Deceived

by King, Thayer

  * * * *

  Janelle yawned. The morning sun shone through the display window of the boutique. It was time for a change. The current tableau had been up since she’d taken the Christmas tree down. The weather vacillated between warm one day and chilly the next, but she saw no reason to wait any longer before putting up a summer scene. She began undressing the mannequins. Dionne joined her after a few minutes. The other woman’s cell rang. She pulled it out of her pocket, glanced at it, and replaced it. “You could have taken it,” Janelle said.

  “I didn’t need to.”

  “Oh? Another bad date?”

  Dionne shrugged. Finally, she said, “It was Tim.”

  “As in Aidan’s best friend Timothy?”

  “Yeah. We’re sort of…doing it.”

  Janelle’s mouth fell open and then she laughed. “You’re what?”

  “It’s completely casual. Well, on my end. He wants to date, but I don’t need the complications.”

  Janelle frowned. “Girl, you’ve got me completely confused. What the hell? How do you intend to get married when you won’t even see the same man twice? And now this?”

  “Janelle, he’s all wrong for me. His birthday is on the same day as mine. Could he be any more inconsiderate?”

  “Oh, I see. And don’t forget his name begins with a T.”

  Dionne nodded her blonde head enthusiastically. “Exactly. I keep telling him that.”

  “Then why are you sleeping with him?”

  She made a strangled sound and ducked her head. “It’s so embarrassing. I’m kind of addicted to him. God, it’s so good. When I’m with him, I can’t say no.”

  “Oh.”

  “You know what it’s like. I assume it’s the same with you and Aidan.”

  Janelle bit her lip and made a noncommittal grunt. She and Aidan had been married for two weeks. In that time, they hadn’t shared so much as a kiss. They shared dinner and then he would retreat to his study while she spent her evenings watching television or working on her sketches. She went to bed alone and woke alone. He was always up and out of the house before her alarm went off. He even worked weekends. It seemed that she’d traded one workaholic for another. He did take off time to take her to see Dr. Miller, but that was it. The midday texts had come to an end and there was no point in him calling her at night when he could clearly see she was fine at the dinner table.

  She was confused by his neglect. She’d been certain that he wanted her, but maybe he was over her. Maybe he’d met someone else. Or maybe she was mistaken and he’d never wanted her. It seemed unlikely, but it was possible that his only interest in her had been in the novelty of having another man’s woman. She was angry, confused, and disillusioned about it. He’d promised her the chance at a real marriage. The way they were going, they had more chance of ending up in divorce court.

  “You know we married because of the baby. It’s definitely not the same.”

  “But you’ve always been attracted to him.”

  She didn’t want to discuss Aidan. “Dionne, I’m the last one you should turn to for advice, but if you’re that attracted to him, maybe you should give dating him a try. Despite his faults…such as they are. You guys sparked right away. You’re adorable together.”

  Dionne tilted her head. “Really? Don’t you think he’s a little straitlaced for me?”

  Janelle grinned. “The guy is a stockbroker. He probably thrives on risk and you’re not as wild as you used to be.”

  Dionne shoved her. “Shut your mouth!”

  Janelle’s laugh was cut off by her cell ringing. She was surprised to find it was Aidan. “Hello, Aidan. What’s—”

  “When are you going to put the wedding announcement in the paper? It’s been two weeks already.” His tone was brisk, and he sounded irritated.

  “Um, I thought Rose was going to handle the announcement.”

  “She’s waiting on you to approve the copy and the photo. Is there some reason you don’t want it to run?”

  “No, of course not. I didn’t realize she needed my approval before—”

  “E-mail her back so that she knows it’s ready for forwarding.”

  “I will. I’ll do it today.”

  “See that you do.” And he disconnected. Janelle bit her lip, irrational tears filling her eyes. Why his attitude should affect her, she didn’t know.

  She stepped down from the window. “I’ve got to e-mail Rose.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. You keep going. I’ll be right back.”

  * * * *

  Janelle watched Mrs. Bright pull lasagna from the oven. Her stomach growled. “I’m so hungry.”

