A King For Christmas

Remi "Oh, I almost forgot, happy anniversary my dear Remi, and Merry Christmas." Eyes sparkling with warmth, my mother handed me a carefully wrapped up present. The home care facility's great room sparkled with lights and so much christmas cheer, giving the illusion of having spilled some of its charm over to the woman in the wheel chair in front of me. There was almost no trace of the sickness ravaging her body on her face. "Thank you, Mama." I mustered a smile, hoping it hid the non celebratory mood inspired by my second year marriage anniversary. "You should not have wasted this time on me, though," my mother said, warm hands cupping my cheeks. I leaned in, letting her touch ease the hurt in my heart. "But I missed you and couldn't wait until tomorrow." I protested, my lips curving in a pout. "Silly girl. A dutiful wife's place is beside her husband. Don't make Lincoln think I'm the unreasonable mother in law out to steal his wife from him." Pride laced my mother's words, as it had on the day of my wedding, and I couldn't stop the bitterness that trickled into my mouth at the reminder. I didn't blame her, she knew nothing of my marriage or the despicable, greedy man called my father who had forced me into it. My fists clenched at the memory. “You are going to be the perfect little daughter you have always been and ensure that you keep King happy. Watch that pretty mouth of yours and do whatever he asks and desires. And I mean...WHATEVER!” My father had sneered on the day of my engagement, and with those demeaning words, he’d gone ahead and informed me of three things. That he, George Stewart, was not my father; that I meant nothing to the man I had adored all my life; and that he'd just sold me to Lincoln King. I said goodbye to more than my freedom that day. The debt that sealed my fate was enormous, something I had no idea my father had accumulated when life in my childhood home had always been simple. "Remi dear, are you okay?" "I'm fine, mama." Jolted out of my painful stroll down memory lane, I mustered another smile, grateful for the only good thing to ever come out of George Stewart's deal. As long as I stayed married to Lincoln King, all my mother's medical bills regarding her terminal illness would be paid. Her cancer diagnosis had come as a shock when my father had boasted of having included that condition in his deal with my the then future husband. And of course, letting me know had not been out of the goodness of his heart, but a means of keeping my mouth shut and my mother from ever finding out what was really going on. "Mrs King?" The sudden crackle of my earpiece jolted me, causing my body to tense involuntary. Or maybe it was the announcement I knew would, one that always put me on edge. "Mr. King is here." You'd think I'd have a more appropriate reaction to the announcement that the man I was meant to spend the rest of my life with was here, but that had never been me. Not when it came to the man who practically owned the entire city of Regalton, my childhood home. "Mrs King, please acknowledge." "I'll be right there." I answered my body guard before looking over at my mother. "I have to go, mama." A mixture of longing and pain surged within me as I met her gaze, her smile like a bittersweet reminder of the time slipping away. "I will see you soon." With a quick kiss, I exited the great room and rushed out of the building, hoping to beat my husband's actual arrival at the building's entrance. I was late. A couple of seconds late, but that mattered little to the man who hated waiting for anyone. My steps hitched at the sight of Lincoln. Dressed impeccably as always, his jaw was set hard, and it was all I needed to resume my walk. "I did not expect you until later." I mumbled as I slipped into the car beside him. His eyes remained fixed right head, but I wouldn't make the mistake of thinking he was unaware of my presence. "We've been invited for dinner at Mayor Mitchell's." He more or less barked. "We?" My eyes went wide. He never went anywhere with me despite having been married for two years now. "You are my wife." Those eyes blazed dangerously. Oh, now he remembered? "What happened to Harper?" I asked about his mistress who always hung around him like a shadow after Mia, Ava, and Emily. I barely ignored the sting in my heart that came with the memory of all those women who had equally clung to my husband's arm while I watched his displays of affection from the cold mansion that was supposed to be our home. Was I pathetic for remembering every one of their names? Probably. Just like I was for stalking him in all those gossip magazines and social media feeds that sniffed out every piece of news of the mighty Lincoln King like a drug. "We are already running late." Lincoln ignored me before handing me a gown bag I had not noticed before. "Change." I swallowed. "What? Here?" One brow arched. "Will that be a problem?" Of course it would be a problem! How could he not see that? It's not like I had ever been naked in front of him. Yeah, I had once fantasized about slipping on a sexy piece of clothing while my perfect husband watched, but that was a long time ago, and