His 24-Hour Wife (The Hawke Brothers 2) (4 page)

* * *

Two days later, Callie found herself with a journalist, walking through the Hawke Brothers’ flower markets. She was wearing a pale gold dress and kitten heels, her hair and makeup photo-ready.

Adam was striding a few steps ahead with the photographer, who wore ripped jeans and a faded T-shirt. Adam, in contrast, was in a tuxedo, parting the crowd like Moses at the Red Sea. No one walked the way Adam Hawke did—powerfully, and always with a purpose. The jacket fit his shoulders perfectly, highlighting their breadth and strength. It was mesmerizing.

“You sure lucked out in husbands,” Anna Wilson said as she walked in step beside Callie. Anna was the first journalist she’d called when looking for a place to launch the story. She was already a friend, and she had a reputation for writing good, solid stories on famous people that neither simpered over the subject nor made snarky digs.

“Yep, Lady Luck was kind to me that night.” Memories of twisted white sheets and Adam’s naked physique rolled through her mind, causing her mouth to suddenly go dry.

“Maybe I should try Vegas,” Anna said. “If I’m going to try my luck anywhere, then surely luck’s hometown will work as well for me as it did for you.”

A stab of unease hit Callie squarely in the belly. Luck hadn’t smiled on her in Vegas. It had given her a night in heaven, sure, but the price had been high. Spending this time with Adam now might just drive her insane.

“You’re not wearing rings,” Anna said suddenly.

“Rings?” Callie repeated.

“You know,” Anna teased, “those little bands we traditionally exchange when we get engaged and married.”

Callie frowned, surprised at herself for missing this detail. When they’d originally exchanged vows, they’d paid for cheap rings that had come from a tray kept under the counter at the chapel. She and Adam had both taken them off the next morning. Hers was in her makeup case where she’d tucked it after sobering up, and she assumed Adam had thrown his away.

“We’re getting new rings for the new ceremony,” she said, thinking on her feet. “It’s symbolic of us starting fresh.”

Anna smiled dreamily. “I love that idea.”

Adam stopped in front of a large flower stall with shelves covered in buckets of bright blooms in every color. He said a few words to the photographer, and then turned to Callie. “How about we take some of the photos here?”

She surveyed the scene. The backdrop would provide color and evoke happiness, and the light was good. “This would be great,” she said, moving to take Adam’s hand.

He leaned in and placed a lingering kiss on her lips, and her pulse went into overdrive. It wasn’t difficult to find the blissed-out expression that she was supposed to be faking—in fact, she knew it was on her face, whether she wanted it there or not.

Anna glanced around and conferred with Ralph, the photographer, and then said, “This is good. How about we start with you replaying that kiss for us?”

Callie glanced up at Adam and he looked for all the world as if he could think of nothing better than kissing her again. He clearly had the acting thing down pat. Of course, he probably did still desire her—chemistry as strong as what they’d shared wouldn’t likely disappear overnight, but she was well aware he didn’t want to give in to it again. And one thing she’d learned about Adam Hawke in the short time she’d known him was that he had iron willpower.

“It would be my pleasure,” he said, and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against him as he lowered his head. This time it was no peck on the lips, it was more. So much more. Tempting, sensual and knowing. It was everything. She slid her hands along his wrists, past his elbows to grip his biceps through his shirt, partly to keep him in place and partly to hold herself up.

He trailed his lips to the corner of her mouth and then across to her ear. Whispering her name, he sent a shiver across her skin and bit gently on her earlobe. She turned her face, searching for and finding his kiss, feeling as if she’d found her home, as well.

They eased apart and Callie held on to his arms for an extra beat, her knees too wobbly to hold herself upright, her mind too dazed to think clearly.

“Adam,” she whispered, and in response a lazy smile spread across his face.

“That’s great,” Ralph said. “Just hang on a sec while I adjust some settings.”

Surprised out of the little world she’d been in with Adam, Callie took a step back. She hadn’t given one thought to acting during that kiss or its aftermath. She’d forgotten the photographer was there. Forgotten the rest of the world. In that moment, she couldn’t look at Adam. Didn’t want to know if he was looking down on her with pity for getting carried away, or if he was looking at something else, disinterested in her now that they’d performed for the camera. And if he was as off-kilter as she was? Well, some things were better not to know.

To give herself something to do, she turned to take in the picturesque markets around her, the beautiful displays of flowers of all kinds, all colors, and waited for her breathing to return to normal.

As she turned farther, she felt her dress catch on a bucket of lilies near her feet. Not wanting to hurt the flowers, she picked up her knee-length skirt and took a step back.

“Hang on,” Adam said, looking at her hemline. “You have pollen on your skirt.”

