The Convenient Wedding: a contemporary romance (The Rosa Legacy Book 3) (13 page)

The questions continued to be shouted at her, she took charge. She held up her hand and calmly said, “I would be happy to give you a statement if someone could set up an interview area.”

She had to repeat herself a few times but remained calm and directive until the handful of reporters organized a make-shift press area.

Lucia asked someone for a copy of the local newspaper and tried to formulate a reasonable explanation in her head. She kept repeating the mantra I’ve done nothing wrong in her head and purposely banished Anderson’s campaign for her thoughts.

When the microphones were ready, she smiled at the reporters assembled and said, “I went to California to visit my parents and while shopping unexpectedly ran into Paul Simonson. We had a cup of coffee together at a café and talked for maybe 20 minutes. It’s certainly not newsworthy information.”

A women reporter in the front called out, “Why were you kissing him and does Anderson know about your secret meeting?”

“It was merely a friendly greeting, nothing more. Yes, Anderson was aware of the meeting.” Lucia heard some of those assembled make disparaging comments.

The same reporter said, “Weren’t you engaged to Paul Simonson?”

“Yes, we were.” Lucia answered.

“Do you have plans to see him again?” another reporter asked.

“No. As I’ve stated, it was simply a chance meeting and we had coffee.” Lucia said.

The reporters became less frantic. She smiled and tried to relax her shoulders in an effort to appear calm and open. Expecting to go into the office, she wore a simple black skirt with a sleeveless pink top.

Her thoughts were chaotic. It was difficult to assess the potential damage to Anderson’s campaign.

“Does your boyfriend plan to visit you in Connecticut?” The women reporter up front asked.

“No. It was a chance meeting and I have no intention of seeing him again.” 

After several more inquires, she could tell that the reporters were losing interest in the story. She finally said, “If there are no more questions, my husband is expecting me.”

Lucia hailed a taxi and gratefully sank into the seat, giving the address to the driver. The campaign headquarters must be buzzing with the story. She should have turned on her cell phone and checked voicemail. Her assistant must have left many frantic messages about today’s breaking story.

She had the taxi leave her off at the service entrance along the back side of the building instead of the main lobby. She must have been immediately spotted on the surveillance camera because a uniformed guard opened the door before she had a chance to find her key.

Entering the loft apartment, Lucia could hear raised voices coming from Anderson’s office. Lucia hesitated for a moment while she decided if she should go upstairs and freshen up or if she should face Anderson’s wrath. She walked down the hallway and stood in the doorway. Anderson was looking out the window and Brian was seated at the chair in front of the desk with his back to her.

“Now you have a reason to part ways.” Brian’s said.

Lucia froze but something must have alerted Anderson to her presence because he turned and saw her.

For several seconds, no one uttered a word. Lucia could tell that Anderson was beyond anger or reason. His eyes locked with hers and she could feel an awareness sweep over her.

He pushed his hand through his hair and turned his back on her to look out the window. 

Lucia spoke first, “Brian, will you excuse us? I’d like to speak with Anderson privately.”

Brian began to say that he should stay but Anderson said, “Leave us.”

Brian left and the door clicked shut.

Anderson raided his voice. “What were you thinking?”

“I went to visit my parents. I had no idea that I would run into to Paul on the street. I don’t understand how the press even knew I was in California.”

“Have you seen the papers?”

Lucia glanced down and saw the various local papers sprawled across his desk. There were many photos and she noticed that she seemed carefree and happy. Each image captured a moment in time; holding Paul’s hand while crossing the street, laughing with him, kissing him goodbye and Lucia suddenly realized that the evidence seemed rather convincing.

Anderson ran a hand through his hair and turned back towards the window.

Lucia said, “I met Paul by accident and we went to a coffee house to talk. I hadn’t spoken to him since he abandoned me on the day of our wedding. The only reason I agreed to coffee was I wanted some closure.”

“How long did you date him?” Anderson asked as he turned to face her.

“Seven years.”

“So, he was important to you?”

Lucia was trying to figure out where Anderson was headed with the questions.

“I thought he was a good friend. We worked in public relations together. But the friendship ended when I opened a letter a few hours before the ceremony. It said he had been seeing someone else and she had become pregnant.”

Anderson reached out and grasped both of her arms pulling her close enough that she had to look directly into eyes. “You look so happy in those photographs.”

“I wasn’t happy exactly. But by speaking with him, I was able to let go of the past.”

“The timing of your reunion was unfortunate. We are battling to keep the campaign afloat. This negative publicity could be enough to sink us.”  

“I gave a press conference at the airport. Maybe that will help.”

He moved away from her. “Politics is maddening. Everything is about appearances.”

Lucia pushed her hair behind her ear. “I came back early to tell you that I want to build a real relationship with you.”

“Prove it.” Anderson demanded.

“How can I prove it?” Lucia asked in confusion.

She could see the challenge in eyes and realized suddenly that he expected her to act the part of a real wife.

“I can’t.”

“If you find a physical relationship with me so distasteful, maybe we should take Brian’s advice and call it quits. I would probably come out ahead in the polls as voters would feel sympathy for a vulnerable, jilted man.” Anderson calmly speculated.

Lucia looked at him in a panic and said, “At the airport I gave an interview and refuted the rumors.”

Anderson said nothing. He waited for her next move. She continued to stare at him and he held her gaze. 

