She skipped ahead of him a few steps, then turned, walking backward as she grinned. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
He looked around. “It’s cold, and wet.”
“Oh you man of no imagination.” She grabbed his other hand and stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, forcing the few people who were out to move around them. “Look up,” she instructed.
He did. “It gets snow in my eyes,” he said, looking back down at her.
She laughed. “Close your eyes and open your mouth.” She demonstrated, and his heart did something inside him, something that pinched, and burned. He swallowed against the sensation. Her pink tongue came out and she laughed joyously, catching snowflakes on her tongue.
He watched her, mesmerized by every movement, every sound of glee, every tiny thing about her from her black boots slowly getting covered in snow to her dark hair suffering the same fate.
When she opened her eyes she blinked at him. “Did you try it?” she asked softly.
He tipped his head back, opening his mouth and feeling the cold ice crystals fall onto his tongue. When he lowered his chin and opened his eyes, snow stuck to his lashes and she reached out and wiped a thumb under one of his eyes.
“Come on,” she whispered. “The hot chocolate part’s even better.”
They tumbled inside the Starbucks, greeted by the smell of freshly roasted coffee and the holiday music Jeff normally despised but somehow didn’t mind in the moment.
Lisa led him to the counter, not releasing his hand. He held tight, relishing the sensation of her cold, bare skin against his. When they reached the register, she smiled at the barista and Jeff was almost jealous of the other man for getting her joy and attention.
“Two grande hot chocolates with whip,” she ordered.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear while the barista rang up the total. “What’s whip?”
She shook her head and chuckled. “Whipped cream.”
“Is that an essential part of the hot chocolate?” he asked, pulling out his wallet with the hand that wasn’t still clutched in hers.
“Absolutely,” she answered, grinning up at him.
“Well then, I guess it’s good you added it.”
They gazed at each other then, and things skittered in Jeff’s chest as he watched her beautiful eyes take him in. He paid the barista and wondered, what did she see? A soldier? A man who had killed? Someone who would stop at nothing, not even an arranged marriage, to get what he wanted? Or did she see a sad little boy? Abandoned by his mother, raised in a small version of hell, someone not wanted by anyone—except the military. The Army had always wanted Jeff. At first it had wanted his body, he’d been a trained fighting cog in the giant machine of war. But later they’d wanted his mind, his leadership and authority with others. They’d wanted his cunning, and his penchant for getting the job done no matter what.
The Army had wanted him, when no one else in his life ever had.
“Jeff?” Lisa’s voice brought him back from his wandering thoughts.
She held out his cup of chocolate, and he realized she’d also dropped his hand so she could balance the two cups.
He gave her a tight smile and took the drink before they made their way to a table sitting in the front windows of the café.
He looked out at the softly falling snow before turning to find her watching him.
“So is there some special way I need to drink this?” She seemed to have very specific traditions for this whole first snowfall thing after all.
“I’m glad you asked.” Her eyes danced. “You have to eat the whipped cream first.”
He looked down to see if a spoon had magically appeared. “I’ll get us some spoons.” He started to stand but her soft hand on his arm stopped him mid-rise.
“No spoons needed. Just watch.”
She proceeded to stick her finger in the whipped cream that crowned the top of her cup. She ran it through the stiff peak, making a trench. When she put the glob of whipped cream in her mouth, her finger followed it as she expertly sucked the sweetness off.
Jeff’s cock went to half mast immediately, and when she moaned in delight it pushed against his fly, demanding it be allowed to finish the journey to full on hard.
Fuuuck. He grit his teeth and took a deep breath.
“Go on,” she scolded as her finger dipped into the cup again. “Let loose, Colonel. Be a kid for a little bit.”
Jeff couldn’t remember ever being a kid—not really. He knew he had been, at least until he was seven, and there were plenty of moments in his life when he’d behaved childishly, but actually be a kid? Do the carefree things kids did? No, he didn’t think that had happened since he was very young.
So, he felt a bit foolish as he stuck his finger in the mound topping his cup. It was warm and melting into the hot chocolate rapidly, but he was able to get a good chunk. He brought it to his lips, then stuck the tip of his tongue out to test it before he consumed it wholesale.
Lisa laughed. “It won’t bite you. In fact, you’re biting it. Just go ahead, go for it.”
He did, and the rich sweetness exploded on his tongue, bringing back memories of ice cream sundaes at the Dairy Queen in his hometown when he’d save enough money sweeping out the neighbor’s garage to ride his bike and get some in the summers.
His eyes closed involuntarily, and when he opened them her gaze was on him, warm, soft, so very enticing.
“It’s delicious, isn’t it?” she asked.
He smiled as he took his finger out of his mouth and dipped it into the cup again.
“It’s sugary.”
“It’s delicious, admit it, soldier, you may be tough as nails, but you like whipped cream on hot chocolate.”
“I like watching you liking it even better,” he said before he could stop himself.
She froze, a wary expression washing over her features.
“I see why you’re a teacher,” he continued, trying to smooth things over. “You’re a kid at heart.”
