by L. L. James
Marek looked out over his lawn and noticed his hammock had been removed from its usual spot. It no longer hung between two palms by the plumeria bush like it normally did. He picked up the chubby cat and held her cradled in his arm and was about to walk over to investigate when he heard someone in the kitchen behind him. He turned just as his housekeeper, Mrs. Carrins reached the deck.
“Oh, there you are! I thought I heard someone come in the door. I was upstairs in one of the guest rooms and wasn’t sure. I see you’ve found your cat. Silly thing slipped outside unnoticed this morning and I couldn’t find her for the life of me.”
Marek smiled at his plump housekeeper and motioned for her to reenter the house. “Sunny likes to go outside and sunbathe in my hammock. But I noticed it was curiously absent. Would you happen to know anything about that, Mrs. Carrins?”
The middle-aged woman patted her grey-streaked bun as she walked ahead of him in her usual practical white flats. Marek had always thought they looked a lot like nurses orthopedic shoes. Glancing over the shoulder of her flower printed top, Mrs. Carrins tsked, “That thing needed a good wash. I took the dirty excuse for a hammock down and I’m goin’ to let it soak for a long while. I won’t take no argument from you either, my boy.”
Marek hid a grin and held up his hands in defeat. With a false look of sheepishness, he replied, “You won’t get an argument from me, but you might get one from Sunny.”
Mrs. Carrins glared at the cat he still held in his arms and huffed, “That cat can just find another resting spot.” Turning her deep brown eyes back on him she continued, “Now, you got an appointment in about an hour. The lady already called while you were out to confirm that she’d be here at two sharp. Go an’ get cleaned up and dressed proper. You look like you slept in your clothes. You give them to me when you get out of them now, you hear me?”
Mrs. Carrins had no idea. If she did she’d probably twist his ear and scold him like a schoolboy.
Hiding another grin behind his hand, Marek couldn’t dim the gleam of amusement in his eye. The housekeeper turned with her hands on her ample hips and glared, but he wasn’t fooled. He could see her lips twitching in an effort not to laugh.
“Go on now, young man. You got a business to run and I don’t have time for a lecture.” Shooing him away, the housekeeper made tsking sounds until he was out of sight.
They’d known each other for years and Marek still got a kick out of ribbing her. He’d been giving her a hard time since he was a teenager. Some things never changed.
And some things did.
Marek headed up the stairs to shower and pour himself into his business attire. He had a business to run.
Carm stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her waist. Bending over she wound a towel around her hair turban style. Tucking the loose end under the back, she patted it to make sure it would stay in place. Satisfied it would she stepped out of the steamy bathroom and walked to the dresser.
Grabbing her bottle of lotion, she sat on the bed and began smearing the fragrant cream over her body. The scent of vanilla and coconut mingled in the air, delighting her senses. Inhaling deep, she rubbed her hands together to distribute the lotion evenly.
At the moment she was avoiding thinking about anything. Blocking out any unwanted thoughts or images, she focused on the relaxing routine of getting dressed.
With a yawn, she stretched her arms high and rolled her head from side to side. She really needed a massage to loosen her tight muscles. Her gaze slid to the basket on the dresser and landed on the free gift massage. As long as she didn’t have to have Marek along, she was definitely going to go tomorrow.
She swore under her breath. She didn’t want to think about him. She refused to think about him.
With a frown, Carm slid open the closet door and looked inside. Before she’d left home Kate had helped her pick out an outfit to wear for the meeting. Looking at it now, she felt her stomach give and uneasy jitter.
Today was the big day.
“I can do this. I can handle this man.” She mumbled aloud in the quiet room.
Releasing a breath on a whoosh of air her shaky hand reached out and clasped the hangers. Yanking the suit from the rack, she spun around and tossed in gently on the bed. Sidestepping the bed in favor of the dresser, she opened a drawer and pulled out a bra and panty set.
She was a sucker for lingerie. It was one of her weaknesses and on a teacher’s meager salary it could be a pricey one. She just loved the way good silk felt against her skin. It made her feel confident and powerful.
She dropped the towel and slipped into the matching lavender silk set. The thin material slid smoothly along her skin and settled low across her hip bones. She preferred the style of panties that rode ultra low.
Folding into the low cut bra, Carm adjusted the cups and shook her shoulders to settle them in place. It was a tip she’d learned after her breasts had fully developed. If a person wasn’t careful, they could end up with a nipple that pointed northwest and another that went south. Big boobs had to be smooshed and jostled into order.
With her breasts in their proper resting spots, she decided to blow dry her hair before she put on her clothes. It wasn’t humid in the room, but it was warm with a soft breeze coming in through the open window.
Releasing her hair from the towel, she combed it through with a pick. Since she liked her straight hair to pack as much volume as possible, she bent at the waist and set about drying her tresses upside down. It made her face quite red, but the effort was well worth it.
When she was finished drying her hair, Carm flipped back upright and ran her fingers through it. She needed to give it a moment to settle so she strode back over to the bed to get dressed.
The svelte camel colored suit was one of her favorites. Made of lightweight material, it was a year round winner. Even in the pounding heat of a Colorado summer. She loved to punch it up with some funky colored blouses and hip jewelry.
