Accidental Shield: A Marriage Mistake Romance Read online

  My mouth starts watering, just thinking about that scampi. I consider asking her which shrimp is her favorite, but that’s something a husband should know by heart.

  Instead, I say, “Think I’ll go with the classic garlic butter today.”

  “Yum! That sounds good, but so does the lemony kind. Oh, and the spicy shrimp! Love, love, love a little heat. Don’t forget the rice and mac salad, too.”

  For once, I grin. It’s nice to see all the classic Hawaiian flavors are still there in her brain.

  “Can’t go wrong with any of them,” I say, realizing it’s not just classic North Shore fare, but their menu, specifically.

  No cause for alarm. She’s known other things, obviously, like her aloha spirit spiel this morning.

  Fucking weird. No rhyme or reason behind what she knows and doesn’t. I can only imagine how frustrating it is for her.

  “You know, I’m good with any kind of shrimp, Flint, but promise me one thing?” She runs her hand to her stomach. “We’ll save room for the frozen cheesecake on a stick dipped in chocolate.”

  I actually laugh. The malasadas should’ve been a big hint she’s got a sweet tooth to rival Santa Claus.

  She frowns. “You know what’s weird? I love that cheesecake. It seems like the only things I don’t know, can’t remember, are so personal. Like the simple, easy stuff comes back faster. Is that how amnesia is?”

  My tongue flicks against my teeth, assessing my choice of words. I can’t see any good relaying what Cash told me.

  “Don’t know, Val,” I answer honestly. “It’s freaky shit. Cash said there’s plenty they still don’t know about how the human mind spins its hamsters in their wheels.”

  She rolls her eyes. “So helpful. Wish I had my cell phone, I’d just Google it.”

  The muscles in my neck tighten. The last thing she needs is to start Googling things on her own.

  When I’d left this morning because we ran out of pain relievers and I thought she might need them after her sleepless night, I’d given her Bryce’s old phone. I’d bought him a new one a few months ago.

  It only took a few minutes to wipe the data and install some new apps. The only number I’d programmed in was mine.

  I also installed a logging app in the background to help me see what the hell she’s dredging up.

  Yeah, yeah, dick move. Like I told Cash, this smoke and mirrors shit isn’t easy.

  Part of me feels like a royal ass, keeping her from so much, but it’s all for her safety. I can’t risk her freaking out, finding out who she’s related to, and blabbing where she is.

  That’s the lie I keep telling myself.

  I swallow a sigh. When all this shit’s finally over, I’m gonna need a priest and a bartender to help get my morals sorted again.

  “That reminds me, what’s up with the old phone?” Val asks, flipping her hair gingerly away from the bandaged spot on her head. “Did it get lost in the accident? The one you left for me this morning seems like a backup.”

  I hesitate. “Yeah, sorry I forgot to mention it. We’ll get you a better one soon.”

  “I hope I saved all my contacts somewhere. Maybe they’re backed up on my computer or something if I let my accounts sync.” She’s frowning again. “I do have a laptop or something, don’t I?”

  Goddamn. That screaming sound you hear is my lead balloon going down in flames.

  This isn’t gonna work.

  I can’t keep piling up one lie after the next. There are too many simple, everyday things that just aren’t there, that don’t make sense.

  This chick’s got a brain to go along with her glitter. She’s too smart, and sooner or later, she’ll catch me with my tongue tied, and I damn well won’t be able to talk my way out of it.

  “Oh, jeez. I...don’t tell me my computer was on the boat too?”

  Christ.

  I huff out a breath, nodding briskly. “Unfortunately. Surprised it wasn’t physically bolted to your fingers.”

  “Oh? Why’s that?” She smiles, intensifying the urge to find a nice big sinkhole to throw myself in. “Keeping up with my busy tour schedule?”

  “You guessed it. That and your Pinterest account. You’re a real Hulu fiend sometimes, too.”

  “Awesome. I was wondering when I’d figure out my quirks.” Her pearly white teeth peek out of her lips. “But, wait. Couldn’t I just do most of that stuff from my phone? Did I really need to haul my computer around everywhere?”

