Finding Mr. Wrong

by A. m Madden

  “Yes, we believe when two people are destined to be together, they just need a little push to realize that. Having to spend six weeks with someone is a true test of what can be. Obviously, either one of you can leave and call it quits, but I have a feeling you’re not going to do that.”

  I swallowed hard, still unsure if she thought my reason for not leaving was the monetary prize. But, truth be told, my motive going in didn’t break any of their rules. The experiment itself supported the theory that a spark could be stoked into a flame with the right tools. I pretty much was proving Chip and Barbi’s point.

  Surviving a year of marriage either provided eternal love or a monetary consolation prize. Jude was now worth more to me than the money. I’d grown to need him just as much. In the end, this was all to help my family, and I needed to remember that. Marrying the man would be an added bonus—a dream I never knew I wanted come true.

  “I’d never leave, and it’s not just because of the prize. I’ve found something I didn’t know I was looking for.” Penny smiled up at me and nodded. “Jude captured a piece of my heart, and I couldn’t be happier.”

  Penny beamed at my declaration. “We at Ignite Your Spark couldn’t be happier. You’ve expressed exactly what we’ve known to be true. Taking out the social aspects and life’s interruptions allows the couple to solely focus on each other, therefore they have an understanding and trust that might normally take months or sometimes years to find.”

  “Sometimes people don’t find that at all.”

  “You’re right. You and Jude are very lucky. Why don’t you send him in now, then we’ll see if I need to interview you together?”

  Before I walked out, I shook her hand, surprising the both of us. I laughed. “Sorry, too many job interviews lately. I’ll go get Jude now.”

  Jude

  Brae looked completely flustered when she walked outside to get me. If Penny weren’t waiting for me, I’d pull her into my arms and hold her until she felt better. Since I didn’t have the time, I settled for, “Did you tell her you snore?” trying to add a needed bit of levity.

  She laughed. “No, because I don’t.”

  “Whatever you say, Sparky. I might have evidence to prove otherwise.” Before she could reply, I shot her a wink and walked inside.

  Penny greeted me as I sat down with my ankle resting on my opposite knee and my arm slung on the back of the couch.

  “So, Jude, tell me how the past three weeks have been.”

  I smiled, thinking about how the past four days had been. “Surprisingly, they’ve been great.”

  “Hmmm . . .” She started writing something in her notebook. “What has been surprising to you?”

  Wasn’t it obvious? “Well, the fact that I’ve been stranded on an island and forced to live with a woman I didn’t know for starters.” I flicked a piece of imaginary lint off my shorts.

  Penny laughed. “Yes, well, that was the point of the experiment and what you signed up for, so it couldn’t have been that surprising.”

  An image of Kyle behind bars popped into my head. “True, I just didn’t think I’d get picked.”

  “Yes, your answers were very blunt, to say the least. One would think you didn’t want to be selected.”

  “I was just being myself.” I shrugged. “We were told to be truthful, right?”

  Penny nodded. “How do you feel about your relationship with Brae?”

  A genuine smile grew on my face. “It’s better than I expected it to be. She has her quirks, but I’ve come to like them. Being with her day in and day out has allowed us to become great friends.”

  “That’s good.” She wrote something else down before clicking the top of her pen a few times.

  “It’s what your company wanted, right?”

  “Well, it’s what we hope for, but it’s not for us, it’s for our clients. In this case, you and Brae. Speaking of companies, you’re a successful businessman, correct?”

  What the hell did that have to do with any of this? I folded my arms across my chest. “Yes, but why does that matter?”

  “Well, I’m just wondering why you’re here. You didn’t think you’d get picked, yet you signed up for the experiment, and I’m guessing, being successful, you don’t need the money like Brae does. I’m just wondering what your motivation was.”

  Shit. Did Brae tell her she just wanted money? Does she know I’m wealthy? “One can never have enough in the bank. Plus, most women in my experience have been gold diggers and not much of a challenge—I’m always up for a challenge. As you said, I’m successful. Once a woman knows my net worth, they often put that before anything else and it becomes their sole focus. It’s nice to be with a woman who doesn’t expect to be courted with expensive dinners and getaways.”

