by Cathryn Fox
After letting the cakes cool, the boys generously spread the icing. The second they’re done, they’re digging into them like they’ve been living off rations and I smile, so happy that I kept this old toy.
Once they devoured every morsel, I send them back to the bathroom to get washed up and I check the clock. “How about we all settle in for a movie, and get them to wind down after all that chocolate?”
“Great idea,” Cason says. “I have a few here from the last time they stayed over.”
“I think it’s great that you spend so much time with them.”
“I’m on the road so much, I don’t get to spend nearly as much time with them as I’d like.”
“Is it hard for the guys, hard on the relationships, being on the road all the time?”
“They find a way to make it work. Right now, with Khloe being so young, Katee travels with Luke. It was easier for Nina. She can write anywhere, right? But for those with careers keeping them in place, and when the kids are of school age, it can be a bit harder.”
“So you think long distance relationships can work?” I ask, and he nods.
“Seems to for these guys. It might not be for everyone though.”
I put the dishes in the sink and follow him into the living room, wondering if he could do long distance. He roots through the movies and pulls out a classic. “Just that if I were married to you, well technically I am, I wouldn’t want to be away from you for very long.”
I smile, but my heart is bouncing around inside my chest like a rubber ball. “Well, we are still in the honeymoon stage.”
He chuckles. “You know that lasts for two years, right?”
I angle my head and eye him. “What? Why would you know anything about that?”
“My sister is a romance writer.” He rolls his eyes. “She loves to fill me with all these facts I never need to know. But according to her, the honeymoon stage lasts for two years, then the deeper relationship really develops, and that can be a make or break point for couples.”
“I guess it’s not like we’ll ever have to worry about that. We’re on a deadline, right?” I say. Why did I pose that as a question?
Oh, because you want more, Kinsley, and you want him to say he does, too.
He frowns, and opens his mouth like he wants to say something, but I’ll never know what it is, because just then the boys come racing back into the room, hyped up on sugar, and eager to go.
Cason pats the sofa and they plop down between us, and I angle my head to see Cason. His brow is still furrowed, worried lines around his mouth. What is going through his head? Did my question scare him, make him run the other way, his usual reaction as we close in on the two-week mark? Or is it possible that he was going to challenge that deadline, tell me he wants more? God, I need to know. I really, really need to know.
Then open your mouth and ask!
17
Cason
“You, my sweet wife, look amazing.”
Fuck, man. I love calling her that and want to continue calling her that long after our thirty days are up, which are closing in on us quickly. As she stands in front of the mirror in my bedroom, she scrunches up her nose in concern and turns left and right, looking herself over.
“We’re just setting ourselves up for disaster, Cason. Nothing good can come from this.”
I shrug, but I’m not dismissing her worries. I understand them. “I don’t know, maybe they’ll see that inner light inside you glowing like I do, and realize you’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing.”
“They’ll never approve of me choosing to be a chef over a lawyer,” she says.
Okay, what I was getting at was her choice in a husband, but that answer will do, for now. We can talk about that choice when the night is over. It’s well past time the two of us had a sit down and a serious discussion, because no way can I quit this girl. She’s everything I ever wanted and never knew. We’ve already made it past the two-week mark, heck we’re actually almost finished with our third, and man, I’ve got it so bad for her. I’ve never in my entire life felt this way before. Never let down my walls with any woman.
“Hey,” I say and put my hands on her shoulders. I spin her until she’s facing me and drop a kiss onto her forehead. “I will not let you out of my sight. I promise. Let’s go and show them how happy we are, eat some food, drink some wine, and then get back here so I can take this dress off your gorgeous body, and put my mouth all over you.”
“Well, when you say it like that, what’s a girl to do?”
I smile, and she lifts her chin to me, offering me her mouth. I cover her lips with mine, once again messing up her perfectly applied lipstick. I moan into her mouth, and break the kiss before I get a boner.
“Do you think my hair is okay?” she asks. “Maybe I should have put it up.”
“Maybe you should just leave it the way you like it best.”
“You’re right. You’re always right.”
That’s news to me, but one thing I am right about is this woman and what she means to me. No more screwing up, no more saying the wrong thing and fucking everything over. With her, it’s so easy to be myself and say all the right things, so easy to open myself emotionally, because in my heart I know I’m not going to hurt her and she’s not going to hurt me.
“Let’s do this,” I say and put my hand on the small of her back to lead her outside.
“Do you think everyone will show up?” she asks.
“Of course, they will. They’d do anything for us.”
“I don’t want them to be uncomfortable.”
I laugh. “I’m sure some of your parents’ friends watch hockey, and the guys will be a big hit. I guarantee it, and that will take some of the pressure off you.” I frown and ask, “Do you think they’ll be upset that I didn’t ask my parents?”
She swallows hard and the sound travels. “It’s best not to involve them, right? Isn’t that what you said?”
I search my memories, but can’t really remember. “Ah, yeah,” I say. Honestly, I wish I had invited them. I want them to get to know Kinsley, and her asshole parents. They should at least know the parents of their daughter-in-law. Especially if I can convince her to be mine forever.
