by Mary Eason
“Thank you.” She smiled up at her cousin. “Would you mind just keeping this our secret? Debbie doesn’t need to know.”
“No problem,” Brandy said with confidence. “She doesn’t know about him and she won’t hear anything from me.”
“Thank you. And if Alex calls or stops by looking for me, I’m not in, okay?”
“You got it.” Brandy closed the door and left Kate alone with her misery.
* * * *
“Alex, hey man, it’s Tom. Have I got a story for you...” Alex was knee deep in legal documents when his private line buzzed. He picked it up right away, hoping it might be Kate. Instead, it was his law school friend, Thomas Davenport.
“Tom, buddy, now is not a good time, okay?” he told his friend wearily, knowing full well how dreadful he must sound to the man who knew him so well.
“Guess who came to see me today?” Tom ignored Alex’s answer entirely.
“Didn’t you hear me? I’m not in the mood, Tom.” Alex bit back his anger with difficulty. He hadn’t slept since leaving Ronnie’s place. Not that he’d slept much the night he’d spent in Kate’s arms.
“It’s about your wife...” Tom announced with something resembling the cat that had swallowed the canary in his tone.
“My wife...” Alex repeated. His wife? How did Tom know about his wife? How did Tom even know he had a wife unless... “Oh no, don’t tell me she came to you.”
“She wants me to handle her divorce,” Tom added, a little too pleased with himself.
“There won’t be any divorce.”
“Really? Well, have you talked to her about this, because the stunningly beautiful Mrs. Bradshaw seems determined there will be.” When Alex said something unflattering under his breath Tom continued, “Oh, but don’t worry, she didn’t marry you for your money; although, I tried to tell her you have plenty of it.”
“Dammit, Tom, what did you say to her? Did you agree to take the case?” Alex felt betrayed by the thought of his friend agreeing to take on Kate’s attempt to push him out of her life.
“Oh, she thinks I’m handling the case for her, although technically there’s nothing in writing. I thought I’d see what was going on with you before I let her down. So, when did you get married and why didn’t you tell your best friend about it?”
For the moment, Alex ignored Tom’s attempt at humor. His thoughts were spinning. What if... His sharp, analytical mind began forming a plan.
“When did you tell her you’d give her the answer?”
“I told her I’d file the paperwork tomorrow once she paid the retainer. And then I’d have you served. I might say, she seems to be in an awfully big hurry to get rid of you,” Tom told him with a little laugh when he heard Alex’s explosive reaction.
“I thought you said—”
“Hold on—I’m not actually planning on taking her money or the case. But I figured if she actually got you to marry her after all these years of bachelorhood, then she must be more than just a casual fling. After seeing her today, I’m inclined to agree. But if this is the case, then I can only assume you are in love with her and you don’t want to let her go so easily. So what did you do to her to make her this desperate?”
“That’s none of your business, Tom.”
“I’d say it’s very much my business. The lovely Mrs. Bradshaw needs my help.” Tom chuckled at his own joke.
“That’s too bad. But you’re right, I do love her and I certainly am not prepared to let her go over a little misunderstanding.”
“Not so little in her opinion. She’s furious with you.”
Alex sighed deeply and debated how much to tell Tom. “Yeah, well, it is little; but she won’t let me explain. Look, Tom, I need you to do me a favor,” Alex said when the answer became clear.
“Sure, anything. You name it, buddy.”
“Go along with her for now; you can hold onto her check. I’m going to give Eddie a call.”
“Eddie, oh man, I like where you mind is going,” Tom said with another little laugh.
“Yeah, well I hope this all works out. Because if it doesn’t—you and me are both going to be in a hell of a lot of trouble with the bar.”
* * * *
Alex called the apartment three times that night, but Kate didn’t pick up. The following day, she hid out in her office most of the day, expecting Alex to come storming in the moment Tom served him with the divorce papers. Kate wasn’t sure how to feel when the day passed without any word from Alex.
She took Earl for a long walk around the neighborhood, hoping to relax. She was too wound up. Kate had just unlocked her apartment door when Alex stepped up behind her.
“You went through with it? You actually filed for divorce!” he demanded, reaching for her arm. Earl recognized him immediately and began yelping with excitement, even though he and had Alex only met twice.
“Alex, you shouldn’t be here.” Kate opened the door and pushed Earl inside.
“I’m not giving you a divorce, Kate. I don’t want this. You don’t want this—I know you don’t.” She tried to ignore him and simply walk past and close the door, but Alex blocked her efforts.
“Kate, let’s at least talk about this first. Don’t just write our marriage off without giving me a chance to make things right between us.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. We both know why you married me. I just can’t believe I was foolish enough to fall for your lies. There is no marriage. There’s only a huge series of mistakes.”
“You don’t believe that. Dammit, Kate, why won’t you let me talk to you?”
“Alex, please.” Kate stopped when new tears threatened to take away her voice. God, all she did anymore was cry. “Please just let me go. Please—just go.”
But he didn’t. Alex spotted the tears and guided her inside the apartment, closing the door. “I can’t let you go, Kate. I won’t. Not without a fight.”
