Deceived

by King, Thayer

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I’m not. I go with my gut. I wanted you the second I saw you and I haven’t changed my mind.” He dug a hand in his pocket and pulled out a Tiffany blue box. Tipping up the lid, he revealed a two-carat round stone surrounded by bead-set diamonds set in platinum. It was stunning. He took her hand and slid it onto finger. “Perfect fit.” He smiled, but his determination was clear in his gaze and in his words as he continued. “I’m not going to stop asking. Marry me, Janelle.”

  “Yes,” she said, trusting in his gut and committing the first impetuous act of her life.

  * * * *

  Saying yes to Aidan was like setting a steamroller in motion. He set the wedding date, giving her only a month to complete her dress. He hired a wedding planner and gave her strict instructions to relax and allow the woman to do her job. He didn’t want her tiring herself out.

  The planner, a middle-aged woman named Rose, proved to be a whirlwind and did not seem to be concerned about the tight deadline. Rose met her at the boutique the day after Janelle accepted Aidan’s proposal. They discussed the cake, flowers, music, and venues until Janelle’s head began to spin. Aidan had to work, but said whatever choices she made would be fine by him. He trusted her taste.

  A few nights before the wedding, Aidan hosted an engagement dinner at his house. The only person she had invited was Dionne. Her sister Della wouldn’t make it to the dinner, but she promised to drive down from Virginia for the wedding. Their parents had passed away years ago. Their mother died of cancer when they were in high school and their father died from a heart attack two years ago.

  Aidan invited his best friend Timothy and his mother and her husband. Guests were supposed to arrive at five. Janelle arrived at Aidan’s at four. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. He wore a black dress shirt without a tie and black dress slacks. The open collar of his shirt allowed her to get a glimpse of chest hair. Janelle hid a smile. She’d dressed to complement him in a white dress with black tulips on it. “How are you?”

  “Nervous.”

  “There’s no need to be.”

  She bit her lip. “Suppose your mother doesn’t like me?”

  Aidan shrugged broad shoulders. “Then that’s her problem. I love my mother, but I’m a grown man. I make my own decisions. I don’t need her permission to marry you.” He reached out and touched a lock of her hair. She’d worn it loose today so that it curled its way down her back. She usually wore it up because it was less hassle. “You have nothing to worry about. She’ll love you. You look beautiful. I like your hair this way.”

  “Thank you.”

  Dionne was the first to arrive, much to Janelle’s relief. She needed the extra emotional support. Tim arrived next. When Aidan made the introductions, she recalled him from the night of the housewarming party. He was as tall as Aidan and handsome in a classical sense with pale blond hair and baby blue eyes that matched his shirt.

  “It’s good to officially meet you,” Timothy said as he shook her hand. His gaze switched to Dionne. “And who is your lovely friend?”

  “This is my best friend, Dionne.”

  Dionne extended her hand. Timothy took her proffered hand and kissed the back instead of just shaking it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Dionne grinned. “Likewise.” It wasn’t long before the two were flirting shamelessly. Janelle rolled her eyes and Aidan shook his head. They left the two of them alone in the den when the doorbell rang again. Aidan’s housekeeper was busy preparing dinner.

  Aidan took her hand in his so that they represented a united front when they opened the door. His mother was still beautiful. Her hair was black with an attractive silver swirl front and center. She dressed conservatively in a deep blue suit with pearl buttons that matched her earrings. Aidan’s stepfather, John Baker, was the same height as his wife, and balding, but he had a friendly and open face. He greeted Janelle warmly whereas Ann was cordial but distant.

  Mrs. Bright, Aidan’s housekeeper, announced that dinner was ready shortly after they arrived. Janelle was glad to be seated to Aidan’s right as his mother grilled her about her past, her future plans, and about her relationship with her son.

  “So when do you plan to give me grandchildren? Or is that a stupid question?” Ann shot a significant glance at Janelle’s glass of water. Everyone had been offered wine. Only she and Aidan had declined.

