The Convenient Wife

“That was nice,” she says, reaching up to touch her lips.

“That’s just the beginning.” Adjusting my jacket, I flip the collar and pull on my sleeve. “Just you wait until I get you home tonight.”

Blushing, Starla takes a small piece of her hair and starts to twist it into a tight spiral. “You have it all planned out already, huh?”

“I don’t need to plan it. You make it easy to know what I want.”

Gina scoffs, dropping the crate of shot glasses on the bar and storming off.

Starla curls her arms around her ribs and shrugs. “It seems being your wife gets me more than just free lunch and good sex.”

“Has she been bothering you?” It suddenly hits me that maybe these girls have been more than just bitter with me. Maybe they’re doing or saying things to her that they shouldn’t be.

I hadn’t thought about that at all. I was fine with them giving me dirty looks and snotty comments. But I’m not going to stand by and let them treat Starla like an outcast.

There isn’t going to be any mean girl shit here, not a chance in hell. Pushing her out or making her feel like she doesn’t belong isn’t okay in my book.

I’m calling her my wife, and real or not, my employees need to respect her regardless.

“No, it’s fine, it’s not the girls I’m worried about.” Her eyes flicker with something, a worry, a fear, a concern. I just can’t tell what it is.

“What does that mean? What are you worried about?”

Snapping her gaze to the floor, she slowly looks back up at me. “Nothing, it’s nothing. Forget it.” Waving her hand, she runs her fingers through her hair and pulls it back against her scalp. “I’m going to finish up this stuff, and when you’re ready to go, come get me.” Smiling, she grabs a bottle from under the bar and checks it against her list.

I don’t like that she doesn’t give me an actual answer. I’m not a man who plays guessing games. I like clean and cut, I like straight forward and to the point. I’ve always thought that was the generous thing to do, even if it isn’t good news.

But seeing that look in her eyes has me worried. This, what we have, it’s such a simple arrangement. There’s no reason for her to worry herself sick about a damn thing.

I’ll keep her safe. I’ll protect her.

And she’ll get everything I promised her.

The desire to whisk her away and make her happy storms through my brain. I want to fix her, I want to fix everything in her life for her.

You will, in the end her life will be better than it was. The second my father sees her, he’ll cast her away. . . The thought makes me cringe, so I push it down and focus on us right now.

“I don’t want you to worry about anything. If you’re worried about anyone finding out about us, don’t. No one knows, and Yale won’t say shit.”

A thin smile slips reluctantly across her lips. “Don’t worry about it, it’s not a big deal. I’ll see you at lunch.” Kissing me quickly, she goes back to her bottles.

I’m not sure what it is that’s bothering her, but I don’t like it. Seeing her upset doesn’t sit well with me. I want real smiles.

This isn’t a forever thing, who cares if she smiles?

It’s hard for me to understand why I care so much about this girl. I keep having to remind myself that she isn’t really my girl, she’s not my wife, she’s not mine at all.

But it feels like she is.

It doesn’t take me too long to get my shit done. I’m back at the bar in record time, ready to take her out.

“You all set?” I ask, tapping the bar-top with my knuckles.

“One sec.” Popping her head up from under the bar, she dives back down for a few more seconds. “Done and ready.” Wiping her hands in front of her chest, she walks around the front and curls her arms around me. “Can I pick the place today?”

“Absolutely.” Hugging her back, I rest my face on the top of her head. “Where do you want to go? Capriolli’s? Black Satin?”

“I’ve got a place in mind. I’ll drive, you’ve never been there before.”

“How do you know I haven’t been? Maybe I have been there.”

“Trust me, you haven’t.”

“Alright, you drive.” Taking my keys from my back pocket, I hold them in front of her face. “Here, she’s all yours.”

“Let’s take my car, I’m more comfortable driving that.” Her nose crinkles as she pushes my hand with the keys away. “Besides, your car is terrible on gas.” Her smile is crooked and playful as she takes her purse out from under the bar.

Wrapping my arm around her neck, I kiss the side of her face. “Alright, I don’t care how we get there as long as we get there soon, I’m starving.” Brushing her hair with my fingers, I start placing kisses down her neck. “And not just for food.” Growling, I nip at her ear lobe and pluck it sharply.