Love (Blind Vows #3)

by J. M. Witt

  “Lucy. Sweet Lucy.” He lifted slightly so I could pull my hand free. When I did he circled my wrist and held it above my head against the bed. I pulsed around him as he winced with pleasure. “Minx.”

  Rolling to his back, he pulled me with him where I fell asleep soon after.

  ~ Chapter 10 ~

  ~ HEATH ~

  I woke up to her hands and lips scouring my body. It didn’t take long for me to fully wake in every sense of the word.

  Before she took me in her mouth, she smiled at me and said, “It’s my turn.”

  Her warm mouth sheathed me as I watched her. “Lucy. Don’t stop.”

  Her mouth made a popping sound as she released me, “Not a chance. My new favorite flavor.”

  The next few days went really well. Almost like all the bad that had happened never existed. When she wasn’t working she was helping me at the gym. She was right and she did have a good feel for numbers. She started finding little errors here and there and began reconciling them for us.

  I could picture her and I running the gyms together, at least this one, but I would never ask her to leave her profession. I rarely heard her complain about being a dental hygienist and I wasn’t going to push her. Will and I really needed to find someone permanent. Until then, Lucy was our best bet.

  The next day Will and I had another lunch meeting with Jameson. We were both annoyed, but kept our cool when Stella walked in. Jameson was on wife number three and Stella was the daughter of his second wife.

  As Stella said hello to Jameson, Will asked me discreetly, “How’d she know about this meeting?”

  I just shook my head. I had no idea, but I knew it wasn’t just a coincidence.

  “Please, join us Stella.” Jameson motioned to the empty chair across from me and she shook her head. “Come on. A lovely lady like yourself.” He looked to Will and I, “You don’t mind do you, boys?”

  Will asked her to join us as I took a deep breath and avoided making eye contact with her. We were almost done with the meal and Stella actually behaved herself. Will and I needed to discuss business, but we weren’t comfortable doing so with her there.

  Will was growing impatient and announced, “We don’t want to keep you from your afternoon, Stella. We have business to discuss with Jameson if you have other things to attend to.”

  “Oh, not at all. Actually, I find the business side of things very interesting.” She smiled before taking a sip of water as Will gripped his napkin in annoyance.

  “Stella, can I talk to you in private?” I seized the moment knowing she couldn’t resist a moment alone with me. I stood and when she nodded her approval, I pulled her chair out as we headed to the bar. Will was the businessman, I was just the muscle so to speak. I hoped taking Stella to the bar would give him enough time to schmooze with Jameson.

  “Aren’t you going to buy me a drink?”

  Grunting, “Sure. Whatever you like.” She waved down the bartender and ordered a Cosmo. She asked if I wanted anything and I responded, “Nope.” As the bartender walked away I got to the point. “Cut the shit. What are you doing here?”

  She pressed her lips together smugly and denied any wrongdoing. “Pure coincidence.”

  “So you just happened to be coming to this restaurant, alone, for lunch.” She nodded her head. “Bullshit.”

  “Think what you want.” The bartender dropped off her drink as I handed over some cash to cover it. “You don’t really think I planned this do you?” She took a sip and I knew damn well she had. I just couldn’t figure out why.

  We sat there for a few minutes as I kept idle conversation with her while keeping an eye on Jameson and Will. I spotted them both stand several minutes later and shake hands. Will made his way toward me.

  “We’re all set.” He seemed to understand the question in my eyes and just nodded. “Jameson would like to see you, Stella.” She seemed surprised to hear that and I was too. “Oh, and one more thing, Stella.” She smiled, neither of us prepared for what Will would say. “You’re fired.” What the hell had Will done? Looking to me he huffed, “Let’s go.”

  When we were out of earshot, I asked, “I thought we were waiting to fire her? Everything good? Should we be leaving them alone?”

  “Chill out, it’s all good. I filled Jameson in on her little obsession with you.”

  “You what?”

  “No worries. He said he’s used to her games. Montrose is ours.”

  I stopped him and he smiled. “What did you say?”

