His 24-Hour Wife (The Hawke Brothers 2) Page 5

  “I hope Jenna isn’t regretting being involved.”

  “I’m sure she understands how the media works. Besides, it’s not all about her. That photo of Adam kneeling and you being all adoring is like something straight out of Cinderella. What was he doing, anyway?”

  “Getting pollen off my skirt.” She looked at the photo again, remembering that she had felt as if she was in a scene from a fairy tale when it happened.

  Summer sighed happily. “Even more chivalrous. That picture is gold.”

  Callie’s stomach clenched. This was moving so fast. “I have to call Adam and warn him.” She stood and grabbed her cell but stilled when Summer gasped. That sound hadn’t been like any of her other sounds of glee as she scanned the pages, and it made Callie instantly uneasy.

  “There’s a photo of our front door.” Her sister’s voice was wary.

  A wave of anxiety washed over her, making her skin cold. “They found where I live?”

  “Worse than that. That photo was taken this morning.”

  Her lungs froze. Phone still in her hand, Callie moved to the window and sure enough, there was a small but focused group of paparazzi camped around the entrance to her apartment building.

  “They’re here,” she said, her voice uneven. “It’s ironic. We spend a good portion of our working lives trying to get stories to go viral, and the one that has is...”

  “You,” Summer said as she joined Callie by the window.

  “Yeah, me.” She wrapped her arms tightly around herself. “I honestly thought this would only make a little splash.”

  “Good news for the Hawke Brothers’ Trust, though, since it got a mention in the article. And good news for the trust is good news for your partnership prospects.”

  The cell in her hand chimed and she glanced at the screen. Adam. Her heart lurched, and she wasn’t sure if it was because she was going to have to fill him in on the developments, or if she was glad to hear from him.

  She swiped the screen. “Hi, Adam.”

  “Callie,” he said, his deep voice seeming to smooth its way across her skin. “Have you seen the story?”

  “Yes. I was just about to call you about it, actually. There are photographers outside my apartment.”

  Adam swore. “I’m leaving the office now. Pack a bag.”

  “Wait. What for?”

  “You and Summer are coming to stay with me. My security is better.”

  Part of her wanted to protest—the secret feminine part that was still shocked about the expression on her face in those photos. But she couldn’t afford to let that part take control of her decision. She took a breath and called on her professional side. He had a point—she wasn’t looking forward to walking through that mob on her way out.

  “That might be best,” she said, watching the paparazzi through the window. “But don’t come here. I’ll leave as if I’ve been visiting my sister. If everything in our story was true, we’d most likely be living together. I’ll pack and send someone back to get the bags later.”

  Summer started pointing and gesturing, asking if she was going to move in with Adam. Callie nodded, and mouthed, “Wait a sec.”

  “Good call,” Adam said. “What about Summer?”

  “She’s flying out in a couple of hours and will be away for a few days. Once they realize I’m at your house, they’ll abandon this place, so it should be quiet again by the time she gets home.”

  “Okay. I’ll meet you at my house in one hour—is that enough time to pack and drive over?”

  “Perfect,” she said, trying not to sound reluctant.

  “I’ll also send someone over to wait with Summer and drive her to the airport. Just in case the vultures don’t leave with you.”

  Callie flicked a glance at her sister. “Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”

  One drunken night in Vegas was having more ripple effects than she could have predicted—even Summer was having her life impacted. Now the challenge was to surf those ripples and get good outcomes for everyone. All while avoiding slipping under and drowning.

  Perhaps the biggest danger of drowning was going to be moving into her husband’s house. Living with Adam Hawke while pretending to be in love with him. Possibly the craziest plan she’d ever made.

  * * *

  Adam waited in front of his beach house as Callie made her way up the driveway. Restless energy filled his body, and it took all his self-control not to fiddle with the coins in his pocket or tap his foot on the ground.

  She pulled up in front of him and stepped out of the car, looking around to take in the surroundings. The ocean breeze flirted with her long hair and she put a hand up to hold it off her face.

  His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. Since the very first moment he’d spied her at the conference they’d both attended two years ago, she’d affected him this way. Stolen the breath right out of his lungs and made the world practically tip to the side.

  And that reaction was the exact reason he refused to pursue anything with her—the morning after their vows, or now. She made him feel off balance. She crowded his brain. That wasn’t a way he wanted to live his life.

  When he’d been young, before his family had moved to California, he’d been close to his grandfather. He’d been named for his father’s father, and the love he’d had for him had been mutual. The elder Adam Hawke, however, had been crazy about his second wife. Crazy being the operative word. She’d been flippant and unfeeling, and barely tolerated his family—especially a small boy who hung around too much.

  His grandfather had done the lion’s share of babysitting Adam once Liam and Dylan had come along, and Adam had adored that special time with his grandfather. Then his step-grandmother had decided that five years of her life was enough to spend married to a farmer and living on a working farm, and threatened to leave.

