GOING … GOING … WED!

by Amy J. Fetzer

  "And this?" Two aspirin lay in his palm.

  She tossed them back with a sip of warm coffee, then eyed him. "You're just full of help this morning."

  He reached into his back pocket, coming back with a packaged toothbrush. "Thought you'd need this, too."

  She took it, studying it like a puzzle. Her gaze shifted to his. "Keep an ample supply of them for all those overnight guests, do you?"

  His smile thinned. He inched closer, taking the mug and stealing a sip of her coffee. It seemed the most natural thing to do. "No, I picked it up this morning with the raspberry Danish and motor oil."

  Her eyes widened. "You're trying to fix my car?"

  "Almost done. Except I have to jerry-rig the alternator. The auto-parts store was out of your make and model. I'm afraid there are parts all over my driveway right now."

  Stepping into the hall, Madison glanced beyond him to the front door, which stood wide-open. Though she couldn't see her car, she suspected it was jacked up and crying for a real mechanic. "Alex," she groaned, letting him have the mug again. "David could have fixed it."

  "Trust me," he said into the cup.

  "You're management, not labor."

  He shifted closer, his voice low. "I haven't always been, you know."

  The heat of his body lured, and she reached, rubbing a grease smudge from his cheek. "What did you do before your success?"

  "Everything from pump gas to construction." He leaned, his face near as he set the mug on the wall rail behind him. She scarcely noticed. "They don't put that in the papers."

  "Somehow I don't think you let them."

  He grinned and her insides went tight with quick hunger. "I need to get dressed."

  His gaze slid warmly down to the edge of the towel, then lower. He inhaled through clenched teeth. "I kinda like the way you are, darlin'."

  "Alexander," she scolded, and Alex came unhinged, advancing, backing her against the papered wall. She blinked up at him, gripping the towel. "This isn't wise and you know it."

  He braced his hands on the wall beside her head, his body a warm shield against the conditioned air floating around them. "Do you always look this good in the morning?"

  Heat spun through her. "Coffee, aspirin, a toothbrush and now flattery?"

  His brow knitted. No one told this woman how sexy she was? "I mean it." His gaze swept her. Her damp hair was curling, framing her face, falling over her shoulders. Bare smooth shoulders. She looked good enough to eat.

  And he was hungry.

  Suddenly he covered her mouth with his, touching her only there, his lips hot and rolling. She opened wide for him, one hand rising to cup his jaw. It made him feel helpless, showed him she was not as immune to the passion they shared as he'd thought. His tongue pushed between her lips, and a little sound broke in her throat He drank it, absorbed it like a thirsty soul. This wasn't what either of them needed, but it was what they wanted. He could tell by the way her lips devoured his, her body arching away from the wall to get closer to him. She wasn't the woman for him, no woman was, but Madison had a drugging femininity unmatched by any woman he'd ever known. He wanted to explore this, see what it was about her that truly drew him. He barely slept last night thinking about it.

  Yet Alex knew one thing. If he kept kissing her, he'd carry her into the bedroom and make wild love to her. And it would be wild. Burning and slick and sweet. It was already tearing through him.

  He toyed with her mouth, nipping her lower lip, and she repaid him, cupping his jaw in both hands and holding him for her kiss. Alex groaned and mashed her against the wall, his arms wrapping around her waist and dragging her tightly to him.

  Madison gasped at the solid feel of his length against her, and he stole the chance to taste the line of her throat, the swells above her breasts. Her hands stroked his shoulders, his hair, and she tipped her head back, the place between her thighs slick with a throbbing ache, and she thought she'd come apart when his hands dove beneath the towel to cup her bare buttocks. She inhaled, and he thrust against her, letting her feel every hard inch of him, and she knew she'd created it.

  She trembled, touching, kissing, feeling all there was of him. "Alexander."

  "Yeah, darlin', I know."

  "We can't do this—"

  He kissed her into silence. "We are."

  "Would you stop if I asked?"

  "Yes." He licked a path to her breast and thought of honey and warmth. "Are you asking?"

