Have Husband, Need Honeymoon (7 page)

I have to admit I was a little scared about being intimate with you at first. You’ve always been so big and strong, and I love that about you, but you were so tender that night. I thought making love would be good, but I’d never imagined it would be so wonderful. I want you again, Brady. I wish you were here right now, and I could peel off this nightgown and feel your lips kissing mine, your hands on my breasts, your big strong body moving above me.

When you go to bed tonight, close your eyes and pretend you see me dancing naked in the moonlight. And when you look up into the sky and see the stars twinkling, you’ll know I’m smiling down at you, whispering your name, begging you to come back to me.

I love you, forever & ever & always,

Alison

Brady clenched the letter in his fist. A friend of his had known about the letters. He’d brought them to Brady in the hospital. Brady had read them so many times he could recite the contents in his sleep.

But when he’d awakened in the hospital and remembered the horror of what had happened, when he’d seen the scars on his body, he’d also known his relationship with Alison would never be the same. She deserved someone better, a whole man.

Once the divorce was final, he’d have to get rid of the letters. And he’d have to forget he had ever had a woman like Alison Hartwell. And that for one glorious night she’d lain in his arms as his wife, Alison Broussard.

Chapter 6

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“
C
ome on, Brady, you’re doing great. Just a few more reps and you can get in the whirlpool.”

“You’re enjoying torturing me, aren’t you?” Brady gritted his teeth, shot Vivica a murderous look and tried to bend his leg as she’d instructed.

Vivica smiled sweetly. “Payback for that time you held me upside down over the toilet and tried to flush my ponytail.”

Brady almost laughed. He had been a pretty aggravating brother at times. “It just made you tough.”

Vivica laughed. “Right. I was scared to death of you for the first five years of my life. I had nightmares of you dropping me over the stair rail on my head.”

“Yeah, but you were damn lucky I was around when all the boys started chasing you.” Brady finished the set of exercises with a grunt.

“Uh-huh, I surely didn’t want boys chasing me. Now let’s try something else.” Vivica placed his foot on her thigh, braced herself and forced him to push as hard as he could. Sweat trickled down his face, the agony in his leg compounded by the aftereffects of a sleepless night.

“Thanks for being nice to Joe. That means a lot.”

“He seems like a stand-up kind of guy.” Brady’s leg jerked, his muscles cramping, and Vivica helped him stretch it out, massaging the knotted muscle. “Anyway, I pretty much told him he’d be dead meat if he hurt you.”

Vivica rolled her eyes. “You know we’re moving to
Atlanta
after we’re married?”

“Yeah.”

“I hope Mom’s going to be okay alone.”

She may not be alone
. “She wants you to be happy, Vivi.”

“I know. She wants the same for you, bro. Even if she does hint that you should take over the print shop, she wouldn’t want you to do it and be miserable.”

He didn’t comment, but then he didn’t think his sister expected him to.

She held out her hand. “Come on, let’s get you in the whirlpool. You deserve a little R and R.”

Brady stiffened, shaking off her help as he grabbed the handrail and hauled himself to a standing position. “I don’t deserve to be coddled, Vivi.”

His sister hesitated, studying him. “Don’t you think you’re being a little hard on yourself? You had an accident, Brady, you didn’t go out and intentionally—”

“Drop it, sis.” Brady turned and walked away.

Vivica called after him, “And you should talk to the doctor about sleeping pills. I can tell by the dark circles under your eyes you’re not resting.”

Brady ignored her comment as he strode toward the whirlpool. He was determined to get the physical therapy session over with as soon as possible. After all, he didn’t want to keep Alison and her mother waiting. They had a divorce to discuss.

* * *

Alison stood in the entryway of the Red Robin Café, her stomach fluttering with nerves as she searched the room for her mother and Brady.

“Alison, hey, I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

She spun around, nearly whacking Thomas with her shoulder bag. “Oh, Thomas, I’m so sorry.”

He laughed and rubbed at his elbow. “It’s all right. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“You didn’t.”

He raised a brow.

“Well, I guess you did. My mind must be a million miles away.”

“Sorting through things.”

“Yes.” Like his proposal – and her relationship with the man she hadn’t known she was still married to.

