Kate snapped to attention. “I’ll do it.”
***
It was eleven o’clock by the time Sam slipped the key Maria had given her into the door at Dominic’s house. She didn’t want to wake him, so she told Ken to wait in the car while she brought her things inside, starting with her cat.
Ken had offered to drive her, which had saved her time and taxi money. She placed the carrier inside the front entry, then turned back toward the door and nearly knocked into Ken, who had ignored her request and followed her inside the house.
“Where have you been?”
Sam whipped around, surprised to see Dominic standing in the darker shadows of the entryway. His expression was surly, but he looked amazingly handsome in a pair of loose-fitting gray sweats and a snug black T-shirt.
She straightened her spine, refusing to back down just because he was in one of his moods. “After work, I stopped by my apartment to get my things.”
Dominic gestured with his chin toward Ken. “And who’s your friend?”
Ken handed her the fishbowl. Water sloshed over the sides, but he was intent on meeting her celebrity husband, despite the angry look on Dominic’s face.
Ken had talked nonstop while she gathered the things she would need. Then, while she’d gone to her neighbor’s place to get Shakespeare and her fish, Hamlet, Ken had gone through her kitchen cupboards and started dinner. She’d been too tired and too busy packing her things to bother protesting, but now it was eleven o’clock and Dominic was not pleased. “Dominic,” she said, “this is Ken.” Then she placed the fishbowl on the entry table.
Ken held out a hand for Dominic to shake.
Dominic ignored the offered hand and stepped right past him, approaching Sam instead. Without speaking another word, he took her into his arms and kissed her good and long. His mouth was warm, the kiss intoxicating. When he finally pulled away, Sam felt blood rush to her cheeks before she rambled on nervously. “Ken was at my apartment when I went to get my things. He was kind enough to help me pack,” she explained, her tongue tripping over every word. “Then he insisted on driving me home so I wouldn’t have to take a taxi.”
Dominic’s eyes narrowed just the slightest bit. “Is this the same Ken you’ve mentioned before?”
Sam nodded.
“She talked about me on your honeymoon?” Ken asked. “Nice.”
They ignored him. “I guess you didn’t want to take one of the cars in the garage?” Dominic asked next.
“The idea never crossed my mind.”
“Surely you have a car of your own?”
“My car is in the shop. I left it there before I flew to New York, figuring I’d take care of it next week.”
“I see.”
Obviously he didn’t see at all because he crossed his arms tightly over his chest. If she didn’t know better, she’d guess he was jealous. She tried not to smile.
Ken looked around. “Nice place you’ve got here.”
“Thanks,” Sam said with a sigh. “Let me see you to your car so I can get the rest of my things.”
“I’ll get your things,” Dominic offered, and before she could stop him, he was ushering Ken out the door, staying close on his heels.
She watched the two men. Dominic was at least an inch taller. Ken’s shoulders were maybe that much broader. She didn’t know what to think about seeing them together. Twilight Zone came to mind. It was Dominic who held her full attention, though: the fire in his eyes, his determined stance, his easy confidence.
Dominic reached inside the trunk of Ken’s Camry and grabbed all of her things. The two men exchanged a few words.
She couldn’t tell by their expressions what they were talking about or whether there was a problem, but before she could step closer for a better look, Dominic was coming up the stairs toward the house.
She followed him inside, watching him take her things to their bedroom.
Shakespeare meowed. Too tired to worry about Dominic, she opened the carrier. Her white Persian cat wanted nothing to do with living in a new house and had to be coaxed out of the cage.
Dominic reappeared with a smirk on his face and a dog at his side, which prompted her cat to dart off in a flash of white fluff. The dog barked and gave chase.
Sam ran after the animals, following them into Dominic’s bedroom. Shakespeare was on top of the bed, clawing at the pillows and blankets.
“Is this your dog?” she asked loud enough to be heard over the barking.
“Rex,” Dominic commanded as he came rushing into the room behind her. “I keep him in a kennel when I’m gone.” He pointed to the cat. “That thing is getting cat hair all over my pillows.” He reached for the animal. Shakespeare hissed at him and he pulled his hand back. “That’s not a cat. It’s a tiger.”
She snorted as she watched his dog bark and paw at the edge of the blankets, pulling the covers halfway off the bed. “Call off your dog!”
Too late. Rex pounced onto the bed.
Shakespeare leapt into Sam’s arms, scratching her before jumping to the cushioned chair nearby. The dog took chase, almost knocking her over in the process. The animals ran in circles around their legs as Dominic examined his pillows. “I’m going to be sneezing all night.”
Ignoring the chaos around them, Sam plunked her hand on her hip. “You’re allergic to cats, but not to dogs?”
“That’s right. Romeo needs to go.”
“His name is Shakespeare and he’s not going anywhere.”
“I’ll definitely have a rash by morning.”
“Well, that’s too bad. Shakespeare stays,” she said as the dog chased the cat under the bed this time.
