“Why not?” Scott asked. “It’s a big bed and it’s not like you haven’t slept together before.”
Was he under the impression he was helping? Chaz raised an eyebrow at Scott, who shrugged.
“This is different,” Kelly insisted.
“How?” Scott asked.
“It just is. And we’re not going to sleep together, so forget about it.”
Scott shrugged. “Then maybe you can use the time to talk things out.”
“We did that this morning,” Kelly said bitingly. “That’s why we’re separating.”
Damn, this was getting them nowhere. Chaz glared at Scott and gave another small shake of his head.
This time Scott seemed to get the hint, for he stood up and peered in the bag. “There’s another burger and some fries left. Anyone want them?”
When Chaz and Kelly shook their heads, Scott rolled up the bag and said, “Okay, I’ll take it, so it won’t go to waste.” Heading toward the door, he said, “Think it over, okay, Sis? You don’t want to screw up the rest of your life with a bad decision.”
Kelly just glared, so Scott shrugged and left.
Once the door closed, Kelly peered out the peephole again. “The reporter’s still there.” Then she gasped. “I don’t believe it.”
“What?”
She turned to stare at Chaz in disbelief. “Scott gave him the bag.”
Chaz couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s not funny.”
Yes, it was. But all he said was, “Your brother has some strange methods of getting his own way.”
“What do you mean?” Kelly demanded.
“Isn’t it obvious? He wanted to make sure we’d be stuck here long enough to talk things out.” Chaz gave her a considering look. “He has a point.”
Kelly crossed her arms. “We have nothing further to say to each other.”
Chaz sighed. This wasn’t going to work. “Okay, maybe you’re right.”
She looked suspicious at his easy capitulation. “What does that mean?”
“You’re right,” he repeated. “I guess we’ve said it all.” Besides, he was tired of arguing. Yawning, he headed for the bed.
“What are you doing?”
“Well, we didn’t get much sleep last night, and I’m tired. The meal made me sleepy, too. I think I’ll take a nap.”
“What do you expect me to do?” she asked, her arms still crossed and her foot tapping impatiently.
He lay down on the bed and propped an arm under his head. “Whatever you want. Just do it quietly, okay? And please don’t pace—you’ll wear a hole in the rug.”
“I’ll just watch television then.”
“I wouldn’t advise it,” Chaz said dryly. “The noise might alert the reporter that we’re in here. “Why don’t you lie down, too? You’ve got to be tired.”
She ran a hand over her face. “Maybe I am, a little.” She glanced dismissively at the bed, then gave the chair a considering glance. “I’ll use the chair.”
“Come on,” Chaz said impatiently. “That chair isn’t comfortable enough to sleep in. All I’m suggesting is a little shut-eye. I’m too tired for anything else.” That wasn’t strictly true, but she needed to believe it or he’d never get any peace.
“Oh, all right,” she said, in an ungracious tone.
Soon, they were both flat on their backs, at the outer limits of the king-sized bed, staring up at the ceiling. Chaz tried to relax, but the knowledge that Kelly was only a few feet away on the nice comfy bed made him stiffen in more ways than one.
Silent, unmoving, she seemed as tense as he was, and Chaz wondered what was going through her head. Was she yearning for him as much as he wanted her? Did she secretly want him to touch her, to cuddle her in his arms? Or was she waiting for him to make the mistake of touching her so she could lash out at him again?
Damn, if he could only read her mind. The stiffened posture of her body language said he’d draw back a bloody stump if he laid a single finger on her, but the fact that she had joined him on the bed hinted at mixed feelings. What should he do?
Indecision left him immobile and sleepless.
Aw, to hell with it. He really did need some sleep. With a sigh, Chaz turned on his side, his back to her, and resolved to catch a few winks.
It seemed to be the right thing to do, for he could almost feel Kelly relax as she sighed, too, and turned her back on him.
Well, hell. Maybe he’d get lucky in his dreams.