  “I can imagine how difficult that would be.” No you can’t.

  “Yes, well, now that I’ve met Brae, she’s the only prize I’m focused on.”

  Penny sighed. “That’s lovely. Brae is a lucky woman.”

  “The way I see it, we both are.”

  “One more question.” Penny rolled her shoulders back. “Do you see yourself leaving the island with a wife?”

  A wife. Mrs. Brae Soren. My heart jackhammered in my ribcage as I imagined me on one knee and the most gorgeous diamond adorning Brae’s petite hand. There was only one way to answer that question. “Yes.”

  Brae was back inside just as we were when we started this interview. Our fingers laced together and a sudden calm washed over me when Brae squeezed my hand.

  Penny smiled at both of us and closed her book. “Let me say how wonderful it’s been getting to know the both of you. Just knowing this experiment is working makes me very happy. I can’t wait to report back to Chip and Barbi.”

  “Don’t you need to interview us together?” Brae’s voice was a bit shaky, making my insides twist.

  “No, I think I have everything I need. We’ve been monitoring your progress. Actually, Belinda, your dance instructor, works for us. She boasted about the chemistry you two had.”

  “Wait,” Brae leaned forward, “Belinda was a spy?”

  “Well, we don’t call her a spy.”

  I chimed in. “So, an informant?”

  “We refer to them as a love liaison,” Penny boasted.

  “Them?” Brae’s question was immediate. “There’s more than one?”

  “I’m not at liberty to say. Just know, you are both on the right track.”

  This Penny chick was getting on my nerves. Losing my patience, I raked my fingers through my hair. “What track would that be?”

  “Happiness.” She stood and adjusted her flowing skirt a bit. “It was wonderful meeting you both. Since this was a success, tomorrow you’ll be taken into town where you can hang with the locals, shop with the allowance you were given, and spend the day somewhere other than this small part of the island. I suggest you take advantage of it.”

  Brae and I stood to walk her to the door, and Penny turned before leaving to look at us. “You have something wonderful. Keep the flame burning and don’t lose your spark.”

  We both exhaled when Penny drove away. I pulled Brae into my arms. “Are you good?”

  She bit her bottom lip. “I’ve been told I’m amazing.”

  “That you are. But you know what?”

  “Hmmm?”

  I lifted her off the floor, forcing her legs to wrap around my waist. Pinning her against the door, with the weight of my body supporting her, I held her hands above her head. “I think you need to remind me how amazing you are.”

  Her breaths came in short pants as I licked and nipped at her neck before dragging my tongue up to her earlobe. When I took it in my mouth and pulled on it with my teeth, she let out one of those moans I loved to hear.

  “Jude. I want you.”

  “Sparky, you have me.”

  Chapter 21

  Brae

  Today was going to be a great day. To say I was excited would be an understatement. Going
into town was just what I needed. Being all alone with Jude was beyond anything I had imagined, but now I was going to be able to hold his hand while strolling the streets in town.

  Not knowing what we’d be doing other than shopping, I opted to wear a cute short white sundress with spaghetti straps paired with my favorite flip flops. Jude, on the other hand, looked as though he was ready to strut down the runway in a Ralph Lauren fashion show. His loose-fitting navy shorts, untucked, white, short-sleeve, button-down shirt, and slip-on white sneakers made him look downright edible.

  We stepped outside to wait for our ride. “What are you looking at?” Jude asked, looking down at himself and then to me.

  “You. How is it that no matter what you wear, you always look model perfect? Even your hair. It’s hot and humid today and your hair looks like you just had it styled. Meanwhile, I had to pull mine into a ponytail so it wouldn’t puff out like Chinese noodles.”

  Jude let out a laugh right before grabbing me by the waist. “I love when your hair is like this.” He wrapped my ponytail around his hand and tugged my head back. His lips landed on my neck, followed by his tongue. Pressure started to build between my legs. “Leave it like this.” He whispered in my ear. “I plan on using it later.”