They stood facing each other in the semi-darkness. He looked so good. Kate’s resistance crumbled.
Alex moved slowly towards her, forcing her to back away until she reached the wall of her tiny living room. He stood in front of her, quietly watching her closely and reading every-thing in her tears.
“You don’t want this anymore than I do, baby,” he told her softly. “Why fight it. Stop fighting me and let’s work together to save your marriage.”
“No.” her voice shook with emotion. “I can’t. I can’t trust you, Alex.”
“Yes, you can.”
“Don’t,” she said desperately, as his finger stroked away her tears. “Don’t do that.”
“Kate, you love me. You can’t deny that.”
She took a deep breath and tried to steady her voice. “Maybe, but it doesn’t matter.” She jerked away from his touch. “Don’t you see? It doesn’t matter why you married me. You still lied.”
“I didn’t lie about how I feel about you, baby.”
Kate tried to push him away, but he simply gathered her close and held her while she cried. He felt so good. So strong. She let him hold her close for a moment. She wasn’t ready to let him go just yet. But soon, his hands grew restless, roaming over her body, his lips brushing across her temple. She pushed at his chest, but he didn’t release her. Alex gripped her chin and forced her to look at him.
There, for a moment, before his lips took hers once more she saw so much uncertainty in his eyes it took her breath away. Alex uncertain? She’d never imagined him feeling vulnerable.
“Please stop fighting me, Kate. I know you don’t want this to end. Neither do I. Whatever needs fixing between us, we can work it out. Stop fighting me.”
The second his lips touched hers, it was over. Kate knew she wasn’t going to fight it or him tonight.
Alex’s mouth met hers again, this time unhurried. His lips brushed tantalizingly across hers, awakening responses in her that surprised them both. She lifted her hands to touch his chest, before letting one of them slide slowly down. Alex grabbed her wr
ist and brought it lower allowing her to feel his reaction. His eyes never left hers.
“This is how you make me feel,” he whispered softly, before taking her hand in his once more. Alex took their joined hands and slipped under the hem of her dress pushing it up until their fingers touched her panties. When she tried to jerk her hand away, he held her fingers tight and moved beneath the edge of her panties, pulling them down to her thigh. Their fingers moved over her body, parting her legs. Kate’s breath came in a rush as he stroked across her moist inner lips, parting them before their fingers joined together moved inside of her. She closed her eyes. She couldn’t look at him and let him see how excited she was. Not that it mattered. He’d felt her reaction.
“No,” she whispered against his lips.
“Yes.” Alex released her hand—and she jerked it free, but his continued to explore the intimate parts of her. When another finger slipped inside, Kate couldn’t hold on any longer. Her body tensed around his searching fingers. She shuddered and climaxed against his touch. Weak with reaction, she leaned against Alex for strength.
“You feel so good,” he whispered into her mouth
His fingers caressed her breast through the course fabric of her dress creating a painfully exciting friction.
Alex unzipped the dress and let it fall from her body before kneeling in front of her. He leaned in close and spread her legs. One finger dipped inside again. He watched her reaction. She was close again. His lips rested against her warmth where his fingers once touched. His tongue stroked across her moistness before slipping inside. Her reaction was immediate. She came in a burst of passion. When she was still once more, he got to his feet and lifted her against his body, letting her feel how much he wanted her. And then he carried her slowly to the bedroom and set her down close to the bed.
Alex Bradshaw was the perfect lover. Skilled in all the ways to make her want him—beg him to take her. He was much too good for Kate’s resolve to last. His fingers slipped over her body clothed only in her bra, making her aware of how vulnerable she was at that moment.
Kate forgot everything but Alex. The moment she looked into his blue eyes, something deep inside of her splintered into a thousand tiny pieces. She would never feel this passionate about another.
They didn’t say a word. They simply watched each other in the semidarkness for a long time.
He urged her back against the bed, his hands and his eyes telling her all the things he wanted from her. Kate seemed incapable of resisting him.
She moved closer to his touch and watched his shocked reaction to that move. Her hands reached out to touch his face bringing him nearer.
Her need for Alex took on a will of its own now. There was no stopping it. She didn’t try. Her lips took control of his this time, slowly exploring him, brushing across his. At that moment, she wasn’t sure who was seducing whom, not that it mattered. They both knew where this was going.
Beneath her stroking fingers, he shuddered as a little more of his resolve crumbled.
He jerked her closer, his eyes never leaving hers. Alex was still very frustrated with her. It was all there in the words he whispered against her lips.
“I’ve never felt this way about another woman. And I’ve never wanted any woman the way I want you. I can’t get enough of you. I love you, Kate.”
Another lie. Theirs was a marriage based on a series of lies and physical fulfillments. On shifting sands. She couldn’t stop the tears now, any more than she could stop herself from wanting him. She didn’t move away. She didn’t want to. His hands continued to roam over her body, touching every part of her.
Alex pushed her back against the pillows, pulling the covers away from the bed. His eyes wandered slowly over her all the while her conscience screamed how sorry she was going to be if she went through with this.
As she watched, she saw Alex’s expression change. He believed she was going to fight him. He leaned over her, his hands on either side, the tip of his tongue tracing away her tears. Kate couldn’t control her trembling reaction to his touch. The fight went out of her just as quickly as it had come.
