The Surrogate Husband

by Wynter Daniels

  Niki came in and surreptitiously poured herself a drink at the bar. Lucy had mentioned that she wasn’t quite twenty-one yet and their mother was a stickler for rules like the legal drinking age. “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” Niki said.

  “I’ll bet that was a hoot.” Patrice said.

  “It was,” Lucy said. “I was Dog, and I wore a frizzy blond wig, a leather vest, straps of leather around my upper arms, and dark sunglasses. Oh, and a fake blond moustache.”

  Niki laughed. “And I was his wife. Lucy stuffed my shirt with six pairs of socks and my boobs still weren’t half as humongous as the real Beth’s.”

  Dex studied the sisters. Their faces were almost identical. Same crystal-blue eyes, same defined cheekbones and full lips. Niki’s hair was a little shorter, and of course, Lucy’s was pink, rather than black, like her sister’s. But they couldn’t present two more different images.

  Where Lucy wore no-holds-barred-sexy clothes that seemed as if they belonged in the bedroom, Niki’s style was understated and classic. Lucy wore black eyeliner and hot pink lip gloss, unlike Niki’s barely-there makeup.

  Niki—if she were older—was the kind of girl he usually dated. She seemed conservative and predictable. Safe. Someone who’d never go bungee jumping off a mile-high cliff, or participate in the annual running of the bulls. Yet it was Lucy he found infinitely more attractive, but unfortunately a woman who seemed to be forever drawn to dangerous pursuits.

  Mrs. Swann came into the room and interrupted his thoughts. “Dinner’s served.”

  He took Lucy’s arm, and they followed the others into the dining room.

  “Sit here, you two,” Bev said. “As Lucy will attest, I’m a born romantic. And I haven’t heard nearly enough about your wedding, or your courtship.”

  Lucy dug her fingernails into his skin. “Not much to tell, Aunt Bev.”

  “I don’t believe that for one second,” Bev said. “Strange that you never mentioned Dex in any of your calls. Or even that you were dating anyone special.”

  “Remember that you were ill for a while,” Michelle said. “For much of the time you were in intensive care, you couldn’t speak on the phone.”

  “And when we did talk to you, you were so weak,” Lucy added. “Some of the time you were delirious.”

  Bev pursed her lips. “Can’t say I remember that part.”

  Lucy let out a quiet sigh. “Be careful,” she whispered to Dex, confident that Bev couldn’t hear her. “I feel like she’s trying to trip us up.”

  He nodded. “I got this.” He took the chair to Bev’s right, and Lucy sat beside him.

  A woman who appeared to be a younger version of Mrs. Swann, the owner of the inn, helped serve salads to the guests.

  Aunt Bev tapped Dex’s arm.

  “Where did you get married?” she asked.

  “Napa Valley.” Lucy answered before he could.

  “Did you have the ceremony at one of the wineries?” She took a bite of her salad, her gaze darting between his and Lucy’s.

  “Yes,” He said at exactly the same moment Lucy said, “no.”

  Lucy pinched his thigh.

  “Ouch.” He rubbed his leg. “We were going to, but we ended up going to city hall.”

  Bev eyed them. “You two ought to get your story straight. Your grandchildren will want to know.”

  Lucy blanched and let out a too-loud chuckle. “Maybe we’ll have another ceremony for our tenth wedding anniversary.”

  Niki handed the Mrs. Swann look-alike her mostly-cleaned off salad plate. “What are you men planning while we’re having Trisha’s bachelorette party tonight?”

  “We’ll be raising our own hell,” Alan said. “Not really. I already had my bachelor party last week, but just because our numbers are small, doesn’t mean we can’t have a good time.”

  “That’s right.” Jack poured Michelle a glass of wine. “While you ladies are ogling nightgowns and panties, we’ll be smoking cigars and watching dirty movies.”

  “Finally, I get a cigar,” Trisha’s father said.

  “I don’t like cigars. They’re stinky.” Logan folded his arms over his chest and frowned. “And I don’t want to watch a dirty movie. Can’t we play video games?”

  Elena covered her son’s ears. “No more talk of dirty movies, please.”

