**Edited by krisgree***

“The Rented Husband”

2011 © All Rights Reserved

Chapter 19

                Olivia peered over at Brody whose attention seemed to be solely focused on the changing numbers above the door as the elevator made its descent.  She wasn't sure what to think about him.  He could be as stubborn as a mule sometimes, with his autocratic chin and alpha male attitude.   But then there were those times that he would do something out of character and blow her mind.

                The way that he stood up to her father back in the room put him in a whole new perspective in Olivia's eyes.  He championed for her and that, well that just surprised the hell out of her.  He was proving to be a man with many facets and to a certain degree; that intrigued her.

                After several long minutes of long suffering silence, she couldn't take it anymore and finally asked the unspoken question that niggled at the back of her mind.  "Why?"

                Brody craned his neck in her direction and a slow grin spread across his face.  "Why what?" he shot back at her, laughter twinkling like shining stars in his eyes.

                Olivia crossed her hands over her chest and stuck her obstinate nose up in the air.  "Why did you do that?" she asked him again, her tone showing more persistence.  She didn't know why she had to know this but the notion was buzzing around in her head like an annoying gnat that she just couldn't shake.  She needed to know why.

                The elevator door dinged and opened up on the lobby level, interrupting them.  Brody waved his hand to the door and gestured for her to lead the way.  Once she passed by him, he followed her out of the elevator and placed his hand at the small of her back.  He easily maneuvered her towards the exit.  Passing by the hotel staff at the front counter, he flashed a bright smile and politely waved.  Once they stepped out into the bright Hawaiian sunshine he responded to her earlier question.  "Why did I do what?" 

                These were the times that she wanted to strangle Brody.  Why couldn't he just give her a straight answer?  Why did he have to be so impossible to deal with?  She stopped in the middle of the parking lot and rounded on him.  "You know good and damn well what Brody O'Conner." 

                Again, he graced her with that million watt smile of his and at that moment she was willing to bet her life savings that particular smile would be a hell of a tool if used as a weapon to solve world peace. 

                Knowing exactly what type of effect that he was having on her and loving every minute of it Brody lazily drawled, "Just because."  He took an easy stance in front of her, bracing his feet shoulder width apart and relaxing his hands by his sides and patiently waited for her snippy retort.

                "Because," she mocked him and rolled her eyes.  "It just figures you would say something like that."  She cocked her hands up on her trim, shapely hips and color suddenly flushed her cheeks, washing away all visible signs of just how bad the text that had shaken her up earlier today. 

                That was exactly what Brody hoped to do and was mighty pleased with the results.

                She was putting her game face on, Brody noticed and couldn't help but to grin. That game face of hers would have fooled anyone else, but not him.  He was beginning to notice quite a few things when it came to this particular fiery southern bell.  Little things like certain bodily gestures and what mood they stood for. 

                Like right now, she was chewing on her bottom lip and that he knew was a telltale sign that she was getting irritated with him. 

                And what made it so bad- he liked it.  He liked the lively spark of irritation flaring up in Olivia.  It was much more preferable to the swooning and gauntness look that was etched in her face back in the room just moments earlier.  That Olivia and that look; together they scared the crap out of him.

                But this Olivia - the one standing in front of him - was the one that constantly kept him on edge.  The one that made him feel alive.  The one that brought all kinds of body parts to life with just a miniscule look or a single word.  That was the one that made his blood run hot. 

                Restraining herself, Olivia let out a slow breath.  With the way her day had gone thus far she was about a hair's breadth from losing it completely.  All she wanted was the answer to a simple question.  One question, that's all and she was going to get her answer if she had to beat it out of him.  "Why did you stick up for me in front of my father?"

                For a long minute, Brody could do nothing but stare back at her.   Her eyes slightly darkened as she looked up at him expectantly.  Unable to hold back any longer, Brody snaked his arm out and pulled Olivia up against his chest.

                She gasped and in the next breath she narrowed her eyes on him.  "Brody - don't you dare do it," she warned.

                He chuckled, his breath tickling her cheek.  "Do what?" he teased, leaning in ever so closely.

                Olivia struggled to hold on to her senses.  "You know what," she retorted and hated the way that the words came out so breathlessly. 