Callie sighed. Pollen was almost impossible to get out of fabric, and this was a good dress. She went to rub her thumb over it, but Adam held up a hand. “Wait. Rubbing it will only make it worse.”

He kneeled down in front of her and took the skirt from her hands, inspecting the stain. Then he retrieved something from his pocket.

“What’s that?” She tilted her head to try and see around him to what he held.

Holding it up for her to see, he gave her a quick smile. “Sticky tape. I always carry a roll when I walk through the markets.”

“Just normal, everyday tape?” she asked, skeptical about what he was doing, but prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He nodded. “Best thing for it.”

She watched as he ripped off a small strip and carefully laid it across the pollen before peeling it off. There was something strangely like a fairy tale about standing amongst the flowers in a pale gold dress with a handsome man on bended knee before her. The fact that he was doing something as practical as helping with her with a pollen mishap, instead of declaring undying love and offering her his kingdom, only made it all the more perfect. Adam Hawke stole her breath no matter what he was doing.

He stood and held the tape out to her. “All gone.”

His voice was low and the sound wouldn’t have reached the ears of those around them, which made the moment feel intimate despite the topic.

She laughed softly, unable to help herself—it just all seemed surreal. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

“You learn a lot of tricks when you grow up around flowers.” His green gaze was smoldering, out of proportion to a discussion about flowers and pollen, but then again, whenever he was near, she felt her reactions were out of proportion, too.

She moistened her lips, and his gaze tracked the movement. The idea of losing herself in his kiss again pulled at her, drew her with a powerful intensity, but she wouldn’t forget the photographer again. She angled her head to where the others stood, watching them, and Adam gave her an almost imperceptible nod.

He straightened his spine, took her hand and turned to Ralph and Anna. “If we go a bit farther down this way, we can get some shots with the Midnight Lily in the background.”

Since the Midnight Lily had been developed by Liam and launched less than twelve months ago, it had become one of Hawke’s Blooms’ signature flowers. And that fact served to remind Callie that this was business to Adam—this session with the photographer and this entire plan. And that included the kiss they’d just shared.

She’d been in danger of being swept away in a moment that wasn’t even real.

She couldn’t afford for that to happen again. It would be too easy to fall in love with Adam Hawke, especially if she let herself believe he had feelings for her. That way led to heartache a thousand times worse than what she’d experienced when he wanted to call off their short-lived marriage. They were both just playing the roles they’d agreed to when they’d devised the plan.

Now all she had to do was make sure that she didn’t fall for her own lies.

Four

C
allie was just out of the shower when she heard her sister call out.

“It’s gone live,” Summer was saying from two rooms over.

“The interview?” Anticipation quickened her movements as she dried off, put on her silk robe and headed for the living room.

“Yep. I didn’t expect they’d run it for a few more days yet.”

Callie stood behind her sister and peeked over her shoulder at the laptop screen. All the breath left her body as she saw the page. She and Adam had never had a photo taken of themselves together before—their relationship was hardly significant enough to warrant that—and they’d never shared a bathroom to get ready to go out and caught sight of themselves side by side in the mirror, so she hadn’t seen an image of them as a couple reflected back at her. She’d failed to realize the startling effect it would have on her.

There were a few shots of her with Adam among the flowers, but the biggest photo, the one taking up about half the page, was Adam kneeling at her feet, the hem of her dress in his hand.

“That photo is great,” Summer said, pointing to the same one Callie was looking at. “The composition is genius. Was that arrangement the photographer’s idea or yours?”

“Ours,” Callie said faintly, still trying to take it all in.

“Good work. And your expression is perfect. You look totally smitten. All that practice paid off.”

Callie couldn’t reply; she just kept staring at the photo. Because her sister was right—the woman in that photo looked completely smitten by the man in front of her. And the scary part was she hadn’t been pretending. Neither of them had known their picture was being taken.

Pulling the robe tighter, she slid into a chair, leaving her sister to scroll down and read the story. Callie had bigger things to worry about just now. Like whether she was in over her head...

“Hey, wow,” Summer said.

“What?” Callie braced herself, unsure if her system could handle anything more than her new emotions for Adam Hawke being on display for the entire world to see.

“I just checked the magazine’s social media pages and they’ve shared it with the headline, ‘Princess Wishes New Brother Well on Vegas Elopement.’”

Callie winced. “That wouldn’t have been Anna’s headline.”

“But it’s working. Look how many shares it’s had.”

Callie watched in astonishment as Summer flicked through the various pages. “I didn’t think it would be this popular. We only wanted something to counter possible bad stories.”

“You’ve got way more than that,” her sister said, grinning. “You’ve gone viral, baby.”

She blinked. Viral? She’d lived her entire life under the radar—it seemed surreal that people were reading about her, sharing her story on social media. “But why?”

