Just a Little Bit Married

by Teresa Southwick

  Then her brain kicked back into gear and decrypted his words. “Who else can’t sleep?”

  “Besides me?”

  “That’s kind of what you implied.” There was something he didn’t want to talk about. “Who was up?”

  “My mom. We just had a Scotch together in the kitchen.”

  “Well. I’m guessing you didn’t tell her she gave up the right to have a drink with you because of the lie.”

  “No.” One corner of his mouth quirked up.

  She waited for him to say more and when he didn’t she couldn’t hold back the questions. “Did you talk? Did she talk? Or was there only silence?”

  “There was talk,” he offered.

  “From who? You? Her?” Rose was getting frustrated at having to drag the information out of him.

  “She apologized for lying. Said they made the decision so my life would be normal. And never expected bio-dad to change his mind and rat her out.”

  “You know, Linc, it occurs to me that you could debate the pros and cons of their decision and make an excellent case for the choice they made and the one they didn’t. But here’s the thing. They made the one they did and you grew up to be the exceptional man you are. There’s no going back now.”

  “Is that your way of telling me to just get over it without actually saying the words?” One dark eyebrow went up questioningly.

  “I suppose so. You’re going to point out that it’s easy for me to say and you’d be right. But what’s the alternative?” She was being practical, not cavalier.

  “I could continue to be hostile toward her.”

  “That’s really mature,” she said.

  “As you have pointed out more than once I’m pretty good at juvenile behavior.” His mouth twitched.

  “Sooner or later we all have to grow up. Even you. Maybe it’s time to cut her some slack.”

  “Maybe.”

  His voice was wistful and she saw the conflict darkening his eyes. That’s the only reason she moved closer and put her hand on his arm—to convey her empathy and compassion. She’d expected his skin to be warm after his shower and was surprised that it wasn’t. “Are you okay? Why are you cold?”

  “Because I took a cold shower.” His eyes darkened. “And no, I’m not anywhere near okay. Pretty much in the neighborhood of everything is screwed up.”

  “What is it? Are you sick?”

  “No.” He pulled his arm away almost angrily but the irritation was directed at himself. “Go back to bed. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

  He hadn’t, not the way he meant. But she was bothered now. She closed the gap he’d opened between them and put her hand on his arm again. “Linc, why did you take a cold shower?”

  “Why does a man ever do that?”

  “Please answer my question,” she said.

  “Don’t push it, Rose.” He closed his eyes. “You know why and this isn’t what you want.”

  “How do you know what I want?”

  “Because I know you.” He looked at her then and his gaze was full of frustration and anger and need. “You’re sweet and honest. And you don’t trust me.”

  “What if I’ve changed my mind? What if I do trust you?” She slid her fingers up to his shoulder and heard his quick intake of breath.

  “I’m glad.” He gripped her upper arms gently and set her away from him. “Believe me, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m a jerk and an idiot, with public opinion swinging toward jackass, too. But I won’t be the son of a bitch who’s responsible for you hating yourself in the morning.”

  “I won’t, Linc. Tell me you haven’t felt what’s going on between us.”

  “Of course I have.” His low voice didn’t take the edge off the explosive emotion. “But I won’t take advantage of you.”

  “I want this. How is that you taking advantage?”

  “Because you want vows and the whole nine yards and I can’t make any promises.”

  Right this second she didn’t give two hoots about anything but the knot of need in her belly that only he could relieve. She moved closer and he retreated, literally putting his back against the wall.

  “I’m not going to argue with you,” she said.

  There was stubborn determination in his expression but the effort showed it was ragged around the edges. “Good, because I’ve made up my mind.”

  “Well, then this probably won’t faze you at all.”

  She reached between them and released his towel, then felt it fall at her feet. After pressing herself against him, she stood on tiptoe, put her hands on his cheeks and pulled his face down to hers. Their lips came together in a gentle touch that belied the power of the chemistry boiling between them. For just a second she tasted his hesitation.

  Then he said, “Damn it.”

  The words seemed to get rid of all his hang-ups because he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her like she’d never been kissed before. It was filled with ten years’ worth of longing and deprivation and the friction of their mouths cranked up the heat, sent it coursing through her.

  He slid his fingers into her hair, cupping the back of her head to make the contact more sure. The kiss went on forever and the room was filled with the harsh sound of their breathing. Suddenly he pulled back and looked at her, his gaze full of hunger and yearning just before he scooped her into his arms. This was happening and stopping it now was like trying to slow a locomotive with a spiderweb. Even if she wanted to, she couldn’t do that.

  “Your place or mine?” he asked, his voice rough with passion.

  “Surprise me.”

  “Mine has condoms.” He shrugged. “They’re always in my travel bag. Are you judging?”

  “Maybe after I’m finished being grateful.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, then leaned in and kissed him just behind his ear.

  “You’re killing me,” he groaned.

