Warm wood floors and soft earth tones gave the house an almost homey feeling, and by the time they arrived upstairs Symmone could no longer contain her enthusiasm. When she faced him a slow grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“Ohmigosh, Leo! The house is simply beautiful, but I can’t afford this, no matter how much I love it.”
He grasped her hand and drew her into his arms. His scent, a little sage, a little pine, enveloped her, and he rested his hands on the curve of her waist. “Do you think I would bring you here and not consider you might like the house?”
She tugged away from him. “I honestly don’t know what you think, Leo.” She walked to the window and gazed out. “I watched this house being built, and from the moment I saw the plans I’ve always wanted this house. It’s on the cul-de-sac and the kids could ride their bikes. They could have a swing and…” When she turned she was talking to herself.
Well, didn’t that beat all. She lingered in the room, taking in the gleaming wood floors and moldings. The closet alone was worth exploring, and she could envision Jewel in this room, with pretty purple curtains and unicorns.
Symmone wandered from room to room on the left side of the hall. She leaned on the oak banister and looked down into the foyer. The house was perfect, even if they wanted to expand their family.
She ran a hand down her flat stomach. A pang of longing stole through her. But it wasn’t the right time.
“Symmone!” Leo’s voice seemed to fill the room.
She glanced toward the direction she thought his voice came from. “Where are you?”
“The master suite.”
The only bedroom she hadn’t seen. She furrowed her brow as she pushed off the banister and headed to the other side. She found him staring out the window. He turned as her footsteps echoed across the oak floor.
“Let me show you something.” He beckoned her to the window.
When he moved aside, she stood in front of the glass. The view was still of the backyard, but held more of the wooded area at the edge of the property. For a moment his arms ringed her waist, and she leaned into the strength of his body.
The woodsy spice of his cologne enveloped and enticed her. “You always smell so good.”
His throaty chuckle wound deep into her heart. “So do you.”
She faced him. “I really like this house.”
He picked up her hand and dropped a set of keys in the center of her palm. The metal was cool as it rested against her skin. She stared at her hand, her mouth falling open.
When she looked up, Leo was on bended knee, holding a single red rose. Keys forgotten, she gasped at the light dancing off the Asscher-cut solitaire ring in the middle of the rose. The square stone had the same elegant and distinctive lines as its emerald-cut cousin. The diamond itself was set in an antique white gold setting and so very different from the one he’d presented her ten years before.
“I love you, Symmone. My life has been bleak and miserable without your love and smile in my life.” He kept his gaze on her. “I know I messed up, but these last couple of weeks have shown me that I want you as my wife for the rest of my life. If you’ll have me, I’d like to be your husband again.
Will you marry me?”
She clapped a hand over her mouth. It was one thing to think about being his wife again, but now she was being presented with tangible proof of his love and commitment.
From the moment she spent the night in his hotel room, he hadn’t left her side. He’d done everything he promised, even with the children.
Would he put his career before her again? Or before the kids? Yet the elation of being asked, of wanting to give in to her heart edged out the doubt.
“Yes.”
His hand shook as he plucked the ring from the petals and slipped it on the third finger of her left hand. Her own hand trembled as the ring settled in place.
He gathered her close. “You’ve made me so happy.”
She hugged him. Despite her lingering doubts, this was what she’d been missing. He was what she’d been missing. The keys dug into her palm and she stepped back.
“What’s with the keys?” She tucked a curl behind her ear.
He smirked. “The house is yours.”
A gasp stuck in her throat as disbelief squeezed her heart. “How?”
“I bought the house, Symmone. Remember the house I designed during my internship?”
She furrowed her brow. Realization pierced her heart. He couldn’t have. Stunned, she walked from the room, taking in each room as she recalled the plans he’d made. The hardwood floors, the moldings. Even five bedrooms. This was her house.
Moisture bubbled and flowed down her cheeks. This was the house he’d promised he’d build. For her.
He wrapped his arms around her waist as his warm breath tickled her ear. “I never forgot,” he whispered.
She turned in his embrace and placed a damp kiss on his mouth before burying her face in his shoulder. Neither had she.
****
Three days later, Symmone knelt in front of a box and placed what she hoped was the last DVD
inside. She had no idea she’d collected so many over the years, and most were children’s and educational movies. A quick glance around the living room assured her nothing else remained on the shelves, and the chest of drawers hung open and empty.
The solitaire and matching diamond band glittered in the bright sunlight. A soft smile teased her lips. Once again she was married. She picked up a black marker and the tip squeaked as she wrote across the cardboard flap. Even the kids were excited, and while they were changing out of their wedding finery, she was packing the last few boxes.
She paused, listening to the murmur of voices drifting down from the floor above. Nothing serious. Melvin would take the kids for a couple of days and then they would all meet up Sunday for brunch.
Her smile widened. But she wouldn’t be able to get any rest until she was sure everything was ready for the movers on Monday. The other furniture would be delivered a few days later. She sat back, peering around the living room. Her life, their life, was about to begin a new chapter. Her gaze settled on the rings on her finger.
