by Mimi Milan
Luciana studied herself in the mirror.
If you’re so sure about a divorce, then why were you trying to impress him tonight?
She wanted to shake the thought from her head, but it was too late… and too true. That’s why she had made herself up and worn the cute garter. Tía Maria had been the one to suggest they continue with the tradition of throwing both the bouquet and garter.
“For the sake of appearances.” Her aunt had explained. “You don’t want everyone to know the wedding’s a sham.”
Of course, what the matriarch said and believed were two different things. Luciana knew the woman was completely against divorce, and that everything about the wedding day had been in the hopes of instilling some kind of romantic feelings in the couple. Interestingly, it had worked. That was to say, it had worked for her. She thought back to how he had surprised her, swaying them both and around in a circle –faring better on the slower ballads, but still keeping up when a swift bachata beat had taken the party over. He had definitely proven that he could hold his own… not to mention make her heart race. She could still remember when the music had suddenly stopped and the crowd began chanting, “Tira la liga! Tira la liga!”
When his brows drew together, she realized he didn’t understand what they were saying. She leaned in to explain that they wanted the garter tossed. His face brightly warmed, embarrassment tinting his cheeks scarlet. She couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction – he was just so freaking adorable! His reaction caused her to wonder what a little Rhett Jr. would look like.
And that was when she knew she was in trouble.
In the few days it took to plan the wedding, she and Rhett had spent hours on the phone discussing everything from favorite colors to memorable movie lines. They had covered things like meal plans, routines, and lifestyles. They had even talked about their childhoods and their families. However, the subject of children was never even broached – surely because she had never wanted that before. But now? The fact that motherhood even popped into her mind for a moment unnerved her. After all, they had already planned their divorce. Best to push the thought aside almost as fast as four of her cousins – each a bridesmaid as reward for driving all day from places like Florida and New Jersey – pushed her down in a seat to have that garter removed. Then her Uncle Tito – a big, burly man almost ten years older than her aunt and twice as dark – guided Rhett towards her, all the while reassuring the groom that he’d get used to this “crazy family” eventually.
Then her new husband was kneeling before her, his hands gently pushing aside the long gown. His warm fingers lightly trailed up her thigh in search of the lacy band, and then fumbled as he tried to carefully peel it off. He had been so nervous, quietly apologizing.
I’m sorry. This must be so awkward for you.
Except she hadn’t felt that way at all. In fact, it had been the exact opposite effect. Every light touched thrilled her even more than the last; leaving her imagination to run wild with thoughts she knew were completely shameful to have.
And now here she was, alone in the bathroom of his… their… home after what had surely been one of the highlights of her life thus far – her wedding.
Her loveless wedding.
A thick lump formed in her throat. She swallowed hard to force it back down. It did little good, though, and she could feel the burn behind her eyelids.
“What’s wrong with you?” She asked her reflection and swiped at the tears that were forming. She frowned at the thought of acting so weak, chiding herself for being emotional for no good reason. “You knew what you were getting yourself into. No seas chillona.”
She turned on the water and washed her face, scrubbing away the makeup and any silly notions of she and Rhett ever having the kind of marriage her aunt and uncle did. They, too, had met and married rather quickly. Just because things worked out for them didn’t mean it would all work out for her, though. The details of their marriage had been decided – down to the last letter in a secret document the two of them had signed. In the name of los santos, it had even been notarized! That’s how serious Rhett had been about releasing her from their arrangement. It was just supposed to be long enough for her to get residency and him to prove capable of independent living. And wasn’t that what she wanted anyway? Wasn’t she the one who said she would never play the unpaid “modern day maid” again? Not that it was the same by any stretch. She was getting a green card out of this!
She turned off the water and dried her face, and gave herself one last look in the mirror to steel her resolve. She would be happy and thankful to have this opportunity to stay in the country. Any ideas of falling in love were just that – ideas. Best not to think about them anymore.
She turned to leave the bathroom, ignoring the pretty lingerie that hung on the back of the door. Her cousins had gifted her all sorts of romantic presents to spice up her wedding night, because they had been unaware of the false pretenses she was marrying under.
She walked back into the guest room. The first time she had entered she had been too desperate to get out of the heavy gown she wore to really take inventory. Instead, she had stripped off the stifling dress and headed straight into the adjoining bathroom. Now she had a chance to look around, though, and she was definitely liking what she saw.
The room was an array of muted colors. Two-toned walls of beige on top and cocoa below with white trim running along the center to separate both colors. The room was designed with two large windows sitting side by side, drapes framing them like the dark ruby port she occasionally liked to drink. Behind the curtains was a second pair of creamy ones, the lace an intricate web of circular motifs. They were open just enough for moonlight to stream into the room, casting a soft glow on the satin sheets of the queen-sized bed positioned directly across from the windows. It was very beautiful…
And annoying.
