Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
FYNN
IN SPITE OF spending my life as a serial monogamist, I've never given much consideration to my wedding day. If I had, it's likely any scenario I dreamed up wouldn't come close to the reality of how it’s actually unfolded.
And, now that I'm standing here in front of Valerie, her hands clasped in mine, I'm wondering if she has imagined her wedding day. I would assume so, considering she's made it to one before.
I lean into her ear, so neither the justice of the peace performing the ceremony or Arny, serving as our witness, will hear. "We don't have to do this today. If you'd like to spend a few weeks planning something a little more..." I fish around for the proper word, "…eventful, we can wait."
Valerie's hands grip mine a little tighter as she shakes her head. "No. This is fine."
I angle my face so our eyes meet. "Are you sure?"
She gives me a sly smile. "I don’t have any problem running out of a wedding, remember? "
I hold her eyes, an odd sense of warmth heating my chest. "I remember." After holding her gaze a second longer, I tip my head at the justice of the peace, indicating she can continue.
In under ten minutes, Valerie and I are married and our marriage certificate is signed and taken to be filed.
Arny claps enthusiastically, tears edging his eyes. I still haven't completely forgiven him for the stunt he pulled with Valerie's flowers, but I suppose I should. It did work out in my favor. I've got a lovely, sweet wife who doesn't object to being seduced in the storage closet of a restaurant. And the glares of hatred that normally come my way when I’m in public have turned to expressions of shock and confusion.
All in all, a bloody good day. With the exception of one thing.
After embracing Valerie, Arny grabs me in a hug, gripping my shoulders after to hold me at arm’s length. "Have you told your mother?"
Valerie's eyes jump to my face and her skin pales.
Fucking Arny.
I shake my head. "Not yet."
Arny makes a tsk-ing sound as his hands drop from my shoulders. "You have to tell her, and you need to do it today. The longer you wait, the more upset she's going to be."
That's not entirely true, because I hadn't intended on telling my mother at all. Valerie hasn't put a time limit on our arrangement, but I can't imagine it would take more than six months to a year. Between doctors’ appointments and her many businesses, my mother has plenty to keep her occupied and distracted. And plenty to worry about besides my fraud of a marriage.
"We could tell her now." Valerie’s offer is soft and hesitant. Like she's just as unexcited about the prospect as I am. "Maybe video chat her?" Her dark brows pinch together. "What time is it in London?"
Arny's forehead wrinkles as he looks from me to Valerie then back to me again. "Have you told your new wife anything about your life?"
I think I'm going to have to find a new florist. And a new friend. Because Arny is fucking me over sideways. "Shouldn't you go back to work?"
Arny's brows lift, his eyes narrowing as they move to where Valerie still stands close at my side, her hand clasped in mine. "You might want to play twenty questions with this one, Val. So you know what you've gotten yourself into."
To my surprise and shock, Valerie gives him a wide and genuine looking smile. "I'm not worried about it." Her gaze flicks to me before going back to Arny. "Everybody has secrets."
Well that's a fucking interesting thing to say, and it has me thinking maybe I’m the one who should be playing twenty questions with my new wife.
Arny's lips twitch into a hint of a smile. "So they do." He gives Val a little pat on the shoulder as he leans in to press a kiss to her cheek. "Call me so I can set up a standing delivery for you." He takes a step back. "I'm sure you'll deserve weekly flowers for putting up with this one." He gives me a wink and a grin before turning and leaving the small room.
Valerie smiles at Arny’s retreating back. "I really like him."
"I'm not sure I do," I grumble.
Val is quiet a second before she turns to me, her dark eyes questioning as they move over my face. "Are you close to your mother?"
My answer is going to be truthful, but frequently goes over poorly. "Yes. Very."
My closeness with my mother has been an issue in many relationships in the past. For many years we only had each other, so it's likely we became somewhat codependent. At this point though, we genuinely enjoy each other and I tell her everything.
Almost everything it would seem.
Valerie doesn't look disappointed at my admission. "Really?" There's an oddly hopeful edge to her question.
“Really." I blow out a long breath, because Arny is right and I know what I have to do. "And she will fucking love you." I pull my hand from Valerie's to rest it against her lower back as I urge her through the door. "As soon as she gets over the shock of discovering I'm married."
VAL IS CLOSE at my side as we step out of the lift and into the foyer of my mother's penthouse. When it is Nicholas who greets us instead of my mother, I stop, fully intending to turn around and leave .
Nicholas picks up on my reaction and comes to put his arm around my shoulders. "Come in. Your mother is resting. She overdid a little yesterday, so I ordered her to take a nap, but she's just waking up and should be out in a minute."
