Sleeping With The Enemy (A Stranger's Touch) (11 page)

“Then I suggest you take your punishment and live with it.” The judge stood and walked out of the room without another word.

Kate was too stunned to move. He couldn’t be serious
, could he? There was no way a judge could force them to remain married. They’d just go to another judge. Get the ruling overturned. There had to be a way.

Alex all but lifted her to her feet and dragged her from the judge’s chambers.

“He can’t do that, can he?” she kept repeating all the way to Alex’s car.

“I think he can. In fact, I think he just did,” he said with the emergence of a tiny little grin.

“Don’t. Don’t you dare look so happy about this. This doesn’t mean anything. There has to be some mistake.” She pulled her hand out of his grasp and tried to remember where she’d parked her car.

Kate turned to Alex and said, “This doesn’t change a thing, Alex Bradshaw. I’m calling my attorney the second I get back to the office. He can’t do this.”

She walked away from Alex to the seductive sound of his laughter.

“Face it Kate, you’re stuck with me! This has to be a sign. We were meant to be together. Not even a judge will give us a divorce!”

When she ignored him entirely he added, “I’ll see you at home tonight, baby. Don’t be late. I wouldn’t make the judge any angrier than he is already. You didn’t exactly win him over in there, you know, and I’d hate to have to bail you out of jail!” Alex called after her but Kate refused to look at him. She held up her middle finger and made it very clear what her reaction to his taunting remarks was.

Kate was so angry it took her longer than necessary to find her car and the mid-morning traffic made the trip back to the
bookstore seem twice as long.

She
headed straight for her office to call the attorney. There must be something he could do to the get the judge’s ridiculous orders reversed.

“Hey, how’d it go?” Brandy asked when Kate walked in.

“Don’t ask. I have to make some calls. I’ll be a while. Can you handle things on your own for a little bit?” Kate removed her coat, hoping her cousin wouldn’t question her any further, but Brandy followed her into the office.

“Sure.” There was just enough hesitation in her voice to make Kate glance up.

“What is it?” This day was going to get worse. She could feel it.

“Elise called,” Brandy told her quietly. She hadn’t spoken to Elise since she and Alex were married. She was hoping never to have to explain to her friend what a stupid mistake she’d made in rushing into marriage with him. Now, with the judge’s ruling she wasn’t sure how to explain their living arrangements.

“What did she say?” It occurred to her then Brandy looked uneasy. “What did she say, Brandy.”

“She said to tell you congratulations on your wedding.”

“What? Oh my God. How did she find out?” Kate closed her eyes then opened them. “You didn’t…”

“No! No way. How can you even think I’d rat you out like that.”

Kate trusted Brandy, so how did Elise find out about the marriage from way down in Florida, where she’d been visiting her sister for the last couple of months?

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m just so rattled right now.”

“I take it the meeting with the judge didn’t go so well.”

“No, it went horrible. The man is insane. He’s insisting Alex and I try to work our marriage out. What right does he have to tell us we must stay married?”

“Apparently a lot...he is a judge.”

“Yeah, well, I’m going to talk to my attorney and see what recourse I have. I can’t live with Alex for six months. I just can’t.”

“Why not. I mean…” Brandy’s voice faltered when she spotted Kate’s glare. “Sorry.”

Kate drew a deep breath and apologized. “No, none of this is your fault. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so nasty. I’m just so upset right now!”

“How did Alex take the news?”

Kate let out a nasty little snort. “Him, oh he was thrilled. I don’t know what game he’s playing but if he thinks I’m just going to go along with this without a fight and meekly jump into bed with him then he’s in for a very rude awakening.”

“The judge ordered you to sleep with him?” Brandy asked in surprise.

“No. Well no of course not,” she admitted reluctantly and looked away from Brandy’s amusement.

“Then what’s the problem. Separate rooms. You get to live in that palace he calls a home for six months. I don’t see a down side here, cousin.”

“Never mind.” Kate waved a dismissive hand in the air. “It doesn’t matter because it’s not happening. I’m not staying with him. End of story.”

