Fake Summer Wife

“Plus, we could have a chat about sliding you some work,” Chester said with a wink. “We always like to give good work to good people. You know how it is.”

“Absolutely. I’d love to be considered. Thank you so much.”

“I’ll call you later this week as soon as Francine sets the date of our next bash,” he said. “But I’m pretty sure it’s in two weeks.”

I shook his hand, then looked around for Claudia. Good Lord. She had been cornered by Jessica and Marcy near the dessert table.

Practically sprinting across the room, I arrived just in time to hear Marcy say, “Don’t be a bitch, Jessica. It’s not her fault Vaughan’s Mom didn’t like you.”

“Hey, baby,” I said, wrapping a protective arm around Claudia. “The driver is waiting out front. Let’s get you off your feet.”

I could see the relief in her eyes as she nodded. “Sure.” Turning to the other women, she said, “Lovely to meet you both. Have a good evening.”

She sounded so sweet and sincere and I was impressed by her acting abilities. Maybe I was an ass for not greeting Jessica at all, but I didn’t see the need.

The second we were around the corner, I sent our driver a text. “I lied about the car, sorry, gorgeous. He’ll be here in one minute. But I didn’t want you to be stuck with them for another second.”

There was a slight commotion down the hall, as I saw a few latecomers were arriving and being greeted by the Hospital Director. I recognized a guy who was running in this fall’s Mayoral election, and a couple of bank presidents.

“Did you want to go meet the guy who might become our next Mayor?” I asked.

Claudia shook her head firmly. “Honestly, I’d rather not, but I’m happy to wait if you need to. Sorry.”

“No, let’s get out of here.” As

soon as we were safely in the back of the car, I slipped her shoes off and began to rub her feet. “So, what did Jessica say?” I asked.

Claudia rolled her eyes. “Vaughan, I’m sorry, I know she’s your ex, but that woman is unbelievable. She expected me to tell her how much your net worth has increased over the past two years, and where I expected it to be in ten. Who thinks like that?”

She moaned as I dug my thumb into her arches. The feeling of caring for her was stirring up another wave of feelings for my sweet girl.

“I know. My poor sweet wife. I’m sorry you had to deal with this.”

“It was actually sort of enlightening,” she said. “Some of those women have fascinating careers. Others are mothers and homemakers, which is equally important. But then some of them…” She shook her head, causing a few loose tendrils of hair to fall out of her twist. “It honestly sounds like all they do is shop and travel.”

“Don’t you like shopping?”

Claudia held out her hand, seesawing it back and forth. “It depends what for. Dropping by the veggie market is fun. Having to buy a bunch of new clothes for work in a few weeks…not so fun.”

“Well, I appreciate that you shopped for me,” I said, pulling her into my lap. “You have no idea what it did to me watching you in this lovely dress all night. It was almost as beautiful as you.”

Kissing down her throat, I pulled the fabric down an inch to kiss along the edge of her breast. Her breathing became uneven, and I loved how responsive she was.

“I guess I’ll have to hang up this dress until I’m invited to an upscale party with an entirely different group of people,” she laughed. “Oh – and let me give you back the ring, before I forget.”

Grabbing her hand, I held the ring in place. “When I gave this to you, you agreed to be my wife for the night.”

“Yes…?” Her eyebrow raised.

“What do you think about coming back to my place?” I asked, as softly and gently as possible.

She bit her bottom lip, thinking. “Well, that depends. Some men have a whole lot of expectations of their wives.”

“I have no expectations. Only a deep desire to hold you against me for as long as you’ll let me.”

Claudia paused, those beautiful eyes sparkling. “In that case, my husband, yes.”

I tapped on the window between us and the driver so that he’d lower it an inch. “My house. Thanks.”