  Mrs. Bright gave her a sympathetic smile. “I’ll sneak you a small portion before your evening out.”

  She frowned. “Evening out?” Aidan hadn’t said anything to her about going out.

  “Yes.” She got out a small plate and fork. “Yes. Mr. Clark called and said that the two of you would be going out tonight with clients. I prepared this for tomorrow. I have the day off for my birthday.”

  “Happy birthday,” she said, watching as Mrs. Bright fanned the lasagna with a dish towel. “Um, has Aidan always worked this much?”

  “Sometimes,” she murmured, but she wouldn’t meet her gaze.

  Janelle knew Mrs. Bright had to suspect theirs was not a normal marriage. There had been no honeymoon. Aidan went out of his way to avoid her. In fact, this was the treatment she’d expected to receive when she told him she was pregnant. He was treating her like a scheming gold digger who’d finagled her way into marriage with him.

  She ate her small portion of lasagna and then checked her phone for messages. Two from Jerome and one from Aidan informing her of the dinner out. It would be their first outing as a married couple.

  She’d just finished dressing when Aidan entered the bedroom. She wasn’t sure how formal or casual she should dress so she’d decided on a deep burgundy dress. It was sleeveless, but ankle length with a conservative neckline. She’d brushed her hair and wore it up. Her only jewelry was a pair of diamond earrings and her wedding rings. He looked her over, but he didn’t say anything. “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  The ride to the restaurant was made in tense silence, and she wondered how it had come to this. How had they gone from a polite friendship to this brooding hostility? She wanted to give up and tell him she wanted out. But she couldn’t. Not after only two weeks. The wedding announcement would probably run at the end of the week. It would be a shame to file for divorce before the announcement even hit the paper.

  “How was work today?” she asked in an attempt at conversation.

  “Fine.”

  She waited, but he didn’t elaborate. “I e-mailed Rose my approval.” His reply was a grunt. A quick glance at his strong profile revealed nothing of his emotions. Janelle expelled a sigh. “Aidan, I don’t understand. I’m trying. You told me that you wanted a real marriage, but I see you less now than before we married.”

  He gave a bark of laughter as he parked. “You’re trying? How are you trying?”

  She frowned, sensing the sarcasm in his tone, but unsure of his meaning. “I don’t know—” He got out of the car and came around to her side to open the door. “I don’t know what you mean,” she continued, frustrated by his habit of cutting her off.

  “Let’s talk about this later. I need to concentrate.”

  The dinner was a boring affair. She wasn’t sure why her presence was even required. Business dominated the conversation. Aidan sat at her side and she was shocked whenever he touched her or feigned that they were a happy couple. He was really good at pretending. He smiled, fawned over her, and kissed her cheek or her temple as though it were completely natural. Janelle was sickened. Had he been acting to convince her into this loveless marriage?

  Once they were at the house, he headed toward his office, but she followed him. She needed to have this out. “We need to talk.”

  “Not
now.” He stalked behind his desk.

  “Yes, fucking now.” His brows rose at her language. “Aidan, I can’t take any more of this. You made me a promise. You said we’d build a normal marriage, but you’ve treated me like a pariah since the night of the wedding. Was it all a lie? Did I do something to change your mind? Do you regret our marriage?”

  He loosened his tie and shrugged out of his jacket. “It wasn’t a lie.”

  “Then why have you been avoiding me? And why have you been being mean to me?”

  “I’ve had work,” he said, his jaw tight. “As for being mean to you—”

  The loud buzz of her phone inside the clutch she carried interrupted him. “Go on,” she said. “They can leave a message.” But he didn’t continue. He stalked over to her and snatched the purse from her. It contained only her phone and a lipstick and could not hold much more. He took out the phone and glared down at it. “What are you doing?”

  As she watched, he made a call on her phone. “Stop calling my wife, fucker.” He paused. “That’s right. She’s my wife and unlike you, I don’t share.” He ended the call.

