A Bought Bride

by Agnes Alexander

  “I have to know what she looks like.”

  “Don’t be a dolt, Jillian. She’ll be young and sexy and beautiful. Otherwise Quinton wouldn’t have anything to do with her.”

  “I’m none of those things and he married me.” She didn’t add that it was to save his department stores.

  “Don’t sell yourself short, Jillian. You’re a good-looking woman, and I know for a fact Quinton is proud of you.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “It’s true. He told John the other day he was going to throw a party and introduce you to everyone he knew.”

  “He hasn’t said anything to me about that.”

  “Maybe he wants to surprise you.” Marilyn pulled her Mercedes in front of the condominium and turned off the motor. “Nice place.”

  “I wouldn’t expect my husband to put his mistress up in a dump.” Jillian couldn’t keep the ice out of her voice as she opened the door. “Let’s go before I lose my nerve. I want to see what I’m up against as I fight for my husband.”

  “I’m glad you’re going to fight for him, Jillian. I don’t think he’s worth it, but if it takes him to make you happy, then so be it.”

  “At least I’m going to try to make him love me.”

  “He said he did, Jillian.”

  “That could have been the liquor talking.” She rang the doorbell. “But I guess when he gets home, we’ll see if he meant it.”

  The young woman that answered the door was nothing like Jillian expected. She was pretty, but not beautiful. She was also tall, about five eight or nine. She towered over Jillian. Maddie’s long silky hair was a chestnut color. She had on a pair of designer jeans and a tight green sweater which matched her eyes. She actually smiled and despite herself, Jillian smiled back.

  “I thought you were coming alone,” Maddie snapped when she saw Marilyn.

  “I wouldn’t let her,” Marilyn said. “I was afraid you might get into a catfight.”

  “I don’t plan on that, but come in.” She was eying Jillian as she motioned for them to sit down in the well-appointed living room. “Why did you want to see me?”

  “I wanted to know what kind of woman my husband was keeping up.”

  “Besides you, you mean?”

  Without hesitation, Jillian answered, “Something like that.”

  “Well, I guess you expected me to be loud and brassy and look like a street whore.” She sat, too.

  “Heavens no. I knew you’d be beautiful. Quinton has exquisite taste. He’d never be with a cheap street whore.”

  That seemed to take Maddie aback. She mumbled, “I guess that’s why he didn’t marry a cheap-looking woman, either.”

  Marilyn smothered a giggle, but Jillian said, “Thank you.”

  “No problem.”

  “May I ask how long you plan to be in town, my dear?”

  “How should I know? Probably until Quinton gets tired of you and asks me to marry him.” Her eyes bored into Jillian’s.

  Jillian smiled. “I’m afraid you don’t have that much time, Maddie.”

  “You know my name, but I don’t know yours. What is it?”

  “Mrs. Kincade.”

  Again Marilyn giggled.

  “I mean your first name.”

  “Mrs. Kincade is all you need to know.”

  Maddie stared at Jillian then finally shrugged. “I’m sure you won’t keep the name very long.”

  “Oh, it will outlast your relationship with my husband, Maddie.”

  “Wanna bet? He’s been here since you were married.”

  “I don’t have to bet. I know.”

  “How the hell do you know?”

  “I have my ways.”

  “Well, he’s been here more than once.”

  “I know.”

  “Then why hasn’t he told me you know about me?”

  “He doesn’t know that I know about you.”

  Jillian could tell that Maddie was beginning to squirm. She knew the girl wasn’t as sure of herself now.

  “What if I tell him you know about us?” Maddie stuck out her mouth.

  “Why would you want to do that?”

  “Just to…I don’t know, but maybe he’d like to know.”

  “Maybe you should tell him. He’s like a lot of men. They want to keep a woman on the side, but if the wife knows, it’s not fun anymore. He begins to feel his little slut is used up and it’s then time to get a new one. They like variety, you know.”

  “He wouldn’t dare trade me in.” Maddie glared at her.

