Page 1 of The Reluctant Wife

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Aurelia

"Another espresso martini." I flutter my eyelashes at the bartender.

The man’s gaze widens; his Adam’s apple moves as he swallows. "Coming right up." His actions speed up. He pours the liquids into the mixer, then proceeds to shake it, adding enough oomph to his actions that I want to giggle. But I swallow down my mirth. Men are sooo predictable. He slides my martini across the counter.

My phone vibrates with an incoming call. I check the caller ID and make a face.My worthless excuse for a fiancé is the last person I want to talk to right now.I decline the call, slip the device into my purse. Then, to get the unwelcome reminder of what that call means out of my mind, I snatch up the martini and, raising it to my lips, downing it in one gulp.

"Whoa." The bartender’s eyes bug out. "That was quick."

"I was thirsty." I smile and notice with satisfaction when his color rises. "How much do I owe you?

"It’s on the house."

I arch an eyebrow. "I insist."I don’t accept favors from anyone.

When he hesitates, I dig into my purse, pull out a few notes and place them on the counter.

"Can I call you sometime?" His expression is pleading.

"My husband won’t like that.”

"You and I both know that’s a lie, doll," a new voice interjects.

I glance sideways to find a man of medium height with thick shoulders and an even thicker waistline leaning against the bar. Catching my eye, he winks at me, a look of satisfaction on his wide features.Ugh.

Narrow eyes and a crooked nose, combined with his stout features and an ox-like neck, not to mention the gut hanging over his belt, give the impression that he might have spent all his time at the gym once upon a time but now has allowed himself to go to seed. He leers at me.

I stiffen. I draw myself to my full height, tuck my handbag under my arm and sniff. "Goodbye."

I sail past him. I’m sure I’ve made it and begin to relax, when a heavy hand descends on my shoulder. "Now, just a minute. I haven’t finished talking to you, I—" the man begins to say, but I turn on him.

"Let go of me!" I tug at his hold and must take him by surprise, for I pull out of his grasp.

I see the intent in his eyes a second before his features twist. He reaches for me, but I evade him, then bring my knee up and bury it in his groin. The man cries out. I pull back, and when he begins to clutch at his center, I pivot and elbow my waythrough the crowd of people milling around the bar counter in the direction of the exit. Only, my progress is slow.

The hair on the nape of my neck rises. And when I turn, I spot my aggressor gaining on me. The man limps in my direction, an angry look on his face.Oh, no!Adrenaline spikes my blood. Fear squeezes my gut. I turn and plunge forward, trying to shove people out of the way. This is when I wish I were taller.

My five feet four inches puts me at a disadvantage. "Please, let me through." I shove at the woman standing in front of me. She moves aside, but then I’m faced with someone else. "Excuse me.”

I shoulder my way through, only to crash into something so hard and so wide, I’m sure I’ve smashed into a wall. Only it’s warm and covered with cloth that smells of fabric conditioner. And below that, I can smell the unmistakable muskiness of man, laced with something spicy that makes my mouth water.

Then thethingturns, and I’m at eye-level with corrugated slabs of muscle that stretch a black T-shirt so worn with age, there are tiny rips in the cloth through which I can make out flashes of skin. The heat from this expanse of chest reaches out and crashes into me, curling itself around me. I swallow.

My mouth goes dry. My throat feels like it’s clogged with emotions I cannot identify. My head spins.What’s happening to me? Why am I reacting like this? I’m not going to faint. I’m not.I draw in a sharp breath, and that spicy scent intensifies. I sway and grab at his arm to steady myself. His skin is warm, the muscles under the surface turning to stone. It feels like I’m holding onto a pillar of strength. A very live, very vital column of living flesh. The hair on the nape of my neck rises. I risk a glance behind me to find my pursuer is almost on me.Argh!

I hook my arm through that of the man I’m holding onto. Then, for good measure, I push my cheek into that expanse of steel that passes for his chest.

"Where were you, darling?” I cry. “I looked everywhere for you."

The planes under my cheek grow harder, if that’s possible. I sense the surprise coursing through the man’s body. He grows so still that, but for the warmth pouring off of him in waves, I’d swear he turned to granite. I’m sure he’s going to push me away, but instead, he wraps his big arm around my shoulders and tucks me into his side. I fit so well against him.

The massive bulk of his body is comforting, and the scent of his very male presence is so arousing. I melt into him. For a few seconds, I allow myself to wallow in his nearness. I sneak a glance to the side to find my antagonist from the bar standing in front of me. He looks from me to the man next to me, then back at me. He seems confused. Taking advantage of his uncertainty, I pat the chest of the giant I’m leaning against.

Muscles jump under my palm. Ohmigod, he feels huge. So well built. I resist the urge to massage the skin under his T-shirt and tip up my chin. "This is my husband, and I warn you, he can get mean when he’s angry. If you value your life, I suggest you leave."

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