Dear Mr. Temporary (The Matchmaker Series )

by Rebecca Gallo

  “Oh fuck,” I hissed.

  He continued his torturous nipple play, sucking and nibbling, teasing and thrilling until I was practically gushing with need.

  “Take what you want. I know I am,” he said, looking up at me with a ruthless smile.

  I rocked back and forth on his cock, taking it deep inside while he continued his feast. My nails dug into his shoulders, and my head fell back, thrusting my breasts into his face. He hummed with approval.

  “Archie,” I whined breathlessly because my body was starting to shake. I was so close to losing control, and I just needed one little push.

  “I got you.” Archie sat up straighter and clasped his arms tightly around me, holding me steady while he lifted his hips and drilled his cock relentlessly into me until my screams turned to gasps. He exploded with a roar, coating not only my pussy but my thighs with his cum.

  “I got you,” Archie whispered again and again as he kissed the hollow of my throat, the ridge of my shoulder, the tops of my breasts. “I’ve always got you, Layne.

  Unexpectedly, hot tears pricked my eyes. My chest ached with relief because finally, I knew what unconditional love felt like. Finally, I found someone who held me up instead of putting me down. Finally…

  After three days of being fucked and sucked and worshipped in the presidential suite of the Four Seasons, Archie and I returned to life as somewhat normal. During our brief “honeymoon,” we did manage to have some serious conversations about merging our lives together because I had a pretty sweet condo that I wasn’t willing to part with, and he certainly wasn’t going to sell his house in Ladue. Even if he wanted to, I wouldn’t have let him. It was easier just to split our time, especially since we both had major cases going to trial soon and even the shortest commute would feel like a thousand years after long days in the office.

  And then there was Sadie’s engagement party to contend with; it was approaching sooner than I expected, and I knew that being married was only going to piss her off.

  But then I thought about the promise I had made to myself. If my father passively allowed my mother and Sadie to continue treating me like the family black sheep, then I needed to change. I had an ally now – Archie – but he couldn’t defend me all the time. That only made me weaker. No, it was time to fight my battles.

  The night of Sadie’s engagement party, Archie walked into the bedroom, his brows knitted together as he read the invitation that mysteriously arrived after our wedding.

  “She’s having her engagement party at The Purser Center?” He looked up at me, his blue eyes wide with astonishment. “Jesus, who the fuck does she think she is?”

  I shrugged one shoulder. “It’s Sadie. Her life motto is ‘Go big or go home.’”

  Archie set the invitation on top of the dresser and walked toward me. More like stalked his way based on the way his blue gaze suddenly darkened.

  “I have one request tonight, Layne,” he told me, his voice a seductive purr. He traced his finger along my bare shoulder and circled me like a predator about to pounce.

  “Okay,” I replied apprehensively.

  “You attend tonight’s party with my cum dripping down your thighs.”

  How was I supposed to respond to that? Was I supposed to tell him “no” because my emerald green dress cost a small fortune and I didn’t want to ruin it? That was never going to happen because the one thing I quickly learned about my husband was that he was insatiable and that his dick was bigger than his ego. We’d also spent the past few days burning the candle at both ends professionally, which meant that there was some sexual frustration happening. He wasn’t the only needy one in this relationship.

  “I’ve never had limo sex before,” I said at last with a quirk of my lips.

  “Layne.” He leveled me with his bright blue eyes. Fuck, the way he looked at me sometimes had me squeezing my thighs together. “I’m going to fuck you right now. And then I’m going to fuck you before we leave. And then I’m going to tell the driver to circle the block a few times so I can fuck you in the back of that limousine.”

  “But we’ll be late.” If I did the math correctly, all that sex was going to make us more than fashionably late to Sadie’s party.

  “I really don’t care if we even attend, Layne. Now, bend over and put your hands on the bed. It’s been way too long since I’ve been inside you, and I’m ready to explode.”

