The Surrogate Husband Read online

  “Old enough,” she said. “Twenty-five.”

  He chuckled. “I guess it’s younger women who do it for me now.”

  Her pulse jumped. Now it was becoming way more serious. And he was a lot better at it than any man who’d tried before. He’d checked his nerd-accountant card at the door and without it, he was pure hunk.

  “Unless they’re as pretty as her.” He tipped his chin toward a neighboring table.

  She followed his gaze to a blue-haired grandma, then laughed. “No running off with my Aunt Bev, okay?”

  He raised two fingers and saluted Lucy. “You have my word as a Boy Scout. I’m yours for as long as we’re married.”

  “Now you’re honor-bound to stay faithful.”

  He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You have my word.”

  Her heart pounded against her ribs. She took her hand back, then sipped her water to cool herself down. Yikes, her hormones were suddenly on active duty. “So you’re a rule-following CPA, an obedient son, and a Boy Scout. That’s a lot of doing what you’re told, or at least what you’re supposed to.”

  He mated his fingers and leaned toward her. “I told you, no one makes decisions for me. But my family is an important part of my life. If you didn’t feel any obligation to protect your mother’s relationship with her aunt or to not break the old lady’s heart, we wouldn’t be discussing our marriage.”

  “Touché.” Although she knew she shouldn’t go there, she wondered what it would be like to go home to Dex every evening, to hear that smooth, deep voice late in the night and have that hulking presence beside her everywhere.

  What the hell? She never considered such things with the men she usually dated. Why would she want to be with the same guy night after night when she could pick and choose from a smorgasbord of men every time she went out to the clubs? Besides, she had no aspiration to be controlled by a man, particularly one who arranged his silverware, his CDs, and his life so methodically and carefully.

  A woman at a nearby table kept glancing at Dex. In fact, she’d noticed several staring at him. But why wouldn’t they? He was hot. “You’re not dating anyone now, are you? I mean I’d hate to step on anyone’s toes. Like if they saw us together and…misinterpreted this.”

  Amusement showed in his smile “Is that the only reason you want to know?”

  No. She straightened. “Of course. Why else?”

  “I thought you might be flirting with me.”

  His crooked grin threatened to undo her. She made a show of gasping. “Seriously?”

  He cocked his head to the side. “No, I was just kidding.”

  Was he purposely trying to knock her off balance? Or perhaps testing the waters? She ignored his comment, tried to regain her composure. “You’ve never been married or lived with a girlfriend?”

  “My fiancée and I were planning to move in together, but…”

  Yikes, why had she brought up the subject? “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have—”

  Covering her hand with his, he shook his head. “It’s all right.”

  There was that heat again, at the point where their skin touched. Swallowing hard, she slipped her hand out from under his and tucked it in her lap. Damn. If she did that in front of her aunt, it might give away their secret. So many little tells could damn them and destroy her relationship with one of the most important women in her life.

  The waitress dropped off a basket of crusty bread and olive oil for dipping, then continued on to a nearby table.

  Dex tore off two pieces of the loaf and handed Lucy one.

  She dunked her bread in the oil and took a bite.

  He kept his gaze on her lips, so she made sure to lick off the olive oil with slow, deliberate swipes of her tongue. Not that she was taking her flirting seriously, but her aunt would expect that between them since they were newlyweds, wouldn’t she? Which was probably why Dex was going along for the ride, all in the name of convincing Aunt Bev that they were what they professed to be.

  He made a show of frowning, then shifted in his seat. “You’re doing that on purpose.”

  After swallowing a sip of water to cool down, she laughed. “I’m just acting like I’m in love. Like couples do at the beginning of a marriage. Before they get sick of each other and get into the tolerate or dislike stage.”

  “What?”

  Her parents came to mind. They’d never appeared to have a bit of fun when they were together. Although her mom and stepfather acted like they enjoyed each other’s company, but they hadn’t been together very long. Uncle Steve and his ex-wife had verbally abused each other, even in front of the relatives, and Uncle Alan was twice divorced.

