He only vaguely remembered the wedding ceremony—it was the sex before and after that stood out in his memories. Her body had fit his like a glove. A silky, glorious glove. Making love with her had felt like going home. His blood rushed south, stirring his groin at the memory.
Lily stepped from the escalator and looked toward the turnstiles. She carried herself with natural grace, head held high like a gazelle. The artist in him admired the lines of her body, the firm high breasts—perfectly proportioned above her narrow waist—luscious hips, rounded ass, and long well-muscled legs. The man in him appreciated it more and the swelling beneath his zipper became more uncomfortable.
Her light-brown hair fell in gentle waves around her shoulders and her eyes… Eyes that were branded in his memory; molten chocolate with golden highlights. “Like caramel,” he’d told her once, three years before.
“Let’s get this over with,” Caleb whispered and made his way through the throngs of people toward his wife.
Lily fought not to wipe her moist palm on her skirt. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Even with the wall of windows to one side of the baggage claim area in the San Francisco airport, the room seemed colorless and drab.
The gentle hum of conversation surrounded her, punctuated by the static preceding an indistinct announcement from hidden loudspeakers. She glanced past happy faces of reunited friends and family and the occasional resigned frequent traveler until she found the correct turnstile for her flight. Suddenly feeling very much alone, she walked toward the throng of people waiting for their luggage. From time to time, a waft of perfume or cologne would overcome the faint smell of exhaust and diesel permeating the air. Why did people wear so much cologne?
Caleb said he’d meet her by the doors near baggage claim. She hadn’t had the nerve to look that way yet. Would he remember her? Did she look different? She’d touched up her makeup on the plane but nothing could make her feel fresh after six hours in a stuffy pressurized cabin. What she’d really like was a shower. An image of Caleb’s naked wet torso flashed through her mind. Where had that come from? It felt almost like a memory.
She still couldn’t remember everything they’d done in Vegas. Which, she admitted, was probably a good thing. The moments she remembered were more than enough to fuel her fantasies.
Lily paused behind a wall of people waiting for the machine to eject their luggage. Something like gravity prickled her spine, and she turned to look behind her. Lily’s breath caught in her throat. Caleb walked toward her. She’d never forget that sexy stride. His blond hair was pulled back, emphasizing high cheekbones and bronzed skin. The shadow of stubble along his jaw only improved his rugged good looks. Her hand itched to stroke his face, to feel the rough texture against her skin. Lily’s stomach did a quick flip and she had to remind herself to breathe. Splashes of color decorated the jeans encasing Caleb’s long legs. A white T-shirt stretched over his muscled chest but a long-sleeved flannel shirt hid his arms from view. No. He was nothing like the men she’d dated.
She didn’t have time to ponder more because, as though aware of her scrutiny, he smiled and every other thought flew from her mind. Despite her weakened knees, Lily managed a deep breath and to not wobble as she stepped toward him. “Hi.” She swallowed. A handshake seemed too formal, a hug…dangerous.
He took the decision out of her hands by pulling her into an embrace. God, he smelled good. How could she have forgotten that little fact? His scent was like an electrical impulse right to her core.
“Thank you so much.” His voice rumbled in his chest and she fought the shiver tracing her spine. It was enough that her skin had broken out in goose bumps.
He pulled away without letting go of her, his gaze roaming her face. “You’re beautiful.” Caleb glanced away. “I mean, I’d remembered you were but…but I’d forgotten how exquisite your bone structure is.”
Lily smiled and stifled a giggle, the nervousness dissipating.
“What?” Caleb looked confused.
“It’s not often I get complimented on my bone structure.”
Caleb grinned. “Well, you should. I’m an artist, I notice these things. Come on, we’ll get your luggage and grab a cab.” He took the carry-on out of her hands.
While they waited for the giant silver turnstile to spit out luggage, Lily watched Caleb out the corner of her eye. His skin was tanned and his hair had more blond streaks than she remembered, giving him a surfer look. Did he surf?
