Her Accidental Husband

by Mallory, Ashlee

  He looked around for his dad, finding him in conversation with the uncles, the barest smile on his mouth. A big Nordic man with quick discerning blue eyes and blond hair slowly turning to gray, he carried authority despite his age and the heart condition that necessitated surgery a few months ago.

  His mother took a seat next to Daisy and stared at him with her sly brown eyes that usually knew more than he liked. “Glad to see you survived your trip. I haven’t seen Kate’s friend though. I hope you didn’t leave her behind at a gas station or try to sell her to the gypsies.”

  “Tempting, but no,” he said, a smile tugging at his mouth. The gypsy thing was an old joke his mother used to say when they were kids as a threat when they got out of line. Until he was eight, he’d actually expected they would arrive for him one day and take him away, since he and Dominic made being naughty an art. “We managed to get here just fine. You can even ask Dominic. He saw her. She’s probably cornered somewhere by that mother of hers.”

  At this the women all visibly shuddered. “She’s definitely something to get used to,” Daisy said with some restraint.

  “Get used to? I’d sooner have an enema every day than be subjected to that woman,” Benny said. “She’s only been here a couple of hours, but I’ve already seen the hotel staff run and hide, crossing themselves whenever they spot her. Kate at least managed to get her isolated out at the pool—under proper shade, she insisted—and out of the staff’s hair for a little while.”

  “Yeah. I hear she’s a pill.” Cruz took another drink and considered the possibility of hunting down Payton himself. Just to make sure she was okay.

  No. That wasn’t necessary. Payton was a grown woman. She had to decide what she did and didn’t want. If she didn’t want Brad, then she had to be strong enough to resist her mother’s threats. In fact, after the spirit and spunk Payton had shown the last few days, maybe it was her mother he should be worried about.

  Then he thought about the restrictive diet the woman imposed on her already beautiful daughter. The way she’d manipulated Payton into giving up her dreams of practicing environmental law for a position as part-time party planner. How the woman thought Payton’s only value was in being the trophy wife to a dipshit like Brad Eastman.

  He got to his feet, ignoring his sisters’ curious stares. Maybe he’d just make a quick appearance after all.

  Payton knew from the quick rap on the door, insistent and terrifying, that her mother was on the other side. She smoothed invisible lines on the sundress she’d slipped on moments before, glad she’d had the chance to apply a minimal amount of makeup to meet her mother’s approval, and went and answered the door.

  Her mother stood there in a knee-length apricot-colored skirt and matching jacket, her mouth turned down in that perpetual frown she’d perfected, as she stared at her daughter. She took a step closer and Payton got a good waft of her mother’s perfume, something she’d always thought heavy and overbearing. Perfect for her mother.

  “Well I can see you didn’t listen to a word I said about applying sunblock and wearing hats. Your face is positively tanned and splotchy. We’ll need a good layer of foundation to cover those freckles along your cheeks,” she said and swept into the room, wheeling her carry-on behind her.

  Payton shut the door, gritting her teeth before forcing a smile. Her mother left her luggage by the couch and walked around the suite, looking into the bedroom, the bathroom, and then joining her back in the living area. “It’s a little small but it should do.”

  “Should do for what?” Payton asked slowly, already knowing the answer.

  “A stage for the New York Rockettes. Really, Payton?” she said in her most exasperated tone. “For our stay here. What else?”

  “I wasn’t under the impression this was our hotel suite. In fact, I’m not even sure why you thought it was necessary to come down here at all. But now that you’re here and can see I arrived in one piece and in relatively good health, save for a little tan, you might as well head home. I’m sure you can find a taxi to get you to the airport. I’ll see if the front desk can do that right now.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Payton. I’m not about to leave you in Mexico without a proper companion. No, when I leave, it will be with you. I already had my agent book the two of us on a flight tomorrow afternoon.”

