A Bought Bride Read online

  “I can’t imagine that.”

  “Well, it’s the truth.” She reached over and rubbed his chest, slipping a couple of fingers between the buttons. “I’m glad you came home. It makes me feel good to know you care.”

  “Of course, I care, and I’m glad I could help.” He reached up and took her hand. “You’d better stop taunting me like that or I won’t be able to go back to work.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Jillian, Jillian, when are you going to stop apologizing to me? I meant it as a compliment. Your touch turns me on, and I was referring to the fact that I might have to carry you upstairs instead of finishing the project I’m working on for a fall event at the store.”

  “In that case,” she said and pulled her hand from his. Again she began to rub his chest.

  He grabbed her wrist. “Stop that!” He was laughing when he said it.

  “Okay. If I must, I guess I must.”

  “Yes, you must.” He pulled her tighter. “Now walk me to the door and I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Only walk you to the door?” She looked at him sideways. “What if I decide to give you another goodbye kiss?”

  “You’ll have to make it a short one. It’s not far from the front door to the stairs. I might have to take you up them if you get too amorous.”

  “That’s what I’m counting on.”

  Chapter 16

  Two afternoons later Gloria came out on the patio with the portable phone. “It’s Mr. Kincade for you, Ma’am.”

  “Thank you.” Jillian took the phone. “Hello, Quinton. What a nice surprise to hear from you this close to closing time.” She almost knew he was going to tell her he was working late tonight and not to wait dinner for him. She’d been expecting it ever since she’d smelled the perfume.

  “I thought I’d be the thoughtful husband and give you a little heads up. John’s wife, Marilyn, came home last night. She’s been visiting their daughter in Texas. John says she’s anxious to meet you and they want us to join them at the club tonight about nine-thirty or ten. How does that sound to you?”

  What in the world would she do at a country club? And what would she say to his friends? Things were fine when she was here alone with Quinton or with the staff, but going to this society thing wasn’t something she felt comfortable about. Yet, she knew it was something she had to do. She took a breath, and said, “Of course, I’ll go if you want me to.”

  “I’ll send the car for you about eight. The store will close at nine and we’ll go to the club for a late dinner and dancing. Eat a big lunch so you won’t get hungry.”

  “Okay. I can do that.”

  “I bet some of my other cohorts will be there, and they’ve all been chomping at the bit for a chance to meet my beautiful wife.”

  “I don’t know if I have anything appropriate to wear unless I wear the red dress I wore to dinner with you that first night or my wedding dress.”

  “No. The red dress is too provocative. I don’t want any of my friends getting any ideas.”

  “Provocative, huh?” She blushed in spite of herself.

  “Made me propose to you, didn’t it?”

  “As if you hadn’t planned to.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that. I took one look at the top of your breasts sticking out, and decided to get to see them I was going to have to marry you. I don’t want any of my friends getting any ideas.”

  “You’re awful, Quinton.”

  “I bet you blushed, didn’t you?”

  “Of course, I did.”

  “I knew it. Now as for the yellow wedding dress, I want you to save it to wear on our first anniversary.”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  “I do, and don’t worry about anything to wear. We’ll go downstairs when you get to the store and pick out something that will look smashing on you. Something that won’t give the guys at the club too much of a peek at what you’re only supposed to let me see.”

  “You love making me blush, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do. I love watching you turn red.” He grinned knowing she probably flushed deeper.

  “You’re learning all about me.”

  “That’s what a husband is supposed to do, isn’t it?” Without giving her time to answer, he said, “I’ll send the car for you at eight. And would you tell Melba to take the night off?”

  “I’ll tell her and I’ll be ready at eight.”

  * * * *

  Quinton hung up the phone and looked at his watch. He had plenty of time now. He’d come back here before the store closed and then send the car for Jillian. Things were going to work out, he could feel it.

  He stood, closed his briefcase, and headed out of the office. In a few minutes the limo stopped in front of Maddie’s condo.

  “I knew you’d show up.” Maddie stood by the door and let Quinton inside. “That’s why I put something special on under this robe.” She threw it aside and revealed a red see-through bikini outfit.

  Quinton had to admit, it looked nice. He glanced away and said, “That’s not why I’m here.” Inside he was telling himself as soon as he got things straight with her, he’d show her how much he liked it. From the feeling of his underwear getting tighter, he knew there would be no repeat of the other night.

  “Don’t be silly. That’s why you’re always here and I know it.” She took his arm. “I knew this outfit would make you forget what happened last time.”

  He pulled his arm away. Since the incident with Willoby, Quinton’s instinct told him Maddie had something to do with Jillian’s visitor. He had to be sure. “A man came to see my wife the other day.”

  She giggled. “How did she like her little present?”

  “What do you mean?” He frowned at her.

  “I thought you’d appreciate me sending someone to keep her company. He can keep her busy, and you can spend more time with me.” She giggled again.

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “If she and Stan get it going, in the near future maybe the four of us can become friends. I don’t mind being friends with an older woman. They’re no competition to me, sweetie.” She gave him a sultry look. “Besides I like older men.”

