CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“T he party pooper committee has arrived.” Bianca scowls at me, but looks downright homicidal when she glances at Colton. “And he brought reinforcements to stand guard. How typical.”
Paisley swivels on her stool, almost toppling off in her haste to face me. “What are you doing here?”
The truth is that I can’t stay away from her. When my sister drove off with my wife in the car, I was compelled to follow. There was no stopping me. That blistering ache transformed into blind fury when I saw the bartender try to steal what’s mine. He’s lucky to still be standing and wisely scurries off like the vermin he is.
The urge to punch him subsides slightly until I take another glance at Paisley’s naked finger. “Where are your rings?”
“I took them off.”
“Why?”
“They don’t mean anything.”
Fire bursts in my veins. “Bullshit. You’re my wife, Mrs. Benson.”
“Say it louder. The folks in the back booth might’ve missed it.” Her eyes roll in that general direction. “I don’t need diamonds on my finger to prove I’m a contractual obligation. This sham has spread far and wide, just as you intended.”
“The bartender thought it was a rumor.” I stab my finger at the guy who’s brave enough to test the limits. If my glare could spit nails, he’d be pinned to the wall.
“And he’s been swiftly corrected. See how that works?”
“It’s not always that simple.”
“It really is,” she insists. “You just choose to do what’s best for your scheme. Is it lonely at the top?”
“Twinkles,” I sigh.
She crosses her arms, staring me down. “What else are you hiding?”
“Nothing.” But then I think better of it and turn to my sister. “I told Paisley that I’d put Echo on the market if she didn’t marry me.” My focus boomerangs to my wife. “I’d never sell that horse. It was just a ploy to get you to agree.”
Bianca’s jaw drops. “The fuck?”
“That’s really shitty,” Paisley mumbles.
“It is,” I agree. “I’ve made a lot of shitty decisions lately, most of them involving you. I’m not proud of myself, and I’m hoping you can forgive me.”
My sister clucks her tongue. “Mom would be so disappointed.”
“I’m aware,” I grit. “She would’ve understood my reasoning. ”
“You can’t just… assume that.” Bianca flounders like a fish out of water.
My chest heaves under the pressure of defending myself. “I’ve made my peace with her.”
“How convenient for your guilty conscience,” my sister grumbles. “What did Dad have to say about that stunt?”
“He doesn’t know.” Forgot that tiny detail during my confession earlier.
Paisley’s brow knits. “Is that why he was nowhere to be found before our rush down the aisle?”
“Yes.”
“The secrets keep spilling out.” She huffs hard enough to send stray hairs flying off her forehead.
“Can’t believe I missed your wedding,” Bianca complains.
“Don’t fret. It’ll give you premature wrinkles. Our nuptials were more staged than a ceremony on Real Housewives.” Paisley’s humor belongs in a comedy skit.
My chuckle is dark. “Sorry to disappoint, but you’re legally bound to me, wife.”
Baby blues narrow into slits, hacking at my amusement. “I’m still not sure how you got the mayor to give you a marriage license before I signed it.”
“He owed me a favor,” I remind.
“Which trapped me in a loveless union.” She slams the rest of her espresso martini and signals for another. “What are you doing here, darling husband of mine?”
“Does that taste better than the ones I made you?”
“Not telling.”
“C’mon,” I urge.
“You didn’t answer my question and it’s the second time I’ve asked.” She holds up two fingers .
“I can’t let you walk away from us.” The urge to rephrase that statement, changing can’t to won’t , burns my tongue. But using force isn’t going to win her heart.
“We’ve already been over this. There’s no us ,” she reiterates.
“That’s gonna change.”
“Do I get a choice?”
I grind my molars until an ache blooms in my jaw. “Yes.”
A coy smile curves her lips into a picture of satisfaction. I’m about to be served humble pie. She might toss it in my face before leaving me to choke on every bad move that led me here. It’s what I deserve for dominating our relationship up to this point.
Irritation spikes when whispers tickle my ears. It’s only then I realize we’re putting on a show that the entire town will binge by tomorrow. This isn’t the type of dirty laundry I want aired.
Stares avert when I look at our fellow patrons. Bianca got popcorn from the machine at some point. She’s munching loudly while waiting for what comes next. A glance behind me catches Colton watching her. The bartender picks that moment to drop off Paisley’s refill, lingering beyond common sense. Pressure builds into a bomb that’s ticking down to detonate. I’m about to make the scene worse.