She glanced around the room, noticing he’d caught the attention of more than one woman. A fierce possessiveness surprised her and she took a step closer to him. Immediately, his spicy, masculine smell enveloped Lily and her body warmed. He looked down and smiled. Lily fought a tremor that won and rippled through her body. Just a glance from him stole the breath from her lungs. Maybe this had been a mistake.
“Lily?”
She opened her eyes. “Um, sorry.”
“I asked you how you’ve been.”
“Oh, good I guess.” Oh, God, she couldn’t even manage small talk. This was going to be a long four days.
A large man pushed past her to reach down for a bag making its way around the revolving metal contraption. Lily stumbled into Caleb. Strong arms steadied her and one hand brushed her breast. Her nipple hardened into a tight little nub. She had a sudden urge to lean into that broad chest, close her eyes, wrap her arms around him and breathe in his scent. Get a grip, Lily.
She pulled away.
“Sorry.” Caleb’s eyes softened.
“I’m okay.” She wasn’t sure if he was apologizing for the idiot who had pushed her or for accidently touching her breast. She kept her gaze on the machine steadily dropping luggage onto the turnstile. “Mine is black,” she said without turning.
Caleb laughed, a deep, throaty chuckle. “Most of them are.”
“It has a pink ribbon tied to its handle.” She glanced up into amused green eyes. “What?”
“Nothing. It’s a good idea.” They waited in silence. His body next to her felt like it had some kind of gravitational pull. She had to fight not to lean into him. Sweat dampened her forehead. Caleb rolled up one sleeve to reveal a corded forearm. Lily fought not to stare as his long fingers finished and began on the other sleeve. Damn it, since when is that sexy? But on Caleb, it was. Her body tingled. It remembered what those fingers could do.
Using every ounce of willpower she possessed, she turned her attention back to the carousel. In surprise, she watched her suitcase barrel down the slide and land with a loud crash, partially drowned out by the grinding noise of the gears. “That one.”
Without a word, Caleb moved forward and effortlessly picked up the suitcase. “What did you pack in here? Books?”
“Um, no. I didn’t know what the weather would be like or if I’d need to dress up…so I came prepared.” She tried to ignore the way the muscles of his chest slid under the shirt as he switched hands. Muscles she remembered way more clearly than was good for her. She shook her head. “You don’t have to be all macho. It rolls.”
He examined the suitcase. “Oh. How was I supposed to know?”
Lily pulled out the handle and tilted the suitcase onto its wheels. “Don’t you travel?”
“Yeah, down to Monterey at least once a year. I rent a car and drive…and use a duffle bag. My parents live down there now.”
Lily smiled. He wouldn’t look too bad in a wrinkled T-shirt. Then immediately, she imagined herself in his wrinkled T-shirt and warmth surged between her legs. “A taxi?” she said a little more sharply than she intended.
He gently took the handle and led her into the San Francisco sunshine.
The cab driver careened around a corner and then changed lanes. Lily thought she might be sick. Oh, wouldn’t that make a good impression? Girl, you’ve already made an impression. She took a deep breath, realizing her mistake when she drew in the scent of greasy food, stale sweat and something like old socks into her lungs. Didn’t they ever clean cabs? She resisted the
urge to scoot closer to Caleb. He smelled good, but too good.
Hazy sunlight from the setting sun played upon the golden hair of his forearms and a strip of dark purple paint. What had he been working on? She glanced up to find him watching her. “So your parents live in Monterrey?”
He smiled, “Yeah, we used to go down there once a year or so. They retired and bought a little house there last year.”
“They like it?”
“Mom plays in her herb garden. Dad putters with flowers and builds birdhouses. Yeah, I’d say they love it.”
“That’s nice.” Lily tried to imagine her mother playing anything but croquet in the garden and failed. And her father? The only thing he built was stock portfolios. “Tell me more about this patroness of yours.”