Valerie studies my face as we move across the marble tile of the entry, brows pinched together in concern. As soon as we reach the sitting room, Nicholas abandons me and moves to her, reaching out one hand. "And who is this lovely girl?"
Valerie slips a hand into his, but instead of shaking it, Nicholas sandwiches his free palm on top of hers, clasping it gently. "I'm Valerie."
"Valerie." Nicholas pats her hand. "A lovely name for a lovely girl."
Valerie’s fair skin flushes the tiniest bit at the compliment. "Thank you."
"Nothing to thank me for." My mother's butler pats her hand again, the gesture tender and affectionate. "I'm Nicholas. I've worked for this one’s mum for nearly twenty years."
As if they've only just noticed our arrival, my mother's pack starts to bark, feeding off each other until nearly every one of her dogs is yapping.
Valerie's eyes widen and she leans around Nicholas to take in the collection of adopted canines. "Oh my gosh." She drags her hand from between his, acting as if neither of us exists as she rushes to the center of the room and crouches down. The sound of toenails and paws hitting the hardwood is immediate and she starts laughing as each one of the damn dogs comes at her, tails wagging as they clamor for her attention.
I shake my head. "It's like they've never seen another person before."
Nicholas watches the scene as Valerie tips to one side, landing on her butt and smoothing out her dress before going back to passing out pets and coos. "You know what they say about animals being a good judge of character." He pats me on the shoulder. "Congratulations, my boy."
My eyes bounce from Valerie to his face, arriving just in time to catch his pointed look at the ring on my finger.
I rake my ring hand through my hair. "We should probably say our goodbyes, because I believe she might kill me."
Nicholas’s expression turns oddly thoughtful. "You might be surprised."
His eyes leave me to lock onto the hallway and he rushes away. I don't have to look to know my mother is coming. Nicholas has been dedicated to her in a way I appreciate more than he will ever know. Shouldering the burden of her illness alone would have been nearly unbearable. Knowing he's here eases a little of my worry and guilt over the fact I can't be with her around the clock.
"My son." My mother greets me the way she always does, arms outstretched as she comes to grab me in a tight hug. "You look exceptionally handsome today." She leans back, looking over my suit. "What are you so dressed up for? "
I open my mouth, not really sure what I'm going to say, but before I can offer any sort of explanation, a yelp drags our attention to the center of the room. Niles, the largest of my mother's rescues, has managed to tip Valerie over, and is attempting to lick her entire face as she squeals and blocks his affection, laughing like somewhat of a lunatic in spite of her predicament.
My mother's head bobs back and one hand comes to her chest, pressing against the caftan printed with the adorable face of the monster in question. "Oh." She blinks, staring a second longer before recovering from the shock of seeing a strange woman sprawled across her sitting room floor. "Niles. Stop that. Leave that darling girl alone." She hurries over, waving her hands at her menagerie, shooing them away from my new wife.
Her new daughter-in-law.
Valerie wiggles her way up to a sitting position, smoothing one hand over her hair and down her dress as she sees my mother coming her way. "Oh no." In a less than graceful move, she manages to get up from the floor, the high heels strapped to her feet making the motion a difficult one. When she's finally upright, a tight smile freezes on her face. "I'm so sorry. I just love dogs, and I saw them, and—"
My mother shakes her head. "You don't ever have to apologize to me for loving dogs." She makes a sweeping gesture at the furry bodies still circled around. "Obviously it’s a love we share." Her hands come out, and Valerie reaches one forward, clearly expecting the same sort of shake Nicholas offered.
Little does she know.
My mother ignores her outstretched hand and grips her in the same sort of tight hug she offers me. "Welcome."
Valerie meets my eyes over my mother’s shoulder as she tentatively hugs her back, relaxing a little more with each passing second. On the count of five her eyes close and her lips curve, lifting at the corners into a hint of a smile.
My mother is well known in her social circle for the quality of her hugs. There's something about them that no one I've ever met can match. It's as if she magically channels love and affection and acceptance into each embrace.
It is a wonderful feeling, but not everyone appreciates it, so when I see Valerie's expression suddenly start to change, I take a step forward, moving faster as a single tear slips down her cheek.
"Mother. I think you're smothering her."
Valerie sucks in a breath, her eyes flying open as she shakes her head at me. "No. She's not." She gives a little sniff as my mother finally releases her, swiping at her cheek before using the same hand to smooth down her hair once more. "Hi. I'm Valerie."
I decide now is as good a time as any to rip off the proverbial Band-Aid. "My wife."
Valerie goes pale, smile freezing on her face as she stares at my mother. The silence in the room draws out as I wait for my mother’s reaction to this news.
After a few heartbeats, my mother smiles at Valerie, moving close to hook an arm around her waist as she turns to Nicholas. "I believe this calls for celebration. Could you get us some champagne please?" Her sweet smile holds as one hand flicks my way. "None for him. He's in trouble."