Lincoln was not that kind of husband. "Well?" He ground his teeth impatiently, and I got to work, knowing he was not about to change his mind. Fumbling with the zipper of the bag, it opened. Whatever was inside left me picking my jaw off the floor. The red gown sparkled, and if I didn't know Lincoln, I would have thought he wanted to show me off to the world. "I was assured it would fit you perfectly." My eyes widened at both his soft statement and knowing he'd personally picked the dress up. That was not just something he did. Not for me anyway. "You bought it?" "Just put it on." He growled, ignoring me again. For whatever reason, I felt more giddy than offended. And his decision to stare out of the car gave me the time I needed to slip out of the coat, pants and woolen shirt I wore and into the luxurious dress fit for a queen. I felt like one, even without Lincoln complimenting me. "Leave it." I was about to tie up my hair that had come loose when a hand fell on mine, tangling with my locks and running all the way through. Goose bumps broke out on my skin. It was the first time Lincoln had touched me or come this close, and my heart stumbled despite the run in my hair being nowhere near skin. "Looks better this way." "Okay." I croaked out, strangely disappointed when he pulled back as soon as I let my hair fall. "Stop being weird, Remi." I sat back, choosing to watch the city of Regalton float by on the way to the Mitchell's. Whatever possessed Lincoln's actions today, I would not think much about it. It was easier said than done, though, when the heat of his gaze seemed to burn holes through me. I shifted in my seat, needing space or anything to escape this newfound interest of his and get a grip on this part of me that was very aware of him. The appearance of a lush property in front of us promised freedom, but stepping out, with the intent of making a run for it, a jolt of surprise and unease shot through me as Lincoln's hand landed on my bare back, the contact sending shivers down my spine. "It's Mayor Mitchell and his wife Rowena's fortieth anniversary." I'd barely come to terms with his touch when he leaned in, his warm breath fanning my neck and sending my heart hammering in my chest. "Don't embarrass me." At his cold instruction, my steps faltered, as a chill dampened the hint of attraction, leaving nothing but a reminder of the cold deal that was our marriage. Did he even remember that today was our anniversary too? Sucking up the sadness that came with that, I let him guide me into the mayor's residence. "Welcome, my dears!" An older woman's eyes sparkled with genuine warmth as she welcomed us into her home, her smile a balm for my bruised heart. "Thank you, Rowena. Meet my wife, Remi." Lincoln, like the perfect husband introduced me and my heart stumbled for the second time that day. I knew it had to be some kind of show, but damn was he convincing! His words dripped with the care of a man who dotted on his wife, leaving the dreamer in me completely fooled. Rowena pulled me in. "Oh, it's so lovely to finally meet you dear. We've heard so much about you." Finally? "Really?" Eyebrows raised, I stared at the woman, but my answer came from Lincoln. "I may have bragged about you once or twice," he said easily. I blinked at him, wondering in which world that was even possible. "Once or twice sounds like an understatement." An older man waltzed in carrying two drinks. Handing what looked like scotch to Lincoln, he turned to me with the brightest smile. "For you, my dear." "Oh, I—thank you." I wasn't big on alcohol, but for this sweet gesture I decided to indulge the man. One sip, though, and my eyes went wide. It was something sweet, non alcoholic and my kind of drink. "How did you know?" The man only winked in Lincoln's direction. "Like I said, once or twice was an understatement." But that couldn't be right. Lincoln couldn't possibly know that about me? "Shall we go on and eat?" I held on tightly to the glass as Lincoln led us to the table, hand resting on the small of my back. Thankfully, for someone whose nights had been spent sipping warm milk in loneliness, I wasn't awkward during dinner which was a lovely affair that melted away my sadness for the moment. I indulged in the good food, drink, conversation, and lots of laughter. It was the first time in two years that I'd been married hearing Lincoln King laugh. A rich, hearty laughter I'd always imagined he possessed, and I couldn't help but stare each time the sound filled the room. "Awww Mitch, would you look at that. Married for over two years and yet Remi still looks at our Lincoln as if she's seeing him for the very first time. Such love!" Heat crept up my neck at being caught. "I-I was not-" "Awww, don't be shy, sweetheart," Rowena cooed. "He's yours after all. God knows my Mitch has all my attention, even after forty years." Except Lincoln wasn't mine and the truth of that shouldn't have stung, but it did. "Speaking of time, it's getting late." A warm hand linked with mine under the table, leaving me stunned and very aware of the man next to me. What the hell was he doing? I turned to my husband, but his focus was on our hosts, a