The Marriage Pact Read online

  “Ah, moving day,” I said, a little too brightly. “Need a break?” I held out the wine and cheese, but she didn’t make a move to take it.

  “You know where the glasses are,” she said, turning back to her packing and waving me away with her hand.

  I took a deep breath and headed for the kitchen. Brody really, really better appreciate this, I thought as I poured the red, fruity liquid into two wine glasses. I put the cheddar on a cutting board and thinking better of it at the last second, I sliced the cheese and left the knife behind.

  “Take a break,” I suggested again, waving the cheese under her nose. I could see the indecision playing on her face, but when she reached out and grabbed one of the larger slices, I knew I’d won. Letting out a sigh of relief, I plopped down beside her and peered into the box. “Geez, Becky, how many copies of Glamour do you own?”

  “I’ve been a loyal subscriber for seventeen years now,” she informed me.

  “Yeah, but did you need to keep every single one?”

  “Don’t you start in on me too. I already heard enough about it from Seth.”

  Something about the way she said it made me look closer. I noticed how carefully she was avoiding looking me in the eye. I’d assumed she was still pissed, but no, this looked like something else. She kept fidgeting, too. “Are you OK?”

  Her head snapped up and she rolled her eyes at me. “Yes, I’m fine. I’m having to box up the last thirty-five years of my life, but I’m peachy, thanks for asking.”

  I furrowed my brow as I took in her appearance. Becky wasn’t much for makeup, but she didn’t usually look this pale, either. And her normally light green eyes were red-rimmed. “Are you sure?” I asked gently. “Did you and Seth have a fight?”

  She shook her head, barking a laugh. “Oh, no, no, you don’t. You don’t get to waltz in here and start quizzing me on my life. Not when you—”

  “I’m sorry.” For some reason, the words stopped her flat. She swallowed back whatever she’d been about to say and pressed her lips together. Now I’d seen everything. “I mean it, Becky. You’re my best friend, you’re the sister I never had. I should have told you.”

  “Then why didn’t you?” This time, it didn’t sound like an accusation, but I could clearly hear her pain.

  “Because… it’s stupid, but I guess the biggest thing is that I was embarrassed.”

  “Embarrassed?” she echoed doubtfully. “What do you have to be embarrassed about?”

  “Oh, come on, Becky,” I scoffed. “I’m a doctor. And all those years of med school, for what? I can’t even help my own mother!”

  She had been shaking her head before I finished. “It’s not your fault, Shan. You’ve got to cut yourself a break.”

  I took a deep breath and forced myself to admit the thing I was most scared of. “I keep thinking if I hadn’t left… or if I hadn’t stayed gone so long, maybe if I practiced here, maybe I could have caught it in time.”

  “Shana…” She surprised me by putting her hand on my knee and giving it a squeeze. “Stop it. You can’t keep thinking like that.”

  “But I’ve missed so much,” I said, hugging my knees to my chest. “I missed a lot of years with my father and—”

  “OK, stop, you convinced me. Let’s have a drink—clearly, you could use one.”

  I obediently sipped my wine and turned the conversation to her packing. It didn’t take long for me to realize that Seth wasn’t thrilled with her. According to Becky, even though he’d asked her to get ready to move before the wedding, she’d been too busy, and he wasn’t very happy about it.

  “Like it’s so easy to just pack up and move,” she scoffed. “I mean, he’s not the one boxing up his entire life!”

  “At least you get an amazing house out of the deal,” I remarked. “Would you rather him move in here?”

  She looked around at the barren walls and shook her head emphatically. “Point taken.”

  “He could at least help you, if it’s so important to him.” I couldn’t miss the way she blushed. “What?”

  “What, what?” she asked, ducking her head. “Hey, can you hand me the duct tape?”

  I handed her the roll, still scrutinizing her pink cheeks. “Did he? Offer to help?”

  “He did,” she admitted, still not meeting my eyes.

  “So where is he?”

  “Well, ah, I sort of told him to leave.”

  “You did what?”

  She sighed heavily and met my eyes. “I told him he was in the way and that I would do better on my own.”

  “And he believed you?” I laughed.

  She shrugged a shoulder ruefully. “Probably not, but I guess he thought he was punishing me by giving me what I asked for.”

  Something in her voice hitched when she said punishing, but I decided to let it slide.

  “And… while we’re on the topic, I’m sorry I let you get blindsided by the whole Brody thing. I only knew a few days before the wedding myself, but still, I should have said something.”

  I took a big gulp of wine as I waited for her to finish, loving how it warmed me as it shot through my bloodstream.

  “It was stupid not to tell you. Seth kept saying that I needed to, but I didn’t listen and…” She blushed redder still, to my utter shock. I didn’t think I’d once seen Becky blush, much less twice in less than ten minutes. “Well, that turned out badly for us both.”

  “It’s OK,” I said, just to have something to fill in the silence. I was still watching her, trying to figure out why she’d gone all weird on me. “But why didn’t you?”

  “I don’t know, I guess I thought… like you said before, we’ve been talking about him for years. I didn’t think you’d ever admit to your feelings unless you were… blindsided.” Her smile was both parts sly and apologetic, a look only Becky could pull off.