* * *
Chaz woke slowly, feeling a little disoriented. It wasn’t often he woke in a soft bed with an even softer woman in his arms. He lay cuddled up to Kelly spoon fashion, her back to his front, in a warm, comfortable position. Is this a dream?
Probably not. If this was one of those dreams, they’d both be naked. He took a deep breath and realized he could smell her distinctive fragrance of herbal shampoo and baby powder. That cinched it—he didn’t usually notice scents in his dreams.
Unfortunately, he was becoming more awake by the moment. They must have slept quite a while, because it was dark outside. That made it seem all the cozier inside, here with Kelly. He cuddled closer, carefully, hoping she wouldn’t wake and spoil the moment.
Relaxing, he opened his eyes and realized they were in the center of the huge bed. Somehow, they had both crossed the chasm between them to meet in the middle. He wished they could do the same with their marriage, but it seemed it was all or nothing with them, with neither willing to compromise.
Kelly stiffened a little, then relaxed. How odd. If Chaz didn’t know better, he’d swear she had just woken. Had she? Was she even now feeling the evidence of his desire against her backside? If so, why didn’t she move? Say something?
He listened carefully. Her breathing had changed, so she must be awake, or at least on the verge of waking. Did she realize yet that it was Chaz holding her like this, as if they were meant to be together?
She let out a small sigh and snuggled closer until Chaz could almost hear the fierce pounding of her heart. Oh, she was awake all right, but for some reason, she was pretending she was still asleep.
Well, that was fine with him, if it let him continue holding her. Chaz nuzzled her neck and slid his hand up under her sweater to palm one of her breasts through her thin bra. He let out a sigh of contentment, hopefully making it sound like he was still asleep.
She didn’t even move. What was she thinking now? Whatever it was, she didn’t seem to object to his touch. He dared even more, moving his hand gently to fondle her breast. When she didn’t object to that, he pressed his hips into her backside, rubbing himself against her, determined to enjoy this rare moment to the full.
God, that felt good. And she must agree, because she hadn’t let out a peep of protest. In fact, judging by the hardness of her nipple and the soft sounds she was making, she was enjoying it just as much as he was.
Good. He wanted her to remember this, to remember what it was like between them. He wasn’t very good with words, but this sort of communication was right up his alley. He’d just let his body do the talking for him, to remind her what she would be missing if she let him go.
They snuggled that way for a little while, and Chaz wondered if he was brave enough to move his hand lower and take it to the next step when Kelly stirred. He held her tighter, unwilling to let her go, and hoping she wouldn’t break the spell.
Unfortunately, she did. Pushing against his hands, she said, “Chaz? Wake up . . . let me go. I really have to go to the bathroom.”
Chaz reluctantly released her. As he rolled away, he pretended he was only now waking up. He didn’t need the pretence, but he suspected she did.
Cursing the fact that women had such tiny bladders, and that they had just lost the moment, he pounded his fists on the bed. Could he persuade her to join him again?
When she came out of the bathroom, he stretched his hand out on the bed and patted it invitingly with a raised eyebrow.
Kelly looked away, obv
iously uncomfortable. Ignoring his invitation, she peered out the peephole. “He’s gone,” she said softly. “I guess I should leave.”
“You don’t have to,” Chaz said, equally as low. He didn’t want to do anything to scare her away, and right now, it looked like she was wavering. Maybe she’d stay if he spoke gently and didn’t spook her.
Still not looking at him, she added, “I’ve been wearing these clothes since yesterday. I really need to get out of them.”
Not a problem. Take them off here.
But it wouldn’t be smart to say that out loud just now, no matter how much he meant it. Luckily, there was more than one way to get what he wanted. “Want me to come with you?” When she shook her head, he added quickly, “Just to be sure no one is hiding, ready to jump out at you?”
“No, that’s okay. Besides, even though the reporter is gone, one of Amalia’s brothers is out there. And he’s watching this door.”
Damn, that messed things up. Okay, Chaz couldn’t leave. So what could he say to make her stay? He rose from the bed. “Kelly, I . . .”
He hesitated, wishing someone would provide the perfect words to make everything all right between them.
