Marriage of Convenience (21 page)

When she opened her eyes, Malcolm hooked her bent knees over his shoulders, spreading her wider beneath him. His hips moved in small circles, dipping the tip of his penis in and out of her hot hole. Holding her gaze, he thrust deeply with one motion. Caroline moaned her approval, and he pounded into her harder and faster, burying himself impossibly deep within her, over and over. Within seconds their bodies jerked, their muscles tense, and they arched against each other, stilling as ripples of absolute pleasure wound through them.

For one long, silent moment, they only clung to each other, as if trying to preserve the union forever.

Malcolm kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and finally softly on the lips, before rolling her away from him so they spooned back to front in the middle of the bed. He drew his hand slowly, gently along the length of her spine. Within minutes they were asleep, dreaming the dreams of newlyweds.

At some time during the night, Caroline awoke to the sound of a faint ringing. Beside her, Malcolm groaned and kissed her cheek apologetically as he rolled out of bed. Fumbling around on the night stand, he searched the surface for the offensive cell phone that he’d thrown aside haphazardly early in the evening. Through blurry eyes, Caroline watched him check the number, then walk into the adjoining sitting room and partially close the door.

Caroline wondered who would be calling in the middle of the night, on their honeymoon no less, but hoped it wasn’t an emergency. Malcolm was an only child, so she didn’t fear for family. Perhaps a hospital emergency. Straining her ears, she listened to his deep voice as he answered the phone.

“Elsy? No, no, of course you’re not interrupting anything … no, don’t cry … Sshh. What’s wrong? No, don’t hang up. You’re not a bother. You can call….” The door to the sitting room clicked shut, blocking out the rest of the conversation.

Chewing her lip, Caroline cursed her own stupidity. To further her own goals, she’d ignored their run-in with the other woman. Malcolm had never brought her up again, and since their plans had continued on as though she’d never existed, she’d simply written it off as an unfortunate coincidence. Until this call, she hadn’t considered the possibility that they still had each other’s phone number, much less that one of them would use it. If she could be so wrong about that, what other falsities was she laboring under? Against her better judgment she’d allowed herself to believe that she had fallen in love with Malcolm. But people in love didn’t keep secrets, take calls in the middle of the night on their honeymoon, or close the door for privacy when speaking to a former lover. At least not in her book of love. Whatever events that had lulled her into letting down her guard were not worth the pain she felt now. She’d obviously misread his commitment. She’d let that be the reminder that she needed to worry about only one thing, and perhaps that issue had already resolved itself. They hadn’t used protection since their first night together.

She heard Malcolm raise his voice. His words were inaudible, but they sounded soothing, not angry. What exactly was his relationship with the woman? It was obvious they’d had something, but was it ongoing? And if it was, why hadn’t he approached her with his marriage proposal? Perhaps he had. And she’d rejected him, and now she wanted to change her mind. Fat chance, Caroline groused, rolling onto her side. Was the other woman still trying to catch Malcolm, even though he was bound to her? This catch was hers even if she didn’t want it for traditional reasons. But was Malcolm interested in her? He certainly didn’t sound upset by the fact that she was bothering them in the middle of night on their honeymoon. And granted they hadn’t been engaged in anything at the moment, but it had been warm post sex sleep with Malcolm’s arms holding her tight and her head cushioned in his shoulder. They weren’t even on the same continent as the woman! The more she thought about it, the more cross she became. She didn’t care who the woman was. Whatever relationship they had was in the past, and she would not tolerate any rekindling of the slightest friendship in the future.

Caroline tried to stay awake until Malcolm returned to bed; but time advanced, and he didn’t reappear. Soon the light lapping of the ocean through the open balcony doors and the low murmur of his voice began lulling her to sleep. Pulling the sheet up around her shoulders, she curled into a ball and closed her eyes, wondering when her husband would return to their bed.

The next morning, Caroline woke to the feel of Malcolm’s face pressed against her back as his hands slid up and down her arms, brushing the side of her bare breast. Enjoying the feel, she pretended to sleep. Memories of the previous night played in her mind, and she couldn’t help but smile. They were married. Her eyes still closed, she stretched and sighed happily, snuggling closer to him, inhaling his masculine scent.