  Janelle’s mouth dropped open. “Who was that?” When the phone buzzed again, he tossed it to the floor and stepped on it, crushing her phone beneath his expensive loafers. She was stunned. She’d never seen him so enraged. “What the hell? Aidan, I need that phone for business. Why did you do that?”

  “It was your boyfriend.”

  She shook her head. “My boyfriend—”

  “You told me you were trying. Well, trying would include cutting off communication with your old boyfriend. It would include making some attempt at moving on. It would include fucking me, your husband.”

  She was so angry she was trembling. He was essentially accusing her of adultery. “I don’t even know where to begin. I haven’t been communicating with Jerome. He texts me and leaves me messages, which I never reply to. I’ve told him a dozen times that it’s over, but he’s a thickheaded male. As for fucking you, I wanted to get to know you better. Looks like I have.” She spun on her heel. “I want a divorce!”

  Aidan caught her by the arm and spun her around. “Wait! What was I supposed to think? I saw the message from him on our wedding night and I realized you’d never told him about us.”

  “You could have asked me about it. I thought you trusted me.”

  He ran a frustrated hand over his short hair. “I do. It’s just…I’ve known all along that you still harbored feelings for him. You wanted me, but you loved him.”

  “No. I don’t love him.”

  “You kept saying it was too soon for us to be together. Because of him.”

  “No,” she said with the beginnings of a grin. “Because I have a three-month rule. No sex for three months when I meet a guy.”

  He made a strangled sound. “That’s a dating rule. We’re married. And we’ve already had sex. You’re carrying my baby. How does waiting make sense?”

  “So you still want me?”

  The look he gave her was incredulous. “Of course I do.”

  “Then let me get to know you. Stop avoiding me.”

  He nodded. “All right.”

  She studied him for a second. He seemed to be willing to make amends. “And you’re getting me a new phone.”

  He smiled, unleashing the sexy crinkles around his eyes. “Done.”

  Janelle grabbed his hand. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “To bed.”

  “Thank God.”

  “Not for that. We’re going to do one of my favorite things. We’re going to snuggle.” She ignored his corresponding groan.

  Chapter Ten

  Aidan wrapped his arm around his wife’s slowly expanding middle. He spread his fingers over their growing bundle of joy. In clothes, she didn’t appear to have gained a pound. Janelle scooted closer to him so that her bottom rested against his groin. Maybe there was something to be said for snuggling after all.

  She wore a slinky white negligee that clung to her figure and contrasted sharply with her chocolate skin. He buried his nose in her hair. Black and as glossy as a bird’s wing, her curls were fragrant. He couldn’t identify the fragrance, but it was sweet and warm. It reminded him of when he’d eaten her pussy. It was hot and sweet with a heady scent that made him instantly hard. The memory of her taste had him shifting his hips so that she wouldn’t think he was a pervert who couldn’t hold a woman for a minute without getting an erection. He couldn’t believe that she’d had to question his desire for her. Every morning he’d been springing out of bed with his cock leading the way. He hadn’t had a hot shower since their wedding day.

  He cleared his throat. “So how does this snuggling thing work?”

  “We hold each other like this. And then we talk about our likes and dislikes. We’ll start with something simple. What’s your favorite color?”

  “Blue.”

  She laughed. “Really? That’s everyone’s favorite color.”

  “Well, it’s a cool color. What’s your favorite?”

  “Turquoise.”

  “That’s fucking blue,” he objected.

  “Blue with green,” she countered. He grumbled, but decided to let it go. She was a fashion designer. She knew more about colors than he did. Her hand covered his on her belly and her fingers laced with his. “Now you ask me something.”

  His mind went blank. He wanted to ask her more about Jerome, but he thought it might be a sensitive topic just now. Keeping it simple as she suggested, he asked, “What’s your favorite type of music?”

  “Rhythm and blues. Yours?”

  “Classical. Who’s your favorite artist?”

  “I don’t really have one. I’m more a fan of individual music. Who’s your favorite composer?”

  “Bach.”

  “I was expecting Mozart.”

  “I like Mozart, but Bach is my preference.”

  “How did you get into the hotel business?”