As Carm pulled on the slim pants, her mind refused to obey her orders any more and an image of Marek popped into her head. Every scrumptious, glistening inch of him.
Groaning, she snatched up her thin fuschia silk shell and slid it over her head. The material whispered along her bare arms and settled into a deep vee at her chest. Muttering under her breath about stupid, idiot mistakes, Carm tucked the material into the waist of her pants.
Doubts and worry had been held at bay too long and now came crashing over her like a tidal wave. She was staggered by the force of it. She let out a shaky breath and lowered to the edge of the bed. What am I going to do?
Her troubles went far deeper than the actual marriage that she couldn’t remember taking place. No, in went beyond that. It went deep to the very core of who she was. This fiasco meant that she had to reevaluate her belief in her self, her morals and her commitment to herself.
What kind of person just tossed their whole belief structure out the window for one night of fun? Even if her judgment had been impaired by alcohol. She’d spent her whole life secure in who she was and confident in her decisions.
Now she questioned everything.
She ran her hands through her hair and stood up. She had to finish getting ready because pity party or not, the job wouldn’t wait.
As Carm applied makeup she thought back to the numerous conversations she’d had with her sister and friends over the years about sex. She didn’t have anything against sex, not at all. She’d felt desire and lust, same as any girl. Those were natural feelings. And she handled those feelings same as many girls did. Alone.
It seemed to be popular consensus among her friends that sex could be good, it could even be great. But it wasn’t magical until love was involved on both sides. And that’s what Carm wanted. She was a greedy woman and didn’t want to settle for second best.
She wanted the magic.
She didn’t feel much like passing the time with inferior, ho-hum sex. In her mind it was a waste of time. Sex was sex and could be
plenty good. But she didn’t want good, she wanted the best. And the best didn’t happen unless there was love. Simple as that.
That’s why she was still a virgin and proud to be so. She considered herself a confident, secure woman that had made her choice without shame.
But, now she had something to be ashamed about. As soon as they figured out the specifics of last night she and Marek would either annul the marriage or divorce. The idea of divorcing a man she didn’t even know didn’t sit well, but what could she do?
It was the rest that would hang with her a long, long time.
Carm threw down her powder brush in disgust. Enough already! You screwed up big, deal with it. Right now you’ve got a business to save.
Her reflection stared back at her from the mirror, and Carm surveyed her handiwork. Her makeup was perfect. Subtle, yet sultry. Just the way she liked it. It brought out the blue of her eyes.
She swept her hair into a smooth side part and pulled it back with a clip at the base of her head. Satisfied with the overall look, she smacked her blush-colored lips together and turned to leave.
She grabbed her purse and jacket on her way out the door. Earlier she’d ordered a cab and found it waiting in the drive for her when she made her way downstairs. Putting on her sunglasses, she slid across the seat and gave the address to the driver. Shaky with nerves, Carm placed a hand on her jittery stomach and leaned back. Here goes nothing.
Going over the game plan one last time, Carm looked out the window at the colorful buildings they passed as the driver made his way out of town. For fifteen minutes they climbed around the mountainous island. The beautiful ocean was kept in view almost the whole time, enchanting her.
It really was paradise. If she wasn’t in her current situation she’d love to spend some quality time on the island. Something about the place pulled at her and filled her with a deep sense of contentment when she looked around.
The driver slowed to make a turn and she felt her eyes go wide. The split in the foliage barely looked wide enough for the taxi and had come out of nowhere. She swore she hadn’t seen it coming. Hidden among the dense plants and trees anyone could miss the driveway.
Which is probably just how William Stokes wanted it, the arrogant ass. Didn’t want anyone trespassing on his kingdom.
Branches and leaves whispered by the taxi and occasionally brushed the side. Try as she might, Carm couldn’t help but feel awed by the lush sight.
The road opened before them suddenly and they burst out of the thick drive. She let out a low whistle at the sight before her. Carm had never seen a lawn sprawl for so long and still look almost dwarfed by the house.
Make that mansion.
Her mouth dropped open as they pulled to a stop in front of the large two story plantation home. It looked like something out of a brochure with its wide two story porch and stately appearance. The sunny color added a touch of charm, keeping the place from feeling pretentious.
In fact, if Carm wasn’t so angry with the owner she’d admit to love at first sight. The knowledge of what he was doing to her sister overrode her admiration for his home, however.
Climbing out of the taxi, she paid the driver and strode quickly up the walkway to the front door and knocked. Squaring her shoulders, Carm greeted the woman that opened the door. “Hello. I’m here for the two o’clock appointment with Mr. Stokes. He’s expecting me.”
Carm kept her eyes on the short, plump woman as she nodded. “I’ll take you to his office. Come along now.”
Following quickly on the woman’s heels, Carm ignored the posh surroundings. If she didn’t no doubt she’d be distracted and she wanted to focus. She’d allow an ogling session on her way out. She admired the stern salt and pepper bun of the woman instead. Like a drill sergeant, the short woman stood ramrod straight.
Stopping in front of a set of French doors with bamboo shades drawn down over the glass, the woman turned. “Here you be now. Mr. Stokes is waiting inside.” She gave Carm a cursory once-over, and then strode quickly away, leaving her alone.
