“Go away, Jenna,” I mumbled.
Katharine pushed against my arm. “Let me go.”
I kissed her neck, liking the shiver that happened this morning. Unlike the fearful tremors last night, this was one of pleasure. It rippled down her spine, her torso flexing, her ass snuggling tighter to my cock.
“Five minutes, Jenna. Give me five minutes,” I added in a throaty voice.
It was only going to take two.
She stood up, laughing. “Men,” she snorted. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
As soon as the door shut, I flipped Katharine, crashing my mouth to hers. I kissed her hard, needing to feel her lips beneath mine. I stroked her tongue, tracing the contours of her mouth, teasing, yet desperate. I pulled back, gasping.
“You are killing me.”
“I was sleeping,” she protested. “Sleeping.”
“You feel too good.” I thrust against her hip. “Jesus, Katharine.”
Her eyes widened; the glimmer of fear piercing the lust in which I was drowning.
What the hell was I doing?
I flung myself off her, my chest heaving. I threw my arm over my face.
“Go downstairs. I need a shower. A long, cold one.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” I groaned, grabbing her arm. “Wait. Don’t go yet. Just . . . just stay there for a moment or two. I don’t want Jenna to think I am, ah, lacking stamina.”
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Lifting my arm, I flexed my fingers as I glared at her. “I swear I’m getting carpal tunnel syndrome. I’m going to need surgery.”
Katharine began to chuckle. Her shoulders vibrated as she buried her face in the pillow, her chuckles turning into full out peals of laughter. The bed shook with the force of her amusement.
The corners of my mouth twitched. “It’s not a laughing matter.”
She didn’t stop, and I started laughing with her. Purposely, I hauled myself over the top of her, letting my heavy, hard cock drag across her body. I lifted her face from the pillow; her cheeks flushed and pink, her eyes bright with fun. I kissed her again.
“We need to talk about expanding our boundaries. Before I explode.”
I left her lying there, speechless.
But, she was still smiling.
And, she didn’t say no.
RICHARD
JENNA RECEIVED A CALL FROM Adrian while we were having breakfast, telling her he wouldn’t be home until Sunday. With the storm still all around us, we assured her she was welcome to stay until he came to pick her up the next day. There was no other option. Besides, she made Katharine laugh, and I liked hearing the sound. I wanted to make it happen more often.
The three of us went to see Penny while the storm simmered, low and tame. I insisted on cheeseburgers, letting it slip how often I snuck them in for her. Katharine was shocked to realize the number of times I’d been to the home without saying a word. Her eyes shone with appreciation when she stretched up and kissed me, catching me off guard. I yanked her close and took full advantage of the fact we had a captive audience with Jenna, kissing her until she was pink-cheeked and embarrassed. Jenna caught my eye with a wink as I accepted the heavy bag of burgers with a wide grin.
Penny was quiet but lucid when we arrived. She laughed at my offering of grapes for Joey. He liked to pick at them, and I didn’t have to cut up anything or bribe Tami to do it for me. The chocolate shop I frequented certainly had a boom in sales the past few weeks, and the staff looked forward to what I brought each visit. I never disappointed them.
Jenna was more like her usual self, bubbly and chatty, entertaining Penny with stories of her family. It gave me the chance to sit back and watch Katharine with Penny. She sat next to her, holding her hand. She would cup her cheek, run her hand over Penny’s forehead, smoothing away the flyaway hairs as she talked or laughed. She teased and encouraged Penny to eat, tucking a napkin under her chin as she scolded her for being messy. Penny tweaked her nose back. “You stop being so bossy, my Katy.”
“She is bossy,” I muttered. “She tells me what to do all the time.”
“Payback,” Katharine mused.
“That’s what wives are for!” Jenna laughed.
Both Katharine and I froze. We had never mentioned being married to Penny. Our gazes met over her head, unsure what to do next.
Penny sat up, her lunch forgotten. She looked between us. “You’re married?” She turned to Katharine. “You got married, and you didn’t tell me? Katy, are you pregnant?”
Katharine shook her head. “No, Penny. I’m not pregnant.”
“But you’re married.”
“Yes.”
Penny looked at me, pushing away her lunch tray. “I’d like to speak to my daughter in private.”
I paced the hall, my eyes on the closed door. With a groan, I slumped against the wall, letting my head fall back on the hard surface.
“Richard, I’m sorry,” Jenna pleaded. “I had no idea she didn’t know. It never occurred to me she wouldn’t have been told.”
“Of course it wouldn’t.”
“She didn’t know? She hadn’t simply forgotten?”
I wanted to lie and tell her we had told Penny. That the disease was at fault, not us. Except, I was getting tired of the lies. I pushed away from the wall, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Katharine had a rough time in her teens. There is more to her story than you know, but it’s her story to tell. Penny is the world to her, and she was trying to protect her wellbeing.”
She nodded, waiting for me to continue.