  “If there’s anything I’ve learned from my short marriage to Quinton, it’s that there’s nothing he wouldn’t dare to do, if he wants to.”

  “Are you going to divorce him because of me?”

  “No.”

  “Most wives would. Why not you?” Maddie was becoming exasperated.

  “Why should I? I’ll be here when you’re gone and forgotten. I’ll outlast all his girlfriends.”

  “I don’t see why. The sex can’t be as good with an old woman like you.” Maddie was mad and it showed. She was losing her cool.

  “Oh, Maddie, my dear. Some of us older women know things about sex that you inexperienced girls have yet to learn.” Jillian smiled a wicked smile at her. “Maybe Quinton will teach you some of them. After all, I’ve heard the sex with you isn’t as good as it could be, and you will need some new techniques after Quinton gets rid of you, and you have to go back to being a call girl.”

  Jillian knew she’d struck a nerve when Maddie blurted, “How did you know what I did for a living?”

  “Sometimes I hear you’re a failure at your job.”

  “How did you know that?”

  Jillian simply smiled at the girl because she had no idea why she’d made that statement.

  Finally Maddie said, “I can’t help Quinton couldn’t get it up the first time he came to see me after your wedding. I tried everything I could think of to turn him on, but when he couldn’t produce I figured you had just worn him out because you were so hungry for sex. I knew at your age you probably wasn’t getting much.”

  Jillian knew she was taking a chance, but she pushed ahead. “Oh, I remember that night. He was a little frustrated when he got home. We had a late dinner then we retired to our room. To calm him, I served wine and we went out on our balcony.” She smiled sweetly. “After we made love on the glider, we went inside and did it again on the bed. I didn’t notice him being any different than before. If I had to guess, I’d say he was in rare form. Maybe the best he’s ever been.”

  “But I wanted him to make love to me the next time he came to see me and he told me he still had the same problem. I thought when it happened to older men it lasted a while unless they got pills or something.”

  “Maddie, my child, I don’t know what kind of game Quinton is playing with you, but let me assure you, he has never had ‘that problem’ with me. He’s able to produce every time.” Jillian stood. “It was nice having this little chat with you.”

  “Don’t leave.”

  “Why not?”

  “I want to know what’s going to happen.”

  “How should I know? I’m just the wife.” Jillian started toward the door. “I just came by to let you know there’s no reason to think you can blackmail Quinton by telling him you’ll reveal yourself to me.”

  “I wasn’t going to do that.”

  “Whatever your game is, I’m not worried. After all, you’re just the mistress. I have the wedding ring.” Jillian looked at Marilyn, who hadn’t spoken since the conversation began. “Shall we go?”

  “Why aren’t you worried? I don’t care if you do have the wedding ring. I’m younger than you and everybody knows older men like young women. He’ll get tired of being married, and then he’ll turn to me.”

  “Not Quinton.”

  “Why not him? He brought me from Las Vegas, you know.”

  “Yes, I know. I figure you’ll soon be on your way back. If not, why would he pretend to be impot
ent with you?”

  “He wasn’t pretending. The damn condom fell off he was so limp.” Maddie was shouting.

  “Oh, I’m glad to learn he uses a condom with you. That way I won’t have to worry.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Quinton has never used a condom with me. I guess that proves which one of us he trusts.” Jillian opened the door and stepped outside.

  Marilyn followed.

  “You bitch!” Maddie screamed at them as they went down the walk. In an instant, they heard the door slam.

  Jillian looked at Marilyn. “Let’s get out of here before I faint.”

  “After the performance I’ve seen from you, Jillian Kincade, nobody will ever convince me you’re the fainting kind.”

  * * * *

  The door to the bedroom opened and he came out. “Well, looks like you’ve blown it, Maddie my love. You’re no match for his wife. That’s one smart woman.”

  “What the hell do you mean?”

  “I thought I was going to have to come out and defend you from the witch.”