She visibly relaxed. “That’s probably true. I love sweets, Harry Potter, and fidget spinners. I fit right in with the second grade set.”
“What’s a fidget spinner?” he asked as he settled into sipping the creamy warm chocolate.
“You’ve never heard of a fidget spinner?”
“Nope.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s a good thing you met me so I could educate you on the truly important things in life.”
He laughed, and thought this might be the best evening he’d had in a very long time.
By the time they walked back to the car, Lisa had grown relaxed with Jeff. He was the consummate gentleman. Never once doing anything to make her uncomfortable. It had really been like a normal date. But better, because she already knew what he was after. There was no guessing, judging, trying to figure out what he hoped to get out of the whole thing. It was a welcome relief.
As he started up the car, she looked over at him—he was capable, safe, strong. He was also serious, and a little bit sad. And she understood that. She’d been serious and sad for a long time. Doug had done that to her. Taken away her natural buoyancy and spontaneity. But tonight, with Jeff, she’d felt it resurface, and she realized it was because with him she could finally relax. He was so sure, so confident, and in charge, she was freed to just be for the first time in three years.
And maybe that was worth a marriage of convenience. Maybe if she had the financial problems removed she could finally get back to being her.
Maybe Colonel Jeff Thibedeux could help Lisa find herself again.
“I’ll do it,” she said suddenly.
He glanced at her, taking his eyes off the road briefly.
“What are we discussing?” he asked, a small smile on his face.
“The marriage. I’ll do it.”
He did look at her fully then for a moment. His eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, determined. “Yes. You might be crazy, but you’re the most ratio
nal crazy person I’ve ever met.” She smiled at him and he grinned. “Also,” her voice grew softer, “I felt more like myself tonight than I have in a long time. I realized the stress from everything that’s happened with Doug over the last three years has made me—different. If the financial burden were lifted maybe I could get back to being me sooner.” She paused, her fingers tangling in her lap. “I’m tired. I think I might welcome the help.”
Without a word he reached over and gave her hand one firm squeeze. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for,” he said somberly. “There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. No battle is won without a team. I’d be honored to join your team. We can fight these things together.”
She nodded, oddly overcome with emotion, then took a deep shuddering breath, looking out the side window so he couldn’t see her face.
When she turned back to him his jaw was set, his expression fierce. “So how do we do this?” she asked.
“First,” he answered, releasing her hand, “we go see my friend, Teague Roberts.”
“The Supreme Court Justice?” she asked, mouth dropping open.
“The very one.”
Teague Roberts was every bit as intimidating in real life as he was on television. Luckily, his wife, investigative reporter Deanna Roberts, was very kind.
“She should really have her own attorney,” Teague warned Jeff again, looking askance at Lisa. “I’m concerned with your interests,” he said pointedly, “I can’t promise this is the best deal she can get.”
Jeff scowled at his friend. “I want this to be a good deal for both of us and there’s no reason it can’t be. Our interests aren’t at odds.”
“Still,” Teague cautioned.
“Still nothing. I want to pay her debts and get her a house so she has a solid start on a new life when this is over. She’s promised to attend events with me, host a few dinners, and help settle the new officers and their families when they get transferred to the Pentagon. It’s not complicated. We’re both in agreement—” he looked at her, “—aren’t we?”
She nodded. “Yes. I don’t have any problem with what Jeff’s asking.”
The Supreme Court Justice continued to scowl at her.
“Stop it,” Deanna said. “This isn’t one of your corporate negotiations. It’s Jeff, and the lovely school teacher he’s decided to marry. Just do the prenup and stop being a grump.”
Jeff snorted as he tried not to laugh. Lisa just looked from one face to another, wondering how Deanna dared speak to a man as intimidating as Justice Roberts that way.
However, instead of exploding the way Lisa expected him to, Teague just raised an eyebrow at his wife and asked, “What’s in it for me?”
Deanna rolled her eyes and smacked him playfully on the back of the head. “Write the document.”
He smirked, and Jeff cleared his throat.
“All right,” Teague said, relaxing finally. “I’ll have my clerk do it up in the morning. She’ll need a complete list of all debts and assets for both of you as well as basic details like full names, birthdates, and addresses.”
“We’ll get it all over to you ASAP,” Jeff said, standing.
Lisa stood as well.
“Don’t take him too seriously,” Deanna whispered, appearing at Lisa’s side as the two men continued talking. “He’s very protective of his boys—Jeff being one of them.”
“How did they meet?” Lisa asked.
“I’m not honestly sure, but there’s a group of them that are tight. They don’t advertise it, but they have their own little gang of sorts.” She laughed softly. “Between them they control half the country, but you’d never know it by seeing them. They seem like any other group of guys hanging around watching football on a Sunday afternoon.”
“Well, I appreciate Justice Roberts’ help. I know this must seem odd to you.” She paused. “Marrying someone for money, I mean.” Her voice faded as she realized she hadn’t thought about how she’d explain all this to friends and family. God, her mother was going to kill her.
“I think throughout history people have gotten married for a lot of reasons, most of them having little to do with love. As long as you aren’t being coerced into doing anything you don’t want to, I think your reasons for getting married are between you and your soon-to-be husband.”
