Wanted: Wife

by Lacey Wolfe

  “It’s Darcy, and thank you for meeting me today on such short notice.”

  “It’s no problem at all. Are you ready to go in?”

  Darcy looked around for Steven but didn’t see him. He’d be there soon, she hoped. “Sure. My fiancé is supposed to be here as well, but I guess he’s running late.”

  “Men, they do that.” She smiled.

  Kathleen unlocked the door and pushed it open, allowing Darcy to walk in first.

  “I called and they said the power was on, so feel free to turn on any lights you’d like.”

  Darcy nodded and then began to flip light switches. She wanted to see this store as brightly as she could. And it did light up. As she walked around and took everything in, she knew it would need some work. This wasn’t a week or two project. It would be several months. Did she have several months with Steven? She assumed she had however long she wanted since he said she would decide when to end things.

  A doorway led to the back, which was where the cooking would be done. There was also a door that led to a small room. That could be her office, as long as there was a bigger room in the back for stock. Her heels clicked on the tile floor as she made it all the way to the back.

  “Finding everything to your liking?” Kathleen asked.

  “I think so. While this wasn’t a food location before, I think it’s doable.”

  “Certainly. It’s a great location for it.”

  Darcy began to run the numbers through her head and realized she was looking at a lot of money—that she didn’t have. If she wanted to jump on this location before anyone else, her only option might be to take Steven up on his offer. But if she did, there would have to be a contract between them that she got to keep this place. Once she built it from her hands up, there was no way she could just walk away.

  As they walked back up to the front, she found Steven outside on the phone. He was smiling, so whoever it was, it wasn’t bad.

  “Is that the fiancé out there?” Kathleen asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Let’s hope he says yes, huh?”

  Darcy was certain he would. After only a few more minutes, he ended his call and came inside. He walked over to Darcy and planted a peck on her cheek before introducing himself to Kathleen. Darcy stood back and admired the confidence that radiated off him. She’d never really seen him around anyone other than family. The way he spoke seemed to put everyone at ease.

  “What do you think?” Darcy asked him.

  “Let me have a look. Want to walk with me?” he asked her as he took her hand.

  To have the opportunity to hold his hand, she would go without a doubt. As they walked through the store, she told him about where she saw the front counters and the tables she wanted up front for those who wanted to sit and have a snack. She pointed to where a wall would go to separate the front of the store from the back. She hadn’t quite figured out all the details yet as far as equipment, but knew that would come in time. After the tour and they made it back to where Kathleen stood waiting, Darcy wondered if she’d convinced Steven. He’d been quiet the whole walk, only listening.

  “Well, what did the man of the hour think?” Kathleen smiled.

  “Give us a few to discuss it, do you mind?” Steven asked.

  “No problem. I’m going to make a phone call and will be back in a few.” Kathleen left through the front glass door, pulling her phone from her purse.

  Darcy took a deep breath and gazed up at Steven, looking for anything that might tell her if he loved the place as much as she did.

  “It needs a lot of work,” he said.

  “You’re right, it does. But it’ll be how I want it.”

  Still holding her hand, he looked around from the ceiling to floor, taking everything in. He looked back at her. “If it’s what you want, I’m fine. We can put in an offer and then sit down and make a business plan.” He pulled her closer to him. “Is this what you want? If I back this place, my company gets a say, so it isn’t just yours.”

  Darcy chewed on her bottom lip. He had a point. The place had to be based around his company. An apple theme mainly, which was fine. You could do a lot with apples, and if she hired the right person to bake, this place would be a hit.

  “As much as I want you to make the offer right this moment, let’s both think about it and then decide. We’ll make our choice tomorrow. After all, they say it’s always best to sleep on it, right?”

  Steven smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

  Kathleen must have been watching from the doorway because she was back. “What did you decide? Any questions?”

  “Darcy loves the place and I can see the vision she has for it, however, we don’t want to make any quick decisions. Give us the evening to think about it and I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”

  Kathleen nodded. “All right. If you think of any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to call. Or if there is another location you’d like to see, let me know.”

  “We will. Thank you,” Darcy said.

  Steven led her toward the door, one hand on her lower back. Outside, he walked her over to her car.

  “I have a few things I need to take care of and then I’ll be home. Would you like to go out tonight?” he asked.

  “No, I’ll cook, if that’s okay. I have a recipe I’ve been wanting to try. A casserole.” She giggled. “I feel like an ol’ married woman making casseroles, but they’re so good. I don’t get why they have such a bad rap.”

  “Sounds perfect. I’ll be home soon.” He kissed her cheek and then headed in the direction of his car.

  * * * *

  Darcy had been totally smitten with the little shop and it had melted Steven’s heart. If she wanted it, it was all hers. But he had to point out the role his company was playing. Darcy was an independent woman. She wouldn’t want someone telling her what to do, and if the place was associated with The Apple Orchard, there were times that might happen.

  He hoped she decided to let him back her. The place needed a lot of work. Darcy saw the place most likely with rose colored glasses. It would be a few months and a good amount of money put into it. But to give her what she wanted, it’d be worth it.

