Reclaiming My Wife

by Jessica Blake

  “I’m afraid that if you’re going into the city, you don’t have much of a choice. The Blackwells are going to be there, and we need to tread carefully. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure our hotel room has two beds. Friends, remember?”

  That mischievous sparkle in his eye didn’t look very friendly. “Right. Friends.” The coffee finished brewing, and I swallowed hard. How did my weekend away from him turn into a weekend of us sharing a hotel room?

  “Relax, darling. I can control myself around you,” he drawled. “As long as you can keep your hands to yourself, we won’t have any problems, will we?” His gaze swept to my feet and back again. “Do you have a dress? If not, you can get one that afternoon. It’s a black-tie charity event, and there are some elbows that I need to rub.”

  “You? Rub elbows?”

  “Hey, it’s not just my pretty face and hard work that keep this ranch afloat.” He grinned, looking ridiculously adorable. “Are you going to pour me a cup of coffee or are you just going to stare at me?”

  Was I staring? Damn it. It should be illegal for him to look that sexy in the morning. Annoyed, I opened the cabinet and grabbed two cups. I could feel the heat of his stare behind me.

  “You know what?” he said softly. “I take back what I said earlier. I prefer mornings with you rather than mornings alone.”

  Damn. Damn. Damn.

  ***

  Brendan wanted to go Friday night, but one night was already one too many for me, so I talked him into driving us up early Saturday morning. I was still trying to get used to seeing him in the expensive sports car. He’d made reservations at one of the most exclusive hotels in the city, and I couldn’t help but gawk when I opened the blinds of our suite and stared at the view below.

  “Unbelievable,” I whispered.

  “Did you say something?” he asked as he tipped the bellhop.

  There were a million things that I wanted to say to him. How was it that the man I married, the man who ate ramen for a straight week just so he could buy me a birthday present, was able to afford a hotel suite like this? And why was it that a man who could afford this hotel suite still worked from sun up until sun down on the ranch?

  “Just admiring the view,” I said weakly. “I’m going to freshen up and then head out for my lunch with Cindy. I’ll pick up a dress on my way back. What time do I need to be ready?”

  “I plan on making an appearance around nine,” he said as he stretched out on the couch and yawned. Removing his cowboy hat, he placed it over his face.

  Before I lost all self-control and straddled him, I hurried to the bathroom and closed the door. It was going to be a long weekend.

  I was five minutes late to lunch, but Cindy wasn’t there. It didn’t surprise me. Even if I were an hour late, she’d still be the second to show. I ordered two glasses of water and perused the menu. There was little point in waiting for her to show before ordering. She wouldn’t risk getting a food baby before she had to put on her dress. Since I was also going to have to put on a dress, I should have done the same thing, but there was little that would keep me from eating.

  Still, I wanted to be polite, so I waited. She showed up ten minutes later, in a dark wig, heavy makeup, and fake glasses. Without an apology, she immediately launched into her problems. I listened, managed to order when the waitress returned, and finally reached over and grabbed Cindy’s hand.

  “Breathe,” I ordered. “Cindy, you have got to breathe.”

  Her eyes immediately filled with tears, and I glanced around uneasily. I’d chosen a table in the darkest part of the restaurant, but someone was bound to recognize her. Crying in public wasn’t really the best thing. “You don’t want splotchy skin tonight, do you?”

  I felt horrible saying it. Normally, I would have encouraged her to cry and release all of that energy, but I wasn’t really her therapist, and I did not want a scene. The trick worked, and like magic, the tears were immediately gone, and she relaxed. “Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without you.” She beamed that brilliant million-dollar smile at me.

  “All right. Let’s talk about tonight. Are there any concerns other than your date?”

  Talking about her job always made her relax. She sank into the seat and sighed. “I’m not optimistic about winning. Rumor has it that Ice Throne is going to win everything, and Sahaar Aisha was amazing in it. I’m also up against Sheryl Letters, but Dan Gustof carried her the whole way through that movie. No way she wins over me.”