Her gaze met his, and he sensed a hesitation in her. Should he ask her to stay? Or would she kick him in the teeth by rejecting him again? Would his request gain him everything he wanted . . . or only make things worse?
The moment stretched as he tried to decide and she waited for him to say something. But just as he was about to risk it all and ask her to stay, she looked away.
“I’d better go. I’ll let you know when Gerald arrives in the morning.”
And she was gone.
Chaz slumped back down on the bed. Damn, he’d had his chance and he blew it. Now all he could do was hope their short moments of bliss together would help her realize they were meant to be together.
He killed the hours as best he could, with room service, television, and sleep, but it wasn’t easy. He tried not to dwell on what the lawyer might have to say, but it was tough not to wonder if the man would convince Kelly that Chaz’s death certificate meant that their marriage was equally lifeless.
But when he finally heard a knock on the door the next morning, all he felt was relief that the waiting was finally over.
Unfortunately, it was Amalia waiting for him, all decked out in a tight black dress that showed her figure to its best advantage. Now that was calculated to piss Kelly off. “What?” he asked warily.
“They send me to get you. The lawyer, he is here.”
Why would they send Amalia? Then he saw Juan and Gilbert lurking across the hall and realized she was probably the only one who could call them to heel. He hesitated for a moment, not putting it past her to concoct a plan to kidnap him, but a quick glance down the hall showed the door to the honeymoon suite was open and Scott was beckoning to him. Shrugging, Chaz followed her to the room.
He glanced around the suite and noticed the whole gang was there again, plus one. Chaz moved to stand by Kelly, who looked far sexier than Amalia in plain slacks and a silk blouse, and muttered, “Do they all have to be here?” At least Juan and Gilbert had been stationed outside to ward off any reporters who might show up.
Kelly gave an apologetic shrug. “They all insisted on it. And since they’ve been in it since the beginning, I figured they deserved to be here now, too.”
Maybe, but Chaz was getting tired of having an audience to some of the most important moments of his life. “Okay, let’s get on with it.”
Gerald Wainwright looked around the room in perplexity. “I don’t understand,” he said to Kelly’s mother. “Why are all these people here? Are they involved in your legal problem?”
“It’s not my legal problem. It’s my daughter’s.” Grace waved a hand dismissively. “Someone else can explain.”
Scott stepped forward and opened his mouth, but Kelly stopped him with a dirty look and a hand on his chest. Chaz couldn’t blame her. No telling what the story would be when Scott finished with it.
“I’ll explain,” Kelly said firmly. “And all of these people have a stake in the outcome . . . sort of. At any rate, they’re all aware of the problem.”
“What is the problem?” the attorney asked.
“Well, I married Chaz eight years ago. He was lost in the Amazon for five years and we never found him, so I had him declared dead, then married Spencer a few days ago.”
Chaz nodded in agreement. It wasn’t as entertaining as Scott would have made it, but it was succinct and factual.
“Yes, I’m aware of that,” Gerald said. “But I don’t see the problem. I’m sure Mr. Birnbaum made sure everything was legal—he’s a stickler for these things.”
“Well the thing is,” Kelly said. “Chaz isn’t dead. He’s very much alive. In fact, he’s standing over there.”
She nodded in his direction and Chaz gave the lawyer a little wave. Scott snorted.
“You’re her first husband?” Gerald asked.
“That’s me,” Chaz said cheerily. And if he had his way, he’d be her only husband.
“I see,” Gerald said faintly. Turning to Kelly, he asked, “Do you have proof of all these . . . proceedings?”
“Yes, I do.” She pulled a large manila envelope from a nearby dresser and handed it to him. “I thought I might need it at the wedding or the funeral, just in case . . . someone . . . challenged me.”
She threw Chaz an apologetic glance and he nodded reassuringly. By “someone” he knew she meant a member of his family. He was just surprised they hadn’t made some kind of stink—it was their favorite hobby.
Everyone watched intently while Gerald perused the documents. “Everything seems in order here,” he finally said.