She wasn’t going to resist him—who was she kidding? She didn’t want to. She wasn’t fooling anyone especially not Alex Bradshaw.
His lips took possession of her body. He took his time, exploring every sensitive inch of her flesh, while she lay powerless in his arms, hating herself, and knowing only Alex could fulfill all of her fantasies.
Her body shook with each kiss. Each stroke. Alex smiled down at her, aware of everything she was feeling. His hands clasped her thighs gently, urging them apart. He moved between her legs, thrusting deep with a single movement. Kate couldn’t hold back her sob. It had him frozen in place looking down at her in wonder.
Somehow, she managed to let go of her tension. She lifted her hips to meet his movements. The need he created inside of her was nothing short of torment. When she opened her eyes, she knew he felt the same way.
Kate shut the door on her conscience, along with the little voice inside her head that assured her she was going to live to regret this night very soon. Beneath Alex’s skillful touch, the tension within her soon shifted to passion. As Kate gave into her body’s desire, she gave up the last hope of coming out of this moment untouched.
Reality came back slowly, bringing the world around them into sharp focus. Alex rolled away from her, his arms still wrapped around her. She lay exhausted on top of him, listening to the sound of his heart racing against her ear.
* * * *
Alex shifted her weight a little away so he could look into her eyes. He’d never been more afraid of losing something than he was right now at this moment of losing Kate’s love. He could almost read her thoughts. She looked every bit the frightened little girl who ran from him the morning at his office. He would do anything to keep from losing her now. Even if it meant using her body against her.
“It’s okay, we’ll work this out. Just promise me you won’t do anything foolish.”
She grew restless in his arms. He loosened his hold but didn’t let her go. Looking down at her, mere inches away, he saw her reaction flash in her eyes. She hated her own weakness.
“Please just go Alex—I need you to go!”
“You don’t mean that.”
“I do. Making love doesn’t fix anything. It only proves you’re very skilled at seducing women. I’m sure you’ve had lots of practice. But it doesn’t change anything. And I still want a divorce.”
“Never.” He bit the words out as she pushed him away, got out of bed, and ran to the bathroom.
“Kate, open the door.” He knocked on the door, but she didn’t open it.
“Go away!”
“Kate, for God’s sake at least let me talk to you.” She didn’t answer, but he heard her crying through the barrier of the door.
“Okay.” He forced himself to do as she asked for the moment. “I’m leaving for now, but this doesn’t change anything. There will never be a divorce. I’ll fight you every step of the way on this. There’s no way I’m letting you throw our marriage away without fighting for it,” he told her angrily. When she didn’t answer, Alex finally gave up and left her alone.
Chapter Ten
“She won’t even listen to me! She won’t give me the chance to talk to her. I tried to explain things in Colorado but she didn’t believe me.” Alex didn’t even bother with hello. He simply stormed into Robert’s living room and announced those things.
“My daughter is very stubborn, Alex. I’m sorry—I wish I could give you some better fatherly advice.” Alex turned to look at the older man at last. He looked tired. But then he looked that way a lot lately. Alex felt a pang of guilt. He shouldn’t be bringing his marital troubles to Robert’s door, even if she was his daughter. Robert was not in good health. He deserved some peace. He shouldn’t have to try to help his son-in-law fix a screw-up he’d caused.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lay all of this on you. I know it’s not your p
roblem to solve and I’m the one who created this mess in the first place. Robert, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I like to think you and I have become friends because of this. And I still hold out hope for my daughter. Even if she is stubborn,” he added and patted Alex’s arm.
“And I just put on a fresh pot of that coffee you got me. Come on through to the kitchen.” Robert didn’t wait for Alex to answer before he turned and walked away. Alex followed him to the familiar comfort of his father-in-law’s tiny kitchen.
He took the cup Robert offered him and stood quietly sipping his coffee. For the first time, he glanced around the room and saw an assortment of moving boxes scattered everywhere.
“What are the boxes for? Are you going somewhere?”
Robert looked uncomfortable. He couldn’t meet Alex’s gaze.
“Robert—what it is. Has something happened?”
The older man sighed and sank wearily down into the kitchen chair. He looked older than the fifty-two years Alex knew him to be.
“Well, I guess it was only a matter of time before you found out the truth.”
“What truth. What are you talking about? Tell me what’s going on. Why are you packing?”
“I’m moving to an apartment. This place is too big for just me.”
“You’re moving? But you’ve lived here most of your life. Since Kate was a baby.”
“My point exactly. It’s time for a change and—”
“Stop it. What’s really going on here?”
The older man at last looked up. “Don’t tell Kate about this. She’s got too much to worry about already.”
“I’m sorry, Robert. But I won’t promise you anything until I know what’s going on.”
Another weary sigh and then he told Alex everything. “It’s my medical bills. Since the last heart attack, I’ve been drowning in them. I thought I was okay, but then my insurance maxed out and now...well. I can’t keep the house and pay my bills. It’s best this way. I don’t need anything this big just for me and it’s getting harder to get up those stairs anymore.”