  Her mother went over to the sliding glass doors and tried to open it, struggling with the latch. “You’d think that Kate could have picked a hotel with more class, though. There was a perfectly lovely five diamond hotel just a little further north.”

  “The hotel is fine. Actually, it’s beautiful. It’s a perfect place for Kate and Dominic to share the biggest day of their lives with all the people they care for. A five diamond hotel isn’t something that most people could realistically manage nor would Kate expect it.”

  “Yes.” Her mother sniffed and finally thrust the door open. “I’ve met a number of that…brood.”

  Payton didn’t want to hear her mother’s litany against Cruz’s family and turned the conversation back to the issue of the room. “Maybe you should contact that other hotel. I’m sure you’d be more comfortable in your own private room at a top resort. There’s only one bed here, and I know how much you hate squirmers,” Payton couldn’t help adding in a more patronizing voice.

  When Payton was little and went through a phase of nightmares, no amount of begging her mother to let her sleep with her worked. Her mother claimed Payton just squirmed way too much for anyone to get any rest. It was also the reason she had offered when Payton asked why her father took a room down the hall from her mother’s—she couldn’t tolerate the squirming—although now Payton had her suspicions on the real reason for that arrangement.

  Her mother sighed heavily. “I’m not looking forward to sharing a bed with you anymore than you are with me, but I’ve told you, I’m not leaving you to your own devices in a strange country. Not even for a night.” Her mother sat on the edge of a chair and crossed her legs. She stared at her daughter another moment, letting Payton know she was waiting for something.

  Payton stared back.

  “Oh fine,” her mother said finally. “You know, you haven’t asked me one detail about how things are coming along with the wedding planning. But despite that glaring lack of manners, I’ll share with you anyway. We’ve heard back from nearly everyone and you’ll be happy to know that we have nearly one hundred percent acceptance. I’ve also had a few very heavy-handed hints for invitations, but as I’ve explained, we’re already at capacity.”

  Payton nodded. She wasn’t going to yell. Not today. “I might be happy about such a high acceptance rate if there was going to be a ceremony. At this point, the only way I could see it happening is if you decide to slip into that too-small designer dress and marry Brad yourself. Because it’s not going to be me.”

  “Are we really back to this again, Payton? I would have thought you’d be over this little fit of yours by now. If you’d actually call Brad and hear him out—something I did when he called me last night, heartsick and broken up about the misunderstanding from the other day—”

  “I didn’t misunderstand that there was a naked woman in his bed or Brad’s equally naked body. Are you trying to tell me you don’t think he was screwing her?”

  “You don’t have to be vulgar.”

  Her mother looked at Payton again and shook her head, her pristine, almost white blonde hair not moving from its sleek French bun. Her mother once heard someone liken her to a young Tippi Hedren from those old Hitchcock movies and had been wearing that signature hairstyle ever since. The only thing missing from her ensemble right now was a pair of white arm length gloves, but that would be too much, even for her mother.

  Her cool blue eyes were hard as they pierced her with their intensity. “It’s about time that you grew up. Men have…needs. Because they occasionally have a few indiscretions here and there doesn’t say anything about how they truly feel. Their answering a more basic instinct is somet
hing they can’t help—and they always come back to the one they really love. Don’t throw away everything you have with Brad, everything we’ve worked for, because of something that didn’t mean anything to him. He loves you, sweetie. I can see it when he looks at you.”

  Payton flexed her hands, tightening them into balls and releasing them. She repeated it until she was sure she could keep her voice level. “As…fascinating and completely archaic as that theory is, mother, it doesn’t change anything. First thing I’m doing when I return home is calling Brad and officially putting an end to our engagement. And whether you approve or not, if Camille can’t bring herself to call the rest of the vendors and the hotel without fear of your wrath, then I will call them myself. Because I can tell you right now, you might have been happy spending the last thirty-three years staying married to a man regardless of his numerous indiscretions, but I certainly will not. I’m not going to take second place in any man’s life.”

