Lovers & Liars (18 page)

“Cara
Brewster, Quinn Roberts, and
Chaz
Duncan. Can you see
that all-star cast? Box office sales would jump to the moon!”

“Yeah,
well, it’ll be a little hard to get them, since some of them aren’t speaking to
you.”

“Work
your magic.”

“I’m
not a miracle worker.”

“At
least
Dorrie
has agreed to choreograph.”

“Thank
God.”

Gunther’s
phone rang, and Erica left his office to attend to other business and check on
the temp, Gloria. Erica picked up the call. “East West Productions.”

“Samson
Miller, calling for Mr. Quill,” the female voice said on the other end of the
wire.

“Just
one moment.” Erica buzzed Gunther, and he took the call.

“That’s
odd,” she said to Gloria.

“What?”

“Gunther
got a call from Samson Miller.”

“The
famous divorce attorney?”

“Yeah.
Divorce and palimony.”

“I
bet he’s calling him to arrange for a pre-
nup
for you
to sign.” Gloria raised her gaze to Erica’s face.

“A
pre-
nup
? Really? Gunther’s such a generous man.”

“Yeah,
they all are, while you’re sleeping with them. But when marriage enters the
picture, guys want to protect their dough.”

An
hour later, a large envelope arrived from Samson Miller. Erica signed for it
and gave it to Gunther, who was on the phone.
Must be the pre-
nup
.
A small pang shot
through Erica’s heart.
Does he distrust
me so much? Gunther doesn’t trust anyone. It would make sense. Not exactly
going into marriage with a good attitude, is he?

Although
she tried to be objective, she was hurt. When he emerged to continue their
casting discussion, she turned chilly.

“Did
you have a good conversation with Samson Miller?” She tapped her pen on her
notebook.

“Uh,
yeah. How did you know?”

“I
took the call, remember?”

“Yeah.
Right. Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Really?
He wouldn’t be doing something that might affect our marriage, would he?”

“I
can’t discuss what he’s doing, doe-eyes. Don’t worry your pretty head, baby.”

“Don’t
condescend to me.”

“I
didn’t mean it like that. Come on. I don’t want to fight.”

“I
don’t feel like doing this now. I’ve got some other stuff to clean up on my
desk. Let’s do this tomorrow.”

“Whatever
you want, baby.”

He
leaned over to kiss her, but she pulled away. He shrugged and returned to his office.
The light for his private line went on. She went to the file cabinets where she
could listen to his conversation because his door was ajar.

“The
wheels are in motion, Ma. Not getting married until after we get this settled. Miller
didn’t seem to think it would be difficult. But you never know with these
things. You’re right. It’s delicate. You don’t want to push too hard and mess
it up. Then, you’ll never win. Bye, Ma.”

She
moved away from the door when she heard the click of the receiver.
So he’s planning a pre-
nup
?
Damn. Not signing.
She finished up her work and prepared to go home.

Gunther
stopped at her desk. Gloria was packing up, but Erica noticed her watching
them.

“Let’s
go out to dinner tonight. I need you to sign something. Then, we can
celebrate.”

“Sign
something?” She saw Gloria’s eyes light up.

“Yeah.
Nothing bad. Are you ready?”

Erica
swallowed. “Okay.”

He
opened the
Ferrari
door for her.
Why do I feel like I’m going to the gas
chamber? I’m not signing a pre-
nup
. If he asks me,
the wedding is off.
She began to sweat.

“Should
I turn on the air conditioning?” he asked, looking her over.

“I’m
fine,” she said, tight-lipped.

He
cocked his head at her and smiled.
Smile
now. You won’t look so damn gorgeous and sexy wearing your dinner.
She
hunkered down in her seat, her lips compressed into a frown.

They
arrived at The Satin Club and were ushered to a table in a quiet corner.
Gunther ordered champagne. Erica wondered if she’d be able to eat or drink
anything.
Let’s get this over with.

“What
did you want me to sign?” She folded her arms across her chest.

He
followed her movements with his gaze. “You’re jumpy tonight.”

You
would be, too.
“Papers. I assume you’re not asking for
an autograph.”

“Oh,
yeah. I almost forgot.” He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a
white envelope.

Tears
burned her eyes.

“No
waterworks.”

“Can
you explain this? Why are you giving me a pre-
nup
to
sign? Don’t you have faith in us? In me?” She wiped away a few tears that
managed to escape.

“What?”

“You
heard me. A pre-
nup
!”

“What
pre-
nup
? Is that what you thought?” He roared with
laughter. “So that’s why you’ve been so…so…upset today. This isn’t a pre-
nup
.” His eyes glistened with mischief.

“Then
what is it?”

“It’s
a petition for you to get custody of Billy and
Chickie
.
I was gonna file it as a surprise, but the lawyer said you had to sign it. So…surprise!”

“What?”