  Jonathan ruffled his son’s blond hair. “Hate to tell you, buddy, but you’re going to bed long before the party begins.”

  The boy’s frown deepened. “No fair.”

  While the staff served the main course of Chicken Cordon Bleu, the women teased Trisha with some hushed information about the bachelorette party.

  “There’s a golf course a few miles from here,” Jack said to Dex. “Do you play? I was thinking about organizing a game tomorrow morning.”

  “Sure. I’d love to.” Dex glanced at Lucy in case she had an objection, but she was speaking to her mother and sister.

  Alan raised his hand. “Count me in.”

  “Who are you kidding?” Elena raised her wine glass to the men. “You’ll all be hung over.”

  Kyle nodded. “Which is why we’re having the parties tonight instead of tomorrow night. We might all need a day to recover before Sunday’s wedding.”

  After dinner, Dex returned to the room with Lucy and sprawled out on the bed. “Are you all right? I was afraid you were going to pass out before when Bev asked about where we got married.”

  She buried her face in her hands. “One moment I’m sure everything’s fine, and she completely believes our story. Then the next I feel like she’s testing us because she doesn’t.” Pacing the floor, she pinched the bridge of her nose.

  “Do you have a headache? I’ve got aspirin in my drawer.”

  She shook her head. “Something stronger maybe. Good thing they’re serving hard liquor at the bachelorette party.”

  “How long before we have to be back downstairs?” he asked.

  Lucy checked her watch. “Forty-five minutes.” She sat on the edge of the mattress and absently flipped through a magazine. “I’m sorry. Is my family wearing you out? Or is it pretending to be my husband that’s doing it?”

  “They’re not wearing me out. Your relatives are great.”

  Poking her finger at a page, she squealed. “How cool. They have hang gliding over the lake not far from here. We should totally check that out. What a great distraction.”

  In truth, it sounded like fun, yet he didn’t care for the idea of her doing it. “The gators are mating now, remember? Why are you always so drawn to such dangerous activities?”

  “Huh?” Sitting up, she squinted at him. “What are you talking about?”

  He stroked a hand along her thigh. “The fast motorcycle, your fascination with heights.”

  “Fascination with heights?”

  He gestured at the magazine. “Hang gliding? Sitting on the edge of the roof earlier? Wanting to take a walk on top of one of Miami’s high rises a couple nights ago. It’s like you’re trying to prove something.”

  Her throat twitched with a swallow, and she dropped her gaze. Had he touched a nerve? “I’m not trying to prove anything to anybody,” she said. “Forget I mentioned hang gliding. It was only an idea. What’s it to you, anyway?”

  The question took him by surprise. Not so much that she would ask it, but that he wouldn’t know the answer. He swallowed. “I…would never want you to get hurt.” Of course that was all. She was his friend and client. A woman he’d been lusting after for a while, nothing more. Couldn’t be more. All he had to offer her was in the short term.

  Their eyes met, held for a long moment. Finally, she pushed the magazine aside and stretched out on the bed next to him. There was no talking, no tender words or talk of a future. All they had was here and now, exactly as he’d planned. This was going to be enough. It had to be.

  He held her against him, listening to her even breaths until it was time to join the other guests.

  They descended the stairs in silence. />
  Back on the ground floor, Bev stood in the doorway, staring at them with rapt interest, as always. “Good evening, lovebirds. Think you can bear to be apart for a couple hours?”

  “It’s tough,” Lucy said. She gave Dex a too-quick kiss on his lips.

  But he grasped her upper arms and held her to him. He licked the seam of her lips, then ventured his tongue between them. She tasted of the wine they’d drunk with dinner.

  He threaded his fingers through her hair as he kissed her soundly. All for Bev, he told himself. Yet, he couldn’t deny that he craved Lucy as a lover. When he finally backed away, he grinned at the surprise he found in her expression. And the passion. “There’s more where that came from,” he whispered.

  When Bev started toward the drawing room, Dex pulled closer to Lucy and raked her earlobe between his teeth. “I plan to make love to you tonight.”