“I know you’re awake.” The gruffness of his voice indicated he’d only just awoken himself.

“Nope. And I’m having a wonderful dream, so please don’t disturb me.” She smiled. If only this moment, this warmth, this closeness could last forever.

“But I could make your reality so much more enjoyable.” His hand drifted upward and cupped her breast, gently kneading the soft flesh. Caroline’s response was instantaneous.

“Well, perhaps I am awake.” Caroline opened her eyes, kissing Malcolm’s cheek as he leaned over her shoulder to kiss the side of her neck.

“Good morning, wife.” His breath tickled her ear, and her toes curled. Whether because of the light feathering of air or her new title, she wasn’t sure.

“Good morning, husband.” Caroline turned in his arms, and they kissed deeply.

Suddenly a memory surfaced from the previous night. “Malcolm, in the middle of the night, the phone rang, didn’t it?”

“I’m sorry if it woke you. I went into the other room and tried to be quiet.”

“Was it an emergency?”

“Not really. It was Elsy.” Caroline smiled inwardly. He’d told her the truth about the identity of the caller. Perhaps that meant he wasn’t harboring any secret feelings for the woman.

“She was upset about something—I never did get out of her what the problem was. She kept talking in circles and wasn’t really making any sense. She said she’d met someone, but that he wants something from her. She’s concerned that he doesn’t want her for who she is. But she wouldn’t say who he is, what he wants, or what I’m supposed to do about it. She simply insisted that I meet her when we get back.”

Caroline shifted and sat up, putting her back to him. That wasn’t what she wanted to hear. Moving to the edge of the bed, she was almost afraid of the next answer. “And did you agree?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“You have to ask?” Caroline’s voice was incredulous. She couldn’t sit still any longer. Dragging the sheet off the bed, she wrapped it around her naked body, sarong style.

“Because regardless of what you two had, you’re married now. And there was nothing about our first meeting that would lead me to believe that she would respect that or me.”

“Perhaps not and part of that was probably my fault. But she respects me, and if I respect you, then that should resolve the issue.”

****

Malcolm wasn’t sure he liked having to defend his friendship with Elsy. But then he thought: was he friends with Elsy? What was making him fight with his wife over her? He shook his head. Perhaps it was because she’d been crying and had been utterly inconsolable. He was aware that the nature of her personality didn’t allow Elsy to make many close friends, so he wasn’t surprised to find himself on her short list in the event of a tragedy. But was he prepared to protect his place on that list at the cost of angering his wife?

Caroline had turned her back on him and was standing in the balcony door, staring at the waves as they crashed onto the beach. They’d made some wonderful memories down there already. He looked forward to making more this afternoon.

Walking up behind her, he rested his hands on her shoulders and gently turned her to face him. Her face was flushed and her eyes wide and round with sadness. He felt her pain and disappointment more in that look than if she’d yelled at him for an hour.

“Tell me what you’d have me do to fix this. You’re my first concern, my only treasure. I don’t want to hurt you or give you cause to doubt me, to doubt us.”

He apparently couldn’t have chosen sweeter words. Caroline raised her hand to caress his face. “Please understand that it’s her, not you, who I take issue with. I’d like for you to cut ties with her. No communication at all. I just don’t want to have to think about this woman in our lives.”

Leaning forward, Malcolm kissed her on the forehead. “I will do that for you, for us.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her into his chest. “No one will come between us, Caroline. No matter what else may come up, no one stands a chance.”

Caroline wrapped her arm around his back and squeezed.

Malcolm returned the embrace and buried his nose in her hair. She still smelled like flowers and sunshine.

He reached behind her and picked up the phone on the bedside table. He punched a few buttons to access the call history. Still holding Caroline to him, he hit “call” and waited to be reconnected to Elsy.

“Hello?”

“Elsy. It’s Malcolm. I’m calling to let you—”

“Oh, great, you’re back early. I’ll be right over.”

“No! No, no. That’s not it. I’m on my honeymoon. I have no intention of cutting it short.” He heard her sniff and rolled his eyes. “Elsy, I was just calling to let you know that I will not meet with you when I return.” He the words sink in, and in the silence could practically hear the wheels in her brain rotating faster, trying to concoct a reason to hang on to him.