  "I … don't rightly know."

  Her fingers deepened into his hair, and his hunger grew.

  His name on the air and hurried footsteps penetrated the haze too late. Alex straightened abruptly, shielding her as he turned to face Angus O'Malley who was already through the open front door.

  "Forgive the intrusion."

  Alex gawked. "Angus!"

  Madison inhaled, crouching behind him. This can't be happening. Oh, if her father knew she was trapped like this she'd be skinned alive. Even at her age.

  "What are you doing here? We weren't meeting till noon, right?" He took a step.

  "Be still! He'll see me!" she whispered heatedly.

  Angus cleared his throat, smothering a smile. "I was right to come by, then. You two do need a honeymoon."

  "Oh, Lord save me," Madison moaned behind him, her face buried in his back. She tried inching toward the bedroom door, but Alex wouldn't budge.

  "I spoke to Laura this morning, and she insisted I extend an invitation to our summer house on Lake Michigan. We're renewing our wedding vows after forty years, and I'd love you and Madison to come join us. Laura is looking forward to meeting you, and well, we'd like to get to know you better."

  If I decide to sell Little People to you, he was saying.

  "Tell him," she hissed from behind before dragging him with her to the bedroom and darting inside. She slammed the door.

  Alex flinched, righting his shirt.

  He glanced between Angus and the sealed door.

  How the heck was he going to get out of this without destroying his chances to buy the company and without hurting Madison?

  He had a sick feeling this lie was going to cost him more than just cash.

  * * *

  Alex rapped. "Madison, darlin'."

  She flung the door open, pinning him with a hot glare. "Don't you dare darling me, Alexander." She adjusted the shoulder of her cocktail dress.

  "Sorry. I was supposed to meet Angus later."

  "I knew I should have hitchhiked home." She jammed on her heels, pushing past him out the bedroom door. "I have never, in my life, been so embarrassed. No, don't touch me," she snapped when he reached for her arm. Then she marched down the stairs.

  "There was nothing untoward. Your reputation is safe. He interrupted a man and his wife."

  "Two seconds more," she muttered, "and I'd have been buck naked and begging."

  "I thought you were close to that."

  She sent him a viperous look as she met the bottom step. "Drop dead, Yankee."

  Suddenly he caught her around the waist and dragged her up against him. Madison wrestled with him for a second, then sighed, staring at his chest.

  "Are you going to ignore what almost happened up there?"

  Her head jerked up. "No. Yes, I am. I am," she said as if she'd suddenly come to a life-altering decision. Those moments outside the bedroom were just a stopover in his plan to stay single till death. A hot flush shot through her, the very memory of this man's mouth on her body stirring her senses beyond belief, and she knew if they hadn't been interrupted, she'd have gladly let him do whatever he wanted.

  And she would have had to live with the consequences. She'd kept her virtue this long by sheer lack of opportunity, yet she wasn't about to let it go lightly. "It was a weak moment. Given to lust."

  He frowned, a little hurt. "It was more than that."

  "Doesn't matter now, does it?" She pushed out of his arms. "You've had nothing but casual relationships for so long you wouldn't know the real th
ing if it slapped you."

  His frown turned menacingly dark. "Dammit, Madison, that's unfair."

  "What are you going to say? That after a few days you're ready for monogamy that'll last longer than a day?" His chilling expression spoke volumes. "I rest my case." She turned toward the door.

  He blocked her path. "I've worked my entire life for this deal, Madison. I can't lose it now."

  "It's your problem. I did my part." She shifted around him. "You tell Angus we're not married or engaged, that we are … nothing." Her voice broke a tiny bit, and she hated it.

  "I can't. I won't. We're in this together now."

  She rounded on him, in his face. "No. One night, you said. I will not go to Michigan, of all places, and pretend to be your wife for Lord knows how long."

  "A week, maybe more."

  "Forget it."

  "I'll pay you." Her eyes flew wide. "Five thousand."