  She lifted an eyebrow. “It might be late and—”

  He spoke against her ear. “I don’t give a damn what time it is. I want you, Lucy. And I intend to have you.” Every muscle in his body tightened with yearning. So what that their affair was only for the weekend? They were both clearly enjoying the hell out of it.

  She swallowed, didn’t even try to mask her desire, which would have been futile since it was written all over her face, from the pout of her full lips to the rosy flush of her cheeks. “I’ll see you later, then.” She turned to leave, and he gave her backside a playful slap.

  Gasping, she glanced over her shoulder at him and grinned.

  Bev glanced over her shoulder at them. “Now that’s what I’d expect from newlyweds

  Lucy drew a sharp breath, clearly surprised that her aunt was still listening. “Come on, Aunt Bev. Time to tease Trisha instead of me.”

  Dex strode to the TV room where the men had gathered.

  Alan handed him a beer. “I had my doubts that you and my niece could pull off this fake marriage thing when I met you at the rehearsal dinner. No one would have figured a suit like you would be with someone like Lucy. But I have to admit, you two seem very cozy now. Got something going, huh?”

  Taking a long pull on his beer, Dex contemplated how to answer. “Lucy’s a great girl.”

  Kyle, the bride-to-be’s brother, pulled him to a corner then clapped him on the back. “You lucky dog,” he stage whispered. “Between those short skirts and that hot body, damn. I’d tap that.”

  Dex clenched his jaw. If he were anywhere else and not with Lucy’s family, he’d have punched the guy for the comment. But Kyle was obviously already drunk. “That’s my wife you’re talking about, Kyle. Watch your mouth.”

  “She’s not your wife, dude.” He took a swig of his drink.

  “Okay, either way, you won’t be tapping anything.”

  Alan stepped between them. “You’re cut off, Kyle.”

  Lucy’s stepfather, Jack, led Kyle away and deposited him on a couch in the back of the room.

  Dex headed to the small bar for another beer.

  Jack joined him. “Lucy’s mom really appreciates what you’re doing. Bev would have been brokenhearted if she’d found out Michelle lied to her. And that Lucy wasn’t married after all.”

  “Glad I could help. I’m not exactly suffering, you know.”

  Jack moved closer and lowered his voice. “That’s clear. You and Lucy seem…close. I didn’t realize you two were dating.”

  Why was his relationship with Lucy on everyone’s mind? The last person he wanted to discuss Lucy with was her stepfather. It didn’t stop Jack from continuing. “I know she comes off like she’s got a ton of confidence and likes to live on the edge, but the truth is she’s a wounded bird. All that pink hair and those skimpy outfits, it’s her weird way of keeping people at arms’ length.”

  Dex set his bottle on the bar. “I figured that one out. Don’t worry. I’d never hurt Lucy. I care about her.”

  Jack nodded. “I can see that. If you really do, don’t let her push you away. I’ve known her for ten years. Aside from her asshole ex-fiancé, you’re the first person she’s let this close.”

  “Got it.” He loosened his collar. But he wondered what her family thought. Did they assume he and Lucy would continue dating after the weekend? Lucy would never go for that, and he wasn’t at liberty to offer her anything, thanks to the merger. Even if he were free to date her, he doubted he could deal with another woman who enjoyed the thrill of danger. But it was all a moot point.

  “The Dolphins scored a touchdown,” someone shouted.

  When Jack took a step toward the television for the replay, Dex glanced out the window and caught a glimpse of someone moving along the dock. A dot of blond hair and something yellow. He recalled the plastic water wings Logan had worn when he’d gone in the pool with his father earlier.

  Logan.

  The child jumped into the water and disappeared.

  “Oh no.” His pulse pounded as he raced from the room and out the side door.

  Jack came after him. “What’s going on?” he called.

  “Call nine-one-one. Logan just went into the lake.” He sprinted as fast as he could across the lawn to the beach then to the end of the dock, praying he’d find the child clinging to one of the supports. But he didn’t. The moon was barely a sliver and no help in seeing across the coal-black water. “Logan. Logan, where are you?”

  No answer. He remembered the warning they’d received upon arrival that the alligators were mating now and were particularly aggressive. He couldn’t bring himself to consider what could happen to Logan. A few yards away he glimpsed movement, something whitish, like Logan’s blond hair.