                Brody nuzzled her cheek, letting his lips lightly feather across her jaw line.  "I do?" he asked with all the innocence of virgin maiden.

                "You most certainly do," she quipped; a little bit of bite leaking into her statement.

                "I forget."  And with those words he brushed his lips across hers, so softly, teasing her in a way that drove her insane.

                Determined to hold on to her last vestiges of control she tried to pull away from him.  Her efforts however were half hearted and Brody easily held her to him.  "I don't think so," he whispered.  

                This time he brought his mouth over hers and tangled his hand in her hair, holding her just the way that he wanted her so that he could devour her in the sweetest of kisses.  And it was most definitely sweet.  The second that his tongue traced her bottom lip, she opened up to him; welcoming his invasion.  She brought her hands around his neck and for those few minutes they both forgot everything around them except for each other and this one particular heated kiss.

                "Well I declare, Murphy.  Isn't that just the sweetest thing you ever saw?"

                "Newlyweds Lara; gotta be."

                Feeling eyes on them, Brody regrettably pulled away from the kiss.  He lifted his head but didn't let go of her sides.  Olivia blinked several times and looked up at him dazed and confused.  Realizing what happened; her face pinched into a scowl.  "You did it again," she accused.

                He licked his lips.  "I did," he said and clutched her nose, "And you liked it."

                "I-" she started to argue when she heard someone abruptly clear their throat.  In unison both she and Brody turned to see an elderly couple, in their sixties maybe, watching them.

                "Excuse me," the lady said and held her hand up to her chest.  "Are you two newlyweds?" she asked unabashedly.

                Brody said, "Yes," while at the same time Olivia said, "No."

                The elderly man tilted his head to the side and flattened his lips.  "Now which is it - are you or aren't you?  Surely you have to be one or the other."

                Olivia had the good sense to look chagrined.  "We are," she quickly corrected herself.

                The elderly woman smiled.   "Aww, young love is so precious," she remarked.  "I can still remember the day that Murphy and I got married.  The following weeks we were rascals I tell ya.  We couldn't get enough of each other and I bet it's no different with you two, the both of you being such a good looking couple and all."

                This time it was Brody that blushed.  It was one thing for him to nettle Olivia but this?  This was foreign ground for him.  "Yes ma'am," he replied shyly.

                "Hey," Murphy broke in.  "Would you two like to join our senior group for a little shuffleboard down the beach?"

                Olivia looked up at Brody, unsure of how to answer them.  It really wasn't a bad idea, she thought to herself.  It would take them away from her overbearing family and if the rest of them were as lively as these two, they might just have a little fun. 

                Brody shrugged.  "What do you think Liv?"

                She smiled back at the elderly couple.  "Why not?"

                "Wonderful," the older woman clapped her hands together excitedly.  "The gang is going to absolutely love you two.  You’re both just so dang adorable."

                "Well come on then," the older man gestured.  "Times a-ticking," he said and then laughed lightly to himself.  "To some of us, that's not a good thing."

                "Oh Murphy, hush your mouth," his wife swatted at him.

                Brody found the older couple hilarious.  This was just what the doctor ordered.  "Okay Murph," he replied remembering the man’s name from when his wife had addressed him.   "You lead, we'll follow."

                The elder couple set off across the parking lot towards the beach.  Olivia and Brody followed in behind them.  Brody kept his arm draped over her shoulder as they walked along the beach, taking careful note of their surroundings.  He couldn't let himself forget that someone had threatened Olivia and made sure to keep his eyes open on everything and everyone around them.

                They walked for a good ten minutes before stopping at a tall privacy fence.  "Here we are," Lara announced.  She opened up the gate and inclined her head, gesturing for Olivia and Brody to go on through.

                Olivia smiled as she passed the older woman and after taking about five steps through the gate she came to a grounding halt.  "Oh…my…God," she whispered, clearly not believing what she was seeing.

                Brody was looking down and ran straight into the back of Olivia.  "Dang woman, a little warning would have been nice," he snapped.  He held on to her shoulders to steady the both of them and then looked up for the first time; his eyes going wide and his jaw dropping to the floor at the sight before him.  "You have got to be kidding me."