“I was the instigator, Jenna. I pursued her. I was way ahead of her this whole relationship. She didn’t want me to meet Penny at first, until she was sure.” I tugged on my cowlick roughly. “I forced the issue and came to see Penny without her knowing. I wanted to know more about the woman who helped Katharine. I pushed everything forward. I married her quickly—before she could change her mind. Katharine was worried Penny would think it was too fast, so we decided to stay quiet for a while and let Penny get used to me.”
“And I blew it.”
I shrugged. “We should have bitten the bullet and told her ourselves. This is on us.”
The door opened, and Katharine stepped out. “Richard, can you come in?”
“Shit,” I cursed under my breath. “If I don’t make it out in one piece, look after Katharine for me.”
Jenna gave me a sympathetic smile and patted my shoulder.
At the door, Katharine laid her hand on my arm. “I’m sorry.”
I squeezed her fingers. “It’s fine.”
I stepped in, Katharine close behind me.
I had faced angry clients in boardrooms. Stood in front of conference rooms filled with unfriendly faces waiting for me to fail in my presentation. I had done it all without breaking a sweat. Yet, standing in front of the stern-looking old woman, I was sweating, and gripping my wife’s hand like a talisman.
Penny fixed me a look. “You married my Katy.”
“Yes.”
“Without my permission.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I’ve never done this before. I didn’t know I had to ask—”
She waved her hand. “Oh, you really aren’t that swift at times, are you, young man?”
I swallowed. “Sorry?”
“Why did you marry her?”
“I couldn’t be without her.”
“And you didn’t say anything because?”
I had no idea what Katharine had said, but I sensed I needed to stick close to the truth.
I crouched down, meeting Penny’s eyes. “I married her fast because I didn’t want to lose her. I need her in my life. We were worried you wouldn’t approve, but I hoped once you got to know me, you might be okay with the thought of her marrying me.”
“She’s too good for you.”
I laughed because it was the truth. “I’m well aware of that.”
“You should have asked me first.”
“You’re right, I should have. I apologize.”
“She says she’s happy.”
“I am, too.” I glanced over at Katharine, surprised at the fact it was the truth. “She constantly amazes me.”
Penny sniffed. “Just wait. You haven’t seen anything yet.”
“I can only imagine.”
She pursed her lips. “I’m watching you.”
“Duly noted.”
“Fine. Now you owe me cake.”
“Cake?”
Katharine stepped forward, laying a hand on my shoulder. I noticed her rings were now in place, the sight of them making me smile for some reason. I hadn’t taken mine off, and Penny had never questioned it. Without thinking, I pressed a kiss to her hand, the action making Penny beam.
“We always celebrated good things with cake.”
“So, it’s a good thing? I’m a good thing?”
Penny patted my cheek. “I’m depending on you to take care of her for me.”
“I will.”
“Now, that cake?”
There was a bakery down the street.
“I’m on it.”
“Chocolate,” Penny insisted.
I brushed her downy cheek. “As if there was any other kind.”
Katharine came in, carrying a cup of coffee that I gratefully accepted. I indicated she should sit down.
“Where’s Jenna?”
“Having a nap. I think she’s taking advantage of the lull in the storm. I don’t think she slept well last night.”
“I slept like a baby.”
She rolled her eyes. “A clingy baby.”
I grinned. “Not my fault you’re so perfect to snuggle up to. You smell good.”
“Your, ah, wheezing, is much louder up close.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Cute.”
She smirked. “Sorry.” Her expression turned serious. “I am sorry about this morning.”
I scratched the back of my neck. “I guess it was bound to happen.”
“There’s a good chance she’ll forget. We may have the conversation again.”
“At least we can say we did tell her, and maybe she won’t be so upset.”
“I suppose.”
I took a sip of coffee. “What did she say to you?”
“She was worried I was pregnant.”
“That’s not an issue. Never will be.” I couldn’t resist teasing her on the subject. “Even if we expand our boundaries.”
“Are you not able to father children?”
“I have no idea. I’ve never attempted to procreate, and I never plan to. I am always protected, and I make sure my partners are, too.”
She tilted her head, confused. “You don’t want children?”
“Katharine, I don’t have the capacity to actually be in a real relationship. I have no interest in being a father and bringing another emotionally stunted person into this world. I would never be able to connect with a child, which is why I have no desire for children. Ever.”
“I think you’re wrong.”
“Wrong?”
“I think you have the capacity. I think you could connect—love—a child. If you loved their mother.”
I barked a laugh. “Since that’s never going to happen, I stick to my original statement.”
“Why are you so certain you can’t fall in love?”
I was getting impatient. “I told you. Love makes you weak. It makes you need people. Depend on them. I won’t allow that to happen.”
“Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control.”
I waved my hand. “Not in this case. There is no love or children in my future.”
“That sounds lonely.”
“I have my work, and it fulfills me. It’s sufficient.”
She studied me, a frown on her face. “Is it?”
“Stop trying to analyze me, Katharine.”
“I’m not. I’m trying to understand you.”
“Don’t.”
“Why?”
I leaned forward, my hands fisted on the desk. “I don’t pay you to understand me. I’m paying you to act out a role.”