  I shrug. “I never questioned anything. It was your business, honey, and you ran it just the way you wanted.”

  That gets a laugh. “Smart man, Flint.”

  Fucking hardly.

  Sometimes I think all my brains were used up in my own business years ago.

  “Well, whatever. I’ll just use your computer to look up amnesia when we get home,” she says and turns, gazing out the window at the ever-changing landscape.

  I don’t respond.

  By the time we get home, I hope like hell I’ll have figured out how to deal with her latest plans.

  Actually, screw it, I’ll just Google everything for her, assuming she doesn’t put up a fuss.

  That way, I know she won’t look up anything risky.

  We drive on for a few more miles. I’m grateful for the quiet. Val just admires the view, wearing a soft, serene expression.

  Meanwhile, I’m praying she stays that way. I think about a lot of crap. Heavy, tortured, cringe-inducing shit.

  I wonder what I did to deserve this, driving a forgetful chick who isn’t really my wife, trying not to let my cock cut in on my thoughts every time my eyes flick to her pretty face, the ivory curve of her neck, the all-too-fuckable plumpness of her hips.

  Mostly, I keep wondering if there’s a big enough bar of soap in the world to rinse off my dirty, lying tongue. And possibly my eyes.

  Once we get to the food truck, I tell her to wait behind in the air-conditioned comfort while I grab our food. We’ll eat at a beach I know nearby.

  She readily agrees. Val’s easy, happy trust just makes my stomach churn.

  It can’t be helped.

  There’s another reason I don’t want her popping up at my side. The shrimp truck owner knows me well because Bryce and I eat here regularly every time we’re on the North Shore.

  Kade Māhoe knows damn well I’m not a married man.

  He shouts through the serving window as soon as he sees me approaching. His son, Kael, runs around from the backside of the truck.

  “Hey, Mr. Calum! Is Bryce with you today?” Kael asks, already running toward my truck.

  “No.” I step out of line quickly to stop him. “Bryce is with his grandma for a few days.”

  Disappointment fills his face.

  He sighs before asking, “Then...who’s in your truck? I see somebody.”

  “Just a friend,” I say, wishing like hell that were true.

  Kael nods and flashes a big understanding grin, causing his dark hair to flap down in his eyes. He’s a good kid. Strong and kind and dark brown from helping his old man in the sun all the time.

  “He’ll be back soon. I’ll bring him up here when I can,” I tell him, trying not to dwell on how long that might be with this Valerie situation.

  He pushes his hair aside and nods.

  “I wanted to show him the turtle eggs I found over on the beach.” His brown eyes brighten. “Do you want to see them?”

  Normally, I would, but today, I shake my head. “Can’t right now, sorry. Maybe another time. Just be sure you’re keeping your distance.”

  “Oh, yeah. Wouldn’t dream of disturbing them,” he says. “Can’t wait to see if they hatch!”

  “What can I get for you, Flint?” Kade shouts. “The usual?”

  “Yeah, two plates today,” I answer. Val said she didn’t care what kind of shrimp I get her, just as long as I don’t forget the dessert. “Give me a cheesecake on a stick, too, please.”

  Kael walks with me to the window, still talking a
mile a minute about his turtle eggs. Kade and I share a few words, mostly concerning how long it’s been since I ate his awesome shrimp.

  The only sane answer is too long.

  He’s got the meal assembled in a flash and packaged up by the time I’m done paying for it.

  Still at my side, Kael starts walking back to my truck with me. I try to say bye before reaching the vehicle, but he runs ahead to open the door.

  Shit. I arrive before he has a chance to say anything to Val, but not before she speaks.

  “Aloha!” she says.

  “Aloha,” Kael replies, studying her.

  “Thanks, Kael,” I say. “We’ll take it from here. See you next time.”

  “Kael,” she says. “I’m Valerie.”

  Damn it.

  Reacting fast, I say to Kael, “Valerie runs some of the turtle tours around these parts.”

