Read Getting Lucky (The Marilyns) for Free Online Page B

Ricky?” Her tone wasn’t accusatory, merely questioning. She tucked her legs under her.
    He shook his head and silently begged her to forgive him. The last year and a half without her had been an eternal winter full of gray days and sleepless nights. He hadn’t noticed until he’d seen her today and his world had filled with color again. “I couldn’t. It would have hurt you deeply, and I couldn’t do it. If it had been anyone other than you, I’d have spilled everything long ago.”
    He’d gambled with the truth and lost. How did he explain that hurting her was the last thing he’d ever wanted? That was why he’d kept Ricky’s dirty little lies, not because of familial loyalty but because hurting her made him sick to his stomach.
    “So instead, you let me find out on live TV—”
    “I had no idea that was going to happen. Ricky and Rosie kept it secret. Even the girls didn’t know.” Before he’d realized he was doing it, he’d brought their linked hands to his lips and kissed each one of her knuckles starting with her thumb. He hadn’t meant it to be so intimate, but she didn’t pull away.
    Lucky had to understand…. She had to forgive him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you but ended up doing just that.” His mouth lingered over her hand a little too long, and he forced himself to lower their linked hands. “I would have done anything—will do anything for you, but I couldn’t hurt you.”
    Her eyes narrowed to squints. “I don’t know why, but I believe you.” She leaned closer. She smelled of her favorite shampoo and Bert’s Bees Coconut Foot Cream. He wanted to start at her feet and kiss his way up.
    “Come on in, let’s hug it out. I know you hate hugging me, so that’s partially why I’m insisting.” She pulled him closer. “Come on in here.”
    He pulled her to him, and her arms went around his neck. His eyes fluttered closed, and he savored the feel of her against him. She fit so perfectly in his arms. Her heavy breasts mashed against his chest. He slid one hand into her hair and pressed her to him. His other hand slid down to the small of her back—right where her tee shirt ended and the waistband of her jeans jutted open. If things were different, he’d slide his hands down and cup her round bottom, but Lucky only saw him as her brother-in-law. Determined not to let go first, he held tight.
    “I’m having a little trouble breathing.” Lucky’s voice was raspy.
    “Sorry.” He loosened his hold but didn’t let go. If it were up to him, he’d never let go.
    As she sat back on her heels, one arm fell away, but the other stayed around his neck. The taut muscles at his neck relaxed under the weight of her arm.
    Lucky looked around. “I hate this room. It’s like living in a giant cotton ball.”
    “To me, it’s a giant ream of copy paper.” It was peaceful sitting next to her.
    “That’s a good one. And that bed. It’s like Liberace’s albino rejects. The marble cherubs carved into the headboard still freak me out.” She inched over next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. “I know being this close to me must be torture, but I saw a side of you today that I’ve never seen before. You and Dawnie … you love her. Your concern was nice. I didn’t expect it.”
    She was right, her being this close with her head on his shoulder was delicious torture, and he did his level best to ignore the fact that one of her breasts was pressed up against his arm. He’d never realized that she noticed his lack of touching her.
    “Never in a million years would I have thought that you and I would move in together and have a reality show with Ricky’s children. I feel like I should hate it, but I kind of don’t. I can’t wait to play Barbies with Dawnie. Does that make me open-minded or merely desperate to belong?”
    “It makes you wonderful. Not many people are as resilient as you. Nothing keeps you down.” He tried to keep the love out of his voice, but he