She spotted Brady lumber in, his face tight as he strode toward her. Either he was in a great deal of pain or he was angry about something. The room suddenly grew hot, almost as stifling as the dry heat outside.

How awkward. Her boyfriend with her husband – soon to be ex-husband.

“Alison, sorry I’m late,” Brady said when he approached. “Vivica tried to kill me with therapy sessions.”

So he was in pain. She ached to reach out and comfort him. But the fierce scowl he sent Thomas shocked her into silence. Then Brady’s gaze traveled to her, and something dark and dangerous and sensual lurked in the hidden depths of his dark brown eyes. Something carnal and almost possessive.

A nervous laugh escaped her. “Oh, you’re not late. Thomas and I were just chatting.”

Thomas gave Brady the once-over as well. “Broussard, good to see you again.”

Brady pumped his hand.

“Thomas is the new OB-GYN who works with Hannah,” Alison explained.

Brady’s jaw tightened considerably, and he moved his hand to her waist. “I know, Eberson and I met at the parade.”

“Oh, I forgot.” Alison said.

“It’s Emerson,” Thomas corrected.

“Right.” Brady turned to Alison. “Are you ready for lunch?”

“We’re meeting to talk about Vivi’s wedding plans,” Alison added when confusion reddened Thomas’s face.

“Maybe we can catch a game of golf sometime,” Thomas suggested.

“I don’t play golf,” Brady replied curtly. “My mother’s joining us for lunch,” Alison said, instantly wondering why’d she offered that information.

“Your mother?” Thomas looked even more confused.

Alison bit down on her lip, but Thomas’s pager beeped, saving the awkward moment.

“Another baby on its way,” Thomas said with a grin. “Have a nice lunch, you guys. If you change your mind about the golf, just let me know.”

Brady’s dark gaze raked over Alison as Thomas left, and she shifted restlessly. Had he been jealous of Thomas?

* * *

Brady jerked his gaze away from Alison, mentally calling himself a dozen unspeakable names for acting like such a fool. He had no claims on her.

Yes, you do. She’s still your wife
, a little voice inside his head whispered.
And in your heart, she always will be.

No, he had to get over her. He had to end the marriage and forget her.

“Where’s your mother?” he asked, a little more gruffly than he’d intended.

Alison searched the room, finally turning to look out the window, a nervous smile settling on her face when a tall, sleek, middle-aged blonde waved through the tinted glass.

Seconds later, Mrs. Hartwell appeared, smoothing down a strand of hair the wind had blown from her topknot. He’d wondered if she would resemble Alison, but except for her height, she didn’t; she favored Hannah. As they were seated, the tension between the two women was palpable. “Janelle, this is Brady Broussard.” Alison gestured to Brady. “Janelle Hartwell.”

He shook her hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Brady. Call me Janelle.” Mrs. Hartwell turned a charming smile toward him, and he realized she was sizing him up to see what kind of man her daughter had married four years ago. Of course, he’d always wondered what kind of woman could leave her children. But he didn’t intend to voice his thoughts and create more tension.

“Thanks for agreeing to handle this situation,” he said to break the silence. “We want to keep things as quiet as possible.”

“And move things along quickly, right?” Alison added.

“Yes.” His gaze met hers and he saw a spark of anger in her eyes, but he didn’t understand why. Was she angry he’d embarrassed her in front of her fiancé?

“I’m glad to be able to help my daughter,” Alison’s mother said, sounding sincere. “Let’s order and we’ll discuss details while we eat.”

They spent an exorbitant amount of time studying the menu. Alison ordered chicken salad, her mother the Caesar salad, while Brady opted for a club sandwich. Then both women toyed with their napkins, straightening and making sure they were folded just right – all time-killers, he realized. He contemplated Janelle Hartwell’s return and wondered how it had affected Alison. Once upon a time, he would have asked her, but now…

Ice clinked in Janelle’s tea as she squeezed lemon into it and stirred. “Now, tell me about yourself, Brady.”

“Excuse me?”

“Alison told me you two met in high school. Are you the same age?”

He shook his head. “No, I was a senior when she was a freshman.”

“So you dated your senior year, then you went to college?”