Before that happens, I whip out my wallet and slap ten hundreds onto the glossy wood between us. “Shut the place down.”
The bartender falters, eyes bulging at the money on the counter. “I can’t close early.”
“You can, and will. Now,” I demand.
“What are you doing?” Paisley whispers .
My gaze heats on hers. “Getting you alone.”
“We can go somewhere else, like the park. That’ll cost less.”
I shake my head. “You chose to come here. This is where we’ll stay.”
My wife quirks a brow. “ We ? I asked for space, husband.”
“Want me to leave?” If she does, I’m not sure I can follow through.
“It’s for the best,” she murmurs.
“I dunno, Lee.” Bianca’s gaze shifts from her friend to me. “My brother is ruffled and riled. He might’ve caught real feelings. Damn, this is getting juicy.”
Paisley exhales a laugh as my sister resumes chomping on popcorn. Her eyes flick over me before she turns to the guy behind the counter. “Can you help us out, Ty?”
He gulps. “Uh, well… three servers and another bartender will be on the clock soon. Cooks are in the kitchen. The dinner shift starts in an hour.”
“Let me worry about them.” I push the cash toward him.
He nods and cups a palm around his mouth. “Everybody out! The Paddock is reserved for a private event starting now.”
A collective grumble rises from the crowd when they lose their free ticket to the shambles of my wedded bliss. Most are quick to exit, tossing a last look over their shoulder. Others drag their feet as if caught in mud on their way out. While waiting for the room to empty, I text the owner about my plans. He assures me that his staff won’t be an issue. The sound of pots and pans clanging from the back suggests a quick cleanup.
“Getting rid of the riffraff just to have a conversation with your fake wife. Well played, brother.” Bianca makes no move to get off her stool.
“That includes you, Bee.”
Her mouth pops open. “You’re giving me the boot?”
“Take Colton with you.” I hitch a thumb at the man hovering on the sidelines, more than ready to whisk her away.
My sister wrinkles her nose. “I’d rather be saddled in secrets and spend eternity alone.”
Colt strides forward and sets her confiscated phone on the bar. “This belongs to you.”
Steam practically spews from her ears. “You’re such a twat waffle.”
“Just did what I was told.” His stoic expression doesn’t falter and demands respect.
Bianca has a very different reaction, shoving him away from her personal space. “Now I’m telling you to get lost. Permanently.”
He backs up but doesn’t leave her side. “Let’s go, princess.”
She gnashes her teeth. “You’re off duty, Colt. Go hound someone else.”
“Only care about hounding you,” he mumbles.
Bianca gives him a cold shoulder, turning her attention to Paisley. “I’m going to rip him a new one. Can you handle Brody on your own?”
My sparkly cowgirl rolls her lips between her teeth, gaze roaming over the determination in my wide stance. “Mhmm, he’s all mine.”
The rumble brewing in my chest makes my sister retch. “Ick, that sounds sexual. ”
Paisley reaches for her fresh martini. “It’s just a business arrangement.”
“Which includes dipping his company pen into your untainted ink.” Bianca dry heaves again. “I can see what’s happening here. You’re a big girl and can make good choices.”
“I’m not going to sleep with my fake husband.” But there’s no mistaking her blush as she notices the bulge below my belt.
Bianca finishes her popcorn and hops off the stool. “Get some. What’s the harm?”
My wife squints at her before glancing at Colton. A smile splits her lips. “Ah, okay.”
The instigator blanches. “What? No. This is about you making nice with my brother. He’s a grumpy asshole, but I think he means well. Maybe don’t divorce him quite yet. It’s kinda cool that we’re sisters.”
Paisley grins. “We can share your wing in the mansion.”
A glance at my scowl and Bianca snorts. “I doubt that’s gonna fly, babes. Good luck.”
They exchange a hug before my sister trots away with Colton hot on her heels. My wife squirms on her seat, taking another sip of her drink while avoiding my stare. Desire thrums in my veins as I shamelessly admire her. She’s not immune to the static charge gaining intensity between us. Another shift from her hips suggests she might beg for relief from this standoff.
A throat clears, ruining the moment. The bartender hasn’t left his station. “You good, Paisley?”
