Sleeping With The Enemy (A Stranger's Touch) (10 page)

Kate forgot everything but Alex. The moment she looked into his blue eyes, something deep inside of her splintered into a thousand tiny pieces. She would never feel this passionate about another.

They didn’t say a word. They simply watched each other in the semidarkness for a long time.

He urged her back against the bed, his hands and his eyes telling her all the things he wanted from her. Kate seemed incapable of resisting him.

She moved closer to his touch and watched his shocked reaction to that move. Her hands reached out to touch his face bringing him nearer.

Her need for Alex took on a will of its own now. There was no stopping it. She didn’t try. Her lips took control of his this time, slowly exploring him, brushing across his. At that moment, she wasn’t sure who was seducing whom, not that it mattered. They both knew where this was going.

Beneath her stroking fingers, he shuddered as a little more of his resolve crumble
d.

He jerked her closer, his eyes never leaving hers. Alex was still very frustrated with her. It was all there in the words he whispered against her lips.

“I’ve never felt this way about another woman. And I’ve never wanted any woman the way I want you. I can’t get enough of you. I love you, Kate.”

Another lie. Theirs was a marriage based on a series of lies and physical fulfillments. On shifting sands. She couldn’t stop the tears now, any more than she could stop herself from wanting him. She didn’t move away. She didn’t want to. His hands continued to roam over her body, touching every part of her.

Alex pushed her back against the pillows, pulling the covers away from the bed. His eyes wandered slowly over her all the while her conscience screamed how sorry she was going to be if she went through with this.

As she watched, she saw Alex’s expression change. He believed she was going to fight him. He leaned over her, his hands on either side, the tip of his tongue tracing away her tears. Kate couldn’t control her trembling reaction to his touch. The fight went out of her just as quickly as it had come.

She wasn’t going to resist him—who was she kidding? She didn’t want to. She wasn’t fooling anyone especially not Alex Bradshaw.

His lips took possession of her body. He took his time, exploring every sensitive inch of her flesh, while she lay powerless in his arms, hating herself, and knowing only Alex could fulfill all of her fantasies.

Her body shook with each kiss. Each stroke. Alex smiled down at her, aware of everything she was feeling. His hands clasped her thighs gently, urging them apart. He moved between her legs, thrusting deep with a single movement. Kate couldn’t hold back her sob. It had him frozen in place looking down at her in wonder.

Somehow, she managed to let go of her tension. She lifted her hips to meet his movements. The need he created inside of her was nothing short of torment. When she opened her eyes, she knew he felt the same way.

Kate shut the door on her conscience, along with the little voice inside her head that assured her she was going to live to regret this night very soon. Beneath Alex’s skillful touch, the tension within her soon shifted to passion. As Kate gave into her body’s desire, she gave up the last hope of coming out of this moment untouched.

Reality came back slowly, bringing the world around them into sharp focus. Alex rolled away from her, his arms still wrapped around her. She lay exhausted on top of him, listening to the sound of his heart racing against her ear.

* * * *

Alex shifted her weight a little away so he could look into her eyes. He’d never been more afraid of losing something
than he was right now at this moment of losing Kate’s love. He could almost read her thoughts. She looked every bit the frightened little girl who ran from him the morning at his office. He would do anything to keep from losing her now. Even if it meant using her body against her.

“It’s okay, we’ll work this out. Just promise me you won’t do anything foolish.”

She grew restless in his arms. He loosened his hold but didn’t let her go. Looking down at her, mere inches away, he saw her reaction flash in her eyes. She hated her own weakness.

“Please just go Alex—I need you to go!”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do. Making love doesn’t fix anything. It only proves you’re very skilled at seducing women. I’m sure you’ve had lots of practice. But it doesn’t change anything. And I still want a divorce.”

“Never.” He bit the words out as she pushed him away, got out of bed, and ran to the bathroom.

“Kate, open the door.” He knocked on the door, but she didn’t open it.

“Go away!”

“Kate, for God’s sake at least let me talk to you.” She didn’t answer, but he heard her crying through the barrier of the door.

“Okay.” He forced himself to do as she asked for the moment. “I’m leaving for now, but this doesn’t change anything. There will never be a divorce. I’ll fight you every step of the way on this. There’s no way I’m letting you throw our marriage away without fighting for it,” he told her angrily. When she didn’t answer, Alex finally gave up and left her alone.