It didn’t matter how pretty the place looked. She had never been one to sleep with any amount of light on. Even as a child, the faint flush of a nightlight would drive her crazy. She would complain to her mother about it, but it did little good as her younger sisters were afraid of the dark. Luciana, on the other hand, welcomed it over the sight of shadows crawling about at night. At least with the lights off, she could pretend there weren’t any roaches. Then again, that little bit of luminosity is probably what had drove them further into the darkness - keeping them off of her while she slept.
There were no creepy crawlies to fear in this room, though. She hadn’t seen any leastways. So it was safe to draw the curtains tightly shut, and welcome the pitch black that engulfed her as she made her way back to the bed and crawled under the cool sheets that she had folded back earlier that evening. She stretched her body long and then rolled to the right – a habit she had grown accustomed to by sharing her cot with a younger sister who, thankfully, had never been one to wet the bed.
With one arm curled beneath a feather down pillow, her eyes grew heavy with sleep and her mind slowed until the only thing that possessed it was the idea of her new husband possessing her. The events of the day repeated themselves, but in a skewed version that found her and Rhett alone. They were dancing, laughing, whispering to one another. Then he was slowly removing the garter. She could feel his gentle fingers. He was so close that she could literally reach out and touch him as if he… was… really…
Her eyes fluttered open when her hand brushed the snoring form beside her. She quickly sat up, reaching over to snap on the lamp on the nightstand. Finding the stranger beside her, instincts kicked in. She jumped up from the bed, screaming. The young man was startled awake. He tumbled out of bed and stood just in time to catch a pillow in his face.
A string of Spanish rushed out like a freight train racing towards a great collision. If the pillow didn’t do any damage, then maybe the curses she had placed on him would.
“Who are you and what do you want?” She yelled.
“I… I don’t know.”
She studied him for a mom
ent, hopeful the guy wasn’t some wacko – or that her new husband wasn’t hiding some crazy secret. On that note… He seemed like a rather young version of Rhett. She slowly lowered the pillow.
“You don’t know who you are,” she asked incredulously.
“I mean, yes. I do. But who are you?”
“No, amor. It don’t work that way. You come into my room—”
“Your room?”
“Asi es. You come into my room, crawl into my bed, and then you think I should be answering your questions? I don’t think so. You go first. Who are you?
“My name’s Clark and this is my brother’s house.”
Luciana nodded. That would explain the reason for the look-alike contest.
“Yeah, I’ve heard a little about you. Not much, but some.”
“Well, I haven’t heard anything about you at all,” the teen retorted. “Who are you?”
“I’m Rhett’s wife, Luciana.”
The boy’s jaw dropped with shock. He snapped it shut again. “His what?”
“I said that I’m his wi—”
“Clark! Is that you?”
Rhett stumbled into the room, sleep still on his face. Luciana smiled at the sight of him dressed in nothing more than boxers and a tank top showing off biceps that would make most men jealous.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here?” The teen flushed with anger. “What is she doing here?”
Rhett hesitated, a look of discomfort plaguing him. “Oh, um… She’s just—”
Luciana crossed her arms and watched him squirm. Was he really going to try to come up with some story as to why she was in his house? Did he not prepare anyone at all in his family with the fact that he was getting married? No wonder none of them had appeared at the courthouse as witnesses!
“Like I already told him,” she moved towards Rhett as she spoke, “I’m your wife.”
She came to stand at his side and carefully wrapped an arm around his back. As if rehearsed, he returned the gesture and draped an arm gently about her shoulders.
“That’s right,” he nodded. “Clark, I’d like to introduce you to my wife. Luciana, this is my brother.”
The teen let out a low whistle and shook his head. “Man, I don’t know what you think you’re doing. You’re alone in this house for a single week and I come back to find you married? Have you lost your mind?”
Rhett’s brows knitted together.
“Have you,” he challenged. “You seem to have forgotten that this is my house, bro. Show some respect.”
“I’ll show respect when you act like you’ve earned it.”
The boy crossed his arms in a challenge, his face wearing a grimace that almost made Luciana glad for the fact that Rhett couldn’t actually see his brother’s defiance. She couldn’t imagine how he would react to such disrespect.
She didn’t need to wait long to find out, though. He swiftly released her, his hands dropping to his side before curling into two fists. His stance grew wide and he popped his neck.
“What did you just say?”
Clark blanched. His gaze shifted to Luciana and then back to his brother.
“I’m sorry, Rhett. I didn’t mean to act like some sassy sissy. I guess I’m just a little worried is all.”
Rhett didn’t let him off the hook so easily. “I’ve got parents who do that well enough. I don’t need you doing it too.”
Clark shook his head.
“Nah. I’m not worried about you. Not saying that you shouldn’t be, though. Our parents are bound to have a fit when they find out.” He let out a tired sigh. “I’m worried about Caitlin.”
Rhett perked up at the sound of his sister’s name – which was no surprise to Luciana. He had told her enough about his family to know that the younger sister was much like one of her own siblings, Raquel. The girl could be quite a handful.
