Husband For Hire

by Michele Bardsle

  Misery invaded Alex. He felt like such a creep. But, once again, he couldn’t form the words that would destroy Maggie’s newfound trust in him.

  "I’ll go get the coffee. Then we can work on your project." She hesitated. "That is, if you want me to help."

  He brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek. "Of course, I want your help."

  "Great! I’ll get my sketching pad and pencils, too." She kissed him. "I’ll be right back."

  Several hours later, Alex and Maggie looked at the sketches spread across the table. Wadded balls of paper littered the floor. A cardboard box held an assortment of machine parts.

  "I think we have it!" said Alex.

  "Yeah, it looks great on paper, doesn’t it?"

  "We need a test model. Then if it works as well as I hope, we can start production on an affordable model."

  "You’re confident," said Maggie. "But we need money, don’t we? We’ll have to prove that it works before we can take it to Simon. And that means building the test model ourselves."

  "Uh, right." Alex cursed his quick tongue. "We’ll worry about the money later. Let’s celebrate."

  "That sounds good." Maggie rose and stretched. Her top moved up, revealing more of her smooth skin. Alex wanted to taste every inch of her. He couldn’t resist spreading his fingers across the flat belly. As he stood, he moved his hands up her sides, his palms grazing against the fullness of her breasts. Her rough gasp excited him, but he merely traced her spine downwards until he reached her hips. Then he cupped her buttocks.

  "You’re not wearing a bra," he whispered as he nuzzled her neck. He pulled her close, his grip tightening when she pressed against the hard evidence of his desire.

  "I thought we were going to celebrate your success," she breathed, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  "Oursuccess," he corrected. "Hmmmmm. You smell good."

  "Thanks. The celebration?"

  "I’d rather celebrate how I feel about you."

  "What about--"

  "Maggie, shut up and kiss me."

  She did.

  He almost melted under the onslaught of her mouth. Men were not supposed to turn into big, gooey puddles when woman kissed them. But this was not a tender assault. Maggie’s lips spoke of need and the flickering of her tongue shot darts of desire through him. He could take her now. Pour out his desire in a single moment of selfishness. He broke the kiss and moved his hands to her shoulders. "Whoa. Let’s wait."

  "Why?"

  His mind struggled to come up with a good excuse. "I want it to be right, Maggie. Perfect for you."

  "Las Vegas was right. And this is right."

  "Just let me give you some romance, okay? Especially since I didn’t get to finish what I started at the pond."

  She kissed him. "I don’t need pretty things. Or right moments. Every moment with you is perfect."

  He cleared his throat. "Stop or you’ll make me blush."

  She blushed instead. "I’m being silly, huh?"

  "No, you’re being Maggie." He tapped her nose. "I like that about you."

  "How about if meet you in about an hour?"

  "All right."

  Alex watched her leave, unable to keep his gaze from the graceful curves of her legs. When the door shut, he turned his attention to the sketches. He’d been exhilarated and energized as he worked with Maggie. He hadn’t felt this way since his macaroni-and-cheese days when getting the money to build his inventions had been part of the challenge. Maggie was smart, hard working, and creative. She’d inspired him.

  She deserved the truth.

  He studied the sketches some more. He’d start work on the test model tomorrow. If it worked--and he knew it would, Convenience Unlimited would have a new direction. He owed Maggie big-time. Suddenly, he grinned. He knew the perfect way to re-pay her and Victoria, and reveal his identity in one, neatly wrapped package.

  * * *

  Chapter Eleven

  Maggie watched the black wrought iron gates open. Alex eased the truck through the gap. He grinned at her. "I’m taking you back to the pond. We didn’t finish our date."

  "After Las Vegas, I think we’re past the first date," she said, even though anticipation licked her spine and she shivered. She knew what Alex wanted to finish--and she wanted it, too. Her derailed life was finally on track. Getting the job at Convenience Unlimited had given back her confidence and with it, she allowed herself to acknowledge the feelings she had for Alex. She knew, now, that a relationship with him had possibilities.

  Alex stopped the truck at the same area. They got out of the truck. Alex took Maggie’s hand and led her to the willow tree near the pond.

  Moonlight glittered on the water, slivers of light playing with the shadows. Maggie saw the red-and-white checkered picnic blanket and the wicker basket. "Deja vu," she said. Suddenly, she felt shy; she hugged herself and looked at the drooping, thin limbs of the willow tree. Nervousness balled in her stomach and made her legs tremble. It was as their lovemaking in Las Vegas had been a fantasy she concocted.

  Then Alex was there, brushing away the strands of hair tickling her collarbone, cupping her cheek, and bending low to kiss her. She sighed at the soft, warm feeling of his mouth and he captured that small breath, flickering a tongue along her lower lip, brushing her face with his calloused thumb. Her arms crept around his neck and her fingers threaded into his hair. Alex continued to tease her with his tongue, tasting the corners of her mouth, tracing the seam, nibbling on the fullness of her lips. Light and heat danced through her. Need was a throbbing, living thing that devoured her senses. She opened her mouth to accept his full kiss, mating her mouth to his, teasing him as he had teased her.