  Janelle floundered. Aidan placed a hand over hers and squeezed. “Mother, I was going to tell you later that Janelle is expecting. Everyone else here already knows.”

  Ann’s pink mouth dropped open. “Aidan, I don’t know what to say.”

  “You can congratulate me,” he said in a firm tone.

  She pursed her lips together and removed her napkin from her lap. She stood. “I’d like to see you in your study.”

  Aidan signed. He kissed Janelle’s forehead. “Everything will be fine,” he told her softly.

  Janelle bit her lip as she watched him go.

  “Don’t worry, honey,” John said. “Ann may kick up a bit of a fuss, but Aidan will make her see reason.”

  “I don’t want to be the cause of trouble between a mother and her son.”

  John laughed. “They’ve been fighting since he was eighteen. They’re both as stubborn as mules. Don’t worry. He can hold his own.”

  * * * *

  Aidan sat behind his desk and waited for the inevitable explosion. He didn’t have to wait long. “Are you crazy? She’s an opportunistic little gold digger! How could you have let this happen? Are you even sure the baby is yours? You’re so smart. How did she trick you into offering marriage without a paternity test? I hope you’ve signed a prenup. Oh, my God, what will my church friends say?” She collapsed onto his couch.

  He ran a hand over the back of his neck as he sorted through the barrage of questions she’d just unloaded. His mother would have made an excellent attorney. Throughout high school and college, his friends and his girlfriends were subjected to the type of inquisition she’d put Janelle through at the dinner table.

  “Well?”

  “I’m deciding what to answer first.”

  “Now is not the time for more of your flippancy.”

  “Mother, she’s not a gold digger. The circumstances are neither here nor there and I don’t intend to discuss the details with you. I know the baby is mine. I trust her.” He couldn’t explain it, but he did. Whenever he looked into her eyes, he knew she was telling him the truth. As far as he could tell, she’d never lied to him. “It will ease your mind to know that we did sign a prenup to protect her assets as well as mine, but I won’t need it.”

  “You’re that sure of her?” At his nod, she sighed and slumped. “Why couldn’t you have settled on any of the girls I set you up with?”

  Aidan grinned, recognizing the question for what it was. As a last ditch effort, it was weak. “Because they were gold diggers looking for someone to take care of them.”

  She scoffed. “They were each from fine homes.”

  He arched a brow. “And since when did you put much store in lineage?” His late father had been a factory worker and his mother a clerk at a grocery store. They’d barely made it on her salary after his father’s death in a car accident. When he was sixteen, Ann had met John when he was purchasing a dozen frozen dinners. She’d invited them to their house for a home-cooked meal and Aidan had resented him on sight for invading his home. But Ann had been smitten and three months later, they married. They’d been happy ever since. It was just an added bonus that John was a doctor. Their financial struggles were over. Apparently, his mother had forgotten that they had not always been well-off.

  “I don’t.” She sat back up and straightened her jacket. “But getting her pregnant? What were you thinking?” She made a sound of disgust. “Of course, you weren’t thinking.”

  “What’s done is done.” He stood. “I’m satisfied with the result.” For now, he added silently. He wanted more than Janelle was ready to give
, perhaps more than she ever would be. But he hadn’t become successful by giving up. She might be planning on being his wife in name only, but he wouldn’t be satisfied until she was his forever. “Let’s go. Mrs. Bright made a chocolate torte. We don’t want to miss that.”

  * * * *

  “Would you like to go to dinner Friday night?”

  Janelle grinned as she overheard Timothy ask Dionne out on a date. They would make a cute couple. She saw Aidan across the room. He held a tumbler of scotch and leaned against the fireplace mantle as John talked to him about golf. When their eyes met, he smiled and her breath caught at the heat in his golden gaze. He was so sexy and that he wanted her made her belly clench with desire. She started to join him to give Dionne and Timothy privacy when Dionne’s reply halted her in her tracks.

  “Thanks but no. You’re cute, but your name begins with a T and you’re too pale for me.”

