Paris
I WASN’T ONE-HUNDRED percent comfortable with the plan, but my attorney was.
At precisely seven twenty-one the next morning, she stormed through the house like a bull terrier and I sheepishly followed.
Tyler came out of the living room, stretching as if he’d fallen asleep on the couch. “Paris,” he said, his voice cracking with anguish.
The first thing my eyes went to was his tattoo. The one that mimicked California Jane’s label.
Tabitha approached him and jabbed her finger into his bare chest. “Rule number one,” she said, “You’re to be clothed at all times.”
He shook his head and his hair fell over his eyes. “What the hell are you talking about?”
She stuck her manicured fingers out behind her and I hurried to her side in my obnoxiously high heels to give her what she wanted. “This is an addendum to your marriage contract.”
Catching his expression when he scanned my more than perfectly made up body, I was helpless not to stare. I had once again been polished and shined and dressed up, but this time, Tabitha took it to a whole new level.
No longer was I just leather and lace. This time I was enticement. Sin. Destruction in high heels. Actually, even I had to admit, I looked badass, like her.
Tabitha snapped her fingers. “Read this, party boy.”
I knew the moment he read the title of the document. “Ten ways to avoid a quickie divorce.”
His eyebrows rose in curiosity, in question. “What’s this about?”
“You’re a lawyer,” Tabitha sighed. “It should be obvious to your legal eyes.”
“Rule number two,” he quipped, and read out loud. “Keep it in your pants.”
“Yes,” Tabitha smirked. “Do I need to explain that one to you?”
“No,” he grinned. “I think I got it. But this isn’t a legally binding contract and you know it.”
Exasperation peeked through her powerful image in her sigh. “It’s an addendum. I already told you that.”
Tyler shook his head, the humor in his eyes made me weak in the knees. “Right, because this is law school all over again.”
“This isn’t funny, Tyler.”
“Yeah, it kind of is,” he told her.
Inpatient and dead serious, she grabbed it from him. “Rule number three,” she recited, “Your wife owns half of your business, therefore all decisions made must be agreed on mutually before acted upon.”
While she went over her rules, I was forcing myself to look past his arms, his chest, his abs—oh, God, those abs. Rippling, rimmed ridges of delicious muscle.
Still smirking, he ran a hand over his way too sexy stubbled jaw and then moved to stand beside her and glanced down when he pointed. “Rule number nine states Paris and I are to resume separate bedrooms per the marriage contract.”
Clearly noticing my squirming, he assumed a wide stance and looked directly at me. “You’re sure that’s what you want, Love?”
My legs felt liquid under his scorching gaze.
“Yes, she’s sure,” Tabitha answered for me. “And number ten states you may not address my client by any other name than Paris,”
“What’s this about, Paris?” he asked, stressing my name as it rolled off his tongue.
Tabitha cleared her throat. “This is about your constant screw-ups, Tyler Holiday. And if you want to save both wineries, you’ll take it seriously, or my client will be getting a quickie divorce due to contract violations. It’s up to you.”
I had to hand it to her—she was good.
Tyler stood there with his mouth agape. He looked uncomfortable and ran a hand through his hair, pushing it off his face. “I was a dick. I thought we’d established that already.”
“Yes, well, even dicks have consequences,” she scolded. “And if you don’t believe me, ask Grayson, who’s home with ours.”
There wasn’t really room for laughter, not when you looked at his face and saw the anguish in his eyes. My heart ached for him, but I knew we’d never survive each other if things didn’t change.
“Once you’ve finished reading through the fine print,” Tabitha said, “you can sign it and bring it with you to Albert Dane’s office. We will be meeting with Lawson Brick at eleven to discuss the next steps in Paris’s takeover of Highway 128. As you know, circumstances have changed now that her father has passed away, and as far as we can tell, there is no up-to-date Will declaring a rightful heir, which is another potential issue.”
“You and Lawson and me in the same room?” Tyler raised a brow.
“Yes,” she huffed. “We are no longer interns. We can all get along without vying to be the favorite, I’m sure.”
Tyler’s laughter was wicked. “Can’t wait.”
The contract accidentally fell when she tried to shove it into his hands, or maybe throw it at him was more appropriate. I bent to get it at the same time he did. I knew the slit in my tight dress must have opened wide, exposing the silk of my thigh highs.
He allowed me the honor of picking up the papers and when we stood, the air around us heated in a rush. An odd dizziness overtook me and for a moment I felt wobbly. It was my high heels, I was certain of it. Tyler grabbed hold of me to steady me and the electric tingle made me woozy.
Our gazes met when I handed him the document and he bit his fist with the hand not holding the key to the survival of our temporary marriage.
Hope fluttered in my sternum and I prayed he had the fortitude to see this through.
And that I did, too.