Bracing her courage, she placed a trembling hand on the doorknob. Time to see what you’re made of Carmen. Don’t let Kate down.
She smoothed her hands down her jacket and inhaled. On the release of air she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Her eyes fell across the spacious room to the man sitting behind the mahogany desk and froze.
“You bastard.”
Six
How could it be? She didn’t want to believe her eyes, but couldn’t deny the truth. The man she’d married and the man responsible for helping put her sister out of business were one and the same.
William Stokes was Marek.
Anger and betrayal ripped through her with ugly force as she took a step further into the room. A prickling sensation started at the back of her eyes and she blinked rapidly. No way was he going to see her cry.
Marek remained silent as she struggled with her control. She hated the assessing, searching look on his face. The bastard should be down on his hands and knees begging her forgiveness.
She took a deep breath and released it slowly. Practicing her yoga breathing in attempt to calm down, Carm mentally counted to ten. In, two, three, four. Out, seven, eight, nine, ten. Repeating the calming technique until her racing heart slowed, she studied Marek.
The devil wears many disguises. A far cry from the easy-going man in the hammock, this Marek looked every inch the shrewd businessman. Now he wore power and wealth like a heavy cloak.
He held up a hand and flashed his fancy watch. The damned Rolex should have been a dead giveaway that he wasn’t a hotel employee. Hell, he probably owned the place.
Marching over to the large, glossy desk, Carm placed her palms flat down on the smooth surface and leaned forward. Looking Marek hard in the eye, she growled, “You son of a bitch. You’re ruining my sister’s life. Fix it and fix it now, or I will make your life miserable, I swear to you.”
Irritation flickered in Marek’s cold green eyes. Not a trace of warmth or humor remained in the icy depths. “While I admire your passion, Carmen, I don’t take well to being threatened.”
“Oh, I’m not threatening, Marek. I’m promising you.”
Marek lifted the ballpoint pen in his right hand to his lips and seemed to contemplate her words. “Well then, it appears that’s the second promise you’ve made to me in twenty-four hours. Aren’t you just full of them, cheri?”
She saw red at Marek’s mention of her wedding vows to him. Spewing forth a string of curses, she straightened and looked down her nose with disgust. How could she have ever thought he was anything other than a bastard?
Carm raked her eyes over his crisp pale blue linen dress shirt and scoffed, “You wouldn’t know the first thing about promises. The only thing you know about is lying and deception.”
“Watch what you say to me, Carm—,”
“Or what? You’ll have me flogged? You are a liar, Marek. Wait, that’s not even your name. You let me believe you worked for the hotel and are a musician. You put on a great act too, because I bought it. All you’ve done is lie.” Carm folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.
Marek pushed away from the desk and stood, sending the leather chair spinning. “You think I’m the only one who’s lied? That I’m the only one who didn’t disclose all information? What about you?”
She scowled and began to pace. “What about me? I didn’t lie to you.”
Marek made a sound of disbelief, “Sure you did, sugar. Think I would have come anywhere near you last night if I’d known you were a virgin?”
The harshness of the words hit her like a freight train. It hurt to have that thrown in her face. Her stomach took a greasy roll and Carm turned her back on Marek. She let her gaze roam the spacious room.
It was a fabulous space, she had to admit. Light wood flooring spanned wall to wall with vibrant rugs scattered around the room. Two deep-cushioned brown leather chairs faced the marble fireplace.
Some gorgeous pottery had been placed around the room on stools and shelves. Huge palm plants added the final touch, giving the office a professional but breezy feel. The artwork that graced the butterscotch walls was tasteful and bold, a mixture of contemporary pieces and landscapes.
Too bad it belonged to such a pig.
Spinning around to face Marek, she demanded to know, “Why did you lie about your name?”
Marek stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows looking outside at the lawn. At the sound of Carm’s voice, he turned and locked his eyes on her. Without warning, a jolt shot like liquid fire through her blood. The man was too gorgeous for his own good.
“I didn’t lie, Carmen. My name is Marek. William Marek Stokes. I haven’t gone by William since I was in diapers. I only use it now in a professional context for my business.” Leaning a broad shoulder against the wall, he added, “And as for the rest, I thought you’d be a one night stand, cheri. I didn’t feel obligated to divulge information. Oh, I see that offends you. Tough. You should have known the rules before you played the game, sugar.”
Oh, it felt cold and shallow the way he put it. The man didn’t have a sympathetic bone in his body. He just kept the insults rolling.
Wanting to throw something at his thick head, Carm looked around and spotted a nice clay urn. That’ll do. Before she even made a move toward it, Marek stopped her.
“I wouldn’t do that, sweetheart. I’m fond of that piece of pottery there and I’d hate to have to throttle you for breaking it. Now, why don’t we sit down and discuss this whole business like adults. That is what you came here to do, isn’t it? Or had you planned on throwing things until I agreed to whatever you wanted?”
The man was a rat. A dirty, filthy rat. How could he read her mind like that? She had intended to do whatever it took to make the owner of Blue Mist Coffees see reason.