  “It’s ours.”

  I clenched my fists and threw them in the air. We hugged briefly. Opening a gym had been our dream and now we had a chain. I wanted to celebrate and there was only one person I wanted to do that with.

  Will dropped me off at the gym and I immediately hopped in my car and ran to the store. I was going to cook her dinner and picked up some food and flowers before heading back home.

  The pasta had just finished cooking when she walked in the door that night. The table was set and she smiled at me when she realized I’d cooked dinner. She walked over to me and got up on her tip toes to kiss me. Slinking my arms around her waist I pulled her closer.

  Nuzzling into my chest, she asked, “Are we celebrating?”

  “We are.”

  “What’s the occasion?”

  “Don’t worry about that. Why don’t you go get comfortable and I’ll finish this.” She pursed her lips, wondering what I was up to and nodded before heading to the bedroom.

  As I finished fixing our plates and pouring the wine, she came out of the bedroom in a robe. I wasn’t sure if she wore anything underneath and she knew what I was thinking.

  My hands reached for her as she dodged them. “Ahh, nope. I’m eating my dinner first. It smells too good to pass up.” I kissed her temple after she sat and then sat down across from her.

  “We got Montrose.”

  Her eyes got big as she squealed. “Really?” I nodded as she leapt from her seat and sat in my lap. “Honey, that’s great. I’m so happy for you.”

  Wrapping my arms around her waist, I kissed her as she cupped my face. I liked hearing her call me ‘Honey’. “Thank you. It’s pretty exciting.”

  “I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. It’s amazing.”

  “It’s no biggie. I’d never be where I’m at without Will…and you.” She tilted her head and mentioned something about having nothing to do with my success. I corrected her. “You’re wrong, Lucy. I did this for you. Whether you realize it or not, or if I even realized it…But I wanted something to show for, to prove I was worthy.”

  “Heath, you’ve always been worthy.” I wasn’t sure how to respond. There were so many things I wanted to tell her, ask her. “What is it? You have that look on your face like you want to say something, but you’re not sure if you should.”

  Smirking, I caved and asked her what I’d I wanted to since our session with Dr. Phillips. “What did you mean when you told Dr. Phillips that you hadn’t been honest about your feelings for me?” She tried to hide her reaction, but she stiffened for a split second and then looked away from me. “Never mind. I don’t want to push you.” I felt guilty and insecure again and hated the power she had over me.

  “You’re not pushing.” She took a deep breath. This couldn’t be good. “I’ve been thinking about it, too. I think after that summer,” she looked in my eyes to make sure I knew which one she was referring to and continued, “I latched on to my anger so tightly that I didn’t know how to let go of it. I think if I’d figured out a way to let go of it I would’ve discovered something else entirely.”

  Narrowing my eyes, I asked, “Discovered what?”

  She was playing with the sash on her robe, keeping her hands busy. It was a nervous habit of hers. “Love.” She made eye contact and looked away, mistaking my look of shock for something else. She tried covering her tracks and mumbled, “Or deep like.”

  “Look at me.” When she did I asked her to explain. “Tell
me more.”

  “I just mean, I think that I was falling for you and deep down that scared me.” Her voice quieted as she confessed, “It still scares me.”

  My heart was full and I wanted to tell her how I felt, with her awake and looking at me, but I wanted to hear her say it first. It was the last piece of armor I had against her and I refused to drop it until she said those three words first. Then I’d know I had her.

  “Are you trying to tell me that you’re falling for me?” When her eyes met mine, she took in my smile and pinched her lips together, her eyes grinning back at me.

  “I think we both know that I fell for you long ago. I’m just finally admitting it.”

  Leaning my forehead against hers, I confided in her, “I fell for you long ago, too.”

  “Pinky swear?” She lifted her hand and held out her pinky to me.

  Wrapping my pinky around hers, I agreed, “Pinky promise. Our little secret.”

