Marriage of Convenience Read online

  “You could make that in your sleep. Why does this batch require so much attention?”

  Maddie had been her assistant for more than three years. She was Caroline’s first hire, and she’d assisted with all stages of the business’s growth. If there was someone who understood the amount of effort and time it took to get Caroline’s off the ground, it was she. In that time they’d become friends.

  Caroline smiled and adjusted the lever. The blades slowed to a stop. She added a few more scoops of the powdered sugar and set the blades to mix once more.

  “Sorry, just lost in thought.” She smiled at her friend.

  “About your trip?”

  “Is that a cheap attempt to wheedle the information out of me?” Caroline asked, smiling. She knew what her friend was up to. Under other circumstances she would have talked to Maddie about her absence well before talking to the staff. They had a great working relationship, and little happened in their personal lives that they didn’t share, discuss, and sometimes over-discuss. She knew her old friend was chafing at having been told with the masses. But she’d made the decision deliberately. She didn’t want advice, feedback, or rain thrown on her parade. She didn’t even want what Maddie was more likely to offer, hope and encouragement. She just wanted to do it on her own and in her own way. But she did feel bad now.

  “Of course. You’ve been distant. What’s going on?”

  Caroline smiled brightly and then deliberately turned her back to her friend to add the vanilla to the buttercream, aware that Maddie was about to burst with curiosity. She turned back to Maddie and had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the sight of her expression. Obviously Maddie thought her inquiry should have produced more details.

  “So?” Maddie asked the question, red-faced and wide-eyed.

  “So what?” Caroline giggled.

  “So tell me where you’re going! What are you doing? And, more importantly, who are you going with?” The words rushed out of Maddie’s mouth. The girls stopped their work and leaned their hips against the steel tables so they were facing Caroline and Maddie at the mixer. There was no attempt to hide their eavesdropping.

  Caroline flushed at the attention. It wasn’t that she was against talking about her plans. She almost felt bad because she hadn’t told them everything from the start—it seemed like she was hiding something. And to tell them now meant she had to acknowledge that she had not shared earlier. Swallowing the urge to apologize—it was her life after all, and some decisions were personal—she faced her staff and smiled.

  “Well. Ok.” She wasn’t sure where to start. They didn’t need all the sordid details, did they? He was gorgeous. He was wealthy. He could do amazing things with his tongue. His cock … well, there really weren’t words for that. No, there were definitely details they didn’t need to know.

  “I’m getting married. Tomorrow.” As she said the words, she felt like she was glowing. Her face flushed red, and her smile was 1,000 watts. She didn’t know what to do with her hands, so she threw them up as if to say, “Surprise!”

  Silence.

  Then screaming. And a million questions volleyed in unison. It took nearly an hour to explain, minus some of the more interesting details, who Malcolm was, how they met, what the courting had been like, where they were getting married, and so on.

  “So, you’re leaving tonight?”

  Caroline looked at her watch.

  “In about three hours I should be showered, changed, packed, and on the road.” Saying the words out loud made her mind spin temporarily with all the tasks that needed to be accomplished before she could leave. Mentally checking her to-do list, she quickly moved some things to the not-going-to-happen list and was instantly more at ease with having taken an hour to catch everyone up on her love life.

  A “love life”? Is that what she had now? She’d blocked out most of her emotions, which threatened to overwhelm her every time she thought about that she’d experienced over the past few days. Apparently her subconscious had not done the same and had concluded that she indeed did have a love life. She and it would have to have a talk soon—she was only interested in a father for her child and nothing more. Or so she told her “self”. The problem was, “self” wasn’t listening. And unless “self” and her subconscious were one and the same she thought perhaps that she was becoming a victim of some inner conspiracy to turn her well-laid plans into a complicated mess. To avoid their meddling, she decided to ignore all thoughts that didn’t appear to originate in her active brainstorming.

