Substitute Bride (Special Edition)

by Alexander, Trisha

  Straight shooter. Oh, God

  “Do you think they’ve gotten married?”

  Rachel tried to smile, but was afraid her effort was less than satisfactory. “Yes, I—I think they probably have.”

  “Well…” He reached across the table to take her hand. “In that case, I hope she’s happy. Hell, if they’re even half as happy as we are, then Carlos is a lucky man.” He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it.

  As always, his touch filled her with a deep joy. But along with the joy was an underlying ache, a harbinger of the inevitable pain to come.

  It doesn’t matter. You can stand the pain. Being with David like this is worth any amount of suffering.

  “I love you,” he said softly, smiling into her eyes.

  “I love you, too,” she answered around the lump in her throat.

  He leaned forward, murmuring against her ear. “Let’s go back to our cabana.” His voice was a throaty chuckle. “I feel that chronic condition acting up again.” To emphasize, he nuzzled her ear, letting the tip of his tongue touch the sensitive inner skin.

  Desire curled deep as her breathing quickened.

  Wordlessly, she nodded.

  David reached into his pocket and threw a couple of twenty-dollar bills on the table, then, hand in hand, they walked off together.

  Chapter Seven

  David was happier than he’d ever thought he could be. Roxanne was amazing, he decided, watching her as she searched for shells. He admired the way her white bikini—which barely covered her curves—offset her tan. She was one of those lucky women who rarely burned. She’d already had a light tan when they’d arrived on the island, but now, after four days of sun, it had deepened to an even golden brown.

  She was also a woman whose moods seemed to effortlessly adapt to his. He couldn’t believe he’d ever worried about making her happy. She was obviously as deeply happy and contented as he was. He could see that happiness and contentment in everything she said and did, in every look and touch.

  And most satisfying of all, she was no longer jittery and always having to be doing something exciting. She was calm and relaxed, just as contented to do something quiet like collect shells or stroll the beach or sit outside in the privacy of their little patio as she was to dance at the hotel or one of the small clubs in town or gamble in the casino, which they had done the previous evening.

  This newly revealed ability to be quiet, to just sit and think or enjoy the beauty of the surrounding scenery, reminded him of Rachel.

  Roxanne and Rachel were much more alike than he’d ever realized, he guessed. Rachel’s running off the way she had proved she was just as adventurous and daring as Roxanne, and these past few days showed that Roxanne could be just as contented and low-key as Rachel.

  He wondered how Rachel was doing. Roxanne was probably right—Rachel and Carlos were no doubt married by now. In fact, David imagined that when he and Roxanne got back to Houston, Rachel would have contacted her father and told him the news.

  Maybe in a month or so he and Roxanne could go visit Rachel and her new husband. He still had plenty of vacation time accumulated, and Roxanne was her own boss, so she could easily get away.’

  He smiled, letting the hot sand run through his fingers while he continued to think and watch Roxanne, who now stood in the surf, toeing the wet sand beneath her feet. As he watched, she bent to extract a shell from the sand and he admired the way her bikini bottom stretched taut over her behind. Even that unconscious motion caused his body to stir. Just then, she looked around. He smiled, and she smiled back, then slowly walked toward him.

  “What were you thinking about just now?” She sank down next to him.

  “Would you believe world peace?”

  “Nope.” Her eyes were brilliant in the morning sun. She leaned over to kiss him. She tasted warm and sweet, like sunshine and flowers. “Not that I think you don’t ever think about world peace, but somehow that doesn’t seem like a subject that would overly concern you right now.” She stretched out on the beach blanket.

  “You’re right.” He turned slightly, laying his hand on her warm thigh. Lazily, he stroked the silky skin. “I was thinking about Rachel.”

  “What about Rachel?”

  He smiled, slowly inching his hand upward. “I was thinking how much more alike the two of you are than I ever imagined.”

  She shaded her eyes from the sun as she met his gaze. “Are we?”