  Her mother flinched, and in a surprise turn, instead of shouting her daughter down, as she usually did, she shook her head. When she spoke, her voice was strained. “I don’t think you realize just how lucky you are, Payton. Some girls would give anything to be where you are, loved and desired by a man who comes from such wealth and social standing. What else are you going to do?”

  Instead of anger or resentment at her mother’s old-fashioned notions, Payton only felt sadness for her. Sadness that she never valued herself enough to demand more. Expect better. Payton knew nothing of her mother’s childhood, what her grandparents were like, as her mother refused to talk about it, but she could only imagine that part of Emily Vaughn’s perspective of life came from them. But Payton wouldn’t be like her mother. She wouldn’t settle for anything less than her happiness first. Not anymore.

  She thought about the question she’d posed. What was she going to do if she left Brad? She smiled, as the sureness of what she was going to say took hold. “I’m going to finally do what I’ve always wanted to do, live my life on my terms. And hopefully, figure out a way to get admitted to law school again—as uncouth and unladylike as that might be to you. Now, if you don’t mind, I really need to get downstairs and take my place next to my best friend for this long anticipated day. If you’re staying, you might want to head down and get yourself another keycard for the room. I’m taking mine.”

  Before her mother could brook any further argument, Payton stormed to the door, leaving her mother with her mouth open and her eyes blaring. Her exit, however, was temporarily blocked by wide shoulders and hands that reached out to stop her from running into him.

  So many emotions rushed through her as she stared into that familiar gaze. Relief. Happiness. Breathy excitement. And then a tremble of anxiety as her mother cleared her throat behind her.

  Waiting for an introduction.

  To…her husband.

  “You okay?” Cruz asked, not taking his eyes off Payton even though another woman, who he could only assume was her mother, came up behind her, peering out at him.

  “Never better,” she said a tad too brightly.

  Yeah. He’d bet. He looked over to the blonde, older woman whose cold blue eyes didn’t offer a sliver of warmth. She cleared her throat and turned to stare at her daughter pointedly.

  Payton seemed to register the fact her mother was waiting for a formal introduction, as if she was the freaking queen of England, and stepped back. “Cruz, this is my mother, Emily Vaughn. Mother, Cruz Sorensen, Kate’s future brother-in-law and the person who made sure I arrived here in one piece.”

  Emily Vaughn didn’t attempt to disguise the fact she was inspecting him from head to toe, not looking particularly impressed. When she finally met his gaze, her mouth pursed in a thin-lipped frown.

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Vaughn.” He could at least exhibit politeness.

  “Mhmm. Well, I guess I owe you my thanks, Mr. Sorensen. I know how hard it can be to keep my daughter out of trouble at times. But I’m here now and you needn’t worry yourself any longer where she’s concerned.”

  Payton looked back at Cruz, forced smile still on her face, but this time her eyes danced with a little humor as she crossed them together and pulled a face.

  He barely managed to tamp down the laugh that was trying to make its way out when Payton relaxed her face again and turned back to her mother, appearing the picture of innocence.

  “I just wanted to see if Payton needed any assistance finding the room where the brunch is being held. Kate was concerned since she hadn’t arrived yet,” he added, even though Kate hadn’t said anything of the sort, but the old bat didn’t know that.

  “That’s awful sweet of you, Cruz,” Payton said. “I was just heading to the front desk to get directions. But maybe you can escort me yourself.”

  “Why don’t I grab my purse and I can join—” Payton’s mother started.

  “Mother, I know you’re tired from your long trip and weren’t you just telling me you wanted to rest before joining everyone this evening for the ceremony? As you can see, I’ll be in good hands. You don’t need to tag along.”

  Mrs. Vaughn looked like she wanted to argue for a moment but instead pursed her lips together in disapproval. Probably realizing that she’d make more of a scene if she insisted.

  “Very well. I’ll just do a little unpacking, maybe order up a light lunch. But for heaven’s sake, Payton, please take a hat with you. The bright Mexican sun is destroying your complexion.”