  Maggie pulled Alex closer. Her nipples hardened as they made contact with his chest; they became pinpoints of sensation as Alex’s hands found them, and tortured her with strokes and tugs. Little flames of desire flickered, ignited, exploded. Before she could utter the question, Alex had already answered it. He lowered her to the blanket and unbuttoned the shirt that barred him from Maggie’s skin. The shirt opened. Alex paused.

  "Wow." He fingered the black lace bra, cupped a breast, then suckled her nipple through the thin material. He raised his head. "And what’s this?" He tapped the front clasp.

  "Convenient?"

  He laughed, then unsnapped the bra. With his forefinger, he eased the material from one breast, paying homage to it with his mouth. Maggie arched, drawing him closer, reaching for his shirt. Alex turned his attention to the other breast and Maggie shuddered as desire rippled over her. She wanted to rip off his shirt, but settled for hurriedly unbuttoning it and pushing it from his shoulders. He discarded it, then covered Maggie. As Alex kissed her, Maggie’s restless hands eagerly sought sensitive skin, smoothed over hard muscles, reached for the zipper of Alex’s pants. He stilled when she found his erect member, groaned against her mouth when she stroked him.

  Alex’s desire flamed. He discarded the rest of his clothes, and Maggie’s. He brushed the inner skin of her thighs; his hand slid up, up, up until he reached the most sensitive part of her. She gasped, moving against his palm, her nails digging into his back as she moved with the rhythm of his stroking fingers. Maggie’s low moans and clutching hands were aphrodisiacs. Alex was hard and ready, but he wanted Maggie’s gratification more than his own. Leaning on his free arm, he bent his head and suckled her breast, laving it with his tongue.

  "C’mon, sweetheart," he murmured. "Let go."

  She did, arching, grasping, shuddering. Before she had time to recover, he slid inside, and re-built the fire.

  Maggie’s scent wrapped around him. He cried out as his pleasure shattered. Maggie followed, her cries mingling with his as her release throbbed around him.

  ***

  Alex couldn’t wipe the silly grin off his face. He knew his sister-in-law and brother thought he was crazy; they’d been casting him concerned glances since he had arrived at their house.

  Diapers, bottles, toys, and clot
hes covered nearly everything in the living room. The faint scent of baby powder lingered. Alex sat in the rocker and Alexandria’s exhausted but happy parents sprawled on the couch. As he held his tiny niece, her serious blue eyes searching his face, Alex wondered what it would be like to hold his own child. His and Maggie’s child. He wanted to make lots of babies with Maggie Conrad.

  He grinned again.

  "I recognize that dopey look," Danielle said. "You’re in love."

  "I’m in love with Maggie," he admitted.

  Simon whistled. "My big brother’s finally fallen for someone. About time."

  Danielle elbowed him. "It has to be the right person. It’s not like you can go to the store and pick out your soul mate."

  Alex laughed. The baby startled; her rosebud lips puckered and her tiny face scrunched. He tickled her under the chin and cooed. Her eyes opened and her mouth closed. She waved her fists at him.

  "So when’s the wedding?" asked Simon

  "Whenever Maggie wants."

  "Ifshe wants," said Danielle. "Have you mentioned who you are?"

  "No. But she won’t care. She loves me for who I am."

  "She loves you for who shethinks you are," insisted Danielle. "You need to tell her you’re a multi-millionaire inventor before you ask her to marry you."

  "I know. And I’m going to tell her. In a big way."

  Alexandria’s wail interrupted the conversation. Alex was grateful for his niece’s timing, he didn’t want to discuss the matter of his identity. He knew Maggie wouldn’t care if he was poor or if he was rich.

  Danielle extracted her daughter from Alex’s reluctant grasp and took her into the bedroom to nurse.

  "You’re a lucky man, Simon."

  "I know, bro. And I hope you are, too."

  "Everything will work out," said Alex. He was confident Maggie would understand his reasons for not admitting he who was. He loved her. When she realized how much, she’d forgive him anything.

  ***

  "Mags, darling, you’re glowing," said Brian as Maggie sat down at the table. The outdoor café, located in Brookside, faced Peoria Street. Maggie looked across the street at a used bookstore, a biker bar, and a breakfast-only café. Everything around her seemed to look different, new. Better. Her heart was like a round, shiny penny that was suddenly worth a million dollars instead of just one cent.

  God, she was being goofy.

  "I swear there’s a cloud under your feet, Mags. This is my last day in town, so give me the details. Spill, darling, spill it all!"

  Maggie sipped her iced tea and told Brian about her new job and about Alex.

  "Is he as good as he looks?"

  "Brian!"

  He laughed, then patted her hand. "I hope he doesn’t break your heart, love."