  “Then you haven’t seen the right couples.” Something new registered in his expression. Was it desire? No, of course not. Must be her imagination. She had to get a hold of herself. She sat up straighter. “So what romantic destination did we choose for our elopement?”

  “Napa Valley. I’ve always wanted to go there, and it’s not near water. Do you like to travel?”

  She thought about all the places they’d lived when she was a kid, all the friends she’d made only to never see them again. “Not really. You?”

  “I’d love to see more of the world, with the right person. I did a tour in Afghanistan when I was in the Marines, but I haven’t really been anywhere else.”

  She gasped. “You served with the Marines? I had no idea.”

  “Sure did. That was the only way I could go to college.”

  A Marine. The rigid, military type was the last sort of man she should be attracted to. She had to keep reminding herself this wasn’t going to be real. It would only be a role to play. Soon as Aunt Bev left, they’d go back to being just friends.

  He took off his glasses and cleaned them with his napkin.

  When he chuckled, she realized she’d been staring at him. “Your eyes are…very green up close.” Damn, but he was so handsome, with those chiseled features and that thick Armenian hair that made her want to run her fingers through it.

  “Now I’ve given you a glimpse of the real me. No glasses, and no shirt. What else will you want to me reveal?” He slipped his glasses back on.

  Maybe it was the wine that was making her react like a lovesick teenager, but she didn’t think so. “I am your wife.”

  Laughing, he refilled her glass. “You promised to tell me why you don’t like bodies of water.”

  She flinched. “I did, didn’t I?” After a healthy swig of wine, she wiped a napkin over her lips, then started talking. And the words just poured out like she was used to saying them.

  Only she wasn’t. Because telling anyone her fears was revealing a weakness. And showing your weakness gave the other person power, a lesson her dad had drummed into her head.

  She’d blame the wine.

  “When I was five or six, my father took me to a lake near where we lived. Mom and my sister were off doing something, and I didn’t have a lot of time with him. He didn’t often want to be around me that I could tell, so I jumped at the chance when he said he was going to teach me to swim. Problem was he had no patience with kids or anyone else.” Geez, she was trembling just talking about the experience.

  He reached across the table and rubbed her upper arm. “If this is too painful, you don’t have to tell me.”

  It was painful, but oddly, she wanted to share the story with him. “I’m okay. He dunked me, and I swallowed a bunch of water. I came up crying and sputtering. When I tried to get to the shore, he called me a baby and tossed me toward the deeper part of the lake. I was terrified. The water was so murky I couldn’t see a thing. I was sure I was going to die.”

  She stopped for a drink. “I think I’d have drowned if it hadn’t been for another man who was fishing nearby. He rushed in and saved me. My father didn’t even thank him after. I never have learned to swim.” She clenched her jaw against the rush of anger, but Dex squeezed her hand and the feeling quickly passed. “It was a long time ago.”

>   “Doesn’t make it any less cruel, though. I’m sorry. Your father doesn’t sound like a very nice man.”

  “He’s an asshole. I haven’t seen him in years, but I’m sure he hasn’t changed.” Her arm still tingled where he’d touched it, and the heat of his stare felt somehow disconcerting.

  Something about being so close to Dex turned her into a puddle of a woman. A sweet ache settled low in her belly. What would it be like to make love with him? Sure, they played at flirting, but they both knew it was only pretend. Wasn’t it?

  Suddenly she was wondering. But she had to quit. It was going to be difficult enough to pretend to be his wife. She hardly needed her libido throwing in its two cents.

  The food took almost half an hour to arrive, but she didn’t care. The time flew past as they talked. And talked. The conversation was witty and intelligent and made her think.

  When their dinner came she studied her salad. His meal looked a million times better, and her appetite was bigger than she’d thought. A generous helping of fettuccini filled up his entire plate and was topped with sinfully thick sauce that was no doubt laden with butter and cheese. She licked her lips.

