Jordyn's Army, page 36
Rue watched in silence while Lena reached down, buried a hand in the dog’s fur and muttered something to her and the pup wagged in response.
It wasn’t until she was out the door that Rue’s body reacted to her words. Tossing more bills on the table, he bolted out after her, almost leaving the dog behind.
“Wait, Lena. It’s not like that.” He caught up with her as she stared down at her non-responsive phone in clear frustration. “Please, let me drive you home and we can discuss your proposal.” Being her fake boyfriend was better than being her nothing, and Rue refused to let her just exit his life as nothing more than an accident on a sidewalk.
3
Lena
Lena’s embarrassment at Rue’s terror was the absolute worst. Lena couldn’t see well, but she wasn’t so blind she’d missed his reaction.
The minute she’d thought up the whole hair-brained scheme of fooling her father, she knew it would fail. Even if she’d managed to hire a man from the Internet, a man who had sex for money, he probably would’ve reacted much the same way Rue did.
It didn’t hurt as much as it once did. Lena was used to the stares, the looks of pity, and the disgusted sneers. Rue, however, caught her off guard. She’d actually let herself think he kind of saw past her scars and eye patch. Not that he didn’t notice, that was impossible, but it felt for a fleeting moment like he didn’t care.
What a fool you are sometimes, Lena. You just let a dog blind you to the man. She almost laughed at her choice of wording . . . almost, but she had to suck it up because she needed Rue. There was no way she’d ever be brave enough to call a stranger. Rue was her only hope, and the way his dog responded to her would really sell it to her dad.
Plus, she would enjoy having the dog around. She’d already taken up her post at Lena’s side. As soon as her hand brushed her fur all the worries of the world melted away. Dogs were magical, and she could use some magic in her life.
“Okay,” she mumbled as she straightened to her upright position. It was more for herself than Rue.
“Excellent.” Rue sounded pleased, which caught her off guard yet again. “May I?” he asked from beside her. She knew exactly what he was asking.
“Yes, thank you.” She thought what the heck, they might as well start now, maybe it would have a more natural feel in three days that way. Deep down, Lena just wanted to indulge in the fantasy of being desired. Looping their arms together, they walked toward what she assumed was his vehicle.
She clicked her tongue and the dog padded along at her side. Rue reacted. She could feel it through their contact, it was amusement with a hint of disbelief.
With a slight lean forward, Rue spoke to the dog. “You know, girl, you’re going to give me a complex if you continue to ignore me like this. Although, I can’t say I blame you.” Rue lowered his voice conspiratorially. “She could make me follow along at her heel too if she asked me nicely.”
Lena giggled and playfully slapped his arm. “Stop. No need to throw compliments my way now, but remember that when I need you to.” A pang of loss hit her in the gut. Realizing once again, she would never have that for real in her life ruined the fantasy. The dog and Rue both halted, causing her to stop.
“Here we are.” Rue’s voice was softer than before but held an edge of something she couldn’t—wouldn’t—identify. There were key sounds and door sounds, and as Lena went to step forward toward the white, open door she could see, the dog leapt in front of her. “Good girl,” Rue praised and took Lena’s arm. “I’m sure you can see, but it’s a truck so step up higher to get in than you would a car.”
Rue helped her get situated but stayed there, even after her seatbelt was fastened. She sensed him looking at her face, but it felt different than the stares she got from others. His hand on her cheek startled her so deeply she jerked her head back. This close she could make out details on Rue’s face and they took her breath away. Rue was a devilishly handsome man. His eyes were dark, his nose wide and manly, while his cheeks were lightly covered in stubble.
Against her better judgment, her hand landed on his face. It was the first time she’d touched a man since her accident.
His eyes closed and he leaned into her touch and she relished every microsecond of it, committing the moment to memory. Rue’s eyes opened and he stared into her soul as his face got closer. Is he . . .
