I swear he wet my panties with his words. Maybe there was something to this fake relationship after all. But I was going to have to watch myself. I couldn’t allow him to get the better of me. If anyone was walking out of this arrangement screwed over it wasn’t going to be me. Been there, done that.
Chapter 14
MATT
Carly’s face was bright red as we headed outside. Wrestling herself out of my grasp, I watched as she marched past me, stomping her knee-high boots in the puddles and throwing her scarf over her shoulder with far too much effort.
I had learned two important things about my new fiancée this morning. She had a penchant for traveling home with incredibly cumbersome vibrators, and watching her get embarrassed made my dick hard. I had a feeling that I’d learn even more interesting things about her as the day went on.
Carly was clearly not the same girl I once made out with behind the bleachers. This was going to be a long but very interesting day. Her jeans were ripped in places that hinted at the beautiful caramel colored skin I’d seen last night. Her oversized sweatshirt hung off her shoulders revealing a hint at a perfect collarbone. I found myself playing connect the dots while admiring the ink on her skin and trying to commit it to memory. When I’d last seen her naked, her skin had been pristine. Now it was covered in artwork that was as beautiful as she was.
“Carly!” I called after her. “There’s really no need to be embarrassed. I’m sure Mrs. West had no idea what other things your back massager could be used for.” I chided her as I overdid the chivalry by bowing upon opening the car door and motioning for her to get in.
She rolled her eyes at my actions. “Yeah, right.” She grumbled. “How is it that you come here more often than I do and yet you have no idea how this town works?”
“See, that’s where you’re mistaken, my sweet.” I answered as I slammed the door shut. Taking a moment to inhale the cold fall air as I walked around to the driver’s side, I reminded myself to stay focused. As much as I enjoyed the banter between Carly and I, I needed to stay focused on my plan. Distraction was not my friend.
Sliding into the seat, I could feel Carly staring at me. She was quiet but clearly waiting for an answer. I tapped a finger against her upper thigh and watched her flinch. “I hardly ever come to Maple Cove.”
“But your mom… and …you said.” A look of confusion crossed her pretty features.
We pulled out on the dirt road that would lead us to the highway and on to the garage to pick up her car. “Yeah, well, I live in the city for a reason. All my life, I grew up in small towns. I hated the gossip, the know-it-all people, and the drama. Yet, I loved the rustic feel, and being closer to nature. So that’s why the city works for me. I’m far enough away to avoid what I hate but I’m close enough to still stay in touch yet disappear into the woods when I want to. As for my mom, well, I used to be better at keeping in touch but in this last year, I’ve been so busy building my business that I haven’t seen enough of her. This will be the first time in a real long time, actually.”
“Oh wow…” She responded. “I didn’t realize, I just assumed.”
“Yet another reason why this will be an in and out trip. I have to get back to work. Christmas is right around the corner and I will do a longer trip then.” I continued, rambling on more to myself than her at that point.
We sat in silence for a minute. The air felt thick around Carly, and the more time I spent with her, the worse that feeling was getting. I found myself wanting to ask her millions of questions, wanting to know all about her life as an artist. Wanting to push past her walls and see what was truly beneath that stunning exterior. I had a feeling it was way more incredible than I could imagine. As much as I wanted these things, these thoughts were also scaring the shit out of me. I needed to return to my life, my work, and I needed to stop lusting after Carly Roberts. Anything I needed from a woman, I could get back at home.
“Hey, can I use your phone a second?” Carly asked, jolting me out of my thoughts. “Mine’s dead. Just want to call my sister. Don’t need her freaking out on me for being late.”
“Of course, go ahead.” I cleared my throat, hoping she wouldn’t notice how I stumbled over my words. She officially made me nervous. This was insane. I tried to remain casual and keep my eyes on the road, but pretending I couldn’t hear her conversation was just stupid.
“Hey, Christy!” She chirped.
I stole a quick glance to the side. A plastic smile spread across Carly’s cheeks, her happiness demeanor seeming forced. As if she was playing a part that was specially fabricated for her sister.
“Yeah, so babe, I had a little incident and I’m stuck at the garage...no…no, I’m okay, it’s nothing. Just blew a tire or something. Um, no, no I don’t need Chad to come. Yeah so okay, FUCK, Christy, listen to me!” She screamed into the phone.
Looked like Christy hadn’t changed a bit.
Keeping my eyes forward, I heard Carly take a big gulp of air. “I’ll be there for dinner at 8pm but not before.”
Silence filled the car. Until… “Shut the fuck up, Christy. You’re lucky I’ll be there at all.”
I kept my eyes forward and said nothing as Carly slammed the phone into the cup holder and looked out the side window.
Finally, after a few minutes, I heard her sniffle.
Reaching my hand over, I brushed a strand of hair from her face, allowing myself a moment to caress the soft skin on her cheek. “Can I do anything to help?” I asked softly.
“Kleenex?” She asked, her voice hoarse from trying to hold back tears.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Why did this girl affect me so much?
“In the glove compartment.” I choked out, making a feeble attempt to cough through the tension in my body.
As she reached to grab the tissues, I asked. I just couldn’t let it go. “So, what’s the story? What just happened there?”
Carly exhaled shakily and wiped her nose. “Never mind, not important.”
Her words were the perfect trigger. Self-discipline quickly pushed aside the softness as my need to lead took the reins. “Actually, Carly, it is. First of all, I care about your well-being. Second, you flat out lied to your sister and yelled at her in the process. You clearly don’t want to go there, yet you are forcing yourself to do so. And last of all, as my “fiancée”, even if it’s only for a day, I think we should know each other better. After all, I did tell you my story, and I need “ours” to be authentic if this is going to work.”
Carly let out a long exhale. “Fine, okay.” She drew in a deep breath and began. “Honestly, Christy pretends like I abandoned the family by leaving Maple Cove, but I really think she’s jealous. She’s never left. Now, because she’s the one coordinating the will and everything, she thinks she owns us all.”