“But if the judge ordered it.” Brandy stopped when she spotted the return of Kate’s anger. “Got it—not happening. Okay, I’ll be on the floor if you need me.” Brandy made a hasty escape.

Kate felt terrible about behaving so horribly to her cousin. She shouldn’t be taking her anger and frustration out on Brandy. Brandy tried to be supportive. Kate owed her a huge apology. Maybe once she sorted everything out, she’d take her out to dinner to show her appreciation.

The minute she reached her attorney’s assistant, she knew he’d been expecting her call.

“I take it you’ve heard the news?” Tom asked quietly.

“You knew?” Kate said, astonished. “Why didn’t you warn me?”

“I was told not to. Judge Ludlow isn’t someone you want to anger. Stay off his bad side, Kate. He can be quite a force to reckon with.”

“Well, please tell me there’s something you can do about this order.” When Tom didn’t say anything she added, “He can’t order me to stay married, can he?”

“I’m afraid he can do anything he wants, Kate. He is the judge. And his record of keeping marriages together, even using these slightly unusual tactics
, is high. He has lots of support. I’m afraid you will be forced to abide by his ruling.”

“You’re kidding. This is barbaric, this
is middle ages.”

“But legally binding none the same.”

“You’re telling me I have to live with my husband for six more months.”

“I’m afraid so. You’re lucky. I’ve seen him order even longer sentences.”

“But I can’t do it! I won’t!”

“Then you’ll be in contempt and you could face jail time.”

At Kate’s unflattering snort he continued, “It’s really easier just to go along, Kate. I mean it is only six months. Surely you and your husband can get along for six months.”

“Well, that’s the whole problem,” Kate muttered.

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.” She wasn’t worried about her and Alex getting along. They seemed to be getting along a little too well—at least in bed. She just wasn’t sure she could survive leaving him in six months.

“You’ll check and see if there are any options available?” she asked without any real hope.

“I will. But I suggest you get comfortable with the arrangements. I don’t think you have any real options here.”

Chapter
Eleven

“Kate, your...Alex is holding for you,” Brandy announced over the intercom system. Kate hadn’t emerged from her office since she’d ended the call with her attorney. Alex was the last person she wanted to talk to, even if she hadn’t been able to get him off her mind in hours.

“Tell him I stepped away, ran away, joined the circus...you pick one,” Kate said without any enthusiasm.

“I tried that already. He’s not buying it. He says he needs to talk to you about tonight,” Brandy added quietly.

“Oh God. Okay. I’ll take it. Thanks Brandy.”

“Sorry,” her cousin added again before disconnecting.

Just pick up the phone and get it over with
, Kate told herself, but found picking up the phone harder than she imagined. Her fingers actually shook as she reached for the receiver once more.

“What do you want, Alex?” She didn’t bother with hello.

“I didn’t call to harass you, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Alex never sounded so humble before.

“Really? Did you call to gloat?”

“No, I thought we’d better discuss some things before tonight.”

Kate swallowed hard. “What things?”

“Well we didn’t actually decide where we’re going to living for the next six months, so I thought I’d better confirm it before we’re both in contempt.”

“Oh.” Did she really sound so disappointed? What had she been hoping he would say?

“I was thinking it would probably be easier if you moved into my house, if that’s okay with you?”

Kate wasn’t sure why his question surprised her. It was after all a legitimate one.

“What about Earl?” she stalled, knowing it was the only real solution. Her apartment was far too tiny. They’d be bumping into each other all the time.

“There’s plenty of room for Earl...and you.”

“I’m not sleeping with you, Alex,” Kate announced and wondered why exactly she felt the need to state this particular thing.

“I don’t recall asking you. I asked about our living arrangements. Trust me, there’s plenty of room in my house. I’ll never even know you two are there.” For some reason, Alex’s reassurances stung.

“Oh, well, yes. Okay, I guess you’re right.”

“Okay, then. I’ll see you at six,” he added, ready to end the call. He sounded as if he were merely confirming a business meeting.

“Yes.” She felt like crying again and wanted to kick herself. What did she care if Alex didn’t want a constant reminder of their marriage?

Without so much as goodbye, Alex hung up the phone. Kate breathed a heavy sigh, then covered her face and cried.