  “Uh-huh.” Now he caressed the soft flesh of her inner thigh.

  “What else were you thinking?”

  “I was hoping she’s happy.”

  “Oh, I’m sure she’s h-happy.”

  Her breath caught a little on the last word, because while she was talking he’d slid his fingers under the tiny piece of material that served as the bottom of her bikini. He caressed her, watching the way her eyes drifted shut, the way she arched her back and the way her nipples grew more pronounced under her snugfitting top.

  “David…” The word floated on a sigh.

  “What?” he said huskily.

  Her throat worked. “S-someone might see.” But her protest was weak, and she didn’t try to push his hand away when he tugged her bikini bottom down.

  “Then let’s go inside,” he murmured, leaning over and kissing her warm belly while his fingers continued to stroke, then probe, finding her already wet and ready.

  “You’re insatiable.” Her voice was thready with the desire that was never far from the surface now.

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  She squeezed her eyes shut. “No, no…”

  He kissed her then, deeply.

  “Do you want me?”

  “Yes,” she gasped.

  “Then open your eyes. I want to see your eyes.”

  He loved looking at her when she was nearing a climax. He loved knowing he’d put that glazed expression on her face, that he’d made her crazy with wanting him, just as he was crazy with wanting her, and that if he took her now, right out here on the beach, she would let him.

  “Now?” He could barely get the word out.

  “Yes, yes, now, now….” She touched him then, and he groaned. He pulled her up, and within seconds they’d tugged off their bathing suits and, hand in hand, raced into the sea. And there, barely covered by the foaming surf, he plunged into her again and again until they both cried out in an agony of pleasure so intense all David could do was hold on to her and hope he didn’t die from it.

  How many times had they made love since the wedding? Rachel wondered. So many she had lost count. At least twice every day, and sometimes three or four times. She was still thinking about the incredible interlude on the beach that morning, made all the more deliciously exciting by the forbidden element of making love right out there in the open, where somebody could see them.

  But, oh, it had been thrilling, and she’d loved every minute of it.

  Afterward, David had said, “If we keep this up, I’m going to have a heart attack before we leave this place.” But then he’d laughed and added, “But what a way to go.”

  This morning at the beach hadn’t been the first lovemaking session of the day, either. They’d made love when they first woke up, so it was already twice today, and it was only midafternoon.

  And, of course, there was tonight….

  Rachel sighed dreamily, thinking about tonight. Maybe they would fill the tub and take a bath together. Rachel loved that. There was something decadent and wicked and totally wonderful about sitting nestled up against David in a tub filled with hot, bath-oil-scented water and feeling his arousal against her bottom while his hands—those magical hands—soaped her.

  That’s what they’d done their second night on the island. And they’d done it by candlelight, with music playing in the background and the windows open to the night breeze. Even now, remembering, Rachel’s breath quickened.

  What was wrong with her?

  She could hardly believe this…this wanton creature she�
��d become.

  She knew she should be embarrassed by the uninhibited sexuality David had unleashed in her, and by all the things they’d done together, but she wasn’t.

  She was reveling in it.

  She loved sex with David. More, she loved knowing she was responsible for bringing him to such peaks of need and pleasure, that all she had to do was look at him in a certain way, and he would want her.

  Yes, that was it. That was it!

  When they were making love, it was her he wanted.

  Not Roxanne.

  Her—Rachel.

  That was why she felt no shame and no guilt.

  Of course, he thinks you’re Roxanne….

  Angrily she pushed the thought away.

  No.

  She would not spoil what she had right now. No matter who he thought he’d married, she was the one he’d been making love with, and she was the one he wanted morning, noon and night.

  The realization made her heart soar.

  Maybe, when he found out she wasn’t Roxanne, he wouldn’t care!

  Careful, careful, don’t start wishing for the impossible. You’ll just end up getting hurt.

  But it was hard not to, especially in light of the fact that she knew David was just as happy as she was.

