A Tangled Web (A Books We Love Erotic Romance) (6 page)

He'd smouldered when she'd cuddled up to Mitch. And when she came in with the kid and his father, Derek wished he were Joseph and the three of them were a family. He'd suspected she and the guy were no longer married, but he resented her being with him anyway.

When Derek thought about her having sex with those two, in the past or in the future, he wanted to bash Mitch and Joseph's heads together. He threw down the bar rag. The burn mark wasn't going away. Could he repair things with
Erin
?

"Something bugging you, barkeep?"

Derek recognised the voice of Lawrence Larrison, and looking up to see his partner seating himself on a stool, Derek broke into a grin.

"What brings you to this neck of the woods, Larry boy?"

"I wanted to see how you're doing. Give me a Scotch scotch on the rocks."

Derek reached for the bottle of their favourite brand and poured himself one too. He didn't often drink on the job, but he was so damned glad to see Larrison's familiar face, he felt like celebrating. They clicked glasses and each took a slug. The burn in Derek's throat felt good. The last scotch he'd drunk was when he'd had dinner with
Erin
.

"I wanted to see what's so fucking wonderful about this place that keeps you here. It's cosy." Larry shrugged. "But cosy doesn't suit you. What are you hiding from?"

Derek moved off to serve a customer at the end of the bar. When he returned, he spread his legs wide apart, folded his arms and faced Larry. They'd met in law school, became friends and eventually partners in business, but Derek didn't feel close enough to him or anyone else to confess. He was marrying a woman he didn't love and the sorrow over that commitment had begun eating away at his gut.

"You know the story. I needed a change and when Bill broke his leg, it worked out that I could hold his job for him while doing myself a favour as well. He had the surgery he needed and was dismissed from the hospital this past weekend. When he gets a walking cast, he can return to work and so can I."

"What does your bride-to-be think about you taking this gig?"

"She hasn't complained. She knows it's temporary and Bill's my first cousin. She knows family is important. Is everything under control at the office?"

"The pro-tem does his job. He'll make a good attorney. However, he's driving me nuts with his snivelling mannerisms. I miss you, Acampora." Larry shoved his glass across the bar top for a refill. "Tell the truth. Will you? Are the upcoming nuptials what sent you running? I knew you were antsy before you found out about Bill. If you don't love the woman, admit it now and get the hell out of that mess."

Derek, surprised by his law partner's intuitive assumption, ducked his head as he poured the guy a fresh drink. "I can't do that. She'd be humiliated."

"You haven't said as much, but she's pregnant, isn't she? Otherwise you wouldn't rush into marriage with a girl your best friend hasn't even met."

He'd hit the nail on the head again, except Lawrence Larrison undoubtedly thought Derek was the father of his fiancée's unborn child. "She'll make a good wife. You'll like her. There's nothing to not like about Angel."

She aimed to please, always, but she apparently hadn't pleased the man who impregnated her enough for him to make her his bride. And remembering how her parents pressured her to be perfect when she and Derek dated in undergraduate school, he empathised too much to throw her to the proverbial wolves. Moreover, she'd acted so desperate when she came to him that he feared she might harm herself. If it worked out badly, they could divorce later, but he planned to give his all to making it work. She was a lovely woman, just wound too tight.

He hadn't been dating anyone anyway and they'd had good times together before he moved on to law school. So, touched by her distress at having nowhere to turn, he'd offered to marry her. She hadn't put forth the idea and she'd acted surprised, even saying she couldn't let him do that. But since then, he'd begun to suspect that was exactly why she'd shown up at his door. He also suspected she'd figured out that if she mentioned getting an abortion, he'd be horrified enough to propose. At the time, he'd thought she was frantic enough to do it and wanted to save her and the baby. Later, he'd come to the conclusion that she would never have been able to go through with it and he should have realised that.

She'd trapped him but he doubted she'd made a conscious decision to do it, and he couldn't blame her for what she'd said or done in desperation. However, the regrets had just started to set in when Bill fractured his leg and gave Derek a chance to get away and think over things. A man with four kids and a pregnant wife—why the hell Bill couldn't keep his penis in his pants, Derek didn't know. But he did know his cousin couldn't afford to lose his job.