“Billy
and
Chickie
? I thought you’d be happier if they came
to live with us.”

“What?”

“Is
there something wrong with your hearing?”

“You
don’t want me to sign a pre-
nup
?”

“Why
would I do that? We’re gonna be together forever. That would be a waste of a
fee to a lawyer.”

“This
is what Samson Miller was doing for you?”

“Yep.
I always go to the best. I can’t believe you thought I’d want you to sign a
pre-
nup
. Geez, woman. That’d be mean.”

“I…I…I
had no idea. What else was I to think?”

“You
could’ve asked. Surprised you, didn’t I?”

“Damn
right you did. You want Billy and
Chickie
to live
with us?”

“If
it’d make you happy. Sure. Good practice for when we have our own.”

The
floodgates opened up and Erica broke down, sobbing.

The
waiter hurried over, shooting a dirty look at Gunther, who shrugged.

“I
didn’t do anything. Honest!” Gunther gave her his handkerchief. “Does this mean
you’re happy?”

Erica
nodded. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”

“I
told you, doe-eyes. I love you.”

“That’s
why you bought such a big house?”

“Yeah.
Room for them and our own.”

“They’re
going to be so happy.”

“Are
you happy?” His brows knit.

“Delirious,”
she said, leaning over to give him a huge, deep kiss.

Gunther
ordered their dinner while Erica sat back and tried to take in all that had
happened.

“I
don’t know how long it’ll take to get the kids, but Samson said we needed to
get the ball rolling. So now that you’ve signed, we can go ahead.”

Erica
raised her glass, “To my Prince Charming.” Gunther blushed and raised his, too.
“I’m the luckiest girl in the world.”

“I
won’t argue with that one,” he said. She laughed as she clinked her flute with
his.

On
the drive home, her phone rang.

“Erica?
It’s me,” Amy said.

“Amy!
How are you?”

“I’m
fine. I wanted to congratulate you.”

“Really?”
Erica was soaring, nothing could spoil her good mood.

“Yeah.
Guess I was wrong about Gunther. You’ve had a tough time. You deserve to be
happy, and I hope you are.”

“Thanks.
That’s a nice thing to say. I’m happier than I ever thought I could be.”

“We
spent a lot of time together. I felt guilty we didn’t part on the best terms.”

“Forget
it. I don’t hold a grudge. Yeah. We lived together for over a year. I’m not mad
or anything.”

“Good.
I still consider you a friend. I hope you feel the same.”

“Why
not? We had some good times.”

“Yeah,
thanks. I’m relieved.”

“Will
you come to the wedding?”

“Do
you think Gunther will approve?”

“I
don’t think he’ll be a problem. He’s pretty happy right now, too. Come, and
bring Garth.”

“Thanks.
Maybe we will. Talk to you soon,” Amy said and hung up.

“Who
was that?” Gunther asked.

“Amy.”

“Amy?
You invited her to the wedding? Are you nuts?”

“She’s
the one who got us together. Don’t forget that. Without her, we wouldn’t be
here.”

He
chuckled. “You got a point there. Okay. I promise not to yell at her.”

“Good.
I’m feeling grateful tonight.”

“Grateful?
Does that include me?”

“Of
course. And if this was a bigger car, I’d show you right here.”

Gunther
pulled into the garage. “Race you to the sofa.”

“You’re
on,” she said, pulling back on the handle to release the car door.

Chapter
Thirteen

Gunther
whistled softly as he walked into his office building. Life was going well. If
only he could get the casting nailed down on
Sway
, it would be perfect. He’d put work on hold for the next two
weeks so he could concentrate on the wedding. He checked his cell for a list of
tasks. He and Erica couldn’t agree on a setting. She wanted the private Malibu
Beach Club, and he wanted a hotel wedding. He’d decided to let her have her
way.
Not my usual, but hey, it’s doe-eyes.

He
already owned a fantastic tuxedo, so he didn’t need that. But flowers had to be
selected and a guest list made. Gunther offered to pay for everything. Erica had
some money she had made from her role in the movie, but it wasn’t much, and he
wouldn’t let her touch that.
Dorrie
had taken her
shopping for a wedding dress.

She and
Dorrie
are getting pretty close. Hmm, my almost-wife and my wife.
He
chuckled at the irony of it. The to-do list was long. The only one that worried
him was the guest list.

Sitting
down with his phone, he went through his contact list, adding some to his
wedding list. Erica bopped in, all smiles, too nervy to sit still. “I have
three dresses on hold. Can’t decide on the veil.
Dorrie
is going to be my matron of honor. Don’t know what color she’s going to wear
yet. Who’s standing up for you?” She fired her words at him like an automatic
weapon fires bullets.

“Whoa,
wait a minute.” Gunther held up his hands. “Slow down, slow down. Max Webster
said he’d be my best man.
Dorrie’s
husband is going
to be an usher.”

