Marriage of Convenience Read online

  ****

  They danced for an hour, and then sweaty and tired, they climbed back onto the bus and headed uptown. Caroline sat with her head on Malcolm’s shoulder.

  “Did you enjoy it?” she asked.

  “You know, I was a little hesitant and nervous when you first suggested it, but I loved it. It was a lot of fun. It was sexy. I was surprised at how much muscle concentration is required to dance. It looks so fluid and natural when others do it.”

  “I’m glad.” Caroline pushed herself back into her seat and let her head loll to the side, enjoying the light bounce of the bus as it traveled up town. She’d expected to like Malcolm’s company, but hadn’t expected to think that she’d never want to live without it. As the weight of her thoughts surfaced in her mind, she shifted in her seat instinctively pulling away from Malcolm and folding herself more tightly into her own seat.

  “You okay?” Malcolm must have felt her shift. The seats were a bit stiff, even for public transportation.

  His voice pulled her out of her mind and into the present. “Sure. You hungry?” Christ, if she didn’t remember her goal, she was never going to be able to seal this deal. Stay focused. Stay committed, she admonished herself.

  “I could eat. But I could also shower.”

  “Yeah, you smell.” They laughed, and Malcolm pushed his elbow in her direction.

  “Shower then food?” Caroline asked. “I should make reservations. About 7:00, you think? We could do a little earlier, but not much later if we’re going to get good seats.”

  “If you make reservations, doesn’t that guarantee seats?”

  “For dinner, yes. For the entertainment afterward, no.” Caroline pulled her cell phone from her shoulder bag and began scrolling through her contacts.

  “Oh, dinner and a show? Great idea.” Malcolm shifted in his own seat.

  “Feeling a little stiff from class?”

  “I think I might be getting too old for this sort of excitement.”

  “Not too old, I hope. I have big plans for you.” She smiled even as she selected a number.

  “Really?” Malcolm turned to her, an eyebrow raised. “How big?”

  “Well, that depends on you, doesn’t it?” Caroline looked him up and down, focusing a little longer on his crotch. The phone to her ear, she stifled a giggle, and she hushed him as he started to explain exactly what he was willing to guarantee.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Want me to draw you a bath, old man?” Caroline chuckled as they stepped off the elevator and into the foyer of the penthouse. Malcolm had walked through the foyer and turned left to go to the master bedroom.

  He looked over his shoulder and said, “Only if you’re going to join me.”

  “I don’t see a problem with that.” Malcolm stopped and turned back toward her. He met her gaze with an intensity that made her shiver. “If you’re not too tired. We’ve had a long day. I can certainly understand if you want some time to yourself.”

  Malcolm closed the distance between them. “Today isn’t about me. It’s about the possibility of an ‘us’. And even if it wasn’t, I can’t imagine ever being too tired when the alternative to resting is spending time with you.”

  Caroline found herself whisked off her feet and into Malcolm’s strong arms. He leaned down and kissed her, drawing the air from her lungs. His masculine scent enveloped her. She pushed one arm under his to wrap it around his back, and the other reached across him and wrapped around his neck.

  Shivers of anticipation raced down her spine, sensitizing every nerve in her body. She became aware only of her need for him.

  Malcolm carried her to the bedroom, and though they were alone, he closed the door behind them. He leaned against the door and set her on her feet. Caroline began undressing as she slowly walked toward the bathroom door. She tugged her shirt off and tossed it aside. She paused long enough to kick away her boots before continuing on. By the time she reached the door her clothes laid a trail across the room and only her panties remained. Leaning provocatively against the door frame, her breasts bare and nipples erect, she said softly, “Your turn.”

  Malcolm pushed himself off the door and walked slowly toward Caroline, pausing only when necessary to undress. By the time he reached her at the door, he was completely naked.

  ****

  Kneeling before her, Malcolm slipped her panties from her hips. He inhaled her scent and was reminded of their previous lovemaking.