Doctors had told Derek, after complications had set in following an illness he'd had years ago, that he'd never be able to father a child, and he'd accepted that fact. But the prospect of holding a tiny infant in his arms held a certain appeal and this might be his only chance to become a dad. Plus, his own father desperately wanted the family name carried on, so this baby, while not biologically Derek's, would bear the name Acampora. The best he could do, he hoped it would mollify his father.

Living in a furnished apartment near the Club instead of his own house, working at a bar and feeling like a different person, Derek had almost come to terms with himself and the commitment he'd made—until Erin Fox walked through the door of Club Rendezvous and taken up residence in his mind. And since he'd pissed her off, he'd thought about her even more.

"Nothing to not like? What the hell sort of prescription is that for marriage? Women are tough. This Angel, if she's so damned agreeable and nice, can take it. Just promise to give the baby a name and pay support."

Derek poured himself another scotch and chugged it. Then he poured another and refilled Larry's glass as well. What the hell? If he got drunk, he'd spend the night here at the Club. He couldn't tell anyone he wasn't the baby's father, not if he was going to raise the kid and put his name on the birth certificate.

"I have a…uh…problem…" Was the scotch beginning to slur his words? Derek went on. "The thing is…I have the hots for another woman."

"There. That proves it. You have to get out of your marriage plans," Larry said, pounding his fist on the bar. He pushed his glass away, adding, "I have to drive."

"I can't back out. I proposed and promised. However…" He'd be a sonofabitch to go back on his word, but with the sacrifice he was making, he at least owed himself some fun with
Erin
. "I'm going to call that other woman tomorrow when I'm sober and then I'm going to fuck her until I get her out of my system. I just…" Derek downed Larry's scotch, "just gotta make sure I don't fall in love. She's hot, Larry, and totally irresistible."

Chapter Six
 

"Good morning, beautiful lady." The postman, Robert, closed the door to Wives-R-Us behind him and laid the day's office mail on
Erin
's desk.

A handsome blond in his late twenties, his words and demeanour brought a smile to her lips, despite the bad mood she'd been in the past few days. Since Derek's brush-off capped off a terrible Saturday with Angel, she'd been wallowing in self-pity. After a blue Sunday and Monday feeling sorry for herself,
Erin
was surprised her lips still knew how to curve upwards.

Robert was endearingly cheerful every day he delivered and he consistently called her 'beautiful lady', an especially welcome greeting this morning. She'd felt unattractive following Derek's putdown and might have phoned Mitch to invite him over for reassurance if Derek's remarks hadn't also made her feel like a tramp.

"How come you're always in a good mood, Robert?" she asked, standing.

"It's better than the alternative," he responded, dimpling. "Seriously, I'm in love and life is great. I haven't taken the mail to your house yet, but if you're in need of something to make you happy, there's something here that might help." He handed her a small package sent airmail. "It's always fun to get presents, don't you think?"

"It's from Joey! My son. He's on a cruise with his father. Thank you." Robert was on his way out and
Erin
was already tearing open the box.

"I'm surprised he had time to send you something already," Margo said, rising from her yellow leather recliner. Seating herself in the client's chair on the other side of Erin's French provincial desk, she leaned forward to watch
Erin
peel away tissue.

"Pink brocade slippers,"
Erin
said. "They're lovely but I can't imagine Joey in a store picking these." She pulled out a card tucked inside one that said, "Thank you. Love, Joseph."

She looked up to see Margo reading it upside down and cocking an eyebrow. Ignoring her questioning gaze,
Erin
cast the delicate bedroom shoes aside. They were a suggestive gift and in an effort to keep Margo from guessing that
Erin
had fucked her ex, she said, "He knows I didn't want to give up so much time with Joe, and he's grateful.

"Oh, good. There's another box." Praying this one was from Joey, she opened the hinged lid of a jewellery box and took out a jade, heart-shaped pendant. On a gift card printed in pencil was the word, 'Mom'. The card opened to say, 'I love you and miss you but I am having fun. Joe'.

A tear slid down
Erin
's cheek as she held the pendant to her lips.

The phone rang and Margo reached for it. "Want to bet that will be Lea? She forgot two shopping bags inside the office door when she ran out of here and now she'll want me to bring them to her."

"Right. Go ahead and answer." Lea had gone to an appointment where she was setting up for a dinner that evening.