  “It worked,” I admitted.

  “‘Course it did. When it comes to plans, I’m the—”

  “Master,” I cut her off, rolling my eyes. I’d heard this particular song and dance before. “Yeah, I guess you kind of were this time.”

  “So… things are good with you two? You said you had a fight.”

  “We’re not getting much packing done,” I pointed out as I polished off my glass.

  “I guess not.” Becky sighed as she looked around at all the work to be done. “You know what, it can wait another ten minutes. Pass me the wine.” After I complied, she topped hers off and refilled my glass.

  “Won’t Seth be upset?”

  The blush had faded from her cheeks and she looked like regular old spunky Becky once more. She raised her glass and grinned. “To driving our men crazy, for as long as we all shall live.”

  I shook my head, laughing at her, but clinked my glass against hers and took a big swallow.

  “And speaking of driving men crazy, how is Brody?” Becky couldn’t do subtlety if her life depended on it. It was one of the reasons that I’d been so surprised she’d been able to keep such a secret from me.

  “He’s… good.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know!”

  “We’re… I’m not sure, really. I think we’re getting there. I just… you know how it worked out last time.”

  She snorted dismissively. “Yeah, but that was a long time ago. You’re both older now, wiser…”

  “I don’t feel any wiser,” I admitted, tracing the rim of my glass with my finger. “I feel seventeen all over again, making the same mistakes. Although he’s certainly, ah, changed.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  I set my glass down and began piling more magazines in the box in front of me to avoid answering.

  “I didn’t lie to you.”

  “Hmm?” I asked without looking up.

  “Seth really did ask Brody to be his best man.” She had my full attention now; not only was she opening up about something I’d been dying to figure out, she seemed so damn uncomfortable doing it I couldn’t help but be intrigued. There was litt
le that threw her off her game. “It was, I don’t know, four months ago? Right after the wedding invitations went out…”

  “Right,” I prompted.

  “And I guess I got cold feet or whatever because I just freaked. I… when Seth came home, I picked a fight. It was stupid, I don’t even remember what it was about now. And anyway, I packed a bag and left.”

  “Oh, Becky. You could have told me.”

  “Yeah, I was going to. I was calling you from the car, but I wasn’t paying much attention to where I was going and I was crying, so… I sort of hit another car.”

  “Oh, my God!” I gasped. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”

  “I was embarrassed,” she admitted. “And I wasn’t hurt. Anyway, it was Brody’s car.”

  My eyes widened in surprise. He’d never mentioned it.

  “He got out and he was very nice about it. He saw me crying and got me some tissues from his car.” She grinned at the memory. “I’m pretty sure those things have been in his glove box since 1962, but whatever. It was nice.”

  “Then what?”

  “Well, he sat down with me and we just… talked. I told him what was going on with Seth. I told him that I didn’t want to get married, that Seth was too sweet and his mother was too pushy. I said I was too old to get married.”

  I couldn’t resist reaching over and squeezing her hand. “I’m so sorry. I wish I knew you felt that way, I would have—”

  “I know. I know that, really. But after I talked to Brody, I was just too embarrassed to tell you.”

  “So, what did he say?”

  “Oh…” There it was, she was squirming again. “He more or less told me I was being ridiculous. He said that Seth was the best thing that had ever happened to me and I was just running because I was scared. He was right.”

  “Wow.”

  “Right? Who knew he was so sensitive and all?” She smirked at me. “Well, I guess you did…”

  “Shut up,” I laughed. “Finish your story.”

  “Well, I went back and apologized and cried all over him until he forgave me.”

  “Which he did,” I scoffed. “The man would forgive you anything. You know this.”

  “Mmm.”

  Was I imagining it this time, or was she blushing again? “Becky… is there something you’re not telling me?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Come on, don’t be shy,” I coaxed. “Share with the class.” Yes, she was definitely blushing. And she wouldn’t meet my eyes, either. This could be interesting.

  “Ah, well, like I said, he forgave me. But, um… he actually…”

  “What?”

  “He spanked me, OK?” she snapped, glaring at me like it was my fault.

  “I see.” I took another swig of wine. God, I was so glad I already had alcohol in my system. I’d need it for the rest of this conversation.

  “It was a one-time thing.”

  The imploring look she gave me coupled with the hesitation in her voice made it clear she only hoped it was. “I know what that’s like.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “What what’s like?”

  “You know. Being spanked.”

  “This wasn’t your garden variety love pat, Shana. It was like he was… punishing me or something.”

  I couldn’t help it, I burst out laughing.

  “What?” she demanded defensively. “What’s so funny?”

  “What’s funny?” I echoed, still giggling despite myself. “What’s funny is thinking about someone doing it for fun.”

  Becky grimaced and reached around to rub her behind as though she was reliving the aftereffects. “I know what you mean. So, Brody’s a spanker. Funny, you never mentioned it before.”

  “It’s kind of a new development.”

  “Really? Wonder where he picked that up from.”

  “You know, I haven’t bothered to ask.”

  “Shana! What’s wrong with you, girl, I thought I taught you better! Get out of here and go find your man—you have secrets to uncover.”