  Nodding her head to mentally affirm her decision, Caroline resurfaced to reality and was glad to see most of her staff had returned to work. That is to say they were continuing with their various cake baking and decorating activities. Their mouths still hung open with exclamations and congratulations as she completed her own task and walked back to her office. With a quadruple batch of the buttercream stowed, she could at least leave knowing she’d saved someone a couple hours’ worth of grunt work. The rest they’d have to organize themselves.

  Scanning her office once more, she determined she would not review the calendar again. She was certain she’d assigned a cake manager to each upcoming wedding, and that was the extent of her concern at the moment. Once a manager was assigned, the tasting, design consultations, and final confirmation were out of her hands. It didn’t really work out that way given her management style, but she’d have to let go some day. She’d consider it practice for motherhood. She had every intention of being a stay-at-home mother. She couldn’t manage both babies, and her biological one would definitely take priority. Better ease back sooner rather than later. She’d have time to work out the kinks before the real thing.

  She grabbed her shoulder bag and clicked off the lights. A chorus of congratulations and well wishes followed her out the door. In the relative silence of the street noise, she was left to contemplate the remainder of the day. She’d chosen the Cosa Bella Wedding Package after some conversation with the wedding planner at the Belagio. And though she had no intention of using all its amenities, once she purchased the package she was able to pick and choose those items she wanted for her and Malcolm as well as the wedding party. She’d added a few other perks as well, but she was sure it would be worth it. She’d sent invitations to Gloria and Denzel—Malcolm would need a best man. And she’d booked Sarah and Cody on the same flight as Gloria and Denzel. She’d thought it might be fun for everyone to fly together, but after some thought she’d considered one last evening alone with Malcolm would be nice as well. The wedding party, such as it was, would arrive a few hours before them. Once everyone was settled, they would have dinner and enjoy a show. She’d booked them tickets to see the latest Cirque du Soleil. After the show … well, she wasn’t a shrinking violet or a virgin, so she had big plans for that, too.

  Her phone vibrated. At the airport. G & D here too. Let’s talk @ tonight. Sarah had loved her plans until she’d told her it would all be a surprise for Malcolm. It wasn’t that she didn’t value her sister’s opinion—she was already married and understood the need for compromises and communication much better than she did. But Caroline had told herself and her sister that being on the same page as someone meant not having to run every detail by them. And, in the end, if she was going to be able to be true to herself as much as she was to her future husband, he’d have to understand her desire to please, even if that meant taking some risks and simply hoping he liked the outcome as much as she thought he would.

  Uuugghh. Not again. She really had no desire to discuss it again. Besides, it was too late now.

  Not that. Can’t stay with him tonight. Tradition.

  Was she kidding? She knew Sarah. She wasn’t kidding. Sleeping apart from Malcolm had not been in her plans for the night. But if her sister was willing not to ride her about the details of everything else, could she give her this? She could. Especially since notice of it would allow her to adjust her plans.

  I don’t like you. Without saying so, she’
d accepted her sister’s nod to tradition. Nothing else was going to be, so she didn’t feel she was losing too much of herself. Clicking away from the text screen, she pressed the contacts button and found a limousine company. Arranging for a pick up with one stop, she mentally adjusted her time line and travel wear. She would need some flexibility in the fabric if she was to accomplish in motion what she’d intended to accomplish in bed.

  She hailed a cab and settled in to the backseat. Once at the house she double checked the clothes laid out on the bed: favorite jeans, check. Favorite gray t-shirt, check. Favorite flip flops, check. Tiara and veil, check, check. Panties, bras, and toiletries, check, check, and check. She swept the lot into a Louis Vuitton duffel and swung the bag over her arm. Laying the bag at the door to the bedroom, she stepped back into the walk-in to consider the car ride. Definitely a skirt. Something stretchy. She chose a black ruffled cotton mini from the rack and animal print suede flats off the lower shelf. Pushing tops back and forth along the rack she finally settled on a sleeveless top with a draped front in charcoal. And the coup de gráce … crotchless panties. Caroline had purchased them in Italy the previous year when she’d visited her cousin. They’d stopped at La Perla near the Spanish Steps and the Piazza di Spagna. She’d never imagined there were so many ways to wear underpants. Or so many fabrics. Or designs. She’d giggled when she’d seen the hole in the fabric of the panties she now held in her hands. They were boy cut so far as they stretched across her hips and rode low on her thighs. A wide lace swatch covered her hips on the sides. The fabric continued straight around to cover the upper portion of her bottom. The lower curve of her cheeks peeked tantalizingly beneath the fabric.

