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  Chapter 35

  In a whirlwind of moments, we were ushered over to the table where the cake was sitting. It was a simple two-tier with dusty rose colored flowers which were starting to lose form in the heat.

  “Cut the cake and smile for pictures before it melts.” Julie ordered, backing up and lifting her cell phone to take snapshots that would be uploaded to social media long before I got to consummate my marriage.

  Gavyn and I held the knife together and beamed at the people snapping photos or recording video. We sliced into the cake and shared the first bites together. I used my fingers to gather a small amount and he did the same. I sucked the icing off his finger and his mouth went into an impressed and sexy O. Thankfully, neither of us smashed cake into the other’s face. I hate that tradition. Why would anyone want to get cake on their dress?

  We finished and the cake was taken inside. Most of the wedding party went along for refreshments. As Gavyn kissed me again to get some rogue icing off my bottom lip, there was a tug on my skirt. Malcolm looked up at me with a serious expression.

  “What’s up? Don’t you want to go eat cake?” I kneeled so I’d be at his height. Gavyn’s hand rested on my shoulder to keep me steady on the high heels.

  “Duh, of course I want cake.” He smiled before continuing. “This is important.”

  “Okay, I’m listening.” I smiled.

  Mac put his hands on his hips. “So, you’re married to Dad and going to live with us. That’s how Nanna explained it.”

  “That’s right.”

  “Does that mean I can call you Mom?” He frowned sideways as if I would be upset.

  “Malcolm…” I looked up at Gavyn and I swear I saw tears well up briefly. He nodded at me and smiled. I turned back to Mac. “I want you to call me whatever you’re comfortable with, okay?”

  “Mom.” He nodded and grinned. “You’re a cool mom.”

  I hugged him tightly. “And you’re a cool kid.”

  He squirmed a little and I let go. His hands smoothed his little tux. “Watch the wrinkles, Mom. There are cute girls around. Cake time!” He ran off.

  Gavyn helped me to my feet and I stared at him in shock for a minute. “Did you put him up to that?” I asked.

  “No way. He’s my kid so he has great intuition.” He winked and corrected himself. “Our kid.”

  Chapter 36

  I changed out of my wedding dress and into comfortable slacks and a sleeveless blouse when everyone had finished taking pictures of me and my new husband. The guests left a little after dark. Gavyn and I were stretched out on lounge chairs with our eyes closed by the pool.

  “The Patterson’s invited us over for cards. Mac can play with their granddaughter and it’ll give you kids some time to rest before leaving.” Julie was standing in front of us when I opened my eyes.

  “We’ll lock up before we go, Mum. We’re pretty beat.” Gavyn rose to his feet and hugged his mother. I did the same.

  “Thank you a million times, Julie.”

  She laughed, “Now I can call you Mrs. Valmore, too!”

  “I like the sound of it,” I said.

  “Bye Mom, bye Dad! Let’s go, Nanna. They have a dog.” Malcolm grabbed his grandmother’s hand and pulled her toward the door.

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Julie called out before entering the house through the sliding door. A short time later I heard the car start. I listened for the sound of the engine to disappear before turning to Gavyn.

  “How does it feel to be a married man?”

  “The ball and chain is kind of heavy, but infinitely stylish.” He began unbuttoning the shirt he’d changed into.

  “What are you doing?” I glanced around. It was dark except for a few Citronella candles and the lights from the pool.

  He shrugged off his shirt to reveal that hard body I’d grown increasingly familiar with in the past week. “It’s hot. I figured we could go for a swim.”

  “I don’t have a bathing suit,” I whispered.

  “Why are you being so quiet? The neighbors on the right are on holiday and the other one is an elderly woman who lives alone with a wee pup. She’s asleep by like seven.”

  “Okay, well, that still doesn’t change the fact I don’t have a bathing suit.”

  In response, Gavyn flicked his pants button loose for emphasis and slowly tugged the zipper down. “Are you wearing panties?” He grinned wickedly. “Please say no.”

