by Holly Jaymes
“Sexy,” I whispered.
She made that humming sound that always got my libido revved up.
“Let’s go snow tubing today,” I said, gently biting her ear lobe.
“Snow tubing?” She turned her head, her blue eyes bright with excitement. “I love snow tubing.”
“Then let’s do it.”
“What about the media?” She turned in my arms.
“What about it?” I ran my hands down her back and squeezed her ass as I pulled her against me.
“I thought we were hiding.” Then the brightness in her eyes dimmed. “This is Dane’s idea, right? He thinks you need to counter the photos.”
She started to pull away, but I held her near.
“No.” Sure, any media attention on our outing would offset those photos and I’d considered that, but that wasn’t what had started all this. “This was my idea because I wanted to do something fun with you. Allie told me you liked snow tubing.”
She jerked back, her eyes studying me. “You called Allie?”
“I did.” I watched her, desperately wanting to kiss her, but felt like I needed to wait until we were past her concerns about my intentions. “She told me if I hurt you, she’d make trouble for me. I believe her.”
Victoria smiled. “I don’t know how she would. Allie is a sweet soul. But I love that she has my back.”
Guilt lanced through me again. “I hate that she needs to have your back because of me.”
“You’ve done a fair job of making it up to me.” Her smile was seductive as she pressed closer to me.
“Fair job?” I was fucking awesome in bed last night. But I knew what she was doing. “Well then, let’s see if I can move the rating from fair to good, shall we?” I pressed her body against the tile and did my best to make her feel good.
19
Helpless in Love
Victoria
I tried to keep my distance when he came to my room last night. I really did. His accusations, and his belief that I had betrayed him, gutted me. But his guilt looked authentic. His apology felt sincere.
Victoria, right now, you’re mine.
Pax could have any woman in the world, even now. The truth was, his fans probably wouldn’t care if he’d done something silly like gotten married by mistake. It would probably give him more character. But he was here with me, even if it was to deal with any media fallout.
What really got me was his admission that he was jealous.
Victoria, right now, you’re mine.
It would be unwise of me to read too much into all that, but I was unable to resist him by that point.
Let’s not worry about all the rest. Right now, it’s just you and me. That was what I needed to focus on. The here and now. I could do that.
The next morning, I let him work to improve his rating from fair to good in the shower, which more accurately was spectacular to mind-blowing, and then we dressed for snowy outdoor fun.
He drove us to a place further on the outskirts than Pine Rest already was. I gave myself a mental reminder to thank Allie for her suggestion to him.
Pax, like me, wore a knit cap and glasses which hopefully would conceal his identity as he paid for the tube rentals.
“Ready?” he asked, handing me a tube.
“I’m so ready.”
He grinned. “That sounds like a challenge.”
“We can race down the hill.” Chances were, he’d beat me since he was heavier and physics was on his side.
“Even if I lose, I win, Victoria. Watching your ass go down the hill isn’t losing at all.”
We walked up the hill and when we reached the top, I pulled out my phone. “Should we take a selfie?”
“That’s not why we’re doing this.”
It was ridiculous how happy that made me feel. This wasn’t a stunt to maintain his image. Then I reminded myself that in fact this really was all about maintaining his image. We were in Eden Lake pretending to be on a honeymoon to preserve his image. But at this moment, he was just having fun.
Let’s not worry about all the rest. Right now, it’s just you and me.
“I know, but it couldn’t hurt,” I said, wanting to be sure I was doing my part. While I’d done nothing wrong in meeting with Galen, I could still help to put the misunderstanding back to rights in the media.
He nodded. “Okay. But don’t post it until later so we don’t risk people showing up here.”
Good point. He wrapped his arm around me as I held up my phone to snap the picture.
“Say cheese,” I said.
He leaned in and kissed my temple as I poked the button to take the picture. My insides went all warm at the sweet gesture.
We carried our tubes and set them each on a carved track on the hill.
“See you at the bottom, Maddox.” I used his real last name because that was who he was, not just so people wouldn’t be tipped off to his being here. I didn’t wait as I pushed off and started down. It was slow at first, but I quickly picked up speed. I loved how the cold slapped me in the face and how the wind whistled in my ears as I careened down the hill.
Pax slid by me, giving me a wave. I blew him a kiss. At the bottom, the hill leveled out and slightly tilted up to slow us down and help us stop.
“Holy fuck, that was awesome!” He jumped up. “Not quite as good as sex, but a near second.”
I laughed. It was great to see him so happy. The last time I’d ever seen him so relaxed and loose was six years ago in London.
We spent several hours walking up and sliding down the slope. As exercise, it was definitely more fun than the treadmill, although he was right, it wasn’t quite as good as sex. At least, sex with him.
When we finished, we turned in our tubes and he looped his arm around me as we went to the car.
“How have I never done this before?” he said. “Did you do stuff like this a lot growing up?”
I nodded. “Yes. I was fortunate to have a family with means and we did many fun things like this.” I felt bad for Pax and Lily. Their mother had the money to go on family adventures, as my dad would call them, but she was too focused on her own career. So, they always had the opportunity to travel the world, but never saw more than their hotel room or wherever their mother’s photoshoot was taking place.
