Page 25 of One Night Bride
I frowned at the closed door. Somebody got grumpy real fast. I did check my schedule, though, and I had exactly two hours before my one and only afternoon client. I’d also put recording a new video for my course on the schedule, but that would have to be moved since I didn’t have my equipment.
When Remington came out of the bathroom in a fresh pair of jeans, a clean T-shirt, and the mixed scent of soap and cologne, there wasn’t much I could say except yes to his lunch invitation. His blue eyes must have some sort of magical power, that’s the only thing I could think of as to why I seemed to drop everything for him. He held the wedding ring out to me and I slid it on my finger, ignoring the way he watched me like a hawk. I also ignored the way my stomach dipped and melted, knowing it was a symbol of being his.
He held my hand as we left the house, helping me up into the truck, and being a proper gentleman. Hell, he’d gone down on me and then denied himself any pleasure just this morning. You couldn’t say Remington’s name without also thinking the word gentleman. I realized most girls would trip over themselves to be married to this man. And yet, I wasn’t most girls.
As the trees and open grazing land flickered by outside the truck window, Remington gave me a verbal tour of the place he’d grown up. It didn’t take long before we hit the edge of town, the little shops as quaint as Auburn Hill, yet unique in their own way too.
“This is my favorite diner. They have every comfort food you could ever want.” Remington looked over at me as he put the truck in park at a spot just a few spaces down from a bustling restaurant. “You aren’t on a diet, are you?”
His face was a mask of horror. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you see me eat lasagna and French bread last night? If I was on a diet, I’d have already blown it out of the water.”
His eyes heated, and I suddenly knew what he was thinking of. His brain was picturing me naked, up against the wall, in his hotel room, and writhing on his bed this morning.
“I think you’re fucking perfect, so please don’t ever go on a diet.”
Well, shit. My heart melted a fraction over the simple, yet heartfelt compliment. He climbed out of the truck and came around to help me down before I could respond. Immediately, he laced our fingers together and walked us over to the diner.
“Hey, Rem!” came a guy’s voice as we passed on the sidewalk.
Remington gave him a head nod, but kept walking. At the door of the diner, he pulled it open for me and gestured for me to head inside first. The place was crowded and noisy, but the smell of fried foods had my stomach grumbling.
“Remington Roth,” the hostess said with a giggle. She looked about as old as my sister Vee. “Table in the back?”
Remington shot her a smile, one I was coming to learn was his go-to for strangers. Or at least, people who weren’t in his tight-knit circle. He had a smile he used with his family too. It was open, carefree, genuine. I’d also seen a third smile he’d sent my way before he touched me in any way. That one was predatory and possessive, setting the blood in my veins on fire. Thank God he hadn’t leveled that one at Miss Hostess. We slid into a booth, and after the hostess spent a few more moments giggling and winking at Remington, she left us to our table.
“That happen a lot around here?” I asked casually, glancing over the plastic-covered menu.
He shrugged, not even picking up the menu.
“What’s good here?” I tried again. Someone still had his grumpy pants on.
“Everything,” he finally answered. “Listen, we can fly back tonight if you’d like.”
I dropped the menu and looked at him in surprise. He’d made it sound like they’d need a few days to fix the fence. Was this about my comment regarding the annulment?
“I don’t understand.”
He shrugged again. “Ruger’s an asshole. The fence wasn’t that bad, and our neighbor’s crew came by to help. It’s mostly done. I think he just wanted to see if I’d bring you to meet everyone.”
I frowned. “He knows it’s not for real?” Inferring, of course, to our marriage.
“It is real, Esme.” Remington leaned over the table, his heavy body causing it to tip an inch or two in his direction. “He knew I was looking for a wife, even if only temporarily.”
Alarm bells clanged in my brain. “Are you saying you manipulated me into marrying you that night?”
His eyes went wide. “No! God, no, Esme. I would never do that. I was just as surprised as you. I swear to you.”
I mulled it over in my head, wondering if I’d been duped. Had I been so caught up in how attractive he was that I’d let myself get taken advantage of?
“What can I get for you young things?” a lady in her late fifties asked, leaning her hip against the table by Remington.
“Georgie,” he said with a smile. A real one. “I’d like you to meet my wife, Esme.”
I tried out a smile, though I knew it looked stiff. I hadn’t prepared for an introduction as his wife.
Georgie pushed off the table and swooped in to give me a bone-crushing hug. “Oh, I’m so happy for you two! You got yourself the very best of men, I can tell you that. Better watch your back, missy. The single ladies of Glenrock might have it out for you.”
She took our order, giving Remington hell for crushing women’s hearts. When she left, I noticed his face was a darker tan than before. Almost with a tinge of red. Was he blushing?
