Read Wife by Wednesday for Free Online

periods of time.”
    “Right, and Jacqueline lives between New York and Spain .”
    The pilot’s voice sounded over the loudspeaker announcing their approach to the Nevada airport. “You’ve done your homework.” Blake moved to the seat beside to her.
    “Always.” She looked proud of herself.
    “You’ll inform me if either of them end up on your doorstep?”
    Samantha straightened her legs and clicked her seatbelt. “You’ll be the first to know.”
    The jet started to descend and Samantha glanced out the window. Between the wine and the conversation, she no longer looked like she’d run from the altar. Blake took her hand in his and felt her jump. “You might try to control that,” he suggested.
    She glanced at their hands and took a deep breath. “I’m trying.”
    Blake left his hand on hers and made a mental note to hold it often. Did she jump because his touch bothered her, or because she liked it? Maybe she liked it and that bothered her. Oh well, he mused, she’d have to grow used to it.
    As the plane descended from the sky, and the wheels skidded on the runway, Blake watched a play of emotions cross over Samantha’s face. Her pouty pink lips that had been smiling moments ago grew into a straight line. With any other woman, he’d lean over and kiss the worry away. The unexpected desire to do just that welled inside him. How would she taste? Sweet from the wine he decided. The thought of her sexy voice whispering into his ear, encouraging him to do more than kiss her, surged to his groin. He forced his gaze away from her face and squeezed her hand.
    When the pilot told them they were clear to unbuckle, Blake turned to Samantha. “Ready to get married?”
    She turned her hand over and laced her fingers with his. “What the hell, I didn’t have anything better planned for today.”
    Blake tossed his head back and laughed.
    ****
    After a short limo ride to the newest resort hotel on the strip, Samantha stood at the altar holding Blake’s hand. He’d given her a ring to give to him and gasped when he’d slid a four-caret diamond encrusted sapphire on her finger. “For his Duchess,” he’d said. Even the minister gaped at the ring. Somewhere between the limo and the ring, Samantha realized that Blake would likely kiss her at the completion of the ceremony. Why wouldn’t he? If the lawyers questioned the minister and the witness, Blake would want them to believe that they were madly in love and eloping. So, instead of considering her marriage vows, vows neither of them planned on keeping, Sam couldn’t stop thinking about Blake’s impending kiss.
    The room started to feel too warm, and her palms started to sweat. Samantha repeated her vows and listened to Blake promise to forsake all others.
    “… I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
    She gulped.
    Although she was ready to fall into a heap on the floor, Blake was a statue of control. He wrapped one arm around her waist and dropped his gaze to hers. Grey eyes sparkled and his perfect lips pulled up at the corners.
    She licked her lips and forced them to smile. Her stomach twisted as he drew her closer. Blake used his free hand to hold her cheek. He hesitated over her lips. Samantha felt the heat of his breath and let her body relax into his embrace.
    Then his lips were there, moist, firm, and completely intoxicating. Electricity zapped her brain and wiggled down her body. Even in heels, she tiptoed to meet his kiss. His arm crushed her body to his, her breasts pushed against his taut chest. She gasped and his tongue slid into her mouth.
    Samantha forgot about the minister, about the strangers watching, and simply gave into the pleasure Blake Harrison evoked inside her body. It had been eons since she’d been kissed, and certainly no one compared. Maybe it was the fact that she was learning Blake’s touch after exchanging wedding vows, or maybe it was the man himself. Perhaps all Dukes kissed like him.
    Someone