“Mrs. Patterson.” Caleb rolled down his sleeves and looked out the window before turning the full force of his vibrant green eyes on her. “She’s an interesting lady. She’d seen some of my work and, to make a long story short, she offered to help me. Introduce me to a few people.”
“Help you financially?”
He cleared his throat and his eyes gleamed. “No. She has connections with the Weinstein galleries here in San Francisco and a few in New York. She pulled a few strings and later this fall, I’ll have my debut showing.” He paused and looked out the window again. His voice lowered, filled with an urgency that gripped her heart. “This could mean all the difference to me, to my dream.” He swallowed and then continued in his normal voice. “Anyway, she did a background check without my knowledge and then called wanting to know why I hadn’t told her I was married.” A half-smile turned his full lips. “As you know, it was news to me too.”
“But you didn’t tell her that?”
“No. I did nearly choke on my coffee. I knew what, or rather who, she meant but I honestly didn’t know what to say. I managed to tell her my wife worked on the east coast. I thought that would be the end of it but she insisted on meeting you the next time you flew in.”
“So you called me?”
“No. I had a lawyer friend look it up to confirm we were still married. We were so then I called.”
Lily laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“We have the happiest marriage of anyone I know. No fights, no power struggles.”
“No sex.”
Lily blushed. “I didn’t say it was perfect, just peaceful.”
“There’s more to life than peaceful.”
“And the opposite of peace is chaos. I’ll take the peace.”
“Chaos isn’t always a bad thing. From chaos came creation.” He smiled. “A little pandemonium adds spice.”
Lily cleared her throat. “So when do I meet her?”
“Mrs. P?”
“Yes.”
“Day after tomorrow. I thought you might want a day to get over the jet lag or the time change…or just relax. She invited us to brunch Saturday morning.”
“Why does she want to meet me at all? I have nothing to do with your work.”
Caleb shook his head. “She doesn’t know that, does she? And for that matter, neither do you. For all you know, you could have been my muse for the last three years.”
“Now, you’re teasing me.” He was, wasn’t he? A thrill of pleasure traced her spine. Could he have been thinking of her all this time? Did she appear in his fantasies as often as he starred in hers? Stop. I’m an idiot. Don’t even go there.
His green eyes sparkled. “Am I?”
Lily smiled. Get back to business. “Well, I guess that leaves the rest of today and tomorrow to get our story straight.”
“Story?”
“Where did we meet? How did we fall in love? You know? That kind of thing.”
Caleb groaned. “Why not stick with the truth? We met in Vegas, married there and…” he trailed off, a frown creasing his brow as he met her eyes.
“No.” Lily shook her head. “Or wait! There are art galleries in Vegas, right? Maybe we could have met there.”
“Maybe she won’t ask.” He looked out the window and when he turned back, his green eyes were shielded. He sighed. “Just make up any scenario you want. I’ll go along with it.”
Lily stared at Caleb’s profile. What had upset him? She didn’t have a clue, but one thing she did realize; she didn’t know her husband at all. “Are you taking me to my hotel?”
Every muscle in Caleb’s body tensed. Lily pictured a deer caught in a car’s headlights.
“Um, no.”
“No? Where are we going? I’m a little tired.”
“I’m taking you to my place.”
“Why?”
Caleb paused. The bottom dropped out of Lily’s stomach. “Because you didn’t book a hotel reservation?”
“No. We don’t have much time together. And like you said, we need to get our story straight.”
Lily stared at Caleb’s earnest face. Could he afford a hotel? She hadn’t asked. He’d insisted on paying for the airfare and even booked the ticket, assuring her he’d take care of everything from his end. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings but if money was the issue, she could more than afford any hotel in San Francisco. She’d bet the Westin had vacancies.
Those green eyes softened and her misgivings crumbled. “Okay, fine. But that doesn’t mean we’re having sex.”
Caleb’s eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t ask you to, but it’s nice to know it’s on your mind.”
Lily turned back to the window to hide the burn of her cheeks. If he only knew.