  “I can feel you coveting my food. Try it.” He twirled a noodle on his fork and lifted it to her mouth.

  She was a little neurotic about not sharing utensils with other people, even family, but she opened her lips and let him feed her. Dex captured her stare and refused to let it loose as she ate the pasta.

  The sauce was heavenly, but she could hardly concentrate on the taste with Dex so close, watching her lips as if he planned to devour her.

  And she had to admit, her appetite for him was growing by the minute. That warm, pleasant flutter in her belly refused to go away. He dabbed the corner of her lips with his napkin and it was as if she were under some weird, sensual spell.

  He was way too close for comfort, and as much as she knew she should back away, she couldn’t make herself. At that moment, she didn’t care that he was her friend, her accountant, and an ex-Marine. Or that he was all wrong for her. She wanted to kiss him. Just once, to satisfy her curiosity.

  The rational part of her brain worked on thinking up reasons why it would be a bad thing, but the other part—the more primitive, carnal side of her—overruled any objections that popped into her head. Everything about her ached to touch him, to have him touch her.

  Their friendship wouldn’t be ruined over a simple kiss. They’d make sure it wasn’t. “You know, if we’re going to carry off being husband and wife, people will expect us to…kiss, publicly. Like husbands and wives do. We wouldn’t want to look like we’ve never done it before. Or my aunt might suspect something.”

  He raised an eyebrow, but his surprised expression immediately gave way to hell yeah. “Right, for your aunt.” He caught the waitress’s attention and asked her for the check. Then he tapped his glass to Lucy’s. “To Great Aunt Bev. I love her already.”

  Lucy slid her chair closer. “We have to be…believable.”

  Dex stared at her lips. “Yes, believable.”

  She took a healthy gulp of wine, then tried to discreetly swish it around her mouth.

  He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand. “Bev would expect us to give each other a peck on the lips or put our arms around each other. It shouldn’t appear awkward, as if it’s the very first time. We should seem…familiar with each other.”

  “Exactly.” His touch felt so natural, as if he’d been doing it for years. “It’d be bad if my aunt suspected anything. So practice would be wise.”

  A waitress strode past, and Dex held up a finger. “Check, please?” But his gaze never left Lucy’s.

  “I don’t think that was our waitress.” She giggled. Maybe it was the wine creating that heat down the front of her body, or perhaps it was the company. All she knew was that it felt good.

  And even better when he leaned over the table toward her and brushed his lips over hers. Her eyelids slipped lazily shut as he kissed her, soft and sweet. He tasted of wine and something minty.

  The restaurant melted away, as did everyone and everything else. Her heart tattooed a furious beat against her ribs.

  Dex threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her closer to deepen the kiss, which was fine with her. So what that it felt better than any other kiss had in ages. Or ever. What was one lip-lock between friends?

  Finally, they broke apart. But stayed only inches apart, just staring at each other. Had to be the wine. She’d probably drunk more than she realized. Of course. Alcohol always made her extra affectionate.

  “That was nice.” A warning bell rang somewhere deep inside her, but they’d only kissed. What harm could come of that? It wasn’t as if they were sleeping together, developing romantic feelings for each other. She downed the last few drops of her wine.

  He leaned closer again, moving in for another practice kiss, when suddenly a woman said his name.

  “Dexter?”

  A panic-stricken expression settled on his face as he quickly backed away. He almost looked like he’d been caught…cheating.

  Chapter Five

  “Dexter Levian,” a familiar female voice said.

  Reluctantly, he tore his attention from Lucy and found Amelia Torres and her husband approaching. The sixty-ish woman fixed him with an assessing smile.

  Son of a bitch. He’d purposely chosen a place off the beaten path. With all the restaurants in Miami, why did he have to run into someone who worked with Bass’s company?

  “Hello, Amelia.” He stood up and shook her husband’s hand. “Good to see you.”

