Justice made steady eye contact with his blue eyes for so long that I started to feel uncomfortable. My pulse raced as he stood up from the sofa, crouched on the floor next to me and took my hand. I ignored the tingling sensation and pulled away. His voice was soft. “Well, I do believe in love at first sight. I’ll never forget the first time we met. You were sitting in front of me in sixth-grade class, and your hair kept touching my desk. I wanted to stroke it and make you turn your head around, wanted to lean forward and give you a big ol’ kiss right on the cheek. You were so pretty. And I loved your fire.”
Oh, hell no.
Heat rose up my neck. How dare he sit here and tell me this nonsense? Did he think he was going to get in my pants again?
Eleven
Lola
I stood up so fast that Dexter, who’d been curled by my feet, leapt straight up, fur raised, and streaked into the kitchen.
I jabbed a finger at Justice. “No way. You don’t get to breeze into town, stroll into my house, sit here and tell me you believe in love at first sight.” My voice rose, and I gestured wildly, my hair falling out of the makeshift bun I’d put it in. “What’s the matter with you … you … cabrão!” Justice stood up and faced me. My heart pounded so hard that blood whooshed in my ears. I narrowed my eyes and pointed to myself. “Next question’s mine. Why’d you leave me?”
He jerked his head back. “I didn’t … I mean I did leave.” He picked up his plate and hurriedly carried it into the kitchen. “You know what was happening in this godforsaken town.”
I followed him, my heart beating hard. “No. I don’t know. Explain it to me.”
He flipped a hand toward the window. “There was all that bullshit with Devin’s dad and the trial.”
“What did that have to do with you? With us?”
“I couldn’t walk down the street without everybody knowing what happened. That my uncle was the one who blew the whistle and exposed the seedy underbelly of this supposedly perfect place. It was just easier to get on my bike and drive away.”
“Since when do you care what other people think? And what’s up with that lame excuse you gave me?” I made air quotes, “‘I need to spread my wings.’ What kind of estupido reason is that? What, are you a bird or something?” My voice became mocking. “I fly north for the summer. But then I never come back!”
He scrubbed his face with one hand. “What do you want me to say? I was young and stupid.”
I clamped my lips together in an attempt to contain myself, but it was no use. I moved closer to Justice. Let him feel the force of my fury. I nearly spit in his face when I said, “And you never even called. You just left me sitting here like some stupid reject from the girlfriend factory.”
He shook his head. “Quit it, Lola. That’s not fair. I called lots of times. You were the one who stopped taking my calls. Maybe I was a jerk. But what was I supposed to do?”
“You told me you loved me! What’s this bullshit about love at first sight?” My breathing felt rushed, and I forced a deep breath. “What you were supposed to do was get on that stupid bike of yours and come back. Maybe talk to me face-to-face.”
“Jesus, Lola. That was forever ago. Are you really getting all worked up the night before our wedding?”
“Shut up! It’s not a real wedding!” I strode into the living room, picked up my dessert bowl, and marched back into the kitchen hurling the bowl in the sink where it landed with a clatter. I turned around and leaned against the counter. “Want to know the truth? Want to know how I spend my life? I work all day at the bank. Then at night I come home to Dexter and sit on the sofa eating ice cream.” I pointed to my sewing machine. “Then I sit at my machine and crank out suits.” I tilted my head back, looked at the ceiling and let out a breath. “Why am I telling you this?” I leveled my eyes at Justice. “You need to leave.”
And that’s when Justice placed his hands on my shoulders and gazed at me with dreamy eyes. Our eyes met, my breathing heavy. “I’m sorry. I can’t take back the past.” He sighed. “Can’t we have a do over? We have to be able to work together to win.”
We looked at each other for long moments. All I could hear was the gentle crash of the ocean through the open window that matched the sound of our breathing. Damn it. Justice was right. We needed to focus. If I was going to make a go of winning, I needed to get along with my stupid ex. I wanted that money. I would quit the bank and start my bathing suit business. Then no one could tell me what to do. Especially Justice.