  Malcolm leaned forward and rested his face against the warm skin of her thigh and inhaled again. Caroline placed her hands on his shoulders, either to balance herself or to encourage him. He wasn’t sure which, but he didn’t think it mattered. She would need him to help her balance when he was done with her. Malcolm wrapped his hands around her back and gripped her hips. Pushing them forward, her legs spread enough for him to reach his goal. Slipping his tongue into her parted flesh, he let his tongue slide lazily around, enjoying her soft moans. He leaned in further and stroked her with the flat of his tongue, and she shuddered again. Pushing her legs farther apart, he delved his tongue deeper, increasing the intensity and speed of his licks. He reveled in her sounds. Feeling her reaching for release, he added his fingers to the party, and Caroline came almost immediately.

  Caroline pressed her fingers more deeply into Malcolm’s shoulders. She arched to lock her lower body to his mouth. Her body jerked beneath his mouth, and a strangled sob escaped her even as muscles contracted powerfully around his fingers. Malcolm ignored the sound and continued, letting her hips rock back and forth against his mouth.

  “Please,” Caroline pleaded softly, “please.”

  Finally pulling back, Malcolm scooped Caroline into his arms, cradling her as he walked into the bathroom. Caroline lay limp, unable to even hold on. Her lack of response didn’t bother Malcolm in the least. If the water didn’t revive her he had something else that would. He stepped into the shower and turned on the water. When it was warm he stepped under the spray and slowly slid Caroline to the floor. Turning her to him, he again lifted her off her feet, this time so that she was straddling his hips.

  Caroline moved as he directed, and he appreciated the trust she placed in him. Grasping her bottom, he tilted her hips and slipped inside her. Her muscles tightened around him, and he was lost to the sweet pressure that beckoned him deeper. Water poured down on them, soaking their hair and blurring their vision, but nothing could stop him from pushing her up against the tile and thrusting in and out of her like a man pushed over the edge of sanity.

  Malcolm gripped her hips as they cradled his pelvis, and he drove deeper, releasing the pressure that had built up as he’d pleasured her. He slowed his movements, the hard thrusts becoming long and leisurely. He watched her facial expressions with each stimulating stroke. The pressure began to build again. He leaned forward and touched her parted lips with his tongue. She responded by mating her tongue with his. The dance of their tongues increased the thrust of his hips, and they were once again on the edge. For long moments there was nothing but the sounds of sex, the slap of skin against skin, the harshness of their breathing, the moans of ecstasy. When she begged for more, he gathered her close and switched to a grinding, purposeful, insistent rhythm. He heard her cry out his name, and he heard his own cry in response. Breathing deeply, he forced himself to hold still to better feel her muscles clench around him. Wanting to remain connected this way to Caroline, Malcolm adjusted his stance, bracing his legs apart and pinning her to the wall. A shiver passed through his body, every nerve a sensitive jumble.

  The water cascaded down his back and onto her legs, and Caroline pulled Malcolm’s head into the crook of her neck. She wrapped her arms around his back and snuggled into his body.

  Enjoying the aftermath of their mating, Malcolm was hesitant to move. But he could feel the water growing cooler, and he didn’t want it to take the warm edge off the mood. Taking Caroline with him in his arms, he turned the shower off and stepped out onto the tile floor. H
e wrapped them in a thick towel and walked them to the bed.

  Releasing Caroline down onto the mattress first, he covered her with his body and pulled the comforter over them.

  Caroline reached up to pull his mouth to her own, and he settled his hips between her legs. Her legs immediately enveloped him, wrapping around his hips and overlapping behind his back. Their tongues entwined, Malcolm pulled his hips back far enough to sink himself inside her. Caroline raised her hips to meet him, and they sank back onto the mattress together.

  Malcolm rolled left, bringing Caroline to the top. “Ride me.”

  ****

  Caroline wasn’t a sexual novice, and she knew that the dominant position would give her the most pleasure. In her mind, this position went beyond making sure they were compatible. Compatible meant you could stand it. It meant that you and the other person wouldn’t kill each other or routinely annoy the hell out of each other. Placing her in the dominant role was communicating something else entirely. This was sex for the joy of sex. Malcolm was telling her to enjoy herself. It added a piece to the equation that she hadn’t really wanted to entertain. She wanted a baby. And if she enjoyed herself in the meantime, great. But she had a goal, a mission, and enjoying herself sexually was not a priority.

