Page 17 of His Weekend Wife

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There was nothing strange or odd about seeing her husband, Ash reminded herself as she walked down the street toward the upscale building of one of Atlanta’s most popular midtown luxury apartments. She momentarily stopped across the street to admire the architecture that commanded attention. The stunning Art-Deco design, the sleek, geometric lines and the ornamental crown all reeked of wealth. The high-rise was one of the tallest residential buildings in the city, and seemed like an entirely different planet compared to her tiny apartment.

Crossing the street at the light, she was greeted by the stately doorman who opened one of the polished glass doors for her. She thanked him and he rewarded with a dip of his hat. Her two inch, sexy heels didn’t seem to want to move fast enough as she stepped into the sophisticated lobby that was an amazing sight in it of itself. The place was enormous and quite intimidating. The walls were sandstone, the floors were so shiny that she could see her reflection and the design screamed elegance.

She almost tripped on a rug and groaned inwardly. Her nerves had the best of her. She couldn’t believe she’d agreed to do this crazy scheme. Yet, the thought of losing her sister, permanently, gave her the encouragement to follow through. Asking for help from the one person who she never wanted to see again took a lot of bravery. At least Declan had agreed to see her.

Abby had given Ash a pep talk earlier, convincing her that she needed to look different, less desperate, when she saw Declan. In other words, tease him with seduction. So, reluctantly, Ash had dressed in the tight-fitting, red dress, the color that evoked passion, and the heels that gave her killer calves. The sexiness she would need to drum up would certainly prove to be a challenge, considering Ash had never used her body to persuade anyone of anything, not even Declan when they were a couple. She planned never to tell anyone about this ordeal, not even after the proper amount of time had passed. Nothing about this situation was humorous or worth speaking about. In fact, she was humiliated.

She swallowed against the tightness in her throat and sucked back another round of fear.

Behind the tall, glass desk, a gentle-smiled man stood up. “Can I help you, ma’am?” His friendliness comforted her—some.

“I-I…” Get it together before you announce to the world what you’re here for. “Mr. Knight is expecting me.”

“Yes, Miss James. He asked me to send you up when you arrived.” He led her to the elevator, pressed a button and the polished doors purred open. She obligingly stepped in—feeling much like a lamb being led to slaughter. “Good day, ma’am.” He smiled again just as the doors closed.

Alone in the cubicle, she focused on her breathing, just as she’d learned in yoga. In and out. In and out. Her nerves were all tied up, but she could do this—she had to do this.

She hadn’t seen Declan, in person, in five years. Would he have changed? Would he be angry with her? Or would he send her away before he heard her out?

By the time the elevator dinged on the fiftieth floor, she had her breathing under control, her dress smoothed and her hair pulled over to one side. The doors opened straight into the foyer of his apartment. The floor to ceiling window with an aerial view of the city seized her in its beauty. She couldn’t deny the temptation to stop and admire the sight. So, this is what money buys you? If she wasn’t as nervous as hell, she’d actually move closer and get a better look, but for now, she thought it would be best to not allow her focus to shift.

Further into the grand, open space, she lifted her chin and straightened her spine as if she was a superhero battling crime.

One wall was covered with a rock partition and water trickled down the stones puddling into a small pond where koi fish swam. Across the wood floor were a set of glass doors with an intricate gold design. She gripped the handle of her purse until her knuckles ached. What am I doing here? Dressed in her sister’s red dress and heels, she was out of her element. Should she have come in jeans and T-shirt? No, this meeting required confidence, professionalism and control.

Slipping her phone from her purse, she looked at the time. 6:15 PM. Hard to believe that just that morning, she’d learned that her sister was in trouble. After telling her boss that she couldn’t make her shift today, he’d been angry enough that she doubted she’d have a job to go back to. She and her sister both would be penniless.

Focusing on the elegant wooden floor, the doors came open and a pair of expensive loafers came into her view. She followed black slacks, leather belt, pearl buttons on a designer shirt covering broad shoulders, until she came to a pair of gray eyes—so gray they reminded her of the sky after a storm.

Her question had been answered, sort of. Declan had changed, and yet was the same confident man. He was handsome. Tall, with unruly black hair and a layer of scruffy beard that made him look defiant, which she knew he had a wild streak of rebellion. A familiar longing scuttled into her core and her body quivered. He still had the same effect on her.

“Good, you’re on time.” The warm baritone voice sent trickles of excitement down her limbs, making the tips of her fingers tingle in awareness. Those dashing eyes took a slow journey down her body before coming back up, appreciation mirroring in his gaze before he blinked and the admiration disappeared. “Then again, you always were prompt.” An aloofness crawled into his expression.

“I’m surprised you agreed to see me after all these years.” Oh shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Why did her voice sound like a high-pitched squeal? Did he catch on? One thick brow curved. Yes, he did. Sweat beaded between her breasts and she swore she’d lose her cool. She knew this wasn’t a good idea—knew she’d screw it up from the get-go. Please earth, open up and engulf me now.

“I didn’t have anything else to do this evening,” he finally said.

Swallowing, she forced a smile on her lips. She refused to allow him to make her tremor under his anger. He was mad at her, which would have made her angry if she wasn’t so damn nervous. “Luck’s in my favor, I guess.”

One corner of his mouth deepened into a gritty smile. He took a step back, motioning for her to enter. “I do have plans later tonight. We should get this over with.”

I bet you do. Another leggy blonde, probably.

With an encouraging inhale, she stepped past him and into the great room. The white walls and dark wood floors were softened by the lighting, but the decorations spoke of masculinity and wealth, yet she could barely see anything beyond staring at her husband. Somewhere in the back of her mind she’d hoped that his hair had started thinning, or his stomach protruding, but no, not Declan Knight. She guessed he still worked out in the gym every day. And he looked good—damn good. Hell, better than good.

He’d matured. His shoulders were wider and creases appeared around his eyes. His stubbled jaw looked stark against his white dress shirt. Over the years she’d wondered what he was doing, missed their conversations, their lovemaking, but it wasn’t until this very moment that she realized just how deeply she’d missed him. She had to force those wayward thoughts straight out of her head. She was here to ask him for a loan, not to find out if his chest was still smooth with only a spattering of crisp hair in the center. Or if he still had a six-pack, or if he could go all night…

Oh, dear Lord. Contain yourself.

“Want to put your purse down?” He pointed at a table sitting by the door.

“Yes, I think I’d like to.” A wave of warmth came over her, burning her cheeks and her inner thighs. She would have turned to run if her sister’s image didn’t pop up in her brain as a reminder why she was doing this in the first place. She started to place the purse on the table, but he took it from her and their fingers brushed. Unprepared for the sudden onset of scorching heat spiraling through her body, she jerked, dropping the purse to the floor. The latch popped open and the contents spilled out around her feet. Gum, a pen, her phone and other odds and ends were spread out. A tube of lipstick rolled away. Instantly, she went to her hands and knees, gathering her items and shoving them back into the handbag, all while chastising her clumsiness.

“I see you’re always armed for the unexpected.”

His husky voice brought her chin up and they came face-to-face. My God, he’s a beautiful man. Weakened by his exhilarating gaze, it took her a good five seconds to realize he had her extra panties dangling from his forefinger, a teasing smile lifting the corner of his perfect mouth.

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