  ~ Chapter 11 ~

  ~ LUCY ~

  It was the day of our meeting with Dr. Phillips and the day we had to make our decision on whether we were staying married or getting a divorce. I knew what my answer was without a doubt and I was pretty confident that Heath’s answer was the same. We had yet to say those three little words, but I planned to tell him after our meeting.

  The day was dragging at work and I couldn’t wait to get the day over with. My last patient canceled so I drove home early. I ran upstairs when I didn’t see his car in the parking lot. We’d agreed to meet at Dr. Phillips’ office and he was probably visiting O and I didn’t want to bother him. I pulled my scrubs off and put on a dress. It felt appropriate considering what we were embarking on.

  It took every ounce of my willpower not to call or text him. The anticipation was killing me, but I also enjoyed the rush of it all. I headed to the therapy session and when I pulled into the parking lot, I looked for his car. It wasn’t there so I waited for a few minutes before walking to the office. I didn’t want Dr. Phillips to think we were late.

  I sat in her waiting area for a few minutes and Heath still hadn’t arrived. She popped her head out of her office and called me back.

  “Heath’s not here yet. Let me call him.”

  “It’s ok. That just gives us some time to chat first.” She smiled and I slipped my phone back in my purse and followed her into her office.

  Once we were both seated she asked how things were and I replied, “Good. They’re really good.”

  Like she knew I was holding back, she asked, “And?”

  “I’m in love.”

  “Have you told him?”

  “Not yet. I think we’re both waiting for the other to say it first.”

  “If you truly believe that, maybe you should tell him. Some men can be very guarded using those three words. It’s like their armor is gone once they reveal it.” I smiled and agreed. I’d tell him the first chance we were alone.

  She asked if I’d heard from him yet and I checked my phone. “This isn’t like him.”

  “It’s ok. So, I have the results.” That caught my attention and I watched her pull a manila envelope to her lap. “You look scared.”

  I sighed and released a heavy breath. “I’m not sure I want to know. I don’t have any regrets and he’s who I want.” Pointing at the envelope, “That won’t change anything for me…”

  “But?”

  “I worry it has the potential to really hurt him.”

  “What if it’s good news?”

  I didn’t respond. Just shrugged my shoulders. I wasn’t sure the 50/50 odds were worth the risk to his pride. I wanted him, not his brother or anyone else and the results wouldn’t sway that for me. If he wasn’t my match on paper, I feared it had the potential to ruin him which could in turn ruin us.

  Twenty minutes passed and I was growing worried. I kept checking my phone. He wasn’t answering my calls or texts. Eventually our appointment came and went. I was growing livid.

  “Lucy, listen. Let’s not jump to conclusions. I just hope he’s ok. We can reschedule, or not. Here,” she handed me the sealed envelope, “open it together, or don’t.” We exchanged a brief hug and then I left.

  When I got in my car I decided to call the gym. The receptionist said that Heath had left his phone at the gym, but he’d left me a message. I thought it a little strange, but didn’t think anything of it. She gave me the name of a hotel and told me to check in at the front desk.

  Driving to the hotel I was growing excited. I was still pissed he missed the meeting, but maybe he had this romantic evening planned. I couldn’t wait to see what he had up his sleeve.

  I stopped at the desk and was handed an envelope with my name on it. Inside was a key and the room number. My heart was racing as images of a rose petal covered hotel room danced through my mind. The elevator opened up to the designated floor. I walked the long hall, almost wondering if I was going the right way when I came upon a double door with the room number displayed.

  Opening the door, a suite was revealed to me. Champagne and two glasses sat on the kitchenette and I could hear the water running. When I looked toward the bathroom, Heath walked out and he appeared angry. A towel around his waist, he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me.

  “Lucy. Let me explain.”

  Why was he so off kilter? “Explain what? I forgive you for missing the appointment with Dr. Phillips. This is so wonderful.”

  “Lucy, stop! Listen to me.”

  Apprehension set in as a figure flashed in front of me. Stella in a robe with wet hair. Looking to Heath, his hair was wet too. Every filter I had, left me and I became someone I didn’t recognize. Someone only he pulled out of me. He was here with HER while I sat at an appointment where we were supposed to decide together whether we were to stay married or not.

