scared me. I didn’t want to go to that one place, where I became a blindly trusting idiot.
“Where are we going?” I asked, my fingers playing with the glass.
“You’ll see soon enough.” He cast me a strange glance. “What? Are you bored already? Or don’t you trust me?”
I shrugged. “I don’t see what the big deal is. You understand this is no date?”
“Yes, I heard you loud and clear,” he said and placed his empty glass back on the bar. “It just isn’t the ideal place for it, that’s all.”