“One that gets more complex every day.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t you get tired of it, Richard? The lies? We seem to add more all the time. It’s like a snowball that grows as it rolls down a snowy hill.” She sighed. “It was supposed to be a simple thing—me pretending to be your fiancée. Now it has grown and escalated to the point I don’t even recognize myself! I hate lying to people—and I’m lying to everyone! Penny, the Gavin family, people at the care home . . . It’s one huge mountain of lies!”
“It’s a means to an end. No one is getting hurt.”
“Really? I think you’re wrong.”
“How do you figure that?” I waved my hand around the room. “Graham isn’t suffering, Penny is being looked after, you’re living in a better place, and you don’t have to work. Who is getting hurt?”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I feel guilty—more so every day.”
“Why?”
“I like these people. I really like Jenna; we’ve become friends. Knowing I’m lying to her bothers me. Graham and Laura have been nothing but kind. It’s as if I’m betraying them with this farce. The people at the home think we’re married.”
“We are,” I insisted. “It’s not a farce. Our marriage is legal.”
“They think it’s real. They think we’re in love. And Penny . . . I never wanted Penny to know. I didn’t want to have to lie to her of all people. I hate lying to her the most.”
“You know she’ll probably forget.”
Katharine rolled her eyes. “It’s still a lie. Tami and others will keep reminding her, so she may not forget. And there’s Adrian, Adam, Julia . . .” She huffed in exasperation. “The list grows.”
Drumming my fingers on the desk, I shrugged. “It’s bigger than I expected, I’ll give you that much. Even Brian thinks I had a change of heart. When we played golf the other day, he congratulated me on finally finding my ‘human side.’”
“It doesn’t bother you? How many people this lie touches? How many people it will affect when it’s done?”
“Katharine, stop being overdramatic. Marriages break up all the time. The world will go on. We’ll figure out the hows and whys when we decide the time is right.”
“And, in the meantime, we keep lying.”
I was done with this inane conversation. I rubbed my head and scowled. “Yes. We keep lying. I’m still paying you, and it’s still a job. Until further notice, you are my wife. Keep acting the part. Pretend you like me. Dig deep, and imagine you love me. Do whatever you need to do to keep up the ‘farce,’ as you call it.”
She rose to her feet, shaking her head. “That’s the rub here, Richard. I don’t always have to pretend to like you. When you stop acting like such an asshole, you’re a decent man. You respond to people. You’re kind and generous to Penny. For some reason, you forget to be that asshole you show the rest of the world when you’re around her. Sometimes, you forget even when you’re around me.” Her expression was sad and her voice dejected. “Sometimes, I forget you dislike me and I think we’re actually friends.”
She strode to the door, paused, and looked back. “I like those times. They make the rest of the days easier to take.”
Then she walked out, leaving me stunned.
RICHARD
KATHARINE WAS QUIET THE REST of the evening. The rain came and went, eventually easing off around midnight. Jenna sensed the turmoil in the air and tried to be discreet. At one point, she asked me if Katharine was all right.
“We, ah, had a disagreement,” I admitted. Couples argued; my response—it seemed probable.
“Because of what happened earlier?”
“Yes.” I didn’t tell her to which earlier occurrence it pertained. I let her think it was what happened with Penny.
“Do you want me to leave?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Don’t go to bed angry. Talk it out,” she encouraged. “I’ll head up soon and give you some privacy.”
Unsure how else to respond, I nodded. I had no idea what to say to Katharine, but as soon as Jenna went upstairs, she followed. I waited a while, shut off the TV, and joined her in my bedroom. She was already in bed, curled up and close to the edge. I got ready and slipped in behind her small, warm body. I hesitated, then reached over, tugging her back to my torso.
“Don’t be angry with me.”
“I’m not, just sad.” She sighed.
“I can’t change who I am.”
She rolled in the dark to face me. “I think in some ways you have changed.”
“Maybe,” I admitted. “Still, it doesn’t change how I feel about certain things—children and love are two of them.”
“Everything is black and white with you.”
“It has to be. It’s how I deal with life.”
“You miss so much.”
I trailed my finger down her cheek, touching the softness of her skin in the dark. A trace of dampness lingered, and I knew she’d been crying. It bothered me, thinking of her lying there, upset.
“Katharine,” I began.
“What?” she whispered.
“I know this got bigger and more complex. I know you’re a better person than I am, and it bothers you. I didn’t expect the Gavins to be part of our life outside the office. I hadn’t planned on meeting Penny and being fond of her. There isn’t anything we can do about that now except go with the flow. I can’t change my outlook because it’s what I believe. There is something you’re wrong about, however.”
“What is that?”
I cupped her cheek, bringing her face close to mine. “I don’t dislike you. Far from it. I regret every nasty word, every lousy fucking errand I sent you on, and every dirty job I got you to do. I think you’re incredibly brave to have agreed to do this with me, and the reasons you did it are astonishing to me. You are selfless and kind, and the fact you’ve become so important to me is a testament to how special you are.”