Creative License Read Online Free

in.”
    “So you called me?”
    “No. I had a lawyer friend look it up to confirm we were still married. We were so then I called.”
    Lily laughed.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “We have the happiest marriage of anyone I know. No fights, no power struggles.”
    “No sex.”
    Lily blushed. “I didn’t say it was perfect, just peaceful.”
    “There’s more to life than peaceful.”
    “And the opposite of peace is chaos. I’ll take the peace.”
    “Chaos isn’t always a bad thing. From chaos came creation.” He smiled. “A little pandemonium adds spice.”
    Lily cleared her throat. “So when do I meet her?”
    “Mrs. P?”
    “Yes.”
    “Day after tomorrow. I thought you might want a day to get over the jet lag or the time change…or just relax. She invited us to brunch Saturday morning.”
    “Why does she want to meet me at all? I have nothing to do with your work.”
    Caleb shook his head. “She doesn’t know that, does she? And for that matter, neither do you. For all you know, you could have been my muse for the last three years.”
    “Now, you’re teasing me.” He was, wasn’t he? A thrill of pleasure traced her spine. Could he have been thinking of her all this time? Did she appear in his fantasies as often as he starred in hers? Stop. I’m an idiot. Don’t even go there.
    His green eyes sparkled. “Am I?”
    Lily smiled. Get back to business. “Well, I guess that leaves the rest of today and tomorrow to get our story straight.”
    “Story?”
    “Where did we meet? How did we fall in love? You know? That kind of thing.”
    Caleb groaned. “Why not stick with the truth? We met in Vegas, married there and…” he trailed off, a frown creasing his brow as he met her eyes.
    “No.” Lily shook her head. “Or wait! There are art galleries in Vegas, right? Maybe we could have met there.”
    “Maybe she won’t ask.” He looked out the window and when he turned back, his green eyes were shielded. He sighed. “Just make up any scenario you want. I’ll go along with it.”
    Lily stared at Caleb’s profile. What had upset him? She didn’t have a clue, but one thing she did realize; she didn’t know her husband at all. “Are you taking me to my hotel?”
    Every muscle in Caleb’s body tensed. Lily pictured a deer caught in a car’s headlights.
    “Um, no.”
    “No? Where are we going? I’m a little tired.”
    “I’m taking you to my place.”
    “Why?”
    Caleb paused. The bottom dropped out of Lily’s stomach. “Because you didn’t book a hotel reservation?”
    “No. We don’t have much time together. And like you said, we need to get our story straight.”
    Lily stared at Caleb’s earnest face. Could he afford a hotel? She hadn’t asked. He’d insisted on paying for the airfare and even booked the ticket, assuring her he’d take care of everything from his end. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings but if money was the issue, she could more than afford any hotel in San Francisco. She’d bet the Westin had vacancies.
    Those green eyes softened and her misgivings crumbled. “Okay, fine. But that doesn’t mean we’re having sex.”
    Caleb’s eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t ask you to, but it’s nice to know it’s on your mind.”
    Lily turned back to the window to hide the burn of her cheeks. If he only knew.

Chapter Three
    Caleb took the key out of his pocket and slid it in the doorknob. Lily stood beside him, her jaw clenched and spine straight, eyes focused ahead. Why was he so nervous? You’re bringing your wife home, bud. Your rich wife who might turn her nose up at the hovel you call home sweet home.
    He smiled. That wasn’t quite true. Or at least she wouldn’t be his wife for long. So what did it matter what she thought of his apartment? But it did. He couldn’t forget the look of horror on her face when she’d discovered the ring on her finger that morning in Vegas. She was old money. He didn’t have any, new or otherwise. Her dismay at the idea of telling