Chapter 10
Sonya was extremely surprised he had kept his word and had beaten her to the location. Sadie’s was a hip bar and grill and was owned by a former model who had decided to hang up her stilettoes. The place had become a success, not only because of her fame and former career, but mainly because of the impeccable service.
She found him at a cozy table for two and a beer already in his hand.
“I ordered us the burger and fries.” He was nervous and she could tell by the way he was running his fingers up and down the chilled bottle restlessly. “I haven’t had anything to eat since coffee and a stale bagel.”
Shrugging out of her coat, she slid into the booth and picked up her glass of water. The traffic at this time of the afternoon was brutal and she had every intention of going back to work after this.
She still had not heard from Robert, but she wasn’t going to worry about it. He was supposed to be back sometime today, but she was not sure. “What’s going on?” She asked him quietly.
“Can we wait…? Ah, here comes the meal.” He seemed relieved to see the server. Sonya waited until the waitress had left before asking the question again.
Michael bit into the burger and sighed blissfully. “You should eat it while it’s hot. Man, they do serve the best red meat this side of town.”
“I really don’t have time for this…”
“I screwed up royally.” There was a mournful expression on his attractive face and his light blue eyes were bleak. “I am counting on the friendship we share and hoping you won’t kill me.”
Setting aside the fry she had plucked from the plate, she stared at him with a frown. “Michael what are you going on about?”
He took a breath and a bite of his burger and swallowed. “I was rummaging through my desk drawer this morning, just searching for tax documents to give to my accountant. The thieving bastard ripped me off last year…”
“Michael…!”
He lifted bony shoulders in a shrug. “I am prevaricating. Anyway, I was searching for the documents when I found my license to perform marriages.”
“And?”
Picking up the glass of water, he gulped it down before putting away the glass.
“I thought it had expired. I was ordained – not just on the internet, but when I was playing the part of the priest in that series, I decided to go all out. I went to the seminary and took several courses, because I wanted to feel the part, to live it and it helped me to play Priest Julian Montgomery. It made it more natural.”
“Why are you telling me this?” She asked impatiently, not yet grasping the significance of his rambling.
“You are married.”
“I know I am. You performed the fake ceremony,” she pointed out patiently.
“No.” He shook his head and took another gulp of the water. “I mean, you are well and truly married – by accident. By some bizarre turn of events, you and Robert Faulkner are truly husband and wife.”
Sonya had picked up her glass with the intention of taking a sip when the reality of what he was saying hit her like a ton of bricks. “Excuse me?”
Michael grimaced at the ominous look on her beautiful face and wondered how he could put a positive spin on things. “I had no idea that my license had not expired. I screwed up Big time.” His expression brightened.
“But no harm, no foul. You can simply get an annulment. It’s easy to…” His voice tailed off at the look on her face. “Unless that’s not going to be possible because you and Robert…, you…” He leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes briefly. “You consummated the marriage.”
“I am married?” Sonya felt as if her world was spinning out of control, and she was standing in an alternate universe. “Are you sure?”
He nodded miserably. “I cannot tell you how sorry I am.”
“How could you be so stupid?”
He bristled at her tone. “In my defense, I thought I was no longer licensed to perform a ceremony. You were the one who wanted to pretend to be married in the first place.”
“Oh my God.” She whispered. “Oh my God.”
“It’s not my fault. Not really. I did you a favor. Sonya…”
“I have to go.” Pushing out of her seat, she grabbed her jacket and tote. “I have to go.”
“Sonya. Wait! I…”
She stumbled out and had no idea when she got to the parking lot. Wrenching the door open, she hopped in and sat there with her hands gripping the steering wheel. She was well and truly married. It was not something she could get out of in a few months.
She was married! Oh God! Robert! An anguished groan escaped her, and she had to fight back the panic. How was she going to tell him? Instead of an annulment, they were looking at a divorce and because it had not exactly been a marriage, the lawyers had stepped back and no documents had been signed.
