Temporary Husband by Day Leclaire Read Free Book Online

make a fist in order to keep it on. Not that it seemed to bother her.
    “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. “I’ll treasure it forever.”
    “You’ll treasure it for the brief length of our marriage,” he retorted in a hard voice.
    But she shook her head, leveling him with another of those bewitching smiles as sensuous as it was innocent. “No. I’ll treasure this ring for the rest of my life because it’s given me everything I’ve always wanted.” Then her brow wrinkled in concern. “But what about you? Where’s your ring?”
    “I don’t need one.” Their marriage was a temporary measure, not worthy of a ring to symbolize the event.
    Understanding dawned in her eyes and with that understanding came a terrible sadness, one that totally devastated his defenses.
    And as the minister pronounced them husband and wife, Jake realized he was in deep, deep trouble.
    Wynne knelt on the carpet, eyeing the hotel door in disgust. For the tenth time she stabbed the card into the locking mechanism and for the tenth time a red button flashed its rejection.
    “Whatever happened to keys?” she muttered. “I liked keys. And keys liked me. At least they unlocked the—” The door opened and she practically tumbled into the room.
    Laura stood there, dressed in a nightgown and robe. “Oh, thank goodness! I thought I heard you. I wasgetting worried,” she exclaimed, then frowned in concern. “What were you doing on the floor?”
    “I was trying to get this stupid thing to work,” Wynne said, holding up the card key as she struggled to her feet.
    Laura froze, staring at Wynne’s hand. “You’re wearing a ring! You did it, didn’t you? You’re married.”
    “Yes, I’m married,” Wynne said with a smile, wriggling her fingers so the light flickered across her wedding band. It slid off her knuckle and she hastened to push it back in place. “Oh, Laura, I’m so glad you came with me. Now I can tell you all about him. He’s wonderful. He’s everything I’d hoped.”
    Laura grinned, tears leaping to her eyes. “I’m so relieved. I’ve spent the night worrying that some fasttalking rat would take advantage of you. Who is he? What does he do? How old is he?”
    Wynne stared at her blankly. “I…I’m not sure. But, his name is Jake…Jake…Good grief. Considering we’re married, you’d think I’d remember his last name,” she muttered. “Oh, never mind. His name’s not all that important. It’s Jake something-or-other.”
    Laura’s tears evaporated, along with her smile. “Jake something-or-other? You can’t remember your own husband’s name and you don’t think that’s important?” she questioned ominously.
    “No. What is important is that he’s perfect. Absolutely perfect. And he’s the sweetest man in the world.” She hesitated. “Well…To be honest, I suppose he isn’t all that sweet. No, sweet’s the wrong word.”
    Laura groaned. “What’s the right word?”
    “Tough. Strong.” Wynne smiled cheerfully. “Hard as nails would be a pretty accurate description. Mrs. Marsh doesn’t stand a chance against him.”
    “Hard as nails, huh? That’s good. I guess,” Laura said with a marked lack of enthusiasm. “Where is he from?”
    Wynne shrugged. “I never thought to ask. Someplace further down south, I think. He has an accent—or rather a drawl.”
    “I don’t believe this! You don’t remember his name, never bothered to ask where he’s from, or what he does for a living. Nor do you know how old he is. Is it just me or is there something wrong with this picture?” She tightened the belt of her bathrobe and glared at Wynne. “What, precisely, do you know about this man? Why does he need a wife?”
    Wynne smiled in relief. “Now that one I can answer. He needs a wife in order to keep his inheritance.”
    “And what’s his inheritance?”
    “I…I don’t know. Does it matter?”
    “Of course it matters! What if—” Laura paused, her eyes narrowing. “There’s