Rue
Rose.
Perfect.
Just like Lena.
Rue led Lena and Rose inside and gathered some clothes. The ladies sat on the couch waiting for him while he rushed around snagging stuff he thought he’d need or would make her place look like he lived there. He snatched a few framed pictures and his prized possession—a signed Joe Namath football.
A soft snore coming from the couch had him tiptoeing into the living room. Lena and Rose were snuggled together, both napping. Rue’s heart ached at the rightness of it all.
With every minute that passed he wanted to spend two more with the fascinating woman his dog had toppled over. He had just met her but was compelled to get to know everything about her. Not only was she beautiful, she was intelligent and witty and . . . god, he wanted her.
Rue was swept away by his imagination. Lena’s beautiful red hair fanned out against his pillow, her creamy skin in stark opposition to the black fabric of the pillow. The only interruption, he imagined, would be her eye patch. He visualized her rosy nipples and a natural thatch of curls that would match her fiery hair.
His fantasy was interrupted as Lena snuggled Rose closer to her chest and Rose licked her face in gratitude. He hated to disrupt their impromptu nap, but he was eager to get to her place and start playing her fiancé. Rue hoped playing engaged might lead to a real date or more if things worked out.
“Hey, sweetheart, I’m all packed up and ready. I just gotta grab Rose’s dishes and we’re off.” When Lena looked up at him with a sleepy smile, Rue was sure he lost a piece of his heart to her, and when Rose licked his face, well, it was the same result.
The trip to Lena’s house was fairly silent. It seemed both the ladies were still a bit tired.
“Well, this is it. My little cabin in the woods.”
Lena and Rose jumped out before he could make his way around to open their door. Rue grabbed his stuff and followed a very confident Lena into the cozy cabin. On her own turf, her whole posture changed. Her confidence was sexy. Rue wondered what he could do to help her find that same confidence elsewhere.
Rose pranced in like she belonged there. Rue couldn’t help himself, he dropped his belongings to the floor and gently caught Lena before she walked out of range. “What—”
Rue spun her to face him. “I just want to look at you for a minute.” Lena blushed and turned away. He caught her chin and brought her face back toward him. “Lena, we should get to know each other better.” It was poised on his lips to ask her if she would go out with him that night. Not just to learn more about each other for their ruse, but to learn more about her period. The panic in her eyes stopped him from expanding on his reasoning.
When she pulled away and smoothed down her blouse, Rue’s heart twisted in his chest.
“That’s an excellent idea, Mr. Parker.”
“Mr. Parker?” She was distancing and Rue wasn’t about to let that happen.
“Sorry, Rue. I have this, it should help.” Lena pulled a large manila envelope from the table by the door. She spoke with a formal tone as she passed it to him. “You can put your things in my bedroom at the end of the hall, but until my father visits, you can sleep in my office on the fold out couch.”
Lena didn’t wait for a reply but strolled into the kitchen. “Would you like a drink?” she called from the right as Rue flipped through the papers.
“No, thank you, but if you would join me, I’d love to . . . discuss things.” Negotiate was the word he wanted to say. No way was he abiding by her rules or she would keep him at arms’ length permanently.
Line eighteen, no intimate acts including, but not limited to, hand holding, appropriate facial kissing, and pet names except in front of her father.
Line twenty-one, absolutely no sex initiated by either party.
Line thirty-nine, we will not sleep in the same bed. When you must sleep in my room, you will do so on the futon and fully dressed.
Line forty-five, you will not treat me as a helpless individual. I am perfectly capable of navigating this world alone.
In bold type after all numbered issues: This ruse will not lead to any type of romantic relationship.
The next section was basically everything Lena which could be put into type.
Favorite movie – Tombstone.
Favorite music – 80s pop and one hit wonders.
Favorite flower – rose.