I didn’t need a man. Not that I’d been able to find one lately. I was so bored with the wimpy men I’d dated who thought feminism meant they should treat their girlfriends like roommates or buddies. I had plenty of buddies, thank you very much. I needed a man. A real man who knew his own power. Somebody who could work with me and make a commitment.
I forced out a breath and collapsed a little under his touch. “You’re right.” I gave a shaky smile. “Kind of crazy that we’re tying the knot.” If we were going to win this contest, I had to at least fake a positive attitude. Justice and I still made magic on a tandem board. We’d win.
Justice’s face became serious. “Did you tell your dad?”
I threw my head back, and looked at the ceiling. My papai was an old school Brazilian father with specific ideas about what I should and shouldn’t do with my life. I heard his voice loud in my head. “Why are you always working, working, working? Get out of the house and meet a good man!” I almost laughed when I pictured his lectures, his intense eyes, and his wild gestures.
“Yes, I told him.”
“What did he say?”
I shrugged. “You mean before or after he hopped on a plane from Maui to wring my neck?”
“Maui?”
“Dad and Coco live there part-time. North shore waves are good; they’re gone for a month.” I let out a sigh. “I calmed him down. Don’t worry. He’s not sending anybody over to break your kneecaps. If there’s one thing my dad knows, it’s the surf world. He’s seen you and me surf tandem. Said we’d win the contest.”
“Really? He took it that well?”
I rolled my eyes. “Let’s just say I pulled out my best tactics.” What I didn’t tell Justice was that I’d pleaded with my papai to understand, begging him to see things my way. Told him I knew what I was doing, that this was nothing more than a legal document that would be null and void in a few weeks.
I’d cajoled and joked, did everything including bat my eyelashes. Told him how important that fifty-grand would be. You want me to live my dreams, right Papai?
Justice’s face became even more concerned. “He’s okay with this? You’re sure?”
I pointed to myself. “I’m the one who needs to be sure.” I pressed my lips together. “I told you I’d do it, and I’m doing it.” The situation was super unreal. “And you know, my dad is the best. He taught me to surf. You and me, we still got it on the board. Even if I am a little rusty.”
“You’re not rusty. We’re in this together. I promise to help get you back in shape. You know we could practice here but it would be awesome to hit some of the advanced surf spots up the coast. Think you can get time off work?”
I narrowed my eyes. “How long?”
“The competition starts in three weeks. We could drive up the coast in Papaw’s van. Stop along the way and practice. I know all the spots. If we want to win we need to concentrate on training.”
I crossed my arms tightly but the thought of spending all that time with Justice on the road caused excitement to zing through my body. I forced a deep breath. “Can I trust you?”
“Jeez, Lola. How long have we known each other?”
“Too long. But I barely know you anymore.”
“So get to know me again.” I did have a ton of vacation time since I never took any. Getting away from Devin and the bank would be great. “You want to win, don’t you?” Justice said. “We need to challenge ourselves with different conditions.”
Why the heck not? I
could get through a few short weeks with my ex. I thought of the money, excitement filling my body, and gave him a devilish smile. “Let’s do it. We’re going to win.”
He gave me a crooked grin. “That’s the spirit. And we’ll have one heck of a fake honeymoon.” He placed his hands over his heart. “You, me, the surf, time on the road.”
I shoved him hard in the chest. “And like I told you before, don’t get any estupido ideas about sex. We’re training partners, and that’s it.” I stuck out my pinkie finger and was surprised to see that it shook. “Truce?”
He stuck his finger out. We shook pinkies, and my heart finally started to calm. “Not even once for old time’s sake?” His blue eyes danced, and the look he gave me was hotter than hell. I glanced at his tight-fitting T-shirt and wanted to drag it over his head. Merda. Much as he pissed me off, I wanted Justice’s body. But that was only because of too many years of celibacy.