What was the matter with her anyway? This was what she wanted, wasn’t it? She didn’t want to remain tied to Alex a moment longer than necessary. She’d just been overly emotional lately. Who wouldn’t—what with getting married one day and finding out the man of your dreams was a louse the next. This would all be over and done with soon enough, even if six months did feel like an eternity right now. She’d just take it day by day. With any luck, she wouldn’t have to see him every single day. This was just for the judge, nothing more. She could do six months with the devil himself if it meant getting out of this mess. Surely, she could survive a few run-ins with Alex Bradshaw.

* * * *

That’s what Kate kept telling herself for the rest of the day. The morning was over and done before she knew what happened, but the afternoon seemed to go on forever.

Out of sheer desperation, Kate confided some of the details leading up to their marriage to Brandy over sandwiches ordered in from the deli around the corner.

“Wow, so what are you going to do?”

“What choice do I have? Tom says the ruling is binding. I have no choice. I have to live with Alex for six months.”

“Hum...” Brandy murmured, then lowered her eyes the second Kate looked at her.

“What?” Kate demanded. Brandy was being unusually un
-Brandy-like. Normally, she was quick to offer an opinion.

“
Nothing.”

“Oh, don’t give me that! You were going to say something.”

“No.”

“Spill it, Brandy.” Kate ignored Brandy’s attempts at dodging the question.

“Well, okay. But just hear me out before you yell at me, okay?”

“I don’t yell at you,” Kate said defensively, but saw the truth in Brandy’s eyes.

“Uh, excuse me cousin, but you do. Or at least since you and Alex have been together. You’ve been irritable and weepy and nothing like your old self. Either you’re in love or you’re pregnant, or both. So, which is it?” The second she saw Kate’s reaction, Brandy stopped.

“Oh, Kate. You’re not, are you?”

“No, no...” Kate waved a dismissive hand then shook her head, but she didn’t sound very confident and Brandy picked up on it right away.

“Are you sure?”

“No,” Kate admitted reluctantly. She wasn’t sure of anything about her life at this point. Their lovemaking in Colorado had been wild—reckless. Uncontrolled. They hadn’t even thought about using protection.

“Oh, Kate. So what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. Nothing, I guess. I mean I’m not sure, right? It might just be stress. God knows I’ve been through enough of it lately.”

“But what if it’s not. I mean are you going to tell Alex?”

“No.”

“Kate, he’ll know soon enough. You’ll be living with him for the next six months. It’s going to be hard to hide the fact you’re pregnant by that time unless—” Brandy suddenly stopped.

“Unless what?”

“Unless you aren’t thinking about having it. If you’re thinking of—”

“No! Of course not! How can you ask me that?”

“Sorry, but if you’re not having an abortion, then you’re going to have to find a way to tell him the truth.”

“Brandy, I don’t even know if I am pregnant. I’m not telling Alex anything until I’m sure. Anyway, I’m sure this is all stress related.”

“And if it’s not?”

“Then I’ll deal with that problem when and if I come across it. Right now, I have to figure out how to get through tonight. I don’t need to deal with the possibility of being pregnant. I’ll think about it tomorrow, or the next day, or never...”

“Okay, Scarlet O’Hara, but sooner or later, whether you like it or not, the truth is going to come out.”

* * * *

Kate hadn’t been back to Alex’s house on the quiet cul-de-sac in
Cat Mountain since the morning she’d found those clippings.

She’d never planned to set foot in the house again. And yet here she was, forced to live with him for six more months
. It seemed like an eternity when faced with remembering how much in love the woman who shared Alex’s bed had been that night. She still couldn’t believe she’d been so naïve, foolishly believing a fairy tale of her own creation.

Kate parked her SUV out front and glanced up at the house. It was beautiful. Everything she could have ever dreamed of possessing. The lights were on. Alex was home.

She’d left work early to go and retrieve Earl and pack some of her things. The dog absolutely loved road trips and was overly excited.

Kate grabbed his leash and hooked it to the collar.

“Ready, boy?” she asked, but Earl was already out of the vehicle and pulling at the leash.