“Why? What’s wrong with her?”
Clark hesitated. “She’s kind of… maybe sort of… drunk.”
“What?” Rhett roared with indignation, his tone bordered on reproachful. “What in the Sam Hill do you mean she’s drunk?”
Even Luciana flinched. She never considered Rhett could have a temper. Then again, his reaction was understandable. If she recalled correctly, the younger siblings were twins. So drinking was the last thing the girl should have been doing. What role in all this did her twin play?
“It’s not my fault,” Clark explained. “You know the kind of crowd she rolls with. One of the guys got into a frat party with his older sister or something. Stole the keg right out from under their noses. Brought it back and threw some party down by the lake.”
“And where were you,” his brother asked.
“Arguing with dad about why I’m not going into business with him. Guess he’s looking for your replacement and thought I’d be the next best thing.”
Rhett sighed. “Alright. One thing at a time. Where’s Caitlin?”
“Asleep on the couch.”
Rhett balked. “You brought her here?”
“Well, what else was I supposed to do? I couldn’t take her home. She reeks worse than a day old catch! You know ma would’ve smelled her before she even entered the house, and Lord knows what dad would’ve done.”
“Fine.” Rhett ran his hands through his hair, resting them on the back of his neck as his head tilted heavenwards. He finally straightened up again and spoke. “We’ll leave Caitlin on the couch and you can take my room.”
“Where will you sleep?” Clark asked. Then a sheepish grin spread across his face. “Duh. Nevermind. You’re married so it makes sense that you would be in… Hey, wait a minute. Weren’t you just asleep in the other room?”
Luciana could sense what the boy wanted to ask next.
“Uh, yeah.” She once again wrapped an arm around Rhett. “We had a little misunderstanding. I think we’re past that now, though. Si, amor?”
She gave him a small peck on the cheek. The smell of his aftershave drew her even closer, making her dizzy with delight.
“Right,” Rhett agreed. “So you can take my room, Clark. We’ll continue this discussion in the morning when Caitlin wakes up.”
His younger brother nodded and brushed past him. “Thanks, bro.”
“Good night.”
They both waited until the teen’s footsteps died off. Luciana walked over to the door and quietly shut it.
“Okay, then. Change of plans.”
Rhett grimaced. “I’m so sorry, Lucy. Or is it Luciana? Which do you prefer to be called?”
“I get both from my family. So Lucy is fine if that’s the one you want to use.”
“Okay, Lucy.” He slowly moved around the room, hands slightly out in front of him as he made his way towards the closet. “I’m pretty sure there are some extra blankets in here. I’ll use them to make up a bed on the floor.”
He opened the closet door and started feeling around. She couldn’t believe it. Was the man really so generous as to give up his own bed… and the spare, too?
“No,” she said. “You’re not sleeping on the floor.”
Rhett stopped. “Well, I’m certainly not letting you sleep on the floor.”
She walked over to him. Taking his hands in hers, she slowly led him to the bed. “There’s no reason anyone should have to sleep on the floor when there’s enough room for both of us.”
She sat, pulling him down beside her. “You don’t think it might be a little awkward?”
What could she say? Awkward was being so strongly attracted to a man she hardly knew that she wanted to do more than just sleep beside him.
“We’re both adults. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Okay,” he agreed. “Which side do you want?”
She stood and took him by the shoulders, encouraging him to recline back. “You can have this side and I’ll take the other.”
She straightened the covers over him and then made her way to
the opposite side. She crawled into the bed and lay there, staring up at the ceiling.
“Are you okay?”
“Huh?” She turned to face him. “Yeah, it’s fine. Why?”
“Your breathing is different.”
“You can hear me breathe?”
He smiled. “Yes.”
She didn’t know why, but she found the idea strangely comforting. Then again, she found a lot of things comforting about him. The way his hair fell across his forehead; the rosy red his cheeks would turn when he was embarrassed. She liked his gentlemanly ways and Southern twang, and she absolutely loved the way he smelled.
“I can’t sleep,” she said.
“Yeah, I knew this was going to be weird. I’ll just move to the floor.”
He began to sit up, but she quickly grabbed him.
“No, stay.” Her voice lowered to a near whisper. “That’s not what I meant.”
He relaxed again and she curled up closer to him.
“Rhett?”
“Hmm?”
“Would you be upset with me if I did this?”
She leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. Surprise registered on his face, but he didn’t pull away. She placed one hand behind his head and gently pulled him closer. Her lips brushed against his.
His voice came out husky and raw with emotion. “What are you doing?”
She silenced his question with another kiss, her tongue seeking out his as it grew deeper. He slowly peeled away from her.
“Are you sure you want to do this? I don’t want things to get strange between us.”
She searched his face. There was no trace of disgust that she was moving too fast, no judgment about her making the first move – only concern for her.
“Stranger than being married and not living as man and wife?”
He visibly swallowed. “I should warn you. It’s been a long time since I’ve... Well, you know. I might be a little out of practice.”