He opened the passenger side of the car and helped me. Then he got in on the driver’s side. “I’m definitely going to have to do stuff like that more. Do you ski?”
“I used to ski a lot. I haven’t much in the last few years. I’d teach you but it might ruin your image.” Immediately, I regretted using those words.
Fortunately, he didn’t seem to notice. “Why?”
“Well, because you’d probably be recognized at the ski resorts and then you’d be embarrassed as you fell and rolled down the hill.”
He gave me a look. “I’m very talented with my body.”
My girly parts tingled in agreement. “That is true.”
We started driving back to Pine Rest.
“I want hot chocolate,” he stated.
I laughed. “What are you, seven?”
“That’s what your sister said. She said tubing brought out the seven-year-old in you.”
“It brings out the seven-year-old in everyone.” We had the makings for hot chocolate at the cabin, but I wondered if he meant he wanted to go out. Celebrity sightings in Eden Lake weren’t so odd that it led to problems. Granted, most of the celebrities stayed at the big resorts, but they often came to town or went on the lake, so it wasn’t as big of a deal to them to see someone like Pax. “There is a coffee place in town that has good hot drinks, if you’re wanting to go out. The locals might gawk but I think they’d leave you alone.” I remembered the picture that was taken yesterday and rethought the idea. “On the other hand, that’s where I met Galen.”
Pax was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “Fuck it, let’s go.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I’m tired of being cooped up
and it’s something a honeymoon couple would do, right?”
Back to project maintain-image, I thought. “Right. You might let your dad know in case he wants his deputies aware that paparazzi might show up here.”
He frowned. “Really?”
“He did it for Lily. He even gave her a guard. Wyatt.”
“We don’t need that. Do we? The last thing I want is some cop sniffing around you.”
I looked out my window as I smiled. I really liked it when his jealousy came out. “We can post the selfie and then say we’re on our way somewhere else. L.A. maybe. See if we can’t keep them off the track.”
“Good idea,” he agreed.
We drove into town and parked near Paradise Java. Pax held my hand as we walked to the café, but I tried not to read anything into it. He was thinking of his image now. He opened the door and let me in first. We both scanned the place, but it was empty.
“Welcome to Paradise Java,” the young woman behind the counter said. As we stepped up, Pax took off his glasses and hat. The woman’s eyes widened and she smiled, although she appeared to be holding back her excitement. “What can I get you, Mr. and Mrs. Ryder?”
We both flinched at that. My first thought was that I was Mrs. Maddox, but then I quickly pushed that away. Legally I was his wife, but in reality, I was his friend. With benefits.
“Two hot chocolates,” I said. “Large.”
“With whipped cream?” she asked.
“Yes. Thank you.”
Pax pulled out his wallet to pay.
“Would you mind if I asked for your autograph, Mr. Ryder?”
“Not at all,” he said with a smile. It wasn’t the smile I’d seen on the hill. Or the one he sometimes shared with me. It felt more like his out-in-public smile.
The woman handed him a pen and tore a piece of paper from the receipt roll on the register. “Make it to Janell.”
Pax signed the paper.
“When I go back to school, my girlfriends are going to die. I mean, I’ve run into a lot of celebs here, but never someone as big as you.”
He smiled again as he pushed the pen and paper back to her. “Thank you.”
“I’ll get your hot chocolates.”
A few minutes later, she gave us our drinks. “Will you be here for Winterfest?”
“What’s that?” Pax asked.
“It’s a winter festival of sorts. There are exhibitions, craft vendors, and music. Oh my God, if you played here.”
I rolled my eyes. Pax Ryder sold out stadiums. There was no way he could play here as the town wouldn’t be able to accommodate him. His father would likely stroke out at having to manage the traffic, the people, everything.
“Pax has to return to England soon,” I said, giving him an out.
“Oh right. I forgot you don’t live here. I guess you’ll be moving there too then, Victoria. Allie will miss you, I bet.” I hadn’t realized how well Janell knew my business. But I supposed that was how it was in a small town.
“Yes.” I took Pax’s arm and led him to a table in the corner.
He looked around as we sat. “This is where you had your meeting.”
I nodded. “Galen is doing the Radiance launch. He’s on my ass about Lisbeth. I thought she was more put together, but now I’m thinking she’s flighty.”
He smirked at me over the rim of his hot chocolate. “Perhaps she’s lost in a haze of love.”
I gave him a face, not appreciating his tossing my words about her back at me. “You know, she’s going to have a picture of you up on Instagram shortly if she hasn’t already.”
“Lisbeth?”
“No. The woman who served us.”
He glanced over his shoulder. Janell quickly turned away to avoid the appearance that she was watching him.
“Maybe I should post the tubing picture. We can take one in here too and then put a comment like, ‘Last hot chocolate before heading home’ or something,” I suggested.
He moved next to me, holding his cup up. I held mine too.
“Kiss me, Victoria.”
I turned my head to him, and he pressed his lips to mine. I poked the button, not sure if I got the shot. We looked at it together.