  She glanced at him now. They had been strolling along Colombé’s main street, but David had stopped to look into the window of a shop that sold silver jewelry.

  “Look at that,” he said now, pointing to a delicate bracelet inlaid with dozens of red coral stones. “Do you like it?”

  “I love it.” She smiled, “It matches my dress.” Today she was wearing one of the half-dozen sundresses Roxanne had packed. Rachel particularly liked this one, with its crisscross straps front and back and its soft, floaty material.

  “Let’s go in, then. I want to get it for you.”

  They had turned to enter the shop when, from behind Rachel, a female voice called out. “Roxanne!”

  Rachel’s heart leapt into her throat and she stopped dead.

  “Roxanne!” the woman said again, closer this time.

  Slowly, fighting the panic that threatened to overwhelm her, Rachel turned.

  The woman was blond, young, pretty. She wore a hot pink sunsuit and strappy sandals and had a bright smile and eyes. She was obviously delighted to see Rachel, and waved as she walked forward.

  Rachel had no idea who she was.

  “Hi,” she said, reaching Rachel and David. “Gosh, it’s great to see you again!”

  “H-hi,” Rachel managed, even though her mind was spinning:

  The blonde continued to chatter gaily, saying, “How long has it been? Two years? Three? Gee, you look terrific, Roxanne. Of course, you always did. I love that dress you’re wearing. Red is definitely your color.” Without pausing for breath, she added, “What are you doing here?”

  “I, um…”

  The blonde gave Rachel a quizzical smile. “You don’t remember me, do you?”

  “No, I’m sorry, I—”

  “Oh, it’s okay,” the blonde said. “I know I look different.” She grinned. “I dyed my hair. It used to be dark brown. And my contacts are a darker green than my natural color. I’m Marlo. Marlo French.”

  Rachel thought hard, even as she said, “Marlo, hi, you’re right, the hair does make a difference.” With a rush of intense relief, she remembered how, several years ago, Roxanne had mentioned a Marlo that she’d met at a fashion conference.

  But try as she might, Rachel couldn’t remember anything Roxanne had said about the woman except that she kind of looked like Marlo Thomas and that they’d hung around together throughout the conference.

  “It’s great to see you again, too,” she said. Why hadn’t she paid closer attention to Roxanne when she’d talked about Marlo?

  Marlo looked pointedly at David.

  Rachel turned to him, still struggling for calm. “Marlo, this is my h-husband….” You idiot! Chill out or she’ll wonder what’s wrong with you! “David Hanson. David, darling, this is Marlo French. We met a few years ago at a conference in New York.”

  “Husband, huh?” Marlo said. She stuck out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, David.”

  David smiled, saying, “Nice to meet you, too.” They shook hands.

  Marlo said, “So, what are you two doing here? Is this a vacation?”

  David’s smile expanded, his eyes glowing with pride. He put his arm possessively around Rachel’s waist. “We’re on our honeymoon.”

  Rachel’s mind spun frantically. She prayed Marlo wouldn’t ask anything or refer to anything Rachel couldn’t answer.

  “Well, it’s a great place for it,” Marlo said. “Where are you staying?”

  “We rented a villa out on the west side of the island.”

  “We’re at the Palm Breeze.” She looked around. “Kenny, he’s my boyfriend, he’s here someplace.” She shaded her eyes and stood on tiptoe. “Oh, there he is! Kenny! Ken-neee. Oh, darn. He can’t hear me.” She turned back to face them, her face a picture of disappointment. “And I really wanted you to meet him.”

  Oh, God, Rachel thought. What am I going to do? She’s obviously not going to go away.

  “So, how long are you guys here for?”

  “We’ll be here another four days,” David said.

  “Tonight’s our last night,” Marlo said. But before Rachel could feel any relief about her imminent departure, she added, “Say, if you guys aren’t busy tonight, why don’t the four of us get together for dinner?” Her voice was eager. “That way Roxanne and I can get all caught up, and you guys can meet Kenny.”