Anger rushes under my skin, replacing the gratification of her proximity. “ You won’t be if your eyes don’t quit fucking my wife. ”
The cowgirl in mention has an answering glare aimed at me that promises to maim if I don’t behave. That earns her a smirk. She rips her upset off me, swiveling to face the other man’s concern. I’m crowding her in the next breath. An elbow jabs at my ribs and I chuckle. My wife is feisty.
“You can go, Ty. Thanks for the drinks.” She taps the stack of cash, nudging it toward him.
“Have a great night,” he murmurs.
“We will.” The growl in my voice has him shrinking away.
“Don’t mind him.” Paisley pats my cheek while coddling his overstayed welcome. “My husband doesn’t like to share his toys.”
I glower at the sugary tone she gives him. My animosity trails his hasty retreat out the door. “You’re not a toy, Twinkles.”
She turns until our gazes clash again. “Could’ve fooled me with the way you insist on playing with me and my emotions.”
Those words hit me harder than a sucker punch. My mouth clamps shut for a beat. “I’m sorry for making you feel that way, and for everything else too.”
“Are you really?”
“Wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t,” I whisper.
“I can’t just forgive you.” Her exhale is weary. “And what’s there to fight for? Our entire marriage, or whatever this is, serves a sole purpose.”
“It did, but not anymore.”
She shakes her head. “You don’t need me. The deal is done. Benson Farmstead is already yours. ”
“I’ve realized that owning the company isn’t all that matters.”
Her scoff calls me a liar. “Since when?”
My palms flatten on the wood counter, caging her between my arms. “Since I started falling for you, wife.”
Paisley sucks in a sharp breath. “You expect me to believe that?”
“Maybe not yet, but eventually. We can start over. I’m just a guy in a bar, hitting on the woman of his dreams.” I swoop down until our noses almost bump. “Do you come here often?”
Her chest rises and falls rapidly. “Only when I need a release. A stiff cocktail usually takes the edge off.”
The martini made by another man mocks me. “Are his better than mine?”
She grins, a snarky brow arching. “I wouldn’t have guessed that your ego is this fragile.”
My hand grabs hers to press against my chest, sliding down along pearl snaps and the ridges in my abdomen. “There’s nothing soft about me, wife.”
Paisley studies the descent of our linked fingers like it’s a map to the promised land. “Mhmm, my mistake. You’re very… solid.”
“Makes it easy to sweep you off your feet.” I release her palm, drifting my fingers along her upturned jaw. “Allow me to regain your trust.”
“Who says you had it to begin with?”
“Then give me a chance to earn it.”
Paisley’s hand clamps onto my shirt but doesn’t push back or release me. “Another chance? You must think I’m very gullible. ”
“More like understanding. This is new for me. I’m bound to fuck up. It’s an uncharted course, but you’ll be my compass. Be patient with me and I’ll make it worth your while.” I sweep some hair off her shoulder, fascinated by the goose bumps that pebble over her skin. “No more fighting.”
Her lashes flutter shut while she savors my touch. “That seems like all we do.”
A low hum agrees with her. We did at first, but now my sights are set on redemption. “That means there’s something worth salvaging.”
“Maybe…” Her breath hitches when I dip down until my face is almost nestled in the crook of her neck. “This feels familiar.”
I inhale vanilla and sunshine. My favorite indulgences. “You still smell like mine.”
Just then, a recognizable glint ropes my focus. Her purse hangs from a hook under the counter, beckoning to me. The unmistakable sparkle of diamonds is trapped in an open pocket. I pluck the rings free from her hiding place before straightening. Paisley blinks from her stupor and narrows her eyes on me.
“Will you buckle yourself in barbwire with me, wife?” My determination positions the custom set at her fingertip.
She tortures her bottom lip over the tough decision. “Are you actually asking?”
“Yes. I’m going to nurture what I didn’t bother to nourish before. It will be different now. I want all of you, Twinkles.”
“Then I’ll consider it.” She smiles, but then jabs a finger into my chest. “But I’m not gonna forgive you overnight. A few gentle touches and semi-sweet words won’t cut it. ”
“It’s a start.” I return the bands to where they belong, kissing her knuckle in the process.
Paisley sighs, expelling what I assume is leftover frustration. “What now?”
My attention swings over her shoulder to what sits in the far corner. “How about a solo competition to rekindle your crush?”