His lips answered a question she dared not asked aloud. This wasn’t like the kisses she’d shared before, or maybe it was and she’d just forgotten what they were like because it had been so long. It seemed different somehow, more connected. The kiss ended all too suddenly. Rue pulled back his lips and leaned his forehead to hers. “Know that any compliment I ever give you is because I want to, not because I’m playing a part.”
A deep inhale flooded her entire being with his scent. Rue smelled faintly of fresh cut wood and something that conjured up cool, early winter days.
When she breathed out, he breathed in and vice versa. They were creating their own weather pattern it seemed and a storm was about to break over them. One she was terrified to get caught in but wanted to dance in all the same. A bark beside them broke the spell. “All right, that’s my cue.” Rue leaned back and closed the door.
Lena’s mind reeled. Her fingers ghosted across her lips where his had just branded hers. Physically the kiss wasn’t as deep as the kind she’d experienced with her high school boyfriends or her one serious adult relationship. It wasn’t that kind of kiss at all, but it had been more intimate than any of those, even when they’d previously led to sex.
Why had he kissed her? It felt as if he’d genuinely wanted to, but who would want to kiss her now? She was missing an eye and no matter how blinged or blended the eye patch, it was still a freaking pirate patch. Not the mention the scar that ran across her nose, misshaping it along the way, and across her other eyelid, then off her face toward her ear. Add in the stitch scars and Lena felt like a regular Frankenstein.
Her doctors had been so amazed, she’d even been written about in medical papers. They said one millimeter difference in the angle of the rebar and she would’ve lost her life.
Deveroux. Just the thought of the man she just met, pulled her from that dark spiral she headed down every time she relived her accident.
The truck started and “Roses” by The Chainsmokers filled the cab and gave Lena goosebumps. I’m starting to see a pattern here. She laughed at the thought and reached for the pretty girl who’d just dropped her head in Lena’s lap.
“Why do you need a pretend boyfriend?” Rue was direct and to the point, no beating around the bush. Lena liked that about him, it was refreshing. She dealt with people all the time who treated her with kid gloves, Rue didn’t seem like the type to do that. If she ever thought she could be worthy of a man, she would dream it would be a man like him.
“Long answer or short?”
“Which ever one you feel like sharing.” Rue dropped his hand to the dog’s flank and patted, letting it linger there.
“Well, I want my dad to stop feeling guilty. I want him to see he didn’t ruin my life, he’s not responsible for the accident, and I’m happy and well cared for emotionally. His health is declining and it’s something that’s been eating at him. I’ll do whatever it takes to make him happy.”
Rue’s tanned hand that was resting on the dog moved to hers and squeezed. When she looked up and squinted, Lena could just barely make out a shimmer in his eyes. He seemed touched by her answer.
“Okay then, I’ll be the best fake boyfriend you ever had. And I’ll make your father fall in love with me, so much so you’ll want me for your real boyfriend.”
Lena felt uncomfortable with his statement. She hated mentioning the next part, but Rue seemed in a receptive mood. “Before you commit one hundred percent, there’s one more thing I need to tell you.” Lena did something completely out of character and unexpected to her, but she placed her other hand on top of his. She enjoyed the connection and didn’t want to lose it. A mini panic attack hit her. What if after over a week together she came to enjoy him too much?
“I actually told Dad you live with me and we just got engaged.” Lena recoiled without thought. Removing her hands from his, not wanting him to end the contact first. Rue placed his hand back on the wheel.
“Well then, we should stop by my place and grab a few things to really sell the whole ‘live-in’ thing.”
Lena was stunned silent. Rue seemed to be looking forward to spending time with her and playing a couple. He hummed along with the music. His voice was a soothing rumble that gave her inappropriate thoughts.
Allowing her mind to wander, she pictured them doing “couple” things. Shopping for groceries together, taking the dog to play at the park . . . making love. Whoa. The last thought took her by surprise. She chanced a glance at Rue barely making out his form at her side.
Lena enjoyed the lines of his face, as she saw them anyway. Her heart sank, he really was an attractive man . . . an attractive man who wouldn’t want to do any of those things with her for real.