  Kegel. I was back to those damn exercises. This man was going to make me combust. Just then, a Jeep pulled up to bring us into town. I did my best not to clench my legs together as I walked, but that was easier said than done.

  The town we went to was quaint. Multi-colored building façades made everything seem more tropical than it already was. A cruise ship had just docked, unloading hoards of tourists. Families and couples filled the streets. Jude linked our fingers together as we strolled down the sidewalk and window-shopped. Women of all ages eyed my guy, and I couldn’t fault them. He was a wonderful specimen of a man.

  We stopped at an art gallery where a local artist had some photographs for sale. “Wow, look at this one, Jude.” It was a stunning picture of the sunset just after a storm. It was titled, Settled by the Storm. I had a thousand dollars to spend, but this picture alone would take half of my money.

  “Do you want it, Sparky?”

  A voice came up behind us. “I’m sorry, that piece just sold.”

  We nodded and stared at it a bit longer before walking away. It was for the best. I couldn’t imagine spending that much. My plan was to buy a souvenir or two, then keep the rest of the money. There wasn’t a rule stating I had to spend it all.

  “There are other galleries, maybe you’ll find something else.” Jude sensed my disappointment, but I was also relieved.

  “Yes, maybe. Let’s keep shopping.”

  As we made our way down the streets, weaving in and out of a sea of tourists, one man kept looking at me. I thought maybe it was my imagination, but even Jude noticed.

  “Do you know that guy?” I’d never heard him sound so stern before.

  I shook my head. “No. Maybe he was looking at someone behind me.” Then I let out a laugh. “Maybe he’s looking at you. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the ladies have been eyeing you.”

  “Very funny, but his eyes are definitely on you.” Jude possessively slung his arm over my shoulder as we continued on our way.

  “Oh! Look, this store has handmade items. Can we go in?” I bounced on the balls of my feet.

  “Whatever you want, Sparky.”

  I loved boutiques like this. “There are so many cool things in here,” I said, making my way from case to case, looking at ornate baskets to handcrafted jewelry. “Wow, this is stunning.”

  Jude looked over my shoulder into the glass case I was eyeing. A salesman appeared. “Would you like me to take it out for you?”

  “Yes, please,” Jude answered for me.

  The man unlocked the cabinet and took out the most unique bracelet I’d ever seen. It looked like sterling silver, but what caught my eye was the pattern etched into it. A line of abstract stars that reminded me of Jude’s tattoos. The salesman explained it was designed after the yellow elder flower.

  “Would you like to try it on?” I extended my hand to him in answer, and he put the bracelet on me, clasping it with a small hook.

  “Wow, it’s beautiful. How much is it?” I turned my arm in different directions to get views from various angles.

  “That piece is a one of a kind and retails for six thousand dollars, but for you, fifty-eight hundred.” The man acted as though he just did me a huge favor by knocking off two hundred, but in all honesty, he could have lowered the price by two thousand and it would still be too much. “It is eighteen-carat white gold,” he added, trying to further persuade me.

  I smiled at the man and unfastened the bracelet. “Thank you, but that’s a bit out of my price range.” He looked up at Jude, but there was no way he was buying it for me. “Thanks, again.”

  With my hand in Jude’s, I quickly led him out of the store. “Brae . . .”

  I hated the tone in his voice. He sounded like the banker ready to foreclose on my house. I wasn’t poor, but I was frugal. “So, are you hungry?”

  Jude gave me a tight grin. “Yeah, there’s a place across the street that looks good.”

  “Great, because I’m starving.”

  A few minutes later, we were seated at an outdoor table on the sidewalk of a quaint restaurant. The aroma of Caribbean spices and citrus filled the air. A waitress welcomed us and offered the rum based house cocktail to start. It was early in the day, but when in Rome—or in this case, St. John.

  “Everything sounds so good.” The menu was filled with seafood and other foods I’d never heard of before. “What is conch?”