Chapter Ten

“She won’t even listen to me! She won’t give me the chance to talk to her. I tried to explain things in Colorado but she didn’t believe me.” Alex didn’t even bother with hello. He simply stormed into Robert’s living room and announced those things.

“My daughter is very stubborn, Alex. I’m sorry—I wish I could give you some better fatherly advice.” Alex turned to look at the older man at last. He looked tired. But then he looked that way a lot lately. Alex felt a pang of guilt. He shouldn’t be bringing his marital troubles to Robert’s door, even if she was his daughter. Robert was not in good health. He deserved some peace. He shouldn’t have to try to help his son-in-law fix a screw-up he’d caused.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lay all of this on you. I know it’s not your problem to solve and I’m the one who created this mess in the first place. Robert, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I like to think you and I have become friends because of this. And I still hold out hope for my daughter. Even if she is stubborn,” he added and patted Alex’s arm.

“And I just put on a fresh pot of that coffee you got me. Come on through to the kitchen.” Robert didn’t wait for Alex to answer before he turned and walked away. Alex followed him to the familiar comfort of his father-in-law’s tiny kitchen.

He took the cup Robert offered him and stood quietly sipping his coffee. For the first time, he glanced around the room and saw an assortment of moving boxes scattered everywhere.

“What are the boxes for? Are you going somewhere?”

Robert looked uncomfortable. He couldn’t meet Alex’s gaze.

“Robert—what it is. Has something happened?”

The older man sighed and sank wearily down into the kitchen chair. He looked older than the fifty-two years Alex knew him to be.

“Well, I guess it was only a matter of time before you found out the truth.”

“What truth. What are you talking about? Tell me what’s going on. Why are you packing?”

“I’m moving to an apartment. This place is too big for just me.”

“You’re moving?
But you’ve lived here most of your life. Since Kate was a baby.”

“My point exactly. It’s time for a change and—”

“Stop it. What’s really going on here?”

The older man at last looked up. “Don’t tell Kate about this. She’s got too much to worry about already.”

“I’m sorry, Robert. But I won’t promise you anything until I know what’s going on.”

Another weary sigh and then he told Alex everything. “It’s my medical bills. Since the last heart attack, I’ve been drowning in them. I thought I was okay, but then my insurance maxed out and now...well. I can’t keep the house and pay my bills. It’s best this way. I don’t need anything this big just for me and it’s getting harder to get up those stairs anymore.”

“Why didn’t you mention this before? How long have you known?”

“
It doesn’t matter. And I know what you’re thinking and I’m not taking a penny from you.”

“Robert, I’m not asking you to take it, I’m giving it to you. This is your home and I won’t have you losing it.” He held up a hand to silence the older man, when he tried to argue the point.

“You want me to tell Kate about this?” he threatened. He was getting a little too skilled at manipulating people.

“No, you can’t do that, Alex. I told you, this will kill her. She’d think I couldn’t take care of myself any longer. She worries enough about me as it is.”

“Then we have a deal. You let me worry about the house and your medical bills and I’ll keep my mouth shut about this to Kate.”

* * * *

“Kate, this is Thomas Davenport. I think we need to talk.” The sound of her attorney’s voice reminding her of the upcoming divorce was the last thing Kate wanted to hear the next day.

The previous night she had berated herself for giving in to Alex so easily and then cried herself to sleep.

It had been barely breaking dawn when Kate sat up in bed. Once again, the nausea of the previous morning threatened to overcome her.

As much as Kate hated to admit, there was a very real possibility she might be pregnant, which only reminded her of her own foolishness. Remembering things she couldn’t forget, no matter how hard she tried.

She’d gone back to bed and then overslept. When she faced her reflection in the mirror, she looked like she hadn’t slept in days.

The moment she walked into the bookstore, she knew Brandy was dying to know what was going on with her, but Kate barely acknowledged her ‘good morning’ before making a direct path to the coffee machine, followed by her office. She closed the door and hoped Brandy took the hint.

“Talk about what, Mr. Davenport.” Kate swallowed back the nausea.

“It’s Tom, remember? Your husband called me yesterday and informed me he will be contesting the divorce. He was very adamant
.” He paused for a second, waiting for Kate to say something.

She couldn’t. She was still fighting back nausea.