“Never underestimate the pulling power of a princess. Especially when rumors are circulating that the Queen of Larsland herself might be flying over to attend your wedding.”

“I hope Jenna isn’t regretting being involved.”

“I’m sure she understands how the media works. Besides, it’s not all about her. That photo of Adam kneeling and you being all adoring is like something straight out of
Cinderella
. What was he doing, anyway?”

“Getting pollen off my skirt.” She looked at the photo again, remembering that she
had
felt as if she was in a scene from a fairy tale when it happened.

Summer sighed happily. “Even more chivalrous. That picture is gold.”

Callie’s stomach clenched. This was moving so fast. “I have to call Adam and warn him.” She stood and grabbed her cell but stilled when Summer gasped. That sound hadn’t been like any of her other sounds of glee as she scanned the pages, and it made Callie instantly uneasy.

“There’s a photo of our front door.” Her sister’s voice was wary.

A wave of anxiety washed over her, making her skin cold. “They found where I live?”

“Worse than that. That photo was taken this morning.”

Her lungs froze. Phone still in her hand, Callie moved to the window and sure enough, there was a small but focused group of paparazzi camped around the entrance to her apartment building.

“They’re here,” she said, her voice uneven. “It’s ironic. We spend a good portion of our working lives trying to get stories to go viral, and the one that has is...”

“You,” Summer said as she joined Callie by the window.

“Yeah, me.” She wrapped her arms tightly around herself. “I honestly thought this would only make a little splash.”

“Good news for the Hawke Brothers’ Trust, though, since it got a mention in the article. And good news for the trust is good news for your partnership prospects.”

The cell in her hand chimed and she glanced at the screen. Adam. Her heart lurched, and she wasn’t sure if it was because she was going to have to fill him in on the developments, or if she was glad to hear from him.

She swiped the screen. “Hi, Adam.”

“Callie,” he said, his deep voice seeming to smooth its way across her skin. “Have you seen the story?”

“Yes. I was just about to call you about it, actually. There are photographers outside my apartment.”

Adam swore. “I’m leaving the office now. Pack a bag.”

“Wait. What for?”

“You and Summer are coming to stay with me. My security is better.”

Part of her wanted to protest—the secret feminine part that was still shocked about the expression on her face in those photos. But she couldn’t afford to let that part take control of her decision. She took a breath and called on her professional side. He had a point—she wasn’t looking forward to walking through that mob on her way out.

“That might be best,” she said, watching the paparazzi through the window. “But don’t come here. I’ll leave as if I’ve been visiting my sister. If everything in our story was true, we’d most likely be living together. I’ll pack and send someone back to get the bags later.”

Summer started pointing and gesturing, asking if she was going to move in with Adam. Callie nodded, and mouthed, “Wait a sec.”

“Good call,” Adam said. “What about Summer?”

“She’s flying out in a couple of hours and will be away for a few days. Once they realize I’m at your house, they’ll abandon this place, so it should be quiet again by the time she gets home.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you at my house in one hour—is that enough time to pack and drive over?”

“Perfect,” she said, trying not to sound reluctant.

“I’ll also send someone over to wait with Summer and drive her to the airport. Just in case the vultures don’t leave with you.”

Callie flicked a glance at her sister. “Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”

One drunken night in Vegas was having more ripple effects than she could have predicted—even Summer was having her life impacted. Now the challenge was to surf those ripples and get good outcomes for everyone. All while avoiding slipping under and drowning.

Perhaps the biggest danger of drowning was going to be moving into her husband’s house. Living with Adam Hawke while pretending to be in love with him. Possibly the craziest plan she’d ever made.

* * *

Adam waited in front of his beach house as Callie made her way up the driveway. Restless energy filled his body, and it took all his self-control not to fiddle with the coins in his pocket or tap his foot on the ground.

She pulled up in front of him and stepped out of the car, looking around to take in the surroundings. The ocean breeze flirted with her long hair and she put a hand up to hold it off her face.

His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. Since the very first moment he’d spied her at the conference they’d both attended two years ago, she’d affected him this way. Stolen the breath right out of his lungs and made the world practically tip to the side.

And that reaction was the exact reason he refused to pursue anything with her—the morning after their vows, or now. She made him feel off balance. She crowded his brain. That wasn’t a way he wanted to live his life.

When he’d been young, before his family had moved to California, he’d been close to his grandfather. He’d been named for his father’s father, and the love he’d had for him had been mutual. The elder Adam Hawke, however, had been crazy about his second wife.
Crazy
being the operative word. She’d been flippant and unfeeling, and barely tolerated his family—especially a small boy who hung around too much.

