The Marriage Contract (22 page)

              “You promised her not to?” Aunt’s voice cut through his, as she crossed her arms over her chest.

              She turned her head to me, but I quickly diverted my gaze, afraid that she would figure out our lie just by a glance into my eyes.

              “Yes,” James continued. “I promised her not to tell, because if she did, then your town would find out, and someone might snitch the truth to the media, and I could not risk that. So, we got married. We wanted to tell you and the rest of her family the situation, and were planning to very soon. Next week, actually—“

              “Really?” she asked. “Hmm…that’s perfect, then.”

              “Are you talking about the Carnival of Lights?” I asked, placing a hand at my neck.

              She nodded. “That’s correct!—”

              “What is that?” James asked.

              Aunt Molly exhaled a deep sigh, shaking her head at him.

              “Dorothy didn’t tell you anything about where she’s from?—“

              “I did!” I said. “He just forgot. He has an awful memory”

              She stared at me- her eyes peering in a way that she could tell I was lying- but thankfully, she didn’t question it.

              “Alright,” she said. “Well, the whole town will be expecting you two next week. I believe you’ll fill him in on the details, won’t you dear?”

              I nodded. “I will. But, you didn’t have to come all the way here. I feel like we’ve troubled you—“

              She slapped my arm, chuckling.

              “Nonsense!” she said. “I haven’t been to the big city in years, so dealing with you two, was a good excuse to drop by. But I’ll say one thing…New York City hasn’t changed one bit. Well…you two gonna just stand there like nincompoop’s or get me a cab to my hotel? Paying for that place was a fortune, I tell you!”

              James and I glanced at each other, and then, at her. She gave us an expectant stare- then shook her head, annoyed. I sighed, leading her to the door, as she swung her arms around me once more, in a tight embrace. I hugged back, smiling, for as crazy as she was, I did miss her a whole lot. 

              “I expect to see furniture tomorrow,” she snapped, glaring at James. “A grown man living in a furniture-less home! And you call yourself a man?”

              “I didn’t know that having furniture equates to manliness,” he said. “We learn something new every day—“

              “Why you little!” Aunt Molly would have ran towards him then, ripping out his ears for good had I not held her back, my hand gripped over her arm.

              “He has a weird sense of humor,” I explained. “Don’t let his stupid jokes get to you. If you need anything, anything at all, just give me a call. I’ll show you around the city for as long as you’re here. I promise—“

              “I’m not senile, Dorothy!” she snapped. “I’ve lived here longer than you! Now, just remember to prepare him for the Carnival next week. I don’t want the new addition to our family, to look like a fool. Then again, he already looks like a blundering fool, so that can’t exactly be helped—“

              “Goodnight!” James said, forcing a false smile.

              I gave him an impatience glance, shaking my head at him. But when my eyes turned to Aunt Molly, I was surprised that she smiled a genuine smile at him.

              “I think I like him,” she said.

              “I missed you,” I told her. “Aunt Molly…I’m really sorry—“

              She waved a hand before my face, dismissing my apology.

              “Now, don’t be a silly little thing,” she said. “Apologies are for strangers. And you never have to miss me, you fool. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. Why, I’m younger than a daffodil on spring’s first day.”

              I smiled. “That you are.”

              When Aunt Molly left, James stomped towards the room, already changed in cotton white shorts, and a black t-shirt.

              “Something wrong?” I asked.

              He huffed out a deep breath.

              “Yeah, a lot of things are wrong!” he snapped. “Firstly, that woman is insane. Secondly, she belongs in an institution, not in civilized society. Thirdly, we aren’t going to that carnival!”

              I rolled my eyes, walking past him.

              “You’re being a child,” I said. “We have to go—“

              His hand gripped my elbow, as he spun me around so that I was facing him. I yanked my arm out of his touch, glaring at him.

              “We aren’t going,” he repeated. “I don’t do carnivals, and if your Aunt is this crazy, then the rest of your family is probably worse!”

              “She isn’t crazy!” I snapped. “She’s just over protective, that’s all—“

              “Over protective? She almost dismembered my ears,” he said, massaging his right lobe.

              “I’m sorry she did that,” I reasoned. “But…if you care about me at all, then we’ll go. I mean, I met your family, and they weren’t all exactly kind to me. But did I complain? Besides, my family needs to meet you too…it’s only fair—“

              He scoffed, taking swift steps towards me. There was a glint of challenge in his gaze, as his golden brown eyes, hardened.

              “I don’t believe in fair,” he said. “And what the hell gave you the impression that I care about you?”

              With those final words, he said goodnight, not concerned that my heart sank, just a bit.

Chapter Fifteen

              His eyes were unfamiliar, as the bright light from the ceiling bulb failed to catch that friendly glint that often perspired off his mischievous gaze. I glanced at the floor, my heart thumping a quiet tune, before meeting his irises once more. James stood tall- his black t-shirt crinkled over a broad chest, his hands placed within the pockets of his white shorts. The sandy brown of his locks, rested over his forehead, just above curved, angular brows.