  Steven hadn’t planned on returning to work, but he needed to call his brother, and he wanted the comfort of his office, as well as the privacy. He told his receptionist to pretend as though he wasn’t there. He had one quick thing to do and then he was out the door again.

  At his desk, he fought the urge not to boot up the computer and check his email, but if he did, something would need his attention. And all he really wanted was to get home to Darcy.

  He dialed his brother who picked up after the second ring. “Hey, Jarred. How are you?”

  “Great, what can I do for you?” Jarred asked.

  Steven and Jarred had never been close. Jarred was a lot like their father, and they butted heads quite often. “I’m going to get right to the point instead of bullshitting with you.”

  “You always do.”

  “Are you seeing Terry?”

  Jarred laughed. “You’re something. First, you get to take over The Apple Orchard, you’re getting married, and now you’re suddenly concerned about whom I’m dating?”

  “I never said I was concerned. It’s your choice who you date. I just heard you were getting cozy with her and I wanted to see if it was true. Last I knew, you hated her.”

  “There is a thin line between love and hate. And to answer your question, yes I am seeing her. She needed a shoulder to cry on after you broke her heart, and I happened to be that shoulder.”

  Steven shook his head and rolled his eyes. It didn’t make any sense. “I hope you two are happy.” He wasn’t sure what else to say. “Holidays might be a little awkward.”

  “For who, me? Doubtful. For you and your future wife, maybe. After all, it’s Darcy who has to look across the table at the hot redhead you used to fuck.”

  “Enough! I’m not trying to fight with you.”

  �
�Bullshit. You’re jealous. That’s why you called. Getting bored playing house already?” Jarred laughed.

  “Not at all, and I’m not jealous. This conversation is pointless.”

  “You’ve got that right. Looking forward to your engagement party, bro.” Jarred ended the call.

  Steven laid his cellphone down and raked his hands through his hair. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but at this point he didn’t really care. Standing, he put his phone in the case on his hip, grabbed his keys, and left. Something told him there was more to Jarred and Terry, but Steven wasn’t going to dwell on it. If he was lucky, he’d get to go home to a home-cooked meal, curl up on the couch with a movie and Darcy, and have a relaxing evening. That was his idea of the perfect end to the day.

  Chapter 17

  Darcy sat at the counter on a bar stool, soaking her sorrows in an adult beverage of some kind. She wasn’t sure what she’d made, but she threw a bunch of stuff together in the blender, and voilà, she had her new favorite drink.

  As she slurped the liquid through her straw, she still couldn’t believe she’d burnt dinner. And not just a little, but to the point it came out charred. Charred! A person had to really forget about food in order for that to happen.

  It wasn’t all her fault she supposed.

  Darcy did her best to concentrate on the television, but she could feel Steven’s eyes on her. She looked his way and when she did, she saw the passion. Before she had a moment to think, he’d pounced on her, pushing her legs apart and climbing between them.

  “Steven.” She giggled.

  “I have to have you right now.” His mouth claimed hers, and before long she gave into it.

  His lips trailed down her body, tugging her pants and panties off along the way. She peered down at him as he pushed her legs open wide. He winked at her and buried his face between her thighs.

  “Oh God,” she moaned as the pleasure tore through her.

  His tongue and lips were magic as he took his time tasting her. She gripped the couch. She was right on the edge, but then he changed the rhythm and the sensation was lost.

  She’d expected him to kiss his way back up her body, but instead he kept pleasuring her. He wasn’t like most men who went down there, licked a few times, inserted a finger, and did what they had to before climbing back up and seeking their own pleasure. Steven seemed as though he was actually enjoying it.

  Ding.

  The oven timer went off. She was about to say something, but then he swirled his tongue in a way she’d never experienced and every coherent thought left her brain. Her back arched and lights seemed to be shooting off behind her eyelids. Is this what they call fireworks? She was almost there, one more swoop and… Damn it! He changed direction again.

  Darcy was about to say something, but he beat her to it. “I love the way you taste. I can’t get enough. I like bringing you to the edge over and over.”

  She sighed and nodded. She didn’t know what else to do. His finger entered her and she was close. She needed more and couldn’t have the pleasure taken from her again. She heard him chuckle and then the sound of a foil wrapper.

  Ding went the stove timer again. But the sound hardly registered because Steven was between her thighs, positioning himself at her opening. And then he was inside her and she didn’t care one bit about the casserole in the oven.

  It wasn’t anyone’s fault dinner had been ruined, really. They’d been lost in passion. Once again, she reminded herself he was going to make some lucky woman a great husband—and he was ruining all men and sexual experiences from here on out.

  Placing the straw back in her mouth, she gulped down the rest of her drink. As she hopped off the bar stool, she could already feel the effects of an empty stomach and too much alcohol. But she didn’t care as she refilled her glass.

  Tiptoeing back over to her seat, she climbed back on the stool just as she heard the front door close. Hopefully it was Steven, because she was in no shape to fight off an intruder.

  When Steven walked around the corner, a large brown paper bag in hand, he gave her a quizzical look. “What do you have there?”