“But you said—”

“I know, and I apologize. I wasn’t thinking. Continuing our friendship, if that’s what it is, isn’t going to be possible. Please don’t call me in the future.”

“It’s her, isn’t it? That woman.”

“You mean my wife?” Malcolm emphasized the word. It seemed Caroline had been right. Elsy wasn’t going to respect any boundaries or titles and privileges. “No, it’s us. We would prefer that you not contact me anymore. Take care.” Malcolm gently replaced the receiver in the silence that prevailed as Elsy struggled to spit out a retort.

“Let’s go make out on the beach, love.” Malcolm held out his hand to his wife. She dropped the sheet, and it pooled around her ankles. He growled when she stepped to his side and pressed the length of her body against his. She wrapped her arm around his waist, letting her hand dangle over his buttocks. Malcolm pulled gently on the back of her hair so that she raised her mouth for a kiss.

They didn’t make it down to the beach.

When they stepped off the plane at JFK Airport, Geoffrey met them at the curb. He gathered their luggage and bundled them into the waiting limousine.

“I’m sorry, lovelies,” Geoffrey said, opening the sliding glass partition between them. “Ms. Sarah has insisted on your presence as soon as you return. She mentioned something about a missed meeting.” He slid the window shut without confirmation that he should proceed to Sarah’s residence instead of their own.

Caroline groaned. They weren’t back thirty minutes, and the real world was already pushing its way into her honeymoon clouded brain. It was times like this when she didn’t understand why they didn’t take their money, purchase an island, and disappear forever.

Malcolm pulled her into his seat and wrapped his arms around her. She was eternally grateful that he was with her. A meeting with her family, impromptu or otherwise, was never on her list of things she looked forward to. And though he didn’t say anything, she knew by the warm strength of his arms that he was committed to supporting her whenever she was in need.

They arrived in midtown in record time, Caroline noted with disgust. Of all the days for light traffic and no roadwork. Just her luck. Pulling away from Malcolm, she shivered to be on her own. The car was warm and the weather very warm for fall, but the loss of his protective arms made her feel as though she were naked in a snowstorm. Resolutely, she squared her shoulders and set about making herself presentable. Nothing would mollify her mother, but she could at least be satisfied that she made an effort. Irritated, she pulled her makeup bag from her purse. Eying her face in a little round mirror, she remembered deciding not to do too much before getting on the plane. Not that she was prone to wear layers of makeup anyway – she was typically warm blooded, and the heat from the kitchen made her sweat all the more.

Still, she cleaned her face with a wipe and brushed on a light mascara. Touching her lips lightly with a pink lip gloss, she pursed her lips. She dragged a brush through her hair until the waves shimmered down her back. Checking her appearance in the mirror one last time, she deemed herself as ready as she would ever be.

“This is not the welcome home I was hoping for.” Caroline confessed to Malcolm as they waited for Geoffrey to open the door. “I was so relaxed and warm.” She pouted, her lips pulling down prettily.

Malcolm hugged her and then taking her hand, pulled her from the car. Caroline concentrated on steadying her breathing and composing her nerves. Her mother, like most beasts, could smell fear, and that wasn’t the impression she wanted to make. She cast her memory back not twenty-four hours and tried to assume the same warmth she’d felt then. Lying naked in the warm sun with her equally naked husband. Talking, giggling, and eating luscious fruit from each other’s fingers. Touching, whispering, tasting. She shivered and held the memory.

Standing on the landing outside Sarah’s front door, she could hear the faint buzz of voices from the other side. Caroline’s brow furrowed. “It sounds like there’s more than just the usual.” Her breath caught. “If they got angry and brought lawyers….” She didn’t finish the sentence. She hadn’t called Mr. Hawthorne and wasn’t interested in facing this crowd on her own. Tugging on Malcolm’s hand, she suggested they wait for back-up.

Malcolm, his face showing sympathy, brought her hands to his lips and kissed them soundly. “Love, let’s just do this. You’re not alone anymore, and I won’t allow anyone to hurt you.” Without knocking, he pushed the door open and stepped back so Caroline could enter first.