Biting back a moan, she closed her eyes as she thought about the tangle of communal property. She had not signed a prenup, which meant that she was entitled to half of everything he had. He had agreed to do her this very big favor and would be repaid by losing half of his fortune, his considerable fortune.
She had money yes, but that was nothing compared to the resources he had worked so hard to achieve. She had done this to him. And here she thought she was doing something unselfish. She had trapped a man into marriage because she was determined to have her way.
“Oh God. What am I going to do?”
And on top of that, she was the one who had initiated the lovemaking in the first place. Shame coursed through her like molten lava. She was still the same shallow vindictive bitch she had been before. She pretended she had changed, but that was not true.
She had to tell him. She had no idea how he was going to take the news, but she had to tell him, and this was not something she could do over the phone.
*****
“Why didn’t we work?” Merva pointed her fork at him, eyes twinkling. “And if you tell me the sex was lousy, I am going to jam this into your carotid artery. I know exactly where it is, due to my stint as a doctor on the soap I did a year ago.”
He chuckled, feeling the tension evaporating. “Undoubtedly.” Picking up his glass, he took a sip of the Pinot Gregio that had been paired with the excellent meal of grilled fish and seasoned vegetables. The time had been spent pleasantly enough and had him feeling very relaxed and almost forgetting his problems.
“It did not work because I am hooked on someone else.”
She gave him a measured glance and felt the familiar regret that he had slipped through her fingers. He was right. She was not head over heels in love with him, but he was an excellent lover, the best she ever had and was a very interesting person. But she always had the feeling he was holding something back.
“Your wife.”
He nodded, a faint smile touching his stern lips.
“How hooked?”
“Big time. All the way hooked.”
She shook her head. “Does she know?”
He shrugged. “She might.”
Taking a sip of her wine, she stared at him contemplatively. “I always admired the way you beat the odds. You never spoke about your past much and I am pretty certain the press exaggerated somewhat, because let’s face it, that’s what they do best.
I came from a very humble background – a broken home where daddy was abusive and mommy dearest was perfectly willing to drown her sorrows in the bottle, but they made it out to be something much worse than that because it sells a lot of magazines.” Her pretty mouth twisted slightly. “I have a feeling it was the same for you.”
“I would say they did not know the half of it.” He told her grimly. “It’s not something I like to talk about.”
“Darling, it’s what made you the kind of unique individual you are. You have made something of yourself, surpassing even the so-called American dream.” She sighed as she sipped her wine. “It’s so frustrating because I really think I could have fallen in love with you given the chance.”
He laughed at the pained look on her lovely face. “You are all right, Merva. And if I was not so far gone on another woman, I think I might have fallen in love with you too.”
“Somehow, that makes me feel better.” She said with her irresistible smile. “We should…” She paused when his phone started ringing and knew from the expression on his face that it was her. “I will leave you to it then.”
*****
She was all nerves. He had answered her call and that was something, but had sounded so cool and formal, that she was dreading telling him the news.
She could not suggest a divorce, unless that was what he wanted of course. But in all honesty and fairness, she couldn’t bring that up. It would be a disaster and his lawyers would have a field day.
She did not want to be married, but she supposed there was worse things than being married to a man she had feelings for. Conflicting ones, but strong enough, nonetheless.
She had come home, refusing to take the calls from Michael and sat in her living room, trying to gather her thoughts. When she realized she could not put it off any longer, she made the call and told him she had to talk to him immediately.
She jumped up when she heard the crunch of wheels on the driveway and hurried towards the door. She had showered and changed into a loose kaftan and decided against doing anything with her hair or even putting on makeup.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door as soon as he stepped onto the porch and felt her heart quickening at the sight of him. His coat was obviously cashmere and was open all the way, revealing the black sweater that hugged his chest. His hair was windblown and gave him a carefree look until one saw the enigmatic look on his face.
“Sonya.” Greeting her with a nod, he stepped inside and relinquished his coat to her.