  “That’s exactly what she is. She’s a witch and I hate her.”

  “What do you care what she’s like, baby. All I wanted was some of their money. Now it doesn’t look like blackmail is going to be our answer.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “But does he know she knows?”

  “What are you thinking?”

  “We’ll get to him before she does and say we’ll tell her if he doesn’t pay.”

  “But she knows about me.”

  “Don’t be thick headed, Maddie. If he doesn’t know she knows about you, he’ll pay.”

  “I see.” She nodded. “That might work, and if I knew where he was we’d call him right now. Seems he has gone out of town again and he’s not answering his damn cell phone.”

  “Hell, Maddie, don’t lose it now.” He sighed. “I’ve got another idea. All you have to do is keep him interested long enough to get him to come here one more time.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re going to get him to make love to you and I’m going to take pictures. We’ll see how quick he is to pay to keep his bride from seeing them.”

  “What if he won’t come?”

  He eyed her. “Then we’ll kidnap her and make him pay.” He laughed a sinister laugh and his eyebrow went up. “I think I just hit on a good idea. We’ll kidnap her and I’ll make love to her while we have her captive. You can take the pictures. It might be interesting.”

  “What good would those pictures be?”

  “Maybe he’d pay to keep them out of a smut magazine or off the internet. I don’t think he’d want his wife’s lovemaking being spread around. Besides, I think it’d be interesting to make love to her.”

  “Why would you want to do that? She’s an old woman.”

  “A damn good-looking old woman if you ask me. It’ll be fun to be with someone who hasn’t been spread all over the streets of Las Vegas.” He grinned. “By the way, since I’m here, why waste time? Take your clothes off.”

  “I’m not going to take my clothes off.”

  He slapped her and she fell backward. “Shut-up and get on your knees.”

  “I don’t want to. I’m still too mad at her.”

  He reached down and slapped her again. “I don’t give a damn how mad you are. Take your clothes off. It’s always more fun when we’re both naked.”

  She began to undress.

  He peeled off his clothes as she started to get up. “Don’t get up!”

  “Why not. I want to go to the bedroom to do this.”

  “There’s no need. This carpet is soft.” He walked over to her and rubbed her shoulder.

  She smiled up at him. “I don’t know how you do it, but you can always talk me into anything.”

  He grinned. “I know.”

  As she motioned for him to lie down beside her, she suddenly jumped back and yelled. “Oh, Lord. There’s a kid watching.” She awkwardly tried to cover her breast with her arms.

  He turned and strolled to the window to see a young teen staring at them. He balled up his fist and shook it at the boy, who staggered backward and ran across the lawn. He roared with laughter as he shut the curtain.

  When he turned around, Maddie was on her feet. He turned his head to the side and looked at her. “You’re right damn pretty with no clothes on.” Her smile soon faded when he strolled toward her and added, “Now get back on the floor.”

  As she held her arms out to him he mumbled, “I wonder if the reserved and beautiful Mrs. Kincade will welcome me like you do.” He closed his eyes and said, “I can’t wait to find out.”

  As their love-making ended, a question formed in his head. Why did he need Maddie to kidnap the beautiful Mrs. Kincade? The thought which followed was—he didn’t.

  Chapter 26

  The sun was just coming up over the lake when John stepped outside. “So here you are. I thought maybe you’d found the limo keys and left without us.”

  “Do you have to shout?” Quinton frowned.

  “Got a bad one, don’t you, buddy?”

  “Hadn’t had a hangover like this in years.” He rubbed the stubble on his chin.

  “I guess you haven’t drunk yourself into oblivion in years.” He handed a cup of coffee to Quinton. “Here. See if this helps.”

  “The only thing that’s going to help me is if I fall down dead.”

  John laughed. “You deserve it.”

  “What? Dying?”

  “I’m not talking about dying. I’m talking about the drunk you pulled. I’ve never seen you in that shape.”

  “I don’t think I’ve been in that shape since college.”

  “Good for you. Let us hope this was the last time.”

