Needing You Close (Ex-Con Duet 2)

I tell Everleigh I need to borrow her car this evening, and while she questions me, she’s happy I’m getting out. She’s convinced I’m depressed over Gemma marrying Robert, so she is more than willing to let me do whatever I want. While I appreciate her going easy on me, I made sure not to take advantage of it because she’ll know the truth about Gemma and me soon enough. And she’s gonna flip her shit when she does.

My heart thumps erratically on the way over to Jerry’s house. I arrive at the exact time Gemma told me. I can’t imagine the conversations they’ve had, but I’m ready to do this. Sucking in a deep breath, I knock.

Gemma answers the door with a cheesy ass grin. I meet her eyes, and she gives me a wink, silently telling me everything’s good to go. We stroll into the dining room together, hand in hand. Jerry turns and looks at me, confused as hell. As soon as Robert sees me, he throws a mini tantrum.

“What’s he doing here?” he hisses, his nostrils flaring in anger.

Seeing him like this before our secrets are spilled gives me all the courage I need. I wrap Gemma in my arms and pull her close before sliding my lips across hers. She’s already breathless, her body instantly responding to me. Instead of pulling away, she deepens the kiss, and I can’t wait to get the hell out of here and be alone with her.

When we pull away, Jerry has confusion written all over his face and Robert’s face is beet red. Before they can respond, I pull the wedding certificate from my back pocket. Making a spectacle out of it, I slowly unfold it, then hold it up like I found the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

“What the fuck is this?” Robert grits, reading it. “Is this a damn joke?”

Gemma holds out her hand and grins. “It’s our marriage certificate.”

Robert looks as if he’s solving the hardest Sudoku puzzle. “Whose?”

“I’m so glad you asked. It’s Tyler’s and my marriage certificate,” Gemma tells him.

Robert growls as though he’s ready to attack, and Jerry still looks lost.

I clear my throat. “Right. And it’s dated seventeen days ago, which means when you filed Gemma’s and your certificate, we were already legally married.” I study her, so damn happy that she’s my wife. Not caring, I lean forward and kiss her sweetly. “Which also means, your marriage isn’t actually legal, because you can’t legally be married to two people at the same time.”

“But the deed in my name certainly is,” Gemma quips. “Oh, and just in case you haven’t figured it out by now, I won’t be going anywhere with you tomorrow. I guess what I’m saying is you can fuck off.”

Robert looks about to explode as Jerry smiles wide. The only thing that takes my mind off this is Gemma hysterical laughter. The sound is so contagious that I pull her close to me and chuckle too.

“You stupid bitch! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Robert screams, moving his plate, then stands.

“Beat you at your own fucking game. When I ended things, I told you I wasn’t marrying you, Robert. I meant every single word,” Gemma gloats.

“I need an explanation right this goddamn minute!” Robert demands. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his feet planted where they are.

“Sure thing.” Gemma shoots him a wink as I trail my fingers across her arm. “Eric, your eight-figure client was completely fake. I needed you out of town so I could move all of my shit out of your house. Locks are changed, and a new security system has been installed in my cottage. Also, Eric was on your dime. His car, suit, hotel, all of it. Thought you could use some more business expenses.”

“Bullshit,” Robert seethes. “You’re not smart enough to pull something like that off.”

She rolls her eyes, and the urge to knock him on his ass gets stronger with every dumbass word he says. “I told him what to say to make it believable. All those times you thought I wasn’t paying attention at your business dinner? I was, and I learned a thing or two about you as well. Forcing someone’s hand in marriage isn’t right, Robert, but you gave me no fucking choice. You made this bed, and now you’ll sleep in it…alone.”

“You fucking cunt!” Within seconds, Robert charges toward Gemma. Jerry stands, and I move her behind me as Robert sloppily swings his fist. I throw one punch right into his big ass nose, something I’ve wanted to do since the moment I met him. Robert stumbles backward, but his rage is too much. He growls and makes me his new target as blood runs down his face and splashes on his white button-up shirt.