  “Do you want me to stop?” She licked the spot she’d kissed, then blew on it.

  “No.” He shivered before his body tensed again.

  He carried her into his room and set her in the middle of the bed. Her nightgown and robe were gathered up around her waist and he sat beside her, sliding his hand over her knee and higher to her thigh, before he gripped the hem and pulled both of them off in one smooth move.

  Linc opened the nightstand drawer and rummaged around for something. With a triumphant grunt he removed a square packet and set it on the nightstand. Then he took her in his arms and together they slowly lowered to the mattress. A hard-charging heat surged through her when he kissed her neck, breasts, belly and hip.

  Oh, God, he was killing her, but what a way to go. Her heart was pounding and she could hardly breathe. More important, she had to get closer. She pressed her body to his, arching her hips against him, showing him what she wanted and that waiting wasn’t an option.

  “I know, baby,” he murmured against her neck.

  In the next instant he opened the condom and put it on. Then he pressed her body into the mattress with his own and settled himself between her legs.

  She held her breath as he prepared to enter her and sighed in satisfaction when he did. He moved inside her and the tension in her belly tightened deliciously with each thrust. Before she was ready, the bubble burst and pleasure rocked through her in wave after unbelievably powerful wave. He held her, kissed her and whispered tender words to her until the tremors subsided.

  Then he settled his weight on his forearms and began to move again. She wrapped her legs around his waist and met him thrust for thrust until he buried his face in her neck and groaned as he found his own release.

  Slowly their breathing returned to normal and he lifted his head to smile down at her. “I’ll be right back. You don’t have to go.”

  “Okay.�
�

  Her eyes closed but she felt the mattress dip as he left the bed and went into the bathroom. After a few moments the light went off and he slid in beside her again, pulling her close.

  “You’re just full of surprises, Rose.”

  Probably it was fatigue that made her say what she did next. She was tired and satisfied and happier than she could ever remember being. There were no reserves left to hold anything back and she didn’t.

  “I love you, Linc. I don’t think I ever stopped.” She felt his body tense and hurried to reassure him. “It’s all right. I know you don’t want to hear it but I needed to say the words. Don’t worry. I don’t expect anything. I just wanted to thank you for this.”

  “No.” Tenderly he kissed her temple. “Thank you.”

  Barely awake now, she smiled and relaxed against his warmth, looking forward to waking up beside him.

  * * *

  Sometime during the night Rose went back to her own room, quietly shutting the two doors between them. As badly as she’d wanted to stay snuggled in Linc’s arms, it was the discreet thing to do. Technically they were married but separated and if anyone happened to walk in and find them in bed together it would be awkward. Possibly requiring a clarification about what was going on and that was difficult since she didn’t quite understand it herself.

  Not the sex part. That was as easy as it was amazing. But the emotional consequences were much more complicated.

  Oddly enough she’d gone back to sleep, but she was awake now and threw back the covers, stretching before rolling out of her own bed. In the bathroom she stared at the closed door to Linc’s room and sighed. She was in love with him and he seemed to return the feeling, although he hadn’t said so.

  After turning on the water in the shower to warm it up, she smiled at the door that separated them and realized she hadn’t been this happy in, well...ten years. Should she invite him into the shower with her? Probably it would be best not to disturb him. He needed sleep since they’d been up pretty late. But she couldn’t help hoping he would join her and when it didn’t happen she was a little disappointed. Still she looked forward to seeing him.

  Not so much his sister and parents.

  Would she look any different to them? What if they could tell she and Linc had had sex just by the expressions on their faces or the way they acted around each other? Intimacy as powerful as what she’d shared with him changed everything and there was no going back. She needed to talk to him before facing his family.

  She showered, dressed, did hair and makeup, giving him as much time as possible to sleep before softly knocking on his door.

  “Linc?” She listened for a response and didn’t hear anything. He was a sound sleeper so she knocked a little louder. “Linc? Are you awake?”

  It was time for him to be up anyway and she needed coffee, so she opened the door, determined to move this along faster. “Ready or not...”

  His room was empty and the bed neatly made.

  “Hmm,” she said to herself. “It would seem that he let me sleep in.”

  Plan B, she thought. There wouldn’t be time to coordinate a plan before facing his family so she was going to have to wing it. At least until she could get him alone to talk about last night.

  She’d told him she loved him and had never stopped. It was clear now that without him she’d moved on but hadn’t really had a life. Being with him was the most important thing and she was pretty sure he felt the same way about her. He’d actually tried to talk her out of sleeping together in order to protect her. How could you not trust a man like that? How could she not love him? The rest would work itself out in time and now they had it.

  Rose took one last look in the mirror, giving her tailored jeans, white blouse and loosely crocheted navy sweater the nod of approval. This look was casual enough for Blackwater Lake, but still professional.

  “Coffee, here I come,” she said to her reflection and hoped Linc would approve of the outfit.