  But Malcolm was turning out to be more sensual than she could have imagined. He was thoughtful, adventurous, and kind. Their conversation was interesting; his interests matched hers, and the financial support of her business wouldn’t be bad either.

  Even taking this dominant role just once could throw her plan off for good. She’d let herself go when they’d made love, and she’d convinced herself that in doing so she was simply ensuring his interest so that they could repeat the session in an effort to have a baby.

  She had to fight hard to maintain her composure. Just sitting naked above him, staring into his eyes was sending tingling sensations to parts of her that she never thought about. She let her eyes fall over his unshaven face, muscled chest, and flat stomach. The rest of him was concealed by her own body, but she felt him stiffen underneath her, and she knew that he was watching her watch him. He knew where her eyes would have fallen had the view been unobstructed.

  A smile played on Caroline’s lips. “I think I’d better warn you that I took horseback riding lessons as a child.” She said the words softly, slowly rising off his hips. She felt him draw up and spread his knees as his hips lifted to maintain contact with her.

  “And?” Malcolm managed as she slid back down onto him. He watched himself disappear between her legs.

  “Well, I enjoy riding. And I’m good at it.”

  She watched Malcolm’s eyes darken and felt him thicken within her.

  ****

  Caroline held his shoulders firmly and pressed her knees into his sides while her head fell back. Malcolm could feel her hair tickling his thighs. He was becoming so overstimulated he wasn’t sure he could handle much more.

  Each time she came down on him, he thrust up into her, grinding his body, going as deep inside her as he could. The more he thrust up the more vigorously she bucked and pumped into him, wild and nearly uncontrolled. He felt as though his entire world was rocking, tilting him dangerously toward oblivion. He’d come twice already, but she wasn’t letting up. And he wasn’t going down. He’d experienced more pleasure in the past thirty minutes than he’d ever imagined possible.

  Feeling himself about to climax again at the same moment her felt her inner body clench around him, he shifted their position and brought her beneath him. She made a whimpering sound and angled her hips in an effort to maximize the friction between them. Her body jerked, and she cried out. He followed immediately behind her. He held her to him, wanting to maintain the intimate contact.

  Caroline stretched out on top of him and locked her legs around his. She slipped her hands over his chest and around his shoulders, pulling him closer while kissing his chin, cheek, and lips. Malcolm threaded his fingers through her hair, and they held each other in a cocoon made warm by their heat as they waited for their heart rates to steady.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Think we’ll make dinner?”

  “Oh, I think we’re well past that.” Caroline giggled and stretched. She felt a slight tightness in her inner thigh and enjoyed the memory of what had put it there.

  “How about ordering something and eating here?”

  “Sounds good. Any favorites?”

  “Thai?”

  “You read my mind!” Caroline smacked her lips. “I love Thai.”

  Malcolm reached for the phone next to the bed and searched its memory for the restaurant phone number.

  “What would you like?”

  “Hhhmm. Gai Pad Met Mamuang would be great, if they have it. Otherwise, Pad Thai will do. What are you going to have?” Caroline was fairly set on her choices, but she wasn’t opposed to changing her mind.

  “Well, those are good choices. But I think I’ll go with Kang Keaw Gai. I like the sweet curry.”

  “Oohh, that sounds good, too. Maybe … no, no, I’ll still do the Gai Pad. Maybe we can share?” Caroline looked at him hopefully. Having grown up in a household with two men, she was aware of the bond between men and their food, but she had her hopes.

  Malcolm gave her a sideways glance confirming her thought. And then with a grin he said, “Maybe. If you’re nice to me.”

  The food on its way, they dressed slowly, taking time to touch and tease as they did so. Neither was fully dressed when the lobby desk attendant called to announce the arrival of their dinner forty minutes later.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “When I was in college I heard about poetry slams, but I can’t say I was ever really interested. I was missing out. Are they all like that?”

  “Every one I’ve been to. Some writers and performers are definitely more talented than others, but there’s typically enough talent throughout the evening that I never feel I should have spent my time doing something else.”