  Blinded by love, her husband had sold the farm—his children’s inheritance—and used the money to take her on trips and spending sprees. Anything to keep her. She’d hung around until the money dried up and then left anyway.

  Adam’s parents had already packed their belongings into their car and headed for the West Coast to try their luck now that they’d lost the farm that had been their home and provided their jobs.

  Broken and alone, abandoned by the woman he’d called the love of his life, Adam’s grandfather had taken his own life.

  His parents had broken the news and tried to shield the boys from the worst of it, but Adam was older and had demanded to know the details.

  That awful day, standing out in their flower fields so that Liam and Dylan wouldn’t overhear, listening to what his parents would divulge and filling in the blanks himself, Adam had made a decision. He’d been twelve years old, but he’d known exactly what he was promising himself.

  He’d always be the captain of his own ship. He would never fall for manipulating behavior, or let someone influence him into a major decision against his better judgment.

  Obviously his grandfather hadn’t entered into his second marriage thinking he was handing over control of his life, despite how it had ended up. And that was the reason why Adam had always needed to be extra vigilant. Anytime he’d been dating a woman and started feeling his guard slipping, or that his mind wasn’t one-hundred-percent clear and focused, he got out quickly.

  Callie was a threat to that.

  He didn’t need any more evidence than the fact that he’d gotten drunk and married her.

  Yes, Callie Mitchell was most definitely a woman with whom he needed to keep up his guard.

  As she walked the distance to reach him, he locked that guard in place around him and double-reinforced it. He was impervious.

  “This place is gorgeous,” she said, her silver-blue eyes sparkling in appreciation as she took in the views.

&n
bsp; He allowed a smile. “It’s my favorite place.” The ocean soothed him; often it was the only thing that could calm his soul. “Come on inside and I’ll show you around.”

  She followed him up the three steps to the wide porch, and then paused at the open front door and said, “Thank you for the invitation.”

  Wanting to get this done as quickly as possible, he nodded without stopping, continuing through the entranceway and indicating with a wave of his hand that she should do likewise. He took her on a tour of the main parts of the house, allowing her a moment when the view of the Pacific Ocean through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room snagged her attention. They finally ended up in her bedroom.

  “This is yours,” he said, holding the door open. The walls and trim were all pure white and the floor was polished wood. The king-size bed was draped in a comforter that was all blues and greens, mirroring the brilliant hues of the view through the window. A decorator had furnished the room following Adam’s request to keep it simple.

  “I love it,” she said, looking from the bed to the window and around the room. “I might never leave.”

  Reflexively, he flinched, and unfortunately she caught the small movement.

  “I was joking, Adam. Relax. I don’t have plans to insert myself into your life.” Then she laughed. “Okay, I suppose that’s what this entire plan is designed to do. But I meant in reality. I won’t be trying to snag you or anything.”

  “I didn’t think you had ulterior motives,” he said truthfully and blew out a breath. “I’m just not used to living with anyone, so this will be an adjustment.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “You’ve never lived with anyone?”

  “Not as an adult, no. I have a full-time housekeeper, but she doesn’t live onsite. For most of the time that she’s here, I’m at work so I don’t see her all that often.”

  Callie lowered her voice. “Does she know? The truth about us?”

  He was sure his housekeeper was trustworthy—she’d been hired by Katherine, their family’s housekeeper who still worked for Liam and Jenna, and Katherine’s standards were ridiculously high. But trust didn’t come easy to Adam at the best of times.

  “I’ve given her a week off on full pay so we don’t have to worry about her discovering our arrangement. She normally cooks for me, but it seemed easier to just order takeout while you’re here and keep everything private.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. But I can cook, and I don’t mind making our meals.”

  That would be cozy. Sharing a meal at night that she’d cooked for them. And cozy home-cooked dinners sounded like the last thing he should be doing while ensuring his guard stayed in place.

  He held up a hand. “Your time is valuable. How about we compromise and I’ll ring a catering company and get them to deliver some prepared meals. We’ll also need to order some groceries for lunches and snacks.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “You’ll be home for lunch?”

  “I’ve taken a week off,” he said, his casual tone belying the fact that he hadn’t had a week off in four years. “I told my office that we’re basically newlyweds so we’re taking some time together. But we’ll both be able to work from home.”

  Callie glanced around the room and frowned. “I wasn’t planning on staying here in some kind of lockdown.”

  “It helps the believability of our story.” And if he could feel other reasons tugging at him? They were best left unexplored. “Besides, if we’re not coming and going then those photographers at the gate will get bored and leave. After the week, the story will have lost its urgency and we can resume our normal lives.”

  “Except for the wedding plans,” she said.

  “Except for the wedding plans,” he agreed. “You’ll probably want to stay here after the week, right up until the wedding. But the media’s attention will move on enough that you won’t be restricted here all that time.”

  “Okay, sure.” She fiddled with the hem of her top—the only crack in her facade of composure. “I’ll do the lockdown. My main focus is the Hawke Brothers’ Trust account, and if anything that will be easier to work on while staying with a member of the Hawke family anyway. I’ve brought my laptop, so I can work from this room easily enough.”