“
Dorrie’s
husband! Crap! That means I need someone else. I
know! Grace Brewster. I have your wedding present all ready.”

“I
don’t need anything, Erica. Save your money.” He stood up.

“You
need this, and it didn’t cost me a dime.”

“Are
you sure?” He cocked an eyebrow at her.

“Hell,
yeah…to quote you.”

“Yours
will be ready on our wedding day.”

“Did
you reserve a hotel room for your mom? Near the beach?”

“You’re
set on the beach club?”

“You
love the beach, and I want to have it in your favorite place.” She twined her
arms around his waist and hugged him tight.

“Okay,
okay,” he laughed. “I give up. We’ll have it at the beach. Weddings are for
chicks.”

He
pulled her in for a kiss then angled his head to deepen it. Erica melted against
him, and the embrace heated up. He slid his hand up to cover her breast. She
moaned at his touch.

Erica
was the perfect wife for Gunther, and he knew it.
How did I get so lucky?
When they broke, curiosity got the best of
him. “What did you get me?”

“Not
telling.”

“Come
on. I’m dying to know. This fantastic, free present. The one I need so much.”

“You
want it now? Here?”

“Some
sex thing? I’m there.” He started to pull his tie down.

Erica
put her hand on his chest. “Nope. No sex thing. Though that would have been a
good idea.”

“Come
on. You’re killing me.”

“It’s
still three months away.”

“Wrap
it up and give it to me again in three months.”

“Can’t
do that. Actually,” she looked at her watch, “I have to give it to you today.”

He
smiled and sat back down. “I’ll wait right here.”

Erica
slipped out of the office. While she was gone, he wracked his brain, trying to
think of something he needed that he didn’t have and that could possibly be
free.

“Close
your eyes,” she called from the door.

Gunther
did as she requested. When he opened them, there were four manila envelopes on
his desk. He looked up at her, his eyebrows raised.

“Open
them,” she squealed, wiggling like a teenager.

Gunther
carefully opened the first one. It was a contract for
Sway, The Movie,
signed by Cara Brewster. He looked up at her. “No.
You didn’t?”

She
nodded. “Oh, but I did.”

In
the next was a contract signed by Jake Matthews, then by Quinn Roberts, and the
last by
Chaz
Duncan.

“How
the hell did you get them to sign?” He leaned back, amazed.

“Charm,
pleading, begging. Now you have to sign them all so I can return them.”

“When
did you do this?”

“Lunch
time. Not all the nail appointments were legit.”

“Fibbing
again? I may have to take you across my knee.”

Her
eyes lit up with mischief. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

“I’m
amazed. You can do anything, because you’ve already done the impossible.”

He
was up out of his chair in seconds, gripping her waist and kissing her. The passion
got intense. Gunther pulled her sweater up and off, snapping open the hooks on
her bra with one hand. Erica folded her hands behind his neck.

“Just
not on the infamous sofa, okay?”

“The
desk,” he murmured, panting. He slid his hand down to cup her behind and pull
her up tight against him. She unbuttoned his shirt. He wanted her. He always
wanted her, often in the most inappropriate places and times. In a board
meeting of East West Productions.
Over dessert at The Satin
Club.
In the ocean on a weekend at the beach.

The
ocean desire he had been able to satisfy one overcast day when the beach had
been deserted. But now, this, in the office. He always got horny here. He
pushed her skirt up to her waist. He shoved her black panties down and gripped
her hips, lifting her up.

“Oh,
it’s cold!” she said, drawing her knees up.

“Sorry
about that. I’ll heat you up,” he snickered. Gunther pushed her legs higher,
unzipped his fly, and approached.

Erica
reached down, closing her fingers around him. “Like a rock. As usual.”

He
couldn’t wait. Stepping up to her, he snaked his hand up her thigh to her wet
warmth. “Oh, baby. I’m not the only one, eh?”

“You
know you turn me on.”

“Do
I?”

“Fishing
for compliments? Not like you.”

“I
get…uncertain…sometimes.”

She
pulled his face down for a hard kiss. It took his breath away.

“That’s
in case you ever wonder about what you do to me,” she said in a husky voice.

Gunther
moved close and cupping her behind, slid her to him. He was buried inside her
in a flash. Erica gasped as he pushed deeper. She bent her head down to rest
her forehead on him. “Oh my God, that’s amazing,” she said.

He
pulled out and thrust in hard. She twitched. He began a rhythm, slow and deep,
picking up speed. Erica went limp, totally at his mercy. As he continued, she
came back to life, squirming under his touch. He closed his fingers around her
breast, pinching the nipple. She groaned, and looked up at him. He squeezed her
again, and she gasped.

Then,
he glided his fingers down her stomach and stroked her. That took her over the
edge. She cried out his name as her muscles clenched tight around him.