              “Alright,” I told him. “I understand. You don’t care about me, and that’s perfectly fine. I don’t expect you to. But, for the sake of the contract, for the sake of making this whole act look real…you meeting my family is more for your benefit than mine. Do you think I’d actually want to ever introduce them to you? It would only hurt them if they knew what cruel, sick game we’re playing.”

              He exhaled a deep sigh, before taking a step towards me. The scent of a musky fragrance swirled over me, as James dipped his head towards me, his eyes dropping to my lips. I resisted the urge to step back, for it would only make me look like a coward, but as his mouth inched towards my neck, I couldn’t help but shiver.

              He smirked.

              “You’re manipulating me, Princess,” he whispered, his lips hot by my ear.

              “N-n-n-no, I’m not,” I stammered. “I’m just telling you your options. If you don’t go to this carnival, if you don’t meet my family, it’s going to leak to the press that you’re a jerk that can’t make time to meet his wife’s family—“

              His nose met my neck, his strong arms wrapping like a blanket over my back, as he pressed me close. He inhaled the scent from my flesh, exhaling an appreciative sigh- his arms tightening over my back.

              I froze, staring over his shoulder, as my face began to boil.

              “Are you…are you smelling me?” I should have been outraged, I should have pushed him away then, stomping on his foot and demanding an apology for the sudden harassment.

              But instead, I leaned into his touch, for the lush fragrance of lavender mixed against his musky cologne, momentarily blinding me. My eyes slowly closed, as my lips parted to a slight smile.

              “I think I figured something out,” he whispered, his lips hovering a millimeter above my neck.

              “What did you figure out?” My voice was soft, as I exhaled slowly.

              He hesitated. “That you smell…like guacamole.”

              I blinked.

              It took me two seconds to realize what he had done, before pushing out of his embrace. I shot him an ominous glare, as he doubled over, laughing at my reaction.

              “Oh, geez!” he exclaimed, snorting. “Everything was so serious, Princess, and I hate serious things. Sorry to burst your bubble,  but this man isn’t falling for a chick any time soon. Least of all you—“

              “You’re so immature!” I snapped. “Seriously! You’re thirty years old, but you act like a four year old—“

              His eyes narrowed. “I’m twenty eight—“

              “Well, you’re almost thirty—“

              “I’ve got two years left,” he snapped. “And call me a child all you like, but there was nothing at all childlike about the way your body reacted to my small, innocent hug.”

              Oh, he got me there. He got me good.

              I tilted my chin, trying to feign ignorance, as I shrugged nonchalantly at him.

              “So?” I challenged. “It’s normal…I mean…forget it. I’m going to bed. And please, for goodness sake, just order the damn furniture already! Please!”

              He gave me a blank stare, seeming not to care about my annoyance, as I turned, headed towards the bedroom. His footsteps followed behind me, his shadow walking beside mine.

              “Could you stop walking for a moment?” he asked.

              I sighed, turning my head to the side, my legs ceasing their movement.

              “What is it?” I asked.

              He didn’t reply, but instead, rushed beside me, and scooped me up as though I were weightless in his arms. I kicked my legs, shooting him a surprised stare, my eyes bulging, and my heart- pounding.

              “This is fun,” he said, winking at me.

              He cradled me in his arms, walking through the long, brightly lit hallway.

              “Put me down,” I snapped. “Now!”

              He stuck out his tongue, shaking his head. Then he made a silly face, wiggling his eye brows, and I could no longer suppress my laughter.

              “You make no sense.” I smiled. “You’re angry one moment, and completely carefree a few seconds later—“

              James’s grip tightened over me, as my legs dangled in the air, over his hold. He turned the corner, into the bedroom with the only bed in the two story- furniture less pent house. I glanced at the bed, then back at him, and was surprised that he was no longer smiling. His dark gaze was pinned on the white comforter, as he strode towards it, gently placing me on top of it. My head hit the soft pillow, as I stared into eyes that were much too dark. He sat beside my hip, placing one arm on his thigh and the other over my side, next to my waist.

              “What are you doing?” I pushed my head back, my body becoming rigid as he leaned over me

James tilted his head, and I could no longer read his expression, for a grey mask clouded over his handsome face. His hip pressed against my waist, as the hand that caged over me, slinked closer. His orbs travelled from my head, down my mouth, and further below, before snapping to my eyes once more. My chest rose and fell like a slow tide, as his face was only inches from mine.

              His hand reached towards my cheek- a small smile splashed over his lips as I flinched, turning my head to the side. I could feel my face begin to simmer, as I smiled with him, suddenly too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

              His hand hovered over my cheeks, and just as I willed myself to turn my head towards him- his lips pressed into my neck. His mouth was no longer cool from earlier today at the seaport, but warm. My eyes widened, as my hands circled over my stomach, trying to prevent the squirming of my intestines.

              “Goodnight…guacamole head.” He whispered just inches above my neck- his cool breath gusting over my flesh.

              My smile widened, and though I still couldn’t look him in the eye, nor utter a word to him, I hoped he could read the words spiraling through my facial expressions alone.

              As he got up from the bed, I kept my eyes closed, as his footsteps tapped towards the end of the room.

              My neck was the most sensitive part of my body, and he had dared to kiss it. I had never blushed so deeply in my life, but a part of me, just a small part, wouldn’t mind had he done it again.