  Janelle’s mouth dropped open. Dionne had been flirting with him the entire evening. Timothy was likewise dumbfounded. “Excuse me?”

  She was interested to hear Dionne’s explanation, but Ann chose that moment to speak to her. “I like your dress. Wherever did you find it?”

  Janelle smoothed her hand over the silk. “I designed it myself.”

  “Really? It’s beautiful. Aidan told me you were talented. I shall have to stop by your boutique.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Maybe tomorrow? We could go to lunch after. I’d like to have the opportunity to get to know you better.”

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful,” she said, but she wasn’t sure if it was. Before she could say more, Aidan was at her elbow.

  “Did I hear something about lunch? I’ll make room on my schedule.”

  “Nice try. Girls only, dear.” Ann patted him on the cheek and walked off.

  “I can still show up if you want.”

  “No, it’s fine. She’s determined to talk to me alone.”

  He leaned closer. “She doesn’t know any details about the pregnancy or our marriage agreement. I’d prefer if it remained that way.”

  “I agree. I won’t—”

  “Janelle, I’m leaving,” Dionne interrupted. She was breathing deeply as though she had been running. A glance over her shoulder showed a red-faced Timothy. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Okay, thanks for coming.” No sooner had she left than Timothy announced that he was leaving also. Janelle turned to Aidan. “What happened? They were getting along so well.”

  He shrugged. “Tim seemed to really like her. She’s his type.”

  “Really? Maybe if I talk to her—”

  He placed a finger over her lips. “You’re getting married and moving this weekend. You don’t have time for matchmaking.”

  “But you’ve already hired movers and Rose is handling all the wedding details.”

  He spread his palm over her belly. “And you’re busy growing my baby.” Heat radiated out from his touch. Their eyes locked. She felt herself growing wet. The intense moment was broken by Ann and John saying their good-byes.

  “I can stay and help you clean up,” Janelle offered.

  Aidan growled and ushered her to the door. “Call me when you get home so that I know you got there safely.” He bent his head and touched his lips to hers. The kiss was over before she could respond, and she couldn’t help but be disappointed.

  Chapter Nine

  Ann added cream and an artificial sweetener to her coffee. “I don’t believe we ever discussed what your parents did for a living,” she said as she stirred.

  Janelle sat back and swallowed. She pushed her plate away, though she’d barely touched the salmon. Recently, the aroma of coffee was one of the smells that set off her nausea. “My mother was a teacher. My sister followed in her footsteps. She teaches geometry. She lives in Virginia so she wasn’t able to make it to the party last night, but she’ll be here for the wedding. My father owned a shoe shop. After he passed, my sister and I sold the store. I used my half to open my boutique.”

  “I must say that I was very impressed with your designs. Did you study design in college?”

  “I majored in art. I learned to sew from my grandmother on my mother’s side.”

  Ann sipped her coffee. “You’re not eating.”

  “I’ve lost my appetite.”

  “You must eat for the baby.”

  “To be honest, the smell of coffee makes me nauseous.”

  Ann pushed aside her cup. “Well, why didn’t you say so when I ordered it?” She waved down their waitress and had her take it away. “Now, dear, we’re running out of time. John is picking me up. You seem like a nice girl, but you must know that I’m confused as to why my son is marrying you. I watched the two of you last night. My son may hold a tenderness in his heart for you, but I can’t believe in such a short span of time that it is love. And while I admire what the two of you are attempting to do for this baby, we both know that things are not the same as they were when I grew up. The two of you need not get married. So exactly why are you?”

  “Aidan and I want the best for our baby. We get along well. Your son is a good man and I know I’d have to look long and hard to find one better.”

  “Marriage is a serious commitment to undertake with a man you don’t love. It would be better to end this while matters are less complicated.”

  Janelle held up her hand, displaying the glittering engagement ring. She reminded herself that Ann was attempting to protect her son, but she’d never met a man less in need of protection than Aidan. “Ma’am, this represents a promise. I gave your son my word, and I will not let him down. I will be everything he needs in a wife.”