  Kael nods his head and smiles at her. “Awesome! My family loves your tours, Valerie. You bring lots of business to our truck. Wildlife tours always eat here.”

  “I’m glad,” she says.

  I nudge Kael out of the way gently and climb into the driver’s seat, passing the food to Val. “Take care, Kael. Aloha.”

  “Aloha, Flint and Valerie.”

  He runs off and I close the door. She takes the food and sets it on the floor near her feet.

  “You might want to pull that cheesecake out of the bag,” I tell her, backing up the pickup. “Might start melting.”

  “Dessert first? Now you’re speaking my language.” Smiling, she leans down to open the bag. “I’ll eat it now so it doesn’t make a mess. Do you want yours, too?”

  “Didn’t get one. I’m not big on sweets.”

  “Whaaaaat?” She looks at me like I’ve sprouted a second head, pulling out the cheesecake on a stick, wrapped in wax paper. “How can you resist something this good? It’s downright sinful.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for it.”

  She blinks in disbelief. “Have you never had one?”

  I shake my head. “No, babe. Not quite my...”

  I’m trailing off as she takes a bite and closes her eyes like she’s just tasted the best thing in the universe. Just like she did this morning with the malasadas.

  Once she swallows, she says, “No way. You’re not taking my word for it. Here.”

  Leaning over, she holds the dessert near my mouth. I try to squirm away, but she’s pretty insistent.

  “C’mon. Open up. You have to try some.”

  “Shit, Val, I’m driving. You’ll make a mess.”

  “I’ll hold, you bite. Simple, Flint.” She bumps the cold chocolate against my lips. “Just one itty-bitty bite for me? Come onnn.”

  Honestly, the dessert isn’t half as enticing as hearing her beg.

  Her eyes are shining, and there’s a full, impish grin on her lips.

  “One bite, Flint. Good stuff. You know you want to.”

  Goddamn, this girl.

  There are things I want to do with her, all right, but they don’t involve cheesecake. I’m not that big a freak.

  Things I shouldn’t even be thinking.

  Snarling, I give in and chomp off a piece. It’s cold, and sweet, and yeah, it’s good.

  “Like it?” she asks, giggling. “I know you do. I can tell by the way you’re smiling.”

  “It’s tasty,” I admit. “Kade and Kael know their stuff.”

  She takes another half-orgasmic bite and then holds the stick to my mouth again. “Want some more?”

  “All yours, honey. I’m saving room for the shrimp.”

  She shrugs. “Suit yourself. This’ll be ancient history by the time we get to those plates.”

  “That’s fine, I bought it for you.”

  “Thanks again. Thank you very much.” She takes another bite. “It’s absolutely yummy.”

  Yummy? She’s in fucking rapture.

  I don’t dare let my eyes wander to her lips.

  Val finishes the cheesecake just as I turn off the road onto the long driveway running up to the private beach. The same man I bought my land from owns this stretch of coast.

  It was a tough choice for me to make when it came time to buy. In the end, I went with my place because it’s on a more protected shore. This property is on the north side, where storms can get stronger.

  It hasn’t sold yet, and I know the owner won’t care if we use the secluded beach to eat our lunch and spend some time where Valerie doesn’t need to think about the past.

  After I park, we both get out and walk up the small embankment. It helps protect the land from waves that can grow insanely strong sometimes.

  We reach the top of the knoll, and she gasps.

  “Flint—look!” Her hand arcs out, pointing at something in the distance.

  I follow her awestruck stare. There are at least a dozen huge sea turtles lounging on the fine beach sand, sprawled out nearly as far as I can see.

  “They’re Greens,” she says quietly, “I think they’re nesting. They nest up to nine times a year.”

  I frown. There’s an eerie sensation tickling my spine at her knowledge.

  I just fed her a load of bull about the turtle tours. Yet, she seems to know more than I’d think.

  “The leatherbacks don’t nest this time of year,” she continues, “and most of the others usually come ashore at night to nest.”

  “You’re the turtle expert,” I tell her, nodding.