pleasant smile brightening up his usually cold demeanour. Just like his laughter, it suited him, and I needed to stop making all these observations. They were the reason my heart stopped listening to my head during our time here and was slowly forgetting who Lincoln King truly was. "Dinner was lovely, we should absolutely do this again. Happy anniversary." Lincoln shot to his feet, the hand that held mine dragging me up too. "Of course, go on, my dears. Mitch and I wouldn't want to keep you from all the marital bliss there is to be enjoyed. You haven't exactly been keeping your eyes anywhere else, Lincoln." Rowena winked. She had to be drunk and deluded; that was the only explanation for her words. Because apart from glaring at me and the show he'd put on tonight, Lincoln had never looked at me, not even with an ounce of like. Rowena had to be wrong about whatever she thought she saw. The ride back to the mansion was peaceful and yet my heart hammered in my chest. Lincoln's hand linked with mine was the reason. I had tried to escape him, but he'd held on, leaving me frozen. If he noticed my state, he didn't acknowledge it. Every now and then, he downed the contents of the bottle of wine Rowena had gifted us, his mind seemingly consumed by it. His decision didn't bother me. In fact, a small part of me hoped he'd get drunk quickly, allowing him to release my hand before we reached the mansion. However, neither scenario unfolded. Instead, Lincoln's grip on my hand tightened, leaving me slightly uneasy. "Good night, Mr. and Mrs. King." The driver disappeared into the darkness after opening the door to the mansion. I had every intention of doing the same, as I attempted and successfully slipped out of Lincoln's hand. "And where do you think you are going?" I stiffened as strong, possessive hands snaked around my waist and pulled me in. "So eager to run away from your husband?" "I-" Lips crushed against mine, cutting off my answer and melting my stiff posture. I should have pulled back, but somehow I didn't know which button in my brain to press. "You are with me tonight." Lincoln growled before scooping me up and carrying me up the stairs. "You are drunk, Lincoln." My breath hitched as the feel of Lincoln's lips against mine sent a rush of longing through me, a silent plea for something more. "I am." He admitted with a devilish grin that sent my heart skipping beats at the oddest rhythm "On you Remi..." With each step he took, carrying me up to his bedroom, a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts swirled in my head. This was madness. I needed to put a stop to it before things went too far, but a part of me wanted it...him. If only for tonight. My back found the comfort of his soft bed as hands reached for the straps of the dress I wore. "Lincoln..." I moaned, a rush of sensations overwhelming me when the soft material of the dress was replaced with a pair of strong hands, blurring the boundaries between want and need. "Remi?" For the rarest and strangest of moments, he traced my belly, making me understand the question in his voice. "It doesn't hurt." I whispered. That was not what he was asking and I knew it, but as insane as it was, I had decided to share his bed, not my life that he had never cared about. "Kiss me." I'd never asked him for anything, and I was ready to beg when he only stared at me with a look closer to anger than concern. Without a word, thankfully, Lincoln closed the gap between us, his lips meeting mine in a kiss so passionate it melted away the ghosts of my past. My breath hitched as he took care of the clothes. Both his and mine. The feel of him buried deep inside me after made me let out a moan that he kissed away as soon as it escaped my lips. The moment felt aeons away from the day I was sold to Lincoln King. His heated yet gentle touch painted an illusion of the perfect husband that left me surrendering to him. To his every thrust, letting him make love to me. If I could call it that. And when I screamed his name while I shuttered in his arms, I didn't care. At least not tonight. Happy anniversary to me... I was jolted awake to the sound of the mansion's bell, a smile forming on my lips when I found myself wrapped up in Lincoln's arms still. He stayed. Well, technically it was his bed, but I hadn't expected him to be in it with me come Christmas morning. Careful not wake him, I untangled myself. After slipping into the dress I'd worn for the evening, I hurried down the stairs to answer the insistent ringing of the bell. Opening the door, I came face to face with Harper, her picture perfect self instantly souring my mood. "What do you want?" Feeling protective over Lincoln after last night, I blocked the entrance, making my intentions of not letting her in clear. A mocking grin that jabbed sharply at my heart, greeted me. "I can see my dress fit you just fine." The girl shoved me aside and let herself in. "And if you are still wearing it, then I guess the night — and my plan — was a success. Lincoln got what he wanted." Her dress and her plan? Lincoln got what he wanted? My heart sank as Harper's words cut through the air like a blade. Did I just let myself be used?