  He wouldn’t let that little boy die. Ripping off his shirt, he dove into the cool water.

  Flashlights skittered across the lake from the shore, but the child was nowhere in sight. He swam under the surface, pushing his way through muck and high grass.

  Damn it. He refused to let Logan drown. Something splashed nearby. He headed toward the sound, unsure if he was going toward the child or a hungry gator.

  Chapter Nine

  Trisha had just opened her present from Niki, a white corset with red satin ribbons in front—when one of the men shouted into the room. “Logan’s fallen in the lake.”

  Elena, Logan’s mother, gasped. The rest of the women waded through a sea of gift bags and bows and lingerie, then charged out of the room toward the back door. Lucy’s chest was tight with panic as she followed them¸ but she refused to entertain the possibilities of what could happen to him.

  She kicked off her sandals and ran toward the dock with Elena, who was crying and screaming for her son.

  Jack pulled Elena into his arms. “Dex went in after him. He’ll find him,” he assured her.

  But Lucy couldn’t imagine how. The water was so black, and Logan could be anywhere. She held back tears. Best thing she could do was to stay strong for Elena.

  When they reached the shore, some of the men were standing on the dock, shining lights on the water. Her pulse raced as she offered up a silent prayer that Logan would be okay. He had to be.

  Mrs. Swann focused a powerful flashlight over the water while her husband climbed down the ladder into the lake grasping a long, metal pole and a lifesaver.

  Uncle Alan took off his shoes and shirt. “I’m going in, too.”

  Trisha got there right after the rest of the women and grabbed her man’s arm. “Alan, there could be alligators in the water. Please be careful.”

  He hugged her briefly. “My grandson’s in there with them.” He jumped off the dock and swam toward Dex.

  Mr. Swann held fast to a lifesaver tied to a rope while he skimmed his flashlight over the water.

  “Dex was a Marine,” Lucy said to no one in particular. For the first time in her life, she viewed that as a positive.

  They waited in silence for what felt like an eternity. A few people held hands, others appeared to pray. Lucy promised God she’d do anything, give up everything she had if he’d keep that little
boy safe.

  “Over there.” Kyle directed a light toward some lily pads. “I think I see him.”

  Mrs. Swann trained her beam on the area, too. A flash of bright yellow came into view. “Right there.” She pointed to the spot, and the men swam toward it.

  Please let them save him.

  Lucy heard voices but couldn’t make out what they’d said.

  Dex lifted Logan in his arms for them to see. The kid was smiling, wearing his water wings.

  Smiling.

  Lucy said a silent thank you.

  Mr. Swann threw the lifesaver to Dex, who grabbed on to it and let the men help reel him in.

  Elena shouted with relief, then burst into tears. And Lucy joined her. They held each other tightly until Dex made it to the dock and handed the dripping child up to Jack, who deposited him into Elena’s waiting arms.

  She kneeled to hug him, kissed him until he wriggled out of her embrace. “Why would you go in the lake all alone? I’m so angry with you. But I’m so thankful you’re okay.” She covered his head in kisses and tears.

  “Daddy was sleeping. I wanted him to take me swimming, but he wouldn’t get up. I’m a good swimmer.”

  “Don’t you ever do something like that again. Mommy was worried sick.” Elena reached her hand to Dex as he climbed out of the water. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  He shrugged off her gratitude. “I’m just glad I noticed him.”

  Mrs. Swann gave Dex and Alan towels then wrapped one around Logan. “Thank God he’s safe,” she said.

  Logan’s father came running from the house toward the crowd just as the fire truck and ambulance arrived. “What the hell happened?”

  Elena explained it to him. He cried and held his wife and child. Lucy had to turn away so she wouldn’t lose it.

  When the ambulance arrived, they checked out Logan as well as all three men who’d helped rescue him. Then everyone headed inside, each of them taking a turn to embrace Logan before his parents took him upstairs.

  Uncle Alan stopped Dex before he started up the stairs. “I don’t know how to thank you. If you hadn’t been here, we might have lost Logan tonight.” In an uncharacteristic show of affection, he pulled Dex into a hug.