“Janelle—”

Alison’s mother raised a hand. “I just want to get a feel for the whole situation. A divorce is a serious issue, you know.”

“But we didn’t know we were still married until two days ago,” Alison protested.

Janelle gestured toward them with uplifted hands.

“But you loved each other when you said your vows?”

Brady took a sip of his coffee, almost scalding his tongue. He hadn’t been prepared to discuss his feelings for Alison with her, much less her mother. “Well, yes.”

Alison’s mother glanced at Alison, who nodded.

“And you pronounced those vows in a church?”

They both nodded.

Janelle narrowed her eyes. “Brady, Alison said you consummated the marriage?”

Heat climbed Brady’s neck. “Yes.”

“Mother, I don’t understand. My goodness, you and Daddy got divorced, so why—”

“I’m just clarifying things.” Janelle picked at her salad. “Now, it’s true you both thought the marriage had been annulled the day after the ceremony?”

Again, they both nodded.

“So you believed you were free to be with other people?”

Brady swallowed, his jaw clenching as he looked at Alison. She squirmed and avoided eye contact.

“True?” Alison’s mother asked. “Brady?”

“Well, yeah,” Brady admitted.

“Alison?”

“I suppose so,” Alison said quietly, staring at her water glass as if she wanted to jump in it and drown.

“And have either of you remarried during that time?”

“No,” they both replied at once.

“How about affairs? Have you been involved with other people?”

Alison’s eyes flickered with anger. “Mother, I don’t think these questions are necessary.”

“Adultery would constitute grounds for divorce,” Janelle said matter-of-factly.

Alison squared her shoulders. “But we’re going to do an uncontested—”

“Alison’s engaged,” Brady said, frowning over his sandwich.

“What?” Alison’s fork clattered against the plate. “Who told you that?”

“Vivica. She said that that Eberson guy—”

“Emerson.” Alison gave him a venomous look. “And we’re not engaged.”

“But Vivica—”

“He proposed. I told him I needed time.”

“But you’ve…” Brady waved his fork around. “You’ve been together.”

Alison leaned over the table, her voice a low hiss. “We haven’t slept together!”

Something evil unleashed itself in Brady: relief.

Alison seemed to recognize the effect. Maybe because he was smiling.

Retribution darkened her eyes. “So what about you, Brady?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you? How many women have you been with?”

He should have known she’d turn the tables on him.

He glanced at Janelle, surprised at the way she was watching them both, as if they were performing some kind of show and she had a front row seat.

“Alison was honest,” Janelle said. “I think you owe her that much.”

Brady threw down his napkin. “Oh, hell.” He hated to admit it. Some macho, superstud Air Force pilot he was. His voice came out low, angry. “All right. I haven’t been with anyone.”

Silence rasped between them.

“Excuse me?” Alison said.

He leaned over the table, both elbows planted firmly. Their faces were so close he could smell the lilac-scented shampoo she used. He could almost touch her mouth. “You heard me. None.”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. Was she fighting a smile?

“So, there has been no adultery involved. But you both say you want this divorce?” Alison’s mother asked.

Brady stared at Alison and hesitated. Alison stared at him. He could have sworn she was hesitating. Then a cramp suddenly seized his leg, tightening every muscle he’d worked during therapy, reminding him of his scars and the accident, driving home all the reasons they could never be together. He ground his teeth, determined to walk away without revealing the extent of his pain. Alison might have fond memories of them, but she wouldn’t want the man he’d become, and he didn’t want her pity.

“Yes, we’re different people than we were four years ago,” he said in a gruff voice, trying to stretch his leg beneath the table so he could stand. He had to go to the rest room and massage the knot. “I want the divorce. File the papers as soon as possible.”

* * *

Brady’s words knifed through Alison. She hadn’t realized she’d been hoping Brady would contest the divorce, that he would fight for her and their marriage.

“Alison?” Her mother’s voice sounded soft, her touch light as she swept a hand over her daughter’s.

Alison dragged her gaze from Brady, a quiver starting deep inside her that threatened to erupt any second. Dammit, she’d cried for months when he’d stopped writing her, then for months more when he’d started returning her letters. She refused to cry in front of him and her mother.