  Jude grinned. “It’s a mollusk. It’s good. We should order the fritters. Anything tastes better fried.”

  The waitress was back with our drinks, and since I had no clue what to order, Jude took the liberty of ordering what sounded like half of the menu for us to share.

  “I’m going to gain so much weight. I can’t keep eating like this.”

  “Sparky, how many times do I need to tell you, there are ways to burn calories.” He shot me a wink, which made me laugh. “You’ve probably burned close to two-thousand over the past few days, so eat and be merry.”

  A witty retort was on the tip of my tongue when the man we spotted before walked past us, slowing down right next to me.

  “That’s it,” Jude said, tossing his napkin on the table.

  My heart raced. I’d never seen that look in his eyes before. The saying, “If looks could kill,” came to mind.

  Jude

  What in the ever-loving fuck? I was about to stand and ask this fucker what his problem was, but Brae put her hand on mine to calm me down. A sense of possessiveness mixed with protectiveness filled me. My eyes tracked the fucker as he walked down the street and turned the corner.

  “So, this drink is tasty, isn’t it?” Brae slipped her lips around the straw of the fruity concoction and took a long sip.

  Knowing she was trying to change the subject, I took a deep breath and tasted it myself. “Holy shit, this is all sugar.” My taste buds grimaced. “I need a beer, you can have mine.” A large group of ship-goers entered the small establishment, blocking my view of the waitress. Not seeing that asshole on the busy street, I added, “I’m going to head to the bar. Will you be okay for a minute?”

  “Yes, of course. Don’t be silly.”

  I needed a beer to calm the anger that prick caused by looking at my girlfriend. That word stopped me in my tracks and I looked back to where Brae was sitting. Yeah, she was my girl, all right.

  My eyes scanned the room full of tourists in tropical shirts. Steel drum music played over the speakers, drowning out some of the chatter from patrons. I waited a few minutes at the crowded bar. Once I ordered my beer, I paid and made my way back outside.

  As soon as my foot hit the sidewalk, my eyes landed on the cocksucker who had a hard-on for my girl sitting in my chair at the table with Brae. Dude had balls, I’d give him tha
t. The closer I got, the more my blood began to boil. Brae’s back was to me, but I could tell she wasn’t comfortable by the way she shifted in her chair.

  Weaving my way through the throngs of people, I finally got to her. “Everything okay here?”

  Brae’s eyes went wide. “Yes,” she immediately replied, her voice shaky.

  “You shouldn’t leave such a beautiful woman all alone.” The stranger’s words caused my grip on the bottle of beer to tighten as my free hand clenched.

  Figuring he was about my age and size didn’t deter me from protecting what was mine. “Get lost,” came out of my mouth on a growl. I set my beer down on the table, but the dickhead didn’t move. “Now.”

  Finally, he got up. We stood toe-to-toe. “Brae here was . . .”

  “How do you know her name?”

  “I heard you calling her that.”

  This fucker was lying. I’d been calling her Sparky all day.

  “So, Brae was telling me this was your first visit to this restaurant. I was just informing her how trying new things was a way to experience life.”

  I quickly cut my eyes to Brae, who was twisting her napkin in her lap, before looking at this guy. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you’ve been eyeing my girlfriend for hours. Now, walk away before you can’t.”

  A crooked smirk grew across his face. He took a few steps forward, passing Brae, but then took one back and whispered something in her ear. I didn’t give a shit if he was telling her the time and temperature. No one was getting that close to her. Without further thought, I grabbed him by his shirt collar, brought my arm back, and punched him square in the jaw before tossing him onto the pavement. He wiped the corner of his lip with the back of his hand, smearing the drops of blood onto his cheek.

  “Chill out, I wasn’t going to kiss her.”

  Just the thought of his lips on hers provoked me to reach down and pick him up by his shirt. “Jude, don’t. He’s not worth it.” Brae’s panicked voice stopped me from kicking this guy’s ass. “All he said was I was pretty.”