Joey…Joe…said he'd send her something and this was perfect. She fastened it around her neck and, because the chain was long, the jade heart hung near her heart.
Perfect

She glanced at Margo who had answered with a simple, "Hello."

Margo returned Lea's gaze with a shrug. "Yes, this is Wives-R-Us. I'm sorry, I should have— No. This is Margo. Would you like to speak to
Erin
?"

She handed over the phone. "It's a man," she whispered before heading for her own chair.

"Hello,"
Erin
said, her voice husky with emotion.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted and I
am
calling you now."

"Derek?" She knew his voice—that deep, sexy, compelling voice—but couldn't believe he was actually phoning her. She'd been convinced she'd never hear from him again.

"Yes, and I want to see you, Erin. If you still want to see me."

Her knees went weak and she was glad she was sitting down. She felt like she should play hard to get but was afraid to take the chance. She longed to see him. Picturing his wavy dark hair, a lock falling on his forehead as he bent over her, his eyes hot with desire, wetting his lips with his tongue… Her pussy clenched and her nipples pebbled with her rush of lust.

"
Erin
? Did you hear me?"

"Yes. I still want you, Derek. I mean I want to see you."

He chuckled, a rich, devilishly provocative sound. "I'll come by for you tonight. I talked to George and he'll come in to work for me at seven. The lazy bum doesn't want to cope with the rush during Happy Hour. You and I will do…something. Whatever you want to do. "

* * * *

Derek looked at the clock for the umpteenth time. It was 6:30. Half an hour more to go. George wasn't taking any chances of having to pitch in by showing up early. Derek was so excited about seeing
Erin
, he got a hard-on every time he thought about her. He knew what he wanted to do, but he couldn't just walk in the door, tear her clothes off her and lick his way from the tips of her breasts all the way down to her clit. Perhaps they could start by going dancing. That way he could hold her close, press her body tight against his, let her feel his erection pressing into her stomach, make her want it to press deep inside her dripping pussy. Or maybe they could go to a movie. He could start by sliding his arm around her and inching his hand low enough so his fingers could tease and pinch her nipple until she moaned with desire. He hoped she wasn't counting on dinner. He could certainly turn that into a sexually stimulating activity, but it would take too long. Besides, the only thing he wanted to eat was her.

On second thought, he could invite her to his temporary bachelor pad and make dinner for her. That would put them alone together in a cosy atmosphere. But wooing a woman with his culinary talent was likely to put her in a mood for marriage, and hard, hot fucking was all Derek was up for.

He wanted her to come screaming for him. He owed her the wildest, raunchiest, most satisfying sex he could give her, after the way he'd insulted her. He hadn't been sure she'd forgive him and give him the chance. However, he had a strong inkling she craved his cock plunging into her pussy as much as he did.

"Hello, Derek."

He looked up to see Angel standing at the bar. She looked lovely with a brightly printed scarf tied around her frosted hair. The blonde streaks brightened her long brown tresses. She was wearing a red dress and perhaps it was a reflection off it that made her cheeks look bright, or was she flushed?

Heads turned, and for a moment he saw her as others did. Then he stole a frantic glance at his watch. 6:40. "What are you doing here, Angel? Is something wrong?"

She laughed and climbed onto a barstool. "Everything is fine. Now. I finally found a wedding dress and I am sure you'll love it as much as I do. I'd never seen where you're working, and even though it's a temporary job, I thought it would be nice to see it, and you. So give me something virgin."

He must have looked clueless because she laughed and said, "Non-alcoholic."

Derek ran his hands through his hair, feeling like a fool. She was pregnant so she couldn't drink the
Burgundy
she loved. "Of course." He reached for a glass, hesitating over making a choice. "What's your preference? Virgin Mary? Screwdriver? Free wine?"

"Make me a Kiddy Cocktail. I used to love those and I haven't had one since grade school."

He chose a short glass, hoping she'd drink just one and make it fast. If she knew he was taking off early…

"I haven't eaten yet. Do you have good sandwiches here?" Angel asked.

Derek was beginning to sweat. "Nothing I think would suit your taste."

"What's wrong? You look pale. Don't you want me here, Derek? Are you expecting someone to come in? Another woman maybe?"

Angel's eyes flashed and two bright red spots appeared on her suddenly white cheeks.