  “I think we can do better than that.” He headed for the hallway and opened the door across the hall. “This guest room is also at your disposal. I have some office furniture being sent over from Hawke’s Blooms’ headquarters. It should be here in the next hour, and we’ll rearrange and set it up in here.”

  She glanced around again and bit down on her bottom lip. “You didn’t have to go to that much trouble, honestly.”

  “It was only a phone call.” He shrugged a shoulder. “This is a guest wing, so you won’t be disturbed. My home office is off the living room, and my bedroom is at the other end of the house.”

  Before she could reply, ringing came from her handbag, and she fished out her cell.

  “It’s my boss,” she said, her expression telling Adam that she was bracing herself for the call.

  He nodded and stepped toward the door. “You take it and meet me in the living room when you’re done.”

  As he left the room, he closed the door behind him to give her some privacy and headed for the living room. The windows overlooking the ocean called to him, and he drifted over. Being near Callie—having her in his home—and not reacting to her was testing his will. The effort it took to not allow his desire to intoxicate him left room for little else, making it difficult to form coherent thoughts. Watching the rhythmic crashing of the waves calmed him. Restored order to his mind and system.

  Her footsteps sounded faintly at first, and then grew louder as she came down the hall and entered the room. But he was reluctant to turn. He’d only just found his equilibrium again and here she was to destroy it.

  “Mesmerizing view,” she said softly from beside him.

  Her floral scent surrounded him. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before replying. “It is.”

  She didn’t face him, just stood with him, looking out over the expanse of ocean. Eventually, she said, “My boss saw the internet coverage and he’s thrilled. He said if it all comes together, the partnership is mine.”

  “That’s great.” This situation needed to lead to a whole heap of good outcomes to be worth the tension it was creating inside him, and one of those outcomes was to boost Callie’s career.

  “Yeah,” she said, chuckling, “I implied I knew what I was doing, so he doesn’t realize we’re just keeping our heads above water.”

  Finally, he turned to face her, trying to read her expression. “Regrets already?”

  She shrugged. “The odds are finely balanced, but we’re still on top of things. Still moving forward.”

  “Why don’t I believe you?” She looked calm, professional, but there was something behind her eyes that told him it was another example of the mask she wore for the world.

  She glanced up at him, surprise clear in her expression, and then shrugged. “I guess I’m just used to being the one advising clients on how to deal with PR problems, or implementing solutions, not being the one in the center.”

  He grinned. It seemed that he wasn’t the only one who preferred being in control.

  “You know they say doctors make the worst patients,” he said gently.

  She arched an eyebrow. “What are you saying?”

  “Just that it would make sense that you’re having trouble adjusting to being on the other side of the clipboard.”

  She rubbed her eyes and gave him a reluctant smile. “I guess that’s true. And on the bright side, I’ll probably have a much better understanding of my clients when this is over.”

  “That’s always a bonus in business.”

  She paused and her expression changed, s
oured. “He also said that Terence, the guy who threatened to tell the tabloids about us in the first place, had offered assistance with the account if I needed it.”

  Adam wasn’t sure whether to swear or laugh at the man’s ridiculous optimism. “Terence obviously has some underhanded scheme in mind. What did you say?”

  She tipped up her chin. “That everything was under control.”

  “Good,” he said, wishing there was something he could do about the bottom-dweller who’d threatened Callie. The best he could do was make sure that their plan went off flawlessly so she secured the partnership. Her success would be the best revenge.

  The security intercom sounded. Adam pressed a button on the wall, gave instructions to the staff from the delivery truck and let them in. Then he turned back to Callie.

  “Come on,” he said. “Time to set up your new office.”

  Five

  The next morning, Callie met Jenna and Adam in the living room. After she and Adam had arranged her new office the day before, Callie had stayed there, catching up on emails and phone calls and letting people know she’d moved. At dinner, they’d ordered takeout and she’d eaten hers while still working. So, beyond a quick discussion about what to eat, she’d avoided conversation with her husband ever since he’d shown her around the beach house.

  Which was for the best—she’d decided that approach would give her the strongest chance of surviving this craziness. She had a feeling that Adam Hawke sometimes saw right through her, and that made her feel...exposed.

  Jenna grinned when she saw her and held up a bag. “I brought breakfast. Pastries and muffins.”

  Callie took the bag and returned the grin. “You’re a goddess. Don’t suppose you also brought coffee?”

  “I can take care of that,” Adam said from the other sofa. “Cappuccino?”

  Callie finally allowed herself a glance at him. In the short time of their acquaintance she’d already learned that avoiding looking at him helped a lot in coping with his presence. He had the power to overwhelm her senses if she didn’t ease into it.

  Though, as she raked her gaze over him now, hungry to simply see him, she had to admit that even easing into it wasn’t helping this time. Maybe she should try the opposite strategy—look at him as much as she could and build up a tolerance to him.