  “Mr. Valmore!” I found myself smiling back at him, though my gaze kept drifting down to his open fly instead of maintaining eye contact. “Yes, I am.”

  “No one is going to see. The fence is tall and I told you about the neighbors already.” He dropped his pants in a quick motion and stepped backward into the pool. At that depth, the water came up to his pecs.

  I surveyed the area, not that I could see far. Gavyn was right about the houses. All the neighbor’s windows were pitch black. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” I lifted off my shirt and stood there in my lace bra.

  “Mmm. For all your artsy passion and tattoos, you’re not really that rebellious.” He taunted me as he moved closer and rested his arms on the side of the pool to watch me.

  “Sure I am. What do you call marrying a guy I’ve only known for a couple of months?” I wiggled my hips to get my pants down. Standing in my wedding night thong, I could have only been more exposed if I was buck naked.

  “Destiny?” He bit his lip.

  I walked over to the rail and the steps leading into the water. Gavyn moved over to meet me. His arms went around my hips and he guided me weightlessly into slightly deeper water.

  “You’re too smooth of a talker. Never stop.” I smiled, sliding my hands up his wet chest, over his shoulders, and held close to him with my arms draped over them. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in water.”

  “I could have sworn you took baths. You smell so intoxicating.”

  I laughed, a hint of nerves showing. “I mean like a pool… or a lake.”

  Understanding dawned on his face. “Do you want to get out? I should have been more thoughtful about your trauma.” He stroked my hair away from my cheek and tucked it behind my right ear. “I swear I’ll take care of you.”

  “No, no. I’m fine. I shouldn’t have said anything.” I wrapped my legs around him underneath the water. “I trust you.”

  He kissed my lips briefly, parting far too soon. His arm went behind me and his mouth to my neck. The clasp of my bra was freed as he suckled and nibbled on my wet skin. The straps of my bra were tugged down my arms by his skilled hands. The cups followed, slipping below my breasts. I replaced the missing garment with my arm.

  “What if they return early?” I whispered.

  He whispered back, “We’ll hear the car.”

  “And if… we get… your ‘swimmers’ in the pool?”

  “Pool cleaner stops by tomorrow morning. Besides, they’re all going in you.”

  Before I could protest further, I watched him strip out of his underwear and kick them away with his foot. Then, his hands were on me again, pulling down my panties. “I’m so hot and I’m in the water.” I fanned myself.

  “I have that effect, baby.” He pushed up against me and our nude forms entwined again as my legs wrapped around him once more. His hand held onto my butt cheeks as he walked into a shallower section of the pool.

  “You really do.” I ran my hands through his perfectly groomed curls and ruffled them so they were wild like normal. Again we kissed as he grinded against me.

  “I wonder if that birth control has kicked in yet, because I can’t get enough.” He pushed firmly into my depths and hit my warm core. When he couldn’t go any further, he bounced me on his shaft while holding onto my hips.

  “Me either.” It was the first time he’d penetrated me without a rubber on. I leaned my head back and moaned deeply, my nipples pointing skyward at the stars. Gavyn’s mouth found the hard nubs immediately.

  For several minu
tes we stayed this way, his breathing became heavier, hotter against my bare wet flesh the longer he thrust between my legs. As for me, I was long gone in a state of perpetual bliss. One of Gavyn’s hands went over my mouth when my ecstatic moaning had grown too loud.

  “You’re too hot. Too damn sexy,” He whispered with unrestrained intensity as his movements grew rougher, needier.

  I opened my mouth and licked the index finger of the hand covering it before sucking it between my lips. The little slurp I’d given his digit during the wedding cake cutting paled in comparison. I gave it my full attention as if it were a cock pressing down on my tongue. My body shuddered and trembled with each wave of pleasure.

  “I’m… going to…” His words trailed off into a deep groan. It was my turn to cover his mouth with my hand. I opened my eyes and pressed my chest against him as I held on, never wanting to let go. For a while after his release, he stood there with eyes closed and sucked in air heavily through his nose.