  Although spending an evening dodging bullets and praying she would escape unscathed was the last thing Rachel wanted to do, how could she say no? What possible excuse could she give? Roxanne wouldn’t have declined the invitation. She loved being with her friends. She would have been delighted to see Marlo again and wouldn’t have considered her company an imposition.

  Resigned, Rachel looked at David and smiled. “That sounds like fun, doesn’t it?”

  The evening was excruciating.

  Rachel couldn’t let her guard down for one minute. She felt as if she were in the middle of a minefield and at any moment might take a wrong step and have everything blow up in her face.

  Thank goodness, though, Marlo was the talkative kind of person who seemed content with nods and smiles from Rachel rather than any kind of more concrete input.

  And Kenny was also a talker. A big bear of a man with unruly dark auburn hair and guileless blue eyes, he was an amiable extrovert who seemed to consider it his mission in life to keep them laughing and entertained.

  And if Rachel hadn’t been so terrified of exposure, she would have enjoyed him tremendously. Both of them, actually. Mario was a nice woman and easy to be around.

  “So, how long have you two been together?” she asked now, smiling across the table at Rachel and David.

  “Roxanne and I have known each other since we were little kids,” David said. He put his arm around Rachel, unabashedly kissing her cheek. “And I’ve loved her forever.”

  Suddenly the enormity of what she had done…of how she was deceiving all of these people…especially David, dearest David, hit Rachel like a blast of icy air. She could hardly look at Marlo and Kenny. She knew she had to say something, but no words would come. You’re a liar and a miserable excuse for a human being.

  “It took me a while to’ persuade her to marry me, though,” David continued.

  Marlo grinned. “Some women just like playing hard to get.”

  “Is that what you were doing?” David teased.

  Rachel looked up. Saw the tenderness in his eyes. The smile on his beloved face. She swallowed, fighting the tears that hovered so alarmingly close. And then, from somewhere, the right words came. Afterward, she wasn’t sure how she’d had the nerve to say them, especially in front of strangers. All she knew was that it was important to be honest.

  “I don’t know. What
I do know is that that person, the one who kept you guessing for so long, is gone, for good, and this person—” she touched her heart “—thinks you’re the best husband any woman could ever want.” Her voice trembled. “I—I can’t imagine what it would be like to live without you.”

  “Aw,” Marlo said. She smiled wistfully. “Isn’t that sweet?” When Kenny didn’t answer, she poked him. “Isn’t that sweet, Kenny?”

  He grinned sheepishly.

  David only smiled, telling her with his eyes how much her words had meant to him.

  Later, as the combo began to warm up in preparation for the evening’s dancing, Rachel thought about feigning some kind of illness so she and David could leave, but quickly discarded the idea.

  If she did that, she would have to continue to pretend when she and David got back to the villa, and she didn’t want to add yet another lie to the ones she was already committed to carrying out.

  “Oh, goody,” Marlo said. “We love to dance.”

  “You love to dance,” Kenny said. “I have two left feet.”

  David laughed. “Roxanne loves to dance, too.”

  Rachel had no choice but to smile. Oh, well, she thought. If they were dancing, they wouldn’t have to talk to Marlo and Kenny, and there would be no danger of exposure. Still, it was hard for Rachel to relax, even though normally she adored dancing with David.

  He noticed. “Is something wrong, sweetheart?” he said as they moved to the sinuous beat of a rumba. “You’re awfully quiet”

  “No,” Rachel said quickly. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just a little tired.” Surely it was safe to say she was tired.

  “Even after that nap we had?”

  She forced a lighthearted chuckle. “Nap! Some nap. That’s the problem. You’re wearing me out.”

  He pulled her closer. “Are you complaining?”

  “No. No, I’m not complaining.”

  “Good thing, ‘cause even if you were, you’re stuck with me.” Smiling, he added, “C’mon. Let’s go tell Marlo and Kenny goodbye. I’m starting to feel a little tired myself.”