“We make a cute couple,” I said, and then inside winced, worried he’d think I wanted more than this moment.
“You’re cute,” he said. “I’m a fucking rock star.”
I laughed. “Oh yeah. I forgot.”
He watched beside me as I posted the photo on Instagram.
“You’ve got a shitload of followers. Way more than me,” he said.
“Many of these followers are yours.”
“Oh?”
“They’re curious about the woman you married. Of course, if you posted to your Instagram more, you’d probably have more followers than me.”
He shrugged. “I don’t like living in a fishbowl.”
“Lucky you have me to help with that.” I pressed the post button on Instagram.
“I am lucky. You have your own life and business. And you’ve put it on hold to help me out. I appreciate it, Victoria.”
“Hanging with you is hardly a hardship, Pax. And my business isn’t really on hold. In fact, being married to you has given it a boost. Now, if Lisbeth would get her butt in gear and partner with us, all would be perfect.” I looked at him. “Do you think Dane is interfering? Telling her not to sign with me?”
Pax shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s possible, but I haven’t talked to him about her.” He sipped his hot chocolate. “I can ask if you like.”
I shrugged. “I just want to know if she’s yanking my chain or if Dane is interfering so I can plan accordingly.”
“Next time I talk to him, I’ll ask.”
It felt a little off to ask for Pax’s help with the Lisbeth issue. It didn’t seem right to mix my business in his. But he offered, and I really was counting on her. It was sweet of him to help.
The bell over the door rang, and a couple walked in.
“Oh hey, Victoria,” the woman waved.
“Willa, how are you?”
Willa’s gaze moved from me to Pax and she whispered to her husband, Mason. He looked over as us and the two came to our table.
Pax stiffened slightly.
“It’s okay,” I whispered. When they reached us, I did the introductions. “Pax, this is Willa and Mason McLean. Mason is Tucker’s brother. He helped arrange for that hot tub we’ve been enjoying.”
Pax smiled and extended his hand. “It’s a great tub.”
Mason shook his hand. “Glad it’s getting some use.” He put his arm around Willa.
“How long are you here for?” Willa asked.
“Not much longer,” Pax answered.
My heart stalled in my chest. I’d said something similar to Janell, but I was just saying that to get him out of attending the winter festival. His saying it was a reminder that this time we were having together was fleeting and nearing its end.
“Have you heard from Lily? She and Wyatt should be home soon, right?” Willa asked.
Again, my heart did a stutter beat. “Soon.”
I remembered Willa and Mason’s history; two people from feuding families who were now happily together. I wondered how they got past their family’s attitudes so they could be together. Was it something we could do to help Lily come around to accepting us? Assuming Pax was interested in an us.
“How are your families?” I asked. Then I leaned to Pax. “This is the McLean-Haynesville couple that ended the century-old feud.”
Pax looked at them, intrigued. “A real-life Romeo and Juliet. But with a better outcome.”
Willa and Mason laughed.
“Yes. Our families are good. My folks are still in Sedona,” Willa said. “It’s hard for them to come here.”
“Because of Mason?” I asked, thinking maybe they’d just told the families to butt out.
“Nah, they pretty much accept him now. But they’ve lost their standing in town. It’s silly
, but it is what it is. Mason’s parents are in Mexico, living as ex-pats.”
“They love it. Especially this time of year when it’s cold,” Mason finished. “We’re talking about taking a trip to visit them soon.”
Willa grinned up at him like they shared a secret. “We’ll see them while we’re there, but we’re having our own little trip. We have a new project we’re working on.”
Pax looked perplexed, but I understood. They were getting ready to start a family.
“I hope it all goes well. I love how your families support you,” I said.
Pax glanced at me and he probably knew I was thinking of Lily.
“We didn’t give them a choice, did we?” Willa looked up at Mason.
“No. It took a bit to get to that place. It’s not easy being forced to choose. Well, it was for me.” He smiled lovingly at Willa. “But my family wasn’t as against us as Willa’s was.”
“In the end, I made them choose. Me and Mason or not me at all,” Willa said firmly.
I wondered if Pax and I could do that. Lily was my good friend, and I didn’t want to lose her, but I resented her for putting me in a position of having to choose between her and Pax. But what if she had to choose between accepting us or losing us?
“Well, we’re here to pick up some coffee and muffins for the fire department,” Willa said.
We said our goodbyes and they went to get their food.
Pax finished his hot chocolate, but I still had half a cup.
“Is it the air that makes these men so big?” Pax asked as he watched Mason at the counter.
I laughed. “Mason was a SEAL. Tucker is his brother. I’m sure it’s genetic.” I leaned over and bumped his shoulder. “You’re big too, you know.”
He grinned at me. “You think so?”
I waggled my brows. “I know so.” He studied me for a moment and then leaned over to kiss me. It didn’t feel like it was for show. Like he was doing it to continue the charade of our happy marriage.
That evening as we arrived back at the cabin, I had to accept the fact that I wasn’t just in lust with Pax. I didn’t just care for him. I was hopelessly, head over heels in love with him. I also knew that when it was over, it was going to hurt much more than it had six years ago.