  “I agree.” He sipped the coffee. “Where’s Calvin?”

  “Still asleep. I figured he deserved to sleep in since he’s been so faithful to help me pull you through this.”

  “I agree.” Quinton took another sip. “Have you talked to Jillian?”

  “No. Have you?”

  “No.”

  “Are you going to?”

  “Not yet. Maybe later today.”

  “Are you still determined to break her heart by telling her about Maddie?”

  “No.”

  “Good.”

  “Does she know where I am, John?”

  “Jillian thinks you and I are out of town on some urgent business. Marilyn is keeping her busy so she won’t get suspicious.”

  “Bless Marilyn.”

  “Yeah. She’s a good one.”

  Quinton eyed his friend. “Are you beginning to realize what a good wife you have?”

  John gave him a sharp look. “It wasn’t just the booze talking was it? You’re actually in love with Jillian, aren’t you?”

  Quinton nodded. “I don’t know when it happened.”

  “Men never do. We think we have it going just like we want it to go, then suddenly we’re in over our heads. People can’t tell me this is a man’s world. Women run the men, therefore they run the world.” John drained his cup and stood. “I want some more coffee. Want a refill.”

  Quinton handed him his cup.

  Calvin came onto the porch as John went inside. “Good morning, Sir.”

  “Hello, Calvin.” He glanced at his chauffeur. “Don’t you want some coffee?”

  “I’ll get some in a minute, Sir. I wanted to see if you felt better.”

  “Except for a hangover that would kill an army, I’m fine.”

  Calvin smiled and started for the door. He met John.

  “I figured you’d want this so I brought you a cup of coffee, too.” He handed the cup to Calvin.

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  John looked at him. “Calvin why don’t you take that damn coat off? We’re three men in the mountains and there’s no reason for you to act as if you’re going to start the limo any minute.”

  Calvin glanced at Quinton.

  “Listen to John. It�
�s too warm today for that wool coat.”

  Calvin took it off and hung it across the banister. “Thank you, Sir.”

  “We’re discussing wives, Calvin,” John said. “You don’t have one, do you?”

  “Not yet, Sir.”

  “What do you mean, not yet? Is there a woman I don’t know about?” Quinton looked at him.

  “Yes, Sir.” He smiled. “I’m in love with Gloria. Whenever I get my degree, we’re going to get married.”

  “Well, I be damned. You’ve been courting right under my nose.”

  “Yes, Sir.” He frowned. “I hope that doesn’t mean you won’t let me continue to work for you until I get out of school.”

  “I didn’t know you were going to school, Calvin. When did this take place?”

  “I’ve been taking classes at the college while you’re at work, Sir.”

  “But you’re always there when I page you.”

  “I know. I have the understanding with the professors that I might have to get up and leave at any moment. It has happened a few times, but not often.”

  “What are you studying, Calvin?” John asked.

  “Computer Technology, Sir.”

  “Can’t go wrong studying that. It’s a computer world,” John mumbled.

  “We have a whole computer section keeping track of the inventory at the store, not to mention the ones that keep the information flowing.”

  “What do you plan to do when you finish?” John looked at him.

  “I’m not sure. They have a job placement center at the college. I hope to find something where I can make enough so Gloria can quit work and go to school. She always wanted to be a nurse. She’s already had a year’s training and I want her to realize her dream, too.” He shot a glance at Quinton. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sure she likes working for you. Especially now that Mrs. Kincade has come, but she still wants to be a nurse.”

  “The staff has all taken a liking to Mrs. Kincade, haven’t they, Calvin?”

  “Yes, Sir. She’s a nice lady.”

  “Yes, she’s a very nice lady.” Quinton squared his shoulders. “I wish I was worthy of her.”

  “May I say something, Mr. Kincade?”

  “Of course, Calvin. We’re being informal today.”

  “I think you and Mrs. Kincade make a wonderful couple. I know you love each other and when there’s love, that’s all you really need.”