  She brought her hand up to slap him, but stopped short, closing her fingers and lowering her arm. "You're completely heartless, Alexander," she choked. "Not everyone is ruled by money and power." She spun and walked out the door.

  Alex clenched his fist, his insides twisting. Desperation clawed at him. He already knew her. If she left, he wouldn't see her again. She wouldn't answer his calls, wouldn't even acknowledge him if they met on the street. And he couldn't bear it. He didn't deserve her help, yet all his resolve and rules crumbled away when she crossed his threshold.

  "I'm sorry." She kept walking. "Madison!"

  She stopped, her back to him. "Gentlemen do not shout."

  "I thought Southern women were supposed to be amiable. But you're the most stubborn female I've ever met," he said as he crossed to her, gripping her arms when she looked as if she'd bolt. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, briefly closing his eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you, I swear. God, I can't do much right around you." He laughed mirthlessly and felt her relax slightly. "Be reasonable. It's raining. Your car isn't running, and the entire neighborhood is getting an eyeful of our business. Come back inside and talk to me."

  She glanced, then sighed. "Fine. Call me a cab, then." Pushing out of his arms, she went back into the house. But she wasn't staying. She couldn't do this, not and wonder whether every time he touched her, it was for his plans or for himself.

  "I'll take you anywhere you want, later."

  She gave him a condescending look. "I have a life, you know." She glanced at her watch. "And part of it starts in less than two hours."

  He frowned, closing the door, tempted to lock her in. "What are you doing on a Saturday?"

  "None of your business," she said, striding to the kitchen. "You're going to have to tell him, Alex."

  "Not until the papers are signed."

  Grabbing the carafe, she paused to look at him. "Can you do that? Legally?"

  "My personal life is not part of the contract."

  She scoffed, pouring a cup for both of them. "Apparently it's a major factor, if you're willing to go to this extreme."

  "It got out of hand, that's all."

  "Alexander," she began patiently, bringing the mugs to the breakfast counter and sliding onto the stool. "Me going along to Angus's home as your bride," she enunciated and watched him cringe, "is just the start of your troubles."

  He knew that. Too well. He couldn't decide whether this mess was hurting or helping him. The thought of spending two weeks with her in close confines excited and scared him. She was a good woman, with scruples and honor and self-worth. And he knew he had to open up to her, give parts of himself he hadn't shown anyone since his parents died. Madison would accept no less.

  "Are you, at least, ready to discuss this, hear my side?" He would tell her only the minimum, he decided. She didn't need to know how much of a fool he'd been with Celeste.

  Elbows braced on the counter, Madison stared over the rim of the mug. "I won't change my mind." Then she noticed one thing. Although she'd given back the diamond ring, he still wore his.

  * * *

  The plane arrived on time, despite the rain out of Savannah.

  The first-class flight and the limousine ride to the inn should have eased Madison's misgivings about Alex, but only made her see why women flocked to him. It was the lifestyle. And it wasn't hers. Not that the royal treatment wasn't nice, but it was meaningless to her. And he'd been conducting business the entire flight, fielding phone calls, sending faxes and e-mails from his laptop. He seemed suddenly frantic there for a while, but asking about it only got her an "it's business" response. The man never relaxed, never ceased checking on the progress of this project or that, as if nothing could be done without his final touch. Why did he have all those executives, if he didn't trust them to do their jobs?

  He appeared perfectly comfortable with faking a marriage. She thought it was the biggest mistake of her life. Everything in her screamed she would come out the loser, yet once he'd told her about his deathbed promise to his father to regain the toy company, she'd capitulated, softening for him and his story. She wished she didn't understand, but she'd made a similar promise to her mother hours before her death. It's what kept her from living too far from her family in case they needed her, and kept her working for Wife Incorporated and Jasmine Knights to help with the bills. But like her mother's request, his father's was too much to ask of a teenager just learning about himself.

  Alex nudged her, and she glanced first at him, then to the staff member standing outside their hotel room door.

  The young man flung the door open. "Welcome to River Winds, Mrs. Donahue."