“Rue, I want to thank you. This means so much to me. I know you do not want to—”
“Lena, I don’t do things I don’t want to. I want to do this. I want to help you make your father happy, and I want to spend time with you.”
“Thanks,” Lena mumbled. “So, how do you feel about the name Dale?” Rue’s laughter rocketed through the cab of the truck. It was so sudden, the puppy bolted upright and barked.
“Shush, girl, it’s fine,” Lena cooed to her furry companion.
“Wow, Dale? Really?”
Lena joined the laughter. “I panicked and I just blurted a name when Dad asked.”
“Well, we’ll just have to come up with a reason Rue is Dale’s nickname. Speaking of names, if we really want to sell this couple-hood, our girl here needs a name. What do you think?”
Lena was taken aback. “You want me to name her?” In her mind, naming a dog was an intimate bonding between man and beast, so to speak, and he was asking her to bond with his dog.
“Sure, I think you’ll do better than dog. Besides, she already likes you way more than me anyway.” He patted the dog’s head. “Just like a real relationship, the man’s dog always gravitates toward his woman.”
His woman.
Lena liked the sound of that way too much. She pushed aside her fanciful thoughts and realized she would miss the dog so much when the time with them was over. While she was confident she could resist bonding with the man, she was already in love with the dog. Liar. Her inner voice called her bluff about the man.
“I know the perfect name for such a beautiful girl.” She buried her face in the golden fur at her neck. Even knowing their time would end, she would relish the moments she had with her new furry friend. No matter how much time she got with a pet, it was never enough anyway.
“Let me guess, Dale?” Rue was poking fun at her but it felt good. She had been made fun of since the accident, but this was different.
“No, not Dale.” They arrived at what she assumed was his place. When Rue opened the door, she exited the cab then clicked her tongue back at the dog. “Come, Rose.”
And Rose leapt from the truck and pranced beside her.
4
Rue
Rose.
Perfect.
Just like Lena.
Rue led Lena and Rose inside and gathered some clothes. The ladies sat on the couch waiting for him while he rushed around snagging stuff he thought he’d need or would make her place look like he lived there. He snatched a few framed pictures and his prized possession—a signed Joe Namath football.
A soft snore coming from the couch had him tiptoeing into the living room. Lena and Rose were snuggled together, both napping. Rue’s heart ached at the rightness of it all.
With every minute that passed he wanted to spend two more with the fascinating woman his dog had toppled over. He had just met her but was compelled to get to know everything about her. Not only was she beautiful, she was intelligent and witty and . . . god, he wanted her.
Rue was swept away by his imagination. Lena’s beautiful red hair fanned out against his pillow, her creamy skin in stark opposition to the black fabric of the pillow. The only interruption, he imagined, would be her eye patch. He visualized her rosy nipples and a natural thatch of curls that would match her fiery hair.
His fantasy was interrupted as Lena snuggled Rose closer to her chest and Rose licked her face in gratitude. He hated to disrupt their impromptu nap, but he was eager to get to her place and start playing her fiancé. Rue hoped playing engaged might lead to a real date or more if things worked out.
“Hey, sweetheart, I’m all packed up and ready. I just gotta grab Rose’s dishes and we’re off.” When Lena looked up at him with a sleepy smile, Rue was sure he lost a piece of his heart to her, and when Rose licked his face, well, it was the same result.
The trip to Lena’s house was fairly silent. It seemed both the ladies were still a bit tired.
“Well, this is it. My little cabin in the woods.”
Lena and Rose jumped out before he could make his way around to open their door. Rue grabbed his stuff and followed a very confident Lena into the cozy cabin. On her own turf, her whole posture changed. Her confidence was sexy. Rue wondered what he could do to help her find that same confidence elsewhere.