  Dressing slowly, playing out the events in her mind, she had no doubt they’d be satisfied and relaxed by the time they reached the airport.

  Chapter Thirty

  Malcolm stepped out through the lobby doors at 6:00. He’d left the hospital late and had time only to grab a quick shower and an overnight bag. He didn’t worry too much about it—if he needed something else, he was sure they could pick it up along the way. Along the way to where, he wondered for the hundredth time. He’d been speculating all day, and everywhere seemed as possible as anywhere else.

  Almost immediately a limousine pulled up. He stepped to the side to allow the driver to handle his fare. Instead, the driver opened the rear door and gestured to him.

  “Dr. Fowlkes? Right this way, please.”

  Malcolm leaned his hand on the door and peered inside. Caroline was ensconced in the far seat. She held out her hand to him, welcoming him inside. Malcolm threw his bag to the far side and slid in beside her. He leaned over and brushed her mouth with his. She tasted like tangerines.

  “This is not a yellow cab.” Malcolm stated the obvious as he pulled her into his lap.

  “I’m sorry.” She pretended to pout. “Are you greatly disappointed?”

  She tugged gently on his lower lip with her teeth.

  “Not if every disappointment comes with you on my lap.” Malcolm said it with a smile, pulling her knees apart so that she straddled his hips. He enjoyed the heat and pressure of her bottom against him.

  “Well, I thought I owed you more than a cab ride.”

  “Owe me? For what?”

  Caroline bit her lip.

  “I agreed to something this evening that affects you as well. It wasn’t completely unavoidable, but agreeing definitely smoothed ruffled feathers. I hope I didn’t ruffle more by just going along.”

  Malcolm had no idea what she was talking about.

  “Okay, let’s start over. What’s happening tonight?” She leaned into him as the car pulled away from the curb and picked up speed. The early evening traffic wasn’t yet bumper-to-bumper, and they easily merged into the traffic headed out of town.

  “Uh, well. I thought we’d go to Vegas. Me. You. Our best friends. Whatever your terms,” she said softly, “I agree.” She watched him as she spoke. She didn’t say anything else. She didn’t need to.

  “Sounds like a fantastic plan. Is that what you agreed to? I’m okay with that.” His hand pushed gently under her skirt, and he slowly dragged his fingers up her thigh.

  “Well.” She swallowed with difficulty as his hand circled her thigh and lifted her cheek to more firmly pull her over his cock. “Sarah thinks that we should honor tradition and not sleep together this evening.”

  That stopped his hand. He looked at her incredulously, a wrinkle settling on his brow.

  “I thought couples just couldn’t see each other before the wedding.”

  “True. And if we wake up together, we’ll have seen each other before the wedding.”

  Letting the obvious sink in, Malcolm laid his head against the head rest and tried to conjure up an argument that would save him from sleeping alone. He couldn’t think of one.

  “I suppose it’s a small price to pay to have you beside me for the rest of my life.”

  ****

  Caroline smiled. He was too sweet.

  His other hand pushed gently under the other side of her skirt. Together, his hands pushed her skirt up and over her hips so that it sat on her waist. There was no way she was going to be able to finish this conversation. And really, was that such a bad thing? How often did you find the one person on the planet who could melt your insides and scramble your brain with a mere touch? She didn’t want this to end. She needed this always.

  Caroline smiled and let out her breath; she hadn’t realized she was holding it. Round one to her. Time for round two.