  “You’ll wake the neighbors and they’ll call the police.” I grinned.

  He didn’t leave my body, but pulled the hand covering his mouth away. Gavyn kissed each one of my fingertips separately, followed by my palm, and then the top of my hand. “One look at you and they’ll see why I had to have you right now. Then, I’ll fight them to the death for my woman… caveman style.”

  I played with the hair at the nape of his neck as I gazed into his eyes and sighed happily. “You’d do that for me?” I teased.

  “Anything, love. Anything.”

  Chapter 37

  My honeymoon weekend, spent almost entirely naked at the apartment I now shared with my new husband, flew by far too quickly. When Monday arrived, I had to put my plan into action. Instead of selling the expensive ring that Brody had given me, I applied and was approved for a personal loan.

  I scheduled several appointments with psychiatrists who would hopefully be able to vouch for my sanity. Several were willing to sign documents stating that in their limited evaluations I appeared well adjusted. Of course, I left out anything that might influence their opinion in the other direction. Others were not as cooperative and told me further visits would be required. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time for that. The trial was approaching… and fast.

  I arranged the papers I was taking to court with me in separate stacks on the coffee table. One stack held paycheck stubs to prove my ability to hold down a job. Another had transcripts showing my grades. A 3.9 grade point average showed I had stability when it came to college. The papers the psychiatrists had signed were beside those. Their phone numbers were included on each page. A copy of my marriage certificate rounded out the bunch.

  As I stared down at the papers that could make or break my case, I lifted my thumb to my mouth to chew on the nail. In frustration, I lowered it again. The fake nails prevented it. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even hear the phone ring. Gavyn came toward me with the receiver in his hand.

  “Hmm?” I looked up.

  “It’s the lawyer.”

  I’d been waiting days to hear from him. “Hello?”

  The voice that spoke over the line sounded overly friendly. “Mrs. Valmore. Sorry for my delayed response. My new secretary is learning the ropes. I reviewed the package you left here. I’m willing to take the case.”

  “Thank you so much, Mr. Leonard. I know it is short notice, but this misunderstanding escalated quickly.”

  “It says here your maiden name is Farrah Caine. You are the daughter of the governor. Is this correct?”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Yes, sir. I’m sure my father is trying to keep this case quiet. He’s a private person.”

  “Of course. I’m sure that’s best for you, too. Alerting the media would not be in your interests.”

  “Probably not.”

  “And the attention could prove harmful to your new family. Congratulations on the nuptials.”

  I nodded though he couldn’t see me. “Thank you.”

  “Listen, let me do a little more digging and I’ll be in touch if I need any further information.” He verified the trial date which was in two days and asked for my email address and an alternate phone number. “Good, very good. Don’t worry. We’ll make sure you keep your independence. It’ll be hard to beat his money, but we’ll do it.”

  After he hung up a few moments later, I bowed my head and had to fight back tears. Gavyn was behind me, massaging my shoulders reassuringly. “I’ll be with you the entire time.”

  “I’m terrified of losing you and Mac. My parents’ lawyer is going to twist and dissect everything I’ve ever said or done….” I sighed again and leaned back against Gavyn.

  “I won’t let them take you away from me. I have rights as your husband.”

  “I know.” I sounded more convinced than I actually was to make him think I was alright. Inside, the stress was tearing me apart. The people out to get me had more power and money. That strangely familiar voice spoke into my ears and I clenched my eyes.

  Run away. They’re going to destroy everything.

  “Did you hear me, Farrah?”

  Shaking my head, I turned around to face Gavyn. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

  He studied me carefully. My soul and heart always seemed bared when he looked at me. “I said that it’s time to get Malcolm from school. We should do something special as a family before we have to take our trip.”

  “I’d like that. Let me freshen up.” I kissed his cheek. As I walked away, I could feel his gaze on my back.