The implications of a very public break-up began to infiltrate her consciousness. Lucia felt stunned as she imagined the media reporting on her life. She began to wonder if this was what Anderson wanted; to be free of her. Would he really walk away from her and leave the impression that she cheated on him? Was he looking for a way out of their relationship or was he just angry about the situation? As she tried to figure out his motives, fear crept under her skin. She sensed that he was about to leave her and that shocked her.

“There is nothing to gain by allowing the story to take hold. Surely you wouldn’t want that kind of embarrassment.” Lucia reasoned but as she searched his face for an answer, she was met by a hard, uncompromising expression that chilled her heart.

“I’m growing tired of this pretend half-marriage where I need to grovel for your attention. So unless you want to establish a real, meaningful relationship then I want out.” Anderson slowly articulated each word.

Realizing his pride was injured, she began to see his position differently which put hope back in her heart. Had she been acting like a victim or someone dragged reluctantly into a marriage? While it may have started out that way, she had developed feelings for him.

“Please don’t do this.” Lucia whispered.

“Give me a reason not to.” Anderson challenged her.

Lucia wanted to tell him that she cared about him but she remained silent. Certainly he didn’t return her feelings or he wouldn’t suggest ending their marriage.

“I’ll be a willing player in our marriage,” Lucia promised him.

“What does that mean exactly?” Anderson asked her.

“Exactly what you think it does.” Lucia answered. Their eyes met and Lucia looked at her hands.

“Prove it to me,” Anderson slowly said.

Her body was tense and jumpy instead of graceful. 

Forcing herself to push past her inhibitions, she moved her hands over his chest. There was energy that flowed from him to her and she reached up to kiss him. Her lips kissed his but Anderson remained completely still and didn’t draw her into his arms.

Pushing away her natural reluctance to play the role of seductress, she closed her eyes and gently kissed him again. She moved back slightly and reached up and loosened his tie. Her hands were shaking as she slowly coaxed his tie to come undone and then pulled the dark, long piece of silk free of his collar, finally letting it slip to the floor. Next she struggled to undo the small translucent button at the top of his starched white shirt and as it gave way, she pressed a kiss into his warm neck and then slowly undid each button until she had to tug his shirt free of the waist of his elegant suit pants.

With each move, her confidence grew. She tugged the shirt, and heard his sharply indrawn breath even though he didn’t move.

Lucia slid her hands along the warm skin of his flat belly, enjoying the feel of his hard muscles just below the surface. His body felt hot and supple yet as hard as steel. Without thinking, she moved forward and took one of his nipples in her mouth and gently ran the tip of her tongue over the hardened tip.

Anderson immediately tugged her back and when she looked up at him in surprise, forcefully took her mouth with his own.

Lucia melted into his arms, relief flooding through her veins. A few short months ago, she would have welcomed a way out of their marriage but now she realized that she desperately wanted to be close to him. Suddenly kissing wasn’t enough, she wanted all of him. Lucia moved her hands up his chest, exploring fully each inch of his torso. Their kissed deepened, and she moved her body closer to his and felt white, hot desire leaping through her body.

She could feel his rigid maleness through the thin fabric of her skirt and she breathed his name.

Instead of continuing the seduction, Anderson abruptly pushed her away, holding her at arm’s length. Lucia was stung by his sudden withdrawal and looked up into his handsome face.

“I thought this is what you wanted,” Lucia said in confusion.

“Not like this.” said Anderson.

Lucia was stunned that he could go from an extraordinarily passionate man to a cold, ruthless politician in a matter of seconds.

“You were only willing to establish a physical relationship with me when you thought it was your last option. I’m beginning to think that you are more interested in becoming a politician’s wife then my wife.” His entire accusation came in a dangerously clipped tone.

Lucia physically recoiled from his words. How could he think that? 

“How can you say that? You know that I was thrown into this marriage by accident.” Lucia frowned in confusion.

“Do I? After your little escapade to California, I’m beginning to see a much different person. Someone must have tipped off the press.” Anderson said.

“I was lonely and tired of the constant scrutiny. I wanted a break for a couple of days. Why would I tell the media?” 

“Whether I believe you or not, I will not take the chance of another embarrassing escapade. If you want to remain my wife, you will cooperate fully with my security team, let me know of your whereabouts at all times and not have any further contact with any of your ex-boyfriends.” Anderson demanded.

“And if I want some time off?” Lucia challenged him.

Anderson met her gaze. “If you give me the slightest provocation then I will throw you out and let the media make of it what they will.”

Lucia was hurt by his assertion. It was becoming quite clear to her that she was a means to an end. He was angry with her for tarnishing his campaign, nothing more. As long as she played the role that he demanded then he would let her stay. She reminded herself that he didn’t have any emotional tie to her.

She tried to avoid his penetrating gaze but he demanded a response by tightening his grip on her arm and in a brusque tone said, “Have I made my position clear?”

“Yes, now let go of me.” Lucia demanded and he abruptly let go of her.

Lucia tried to hide the hurt she was feeling as she turned to leave the room.

“Don’t ever use seduction as a way to gloss over the truth. It won’t work with me.” Anderson bitterly told her.

She left his office and was brushing away the hot tears that were beginning to fall, when she noticed Brian waiting for her in the kitchen.

“Lucia, I’m sorry. He can be a difficult man. It is for the best.” Brian said in a soothing voice.

Brian’s assumption that Anderson had decided to end the marriage baffled her. When she reached him she became very still, and said “What exactly is for the best?”

“Well, the marriage was a mistake from the beginning. It’s better to cut your losses and move on.” Brian said calmly as if he was counseling an old friend.