He nodded. “I do. The way I feel about you is more than I ever felt for Marie. I feel like a dirty bastard for even saying that about her, but it’s true. You’re so pure, Claire. I can’t help but love you.”
I reached up and cupped his face. I ran my thumb over his bottom lip as I stared into his eyes. The vulnerability I saw in them tugged at my heart. Robert loved me. He would protect me and give me anything I asked for. The only thing he wanted in exchange was my heart. I knew I could give it to him. He wouldn’t hurt me. I felt that deep in my bones.
“What happens if I tell you no, Robert?” I asked quietly. “Will you let me go?”
“I don’t think I could handle being with you, knowing that you’re unwilling to be my wife. I would feel as if you were simply using me,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine.
I dropped my hand and looked away. “I would never use you, but I understand why you might think that.”
Neither of us spoke for a minute.
Finally, I turned back to him. “If you truly love me, yes, I’ll marry you.”
When his eyes lit up with joy, I knew I’d made the right decision.
“God, Claire. Yes, I love you.”
He pulled me to him and kissed me deeply. When we broke apart, he took the ring he’d shown me earlier out of his pocket. He held it up, so I could see it.
“After you left my office today, I decided that I would carry it with me always—just in case you said yes.” He took my hand in his and slid the ring onto my finger.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered as I stared at it.
It was white gold with a round diamond framed in additional diamonds. The band of the ring was also adorned in even more diamonds. I didn’t even want to think about how much it had cost Robert.
“Just like you are.” He leaned forward and kissed me again. “I’ll make all the arrangements tomorrow. I know you don’t want a big wedding, so I’ll arrange for us to get married at the courthouse. It’ll be quicker and easier this way. We’ll be married by the end of next week.”
I bit my lip to keep from saying anything. I’d never said I didn’t want a wedding. He’d been the one to mention it earlier in his office. Truthfully, I would rather have a wedding. It would give me more time to prepare myself. The fact that he was planning on us being married next week terrified me. I’d expected more time.
“Great,” I said weakly.
“Since I’m off next week, we’ll go somewhere and spend a few days alone together,” he said.
“Um…I still have to work, Robert. I wasn’t expecting this to happen so soon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You have no need for that job now. You can quit.”
“I like working there. Besides, what will I do all day if I don’t have a job?” I asked.
“You can do whatever you want. Just call in tomorrow and let them know you’re not coming back.”
I shook my head. “I’m not quitting.”
He frowned. “Don’t be unreasonable, Claire. I refuse to let my wife work as a waitress.”
My temper flared. “What’s wrong with being a waitress?”
“Nothing, Claire, but it’s ridiculous that you want to continue working there. There’s no point!”
“I’m not quitting, Robert,” I said stubbornly.
He’d had a say over everything in my life so far, but I wouldn’t give up my job. I loved my boss and the girls I worked with. I wouldn’t just leave them. Besides, I wasn’t the type to stay home and be the perfect little housewife. He would just have to deal with me being a waitress.
He sighed. “We’ll discuss this more tomorrow. I have to go take care of a few things at work, but I’ll be home by lunch. We can talk then.”
“I won’t be here,” I said, trying not to show just how angry I was with him.
“Why not?”
“I’ll be working.”
His nostrils flared in irritation, but he wisely said nothing. I watched as he rose from his chair.
“I’m going to bed.”
“Good night,” I mumbled as I stared out across the yard.
If he’d bothered to reply, I didn’t hear him.
I stayed in my chair for a long time once Robert was out of sight. I couldn’t understand how he could go from kind and caring one minute to bossy and controlling the next. When he spoke, he would expect me to do whatever he told me, but that wasn’t me.
A tiny voice in the back of my mind whispered that maybe I didn’t really know him as well as I thought I did. Doubt flooded me until I felt like I was drowning.
I’ve already told him yes. I can’t back out now.
I couldn’t. It would ruin everything. He’d even told me that he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stay with me if I refused to marry him. It almost felt like a trap.
I stood and walked over to the pool. I sat down on the edge of the shallow side and stuck my legs into the water. It was warmer than I’d expected. Even though it was still summer, the pool must be heated. I stared at one of the lights buried in the pool, watching the water ripple in its light. Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to jump in. I bit my lip, debating on whether or not to do just that.
I looked around the yard. If I did jump in, I’d have to take off my dress. A high privacy fence surrounded the area, so no one would see me unless Robert came down to check on me. I doubted that he would since he’d told me that he was going to bed.
Decision made, I stood up and reached back to the zipper of my dress. I unzipped it and let it drop from my body. I felt naked, standing outside in only my bra and a thong that Robert had purchased for me. Both were far sexier than anything I’d ever owned before.
I stared down into the water. Feeling risqué, I let go of my inhibitions for the first time, and I made my choice. I took a deep breath, plugged my nose, and dived in. I stayed underwater for a few seconds, enjoying the absolute silence, before kicking my way to the surface. I laughed even though I wasn’t sure why.