  "He won’t. I trust him." Maggie bit into the Monte Cristo, savoring the bite like it was one of Alex’s kisses. She glanced at Brian and saw a secretive smile playing around his lips. "It looks like I’m not the only one who needs to tell a tale."

  "It’s nothing, Mags. I think my unrequited love is turning into requited love."

  "That’s not nothing. That’s something." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "Tell me!"

  ***

  After lunch, Brian drove Maggie home. "Good-bye, Mags. I’ll see you again soon."

  "Don’t let that big lug hurt you," she said.

  Brian kissed her cheek. "Ditto."

  Maggie practically danced into the house. She put on a half-shirt and some shorts, then bounded downstairs, and into the kitchen.

  She wondered what Alex was doing. She grabbed a can of soda from the refrigerator, then went out the back door. The sight in the driveway took away her breath. She stumbled on the steps and the can flew out of her hand and rolled into the grass, but she didn’t bother to retrieve it. She felt gut-punched.

  Alex was packing up the truck.

  He was leaving her.

  * * *

  Chapter Twelve

  "Where will you go?" asked Maggie. She watched Alex put his duffel bag into the battered truck.

  "I told you, sweetheart, I have another job. I’ve done everything I can do around this house. Your grandmother doesn’t need me."

  "I need you." Maggie swallowed the lump in her throat. She had the odd feeling he was going away and wouldn’t return--ever. She folded her arms and stepped back, afraid she would launch into Alex’s arms and insist that he take her along.

  Alex grasped her waist and pulled her in for a mind-numbing kiss. She felt her bones melt, leaving her rubbery and unable to stand on her own. She threaded her fingers through his long, soft hair, and poured her heart into the kiss.

  "You left something upstairs," she whispered.

  "I did?"

  "Yes."

  She grabbed his hand, led him up the now sturdy stairs, and entered the garage apartment.

  Alex looked at the very empty apartment. "What did I leave?"

  "This."

  Maggie got on her knees, unzipped Alex’s jeans, and pulled them down. His member was already hard. Gratified a mere kiss could turn him on, Maggie surrounded him with her mouth and used her tongue to show him a new meaning of pleasure.

  After a few minutes, Alex dragged her up by the shoulders. His body trembled; his gaze was liquid heat. He slid his hands under her half-shirt and unsnapped the bra. His warm hands and eager fingers made her desire flare.

  Maggie took off her shorts and panties. Alex’s groan barely warned her; he picked her up and put her against the wall.

  "I want you so much," he said as he entered her. She welcomed him by wrapping her legs around his hips. His thrusts matched her eagerness and the pleasure surrounding her centralized, building with each stroke, until she shattered, crying out Alex’s name. He gave a final, hard thrust and came, throbbing inside her, his head dropping to her neck.

  "I love you, Maggie."

  Her heart lurched. "What?"

  He stilled, then released her, holding her steady. "I said ‘I’ll move you.’"

  "Oh." Maggie’s heart stuttered into an erratic beat. How could she have misheard him? Because her own stupid self wanted to hear those words. Because she’d fallen in love with Alex. And she wanted him to be in love with her.

  Damn it.

  "When will I see you again?"

  He smiled. "Very soon."

  They put their clothes back on, and Maggie felt awkward. Was Alex intentionally being vague? Did he have any intention of seeing her again?

  "I...there’s this dinner my company’s hosting on Saturday night. Do you...that is...shoot. Would you go with me? It’s okay if I bring someone."

  His gaze suddenly found the floor an interesting place to look. "You should take Gran--she’s family.

  "Right." Dread blossomed in her stomach. She couldn’t believe Alex would just...just drop her. Desperation overrode her common sense. "Well, I don’t have to go to the dinner. We could go somewhere else."

  "I can’t go with you, honey. I’m busy Saturday. But you should go to the dinner. It’ll make a good impression with your boss."

  "Why do I feel like I’m never going to see you again?"

  He cupped her face and kissed her. "You’ll see me again, Maggie. I’ll be busy with this new job for the rest of the week, but don’t worry. I’ll call you."

  "How many times have women heard that line?"

  "You’re such a cynic." He laughed, then brushed away a strand of hair from her cheek. "Trust me."

  Maggie walked Alex to the truck and kissed him good-bye. As she watched him drive away, she couldn’t get rid of the funny feeling something wasn’t right. A detail niggled at her brain, a bit of important information had escaped her, and she couldn’t quite nail it down.

  Turning to walk into the house, she shook away the weird feelings. Alex wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. He’d proven himself reliable and honest. Nothing was wrong. Everything was right. Alex deserved her trust--he wouldn’t disappoint her.

&nbs
p; ***

  Alex tugged on the lapel of his tuxedo. His fingers

  trembled. The low voices of people conversing and the clink of silverware reminded him he hadn’t eaten yet. He stood on stage, behind the curtain that separated him from Maggie. She was out there. Waiting. He blew out a breath. Had arranging a company dinner been the right way to introduce himself? He wanted Maggie to see the moving shelves she’d helped him create. He wanted her to get the credit she deserved.