The first time the diamond had been smaller and the band a plain gold band, but this thing was nearly the size of her pinky fingernail and looked absolutely perfect on her hand.
“What are you doing?” Leo demanded from the doorway.
She lifted her gaze to find a slight frown on his face. “Packing.”
His heavy sigh elicited a chuckle from her.
“This can wait until we get back.” He stood in front of her and extended his hand. “I would like to spend a little time with my dear wife.”
She placed her hand in his and he effortlessly tugged her to her feet. She smoothed a wrinkle from the front of her ivory skirt, then picked a stray fuzzy from the beaded bodice.
“You go back to work Monday, and I want to get as much of this done as I can.”
He cradled her face in his hands.
“Sweetheart, everything will be fine. I’ve hired a very reputable company who will not only move our precious valuables to storage, but also clean.” He touched her shoulder and she winced. “You’re still recovering and I don’t want you to re-injure your shoulder.”
She wound her arms around his waist and hugged him close. “Fine, but this is the absolute last time you’re going to tell me what to do.”
He chuckled. “I have no doubt. So let’s go spend a couple of days getting to know one another again.”
She giggled. “I like that idea. So where are you taking me?”
Leo draped an arm at her hips and guided her toward the front door. “There’s this little resort in Orlando I think you may like.”
“Sounds decadent.”
He flashed her a wicked grin. “Especially if I get to see you in a bikini.”
She tucked a curl behind her ear and smirked. “I’m not bringing one.” She slid into the car.
�
�Oh, I think we can find a way to improvise.”
Chapter Ten
The house–their home–seemed so different.
Symmone trailed her fingers along the oak banister as she ascended the stairs. With school out for the summer, the kids were able to do something they longed to do: go to day camp with their friends.
The eight hours they spent away from home every day staved off their inevitable lament of boredom and would keep them learning. She paused in the hallway to catch her breath then veered to her left. With only three rooms occupied she wanted to make sure the kids were keeping up their end of the bargain.
She peeked first in LJ’s room. For once his bed was neatly made and his clothes were strewn in a laundry basket. She made a mental note to grab a few Phineas and Ferb decorations. She closed the door and continued down the hall to the last door. Jewel’s room wasn’t as neat as her brother’s, but at least she had the general idea.
The bedspread lay at an angle, but the little girl’s shoes were lined in an orderly row in front of the closet door.
Symmone chuckled and backed from the room. She crossed the wide expanse of hall to the master suite and heaved a sigh. The woodsy scent of Leo’s cologne lingered in the air and filled her with longing. After spending so much time with him over the last several days, she missed him. She stepped to his closet and threw open the doors. His scent greeted her like a welcome caress; she inhaled deeply, closing her eyes.
“So this is what you do all day.”
A small shriek escaped her throat. Startled, she turned to find Leo watching her. “You’re home,” she glanced at her watch, “very early.”
He loosened his tie. “I took the afternoon off.”
She edged away from the closet as he tossed his tie on top of the bureau. “You just had a very long vacation; won’t your boss be upset?” Her eyes never left his, her pulse pounding in response to his heated gaze.
He slipped the buttons from their moorings, exposing his muscular chest to her not-so-subtle scrutiny. Her mouth went dry at the tantalizing display of skin before her. She longed to press her lips to him and hear his soft groans of pleasure. She backed up another step. He stalked her across the room, discarding clothing as he went.
When the backs of her knees hit the mattress, he pushed her shoulder. She tumbled backward and he followed her down onto the bed.
His mouth found hers, his kiss hot and demanding.
She met his passion with a dizzying desire she realized only he could ignite within her.
He worked her out of her shirt, his lips following the path downward as he tugged on her jeans. Some things just required having the afternoon off.
Chapter Eleven
“Ohmigosh! This place is huge.” Symmone adjusted her sunglasses as she gaped at the park.
Leo’s architectural firm had commandeered a local park for their annual picnic, and what pavilions weren’t covered in company paraphernalia were loaded with food. Huge stainless steel grills belched white smoke and teased anyone close enough with the promise of hamburgers and hot dogs.
Lines were already forming for cotton candy and snow cones. And there had to be at least a dozen bounce houses and slides littering the park.
“Can we go play?” LJ and Jewel said as one.
“Go nuts,” Leo said.
“Stay together,” Symmone called after them. She watched them race to the nearest bounce house and climb in. “Your firm does this every year?”
“Yes, and this is the first time I’ve had any reason to stay.”
She looked at him sharply. “Never?”
He shook his head. “What do you see?”
Slowly she looked around the grounds.
Children ran rampant while adults clustered in small groups, and it struck her. “Families. You never came because…”
“It’s hard on a man’s ego when he sees others with what he wants, what he had. I usually stayed long enough for people to know I was here, then I would leave.”
She leaned into him and his arms circled her.
“I’m glad you’re getting a chance to enjoy this with us.”