“A drink.” She hung up the coat carefully and preceded him into the living room.
“That would be nice.” He glanced around the tidy room with interest and noticed that she had a very distinctive taste. The furnishings were of good quality, and he was almost certain that the cabinet was oak.
“Thanks.” He accepted the drink and watched as she wandered over to sit in the rocker by the fireplace. “How have you been?”
“Fine. You?”
“Fine.” He hated that they were so civil. Hated that he had to stay away from her. Wanting to kiss her, taste her was burning a hole inside him. “You sounded anxious over the phone. Is something wrong?”
“I am so sorry.” She whispered. A frown touched his brow when he noticed her hands were gripped so tight, the knuckles were pronounced.
“What the hell is the matter?” Putting away his drink, he pulled a chair to sit in front of her.
“I don’t know how to say it.” She looked so shaken that he felt his heart quaking inside his chest.
“Just tell me.”
“I need a drink.” She started to get up when he took her hands and forced her to stay.
“You are scaring me. What is going on?”
Tears glittered in her eyes and had his grip tightening. “Are you ill? Is that what this is about?”
“No.” She shook her head. “We’re married.” She whispered.
He stared at her with a puzzled frown. “I know that.”
“No.” She laughed shakily. “It wasn’t a fake ceremony.” She explained to him what Michael had told her.
Robert did not move. He couldn’t. He had been wishing for a miracle, something he could hold onto that would have her staying with him and had been so miserable about the entire thing he had no idea what to do.
Hope, incredible, wonderful hope burst inside his chest and threatened to engulf him. Extricating his fingers from hers, he shoved to his feet and made his jerky way over to the window. He had to hide his expression, or she was going to know.
“Robert?”
“Hmm?”
Suddenly the bleak weather did not look so forlorn at all. On his way here, all he could think of was that she would be telling him that it was over.
“Please say something.”
“We’re married.”
“Yes.” She whispered. “And- and – we cannot even get a divorce, because I did not sign any papers.”
“A prenup.”
“Yes.” She bit her lip and wished he would turn around so she could see what he was thinking or feeling. “What are we going to do?”
“What do you want to do?” He was still facing away from her.
“It is not up to me. I involved you in this, this mess and I – Robert, if you could just bear with me for a year or so, perhaps we could have a quiet divorce…”
“Is that what you want?” He turned then, hazel eyes carefully blank.
“I think it’s the right thing to do.” She gazed at him pleadingly, wondering why he was not ranting and raving. “I am so sorry.”
“You already said that. I will have to contact my lawyers.”
She blanched. “They’re going to have a fit.”
“To say the least.” He murmured dryly. “We remain married.” He shrugged a shoulder as if his entire insides were not churning. “And see how it goes.”
She stared at him, hardly able to believe that he was taking it so well.
“You aren’t upset?”
“I am stunned.”
“Is this something you can work with? Seeing yourself with me as your wife?”
He almost smiled. Almost. And wondered what she would say if she knew that had been his dream since he met her. So many years ago.
“Can you see yourself in that role?”
She nodded, so relieved that he was not angry, she would have agreed to anything. “Thank you.”
A slight smile tugged at his lips. “For?”
“For letting me off so easily.” She rose and walked towards him. “Can we start playing the role tonight?”
He went still as he watched her bridged the distance between them. “What do you have in mind?” He asked hoarsely.
She responded by simply taking off her robe.
*****
“Did I hurt you?” He asked her quietly when he got his breath back. They had started in the living room and ended up inside her bedroom, leaving clothes strewn in their wake. He had been rough.
The combination of being away from her all those days, plus the fact that this was not a farce, he was really married to her had blown through him like a tornado and made him lose control from the very beginning.
“No.” She was still quivering from the attack on her senses. She had spent nights trying to recapture the magical time at the cottage but had not been able to fully accomplish it. Tonight, he had blown her away with his touch.
