“You knew when we married I wanted a family.”
Yes, how could I forget? Everything to him is about appearances. We need to make sure to look as though we are the young couple in love, happily married and anxious to start a family. I mean, what would people think if they knew the truth? Everything is about perception. I’m to play the good little wife and to him that means giving him a child. My emotions are all over the place. As they usually are whenever he’s too close.
“A child is different.” My fingers dig into his button-up shirt. I don’t know if I’m trying to scratch him or get a hold of him. “They aren't something you buy or use for your image.”
“I would love my child.” I bark out a laugh. If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry. Heath doesn't know what love is. I don’t know why it bothers me so much that he thinks he could love his child but it’s never dawned on him to try to love me. If he wanted a real family he would have done this so differently.
“What if it’s a girl? Then will you want to have another? For me to keep having babies until you get your heir.” I’m sure that’s what he’s after. I know my father was but there had only ever been me. No matter how hard I tried, I could never live up to what he wanted. It was easier to sell me off than to try to love me. As much as I’ve dreamed of having children, I wouldn’t bring one into this world unless it was out of love.
“I would like many children. I don’t care if they are boys or girls.”
“Liar,” I snap out, some of my anger coming back. It’s better than sadness, but the sadness is too great. Thinking about having more than one child is wreaking havoc on me.
“I’ve never once lied to you, Orchard.” This time I can’t call him a liar because I’ve never caught him in one. “Do you want children?”
“We can’t have children.” If I keep saying the words maybe I’ll eventually believe them. “Would you sell our daughter away the same way my father sold me?”
“Never.” He takes a step back into me, clearing any space I’d made. A small amount of hope blooms in my chest. What if I could never get out of this marriage? Is there a chance that he could love our children? That maybe I could have a slice of the family I’ve always wanted? Maybe I wouldn't have a loving husband but I know that I would love our children and never let anything happen to them.
“Do you want children, Orchard?” His voice drops. It’s soft. Almost sweet. “Answer me.” He puts more force behind his words now. His breath is again tickling my lips. That warm buzz goes through me like it always does whenever he’s a little too close. It’s never been a matter of whether or not I’m attracted to the man. My husband is hot. If we were basing this baby making business solely on looks, then I’d be crazy not to let my husband put a child in me.
“Yes.” I breathe out the one word. He is making me forget what is happening. I slide my hands up his chest and around his neck. He lets out a deep, low groan. I wonder if maybe he too is starved for physical attention. Maybe Abigail is right about him. Is it possible that there’s more to him?
He pushes closer to me. His hard cock digs into me. A whimper leaves my lips as I begin to get more turned on by the fact that he’s hard for me. I knew on our wedding night that he wanted me, but I was sure over the years with my coldness that any attraction he had for me would turn to distance. That had been the plan. Clearly that didn't work, based on his cock’s current state.
“What will it be?” Yes, what will it be? I am currently locked in this room with him as he awaits my answer. I don’t think it’s much of a question really. There is only one answer. I don’t answer him. Instead I pull him down to me. His mouth meets mine as I taste my husband for the first time. I only need to kiss him for a moment. A tiny distraction is all I intend until his tongue sweeps across my bottom lip asking for entrance. I find myself parting my lips for him.
Another moan leaves me as he deepens the kiss. There is so much passion and need behind the kiss. I don’t know if it’s his or mine. I forget what I’m supposed to be doing for a moment because I’m enjoying my first kiss. I drop my hands from around his neck, letting them roam his body. Every inch of him is hard.
Heath really is all man under those fancy suits that I tried to hate but he always looks ridiculously handsome in. I savor the kiss for a moment longer, once again running my hands up his chest. This time I use every bit of strength I have inside of me.
I push him, catching him off guard, and he stumbles back a few steps. My eyes can’t help but catch how wet his mouth is from mine. His lips are a little swollen. I did that. I force myself to turn, running for the door. I get the key I’d stolen from his pocket into the lock, turning it before I pull the door open.
A hand comes down hard, slamming it shut. Heath’s front pushes into my back. My traitor body pushes back into him.
“Let me go.” My voice is breathless. I hear the desire in it. He leans down, his mouth kissing right below my ear. It’s so soft. A lover’s kiss.
“Never.” Even as he says the word, he steps back, dropping the hand over my head off the door. I pull it open. He snags me by the waist, stopping me. “You got the key.” He almost sounds proud. “You won this battle, wife.”
“This isn't a game,” I remind him. This is our life.
“I never said it was.” He drops his arms from around me. I run. This time I’m not so sure I should be. That kiss was something dreams are made of.
9
Heath
“Sir, a grocery store chain?” My assistant, Grant, looks visibly shocked.
“Yes. I need the due diligence reports and feasibility studies by the end of the day.”
“Give them until the end of the week or one of them will keel over at their desks tomorrow. Think of the death benefit payout you’ll be responsible for,” Blank says from the sofa. He’s stretched out with his dirty loafers up on my expensive Italian leather cushions tossing one of Redmond’s autographed footballs in the air.
“It can’t be more expensive than this damn grocery chain.”
“I thought she just wanted one store.”
“What if she decides to buy something else? I have to get ahead of her.” She’s smart and crafty. I don’t tell Blank that, though. I think he already likes her too much. I don’t want to have to throw one of my oldest friends out of my 44th floor window, but I will if he shows interest in her.
“We’ll have the reports on your desk tonight, sir,” Grant promises. He dips his head and almost clicks his heels together before leaving.
Blank lets out a laugh of disbelief. “I can’t believe you have your staff this well trained, but your wife of five years is giving you fits. I thought you married someone so young so you could mold her into the exact person you wanted her to be.”
I frown in his direction. “She is the exact person I want her to be. She doesn’t need to change.” The only thing I’m not happy about is that she’s not in my bed, under me, moaning my name.
“I don’t know, man. I think marriage is for the birds. No one I know who’s wearing a ring on their finger is happy.” Blank catches the ball and sets it back on its stand. “You should just cut her free instead of buying a whole grocery chain. You know the margins suck on those.”