“Take a hike, mister.” I yanked my pinkie away. “No, no, and hell no.”
“Can’t blame me for trying. Well, I guess this is goodnight,” he said.
“Good night, Justice.”
“Tomorrow you’ll be my fake wife.”
“Tomorrow you’ll be my fake husband. Emphasis on fake.”
After Justice left, I busied myself with cleaning the kitchen. My thoughts raced. Was I really doing this? I could do this. I had to do it. I tried to convince myself it would be an adventure. I’d win the money while resisting the allure of his blue eyes. I didn’t need Justice in my life. I didn’t need any man who could drop me at the first call of the wild. No matter how freaking hot he was.
I ambled over to my sewing machine and put the finishing touches on my latest project. The last stitch fell into place, and I held up my surprise. I broke into a huge grin. Awesome! One for Justice, one for me.
Twelve
Lola
“Is that really what you’re going to wear?” Ginger said.
“Yep.” I pulled my jeans on and headed for the closet to pick out a shirt. Bobbie, Ginger, and I had crowded into my small bedroom and Ginger was doing her best to talk me into wearing something sexy for my phony till-death-do-us-part.
She held up a low cut silky top in a delicious shade of aubergine. “This one’s pretty.”
I brushed past her and scraped the hangers across the rail until I found what I was looking for. “There you are.” I held the hanger out for inspection. The black T-shirt I’d chosen depicted Mickey Mouse leaning into a microphone and belting out a tune.
Bobbie’s hands flew to her mouth. “Mickey Mouse!”
My smile was slow. “Isn’t Disneyland the place where you wish upon a star?” I shrugged into the shirt.
“At least let me fix your hair,” Ginger said. “I work magic with a curling iron.”
I strode into the bathroom and brushed my hair furiously. “I look fine.”
“How about a little makeup?” Ginger said.
I rummaged through my medicine cabinet until I found my scarlet lipstick. “This’ll do.” I swiped a crimson streak across my lips and pursed them together. “Perfect.”
My body sagged a little when I looked at Ginger’s disappointed face. She’d been eager to fix me up, dressing me in fancy clothing like this was a real wedding.
“Am I really doing this?”
“Well, you could certainly do worse than Justice,” Ginger said.
“You’ll win some big bucks,” Bobbie said. She rubbed her hands together. “Fifty grand’s a good start. Once you get ahold of the money, we’ll start your investment portfolio, you’ll quit the bank and, oh, you know, it’s going to be a whole new life.”
The only reason I’d agreed to this scam was because of the money. Bobbie was right. Fifty-grand would be a fantastic start for Brazilian Gypsy – Bikinis by Lola. Hopefully even enough to lease a location for my retail store.
I would win the money, and that would be that.
A sharp rap sounded on the front door and Ginger whirled around. “He’s here!” She smoothed down my shirt, fluffed up my hair and said, “Knock ‘em dead.”
When I opened the door, Justice stood there holding his motorcycle helmet, wearing jeans, a black leather jacket, and black boots. His thick hair fell messily around his shoulders, and his five o’clock shadow was starting to grow into a sexy beard. Eu caramba. I yearned to touch his sculpted face and run my fingers over the stubble.
His blue eyes were the color of the ocean, and I remembered the way he loved to gaze at me every time we made love. A sensation of warmth flooded my body and much as I resisted it, my fingers ached with the desire to feel Justice’s body, my hands roaming over every hard muscle.
“Whoa. You look fantastic,” he said. “You remembered how much I love Mickey Mouse!” When he smiled that Justice Hamilton smile that had always made me feel a deep joy in my belly, I almost felt happy about the adventure of our fake marriage. Almost. “Ready?”
Ginger looked at Justice and placed her hands on her hips. “Are you really making Lola ride on the back of your bike?”
Bobbie trotted to my side until she stood between Ginger and me. “I think it’ll be fun.” She affected a dreamy look. “The wind in your hair, the open road.” Her eyes flicked to Justice, and her face turned red. “With … you know … her husband.”