  “There was a hotel about to go into foreclosure. I brought it with the help of some investors. It took about a year to get it turned around. Before I knew it, I was expanding.” He began to make circles on her belly. “How did you get into fashion design?”

  “Oh, I always knew that’s what I wanted to do.” She laughed. “I used to use scraps of clothing to make outfits for my dolls when I was ten. Then I’d have a mini-fashion show. Complete with runway.”

  He liked the sound of her laughter. “You know what? I like snuggling.”

  She laughed again. “I knew you would.” She wiggled until the plump curve of her ass bumped against his cock again. He groaned and she stilled. “Sorry.”

  “No. It’s fine.” But his voice was little more than a growl. He was painfully aware that his hand on her abdomen rested between her full breasts and her tight pussy.

  “We, um, have never discussed…that night since. I…wanted you to know that I’ve never…I’ve never been tied down that way.”

  Aidan tensed as anger flooded his veins. “That bastard. He told me that was what you wanted. I would have never forced that on you.” God, this kept getting worse and worse. She must have felt helpless as he’d fucked her. And he hadn’t been gentle, even after he’d realized that she was tight. “I’m so sorry, Janelle.”

  She stroked his arm. “Aidan, you didn’t marry me because you felt guilty, did you?”

  “I wouldn’t have married you if I didn’t want to.”

  She rolled over in his arms. “I have a confession to make.” She bit her lip and then inhaled. “I’ve been feeling guilty because of how much I enjoyed being with you.”

  He shook his head. “There’s no reason for you to. You didn’t know it wasn’t—”

  “But I was fantasizing about you. Even before I knew it was you, I almost called your name when I came. I think on some unconscious level, I must have known it was you. You don’t smell the same and aren’t shaped the same. I knew all along that something was off, but I was so
far gone—”

  Seized by a fierce surge of satisfaction, Aidan groaned and covered her mouth with his. She didn’t know how much it meant to him to hear her say she’d wanted him, had found her pleasure wanting him. He sucked her bottom lip before plunging his tongue into her mouth. She didn’t protest. Slanting her head and sliding her fingers into his hair, she deepened the penetration and sucked his tongue.

  * * * *

  Snuggling had been a bad idea, Janelle thought. She was drowning beneath the onslaught of Aidan’s kiss. Just a kiss and her nipples were tight. Lust caused her belly to clench. Her pussy flooded with moisture.

  She wanted them to wait, to be in love before they made love. He ran a teasing hand over her breasts until she was arching into his touch. It had been far too long. She’d relived that night with him over and over and she wanted more.

  His kisses trailed from her mouth to her neck. “God,” he groaned, “you smell so damn good.” He nudged her legs apart and slid in between. His hips were angled so that his erection rested against her clit. “Janelle, I want you so bad. If you don’t stop me now, I’m going to fuck you.”

  Her heartbeat sped up, and she arched into him. Aidan’s answering thrust had her crying out. “Please.”

  With a muffled curse, he got out of bed. She thought he might be leaving her. But he stopped, his gold eyes blazing down at her. His body was hard and taut with sexual tension. Her eyes dropped to his hips. His silk pajama pants jutted out, doing nothing to hide his arousal for her. “You’re sure?” She wet her lips and nodded. “Take your clothes off.” She sat up and removed her negligee. He stopped her when she reached for her panties. “I’ll take care of those.” He pushed his pants down his hips and climbed back onto the bed. She lay back as he grasped the lace edges of her panties and tugged them down her legs in a languid motion. Once he had them off her feet, he lifted them to his nose and inhaled. His lids fluttered closed and he groaned.

  He gripped her knees and spread her legs wider. Strong hands stroked their way up her toned thighs. Even the sight of his tan hands on her much darker flesh turned her on. Braced on his arms, he lowered himself over her with care. His lips brushed hers. “Call me a freak, Janelle, but I can’t get enough of your pussy.” She whimpered and her hips hitched up in an involuntary movement. She needed him filling her. Aidan kissed her before moving down her body. He gave each of her nipples a brief sucking kiss before continuing his downward trajectory. He dipped his tongue in her belly button.