He nuzzled her neck as he gazed out over the park. Childish giggles and sparkly laughter reached his ears. For the first time in years he didn’t dread being at the picnic. He lifted a hand and waved at his children. A lumped lodged in the back of his throat. His children.
He held Symmone a little tighter. He didn’t know what he would do without her and the kids.
His gaze searched the grounds for the one man who could possibly take away his happiness. The senior partner was nowhere in sight. Leo had to tell Symmone.
“I need to ask you something,” he murmured against her ear.
“Hmm?” She tilted her head back to fix her beautiful eyes on him.
He opened his mouth, then snapped it shut again. How was he going to tell her the truth? Every step to this point in their relationship had been a struggle. If he told her now why he’d really sought her out, he’d lose everything. Somehow he had to tell her what his real position in the architect firm was.
She tugged away from him; concern creased her brow. “What is it?” Her eyes widened. “Is it the kids?” She spun away, moving her head back and forth, searching.
He slid a hand down her arm and grasped her hand. “No, sweetheart, the kids are fine.” He blew out his breath and smoothed a stray hair from her forehead. “I love you so much.”
Her smile chased the worry from her face, but her eyes remained guarded. “I love you too, Leo. What’s wrong?”
“Ah! There you are, Sheppard. I wasn’t sure if you’d stayed long enough, but someone mentioned you’d brought your family with you this year.”
Dread hit the pit of Leo’s stomach and he tensed at the newcomer’s voice. He fixed a pleasant smile on his face and faced the senior partner.
“Dexter Greene.” Leo shook his hand. “I’d like you to meet my wife Symmone.”
“It’s a pleasure, Mr. Greene.” Symmone shook his hand as well.
“The pleasure is all mine. May I call you Symmone?” Dexter said, his hand lingering on hers longer than friendly.
A stab of jealousy sliced through Leo and he drew Symmone more firmly to his side. She chuckled and withdrew her hand.
“Of course.”
Dexter shifted his gaze from one to the other. “For a while there, we thought you were a figment of Leo’s imagination, but after seeing what a beauty you are I can see why he keeps you hidden away.”
Leo’s heart pounded louder.
“I’m not surprised; Leo’s always been protective of his family.”
Some of the tension eased from his shoulders at Symmone’s answer, but the next words left him breathless.
“I’m sure you’ve heard the great news. Since I’ve now met you, Leo is a full partner in our firm.”
Symmone flinched beside him and the genial smile she wore slipped. “Really? I had absolutely no idea he was up for such a huge promotion.”
Despite the lightness in her voice, he still heard anger and, if he wasn’t mistaken, hurt. He risked taking a look and resisted the urge to duck.
If looks could kill…
“With the move and all, I hadn’t gotten around to mentioning the promotion.” Leo forced a smile.
“Well, I’ll let you two celebrate. It was nice meeting you, Symmone.”
“Likewise, Mr. Greene.”
He clasped her on the shoulder. “Call me Dexter. After all, we’re family.”
A long, tense silence filled the space after Dexter walked away. Leo dreaded meeting her eyes and when he did, his heart sank. Gone was the earlier jocularity; in its place was a pain he’d seen once before.
“Sym.”
“Partner?”
“Sweetheart, I can–”
She blinked several times, but it didn’t stop the tears from trickling from her eyes. “You lied to me.”
He held his hands out palms up in a helpless gesture. “I wanted
to tell you.”
“When? After you signed the papers for your partnership? Or maybe when you decided we no longer fit into your career plans.”
Leo looked around the park; people were still far enough away that they couldn’t hear their conversation. He had to do something before things escalated. He stepped closer, his gaze searching hers.
“Can we discuss this later?”
“Absolutely! Don’t worry; I won’t do anything to break the illusion that we’ve been married for years.” She spun on her heel and marched to where LJ and Jewel were climbing a slide.
Cold fear curdled his stomach as he watched her walk away. Somehow he had to get her to see he really did love her, and not just for his job.
****
Later in the evening Symmone slammed the bedroom door. Spending most of the day at the park and playing nice when all she wanted to do was yell at Leo had left her with a raging headache. Now they were home. She snorted. How could she have been so stupid?
Hot tears bubbled as she stared out the window. She couldn’t believe he’d used her. He could’ve just told her the truth. She toed off her sandals; some of the tension seeped from her shoulders as the floorboards cooled her toes. She should never have listened to her heart. Leo never really wanted her at all; she was just a means to an end.
The door opened and closed quietly behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to find Leo standing just inside the door, holding a large bouquet of roses. Remorse shadowed his eyes when he met her gaze, but regret lingered in the slump of his shoulders and frown.
“I know I messed up, Symmone, but it isn’t exactly what you think.”
She winged a brow. “Oh really? So all that talk about wanting me back was just for your promotion?”
He flinched. “No, it was the catalyst. The promotion gave me an excuse to seek you out.” He held the roses out. “I don’t know what else to do to fix this.”
The Pick-Up Wife Page 7