Lisa swallowed at how serious that made it all sound.
“But I know you’re not being coerced because I know Jeff and he would never press a woman to do anything she doesn’t want to.” Deanna caught her gaze. “I mean that. You’re safe with him.”
Lisa nodded. “I believe you. I’ve only known him a few days, so it sounds nuts, but I can tell he’s a good man.”
“The best,” Deanna said warmly. “I hope he can meet someone someday—I mean no offense, but someone who’ll marry him for love.”
“I understand what you mean,” Lisa assured her. “And I hope he can too.”
When she lay in bed that night after Jeff dropped her off, she repeated the hope, because Colonel Jefferson Thibedeux deserved to have love. He deserved a real marriage. But until then she supposed she’d do her level best to at least make it look like he had one.
Chapter 6
"He wants to get married right away," Lisa told Nell as they sat outside the school on a bench during their lunch break, both bundled in wool coats and mittens.
"I can't believe you're seriously doing this," Nell said, shaking her head as her breath frosted slightly in the cool air. Most of the snow from a few days earlier had disappeared, but the air was chill and damp.
"I'll admit, it's pretty nuts. But just think how much easier my life will be when I can get out from under all that debt."
Lisa watched a group of pigeons combing the grass for crumbs left behind by children who'd had their morning snack on the lawn earlier.
"And I kind of like the idea of helping him too," she admitted. "Once you get past the cold military exterior he's actually a pretty nice guy."
Nell eyed her carefully. "Not to mention really hot." She paused, one eyebrow raised. "You aren't interested in him, are you? I mean, romantically."
Lisa's throat felt a little tight as she leaped to an answer without pausing. "No! Of course not. I can think he's a nice guy and not want to..." she flapped her hand around aimlessly, "whatever with him."
Nell laughed, shaking her head. "Do the horizontal tango? The bump and grind? Shag?"
"Stop," Lisa laughed. "You're horrible. And yes, all that."
"But he is hot..."
"So what, you think I should sleep with him? That's a little too close to prostitution for my tastes."
Nell glanced at her watch and sighed. "How is it prostitution to sleep with your husband?"
"My husband who's paying me to be married to him," Lisa corrected.
Standing, Nell grabbed her cell phone and reached down to drag Lisa up as well.
"Your hot husband who's going to settle your debts like any good partner would. I know it's a foreign concept for you since Doug was such an asshole, but most husbands help their wives financially and vice versa. It's sort of the premise of marriage to have the support in all ways."
Lisa felt something inside her clutch in remorse. What a concept. Mutual support. She snorted in derision. "It may be the common scenario, but that's not what's happening here. Real married couples do that because they love each other. He's wiping my debts only because I'm going to play hostess with the mostest for his new position in the Pentagon. He's paying me to help his career, not because he cares about me. And definitely not because he expects sex. The contract is clear on that point."
As they walked toward the front doors of the school, Nell leaned over and whispered, "What a shame. He really does have a great ass."
Lisa couldn't help but agree. But she'd never admit it to anyone but herself.
"So you have all the details worked out then?" Derek Ambrose asked as he watched Jeff smooth the lapels of his dress uniform jacket.
>
"Contract is signed and official under the watchful eye of Justice Roberts."
Derek reached over and flicked a piece of lint off Jeff's shoulder. "I bet he was a total pain in the ass about it."
"He was." Jeff gave himself one more look in the mirror. His hair wasn't quite as short as usual. In all the chaos of the last two weeks he'd missed his monthly trim. He ran a hand over it, which had little effect on the slightly mussed look. He'd shaved carefully, and his uniform was, of course, pressed immaculately, but that damned hair. He sighed and shrugged. Nothing to be done about it.
"You ready?" Derek asked, leaning against the sink in the bathroom of Justice Roberts' private chambers in the Supreme Court. Each of the nine justices had their own luxurious chambers in the courthouse. When cases came to the court, the hearings, deliberations and concurrent paperwork could take days. The justices were given accommodations so they could work around the clock and be comfortable.
"As I'll ever be."
Derek's ice blue eyes softened a touch. "You don't have to do this, you know. We could take on the Pentagon and this archaic secret requirement. You know they'd fold. You'd get the position. There's no one more qualified and they know it. They have no legally legitimate standing to keep you from this promotion."
Jeff shook his head slightly. "And then I'd forever be the man who aired the Army's dirty laundry in public. I'd never get another promotion, I'd be persona non grata." He turned to face his friend fully. "You're a rebel. You've made your career by breaking the rules, playing the system, finding the back channel. I might have some underhanded tactics to gather intelligence and solve problems, but I've never been anything but a company man. When it comes to my career with the Army I'm the poster child for obedience. That's not going to change."
Derek's brows drew together as if he couldn't quite understand.
"The Army is my family. I'd never sell them out. If they want me to stand on a hill and die for them I'll stand on a hill and die for them. Getting married's not even in the same ballpark."
The Darkhorse_A Powerplay Novella Page 4