  “Not really sure. Something I created. Want some?”

  “I think I’ll eat first. I got Mexican. That okay?”

  “Goes perfect with my drink. I was going for a margarita, but had no idea how to make one.”

  Steven picked up her glass and took a sip. He pulled away from it with a sour look on his face. Apparently he didn’t like the best drink in the whole wide world. “What did you put in that?”

  Darcy shrugged. “A little bit of everything.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “There’s vodka, rum, tequila, fruit.”

  He gazed at her like she was crazy. “How about after we eat, I make you a real margarita?”

  “Okay, but I think this is good.”

  He didn’t say anything, instead got them each a plate and then set the food in front of her. He had an assortment of tacos, burritos, and of course, chips and queso. She decided to start with the chips. As the food met her belly, she felt better. Not that she’d been feeling bad before, but the light-headedness she was experiencing was leaving.

  “I love spicy food.” She placed a taco on her plate.

  “Same here. I could eat Mexican every day and be happy.”

  “Maybe we should have this at our engagement party.”

  “Great idea. Did you talk to your mom yet?”

  Darcy took a sip from her drink. “I did, and it felt nice to stand up to her.”

  “Good, you should do it more often.”

  With Steven’s support behind her, she felt like she could do anything. Maybe it was a good thing he’d left her in charge of when to end things. At this rate, she’d prolong this engagement for a few years.

  After they finished eating, Steven told her to go sit and relax while he cleaned up and made her a real margarita. Darcy grinned and decided to go outside to the hammock. She didn’t really think she needed another adult beverage, but she wasn’t about to tell him that.

  * * * *

  Steven wrapped everything up and placed the items in the fridge. He then grabbed all the contents he needed for the margarita—minus the alcohol. Darcy did not need any more of that. And after drinking that god-awful drink she was, she’d never tell the difference. She was going to be hurting in the morning.

  After everything was mixed together, he put salt around the rim of the glass and poured the green liquid into it. With the glass in hand he went out to search for Darcy. As he stepped off the porch, he noticed the hammock was empty. As he got closer, he saw Darcy on the ground. He dropped the drink and ran toward her, hoping she wasn’t hurt.

  “Darcy, are you okay?” He crouched down next to her.

  She giggled. “Yup. But I don’t think I need that drink you made.”

  “That’s good. I spilt it as I ran over here. Did you fall?”

  She nodded. “Yup, didn’t even make it in the damn thing. As soon as I sat, I tumbled to the ground. I’ve been lying here for a little, waiting on you. I’m not sure I can get up and walk.”

  Steven smiled down at her. She was an adorable drunk.

  “I had hoped we could lay out here and talk about us and the bakery.”

  “You want to talk about us?” His heart nearly skipped a beat.

  “Yeah. I think I want to open the bakery, but I was also thinking that you and I need to have a private contract.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “Okay, and what would it state?”

  “That when things end with us—which might I add that since I’m in charge, I plan to ride this out—that the bakery stays mine and you can’t take it away.”

  If Darcy planned on not ending this anytime soon, perhaps he had time to actually show her how much he did care for her and convince her to give him a shot. A real shot. “Are you worried about that?”

  Her eyelids looked as though they were getting heavy. “I just don’t want to
lose everything again when this is over.”

  Her eyes closed. He reached out and brushed her hair from her face. “Darcy,” he said. She made a slight murmur but he knew she was ready to pass out. And could he blame her? She had every type of alcohol in her.

  Steven picked her up and carried her inside and to her room. Her bed would be much more comfortable than the hard ground.

  * * * *

  A few days had passed since Darcy’s embarrassing drunken evening. She really needed to learn to control herself. That was the second time she’d been wasted around Steven and each time he was a complete gentleman.

  The engagement party was only days away now. Steven and her had been busy the last few days since they had come to terms about the bakery. He agreed the place was hers after things ended. He wouldn’t fire her. The only way she would leave was if she chose to. Darcy was feeling much better about her decision now.

  Darcy had also set everything up with an upscale caterer that would serve Mexican food at the engagement party. Her mother hadn’t been happy about that since the party had a Hawaiian theme, but Darcy didn’t care. Her mother would survive one party that she didn’t have full control over.

  The party was going to be big. With both sides of the families and friends, Darcy could only imagine how chaotic it was going to be. But once it was over with, things would settle down, she hoped, until they chose a date—which would never happen. Her mother would most likely hound her for the next few months, but she could use the bakery as an excuse. After all, it was going to be taking up a lot of her time, and she couldn’t wait.

  Pulling her hair up in a ponytail, she decided to go on a walk. As she was walking out the door, her cellphone rang. She looked at the screen to see a number she didn’t recognize. She wondered if it was possibly the realtor or something to do with the bakery.

  “Hello,” she answered.

  “Darcy, it’s Steven. I’m calling because I can’t get a hold of Jarred and I wanted to see if you’d swing by his place.”

  “Yeah, sure.” She went into the kitchen to grab the address book that was kept in one of the drawers. “Everything okay?”