Chapter 6
Beth
“Two months of being married to a vile womanizer and you haven’t killed him yet. You deserve champagne.”
The words uttered for my ears only rang with humor. A glass appeared from behind me held at the stem by long fingers. The familiar chuckle made my lips twitch. Damn Adam for making me want to smile. His breath caressing my neck made me shiver and I sucked in a breath.
Accepting the glass, I took a few sips.
“One, I’ve discovered that you aren’t entirely vile. Two, we shouldn’t be too quick to celebrate. I might just kill you yet... if this boring party doesn’t kill you first.”
He snickered and stepped forward to stand by my side. He too surveyed the sea of elegantly dressed people. We were at a charity event hosted by someone Adam was hoping to do business with. I was all about charity but this crowd was a real snooze fest.
“Remember our wedding night?”
“How could I forget. You were a perfect asshole,” I said through my teeth, smiling at the woman passing by. She clutched her chest and grinned from ear to ear. Mrs. Parsons thought Adam and I were the cutest couple she’d ever seen―her words. She was at our farce of a wedding. She had always moved in our circle, present at just about every function connected to the Thornes. According to her, she always knew we’d end up together. If only she knew the truth. My smile dropped the second she was gone.
There went that alluring, throaty chuckle again. It was starting to affect me more with each passing day.
“That night we only had two things in common. Now, we have three. You and I have always hated these shindigs.”
“Awe three things in common. Look at us growing as a couple.”
“Putting up with your non-stop sarcasm for two months, I’m starting to find it attractive.” He grinned broadly when I grimaced. I searched his face, trying to gauge if he was teasing or if he was serious. “Remember to smile, wife . People are watching.”
“Kill me now,” I groaned, tossing back the rest of my champagne. A waiter passed by and I snatched up another glass.
Adam hummed, “Look at that, being married to me for a mere eight weeks has turned you into an alcoholic. I must be the worst.”
“You really are,” I said sweetly.
His white teeth flashed when he laughed. “That’s my Beth, delightful as always.” He fished his phone from his pocket and peered at the screen. “Will you be alright for a few minutes? I need to take this call.”
“I’m always alright without you,” I snorted. “And I’m not your Beth.”
“Looks like we need to blow this joint sooner rather than later. Somebody is getting crabbier than usual.”
I rolled my eyes as he sauntered away, holding his phone to his ear. My eyes bore into his back and I let out a long breath. It wasn’t the entire two months with Adam that had me throwing back champagne like water. It was what happened earlier before the charity event. I accompanied him to a few since we tied the knot but this one was different. Before we left his place, something happened between us that had me worried.
I’d wiggled my way into the fitted olive green dress that looked great with my fair skin. As I turned from side to side, studying myself in the full-length mirror, I groaned. The dress was gorgeous and disgustingly expensive but maybe it would look better on someone thinner. “Ugh, me and my childbearing hips. It’s a curse I’ve had to bear.” Trying to get rid of my extra curves proved to be futile over the years.
“Others might call it a blessing.”
I yelped and wheeled around, hand over my heart. “Oh, my God, how long have you been standing there?”
Adam leaned against the door frame, ankles crossed, hands in his pockets, wearing his signature sly grin and a suit that flawlessly fitted his frame. The way his eyes roamed over me from head to toes sent my body heat skyrocketing. “Long enough to know that you don’t embrace your grown, womanly body. You really should. It’s...appealing.”
Smothering a surprising feeling of pleasure, I replied, “The last person I need body image validation from is you, Mr. I-only-date-twig-like-models.”
“I dated exactly one professional model. The other Instagram models don’t count.”
“Thanks for the refresher course on your dating history,” I scowled.
“Jealous?”
“Not on your life.”
Our bickering had become more light ribbing than our usual colorful, insulting and anger filled battles. I suppose it had to do with both of us resigning ourselves to the fact that we were stuck together for the next two years. So we could do nothing other than swallow our resentment and work with our situation until we didn’t have to. Plus, at Adam’s spacious two-floor penthouse apartment, we were able to give each other plenty of space. I stayed out of his ways as much as I could.
His smug smile began grating on my nerves and I snapped, “Would you mind going away? I’m trying to finish getting dressed.” My toes curled into the plush carpet and I began fidgeting with my tight-fitted dress. I hated how self-conscious I felt trapped under his intense stare.
“I’ll go away after I give you your gift.”
My brows shot up. “We’re buying each other gifts now? I didn’t get the memo.”
His hands emerged from his pockets and something glistened in one. “I got you something to go with the dress.” He held up a hand and I gazed at the diamond necklace with a pear-shaped emerald pendant. The stones were big enough to be seen from space. It was gorgeous and it did go with the dress.
I swallowed hard as he stepped closer. “It’s...beautiful.” I thought he’d hand me the piece of jewelry and leave. Instead, he stepped around me to drape it around my neck. The heat of his body so close to mine was impossible to ignore. That scent that he wore floated to my nostrils. It was intoxicating.
I gulped again, confused by my reaction as I gazed wide-eyed at our reflection in the mirror. Yet, I shouldn’t have been confused. Adam and I have never liked each other much but that had nothing to do with the fact that he was a man―a very attractive one―and I was a woman with feelings and needs. I’d like to think I had absolutely no control over the potent spark of arousal that sizzled through me. His gaze met mine in the mirror and I froze. I didn’t even dare to breathe when he studied the length of me.
“Perfect.”
Surely the purred word wasn’t an outright compliment. He just meant I look presentable enough to be on the arm of a billionaire. Right?