  I rolled my eyes at her dramatics. “Please, like you can do this without me?” I gestured to the room at large. “And now that I know your ass is literally on the line…”

  She groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Don’t, please, I can’t take it. I swear, if I didn’t love the man…”

  “But you do,” I reminded her cheerfully. “Now, enough wine. Let’s get to work.”

  * * *

  I had just let myself in the house and set my purse down when I heard the sound of something hitting the floor. I turned around, eyes searching, when I saw a folded piece of notebook paper on the floor. It looked like it had been slipped in through the mail slot.

  I thought it was odd, but after I’d bent down to retrieve it and unfolded the note, I was even more perplexed. Written in what had to be a fourth grader’s handwriting was: Do you like me? Please check one: YES or NO.

  Smirking to myself, I reached inside my purse and pulled out a red Sharpie. Circling NO until the ink bled through the page, I pushed it back through the slot. I covered my mouth with my hand to muffle the laughter I just couldn’t contain. I counted to sixty and when I threw the door open, Brody was standing there just as I’d expected.

  His eyebrows shot up the moment he saw me. “I should spank you for lying,” he growled, sounding so possessive my eyes widened even as my sex began tingling.

  Then I remembered the conversation with Becky and I burst out laughing all over again.

  “Oh, you think this is funny, do you?” He crossed the threshold, took my wrists in one hand and pushed the door closed with his foot. The resounding bang echoed through the house and somehow added to my excitement as he pinned me to the wall. “I guess I have to show you that I’m not a man to laugh at.”

  Yes, please, I thought, practically whimpering when he brushed his finger along my jawline. If his half-smile was anything to go by, my pleas weren’t silent to him.

  When he began kissing me—no, more like devouring me with his lips, kissing and nibbling and even biting every piece of flesh, I knew he’d heard me loud and clear. I wanted to move, to touch him, but every time I tried, he tightened his grip. Finally, I relaxed and concentrated on letting my body feel every sensuous caress.

  Brody was tweaking my stiff nipple as he kissed his way down my throat. When he stopped suddenly, I thought would implode from the frustration.

  “What is it?” I moaned.

  “Is your mom gone?”

  “Yes,” I said, irritated that he’d stopped for that. “She’s with your mom. I thought you knew.”

  “Of course I knew, I was the one who asked her to take her.” He grinned devilishly. “I just wanted to make sure she’d already left.”

  “You think of everything, don’t you?” I purred in admiration.

  “I usually do—or at least try to. And I don’t miss much, either.” He gave me a stern look before releasing my wrists. I’d only started to rub them—he’d been holding tightly and I wasn’t used to being restrained, not that I was complaining!—when he put his hands on my waist and spun me around until I was facing the wall.

  “What—”

  “Put your hands out.”

  If not for the firmness in his voice, I probably wouldn’t have obeyed, but something told me this wasn’t a sex game. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going to give you a swat for your attitude. And now one for disobedience as well.”

  My mind struggled to process as I placed my hands on the cool, peeling white paint. The other day hadn’t been an accident, had it? This… this whole dominating, in-control thing that he did—and looked so sexy doing, I might add—wasn’t an act. It was really how he wanted to live. The realization had me stunned so much I didn’t hear his brief lecture, though he had my full attention from the first spank he landed on my shorts.

  “That hurt!” I complained, wanting to reach back and rub. For some reason I couldn’t name, I didn’t think that would
be allowed.

  “It’s just a reminder.”

  “Fine! I’m reminded!”

  “Shana.” He clucked his tongue disapprovingly. “Is this really the time to argue?”

  “I’m not arguing,” I said, a little less petulantly.

  “Well, there’s two explanations for this. Either I misunderstood your tone or you don’t know what arguing sounds like.”

  How was it that he managed to sound stern and sexy all at once? Did he have to lean so close to my ear? Feeling his skin so close to mine made my skin extra sensitive and tingly all over, which made it nearly impossible to stay mad.

  “So, which is it?” He brushed his mouth against my earlobe, making me shiver as my stomach muscles tightened.

  God, I wished he would just take me already. “Whichever will get this over with faster so we can get back to… more pleasant things.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I find spanking your cute ass very pleasant, but I take your point. So, let’s see, I owe you one more for disobedience, one for arguing and one for not answering a question. Is that about right?”

  “Brody!” I protested, stamping my foot. “That’s not fair! I’m not doing anything and you know it!”

  “Except getting more riled up by the minute.” He said it in such a way that it sounded like a compliment. Still, the second promised smack came crashing down on my poor butt. He leaned even closer as he whispered, “I’m done for now, but one of these days I’m going to show you how enjoyable a spanking can be.”

  Ha, I doubted that! But he turned me back around and began kissing me again, so I kept my hands over my head the way he liked and my mouth shut.

  The gentle pressure from each and every kiss was driving me crazy. My fingers were itching to touch him back, to drive him to the edge of madness the way his lips did to me. I didn’t want him to stop, either, which was enough for me to push the unrelenting desire back for another few seconds.

  Almost as though he’d read my thoughts, Brody threw an arm up and clasped both of my wrists in his strong hand.