My throat grew dry. “He’s not … I mean … This is just … It’s only ….” I threw my hands in the air. “Let’s just go.”
The room became silent as everyone stared at me. My face, neck, and ears felt impossibly hot. Were we really doing this? I swallowed. Then I swallowed again.
Justice threw me a grin and held his arm out. I forced myself to take it, and when I touched his muscular bicep, my mind immediately jumped to what it would be like to feel my breasts pressed up against the warmth of his back as we rode his motorcycle. My body tingled with anticipation.
I gripped his arm, and together we walked into the La Fortuna sunshine, Bobbie and Ginger’s giddy goodbyes fading into the background.
We reached the curb where he’d parked the Triumph, and Justice handed me my helmet with a deep bow. “For you, my fairy princess.”
I grabbed the helmet. “Just give it to me.”
I stuffed my hair carefully under the helmet. Justice swung his leg over the seat and gripped the handlebars. The sight of him on the shiny Triumph was something straight out of a dumb romantic comedy. I took in a deep breath, let it out sharply, and joined my soon-to-be-husband on the bike.
His hand touched my thigh in a protective manner. “Keep your legs close in. Lean into me and hold on tight. All settled?”
Why did he have to be so nice?
The thing of it was, I loved the way Justice took care of me when we’d dated. He always made sure I was warm, giving me his sweatshirt on a chilly evening. He opened doors for me and pulled my chair out even if all we were doing was eating at a local taqueria.
He cranked up the bike, and the vibration shot through my body. Along with my tight grip on Justice’s firm waist, the world came into sharp focus and it felt like no time at all had passed since we were together as a couple. I laid my head on Justice’s shoulder for a moment, closed my eyes, and inhaled his saltwater scent.
We were nearly to the courthouse when Justice pulled into a drugstore parking lot. “What are you doing?”
He swung one leg over the bike and held up a finger. “Be right back.”
I watched him walk to a gumball machine, insert a quarter, and put the prize into his pocket. When he emerged from the store, he picked a hibiscus flower from a nearby bush. He trotted to my side and handed me the bloom with a bow. “Your bouquet, my bride.” He became thoughtful and touched his chin. “Remember when we were kids and we went down to the corner store and got that cheap-o ring and gave it to your dad?”
I remembered very well. I’d been intent on matchmaking my papai with the adorable woman I’d hand-picked for him. The toy ring was my idea of what adults gave each other w
hen they were in love. “’Course I remember.”
He reached into his pocket and with a flourish, he produced a toy diamond ring. “Your wedding ring, my love.”
“I am not impressed, Mr. Hamilton,” I said. Only I couldn’t stop smiling.
* * *
The justice of the peace was an African American woman. She was wearing a deep orange patterned top that I wanted to replicate in my bathing suit designs. Her eyes sparkled, and her cheekbones seemed to sit extra high from smiling so hard. “Best part of my job is performing wedding ceremonies.”
Justice and I held hands in the government office as others around us stood in line to get their business licenses or whatever the hell they were doing. I glanced around nervously convinced everyone could read the lie on my face. Stop it, Lola. Nobody cares.
The justice of the peace glowed with happiness as she hummed the melody of “Here Comes the Bride.” But she couldn’t hide her smile. “I love this job. You two ready?”
“Ready,” Justice said, a little too loudly.
She let out a giggle and elbowed him. “Fun’s just starting.”
She cleared her throat and began to read from what looked like a government-issue manual.
“Justice and Lola, today you celebrate one of life’s greatest moments and give recognition to the worth and beauty of love as you join together in matrimony.”
Justice gripped my hand tightly and gave me a happy grin.
The officiant continued to read, speaking in a light, bubbly voice. “Justice and Lola, just as two very different threads woven in opposite directions can form a beautiful tapestry, so can your two lives merge to form a very beautiful marriage. To make your marriage work will take love.”
Riptide of Romance Page 8