I open the car door for her and she slides in. I drop a soft kiss onto her forehead, not wanting to mess her lips up again, and she smiles up at me. My fucking heart swells in my chest. Jesus, I’m so crazy about this woman.
Her eyes are latched on mine as I circle the vehicle and climb in. Her hand searches for mine as I negotiate through traffic and in no time at all, we’re at her parents’ place. I pull behind Cole’s car and smile. He usually takes it out when he’s going to events, and maybe he’s driving it tonight to flaunt it in my face, tease me with something he doesn’t think I’ll ever win.
He told you not to fuck it up with Kinsley.
Yeah, he did and that still confuses the hell out of me.
“Are you okay?”
I turn to Kinsley. “Yeah, why?”
“You’re looking at that car the same way you look at me.”
“How’s that?”
“Like you want to make love to it?”
I laugh at that, but she’s right about one thing. I do want to make love to her, and the sex between us is so good because there is love involved. She has to feel it, too. I mean she said make love over sex, right? With a burst of hopefulness inside me, I tease, “It is a pretty nice car, Kins.”
She laughs. “Any other fetishes I should know about before we go in there, husband? I am supposed to know everything about you.”
“You will tonight, and the things I’m going to tell you are for your ears only. Our business, no one else’s.”
She goes quiet for a moment, and I can almost hear the wheels spinning. For a second I think she’s going to call me out, and ask me to tell her right now, but instead she says, “Okay.” I’m grateful, because I want to do it after the party, when we’re alone at home.
Home.
I almost snort. I’ve always lived in a house, even growing up. It wasn’t filled with laughter and dinners around the table, all the things Nina has and involves me in. She even decorated my house and cottage, wanting me to experience the warmth of home and hearth, but until I accidently found myself in bed with Kinsley, and we stayed in each other’s lives and houses, I never knew what home really meant. I want to have a home with her. I want to have it all with her.
She exits the vehicle and I climb from my side and put my arm around her back. Voices from the backyard reach our ears, and I shake my head.
“What?”
“Sounds like Liam is the life of the party.”
“We need to get that guy a girl,” she says with a laugh.
“He doesn’t need any help getting the girls. That’s the problem.”
She nods. “I know, and I know he’s been through a rough time. What he needs is to meet his match, and fall in love and settle himself down.”
“I agree, but I don’t think Emily was right for him.”
We walk into the backyard and I take in the gorgeous gardens all decorated with flowers and lights, candles, and chairs draped in fabric. There’s even a banner with our names on it.
I put my mouth close to her ear. “They went all out.”
She waves to Emily, who is chatting with Quinn and Jonah. Liam is standing near the bar, knocking back the drinks.
Emily is about to come over but stops when Kinsley’s parents head our way. Kinsley stiffens beside me and I give her a reassuring squeeze.
Her mother plasters on a smile. “You look lovely, dear,” she says, her gaze moving down Kinsley’s dress, stopping around her stomach, like she’s checking for a baby bump before she presents us to the crowd. “Many of your friends are already here.”
“Yes,” her father pipes in. “I met Quinn, she owns a daycare, and Jules is a nurse. Such great professions.” His smile widens, “And Cason, you didn’t tell me your sister was a New York Times Bestselling author. Now that’s something to be proud of.”
“I am proud of her,” I say.
Lilith looks around me. “Are your parents coming?”
“No, they weren’t able to make it. They give their apologies.”
Once again, Kinsley goes tight beneath my palm, and I cast her a quick glance, but she doesn’t look my way. Christ. Was it something I said?
Don’t fuck this up, dude.
“Kinsley, you should know, Evan is here.”
Her head jerks back. “Why would Evan be here?”
“To congratulate you two, of course,” her father says, but her mother casts me a quick glance and I read everything in it. Do they seriously think she’s going to drop everything, me included, and go back to a douchebag who dumped her when she no longer fit his agenda? My God, who are these people?
“How about we go say hello to Evan, then? Let him congratulate us.”
Her parents both look surprised by my reaction. But I thought let’s just face this head on and show them once and for all that Kinsley is with me and we’re happy. We cross the gardens, stopping to say hello to a few of their friends, and most seem genuinely happy for us.
We catch up with Evan who has been talking to Liam, and an uneasy feeling sinks to the pit of my stomach. Judging by Liam’s stance, he’s had one too many drinks. I give a fast glance around and spot Cole. He instantly reads my distress and takes Nina’s hand and makes his way toward us.
“Arthur, Lilith,” Evan says, and I almost laugh as he uses their first names, a privilege I wasn’t given, nor want—not until they start treating their daughter with the respect she deserves anyway. He turns to Kinsley. “Hey Kinsley, how’s the food truck business?”
She stands a little straighter. “It’s going well.”
“She’ll be expanding soon, starting a new restaurant in downtown Seattle,” I say, and she tightens. She’s worried about the space, but she doesn’t have to be. It’s hers. With or without her trust fund. It’s hers.
Evan slowly turns my way, a smirk on his face. “So this is the infamous Cason Callaghan.”
He throws his arm out for a shake and as much as I don’t want to, I extend mine. “I wouldn’t say infamous.”