  Malcolm and Caroline walked arm in arm down the street.

  “Want to stop in there for a drink?” Malcolm asked. He wasn’t as interested in the alcohol as he was in prolonging their evening. He had a double shift tomorrow since he’d been off the last couple of days, but he didn’t want to end their time together. He’d had an amazing day. He knew that their marriage would be different—the reality of day to day life would be something they’d have to adjust to, but the fact that they could spend a great deal of time together and enjoy every moment was important. It meant relaxing evenings, enjoyable weekends, and adventurous vacations.

  When Gloria had told him about her idea, he’d been skeptical. And after his first round of dates, he’d been absolutely against the idea of continuing. But he now had no doubt he was going to propose to Caroline, and he had little doubt that his proposal would be accepted. He didn’t delude himself into thinking they knew each other’s darkest secrets or utmost desires, but he felt a connection that would allow them to share those things with time.

  In the end, despite his father’s ridiculous demand and his anger at being forced into a marriage, something he’d never even considered, he thought he just might pull off a great coup.

  He pointed to a dueling piano bar. The sign flashed open, but the posting was superfluous; the sound of melodious ivories spilling out the open door as old patrons exited, and fresh ones pushed past them in the opposite direction welcomed every pedestrian who happened by.

  “Have you been to this one?” Caroline asked.

  “No, but I’ve been to enough to know that they’re pretty much the same. You’ll enjoy it.” Malcolm described the plush couches and chairs, and waitresses in mock tuxedo garb offering mixed drinks and cigars. The ambiance would follow the music, he said, relaxed and almost jazzy for one set, then heel tapping and swinging with the next.

  Malcolm could see she was interested. But instead of leading him in, she snuggled up to him. He pulled her tightly to him. She looked up at him, sm
iled, and kissed his chin. “I don’t want the evening to end here, but I have to be at the shop early tomorrow. How about a drink at my place?”

  Though he’d picked her up at her place for their first date, Malcolm hadn’t been asked inside. He hadn’t even considered that alternative and was intrigued by the suggestion. He didn’t necessarily think his place was a real indication of his inner being. It had been professionally decorated after all, but he thought there were some touches in the architecture anyway that reflected his interests. He didn’t think Caroline would live in such a sterile environment, and he was interested to see what it might say about her.

  ****

  “Oh my God, it is you! And you’re as handsome as ever.” Caroline turned toward the squeal. A leggy blonde was unfolding herself gracefully from a hired car that had pulled silently to the curb. Her face wreathed in a smile, all teeth visible, the woman all but pranced toward them. For his part, Malcolm stood stoically, mouth agape. But he watched the woman’s every move. And when she threw her arms around his neck and claimed his mouth, he placed his hands on her upper arms. Pulling her closer? Caroline stepped back and wrapped her arms around herself and stood silently. If Malcolm was aware of the change in her mood, he gave no indication.

  Caroline watched in dismay as the woman pulled back and ran her hands down the sides of Malcolm’s face.

  “You’ve always been just too damn hot. I’m happy to see you haven’t changed.” Caroline almost vomited when the woman licked her lips, wiggled closer to Malcolm’s side, and giggled like a school girl. This show would definitely not be the highlight of her evening. .

  “God, I’ve missed you. What an amazing coincidence, running into you here, of all places. Say we can get together later tonight,” she said, fluttering her lashes. Caroline coughed lightly, hoping to draw the woman’s attention to the fact she and Malcolm were on a date and get the reunion over with.

  “Malcolm, you silly boy, why didn’t you introduce me to your sister?” She swatted his arm, and Caroline shook the hand she offered. “I am so sorry! Here I am running off at the mouth and interrupting your family time. I can be so narrow in my focus sometimes. I’m Elsy. Please. Say we can be friends. Like sisters.” Caroline didn’t believe the woman was interested in friendship with her or any other woman. The woman smiled, but it was more a baring of her teeth than a genuine sign of affection. No warmth reached her eyes. The woman scrutinized her as though she were an insect under a microscope. And she definitely seemed the sort to then torch the creature with a magnifying glass and some UV rays.