  “Any of the other stars from Summer Skies up for nomination?” My sandwich and fries arrived. Cindy looked at them enviously and grabbed her water.

  “That asshole, William Graves, was nominated. God, I just hated working with him. He’s such a diva, and if he calls me sweetheart tonight in that condescending tone of his, I might just kill him.”

  That surprised me. William Graves always played the sensitive sexy types, and I guessed I just assumed that he would also be sensitive. Apparently not.

  “How well do you know Patrick?”

  “Not well, which was why I was surprised when he asked me. We were at this winery event together, but I’ve met him at parties, and he did a cameo appearance in my movie, Deadly Sins. He is gorgeous though, and he’s going to look great with me tonight. When Steven sees the pictures tonight and tomorrow, he can just eat his heart out.”

  What a change in tune from when I spoke to her before, but I was glad to see it. “I think maybe shooting for indifference is the goal here. You don’t want to think about him tonight. Just go and enjoy yourself.”

  “I will. What about you? What made you up and leave the city?”

  I’d known this question was coming, but a shot of adrenaline slammed through me just the same. “I’m trying to finish up my dissertation. I thought getting away from the city might help.”

  “Let me guess, you finally broke up with that god awful boyfriend of yours, and you wanted to get away and have a little fun?” She waved her hands around dramatically, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Not exactly. It’s true that Don and I aren’t together anymore, but my leaving has nothing to do with him. I just needed some peace and quiet.”

  “Woman, you’re young. You’re hot. If you actually come out with me, you would have the time of your life.”

  “I have no doubt about that. Maybe one day, but not this weekend, and not until I finish my dissertation.”

  She sighed. “Boring. Oh well. Well, I’ve got to get back. I know I’m beautiful, but it takes some time for me to look like a queen on the red carpet.”

  I forced my eyes not to roll.

  “Oh, before you go, I actually have this black-tie charity event thing tonight, and I need a dress. Can you recommend a store close by? One that’s not going to cost me a small fortune?”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re dress shopping? Oh my god, why didn’t you say something? We would have skipped lunch!” She pulled out her phone. “Okay, I can maybe spare an hour. Put that sandwich down. We’re going. We’re going right now.”

  I was about to object, but Cindy threw some cash on the table, grabbed my hand, and pulled me to my feet. I barely had a chance to snag my purse before she pulled me out of the restaurant.

  Immediately, a sleek black sedan pulled up, and two men got out. I recognized one as her bodyguard, and the other must have been the driver. “Slight change of plans. We need to make a stop at Madame Darla,” she told them as she slid in. “Normally, you need an appointment to go in, but she’ll make an exception for me.”

  “An appointment?” I shook my head. “That sounds like a store I can’t afford.”

  Cindy fluttered a hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of you. If you’re going out tonight, I’m going to make sure that you are the most gorgeous thing in the room, and I have a feeling that once we get you out of those drab clothes, it won’t be hard at all.”

  “But I don’t need to be the most gorgeous thing in the room,” I argued. “I
just need something appropriate to wear. It’s just a charity event.”

  “Wait, are you talking about the Holstein Gala? You’re going to that?” She swiveled her head. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  Shit.

  I knew this would happen, and the logical part of me knew that I wouldn’t be able to keep my secret for very long. After all, the ranch was only four hours away, and since almost everyone in the sleepy little town knew that I was married, I couldn’t hope for secrecy much longer.

  But I wasn’t ready to talk about everything yet.

  “I wasn’t the one invited,” I said, hoping she wouldn’t dig. “I was only coming to see you, but my associate was going and invited me along.”

  “You’re associate? Jillian, you’re not really going to leave me in the dark, are you? I share everything with you!”

  “Trust me, my life is not nearly as exciting as yours.” I laughed, but even I could hear the discomfort in the tone. “And tonight is no exception.”

  “Fine. Be all mysterious. But I’m still going to find you a dress that knocks the socks off this mysterious associate of yours.” Cindy grinned.