  Before stepping out of the limo, I adjusted my dress one final time. Thank god it was long because Archie’s cum slowly trickled down my thighs, and he refused to let me even use a napkin to clean up.

  Archie exited first and then extended his hand toward me. I looked up at his self-satisfied smirk with a scowl as I placed my hand in his.

  “Oh, don’t act like you didn’t enjoy every dirty, delicious second, Layne,” he said with a laugh.

  Oh, I did. I enjoyed having my husband sink his cock deep into my pussy over and over again. I loved seeing the euphoria on his face as he exploded inside me, filling me again and again. That definitely sent me over the edge more than once. And I loved knowing that the sheen on Archie’s lips was because he spent some quality time with his face buried between my thighs. The man really did have a talented tongue.

  Our arrival went unnoticed as we walked into the lobby of The Purser Center hand in hand. Archie was fairly well known in St. Louis society, so eventually, people came over to greet him, and he took extreme pleasure in introducing me as his wife.

  Unfortunately, word spread to my mother and Sadie, who approached us as a united front. They both looked severe in white with their golden blond hair pulled tightly into matching buns.

  “Follow me,” my mother said tersely.

  “I don’t think so,” Archie said at the same time I mumbled, “Why?”

  My mother’s brown eyes widened, and her painted red lips popped open. “How dare you cause a scene?” she admonished us, but her eyes were on me. She really meant to say, “How dare you, Layne, cause a scene.”

  “Mrs. Hall, with all due respect, Layne and I only just arrived. We’re not causing much of anything.”

  Sadie huffed with impatience. “Did you get married, Layne?”

  Archie squeezed my hand, giving me courage. “Yes, I did. Archie and I were married by Judge Specter two weeks ago.”

  “You have got to be kidding me,” my mother moaned.

  “Are you serious, Layne? You can’t just let me have this one thing? This one moment all to myself,” Sadie whined, her eyes filling with crocodile tears.

  “Sadie, this is your moment. This party is all about you,” I reminded her, sweeping my hand around the grand interior.

  “All everyone can talk about it you.” Sadie jabbed her finger in Archie’s direction, and then she turned her hateful glare on me. “And his new wife!”

  “Honestly, Sadie, do you expect your guests to talk about you and Jacob the entire night?” I rolled my eyes and managed to catch sight of a cocktail waiter passing by with a tray of champagne. Yes, please. I plucked a glass from the tray and gulped it down. My mother and Sadie stared at me with matching looks of disgust. Another waiter with a tray of empty glasses passed by, and I managed to quickly stash my glass on it.

  The band hired for the event also started, providing Archie and me with the perfect moment to escape. “Let’s go,” I told him, grabbing his hand and dragging him toward the dance floor.

  As we hid in the crowd of couples, I relaxed into Archie’s arms. His hand settled on my waist as he drew me closer, and my hand slipped under his jacket, over his heart.

  “That took some guts,” Archie murmured.

  “I was scared shitless,” I admitted.

  “But how did it feel? Telling them off?”

  A secret smile formed on my lips. “It felt awesome.” It was also terrifying, but the words came so easily.

  The song drifted to an end, and then someone on stage started to speak. “Thank you all for coming tonight,” the familiar voice said. I faced
the stage, surprised to see my father. He was a man of few words and hated being the center of any kind of attention. “There aren’t enough words to accurately describe the pride a father feels when his daughter is about to get married. Lucky for me, I have two daughters.”

  My dad stepped away from the microphone momentarily. It looked like he was nervous, and I wondered where my mother was. Where was Sadie? Was this speech authorized? How much scotch had my father already consumed? A quick glance around the room gave me the answers to some of those questions. My mother was off to the side of the stage, her arms crossed across her chest, her face filled with rage because she would never cause a scene and interrupting my father would definitely do just that.