  In the bathroom, I turned on the sink faucet and walked to the corner, sliding to the floor along the wall and curling up against the bathtub. I had sworn I wouldn’t cry anymore until I knew what was going to happen.

  I lied.

  Chapter 38

  Two days later I walked into the courtroom. Soon, a judge would determine my near future. My mother touched my father’s shoulder. He stood and turned around. Mr. York studied the paperwork in front of him on the table.

  Looking away from them, I made my way to the front and slid into a chair on the defendant’s side. Gavyn sat down behind me on one of the bench seats so he would be close enough that I could talk to him. I touched my hair, making sure the severe bun was still in place. I’d dressed in a navy blue pencil skirt and white long sleeved blouse. I looked like I could have been the lawyer.

  “Shouldn’t our lawyer be here by now?” Gavyn asked.

  I frowned and he patted my hand to reassure me. “He should be,” I said.

  Mr. York tossed a manila folder onto the table I was sitting at and without a word returned to his seat. I opened the folder with trepidation. There were photos. At first, they seemed normal. One shot showed me walking to school. In another, I was eating at the park with Gavyn and Mac. I scowled. I knew that someone had been watching me that day. I had wondered if I’d been paranoid about that.

  Then, I got to the more damning pictures. There was a photo of Gavyn and me outside the dentist’s office where I’d had my tooth pulled. The man who’d offered to buy my prescription stood near me. A yellow sticky note read, “Farrah consorting with a known drug felon.”

  I gasped out loud and flipped to the next picture in the folder. It was a full color shot of the interior of my apartment. The note on it said, “Psychotic painting.”

  “What is it, Farrah?” Gavyn asked. When I didn’t answer because I was too shocked, he stood up and looked over my shoulder. “It’s illegal to stalk someone like that.”

  The next shot showed Gavyn and me in the pool on our wedding night. From the angle, I knew where the man had been hiding. He’d been in the tree house in the neighbor’s yard that had gone on vacation. The note read, “Illicit sexual encounter.”

  Gavyn started toward the lawyer and my parents. I grabbed his arm before he could and he paused. “Let me go, Farrah.”

  “This is what they want. We can’t cause a scene. None of this is admissible as evidence. Right?”

  “
I don’t think so.” He backed up, still glaring at Mr. York and my parents as he sat down. “If our lawyer was here, we could ask him. It’s time to start.”

  The judge entered the room a few minutes later. We all rose and sat back down when instructed. He looked over a few documents before speaking to me.

  “Ms. Farrah Caine, is this correct?”

  “No, sir. I’ve recently wed so I am now Farrah Valmore.”

  “I see. And where is your lawyer? Are you defending yourself?”

  My voice came out shaky. “I spoke to my lawyer about an hour ago and he told me he was on his way. I apologize. I have no idea where he could be.”

  The judge gave a cursory glance at my father before looking back to me. “Five minutes. I don’t appreciate my time being wasted.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  Exactly two minutes and seventeen seconds later, the courtroom doors opened. I had been counting every tick of the clock. I turned in my seat, expecting to see the lawyer I had hired, but instead I saw Brody and a group of people, including media types, enter the room.

  He walked up and placed his briefcase in front of him on the table beside me. His father, my parent’s lawyer, appeared as surprised as I was.

  “My apologies, Your Honor. The media and general public were unaware of this trial involving our most esteemed governor. It’s surprising since these types of court proceedings are open to the voting public.”

  I saw my father cover his face with his hand. Brody winked at me.

  The judge spoke through clenched teeth. “So you are representing this young lady?”

  “Yes, Your Honor. Some information has been brought to my attention that may benefit both parties and settle this disagreement. May I approach the bench?”

  “Approach.” He gestured for Brody’s father to join them.

  I glanced at my parents who were whispering quietly and then turned to Gavyn. He gave me a questioning look and I shrugged. Several minutes passed before the attorneys returned to their seats. Mr. York spoke quietly with my father at the opposing table.

  “Well?” I asked Brody.