  “Over the years, I’ve introduced Aidan to a score of suitable women. He’s never gotten close to marriage. He respects you, which is more than I can say for any woman I’ve ever seen him with. But I worry.” She shook her head and then sighed. “I see that I can’t talk either of you out of this. You may just be stubborn enough to put up with him.” She smiled. “You’re a worthy wife for my son. Welcome to the family.”

  * * * *

  The day of the wedding dawned sunny and clear. It was warm for March. Thanks to Rose, the event ran smoothly. Janelle thought later that if she’d had a year instead of a few weeks to plan it, it couldn’t have been any more perfect. They married at Ann’s church. The decorations were white and butter yellow. It was a small affair. Only immediate family and close friends were invited. Timothy served as Aidan’s best man and Dionne was Janelle’s maid of honor. Whatever issue the two had had prior to the wedding, they seemed to have worked it out. At the reception, they shared every dance.

  It wasn’t until she lay in Aidan’s bed that night that the impact of what they’d done hit Janelle. She’d been running all day and there hadn’t been a moment to think. She was married. It was her wedding night. Her heartbeat sped up at the significance of it. Aidan would probably want sex. They’d agreed that there wouldn’t be, but she’d seen the possessive gleam in his eyes as he’d slid on her wedding band during the ceremony. And later, the fiery hunger he didn’t even attempt to hide as he held her in his arms for their first dance.

  He’d told her that he wouldn’t demand sex, but they’d made no specifications about what their marriage would entail. She was in his bed because when the movers had brought over her belongings, the housekeeper had directed them to place her personal belongings here.

  When they’d arrived home, Aidan had gone off to his study to take a business call, but he’d ordered her off to bed, saying she had to be tired. And she was. Being a baby incubator was sapping her energy. She’d begun taking naps most evenings.

  Janelle laid a hand over her flat tummy. Sometimes it was hard to believe that she harbored a life there. She wondered if it was a boy or a girl. Her cell buzzed, and she rolled toward the nightstand to pick it up. It was another message from Jerome. He didn’t know about the pregnancy or her marriage. She would have to tell him soon or he’d never leav
e her alone. But not tonight. She was tired.

  She stretched and yawned before snuggling deeper into the sheets.

  * * * *

  Aidan felt a surge of satisfaction at the sight of Janelle sleeping in his bed. The business call had taken longer than he’d expected. He’d hoped to talk to her before she’d fallen asleep. She’d seemed surprised, but otherwise fine with the sleeping arrangements earlier.

  He frowned when he noticed that she had her cell clutched in her hand. He tugged it from her lax fingers. The screen lit up and displayed a message from Jerome. A sharp pain pierced his chest. She was still communicating with that bastard, no doubt still harboring feelings for him. Hope that they could turn this into more than a marriage of convenience turned to ashes. She might desire him physically, but she’d never love him.

  What had Jerome ever done to inspire such enduring love from her? He wished he knew.

  He changed into pajamas he’d purchased because of her and slid into bed. Ordinarily, he slept nude. It was a king-size bed so when he woke in the morning, he was confused to find Janelle pressed against his back, her arm curved around his waist and her hand against his belly. Her full breasts were flush against his back. His cock pulsed in his pants. He had to get away from her. Aidan suppressed a growl as he carefully worked his way out of her embrace.

  He was showered and dressed before she woke. She was just sitting up as he shrugged into his jacket. Rubbing her eyes, she asked, “Where are you going?” Her voice was huskier than usual.

  “To the office. I’ll be back for dinner.” She looked warm and soft, making him want the impossible. He avoided further eye contact.

  “You’re working on a Sunday? The day after your wedding?”

  They both knew it wasn’t a real marriage so he didn’t bother to respond to that. “Call me if you need anything. Mrs. Bright will see to it that you don’t overtax yourself.” He picked up his Rolex off the dresser and put it on.

  She frowned. “Okay. Have a good day.”

  “You, too. See you later.” He didn’t look back.