  Mrs. Donahue. Oh, Lord. She stepped inside, glancing at the accommodations.

  The odds were stacked against her.

  Angus had made the reservations, the only ones left in any hotel for miles because of a local festival, they'd discovered. And theirs was a suite. The honeymoon suite.

  Okay, she was a big girl. She could handle this. She tossed her purse on the sofa and, ignoring the huge four-poster bed, crossed the living room to open the balcony doors. She inhaled, stepping onto the wooden deck. "Oh, Alex, come look at this!"

  The view was breathtaking – the blue lake and lovely homes hemming the shore. The inn was on a hillside, overlooking a street leading to the water, and instantly she felt the tension slip away. Closing her eyes she tipped her face to the warm sun. Okay, this isn't so bad.

  "Alexander?"

  He didn't respond, and she peered into the suite. He was pacing, the phone to his ear as he tipped the bellman. As soon as the young man left, he shrugged out of his raw-silk sports jacket and slid behind the small desk.

  Madison let out a shrill whistle. He winced and looked up.

  "Were you born with that stupid thing stuck to your ear?"

  He muttered something into the cell phone and disconnected, yet he didn't put it away.

  "This isn't going to work." She went out onto the deck.

  Alex rushed after her. "It will."

  Her back to the view, her elbows braced on the rail, she eyed him. "I know this is a real stretch for you, but we're supposed to be married, newly married. And a husband who faxes before the plane takes off, takes calls during a lobster lunch and ignores his bride—" she enjoyed the little jerk in his shoulders when she clarified that "—will not convince Angus. I'm not sure we did the other night."

  His lips quirked, his gaze slipping over her from head to foot and leaving a warm trail on her skin as he moved up beside her. "We did in the hallway." He propped his forearms on the rail. He leaned closer.

  She held him back. "No funny business."

  "Depends on what kind." He pushed into the pressure of her hand on his chest and brushed his mouth over hers.

  "That kind."

  "I make no promises." His hand slid warmly over her stomach, fingers curling around her waist. Her muscles flexed under his touch.

  "Alex," she warned, although she kissed him back, let him pull her close.

  "I can't hide that no matter what, I want
you." He felt her indrawn breath as his lips worried hers. "I want you, Madison."

  Her heart soared, then dropped like a stone. "But for how long is the problem."

  He stiffened and leaned back, his brows furrowed. "I can't give you what you want."

  Her smile was sad. "Then neither can I."

  "I didn't ask you to come with me so I could seduce you."

  Her expression softened. "Oh, Alexander, you don't even have to try."

  Neither did she, Alex thought. Just being near her made him feel more alive than he had in years. His gaze slid over her, the tailored white slacks, lemon-yellow blouse and navy-blue collarless jacket. She looked polished and elegant. But it went deeper than that, he knew. She was so damned sexy he could scarcely think straight, and he would like nothing more than to drag her into his arms and kiss the day-lights out of her.

  He'd probably get slapped for sure then.

  "Can't we just let things … happen?"

  "Gee, what a risk for you. Sure you're up to a real friendship?"

  Suddenly he slid his fingers along her jaw, staring deep into her eyes. "I know my mistakes got us into this, and I'm sorry. I'll take care of O'Malley, but all I ask is that you just be yourself with me. No bargains, no reporters, no Wife Incorporated, just be with me."

  There was something in his eyes just then, a fear Madison had never thought to see, a pleading that had little to do with regaining a toy company. The sight of it lanced through her soul, the same look when he'd told her about his mother withering away from cancer, his father dying only weeks later and leaving him alone. Though he'd been evasive about what happened to him after their deaths, Madison could only assume he'd lived in foster homes. Yet the loss scarred him deeper than he wanted anyone to know. Loveless, discarded. Fiercely determined to succeed where his father had failed. He'd shown her a small part of himself, and with the truth had come admiration, for his success and the struggle he'd endured to gain his wealth and power. By grit and sweat. Most people thought he'd had a privileged upbringing, herself included, and the shared secret endeared him more to her, made her want to find another crack in the iron shield around him.