  Payton sighed and walked to the bedroom, returning after a minute with a wide-brimmed hat.

  “We’d better go. I’ll see you later,” she said to her mother.

  He opened the door and turned one last time to say good-bye but the woman had already left the room. In the hallway, Payton groaned. “Sorry about that. Please don’t take offense. She’s like that with most people.”

  “Really? And here I was thinking she might actually like me.”

  Payton snorted in a very unlady-like way and led the way down the hall. Leaving him to admire the way her hair fell soft and shining over her shoulders, how her ankle-skimming dress—a soft blue—clung to her curves in a tantalizing way, reminding him of the way her body fit against his, perfect and lovely.

  He imagined for a moment what it would be like to actually call her his wife. To announce to everyone the commitment they made to each other and intended on honoring…all the days of their lives. Or, at least until she woke up and realized he wasn’t enough for her. That she needed more. More of what Brad Eastman and the millions of dollars at his fingertips could offer her.

  No. Best not to let his imagination get away from him. Payton would never be happy with someone like him.

  They reached the elevator and pushed the call button. “I reached my assistant earlier,” he said, hoping to ease her mind. “She’s looking into finding an attorney for us to speak to. But with it being the weekend, it might have to wait until we get home on Monday. What time is your flight home?”

  She didn’t look at him, keeping her eyes on the doors that were still shut. “I’m actually leaving tomorrow. My mother booked us both return tickets home. Something I would have argued with if I hadn’t realized that if I didn’t go along with it, I’d be stuck with her as my roommate another night.”

  She was leaving tomorrow. He didn’t know why, but the thought of her getting on a plane, leaving him behind, filled him with an unsettling feeling in his chest. “I’m sure news that your mother will be gone by tomorrow will give the hotel staff some relief.”

  “I’ll bet.” But she was smiling. The elevator opened, empty and waiting, and they stepped inside. “Um, I should probably warn you. Kate and I had a little bit of a heart to heart. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell her about us being married, but I did mention something about the high volume of tequila we consumed and how we managed to…uh, get Biblical last night.”

  He grinned. “Biblical? Honey, I don’t think any of those moves we did last night were sanctioned by the good book.�
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  She raised those green impish eyes to his, smiling back. Neither of them looked away as the eight floors passed above them as the elevator slowly descended. Then they weren’t smiling, and Payton’s mouth had dropped the barest amount. Just as it had last night when he’d been about to kiss her. Her face was flushed, and from the way her chest was rising and falling, she was having as hard of a time finding her breath as he was.

  The lurching of the elevator as they came to a stop broke their eye contact. He glanced up to see they were only on the second floor. An older couple, in matching yellow floral shirts got on. “Looks like you might have room for two more?” the older man asked.

  One damn floor. They couldn’t take the stairs for one floor? Cruz had been that close to…

  He glanced again at Payton. She was biting her lip, as if trying to stop herself from laughing. The old couple turned and looked at them with suspicion, knowing they’d interrupted something more scintillating than just a kiss, before turning back around.

  A few seconds later, the doors opened and they all got off, but he wasn’t in a hurry to join the rest, and slowed his pace as they crossed the lobby. Payton didn’t seem to mind, either, her hand at her side. Close enough for him to reach over and place in his. The urge was almost overwhelming.

  But before he could actually act on that foolish notion, they reached the Garden Room and dozens of interested eyes settled on them when they stepped out onto the patio.

  And he thought facing Emily Vaughn had been a challenge.

  She had nothing on the wide and mischievous smiles of his aunts when they saw them, undoubtedly ready to sharpen their matchmaking skills on the two of them.

  He would have warned Payton about them, but he didn’t have time before she was enveloped in the generous bosom of his Aunt Essie.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Payton had never been as mauled by so many women in her life as when Cruz introduced her to his family, their names and faces becoming a blur. And even though physical contact wasn’t something she was used to from her own family, let alone strangers, she was oddly comfortable.