  “I’m probably going to get in a lot of trouble for this, but it doesn’t really matter because I’m the one paying for all this.” His hand swept around the room, causing him to stumble a little. That was the answer to my last question. He was drunk. Luckily, my dad was a happy drunk. “I’d love to congratulate my youngest, Layne, on her recent marriage. Seeing how much Archie loves you and makes you happy is the greatest gift a father can receive. You didn’t want all this grandeur, but I hope you’ll let me give you a first dance as husband and wife.”

  My father turned and nodded to the band who began playing “At Last” by Etta James. The crowd seemed to part all around Archie and me.

  “This is awkward,” I whispered, looking around at everyone staring at us.

  “No, this is awkward,” he responded just as a spotlight fell on us. Illumination was not necessary.

  We swayed uncomfortably at first. My father took a huge risk with that speech; he was drawing a line in the sand. It was the most thoughtful and amazing gift he’d ever given me.

  I closed the space between Archie and me, letting myself get carried away with the lyrics. They were even more meaningful than usual; knowing that after being alone for so long, being married to Archie felt like freedom. My lonely days of being the family black sheep were over. No more cowering to my mother, bending to her whims, thinking that I would always be second best.

  At last, I felt like I belonged to someone.

  Dear Ms. Graham –

  Archie isn’t just my perfect match; Archie is everything my life was missing, and the only person who knew that was you. I can’t believe I doubted you for even a second.

  I was only expecting to find someone temporary, a date suitable for my sister’s society wedding. Archie, however, was insistent on proving that he wasn’t going to be Mr. Temporary; he was my Mr. Forever. Archie showed me unconditional love.

  I’ll admit that I thought you were wrong. Archie and I were rivals; we ended up bickering and fighting whenever we were together. How could a man who took pleasure in my professional losses end up becoming my husband? It’s simple: love. Archie and I would have eventually ended up together; you were just the push we needed.

  Enclosed you will find an invitation to our wedding reception at Busch Stadium. We had a private civil ceremony a few weeks ago. We hope you’ll be able to attend.

  Warm Regards,

  Layne Hall-Reed

  “You can’t be serious,” I groaned.

  Archie waggled his eyebrows and smiled lasciviously. “Oh, I’m very serious.”

  “Archie, I’m ninety-nine weeks pregnant and the size of a house. We are not having sex right now,” I stated firmly.

  Of course, ninety-nine weeks pregnant was a gross overstatement. In reality, I was coming up on forty weeks and fucking miserable. Everything was swollen, I waddled instead of walked, and for whatever reason, my husband found my pregnant body appealing. Very appealing. That was fun during my second trimester because I was unbelievably horny, but not now, not when I could barely see my feet.

  “I read that it helps induce labor. Come on, Layne. One last time?”

  “No!” I bellowed as a sharp pain sliced through my abdomen. Clutching my belly, I doubled over just as a trickle of liquid streamed down my legs. “Oh shit.”

  “Is that what I think it is?” My cocky and confident husband was now a wide-eyed ghost.

  “My water just broke.”

  Over the next few minutes, I took great delight in watching Archie scramble around our home in Ladue to gather the bags we prepared for the hospital. Once we found out about the baby, we decided to sell my condo and reside in Archie’s home permanently.

  “Ready to go?” He was out of breath, and his normally perfectly styled hair was out of sorts from running his fingers nervously through it.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

  No one is ever ready for the birth of a child, no matter how much they prepare. And even though I was prepared to give birth as naturally as possible, our little man had other plans.

  “He’s hanging out right in the corner of your pelvis,” the doctor said. “We’re going to turn you and try to get him out that way.”

  The nurses helped me onto my side, and when I was in position, they held my legs and helped me push.

  “Dammit,” the doctor cursed.

  “What’s wrong?” My eyes searched for Archie, who rushed to the top of the bed and leaned over it to stroke my hair. “What’s happening?”

  “There was a lot of blood,” he said calmly.

  “There might be an abruption. We can’t take any chances,” the doctor told us. “Are you okay with a cesarean?”