  Amelia smiled at Lucy. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your girlfriend, Dex? I love your pink hair, dear.” Though Dex expected the comment to be sarcasm, the woman’s friendly, open expression seemed to indicate she was sincere. “You look familiar. Didn’t I see your photo in the South Florida Business Journal Rising Stars column recently?”

  Damn it. Now there was no way he could pass Lucy off as someone else. “Yes, you did,” he answered for her. “This is Lucy Hamilton. Lucy, Amelia and Luis Torres.” If Johnny learned he’d gone on a date with Lucy the client, he was jeopardizing not only the merger of his and Johnny’s firms, but his parents’ financial future as well.

  “Dex is advising me about expansion plans for my store.” Lucy squared her shoulders, completely unruffled by the older woman’s rudeness.

  “You two seemed awfully cozy for this to be a business dinner.” Amelia grinned at them widely, a teasing sparkle in her eyes. “But if you say so. Good night.” She took her husband’s arm and headed toward the door.

  After the older couple was gone, Dex sat down and wiped his brow. Since Johnny was adamant about keeping business and personal liaisons separate, even a hint of impropriety could negatively impact the sale. “Thanks for saying that. She works at a firm that’s closely associated with mine.”

  He just prayed Amelia kept her mouth shut, at least until after the sale went through and Dex was safely seated on the board. Far as he knew, though, the only people at Bass Financial who knew about the pending merger were those who absolutely had to.

  Lucy lowered her voice. “Were they friends of your parents or something? I don’t want to get you in any trouble with your family.”

  Because the stock was publicly traded, if he clued Lucy in about the deal, he was technically breaking the law. “It’s fine. Long story.” All he wanted was to make sure his parents’ nest egg was restored to its original value, enough for them to live comfortably. And that wouldn’t happen if Johnny suspected Dex was fraternizing with a client.

  He’d thought about asking Lucy to take her business elsewhere, but Johnny was so well-connected to the industry grapevine, he’d find out the reason and stop the merger anyway. After the article on Lucy’s up-and-coming business, she’d stepped into the high-profile category of his client list, one of the plums that had sweetened the deal from Johnny’s perspective. Up-and-coming clients were his favorite ki
nd. Especially since the man loved nothing more than taking a small, promising company under his wing and nurturing it to way beyond the potential anyone would have guessed it had.

  Lucy narrowed her eyes at him, but a grin played on her lips. “I was starting to think you were embarrassed to be seen with me.”

  “Embarrassed?” Of course, he could see why she’d think that after Amelia had showed up. “It’s not that at all. I promise.” In fact, he wanted Lucy more now than ever. Yet acting upon his desires could have dire consequences, not only for their friendship and working relationship, but for his family’s future.

  He thought about the long hours his dad had worked when Dex was growing up, the babysitting and housecleaning his mother had done for neighbors to make ends meet. They’d scrimped and saved, managed to pay for braces for his teeth and tuition at the best private schools. But with one bad investment, they’d left their financial future in dire straits.

  Until Johnny had approached Dex with the merger offer. Just wait until his folks found out what that was going to mean to them. After everything they’d done for him, he couldn’t blow it when he was so close to restoring his father’s retirement fund to more than its original value.

  He refilled Lucy’s wine glass. “We ought to avoid kissing again. It could be dangerous.”

  It had seemed harmless enough, but after the fact, he was yearning to take things further. All the way to his bedroom.

  She sipped her wine, grinning at him the whole time. “You’re probably right.”

  All he’d allowed himself in the last couple years was short, purely physical affairs with ladies he knew wouldn’t get under his skin, those who wouldn’t open the painful emotional wounds he’d suffered when he’d lost Caroline.

  But Lucy wasn’t like those other women. For one thing, she was his client, not someone he’d never have to see again. Things could get weird between them.

  If it was a fling he wanted, he could get that with someone other than a client, someone who didn’t have the potential to derail the merger. It wasn’t as if he had a tough time finding women willing to share his bed. Yet it was Lucy who walked through his dreams nearly every night since he’d met her. Denying his ever-growing passion for her was becoming impossible.