His grandfather had done the lion’s share of babysitting Adam once Liam and Dylan had come along, and Adam had adored that special time with his grandfather. Then his step-grandmother had decided that five years of her life was enough to spend married to a farmer and living on a working farm, and threatened to leave.

Blinded by love, her husband had sold the farm—his children’s inheritance—and used the money to take her on trips and spending sprees.
Anything
to keep her. She’d hung around until the money dried up and then left anyway.

Adam’s parents had already packed their belongings into their car and headed for the West Coast to try their luck now that they’d lost the farm that had been their home and provided their jobs.

Broken and alone, abandoned by the woman he’d called the love of his life, Adam’s grandfather had taken his own life.

His parents had broken the news and tried to shield the boys from the worst of it, but Adam was older and had demanded to know the details.

That awful day, standing out in their flower fields so that Liam and Dylan wouldn’t overhear, listening to what his parents would divulge and filling in the blanks himself, Adam had made a decision. He’d been twelve years old, but he’d known exactly what he was promising himself.

He’d always be the captain of his own ship. He would never fall for manipulating behavior, or let someone influence him into a major decision against his better judgment.

Obviously his grandfather hadn’t entered into his second marriage thinking he was handing over control of his life, despite how it had ended up. And that was the reason why Adam had always needed to be extra vigilant. Anytime he’d been dating a woman and started feeling his guard slipping, or that his mind wasn’t one-hundred-percent clear and focused, he got out quickly.

Callie was a threat to that.

He didn’t need any more evidence than the fact that he’d gotten drunk and married her.

Yes, Callie Mitchell was most definitely a woman with whom he needed to keep up his guard.

As she walked the distance to reach him, he locked that guard in place around him and double-reinforced it. He was impervious.

“This place is gorgeous,” she said, her silver-blue eyes sparkling in appreciation as she took in the views.

He allowed a smile. “It’s my favorite place.” The ocean soothed him; often it was the only thing that could calm his soul. “Come on inside and I’ll show you around.”

She followed him up the three steps to the wide porch, and then paused at the open front door and said, “Thank you for the invitation.”

Wanting to get this done as quickly as possible, he nodded without stopping, continuing through the entranceway and indicating with a wave of his hand that she should do likewise. He took her on a tour of the main parts of the house, allowing her a moment when the view of the Pacific Ocean through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room snagged her attention. They finally ended up in her bedroom.

“This is yours,” he said, holding the door open. The walls and trim were all pure white and the floor was polished wood. The king-size bed was draped in a comforter that was all blues and greens, mirroring the brilliant hues of the view through the window. A decorator had furnished the room following Adam’s request to keep it simple.

“I love it,” she said, looking from the bed to the window and around the room. “I might never leave.”

Reflexively, he flinched, and unfortunately she caught the small movement.

“I was joking, Adam. Relax. I don’t have plans to insert myself into your life.” Then she laughed. “Okay, I suppose that’s what this entire plan is designed to do. But I meant in reality. I won’t be trying to snag you or anything.”

“I didn’t think you had ulterior motives,” he said truthfully and blew out a breath. “I’m just not used to living with anyone, so this will be an adjustment.”

She arched an eyebrow. “You’ve never lived with anyone?”

“Not as an adult, no. I have a full-time housekeeper, but she doesn’t live onsite. For most of the time that she’s here, I’m at work so I don’t see her all that often.”

Callie lowered her voice. “Does she know? The truth about us?”

He was sure his housekeeper was trustworthy—she’d been hired by Katherine, their family’s housekeeper who still worked for Liam and Jenna, and Katherine’s standards were ridiculously high. But trust didn’t come easy to Adam at the best of times.

“I’ve given her a week off on full pay so we don’t have to worry about her discovering our arrangement. She normally cooks for me, but it seemed easier to just order takeout while you’re here and keep everything private.”

“That’s probably a good idea. But I can cook, and I don’t mind making our meals.”

That would be cozy. Sharing a meal at night that she’d cooked for them. And cozy home-cooked dinners sounded like the last thing he should be doing while ensuring his guard stayed in place.

He held up a hand. “Your time is valuable. How about we compromise and I’ll ring a catering company and get them to deliver some prepared meals. We’ll also need to order some groceries for lunches and snacks.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “You’ll be home for lunch?”

“I’ve taken a week off,” he said, his casual tone belying the fact that he hadn’t had a week off in four years. “I told my office that we’re basically newlyweds so we’re taking some time together. But we’ll both be able to work from home.”

Callie glanced around the room and frowned. “I wasn’t planning on staying here in some kind of lockdown.”

“It helps the believability of our story.” And if he could feel other reasons tugging at him? They were best left unexplored. “Besides, if we’re not coming and going then those photographers at the gate will get bored and leave. After the week, the story will have lost its urgency and we can resume our normal lives.”