  He grabbed her arms and shook her. “I want you to get this straight, and I want you to get it straight right now. My wife is off limits to you and your crazy notions. Don’t you dare ever send anyone to my home again!” He continued to shake her. “Do you understand me?”

  Maddie began to cry as she nodded. “I thought you’d be glad I did it,” she said between sobs. “I thought you might want her to have an affair so you could be free more often.”

  “Are you nuts? My wife is a decent woman. She’s not like you.” Quinton was furious.

  Maddie jerked away from him. “What do you mean, not like me? I was good enough before you got married.”

  “Maybe my standards have risen.”

  She sobbed harder. “How can you say that? I’ve been good to you. I’ve never denied you anything. I love you, Quinton.”

  He softened. Taking a deep breath, he said, “I know you’ve been nice, Maddie. I’m sorry I was so rough, but I want you to know my wife is a different part of my life. I can’t have you interfering there.” He put his arms around her. “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings.”

  She looked up at him. “I forgive you.”

  He smiled at her.

  “Quinton, will you make love to me to show me that you’re not really mad at me?”

  He wanted to. In fact his body ached to carry her to the bedroom, but for some reason he didn’t think this was the right time. He told her a lie. “I wish I could, Maddie, but I still have the same problem from the other night. Maybe later.”

  “It doesn’t look like you have the same problem.” She reached toward him.

  “It comes and goes.” He caught her hand and held it back when she started to reach for him again.

  She shrugged. “I’m sure you’ll get over it soon. If n
ot, you can go to the doctor and get some pills or something.”

  “Maybe so.” He hurried to the door. Before going out, he turned and looked at her. “Promise me you’ll not try any more tricks where my wife is concerned.”

  “Okay, I promise.”

  He wondered if she was lying, just as he had lied to her.

  * * * *

  “That’s it,” Quinton said when Jillian came out in a simple black sleeveless dress with scooped neckline and rhinestone-studded bodice. “It looks perfect and shows off your figure wonderfully without showing the guys too much of what only belongs to me.”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “I like the dress, too.”

  “Good. Now we’ll go get you some black lace underwear.”

  “I have on underwear.”

  “I bet it’s green.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because the slacks you had on are green.”

  She sighed. “Okay, you win. We’ll go get black underwear.”

  When they reached the lingerie department, Quinton asked, “What size bra do you wear?” She told him and he found one in her size immediately. “How about this one?”

  “Kind of skimpy, isn’t it?”

  “Sure. That’s what I like about it.”

  “You would.” She grabbed the bra.

  “Now for the panties.”

  “I found some.” She held up a pair.

  He frowned. “Not those. They look like something your grandmother would wear.”

  “What’s wrong with them?”

  “I just told you.” He picked up a thong. “This is more like it.”

  “No, Quinton. I can’t wear those.”

  “Why not? Your grandmother wouldn’t wear these.”

  “I know she wouldn’t. Neither would I. They look like something a call girl or a rich man’s mistress would wear. Not his wife.”

  Quinton was glad she couldn’t see his face when he hung them back. It dawned on him they were like the ones Maddie had worn the night of his failure. It also dawned on him that on Jillian they would turn him on instead of making him unable to perform.

  “How about these? I think this is a good compromise.” She held up a pair of black lace bikini panties that were cut lower than she usually wore.

  “I like those.” He grinned.

  They next walked down the dead escalator of the closed store and picked out a pair of black satin sandals with a small heel. “I think that does it. Shall I go get dressed now?”

  “Sure. The dressing rooms in the bridal department are the largest. Some even have couches where I can sit.”

  “Do you plan on watching me dress?”

  “Sure. How many times do I get to go in the women’s dressing rooms and watch a beautiful woman take her clothes off?”

  “Quinton, you’re terrible.”

  “I know.” An idea filtered across his mind as they headed for the bridal department. As they walked by, he pulled a fake mink coat off the rack and threw it across his arm.

  “What’s that for? It’s still too warm for a coat.”

  “I thought you might want to see how realistic it looks on. You may want to get one before winter.” He opened a door and showed her inside. “Here’s the dressing room I was talking about.”

  “Oh, it is big.” She turned and looked at him. “You were kidding about staying with me, weren’t you?”

  “Nope.”

  “But that’s not fair. I’ll be naked and you won’t.”

  “That can be remedied.” He began taking his clothes off.

  She laughed and bit her lip. “Quinton?”

  “Come on. The first one naked gets the prize.”

  She blushed, but slowly began to undress. “Then you’re going to win. I can’t help it if I still get nervous with you sometimes.”

  In a minute he stood back and spread his arms wide. “Ta-da,” he almost yelled.

  Jillian looked at him standing there naked with his legs and his arms spread. She grinned. “Not shy, are you?”

  “You’re my wife. Should I be?”

  Though the blush was from her toes to her forehead, she surveyed his body with a smile. She did have to admit, he was a good-looking man and at this moment he was all hers. “I’m glad you’re not shy,” she whispered. “I wish I wasn’t. You might like me better.”

