“You’re right.” He smiled again, hoping the smile didn’t look as stiff as it felt. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” his mom replied cheerfully.
“Don’t stay up all night.” His dad winked again. “After all, I’m planning to put you to work tomorrow.”
Tom had never blushed before in his life, but at his father’s brashness, his face was on fire. He couldn’t seem to find the doorknob and enter the room fast enough. When he was inside, he leaned back against the door and exhaled. Then he couldn’t help grinning at the absurdity of his predicament and his parents’ comments.
He’d grown up watching his parents kiss and show unabashed affection for one another and had thought that was the way every married couple acted. But now that he was older and more worldly-wise, he realized they had a rare treasure to still love one another so passionately after more than thirty years of marriage.
He never planned on getting married—at least in the true sense. Marriage was out of the question with the kind of life he led as a bodyguard. Even now, he wondered if he’d made a mistake in having this temporary marriage with Victoria. It was just that yesterday, after the kidnapping attempt, he’d panicked. He’d decided that the only place she’d truly be safe was here, at Race Point.
Situated at the northernmost tip of Cape Cod, the lighthouse was completely isolated. Hiking overland from Provincetown was possible. But through the sand and dunes, it wasn’t an easy trek. And if someone came by boat, Tom would be able to see them coming long before they arrived at the doorstep. Besides, no one but Victoria’s father knew exactly where they were. In fact, Tom hadn’t even given the lighthouse inspector Victoria’s name and had only referred to her as Mrs. Cushman.
Henry Cole had been reluctant to the marriage part of the plan. He’d likely had concerns about Tom attempting to make claims on Victoria’s inheritance or going public with the marriage and ruining his daughter’s chances of a future match. But Tom had reassured Mr. Cole that even though the marriage certificate would make their stay at Race Point legal, the document was only a piece of paper and no one else would ever have to know about the arrangement. He’d promised Mr. Cole the same thing he’d promised him when he started the job, that he’d treat Victoria with the utmost professionalism at all times. Then once the assailant was captured, he’d leave for Europe and wouldn’t speak of the temporary marriage ever again. Mr. Cole hadn’t needed to make him sign a legal document relinquishing rights to Victoria’s fortune and outlining the terms of the separation. Tom wouldn’t have ever even dreamed of trying to gain anything from the marriage. But he’d gone along with Mr. Cole’s stipulations anyway.
Tom pushed away from the door and crossed to the window. He closed it halfway against the cool night air and then stared outside at the lighthouse beam rotating over the water.
Yes, yesterday the plan had seemed solid. But now, with his parents sitting in a room six feet away and their faces filled with so much hope, he doubted himself. He hadn’t anticipated their enthusiasm. What would he tell them at the end of the month?
More importantly, how would he endure the month sharing a bedroom with Victoria?
He glanced at her outline on the bed. The cover he’d draped over her earlier had fallen off her legs. In the faint light coming in through the window, he glimpsed her feet poking out from the tangle of her skirt.
Tentatively, he made his way to the bed. He lifted the blanket back over her feet but couldn’t stop from noticing the lovely curve of her ankles. He took in her sleeping form and then rested his attention on her face, the high cheekbones, delicate nose, and dainty chin. Her long lashes fanned against her unblemished skin. And when she gave a soft sigh, his pulse jolted with the memory of her tiny moan of pleasure when he’d breathed into her ear on the steamship. He’d enjoyed that sound way too much and was ashamed to admit he wouldn’t mind hearing it again.
“No,” he whispered, giving himself a mental shake. He’d given his word to Mr. Cole that he’d respect Victoria. Even though they would have to appear to be a happily married couple for the next month, he’d steel himself for what he must do. As Victoria said, they were acting. He’d just