  We had no choice but to accept it. The most important thing was that our son was born healthy. “It’s fine,” I said as calmly as possible. “Do whatever you need.”

  Archie kissed my sweat-slickened brow. “You’re so brave,” he whispered.

  “We’re going to have to put you under general anesthesia. Are you okay with that?” The doctor stood next to Archie and looked down at me with kind brown eyes.

  Without thinking, I said, “Yes, of course. Do what you need to do.” All that mattered was that our little boy was born healthy. That was my only priority and focus because thinking about anything else, like not being conscious during the birth of my son, was not going to help.

  Archie went quiet while he held my gaze. I could hear the low murmurings of the doctor and nurses, but their words were muffled. “Are you sure about this,” he asked.

  “There’s no other way, Archie.”

  The room quickly erupted into well-orchestrated chaos. Archie was taken away to get cleaned up so that he could be in the operating room with me, and I was wheeled away. There wasn’t any time for doubts. Overhead, the blinding lights flashed as I was taken down one long hallway after another until we reached the pristine white operating room.

  “Are you ready to meet your little boy?” a nurse asked as she leaned over me.

  “Yes,” I said nervously. My eyes scanned the room, searching for a pair of comforting blue eyes.

  “I’m here.” I heard Archie’s voice before I saw him. He appeared above me, and my nerves dissolved almost instantly. He smoothed my hair back away from my forehead and bent to kiss me softly. “I love you so much, Layne.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Everything’s going to be fine.”

  Those were the last words I remembered before everything went black.

  When the light returned, I was in a new room. It felt like no time had lapsed. One minute I was in the operating room with Archie’s beautiful blue eyes hovering over me and then nothing until now. My eyes blinked away the confusion and I heard the faint murmurings of voices. Archie’s rich baritone was unmistakable. He was the first thing that I saw; his warm smile greeting me.

  “Hey,” Archie said softly, rubbing the back of his fingers along my cheek. “You’re awake.”

  “Is there a baby?” My voice sounded thick, and my thoughts were jumbled.

  Archie smiled proudly. “Yes, there is, and he’s gorgeous. Just like his mother.”

  My eyes searched the room, looking for him. Confused, I looked at Archie, who said, “You’ll see him in a minute. The nurses will get you settled
first.”

  “No,” I insisted. “I want to see him now.”

  “Okay, okay.” Archie stood and walked away. I followed his movements with my eyes, watching him as the nurses settled a small bundle in his arms. Slowly, Archie walked back, and he turned toward me, tilting his arms slightly so that I could see our son. “He’s so beautiful,” I whispered. I couldn’t wait to hold him in my arms, to kiss his tiny cheeks and count all his fingers and toes.

  Archie leaned forward, our son nestled tightly in his arms, and kissed my parched lips. “I love you so much, Layne. Thank you for giving me the greatest gift ever.”

  Archie disappeared from my line of sight, and for a brief second, I started to panic. I was still incapable of moving anything other than my head and arms.

  “He’s hungry,” the nurse said as she took the baby from Archie’s arms and started handing him to me. “I think it’s time he met his mama.”

  The head of the bed rose until I was in a sitting position, and the nurses bustled around to make sure I was comfortable.

  “Oh, okay,” I said, my words and thoughts fuzzy. The nurse helped settle the baby in my arms and then tug down my gown to expose one breast. Everything was happening so slowly, like I was moving through water, and all I could think was holy shit! I have a baby.

  Archie laughed. “It’s pretty unbelievable, isn’t it?”

  Alarmed, I looked up at him. “Did I say that out loud?”

  The tiny person in my arms mewled and grunted, his tiny fists flailing in the air. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’ll try to focus.”

  With the help of the nurse, our little boy managed to latch onto my nipple. I had no idea if he was able to get any nourishment because I was in awe of his beauty. And maybe a little high too from whatever medications were still coursing through my body.

  “What’s his name?” the nurse assisting me asked.