Dominic finally caught Rex and held the dog by his collar while Sam scooted under the bed so she could grab the trembling cat. “Isn’t there somewhere you can put Rex for a few minutes while I get Shakespeare situated?”
“A phone call would have been nice,” he said.
Shakespeare didn’t want anything to do with her. He wrestled from her grasp and darted from the bedroom, running for his life. Dominic kept a good hold on Rex, a small black lab who seemed friendly enough despite his eagerness to run after her poor cat.
She looked out the door. The cat was gone. “I should have called. I’m sorry. Okay? I’ve had a long day and I’m really not in the mood to be lectured.”
“How was work?”
“The entire office is upset with me. I let everyone down. My boss has given me some time off to be with my new husband.” She crossed her arms and presented him with a tight smile. “I almost lost my job. Happy?”
“You knew this wouldn’t be easy.”
Sam exhaled.
“I don’t think Ken is the right guy for you.”
“I’m not going there,” she huffed.
“If you didn’t want to discuss Ken, you shouldn’t have brought him to my house.”
She snorted.
“Why did you ask him for help? I could have helped you if you had only asked.”
“I didn’t want his help.”
“Then why did you take it?”
“He was very insistent.”
“What was he doing at your apartment in the first place?”
“I don’t know. You should have asked him.”
“I did.”
Heat crept up her face.
He looked her square in the eyes. “He wants you back.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”
“Why?”
“Because this whole crazy arrangement between the two of us is nothing but a big fat lie.” She was tired—exhausted, really. The last week or so had taken a lot out of her. “I’m not your wife,” she went on. “You’re not my husband. We’re from two different worlds. I don’t even think you really like me much.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” He let the dog go.
Rex took off.
“What about Shakespeare?”
“Rex wouldn’t hurt a flea. He’s partially deaf and blind in one eye.”
“Oh, the poor thing.”
“Come on,” he said, dragging her through the house toward the kitchen. “Knock it off, Rex,” he said loud enough for the dog to hear him as they passed by the family room.
Rex immediately stopped barking and sat on his hind legs next to the couch in the family room where Shakespeare was hiding.
Once they were in the kitchen, Dominic told Sam to take a seat on the stool at the kitchen counter. Then he found some pain-relieving cleansing spray and a bandage and got to work.
Sam tried not to look at him while he tended to the scratches on her arm. When he blew on the injured area, drying the medication so the bandage would stick, she did her best to ignore the wildfire of tingles he managed to ignite.
“It’s late,” she said. “You’re tired. I can do this myself.”
“Be a good patient and stay still. I’m almost done.” He placed the bandage over her scratch. “There.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
He looked confused.
“My mom used to kiss my owies to make me feel better.”
He slowly brought her arm to his lips and kissed the soft flesh next to the bandage.
Not such a good idea. His lips made her tingle in places not even close to her owie. “Thanks.” She pulled her arm away. “That’s good. All done.”
“Happy to oblige. Perhaps we should move this medical procedure into the bedroom.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m fine now.” She wriggled her arm in the air. “See? All better.”
His frown was back. “So your boss is giving you a hard time?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Just say the word and I’ll have someone pay your boss a visit.”
Sam laughed. “What? You’re going to send Ben and Tom to my office to threaten my boss?”
“Whatever it takes.”
“I appreciate the offer, but there’s no need.”
“Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
“What about Shakespeare?”
“Leave him. I guarantee those two will be friends by morning.”
Dominic tucked her into bed, propping her arm on an extra pillow, treating her as if she’d been hit by a car instead of scratched by a cat.
Chapter Fifteen
It was Saturday morning, Sam’s second week as Dominic’s wife, when she trudged sleepily into the kitchen. The past few days had flown by. Between learning her way around Dominic’s big house, getting Shakespeare acclimated, and getting to know Maria, she’d hardly had time to worry about Dominic.
And that was a lie, a big fat lie.
She was aware of his every move, every smile, every twitch, every frown.
She also noticed every time he hopped into his car and disappeared, returning in time for dinner. Twice he’d come home late. She had no idea where he went. She’d asked him more than once, but he always found a way to change the subject or take a call before she could get any concrete answers. As the days passed, she tried to convince herself she didn’t care and it wasn’t her concern.
Most nights she would be lying in bed hours before he came to bed. She would feign sleep as she felt the mattress dip from the weight of him as he climbed in beside her. More than once she’d woken with her leg swung over his leg, her arm resting across his chest, her lips squashed against his shoulder. But he had yet to complain or say anything about her tendency to end up on his side of the bed.
As she waited for the coffee to brew, the phone rang. She grabbed it before it could ring again and wake Dominic. “Hello.”
“Who is this?” the caller asked.
“This is Sam John—I mean Samantha DeMarco, who is this?”
“Nobody important.” The smooth as silk voice gave Sam pause. “I was only calling to check in on Dominic…make sure he’s doing well.”
“Should I wake him?”
“Oh, no. Don’t do that. I’ll call again.”