Rose pranced in like she belonged there. Rue couldn’t help himself, he dropped his belongings to the floor and gently caught Lena before she walked out of range. “What—”
Rue spun her to face him. “I just want to look at you for a minute.” Lena blushed and turned away. He caught her chin and brought her face back toward him. “Lena, we should get to know each other better.” It was poised on his lips to ask her if she would go out with him that night. Not just to learn more about each other for their ruse, but to learn more about her period. The panic in her eyes stopped him from expanding on his reasoning.
When she pulled away and smoothed down her blouse, Rue’s heart twisted in his chest.
“That’s an excellent idea, Mr. Parker.”
“Mr. Parker?” She was distancing and Rue wasn’t about to let that happen.
“Sorry, Rue. I have this, it should help.” Lena pulled a large manila envelope from the table by the door. She spoke with a formal tone as she passed it to him. “You can put your things in my bedroom at the end of the hall, but until my father visits, you can sleep in my office on the fold out couch.”
Lena didn’t wait for a reply but strolled into the kitchen. “Would you like a drink?” she called from the right as Rue flipped through the papers.
“No, thank you, but if you would join me, I’d love to . . . discuss things.” Negotiate was the word he wanted to say. No way was he abiding by her rules or she would keep him at arms’ length permanently.
Line eighteen, no intimate acts including, but not limited to, hand holding, appropriate facial kissing, and pet names except in front of her father.
Line twenty-one, absolutely no sex initiated by either party.
Line thirty-nine, we will not sleep in the same bed. When you must sleep in my room, you will do so on the futon and fully dressed.
Line forty-five, you will not treat me as a helpless individual. I am perfectly capable of navigating this world alone.
In bold type after all numbered issues: This ruse will not lead to any type of romantic relationship.
The next section was basically everything Lena which could be put into type.
Favorite movie – Tombstone.
Favorite music – 80s pop and one hit wonders.
Favorite flower – rose.
Favorite color – yellow.
Dream job – author.
Dream date – a picnic and a walk in the woods.
Birthday – September 5.
Birthmark – right hip, shaped almost like lips.
Tattoos – none.
Piercings – clitoral hood.
Rue choked on his own tongue as he read that. Lena had returned and sat across from him in a worn leather chair. He couldn’t stop his gaze from drifting to where the piercing was hidden. God, how I want to see it, suck it.
Rue adjusted his pants; his thoughts were making him hard as a rock.
“Have you finished reading? Any questions? I tried to be as thorough as possible. I think it would be a good idea if you told me as much about you.”
Rue wished Lena asked because she wanted to know, but he would take what he could get. He was positive he could win her over before her father left. He intended to get lines eighteen, twenty-one, and thirty-nine revoked. Not to mention, he most assuredly wanted to see both her birthmark and piercing.
Rue realized this whole pretend fiancé thing was better than dating for months. Just reading her packet told him so much about her already. And if what he had observed of her personality so far was any indication, she was an amazing woman, one he could see himself with long term. Rue decided he could easily fall for her so the only thing to do was to ensure she could fall for him too.
“Okay.” Rue set the papers down on the couch next to him and leaned back, drinking her in like a thirsty man. Lena sat with her legs curled under her, sipping her water daintily, with Rose at the foot of the chair. Her dress had ridden up her thigh, but not high enough to see her birthmark. Pity.
“Well, my favorite movie is also Tombstone. I’ve seen it about a hundred times. You ain’t no Daisy at all.” Rue did his best Doc Holliday impression. Lena laughed.
“My favorite color is black. I don’t have a favorite flower. My favorite music is Norwegian death metal. My dream job is a forest ranger. No birthmarks but I do have a tattoo of—and don’t laugh, I cannot stress that enough—Elmer Fudd on my right ass cheek. And no piercings but I am not opposed to them.”
Water shot from Lena’s nose and her laughter invaded his entire being. That moment he knew there was something he wanted to do more than breathe, and that was make this woman laugh. He wanted to be a source of humor in her life and if Elmer Fudd on his ass did that, then the drunken night when he’d accepted that dare was worth it.