  The car stopped, and the minute Cindy got out, there was a swarm of cameras. I didn’t notice them until the flashbulbs were going off in my face. What the hell were they doing here? “Cindy!” someone yelled. “Are you here for alterations for your dress tonight? Can you tell us who you’ll be wearing?”

  They weren’t here for Cindy. Any old famous actress would have done, apparently.

  Nervous, I shielded my face, but that didn’t stop them from pointing their cameras at me. “Who’s your friend?”

  I hoped that Cindy would steal the limelight, but she grabbed my hand. “This is my good friend and therapist, Jillian Quinn. I have been so nervous about tonight, and she has been the absolute best. Remember the name because when she has her own practice next year, she’ll be taking this city by storm. Mark my words!”

  I tried to smile bravely as Cindy’s bodyguard broke through the crowd and cleared a pathway for us. Once we were safely inside, the door was locked and the blinds were closed. An older woman in her seventies greeted us. Her gorgeous silver hair was piled elegantly on top of her head, and her face was wrinkled but still tastefully done up in makeup. Large hoop earrings framed her face, and she was dressed in a stunning red evening gown that showed off her excellent figure.

  “Cindy! Why didn’t you call and tell me that you were coming?” the woman asked as she kissed Cindy’s cheek.

  “We’re not here for me. Madame Darla, this is my friend Jillian. She’s going to the Holstein Gala tonight and needs something to wear.”

  “Tonight? You’re cutting it close,” Madame Darla said with a frown. She surveyed me, and the frown deepened even further. “Bah. Beige. What were you thinking, child? Such a beautiful face washed out by such blandness. Come. Come. You need something bold and passionate. I know just the thing.”

  I immediately thought about Brendan. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her that bold and passionate was the last thing I needed, but suddenly, I felt like throwing caution into the wind.

  How much would it hurt if, for one night, he looked at me in a new light? Not the woman he married years ago or the woman who couldn’t make that marriage work, but someone new?

  “Let’s do it,” I said impulsively.

  Behind me, Cindy cheered, and I hoped that I wasn’t about to make a mistake.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Brendan

  When she walked out of the bathroom, I couldn’t breathe. It felt like someone had punched me in the gut. The woman who had walked in wearing tan pants and a beige button-up top walked out in an emerald green dress that shimmied down her body until it pooled at her feet. Hooked behind her neck, it plunged deep over her cleavage, and when she turned around, I nearly lost all control. Her entire back was bare. All I wanted to do was trace her spine and press my lips to her creamy skin.

  Her hair was down for once. Tousled around her shoulders almost carelessly, she polished off what little makeup she wore with a bold deep wine lipstick. The Jillian Quinn I’d arrived in the city with was gone, and I was almost afraid to ask who was standing in front of me.

  “You look stunning,” I managed as I took a breath. “Absolutely stunning.”

  “You like it?” She did a little twirl. “It’d take me six months to pay it off, but Madame Darla insisted on not charging me. She said that it was made for me. Of course, I expect that Cindy does so much shopping in her store that it doesn’t matter if she gives away a dress for free.”

  The woman clearly had no idea what she was doing to me. “I’ll buy you one in every color,” I said huskily. So I could have the pleasure of peeling each and every one off of her, but I didn’t voice that part out loud.

  We were supposed to be just friends.

  “Not necessary. I doubt I’ll ever be at something this fancy again.” She laughed before reaching up to gently run a finger over a button of my shirt. “I’m ready. You look very handsome. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a tuxedo.”

  It was an intimate moment, but from the look on her face, it wasn’t one that she’d planned. No seduction. Just instinct. “Necessary evil. I prefer jeans,” I admitted. Without thinking, I held my hand out to her, but she took it almost instantly, and I pulled her gently toward me.

  “You can pull off both,” she said with a smile. “I don’t suppose we can grab some dinner on the way? My lunch was cut short by a crazy actress who needed to take me dress shopping.”