Before Sam could get a name and a phone number, there was a click and the phone line went dead. Sam couldn’t help but wonder which starlet she’d been talking to, though it sounded like an older woman. Sam pushed *67, hoping the caller’s number wasn’t blocked. She was in luck. The number popped up. Repeating the number in her mind, she hung up the phone, scurried around the kitchen until she located paper and pen, and then quickly jotted down the number. She slid the paper into the pocket of her pink sweatpants just as Dominic sauntered into the kitchen. He wore gray sweats and a half-buttoned shirt. His hair was a tousled, sexy mess.
“Who was on the phone?”
“It was a woman with a strikingly husky voice.”
“Hmm,” is all he said with a shrug.
“You have no idea who might be calling this early?”
“No idea.” He headed for the cupboard. She watched him fill his mug to the brim and then take more than a few gulps of dark-roasted coffee. Leaning a hip against the granite counter, he glanced at the clock. “We have to leave in exactly one hour and forty-five minutes.”
“Leave for where?”
“According to Ben, we’re going to attend a carnival to help raise funds for children with disabilities. Didn’t I mention it?”
“No, you didn’t. Tomorrow night we’re scheduled to have dinner at my parents’ house,” she reminded him.
He lifted his coffee cup in a sign of remembrance. “I’m looking forward to it.”
She scrunched her face. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“Do what?”
“Look forward to meeting my family. Don’t get me wrong. I love them all, but my brothers and my father in particular can be opinionated and overbearing at times.”
“Two brothers?”
She nodded. “Both older, Taylor and Kevin. Taylor has a fourteen-year-old daughter named Emma. His wife died from cancer when Emma was only six months old. Both of my brothers are twinkles in Dad’s eyes.”
“Resentful much?”
“I try not to be, but over the years their teasing turned to lectures and it has taken its toll. I don’t bother trying to defend myself any more. At least they don’t wrestle me to the ground any longer. What about you? What was it like growing up as an only child?”
“There were some good moments,” he said. “Few and far between, but I like to think there was a time when my parents actually loved each other.”
Sam couldn’t believe he was opening up. It was a rare moment when he talked about his childhood. “How did you get into acting?”
“After my mother left us, there was a neighbor, Mr. Krisko, who took me to a local youth club where I was exposed to dancing, singing, and acting.”
Dominic set his cup on the counter and walked toward her, his gaze intense. “Hold still.”
The way he was looking at her, she thought he might kiss her, something he hadn’t done since Ken had brought her home. Something she’d thought about much too often. Lifting her chin just so, she closed her eyes, anticipation making her insides flutter. Instead of feeling his lips on hers, she felt the flick of his fingertips on the top of her head.
“Ouch!” Her eyes shot open. “What are you doing?”
He pointed to the spider skittering across the floor.
“Oh, my God!” She jumped into his arms. “That thing is huge.”
“Yes, it is,” he said, holding her close.
It took a moment for her to realize he wasn’t talking about the spider at all. She could feel him hard against her hip. Instead of attempting to take advantage of the situation, though, he set her down and went back to his coffee as if he were hardly aware of her.
“I have a question for you,” she said.
He grabbed the paper Maria had left on the table before going to the grocery store and took a seat at the table. “Go ahead. I’m all ears.”
“When you disappear during the day and sometimes at night, where do you go?”
“I thought we were both going to do our own thing while we were together, no questions asked.”
“You thought wrong. While we’re married, temporarily or not, I think it’s only fair that I know where you run off. If someone were ever to approach me with an eight-by-ten glossy of you with some bimbo, I’d prefer not to be caught off guard.”
He rubbed his stubbled jaw. “Ahh, so that’s why you want to know where I spend my free time. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were keeping tabs on me like any jealous wife might do.”
“Like I said, we’re married now and—”
“You’re a reporter, Sam. You’re married to me because at the end of the three months you plan to tell the world everything there is to know about me.”
“My plan is to write about what it’s like being married to you, not tell the world your every secret.”
“I really don’t see how you can write one without the other.”
“I guess I’m telling you right here, right now, that I’m not going to give away your personal life story.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“Because I would never lie to you.”
“I don’t trust too many people, Sam. Not just reporters, but I’m going to go out on a limb and tell you this: My mother left me when I was ten. Explain to me how a mother leaves her ten-year-old boy with a drunk?” He sighed. “I was in love once,” he went on, his voice void of emotion. “She sold pictures of our time together to a tabloid.”
“I’m sorry.”
“People do crazy things for money, the two of us included. Trusting people does not come easily to me. I’ve been burned too many times, my parents and uncle included.”
“So, even if I promise never to sell you out, you still won’t believe me? Even if I only say things like the two of us lived in a ridiculously big house that we hardly saw each other?”
He remained silent.
“None of this was my idea,” she reminded him. “And besides, you’ll get first approval before anything can be published.”
Their gazes held and that was that. He was done talking.
Chapter Sixteen
Here Comes the Bride Page 9