  He moved closer and put his arms around her. “I think I like you just the way you are,” he mumbled in her ear as he gently took the lobe between his teeth. At the same time he was fumbling with the snap of her bra.

  In a matter of minutes they were lying on the fake mink he’d spread on the floor. His mouth and his hands were devouring her naked body. She was exploring his. Jillian knew she had to shed some of her shyness around him, but it wasn’t easy. He was such a man of the world and she was a simple woman. She pushed those thoughts aside as his mouth devoured hers.

  Their passion spent, Jillian felt her shyness melt away as she glanced at their reflection in the floor to ceiling mirror at the end of the dressing room. He was so handsome and she fit so well in his arms. Oh, how she wished this could go on forever, but she knew it wouldn’t. He’d already informed her it was for a year. Tonight she made a silent vow that she’d love him as hard as she could in the coming year, even if she did smell perfume on him when she’d arrived at the store tonight.

  Chapter 17

  John saw them come into the club first. He stood and waved them over. “It’s about time you two got here. It’s ten o’clock.”

  “We had another engagement,” Quinton said and took John’s extended hand. “Marilyn, I’d like you to meet Jillian.”

  “I’m so glad to finally meet you, Jillian. You’re as lovely as John said you were.” She eyed Quinton. “Why did you keep her a secret from us for so long, you bad boy?”

  “I wanted her all to myself for a while.” Quinton put his arm around Jillian. “Do you blame me?”

  “Of course we don’t.” John sat down. “Have a seat. What are you drinking?”

  “I think I’ll have a bourbon and water.” He looked at Jillian. “Do you want your usual white wine, honey?”

  She nodded.

  “Well, Jillian, I know you’re a new bride, but how would you like to go on a little outing with a few friends and me? Some of us girls are going to Atlanta next week for a shopping expedition. How does that sound?”

  “It sounds lovely, Marilyn, but I’m not sure…”

  “We have plans for next week,” Quinton said.

  Jillian glanced at him. She hadn’t heard anything about any plans, but she didn’t contradict him.

  “Oh, where you going, Quinton?” John looked at him.

  “I plan to visit some of the stores to be sure the fall promotions are going well. It’ll probably take a week and I want Jillian to go with me.”

  “I guess that’s more important than shopping in Atlanta.” Marilyn smiled. “Maybe we can do something when you get back. When will you be leaving?”

  “I’m not sure of the exact date, but like I said, we’ll probably be gone a week or so,” Quinton smiled at her.

  “These men,” Marilyn said. “They keep business on their minds all the time.”

  “Got to keep up in this world.” Quinton stood as a couple came up to them.

  After thirty minutes or so of small talk with several different couples, Quinton drank the rest of his drink and took Jillian’s hand. “If you’ll excuse us, I want to take my wife for a twirl around the dance floor before the band decides to call it a night.”

  “Don’t worry. They go until two or three in the morning sometimes,” John muttered as they walked off.

  * * * *

  Quinton didn’t know why he was surprised when he found Jillian to be an excellent dancer. He complimented her.

  “I got to be pretty good at it when Roman would wander off at a gathering and some poor man felt obligated to dance with me.”

  “Roman was a fool. You don’t have to worry
about that happening with me. I can already tell I like dancing with you. Remember how we did those crazy dances in the islands?”

  “I remember.”

  “I didn’t know then you were an expert at the waltz.”

  “How could you? The dances we did there were more twisting and jumping than anything else.” She rested her head on his shoulder.

  He grinned down at her “Tired?”

  “No. Only happy.”

  Those words jolted Quinton, but before he could respond, someone tapped him on the shoulder. “Pardon me, my friend. I’d like to dance with your lovely bride.”

  Quinton stepped back and the look on his face could only be described as sour. “I’ll let you dance with her one time, but I get her back soon.” He turned to Jillian. “This is Norman Blackburn. Don’t believe anything he says. He’s a chronic liar.”

  “Go away, Kincade. When I have your woman on the dance floor alone, she’ll be my captive audience.” Norman Blackburn swept Jillian away. “So, you’re the new Mrs. Kincade?”

  “I am. And who might you be, in relation to my husband?”

  “Wow, what fancy English. He’s got himself a smart one hasn’t he? And to answer your question, I happen to be one of his doctors.” He leered at her. “I sure would like it if he wants me to take care of his wife’s health.”

  Jillian hadn’t thought of getting a doctor in this area, but she was sure this wasn’t the one she’d be consulting. She didn’t like the way he kept pulling her closer, but he had a firm grip around her waist. “I plan to stay with my own doctor,” she mumbled as a whiff of his breath told her he wasn’t only having social drinks. He was drunk.

  “Damn. I was already fantasizing you naked on my examining table.”

  Jillian was shocked. There’s no way in the world I’ll ever be on your examining table. To him she said, “I do hope you take good care of my husband. I want him to be around for a long time.”

  “Not much chance of that, honey.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, I’m sure you knew when you married Quinton he was like a bee. He pollinates all the flowers he can.” Norman chuckled. “He thinks it’s his duty and his right in life, so that’s why he doesn’t stick with any one woman long.”