  “Crazy actress?” I opened the door and stepped out in the hall. “Just who is your client?”

  “Cindy Collins.”

  At the sound of the famous actress’s name, I squeezed her hand a little too hard. “The Cindy Collins?” I demanded. “Did you tell her about us?”

  “Whoa, Brendan, calm down. No. She doesn’t know about you. You can still play your games with Blackwell.”

  It was obvious that I’d upset her, and I forced myself to relax.

  “I’m sorry, Jillian,” I said sincerely as I brought her hand up and crushed my lips across her knuckles. “I didn’t mean to react like that. It just took me by surprise.”

  Smiling gently, she reached up and briefly touched my face. “I keep my personal and professional life as separate as possible, so we should be fine. No worries, okay? Let’s go dazzle Blackwell so I can get out of this dress. I had to swear on everything that’s holy that I wouldn’t wear anything underneath it, so I feel super exposed right now.”

  “You’re naked under that thing?” I wished she hadn’t told me that. I was going to sweat all night just thinking about it. “Never mind. I’m just going to picture you in granny panties.” Which wouldn’t do a thing to ease the ache inside of me.

  By the time we reached the gala, every bone in my body wanted to turn around, go back to the hotel, and spend the night in her sweet arms. Money and land be damned, but there was something about the twinkle in her eye, the excitement on her face that stopped me.

  This was the kind of night that I’d never been able to give her before. Beautiful dresses, expensive champagne, and dancing amongst the rich and famous. She’d never wanted it then, and I felt just as sure that she wouldn’t have wanted it now had she not been given the opportunity, but she looked around like a kid at Christmas. For the first time, there was no evidence of the stress of her job or our marriage.

  As we climbed out of the car, I tossed the keys to the valet kid who hardly looked old enough to be driving. Placing my hand gently on Jillian’s back, I leaned down and brushed my lips against her ear. “Don’t worry about us tonight, sweetheart. Just relax and have a good time, okay?”

  “I thought I was here to make an impression,” she said with a puzzled look on her face.

  Not anymore. “You’re just here to enjoy a fun night out. Tonight, I think, all the men will be looking at me in jealousy.”

  A shy smile spread across her
face, and she blushed a little. Never in my life had I seen that woman embarrassed. Had I not complimented her enough before? Made her feel so special?

  I certainly hadn’t after the miscarriage. She wanted space, and I gave it to her. In spades. All the nights that I’d stayed out drinking and came home to find her curled up on the couch, the pillow beneath her stained with her tears. All the times I’d been so hurt when she flinched from my touch that I’d just stormed out.

  She’d needed me, and I wasn’t there. I’d been so angry at her for shutting me out, and it was so obvious to me right now that I’d let her.

  The Gala was held at the convention center. I’d been to it last year and knew what to expect. The best that money could offer. Business tycoons, old money families, and celebrities vying for attention. Half probably didn’t even know that the event was raising money for breast cancer. The Holstein family chose a different charity every year, but the matriarch of the family passed away seven months ago from breast cancer. All the money in the world couldn’t have saved her.

  The tickets to the gala alone were five grand. I’d bought mine two months ago with the intentions of taking Kim, but she’d barely spoken to me since Jillian had arrived. Auction prices for various prizes like resort vacations, cars, technology that hadn’t hit the market yet, started at a grand each, and as always, there was a tiny booth in the corner for people to open their wallets and make a charitable donation.

  Last year, the gala was raising money for refugees overseas. They’d raised half a million dollars, although the cynic in me doubted that it did much good.

  A select few from the Rosenburg Orchestra played in the corner. The center was open for dancers, but nobody came here to dance. There were a few artifacts that had never been seen before from some dig in Turkey, some pieces of artwork on display from prominent artists that hadn’t been viewed in galleries before, and of course, a few businesses taking the opportunity to talk about their plans for the rest of the year.

  Few here cared about donating money or winning raffle prizes. They were here to make a statement.