I swam across the pool, taking my time as I went. The warm water felt like liquid silk against my skin. Once I reached the edge of the pool, I dived under again. My stomach skimmed the bottom of the pool as I swam. When I couldn’t hold my breath any longer, I broke the surface again.
One of my foster parents had taught me how to swim when I was younger, but it had been so long since I was in the water. I found it calming, which was just what I’d needed at the moment.
I continued swimming until my arms were aching from exertion. Finally, I swam to the steps and climbed out. I smiled, content from my swim, as I walked over to where I’d left my dress. I picked it up and headed for the house.
A cool breeze caused goose bumps to rise across my body, and my nipples hardened against the fabric of my skimpy bra. When I was about ten feet from the door, a different sensation hit my body. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
I looked around the yard, feeling like I was being watched. “Is anyone there?”
With the exception of the patio and the pool, Robert’s entire yard was encased in shadows. A large elm tree sat several feet away from me, so that side of the patio was darker than the rest of the yard.
When I’d called out, I hadn’t expected someone to actually answer me. I froze as a soft chuckle came from the shadows of the elm. A man stepped forward, and my entire body locked up in fear because it wasn’t Robert.
“I have to say, if this is how I’m greeted every time I come home, I’m going to start hanging around more often,” the man said as his eyes traveled down my body.
He stepped closer, and I automatically took a step back. He stopped once he was out of the shadows, allowing me to get my first good glance at him. He was tall, probably around six foot two, and he was built like a football player. The tight wifebeater he had on put his arm muscles as well as the hard planes of his chest and stomach on full display. I noted the dark tattoos covering his arms from shoulder to elbow on both sides.
His hair was a dark brown, so d
ark that it looked almost black, and his lips were full. But it was his eyes that stood out. They were the brightest emerald green I’d ever seen. Something in his eyebrow caught the light and glittered. My eyes widened when I realized that it was a looped piercing. That, along with his tattoos, screamed bad boy to me.
I was embarrassed as I realized that I’d been checking him out. I couldn’t seem to help myself though. I finally understood the term sex on a stick.
“Who are you?” I finally asked once I managed to pry my eyes away from his body.
“The better question is, who are you? And why are you swimming around, almost naked, in my pool at ten o’clock at night? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. I’m just curious as to who you are,” he said, his eyes dropping to my chest.
My nipples tightened further, and I knew he could see them through my wet bra. My cheeks flamed in embarrassment until I realized what he’d said.
His pool?
“This isn’t your pool. It’s Robert’s. And I happen to live here,” I said.
His eyes were too busy leaving a trail of fire up and down my body to notice the angry glare I was giving him.
“Really? Well, isn’t that convenient? Wanna share a room?”
“Who are you?” I demanded.
His eyes finally found mine again. “I’m Cooper—you know, Robert’s son. I’m sure he’s mentioned me before. Then again, maybe he hasn’t. I doubt that he’d want a hot young girl like you to know that he has a twenty-year-old son. I bet I’m older than you are.” He studied me for a minute. “If I didn’t know my dad better, I would guess, from looking at you, that you’re sixteen or seventeen. But even he’s not that stupid. I’m going to say you’re…eighteen. Am I right?”
I stared at him in shock. This is Cooper? How is that even possible? “You can’t be Cooper.”
“Why can’t I?” he asked mockingly.
“Cooper is just a kid,” I whispered.
Now that I was truly looking at him, I knew he was telling the truth. I could see some of Robert’s features in him—the nose, the shape of his face, and other small characteristics that I had missed the first time.
He laughed. “Is that what he told you?”
I opened my mouth to say yes, but I stopped myself. Robert had never told me Cooper’s age. I had just assumed that he was a child.
“No, I just thought…” I trailed off.
“I get it. It’s hard to believe that your boyfriend has a kid who’s older than you.” He grinned wickedly. “At least, I assume he’s your boyfriend since you’re living here. You might just be his whore of the week though. I have to say, Dad has good taste.”
“I’m not a whore!” I clutched my dress to my chest even though the gesture was pointless since he’d seen my body already.
He laughed, but it was humorless. His eyes lost their humor and turned cold. “I beg to differ. If you’re fucking my dad, then yeah, you’re a whore. That’s the only type of women he messes with anymore.”
My cheeks burned as anger flooded my body. “You know nothing about me, asshole!”
He stepped closer until he was right in front of me. “And I don’t want to. I’ve seen your kind before.”
I slapped him. I didn’t even realize what I’d done until it was over. I covered my mouth in shock as we stared at each other.
“What the hell is going on out here?” a voice demanded.
I looked over as Robert came storming out of the house. He took one look at me before turning his attention to Cooper.
“What did you say to her?” Robert demanded.
Cooper shrugged. “Not a thing. I was just welcoming her to our home.”
“Bullshit, Cooper. I saw her slap you.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Cooper grinned at me. “Anyway, it was nice meeting you…”
“Claire. My name is Claire,” I said through clenched teeth.
He hadn’t even known my name, yet he’d assumed I was a whore. I decided then and there that Cooper was nothing more than an asshole.