“But what does it mean?” Kelly asked. “Am I a . . . bigamist?”
“No, no, of course not,” he reassured her. “Since Mr. Vincent is deceased in the eyes of the law, your marriage to Mr. Preston is quite legal. I’m sure you are in no danger of being convicted of bigamy.”
Kelly and Deuce looked relieved, but Chaz was confused. “Where does that leave me? Obviously, I’m not dead, no matter what that paper says.”
“Of course not,” Gerald said a bit pompously. “I think it will be quite easy to establish the fact that you’re alive.”
“No,” Chaz declared impatiently. “I mean, where does that leave my marriage to Kelly? We were married eight years ago,” he shot a glare at Deuce, “long before her second marriage, and we were never divorced. Doesn’t that marriage take precedence?”
Gerald fiddled with the papers. “Well, er, I’m not quite sure. I’ve never actually heard of such a situation.”
“Guess, then,” Chaz said with narrowed eyes.
“Well, at first blush, I’d have to say that your marriage was dissolved when you were officially declared . . . deceased.”
Damn it, that wasn’t what he wanted to hear. “Are you sure?”
“No, I already said I wasn’t,” Gerald said huffily. “I haven’t had a chance to research it yet. And I’m not certain there are any legal precedents.”
“So maybe you’re wrong?” Chaz persisted.
“That’s quite possible,” the attorney said. “I’ll know more when I have time to check it out.” He glanced at Kelly. “May I keep these papers awhile?”
“Yes, of course,” Kelly said. But she wouldn’t meet Chaz’s eyes.
“Look at the bright side,” Scott said. “At least Kelly’s not a bigamist.”
“Not in the eyes of the law,” Chaz shot back. “But the eyes of the world are another matter.” She might still be vilified in print, no matter what the courts said.
Kelly held a hand to her mouth as the implications evidently sank in. “Oh, no. He’s right.”
“Well, I can do nothing about that,” Gerald said. “But in order to advise you further, I need to know which husband you intend to . . . keep.”
Yes, that was the million dollar question, wasn’t it?
>
All eyes turned to Kelly. She raised her chin and looked only at the lawyer. “Neither.”
Chaz bit back a swear word. Wrong answer.
Gerald nodded in what he probably intended as knowing wisdom, but it came across as bafflement struggling with surprise. “I see. Well, then, a simple divorce should take care of the second marriage.”
“Annulment,” Chaz corrected him. “It wasn’t consummated.” He wanted to make that very clear.
“Er, whatever,” the lawyer said, beginning to look uncomfortable. “And I’ll have to research to determine if anything needs to be done to dissolve the first marriage beyond what has already been done.”
Chaz glanced at Kelly, hoping she would disabuse the attorney of the notion that she wanted to be parted from him, but she said nothing. Aw, hell. Was this it? Was their marriage over, kayoed by a technicality?
Amalia moved forward eagerly. “Now Chaz can marry me, yes?”
“I’m not sure of that,” Gerald repeated. But, obviously puzzled, he asked, “Who are you?”
“The mother of his child,” she said brightly.
Chaz just let his head drop into his hands and moaned.
“I see,” Gerald said primly. “That complicates things. However, I shall endeavor to do my utmost to get this cleared up before the baby is born. Er, when would that be?” he asked, staring at Amalia’s flat stomach.
“Never,” Chaz said, annoyed that he had to explain this again. “She’s not pregnant, and I’m not marrying her. I’m still married to Kelly.” He added that last fiercely, as if by willing hard enough he could make it so.
Amalia narrowed her eyes. “But you said you marry me if I help you.”
“No,” he corrected her. “I said I’d consider it if you could prove you’re pregnant.”
“Okay,” Amalia said brightly. “I prove it.”
“How?”
“A simple home pregnancy test can confirm it in a few minutes,” Kelly put in diffidently.
Now that was interesting. All of a sudden Kelly was giving him the benefit of the doubt? “All right,” Chaz said, wondering what he was letting himself in for. “But I want another witness, to make sure she’s telling the truth.”
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