Marriage by Mistake

else—"
    "The intensity of emotion that prompted us to the altar could not possibly have lasted." He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair. "Were you planning to give up on the marriage at that point?"
    Kelly found she had to look away from his questioning gaze. "This isn't the same thing at all."
    "Why not?"
    Kelly felt her heart pick up speed even though she knew there was a difference. "You. Were. Hypnotized. You don't even remember me. It's like—an accident. You said so yourself!"
    He paused, then spoke with careful enunciation. "I don't walk away from accidents."
    Kelly's heart beat faster. This was a crazy argument. Of course they weren't married, except in the most technical sense. And yet he sounded grimly earnest. "Divorce wouldn't be walking away. It would be...taking care of the accident."
    He gave a sharp shake of the head. "Divorce is a coward's way out. I've always thought so. Once a vow is made, it should be kept."
    Kelly's heart beat now at the rhythm of panic. These were words she might have spoken herself, a bare week ago. "This is different," she insisted, her voice hoarse.
    "A promise is a promise," he stated calmly.
    "You weren't yourself." To put it mildly.
    His lips thinned. "I wish I had the luxury of discussing this further but other matters press. I need to resolve this tonight."
    "Tonight!"
    He uncrossed his arms. "My flight home is at eight. You can be on it. My wife, with all the rights and privileges thereto."
    Kelly's mouth opened and closed. She started to laugh. "Tonight."
    "Don't worry about the time crunch." He shifted his attention to his briefcase, closing the lid. "You'll only need to pack for your immediate needs. With the exception of giving notice to your employer, my people can handle all the details at this end; closing your apartment, storing your things, et cetera, et cetera."
    She laughed harder. "You've got to be kidding."
    His gaze centered back on her. "Marriage. Fulfilling promises. That's my offer, Miss Williams. Take it or leave it."
    Her laughter died as she met his unwavering gaze. He was absolutely serious. He actually meant to fly her home with him. He didn't know her, he couldn't possibly like her, yet he was that committed to keeping his word.
    Kelly swallowed. She'd only met one man in her life as committed. Her father, the minister, who'd taught her from the cradle the importance of integrity.
    Dean snicked closed the latches of his briefcase. "A call to me here at the hotel by seven will get you a ride to the airport in time."
    Kelly licked her lips. She wouldn't do it. She wasn't married, not really.
    "Think it over, Miss Williams. I'll be in room 814."
    "No," she said, but her voice cracked.
    "You need to think it through." He stood.
    "No." What was there to think through? "You don't love me. You don't even know me. We're in Nevada, we should get a divorce."
    "Room 814," he said. "Just in case."
    ~~~
    Five hours later, Troy's lazy voice crackled over Dean's cell phone. "So, has she called you?"
    Seated at the mini-office he'd created on the table in his posh Las Vegas hotel room, Dean turned another page in the quarterly report he was reviewing. "No, she hasn't called. Apparently neither my money nor my social position were sufficient incentives." He paused. "Lucky for you."
    "Lucky for me?" Troy guffawed. "This was all your idea, Dean. I didn't tell you to go marry a showgirl. All I said was—"
    "Yes," Dean interrupted. "I know what you said."
    Troy barreled on anyway, gloating. "What I said was for you to do what you wanted for forty-eight hours, instead of what you should."
    Dean closed his eyes. His stomach twisted, the way it did every time he recalled Troy's misbegotten hypnotic suggestion. Do what you want instead of what you should . Ridiculous. How could he have wanted to fly off to Las Vegas? How could he have wanted to strike up with some—some show dancer? And marry her!
    Still, it had happened. It was fact. And Dean had had to deal with the consequences of his actions; soberly, responsibly, and completely. He'd had to offer her his name and his home.
    "So you're coming back a single man, after all." Troy sighed. "I suppose that'll make Felicia happy."
    "Felicia?" Dean frowned, unable to fathom what this young woman, a distant relative on his mother's side, had to do with anything.
    "Never mind," said Troy, with a chuckle.
    Dean decided to heed Troy's advice. He had enough problems without worrying about Felicia