  Her jaw drops as she looks at me. “Wow. Maybe I am. That just all popped into my head.” A full, toothy smile shows then. “Flint...thank you for bringing me here. It’s working, this little trip. It’s helping me remember.”

  Just great. Sweat beads on my brow, wondering what her brain will pull next.

  “I’m sure there’s more,” she says excitedly. “Let’s sit over there in the shade, so we can watch them while we eat.” Glancing back at me as she walks, she adds, “We need to stay far enough away to not disturb them. State law.”

  “Yeah, honey. I know.”

  We sit in the sand and tuck into our shrimp, rice, mac salad, and grilled pineapple slices right out of the boxes. Between happy bites, she chatters away about turtles, things I never knew.

  Her excitement grows with each new tidbit and factoid falling out of her.

  We stay seated after the food is long gone and the trash is bagged up, sipping on the bottles of water that came with the meal and watching the turtles moving languidly.

  I’m only half listening now. She’s going on about green turtle mating rituals.

  Something I don’t fucking need to think about right now.

  We’re alone on a secluded beach, the sun hanging lower in the sky by the minute, and she’s wildly attractive. Enticing. Hot as fuck.

  It doesn’t do my dick any favors, the more animated she gets.

  Hell, she’s going to hate my guts when she finds out this is all a sham.

  “We should go,” I tell her rather abruptly while standing up.

  She frowns slightly but nods. “Okay. Sounds good.”

  Feeling like a jerk for interrupting her, I say, “Cash should be due by the house soon for your evening checkup.”

  She nods again, this time with more intent. Then she looks at the turtles. “All right. We don’t want to scare them off, either.”

  I collect the bag and take her hand as she stands. I don’t expect her to thread her fingers through mine while we walk back up the small incline and down the other side.

  Finally, I open the truck door for her and set the trash bag in the back seat.

  There’s a glint in her eye as she lays a hand on the side of my jaw. “Thank you, Flint. I really mean it. Feels like old times...I think. I’m glad I got to spend this beautiful evening with you.”

  “Yeah. Old times,” I whisper, my blood turning to magma.

  Oh, but she’s not done.

  I hold my breath, tell myself to step the fuck away as she stretches up on her toes, leaning into me
.

  But I can’t. So what the hell?

  I’m already in so deep, one little kiss won’t make much difference.

  That’s what I tell myself when my mouth finds hers, and I realize I couldn’t be more wrong.

  Fuck. Me.

  Val’s lips are even sweeter than the cheesecake, and far warmer. It takes all of my self-control to keep the kiss chaste, simple, instead of sending my tongue into her mouth, delving in like the animal in me wants.

  Shit.

  No.

  SHIT!

  One little moan spilling out of her kills me ten times and brings me back to life. In less than ten seconds, I’m drunk on this woman. She could be my personal distillery.

  The only thing that holds me back is knowing she’ll hate me once she finds out I’ve been lying to her since the very start.

  She even sighs as our lips part, still smiling, and climbs into the truck like she’s walking on sunshine.

  End me. Right the fuck now.

  Huffing the breath out of my stalled lungs, I pretend I can ignore the effects that kiss had on my whole body as I walk around to the driver’s door.

  Good luck.

  Ignoring the desire ripping through me feels like trying to ignore a flaming torch against my back, especially with the way it makes me want more of her. More than I’ve wanted in a long time.

  “How long have we been married?” she asks.

  Here we go. That question again. My jaw tightens.

  I back the truck up and shift into drive before answering, “Not long, Val.”

  “But how long is 'not long?'”

  When I don’t answer right away, she sighs.

  I bite my tongue, really not wanting to add another lie to the roster.

  “Why are you so weird about it?” she asks.

  Easy.

  “Because I don’t want you thinking about things you don’t remember. You’ll just get yourself all worked up, and we’ve had a nice day. Better to just let your memory come back on its own.”

  She looks conflicted for a few heavy seconds, but then she smiles and reaches over, laying a hand on my thigh. “Fine. I guess I get why I fell in love with you. You’re an easy man to like, and just as easy to love.”

  Fuck.

  If only she knew...