"Of course not. I mean I'm not expecting anyone. I don't like to see a woman come in a bar alone, however. It isn't ladylike."

Angel folded her hands tightly on the bar top. "You certainly have changed since college. I believe that's how we first met."

"That's the point. I picked you up in a tavern and that's what it appears you are looking for now. A pick-up."

"I went in there alone because I knew you were there and I wanted to meet you. I came in here tonight because you're my future husband. I'm not a bar hopper out to pick up men."

"I'm here." George cleared his throat loudly from behind him.

Derek had been unaware he'd shown up until then. How long had he been standing there? Did he hear Angel say they were going to be married?

"I'm sorry, Angel," Derek said. "I was out of line."

She burst into tears and headed for the front door.

"You seem to have a way with women, Derek. The last one I saw you with left in a huff, but you'd better go after this one if she's your bride-to-be."

"Yeah, I seem to have turned into a real prick, and I always thought I was a nice guy."

But he wasn't acting like one tonight, or he'd have tried to catch up with Angel instead of giving her time to start for home before he left Rendezvous.

I'll make up with Angel, but not right now. I deserve this one time
, he told himself as he went out the door and looked around the dark parking lot. Relieved there were no cars with their lights on, which he figured meant she was gone, he climbed into his little Jaguar.

I'm going to make Angel a good husband and give her a father for her child, but I owe myself just one, mind-blowing fuck with
Erin
.

* * *

Erin
paced the floor of her living room, waiting for Derek. He was only a few minutes late but what if he'd changed his mind about coming? Or what if he never intended to show and was trying to make a fool of her?

She longed for wild, steamy sex with him but, considering he seemed to think she screwed a lot of different guys, maybe she shouldn't fuck him. After all, she didn't want to confirm his worst thoughts.

She'd dressed carefully, donning a black lace-trimmed thong and matching bra under her modest little black dress. Joey's pendant, hanging from its delicate silver chain, nestled between her breasts, slightly exposed by the scooped neckline. She'd found a pair of earrings in her jewellery box that Joseph had given her years ago, tiny twists of silver with a touch of jade that she'd nearly forgotten owning. She'd been delighted with the discovery.

She didn't want to appear so dressed up that Derek would think he had to take her somewhere special, but she didn't want to look as if she planned to spend the evening at home, giving him grounds to think she was planning or hoping for just sex.

The doorbell rang and she took a quick look in the foyer mirror before opening the door. He was checking his watch when she said, "Hello, Derek." She paused, expecting him to apologise for his tardiness. When he didn't, she motioned and added, "Come in."
         He stepped inside and looked around. "This is quite a house. Do you live in this huge place alone?"

"My son lives with me, but it is big for two people." Actually, it had been large for three, but Joseph loved owning the biggest and best of everything. "However, Wives-R-Us is located on the property so I wouldn't want to part with it."

The June night was balmy and moonlight washed across her lawn behind Derek as he stood inside the still open door. "I couldn't decide where to go or what to do," he said, "so I brought some wine and thought maybe we could just stay in, if that's okay with you."

With the sleeves of his black and white pin-striped dress shirt rolled up to his elbows paired with black trousers, he looked extremely handsome and as sexy as the devil himself. "I brought a tie in case you preferred to go out." He yanked at the black silk slung over his shoulder.

"I'm fine with your plan. I didn't know what to suggest we do either."

A smile broke across the planes of Derek's face. "Where shall we hold our little party then?"

Stepping back outside the door, he produced a picnic basket, and she laughed in delight. The way he hoisted that hamper, he must have brought a lot of wine.

"It's so pleasant outside, why don't we hold it on the back patio? It's enclosed by bushes and quite private." The house sat on a large grassy corner lot and was visible from cars passing on the streets and neighbouring houses, except for the veranda.

Erin
led Derek through the living and dining rooms and into the kitchen which opened onto the patio. A door in the solarium also led outside, but she wanted to pick up wine glasses on the way.

"No need for those unless you prefer glass," Derek said as she opened a cabinet door. "I brought plastic."

Following him through the back door,
Erin
stood fascinated as he produced a bottle of champagne, one of red wine, one of white and stemmed, plastic glasses. After setting those on the glass-topped table, he pulled out two kinds of cheese and crackers, two varieties of olives and paper napkins.