“Oh, that’s not what your buddy Liam says.”
The unease in my stomach expands, presses against my lungs, until breathing becomes difficult.
“Hey Liam, there’s something I want to show you,” Cole says, throwing his arm around him.
“Wait, you’re Cole Cannon, right?” Evan says.
Cole straightens. “Yeah, that’s me.”
“Liam here tells me you’re the owner of the 69, Dodge Hemi Coronet out front. That’s a sweet ride you have,” Evan says and tips his glass toward the front of the house, where we’re parked.
Liam pales. “Ah, wait.” He runs his hand through his hair and tugs.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Liam. I didn’t do a proper introduction. I’m Evan Bateman. Kinsley and I go way back. Isn’t that right Kinsley?”
Liam swallows. “Shit. You’re her ex.”
Shit is right because something tells me Liam didn’t keep his mouth shut.
“What is going on?” Kinsley asks, and I put my arm around her.
“Come on, we should go,” Cole says to Liam, his fingers curling into fists.
Liam nods, guilt and worry all over his face. He fucked up and he knows it. “Yeah.”
“Don’t run away,” Evan says. “Not when we’re all just getting to know each other.”
“You’re not anyone I want to know,” Cole says.
“Want to bet?” Evan asks with a smirk.
“Back off, Evan,” I say.
“Cason, what’s going on?” Kinsley asks again.
“Aww, she doesn’t know, does she?” Evan asks.
“Doesn’t know what?” she says.
“Kinsley, we’ll talk about it later. Why don’t you go with Cole and Liam. I’ll deal with this.”
Evan laughs. “Tough guy, huh?” He snorts out a laugh. “You didn’t have to marry a thug to get your trust fund, Kinsley.”
“What is this?” her father asks. “You married just to get your trust fund?” He shakes his head. “I told you, Lilith. I told you there was something suspicious about this sudden Vegas wedding.”
Kinsley’s face pales. “Dad wait, it’s not like that.”
“It was a sham of a marriage. They planned to get it annulled after thirty days,” Evan says.
Liam bends forward and practically sobs, as the truth comes spilling out. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he chants.
“Consider your trust fund dissolved,” her father says. “Unless you want to get your life on track again.”
“My life is on track, Dad. I’ve never been this happy.”
Shit, man, this is going south fast. I need to do something. I need to fix this.
“You could have married me, Kinsley.” Evan says. “But now it looks like you don’t get your money at all. What a shame. Unless you want to make things right with me, and join our firm. Come back to where you belong.”
“You want me to make things right with you?” Anger flares in her eyes. “You were the one who kicked me to the curb, remember?” He opens his mouth to speak and she continues with, “And really you did me a big favor, Evan. I thank you for that.” She puts her arm around mine. “This is the man I love and want to spend the rest of my life with. The man who respects my choices.” My heart jumps into my throat as she confesses her feelings, and deep inside I know none of this is for show or to prove herself. She loves me as much as I love her.
“Maybe you’ll thank me for this, too,” Evan says. “You think he loves you? Think again. Your thug here had a side bet with his buddy, Cole.”
A tortured sound crawls out of Nina’s throat and she puts her arms around her husband to hug him—offering him all her support, but that’s not what I’m getting from Kinsley. No, she’s backing up and the look I’m getting would
freeze the entire state of Florida, in the dead of summer.
“Wait, stop. It’s not like that,” I say quickly, trying to tug her back. “You don’t understand.”
“Cason,” she says, her voice shaking. “The bet you had with Cole was about me?” She blinks and looks down for a second, like she’s searching her memory banks. “What was it you called it when I asked?” Her head lifts. “Oh yeah, I remember now. You called it a stupid bet.” She jabs her thumb into her chests. “I’m the stupid bet?”
“Kinsley, wait.”
“No, you wait. You said something about six months. What was that? What did that mean?”
Fuck me twice.
“Answer me, Cason. Honestly.”
“If I didn’t last thirty days with you, I couldn’t have sex for six months, and if I did, I won his car. I’m sorry Kins, that sounds awful. Let me explain.” I take a fast breath as she shakes her head no. “Kins.”
She wobbles on her feet, her face so pale now, I’m sure she’s going to be sick. She looks at Nina and Cole who are staring wide-eyed as they watch this fiasco unfold. “Did you know about it, Nina?” Kinsley asks.
Nina gives Cole an uneasy look and then says, “Yes, but Kinsley if you’ll listen, let me explain.”
“Listen!” she shrieks. “Oh, I don’t think so. I’m not listening to any more of this bullshit.” She looks directly at me. “I thought you were different, but winning a bet was the reason you stayed. I thought we moved past the sex and tacos, that you cared about me as a person, that I might have actually been special to you. But no. I was wrong. Fool me twice, right?” She gives a garbled laugh. “You were using me to get something. How are you different from Evan?”
“I am not Evan,” I say, angry that she could even say such a thing.
She shakes her head, and almost to herself, she says, “This has all been a mistake, one that started when you crawled into the right bed with the wrong woman.” Tears fill her eyes. “I should have known better than to let my heart get involved when all along I knew you thought you were with Emily that night.”