The next hour is filled with my mother and Valerie talking, discussing everything from fashion to dogs to their shared love of blue cheese. I sit in an armchair with Geoffrey, since he's the only one not currently pissed at me.
Or trying to make a good impression on my mother.
As the afternoon wears on, my mother’s shoulders start to droop and her smiles aren't as wide, and I know it's time to leave.
I stand from my chair, dusting as many wayward dog hairs free as I can before turning to my wife. "We should go."
Valerie glances my way. "Oh." She sits straighter. "Okay."
Before she can stand up, my mother reaches out to take her hand. "Will you be coming with Fynn for his daily visits?"
I nearly groan because obviously my mother and Arny are playing for the same team, and their sole purpose is to make Valerie regret her recent life choices.
But Valerie seems unfazed by the news that I spend my afternoons with my mother. Her smile is genuine as she nods and offers, "I would love that."
My mother smiles back, giving her hand a squeeze. "I would too. "
After a round of hugs and promises to visit tomorrow, we’re finally on our way back to my apartment. Valerie sits quietly in the passenger’s seat of my car, lost in thought as she stares out the window.
"I apologize for..." So many things. "The dogs."
Valerie's eyes come my way. "Why?"
"They knocked you down." I motion at her gown as I pull into the underground parking garage of my building. "And crawled all over your wedding dress."
She snorts out a little laugh. "I'm the one who got down on the floor." She pinches at the lacey, knee length skirt. "I'm starting to realize I might not have much respect for wedding dresses."
She sounds more thoughtful than distressed, but I still offer, "I'll send it out for dry cleaning in the morning. If anything needs mending I’ll make sure they take care of that too. It will be good as new when we get it back."
She gives me another of her soft smiles. "That's very nice of you."
I pull into my designated parking spot and turn to her, both surprised and dismayed by her comment. "Sending your gown for dry cleaning is nice of me?" I look at my new wife over. "What sort of men have you been spending time with, Love?" I know her ex-fiancé cheated, but this is beyond that. This is about common courtesy.
Valerie's nose wrinkles as her lips twist to one side. "Shitty ones."
I don't like the thought of her being around men who've set the bar so low she believes dry cleaning makes me a good person. "Then I'm going to need you to raise your standards. I don't necessarily enjoy looking good because you're comparing me to absolute shit men."
Valerie laughs, the sound short and sharp as it jumps from between her lips. "Oh, there's no comparison."
I lean to trace one finger along the line of her jaw, because she’s so soft and touchable. "That's better." I press a quick kiss to her lips before opening my door and climbing out, rounding the back of the car to discover she's already exiting. I frown, taking her hand in mine, leading her through the cavernous, concrete space. "For future reference, I will be getting your door from now on."
She lifts her dark brows at me. "Because an adoring husband would never let his wife open her own car door?"
"No." I open the door leading to the building, resting one palm on her back as I urge her in before me. "Because I'm a gentleman, remember?" Punching the button to the lift I turn to her. "And gentlemen open doors for ladies."
Valerie's lower lip pinches between her teeth. "There was another reason you said you were a gentleman."
I remember well, but I want to clear up any misconceptions she might be having, so I step closer, lowering my voice so the security guard at the desk can't hear us. "Gentlemen might not fuck women the night they meet them, but they absolutely fuck their wives."
Valerie's lids droop as she looks at me the same way she did earlier today in the restaurant and it has me dragging her into the lift the second the doors open. I punch the button to close them, barely waiting until they’re sealed before pressing her soft body against the wall with mine, sealing my mouth over hers. She's been a fucking angel today, and I want to reward her. She couldn't have been more perfect with my mother and I want her to know how much I appreciate it.
I also want to fuck my new wife. Desperately.
When the doors open on my floor, my cock is hard and straining against my trousers, and Valerie is breathing heavy, her skin flushed a pretty pink. Before she can move, I scoop her up, carrying her to my door, where I punch in the keycode and fling it open, bringing my bride across the threshold.
Then I stop short, frozen for a second as the heavy door closes behind us.
A strange man sits on my sofa, arms stretched across the back.
I drop Valerie to her feet, immediately sweeping her behind me, blocking her body with mine. "The fuck are you?"
The man smiles, his expression sinister in the shadows. "Who I am doesn't matter."
I beg to differ but decide to switch tactics. "Why are you in my apartment?"
The man slowly stands and I stiffen, ready to protect Valerie at all costs. But he doesn't come at us. Instead, he slowly walks down the line of windows overlooking the ocean before turning to face me.
"I'm here because someone's put a hit out on that pretty new wife of yours."