  “You son of a bitch!” He took a step toward me, spouting some excuse. She just smiled and sat down, enjoying the show. “You’re a fucking skank.” She tried to say something and I held up my hand to stop her. “You’re messing with a marriage, MY marriage.”

  “Lucy.”

  I snapped at him, “I’m not talking to YOU.” Glaring back at Stella I announced, “What we have goes deeper than anything you can imagine.”

  “Please. You’ve been married a couple months and only met the day you married. He…”

  Cutting her off and smiling, I goaded her. “Is that so? Let me guess. You think you have some connection that will surpass time?” She tilted her chin up before I let her in on the secret I was now confident she didn’t know. “What we have spans back decades.” Her eyes narrowed in confusion. “It runs deeper than you could ever dream.”

  My pride stopped me from saying anything more as I realized I was defending my love—our love—to the slutbag trying to destroy it. And I couldn’t get started on my douchebag husband. I turned and walked back out the door.

  His arm came down around my wrist as he begged, “Let me explain. She did this. It’s a trick.”

  Turning on him, I ripped my arm from his grip and spit out, “You really expect me to fucking believe that pile of shit? We had an appointment with Dr. Phillips tonight. If you didn’t want to stay married, all you had to do was say so.” Motioning to the room, “But this, this is just, just…”

  “Just bullshit. Nothing happened. Please.” He started rambling. “I forgot my phone at the gym. I called Cindy from O’s and had her check it. She said you called and said the appointment was cancelled and to meet you here. I got my room key and came up here. I decided to hop in the shower and then, SHIT!”

  “You’re unbelievable and a horrible liar. Just admit it. Own it you bastard.”

  “Lucy, please. If ever there was a time for you to believe me, it’s now. You just defended me to her, but you refuse to hear me out?”

  “I’ll always defend you. That doesn’t mean I’m right to do so.”

  I stood and studied his eyes. Lying and honest, I couldn’t tell the difference. He was Heath and he had my t
rust, honor, and love. But the proof was standing in front of me. He was in a towel, wet from the shower and Stella the same. He just stood there, silent and I took that as an admission of guilt.

  “The results are in.” He shook his head at me, not sure where I was going. I lied and decided to hurt him, maybe worse, than the way he’d hurt me. “There was no mix-up. Will’s my match, not you.”

  “I, no. I don’t believe you.”

  “Believe it. I’ll let Dr. Phillips know that we’re NOT staying married. You’re not worthy.”

  Turning on my heels, I headed toward the elevator. When I made it to the silver double doors, my heart broke realizing he hadn’t come after me. I needed to get to my car. I had to keep it together until then. I couldn’t get the look on his face out of my head. His reaction was what I wanted and I felt horrible for it. Seeing Stella there, all I saw was red and words were my weapon.

  Once I walked outside, the cold night air assailed me. As I made it to my car I realized I was going to be sick. Leaning in the bushes, I heaved the little bit of contents of my stomach. When I was finished, I got in my car. My words replayed in my head.

  “Will’s my match.”

  “You’re not worthy.”

  The words cut me and my chest constricted at the thought of losing him. What had happened? What had I done? What had he done? Telling him he wasn’t my match and that he was unworthy was adding insult to injury. The emotions overcame me and a guttural moan escaped my throat as I tried to catch my breath. Breathing, it hurt to do so. Dropping my head to my shaking arms, which rested like teetering pinnacles on my knees, I closed my eyes and feared that I’d lost him. Forever.

  I started to head home which I knew couldn’t be my home any longer. I tried calling Stacey and Jaime, neither answered. Getting on the freeway, I headed to the only other place I could think of.

  O opened the door to his apartment and I burst into tears. He was my friend, like a brother, was my brother in marriage…for now. We had always been close and had spent a lot of time together these past few weeks since he’d been home. Once I thought about it, I knew this wasn’t my best decision. Heath would easily find me here. Maybe that’s what I wanted.