“What’s this for?” I stroked the pendant with nervous fingers.
“Any wife of mine needs to look like a million bucks.”
Of course. It was just as I’d thought. The gift held no sentiment. “Right. Did you choose it yourself?”
His eyes lifted and collided with mine. He was still standing too close and we stared at each in the mirror. Adam blinked and backed away.
“Of course, not,” he denied too quickly. “My assistant took care of it. I just thought I should…” he shrugged, “I’m sure every woman at the function will be draped in the most expensive jewelry. As the wife of a Thorne, so should you.”
He shoved his hands back into his pockets, rocked back on his heels, and said, “I’ll leave you alone now.” With that, he wheeled around and marched out.
Coming back to the present, I cringed at the memory. I hated that my heart dropped just a little and I felt a tinge of disappointment when he brushed the gift off as nothing more than keeping up appearances.
“I’m such an idiot,” I groaned, downing the rest of my champagne. I allowed myself to think that Adam would care enough to buy me jewelry as a kind gesture. He wanted me to look the part of a Thorne. Nothing more to it. I spotted him across the room heading back to me but he was stopped by two older men.
He signaled me over and I took a deep breath. One of the men he was speaking with was Charles McCarthy, the big shot that Adam wanted to do business with. I already met the man’s wife. Well, I looked the part and it was time to act the part. Over the last few weeks I learned that my acting skills are superb. Putting my empty glass down, I glided across the ballroom.
“Adam, sweetheart.” His eyes swung to me and they widened a fraction but he recovered quickly. Even I almost rolled my eyes at my saccharine tone.
“Beth, dear. ” He eyed me suspiciously and I smiled. We pretended to be a happy couple all the time but we never used terms of endearment before.
“Good evening, gentlemen.”
The two men smiled warmly. “We were just telling Adam that we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting his lovely wife.”
“Gentlemen, this is Beth. Beth, this is Gerald Hains,” he nodded to the man who had spoken and I shook his hand.
“Nice to meet you.”
“And this,” Adam gestured to the other man with kind blue eyes and a full head of gray hair, “Is Charles McCarthy.”
“A pleasure, Mr. McCarthy. Thank you for the invitation.”
He shook my hand and grinned. “Thank you for coming. You met my wife earlier. She says you’re absolutely delightful.”
I had laid on the charm pretty thick when I first arrived. “Yes, she invited me to her next book club meeting.”
Charles seemed impressed. “You don’t say? Getting into that book club is like trying to breach government security,” he chuckled. “You definitely made a good impression.” He glanced from me to Adam, thoughtfully. “Thorne, how about you join me for a game of golf this weekend. Since the ladies are already friends, bring Beth along. My wife likes to have a leisurely lunch at the club while I play with the guys.”
“I’d like that. Thank you, Charles.”
“That sounds great.” I chirped. Spending an entire afternoon at a country club full of pretentious one percenters was the last thing I wanted to do, but I had to play along and keep my eyes on the prize.
As soon as Charles and Gerald walked away, Adam chuckled, “ Sweetheart ? That’s new.”
“I just got you in with McCarthy. You’re welcome.”
He fell silent and gazed at me for a moment. “You did. I’m impressed. He avoided me like the plague before tonight.”
“I’m sure a refined gentleman like him didn’t appreciate your reputation as an irresponsible rake.”
“You can’t help taking a dig at me, can you?”
“Guilty.”
His lips twitched and slightly lifted at the corners. “Well, thank you anyway.”
When he saw me chatting up Mrs. McCarthy, he had no idea that I was working to get us―him rather―into the couple’s inner circle. I smiled smugly. “Are you going to get me another necklace for my efforts? Earrings maybe?”
“I didn’t take you for the type.”
“I’m not but I deserve something for my efforts.” He gazed at me quizzically and I instantly regretted what I said. It sounded as if I was flirting . Clearing my throat, I suggested a bit too quickly, “Let’s dance. That’ll show everyone how in love with me you are and how you’ve changed. Right?”
He didn’t answer. He just scowled down at my hand on his arm. I felt him tense and frowned. What was his problem? I thought he’d be into our game of convincing everyone we were a loving couple. It was his idea to begin with.
Adam behaved like a sourpuss the rest of the evening, except when one of his associates was near. I was beyond irked. Here I was throwing myself into making him look good and he was being a jerk. Typical Adam . I was ready to burst with my annoyance by the time we were on our way home.
The back of the limo was quiet and I seethed as I eyed him. His scowl was probably more severe than mine. I couldn’t help asking, “Okay, what’s your problem, Adam?”
“What are you talking about?” he practically growled.
“I did everything I was supposed to do tonight. I helped change McCarthy’s perception of you and now you’re one step closer to getting his business. I thought you’d be appreciative. Instead, you’ve been in a sour mood since…” His mood had changed as soon as I suggested we danced. Heat nearly consumed my face. “Was dancing with me that horrible?”
“It wasn’t the dance, Beth,” he bit out. “It was everything .”
I stared at him blankly and he shoved a hand through his hair, tousling the blonde strands. “You’re affection, fake though it was, left me hot and bothered. Okay? I’m severely sex-deprived, which I’m sure is what has been causing my weird sexual thoughts about you .”
My mouth dropped open and I glanced at the tinted glass partition. Thankfully, it was up.
“I didn’t appreciate the massive amount of touching tonight and the...closeness.” His jaw clenched after his rant.
I’m usually never short for words, but in this moment all I could do was gawk at Adam.