Chapter Three
Caleb took the key out of his pocket and slid it in the doorknob. Lily stood beside him, her jaw clenched and spine straight, eyes focused ahead. Why was he so nervous? You’re bringing your wife home, bud. Your rich wife who might turn her nose up at the hovel you call home sweet home.
He smiled. That wasn’t quite true. Or at least she wouldn’t be his wife for long. So what did it matter what she thought of his apartment? But it did. He couldn’t forget the look of horror on her face when she’d discovered the ring on her finger that morning in Vegas. She was old money. He didn’t have any, new or otherwise. Her dismay at the idea of telling Mrs. P they’d met and married in Vegas, which was the truth, was just another sign she didn’t consider him good enough for her. And maybe he wasn’t.
He glanced at her as he turned the key. Lily looked tired, but beautiful. Shadows crowded her pale brown eyes. It had been all he could do not to drape an arm around her in the cab, pull her close and rest her head on his shoulder. A surge of blood to regions south reminded him he needed to put a stop to that kind of thinking. Lily was here as a favor to him. He wasn’t going to make her feel uncomfortable in any way. Although with her around he might be the one spending more time uncomfortable, or taking more showers than usual to relieve a particular discomfort. It would be a long couple of days.
He opened the door and swung it wide. “Shouldn’t I carry you over the threshold or something?” Caleb’s cock throbbed at the thought of touching the silky skin on the back of her thighs, pressing her body to his chest. He wouldn’t just carry her over the threshold—he’d take her right to the bedroom.
“Smartass, I’ll walk, thank you.” Lily stepped into the angled hall and walked toward the living room.
She glanced left into his galley-style kitchen and he had to remind himself there wasn’t even a coffee cup in the sink. He’d cleaned the apartment top to bottom before he’d left for the studio that morning.
He looked around, trying to see his apartment through Lily’s eyes. A tan couch sat against one wall, the quilt his mother had made for him draped across one of the arms. The coffee table had seen better days but it was functional and the bowl of sea glass sent beams of blue and green across its surface. He winced, noticing not a single piece of artwork hung on the walls. He supposed that might be considered strange for an artist’s house, but he didn’t like to surround himself with his art and, though he admired many artists, he preferred the idea of th
e blank canvas.
She turned, a twinkle in those golden eyes. “No plasma screen? I thought all bachelors had at least a thirty-inch plasma. Isn’t it in the handbook?”
He glanced toward the old tube TV on its stand next to his philodendron and scratched his head. “I guess starving artists are the exception. I don’t watch much TV anyway.”
“You don’t look starving to me.”
The appreciation in Lily’s eyes hit him like a ton of bricks. It was all he could do not to march across the living room and take her in his arms, sweep her up and carry her to the bedroom. Stop it, Caleb. Isn’t that what got you into this mess to begin with? He smiled. “I manage.”
“So…where do I sleep?”
Oh, oh, here is where it got tricky. “In the bedroom.” He took her suitcase into the bedroom and set it down on the bed.
“And where will you sleep?” she asked, following him in.
Caleb took a deep breath. “In here. It’s a big bed and we’re both adults.”
Her skin paled further. “You expect me to sleep here? With you? Buddy, you’ve got a lot of nerve.” Her dark eyes flashed.
“Look, two adults can sleep in a bed without having sex. Married people do it all the time.”
She looked from the bed to him. “No way. I told you I wouldn’t sleep with you. If you think I’m going to see you again and feel all lovey-dovey, you’ve got another think coming.”
“Did I say anything about lovey-dovey?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m not going to fall in bed with you.”
Caleb smiled. “I didn’t ask you to have sex with me.”
Lily stared at him, her pupils wide and yes, her nipples hard against her blouse. Was she as turned on as he was? She stared at the window for a minute. He took a deep breath. Honesty was the best policy, right? “Look, I’m not going to deny that I find you attractive, but I won’t try to seduce you. The truth is I can’t afford a hotel room.”
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