I’d had so many plans when it came to him, but I had pictured a boy, not a man. I’d wanted to comfort him and let him know that I wasn’t trying to take his mom’s place. Those plans were now gone. Cooper didn’t need comforting. He needed a swift kick in the junk.
“Good night, Claire,” Cooper said before turning his attention to his dad. “As always, it’s great to be home.”
Robert and I watched in silence as Cooper disappeared into the house.
When he was gone, Robert turned to me. “What did he say to you, Claire?”
I shrugged, pretending that I didn’t care. “He called me one of your whores. I didn’t mean to slap him. It just happened. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize, Claire. He shouldn’t have called you that. Cooper has been rather…hard to handle, especially after Marie’s death. This past year has been hell.”
“He’s an asshole,” I muttered.
Robert grinned. “He can be, yes. Cooper and I have never really gotten along. He was always closer to Marie. The only reason he’s living with me while he attends WVU is because he knows that’s what she’d want. She forced him to stay with us his freshman year instead of moving into a dorm. I’ve spent the last year trying to reconnect with him, but he doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“I didn’t think he would be older than me, Robert. Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shrugged. “It never came up. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
“It’s kind of creepy,” I said.
He frowned. “I should’ve told you. For that, I’m sorry.” He paused and glanced down at the dress clutched tightly to my chest.
“Claire, why are you in your underwear?”
“I decided to go for a swim. I didn’t think anyone would see me.”
He laughed, but I really didn’t find it funny at all.
When I woke up to get ready for work the next morning, my first thought was of Cooper and the hurtful things he’d said to me. Robert’s son was one of the coldest people I’d ever met, and that was saying something. He’d looked at me like he thought I was trash, like I was nothing, and that hurt. I hadn’t done anything to cause him to assume the worst of me. Yes, wearing only my underwear probably hadn’t helped my case any, but it wasn’t like I’d known he was going to show up.
I grabbed my clothes and headed for the bathroom. In the hallway, my eyes never left Cooper’s door. I was terrified that he’d appear from behind it. When I was safely inside the bathroom, I made sure that the door was locked before pulling my clothes off and turning on the water. All I’d need was for him to walk in on me, thinking that I’d left the door unlocked intentionally. That would really seal the deal in his eyes.
I showered quickly. Once I finished toweling off, I put on my clothes and dried my hair before pulling it up into a ponytail. Then, I cautiously opened the bathroom door. I sighed in relief when I saw that Cooper’s door was still closed. I didn’t want to deal with him today.
I stopped in my room to grab my purse and the keys to Robert’s car before heading to the garage. Once I climbed inside the car, I rested my head against the seat and closed my eyes.
My new life with Robert kept growing more and more complicated. Being with him was supposed to make things easier. Instead, I felt like I had to constantly be on guard around him, and now, it would be the same with his son.
I opened my eyes and shoved the key in the ignition. The ring on my left hand caught my eye, and I paused. I stared at it, still trying to process the fact that something so beautiful really belonged to me. I twirled it around my finger, watching it shine in the sunlight coming through the window in the garage.
It still didn’t seem real that I would be marrying Robert after such a short time knowing him. He was a good man, and he’d said he loved me. I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the situation as a whole.
I shook it off. I was being stupid. An incredible life had fallen in
to my lap, and here I was, debating on whether or not I was doing the right thing.
Robert would take care of me, and I knew that I could love him completely if I had enough time. That was all I needed—time. It was too bad that time had been in such short supply lately.
Work had been busier than normal. Usually, we were swamped in the summertime anyway, but today had just been ridiculous. I’d barely had time to talk to Junie or Sarah as we’d passed each other on the way to and from the kitchen. By the time our shift was over, I could tell they were just as desperate to escape as I was.
I watched the afternoon shift stare at the insanely busy diner before the servers grudgingly walked toward their tables. Once they took over, Junie, Sarah, and I headed to the back room to grab our things.
“I feel like I’ve been ridden hard and put away wet,” Sarah grumbled as she snatched her purse out of the locker next to mine.
I laughed out loud at her crassness. “Good Lord, you really say whatever comes to mind, don’t you?”
“Of course. Why would I ever keep my thoughts from others? They deserve to hear them, too.” She stuck her tongue out at me.
I shoved some of my hair that had escaped my ponytail behind my ear. “All I want to do is sleep.”
“Oh my God!” Sarah screamed, grabbing my hand and pulling it closer to her face. “Is that what I think it is?”
I snatched my hand away from her, trying to hide my engagement ring, but it was no use. She’d already seen it.
“Is it?” she asked when I didn’t reply.
“Um…yeah, it is,” I finally said, glancing over at Junie.
Her mouth was hanging open in shock.
“Ah! This is so exciting, Claire! Why didn’t you tell us?” Sarah asked.
Junie looked away.
I shrugged. “It just happened last night, so I’m still trying to process it. Besides, we’ve been too busy to really talk today.”
“I told you that he would have a ring on your finger before long! That man is head over heels for you, babe.”
I smiled. “Yeah, you’re right. I really care about him, and he treats me like gold, Sarah. I’ve never had someone pay attention to me the way he does.”
Deception Page 9