“Kate, do you still want to move ahead with this?” His question took her by surprise. She couldn’t answer right away.

Did she? She loved Alex. Was he right? Was she giving up on their marriage without trying? Was there anything really to try and save? Could they make the marriage work under such circumstances?

“Kate?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”
she managed.

“Well, I just need you to be certain. This will make things more difficult. When one party contests a divorce it will be harder for a judge to grant.”

“But not impossible?”

“Well, no, but there may be more complications.”

“What are you talking about? What complications. I just want this over with, Tom.”

“I understand, but you should know I was told we’ve drawn Judge Edward Ludlow to hear the divorce petition.”

“And?” Kate closed her eyes and put her hand over her mouth.

I am not going to be sick...

“Well, he’s ultra conservative and known to be a bit eccentric when it comes to dishing out justice.”

“Oh, God. What does that mean?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to get back with you. I just wanted to make sure you were still interested in going ahead with this.”

“I am. I want this to be over so I can get on with my life.” The sooner the better before she gave in to Alex completely.

* * * *

At least that’s what Kate thought until Tom called her a few days later at home. He sounded upset.

“I just received a call from Judge Ludlow’s clerk. He wants to see both you and Mr. Bradshaw in his chambers first thing tomorrow morning. This isn’t good.”

“What do you mean?” Kate sank slowly down to the sofa.

“Well, I don’t know, but I don’t like the sound of it. He asked that there be no attorneys present.”

“So what do you
think
it means?” She held her breath and remembered her mother’s favorite saying when Kate did something wrong: Some mistakes you pay for the rest of your life.

“That means dress conservatively and whatever you
do, don’t be late.”

* * * *

Kate dressed as conservatively as she could manage. Her wardrobe didn’t really consist of conservative, but she found one solitary somber black dress and matching pumps she’d worn years earlier to a funeral. She layered on the makeup to cover the fact that she’d spent the last hour before getting dressed in the bathroom being sick.

Alex was there waiting when she arrived. He told her the judge hadn’t called them yet.

“Are you feeling okay? You look terrible.”

Kate glared at him, but before she could say a word, the clerk stepped out into the hallway and told them the judge was waiting.

Judge Ludlow was everything Tom had said. Even though he appeared to be close to the same age as Alex, the somber expression on his face told her he didn’t find much amusing about their predicament.

Once she and Alex took their seats, Kate couldn’t suppress a small nervous giggle. It felt as if they were being sent to the principal’s office at school. The judge did not see the humor in the situation.

“Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw, I cannot tell you how many people I see in court each year asking for a divorce without ever really trying to work out their differences. Most have been married for a number of years, some a few months, but I don’t think I have ever run across two people as irresponsible as the two of you.” He leveled them both with a disapproving scowl before continuing.

“You have been married
barely a week and yet here you are, seeking a divorce, Mrs. Bradshaw. In today’s no fault society, this is unacceptable. And I, for one, will not be party to condoning your behavior.”

Kate glanced at Alex and saw he was fighting to keep from laughing.

“I assure you, Mr. Bradshaw—I find nothing amusing about divorce.”

“I’m sorry, Your Honor. You’re right. Please go on.” But Alex couldn’t hold the judge’s stern gaze for long. His eyes
slid to Kate then down to his hands.

“I’ve asked you two here today without your attorneys being present to offer my suggestion. There will be no divorce until you two have at least lived together for six months and made a conscious effort to work out your differences.”

“What? Are you kidding? You can’t do that!” Kate blurted out only to suffer the full force of the judge’s anger.

“I assure you, Mrs. Bradshaw, I am perfectly within my power as a judge to make this ruling. I sentence you and Mr. Bradshaw to reside as husband and wife in either living quarters for the length of six months. At that time, if you two still desire to divorce, I will consider granting it. But I will not be a part of any marriage dissolving in a week. You
two will accept responsibility for your actions. The sentence begins tonight at six o’clock. And I’d suggest you both take this ruling very seriously, as I will be checking in on your progress from time to time.”

“No—wait, judge, you can’t be serious,” Kate exclaimed, but Alex reached for her hand.

“Kate, shut up,” he whispered under his breath.

“No, he can’t force us to live together, surely.”

“Would you care to try for a year, Mrs. Bradshaw?”

“What? No.”