  She pressed her mouth to his. He tilted his head slightly, opening his mouth as he did so. Her tongue slid smoothly between his lips. He welcomed it with his own. Their tongues slid together, mating to their own leisurely tune. Caroline wanted him to feel the warmth and the texture of her tongue as she teased him through his pants. Rubbing his growing cock, she massaged his balls, squeezing them just a little. Malcolm leaned into her mouth as her hands increased their speed. He groaned in displeasure when both her mouth and her hands left his body. Caroline rocked her hips over his.

  “Open your eyes.” When he did, she raised her shirt up and over her head. She leaned forward and rubbed her silk-clad breasts across his face. He ran his hands up her back and squeezed her, pressing her breasts more firmly against his mouth, his cheeks.

  Caroline left her bra on. The see-through lace was a beautiful mallard blue, and it matched the color of her panties. It made her skin more golden than usual. Her eyes sparkled as she watched Malcolm watch her. His eyes followed her movements as she slowly slid the fabric off her arms and let it fall onto the seat beside them. When her arms came to rest at her side, his eyes stayed on her breasts.

  “You’re perfect,” he whispered. “Let it always be this intoxicating.” Caroline felt her breasts swell in the lace, pressing the soft skin tightly against the fabric. When he rubbed his thumb over her nipple she shivered. His other hand reached behind her and released the clasp holding in his prize. As the lace fell free, he lowered his mouth to taste one nipple then the other. Her head fell back, and she quickly had to remind herself to stay in control. At least for the time being.

  She forced her upper body erect and pushed him back into his seat. He seemed surprised but fell back easily. She resettled herself over him and kissed his lips. Letting her tongue play over his lips, she ran it over his jaw line and toward his ear. She outlined his ear with the tip of her tongue, enjoying the increased rise and fall of his chest as he turned his head to allow her better access. She flattened her tongue against his neck and traced a pattern to the collar of his shirt.

  “You’re wearing way too many clothes again, dear.”

  “This is your show. Help me,” he said softly.

  Caroline slipped the buttons from his cuffs and then loosened his tie. She pulled his shirt over his head and admired his broad chest. Kissing down his chest she tugged lightly on his nipple and enjoyed the sound of him sucking in air at the surprise and pleasure that ri
ppled through him.

  Caroline slid from his lap onto her knees. She unbuckled his belt, unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. She pulled them down off his hips and feasted her eyes on her prize. She gently stroked his shaft, using her thumb to tease the head of his cock. The shaft was hot and hard, its tip glistening with a bead of moisture. Wetting her lips, she watched his face as she leaned forward and took him into her mouth. The look on his face was priceless. Heat rushed through her as her taste buds registered the saltiness of him. With her thumbs rubbing his sac she began teasing him, alternating between licking his sac and just the head of his cock. She loved the silky feel and heat of his skin as much as she appreciated how his cock responded, growing and hardening with each lick.

  Caroline wrapped her lips around him, swirling her tongue around the tip as she increased the pressure of her lips slightly. As she sucked only on the tip, Malcolm gasped as the pressure and speed increased, obviously wanting more, wanting her to take all of him into her mouth.

  As her hands continued rubbing and massaging, Caroline finally plunged her head down all the way on him.

  She felt Malcolm’s hands delve into her hair. His fingertips pulled gently, encouraging her, demanding more. Caroline held his hooded gaze as her head bobbed up and down over his cock. The low, animalistic sounds he made urged her on.

  “Caroline, fuck. Wait a minute.” She heard his raspy words and ignored them, rubbing her tongue up, down, and under his cockhead.

  “I’m close, baby. You need to stop. Now, before I—” Caroline felt him shudder. She took him to the edge of sanity, sucking harder and harder, faster and faster, tongue swirling. Malcolm threw his head back against the headrest, his hips straining closer to her mouth as his body stiffened with tension. Caroline savored the knowledge that she could arouse him to such a fever pitch of excitement. He cried her name as his body shuddered in anticipation. As his cock grew and hardened further, she backed off, not wanting to rush to the finish.