She could still feel him deep inside her. Marriage to him was certainly not going to be a hardship. Robert Faulkner was an incredibly virile man with an insatiable appetite, and she was discovering that she had an insatiable one as well.
“Sure?” She was sprawled across his chest, her slender body draped on top of his.
“Hmm.” She blew on his chest, watching the displaced hairs in fascination. “I loved the energy. Makes me believe you have not had sex since we last saw each other.”
“I haven’t.”
She lifted her head at his quiet tone and felt a quiver as she stared at the strong planes of his face. His hair was clinging to his damp forehead and his hazel eyes were bright with passion that had not quite diminished.
“I haven’t asked you about your trip.”
A smile tugged at his stern lips, something them considerably. “Are you playing your role as my wife?”
She nodded, eyes twinkling. “I figured I might as well start practicing.”
His fingers wandered up and down her back slowly, feeling the damp skin and the softness of her flesh.
“It was productive.”
“I saw you on TV.”
He grimaced, telling her clearly that he hated the publicity.
“A necessary evil. There was a little hiccup, but it got sorted out.”
She eyed him wryly. “You are such a fountain of information.”
His chuckle made her smile. “I don’t want to bore you with the details.”
“And if I want to be bored?” She challenged. Now that it was all behind them, she could afford to relax, and she really liked talking to him.
“Do you now?” He mused, fingers massaging the small of her back. “Want to hear about the negotiations that came with closing the deal? And how I had to threaten the current manager of the plant to provide the CFO with the updated financial reports?”
“You threatened him?”
“Somewhat. I told him if he valued his job and wants to continue running the factory, he would do well to make an adjustment to his attitude.” He grinned at her. “Not in those words though.”
“You were less polite.”
“I was not polite at all.” He loved this position, being here with her and having a conversation after a very hectic bout of lovemaking. It was a novelty for him. Before, it was just sex, something to blow off some steam and be gone as soon as that was accomplished.
“You put the fear of God in him.” She propped her shin on her folded hands and gave him her attention, expression avidly interested.
“Something like that.” She delighted him, so much he wanted to make love to her again. Once was never enough. “How about you?”
“Did I put the fear of God in anyone?” She shook her head ruefully. “I wanted to at one point over the last few days.”
“Anyone I know?”
She told him about the children’s home and the lack of funding. “The condition is deplorable. It is state run and the inadequacies are appalling. The administrator is a fat, useless woman who should not have been in that position in the first place.
I was just standing outside the hallway when I heard her dressing down a six-year-old boy who just lost his parents. I was livid. She had no idea I was there and tried to make some excuse, that the child had wet himself. The poor thing was so terrified that he started crying. I had to take him into a room, clean him up and comfort him.
I told the heartless bitch that I was going to report her, and she told me to go right ahead. Said she was overworked and underpaid. God!” She blew out a breath, still steamed. “I just had to get that off my chest.”
One hand lifted to cup her cheek. “What do you plan on doing about her?”
She shrugged. “There aren’t a lot of people vying to take over a children’s home. She is right. It is a lot of work and the salary is a joke.”
“It still does not give her the right to treat the children like that.” His expression hardened. “What’s her name?”
“Robert…!” She shook her head and felt a shiver running up and down her spine as she looked at him. “I did not tell you so that you could cause trouble for the woman. I am just venting.”
His hazel eyes bored into hers. “Is the problem still there?”
She nodded reluctantly. “I have been trying to get enough funding to have it revamped, but the state is dragging its heels. Not enough money, something will be done soon, things like that.”
“What if it wasn’t State run anymore?”
She blinked at him. “You mean…”
“Kathy Williams oversees the charitable arm of the company. She’s an excellent manager and very good at her job. I will ask her to adopt this as our next project. I also have a few senators who owe me favors.” He smiled at her look of amazement. “Let’s see if we can get the wheels turning faster.”
“You’d do that?” She whispered.
He wanted to tell her that there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her, but that was for another time. “I hate to see children suffering.” He told her instead.