  But Linc wasn’t in the kitchen. She saw Ellie and his mother sitting at the table with mugs of coffee in front of them. No sign of Mr. Hart or Linc.

  Leah ran over and held out her arms. “Up!”

  Rose smiled, more than happy to obey the order. “Good morning, Miss Leah. And did you have a good sleep last night?”

  “Yes!” Did all children speak in exclamation points? Leah pointed to the two women. “Mama, Gammy. Look! Wo’!”

  “She’s been waiting for you.” Ellie smiled fondly. “And how did you sleep last night?”

  “Fine.” Was her voice normal? Or did it sound like the voice of a woman who’d had sex with this woman’s brother? Should she say more about how comfortable the bed was or just leave it there?

  And where in the world was Linc?

  She didn’t trust herself to say his name without blushing a dozen shades of pink so didn’t bring him up. “Good morning, Mrs. Hart.”

  “Same to you, Rose. But please call me Katherine.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  “I’ll pour you some coffee,” Ellie said, standing. “And you can put my spoiled-rotten child down anytime you want.”

  Rose hugged the sturdy little body close for a moment. “I like holding her.”

  “She gets heavy.”

  Katherine smiled as she looked at her granddaughter. “I can’t believe how much she’s grown since your dad and I last saw her.”

  “She’s a cutie pie.” Rose could practically feel her maternal instincts stirring and stretching as she studied the angelic face so close to hers. It wasn’t the first time but this was definitely more powerful than ever before.

  Was it sleeping with Linc that made her hormones stand up and shout “look at me”? Or just being around this precious little girl who was his niece? A little girl who was now squirming to get down. Rose set her on her feet, holding on until she was steady, and then Leah took off running into the adjacent family room.

  “And now she’s so over me,” Rose said, laughing.

  “A child’s short attention span is both a blessing and curse.” There was a regretful tone in Katherine’s voice. “And when they grow up, you wish it was possible to distract them. Make them forget what’s painful for them.”

  “I imagine so.” Rose sat at the kitchen table where Ellie had set her mug, an invitation to join the conversation.

  “I apologize that you had to see our scene last night, Rose. It wasn’t pretty, but I thank you for being there for my son.”

  “Of course.” And she knew that mother and son had talked, but wasn’t sure they’d buried the hatchet. As far as attention spans were concerned, hers had been pretty thoroughly drawn in by the sight of his bare chest and muscular arms. Not to mention that he was wearing nothing but a towel, which was so easily removed—

  The older woman was taking her measure, something any loving and concerned mother would do. “So you and Linc are married.”

  “Just a little bit.” Rose could feel the dozen shades of pink starting in her cheeks and took a sip of her coffee. Let them chalk the blush up to a hot flash of caffeine. “It’s pretty complicated.”

  “Yes. It would seem so.” Katherine nodded. “But I think you still care about each other—”

  “Mom, don’t pry,” Ellie warned. “You know he hates it when you do that.”

  “Yes. But since he’s giving me the cold shoulder I don’t have much to lose with Linc, do I?” The older woman sighed wearily.

  “He’ll come around,” Ellie said sympathetically.

  “I’m not so sure. It’s been ten years,” her mother pointed out.

  “But you two are finally talking. And drinking together,” Ellie said. She looked at Rose. “They couldn’t sleep last night and ended up having a Scotch together.”

  “Ah.” Rose was caref
ul not to let on that she already knew about that.

  “I’d hoped it was progress,” his mother admitted. “But what am I to think with him leaving so suddenly. Obviously I said something wrong.”

  Rose had the coffee mug halfway to her lips and froze at the words. Linc was gone? Her whole body went cold.

  “I already told you—” Ellie patted her mother’s hand reassuringly “—his note said he had to go to Dallas.”

  Why? Rose wanted to ask because he hadn’t told her he was going but managed to keep from saying anything.

  “And why would he do that?” Katherine asked instead. “Except to get away from me.”

  Or me, Rose thought. Because she’d said she loved him.

  “He still has business in Dallas and probably had something that needed his personal attention,” Ellie pointed out. “He probably told Rose where he was going and why.”

  They both looked at her for an explanation and she wanted the earth to open up and swallow her whole. What in the world was she going to say? That she was the reason he couldn’t get out of here fast enough?

  She pulled herself together and said, “He mentioned something about details he needed to take care of.”

  “See?” Ellie looked triumphantly at her mother. “Not everything is about you.”

  Rose managed to choke down some of the breakfast Ellie made for her. She was even able to converse a little bit, laugh in all the right places, in spite of the buzzing in her head.

  Linc left without a word after she slept with him.

  Finally the ordeal of keeping up appearances was over and Ellie wouldn’t hear of her helping to clean up the kitchen. She and her mother would handle it, then they were off for a day at the mall.

  “You should come shopping with us,” Ellie suggested.

  “If only.” Rose forced a smile. “I really need to work.”