He
couldn’t hold back any longer. Release rushed through his body, all the way out
to his toes. Sex never got old with Erica. He found her more exciting now than
he had the first time, and that was a rarity for him.

He
held her to him, their sweaty skin slipping on each other. He dropped his head
to her shoulder and planted small kisses on her neck.

“I
love you,” she whispered, caressing his back, her nails scratching lightly.

“Love
you, too, honey.”

A
knock on the door followed by Gloria’s voice brought them out of their reverie.
“Mr. Webster’s here for a meeting.”

“Holy
shit! Max! I forgot,” he said, easing Erica down from his desk and smoothing
her skirt back in place.

“Be
right there, Gloria,” Erica called as she helped Gunther button his shirt.

Once
they were dressed, they strolled into the reception area, attempting to look
nonchalant. Max stood up and shook Gunther’s hand. As they entered Gunther’s
office, Max laughed. “Up to your old tricks? But with the fiancée, this time, eh?”

“I
don’t know what you’re talking about,” Gunther replied, trying out his most
innocent expression.

“Next
time, remember to zip your fly.”

* * * *

Three
months later

Gunther
paced in the room with glass doors leading to a large deck where the wedding
ceremony was to take place. Not normally a nervous man, he glanced up at the
sky for the seventh time, looking for rain clouds and finding none. His
mother’s plane had been delayed several times, and she had not arrived yet.
Where the hell is Ma? We can’t do this
without her.

He
checked his watch.
Still
an hour to go
.

Max
patted him on the shoulder. “Everything will be all right. You two will tie the
knot.”

“My
mother hasn’t arrived, and she has my wedding present for Erica.”

“I’m
sure she’ll get here. The present—today, next week, does it matter?”

“Actually,
it does.”

Max
excused himself and returned with two glasses of champagne. “Drink this,
Gunther.”

He
did as told and chugged the glass. It was warm going down. When it hit his
stomach, he remembered that he’d forgotten to eat. The slightly acidic wine on
an empty stomach didn’t feel so good. Gunther groaned and held his belly.

“Have
you eaten anything today?” Max asked. Gunther shook his head.
“Oh, dear Lord.
Let me see what I find.” Max headed toward
the kitchen.

Gunther
peeked at his watch again then stepped outside. He looked at the street, but
didn’t see any sign of a limo headed his way. He’d sent one for Clare and
wondered where she was. A white sports car pulled up and parked.
Chaz
Duncan and his wife, Megan, got out. They greeted
Gunther before they all went inside.

A
waiter with a tray of the bubbly was followed by a waiter with a tray of
hors
d’oeurves
.
Gunther stopped the man and took five cheese puffs and five shrimp wrapped in
bacon. He shoved them in his mouth two at a time.

“Take
it easy, Gunther. You’ll choke before you even get married,”
Chaz
said, patting him on the back.

“Alcohol
with no food is bad,” Gunther said.

Gradually,
people moseyed in for the wedding. Of course, they had included the cast from
Sway.
At first, Gunther had wanted to have
every acquaintance in his phone book there. But when he realized he had over
three hundred names, he had changed his mind. They had invited about a hundred
people, all in the business.

Grace
Brewster arrived with Jake Matthews. Gunther was almost afraid to talk to
Grace. Everything had been cordial between them, and he didn’t want to screw it
up. She wandered over to him. They toasted.

“Can’t
believe you’re actually tying the knot. And with a great woman, too.” Gracie
shook her head. “Who’d a thought?”

“I’m
a lucky man, Grace.”

“Damn
straight. And don’t you forget it.”

“I
won’t,” he laughed.

Next,
Cara Brewster and her husband Grant Hollings arrived. Then, Quinn Roberts with
his wife, Susanna. All were old friends of Max Webster. While everyone stood
around, drinking and talking, Gunther paced in front of the building. Finally,
the limousine pulled up with his mother in it. Gunther hugged her and ushered
her inside.

Clare
was introduced around. She steered him into a quiet corner.

“What,
Ma?” He said, his nerves still on edge.

“I
wanted to tell you how proud I am of you.” She hugged him.

“I’m
just getting married, Ma. I didn’t win the
Nobel
Prize
or anything.” He smiled.

She
patted his arm. “I know. But after Laurel…well. I worried you’d never recover. You
mourned her for a long time. Finally, you’ve made it back to life. And now,
here you are, getting married.” She
teared
up.

“No
Niagara Falls, Ma. Please. It’s enough
Erica’ll
be
crying. Yeah, Laurel was one of a kind. But so is Erica. I didn’t believe
lightning could strike twice. ” He felt his pockets for a spare handkerchief.

Clare
pulled a hanky out of her purse. “I can’t help it. Your father would’ve been
proud, too.”

“Dad?
Hmpf
. Don’t think so.”

“He
would. Even with all his success, he never achieved what you have already.”