Kiss an Angel(21)

“No, I don’t.”

“You certainly do.”

“Like what?”

“Well, to start with—are you sure you want to hear this?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Well, you’re hardheaded, stubborn, and domineering.”

“I thought you were going to say something bad.”

“Those weren’t compliments. And I’ve always found a sense of humor in a man more appealing than a lot of raw, macho sexuality.”

“You’ll be sure and tell me when you get to the bad part, won’t you?”

She glared at him and decided not to mention the whips he kept under the bed. “You’re impossible to talk to.”

He adjusted the sun visor. “The point I was trying to make before you interrupted with your inventory of my personality is that neither of us is going to be able to stay celibate for the next six months.”

She dropped her eyes. If only he knew that she’d stayed that way all her life.

“We’ll be living in close quarters,” he went on. “We’re legally married, and it’s only natural that we’re going to get it on.”

Get it on? His bluntness reminded her that none of this meant anything to him emotionally, and contrary to all logic, she’d wanted to hear something romantic. With some pique, she said, “In other words, you expect me to keep house, work for the circus, and ‘get it on’ with you.”

He thought it over. “I guess that’s about the size of it.”

She turned her head and stared glumly out the window. Making a success of this “circumstance” was going to be even tougher than she’d thought.





5




As Daisy left the trailer that afternoon, she met up with a tall blond who had a chimp perched on her shoulders. She recognized her from the previous night’s show as Jill, from Jill and Friends, a cute dog and chimp act. She was round-faced, with beautiful skin and hair that was a bit over-processed, something Daisy was certain she could help her with if she had the chance.

“Welcome to Quest Brothers,” the woman said. “I’m Jill.”

Daisy returned her friendly smile. “I’m Daisy.”

“I know. Heather told me. This is Frankie.”

“Hello, Frankie.” Daisy nodded politely at the chimp perched on Jill’s shoulders, then leaped back as he drew his lips over his teeth and screamed at her. She was already jumpy from a lack of nicotine, and the chimp’s reaction further jangled her.

“Hush, Frankie.” Jill patted his furry leg. “I don’t know what’s the matter with him. He usually likes women.”

“Animals aren’t too fond of me.”

“You’re probably afraid of them. They can always tell.”

“I expect you’re right. A German shepherd nipped me when I was little, and it made me leery of all animals.” The German shepherd hadn’t been the only one. She remembered a school visit to a London petting zoo when she was six. She’d gone into hysterics when a goat had begun to nibble on her uniform.

A woman in baggy black shorts and an oversize T-shirt wandered up and introduced herself as Madeline. Daisy recognized her as one of the showgirls who’d ridden into the arena on an elephant. Her comfortable clothing made Daisy feel a bit overdressed. She’d wanted to look nice for her first assignment at the ticket window, so she’d selected an ivory silk blouse along with her pearl gray Donna Karan slacks instead of the discount-house jeans and T-shirts Alex had insisted on buying her before they’d pulled in today.

“Daisy is Alex’s new girlfriend,” Jill said.

“I heard,” Madeline replied. “Lucky you. Alex is a hunk and a half.”

She opened her mouth to tell the women she was Alex’s wife, not his girlfriend, only to draw back as Frankie began to shriek at her.

“Quiet, Frankie.” Jill handed the chimp a small apple, then regarded Daisy with the open enjoyment of someone who loved a good gossip. “This thing with you and Alex must be serious. I’ve never heard of him having a live-in.”

“Sheba’s going to have a fit when she gets back.” Madeline looked as if the prospect pleased her.

Frankie stared at Daisy, making her so nervous she was having a hard time paying attention to the women. To her alarm, Jill lowered the chimp to the ground, where he clutched her leg.

Daisy took another quick step backward. “Do you have a leash for him by any chance?”

Both Jill and Madeline laughed.

“He’s trained,” Jill said. “He doesn’t need a leash.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. So how did you and Alex meet? Jack Daily—he’s the ringmaster—said Alex didn’t say anything about having a new lady friend.”

“I’m a little more than a lady—are you sure about that leash?”

“Don’t worry. Frankie wouldn’t hurt a flea.”

The chimp seemed to lose interest in her, and Daisy began to relax. “I’m not Alex’s lady friend.”

“I thought you were living together,” Madeline said.

“We are. I’m his wife.”

“His wife!” Jill let out a squeal of delight that warmed Daisy all the way to her toes. “You and Alex are married! That’s wonderful.”