Yours for the Taking by Robin Kaye

champagne.”
    “Now that you mention it, Jess sent over a very nice bottle. It’s chilling in the refrigerator if you’d like some.”
    “Ben, it’s not even noon.”
    He smirked. “We could throw in a few drops of orange juice and call it a mimosa, if drinking champagne at ten in the morning offends you.”
    “No, it doesn’t offend me, though I’d rather have a Starbucks,” she muttered before she looked up. “Did you buy glasses too, or do we have to drink it out of plastic cups?”
    “The kitchen is fully stocked. I think you could probably have a dinner party for a hundred and not have to deal with renting a thing.”
    “Oh, good. And to think, I was worried about that.” She unzipped one of her suitcases. “I do so love to entertain.”
    Ben turned on his heel and headed to the kitchen. Whistling, he grabbed the champagne from the refrigerator and filled an ice bucket before sticking the champagne bottle into it. Searching the kitchen for flutes, he pulled them off a top shelf and threw a folded linen towel over his arm for spite.
    He returned to the bedroom just as Gina was sorting through her lingerie. Perfect timing. From the little he saw, the woman had fantastic taste in unmentionables. When it came to what she wore over those little scraps of silk and lace, that was another story. She dressed loudly, in bold bright colors, and had no qualms about showing off her killer body. She had a style all her own and he wasn’t sure if he liked it, but as a man, he certainly appreciated it. Still, every time he’d seen her in the last two weeks, he’d felt the need to cover her up. He didn’t miss the fact that every other man who saw his wife drooled over her. Their marriage might be in name only, but no one else knew that.
    Gina turned toward him and laughed. “Only you would play waiter. Too bad you don’t have the outfit for it.”
    He looked down at his jeans and button-down shirt, set the champagne bucket and glasses on the dresser, and picked up a white-on-white corset. “No, but you can dress up if you want.”
    She slapped his hand and ripped the corset out of his grip. “Oh, yeah, as if you’re interested.”
    She had no idea. This, he reminded himself, was a good thing. “I do have fabulous taste in clothes. We should go shopping for a few evening gowns next time I’m in town.” When she made a face, he continued. “It’ll be fun. I’ll probably have a few benefits to go to when I get back and, if you remember, that was part of the deal.”
    She stopped what she was doing and looked into his eyes. All hint of her teasing smile was gone. “Don’t remind me. Please, really, don’t.” She threw her hands up in the air as if to encompass the entire house. “I’m going through culture shock as it is.” She turned her back to him. “Rosalie and Nick’s wedding was the dressiest thing I’ve ever gone to.” She looked back over her shoulder. “Give me some time before you start parading me around, would you?”
    Ben shrugged and pulled the champagne bottle out of the bucket.
    “What are you doing?” She turned around, stomped over to the dresser, and picked up the ice bucket obviously looking for another place to set it. She sat it on the carpeted floor, pulled the towel off his arm, and wiped the dresser where he’d set it in the first place. “Don’t ever put an ice bucket on the furniture. It’ll leave a ring. This stuff is probably antique and even if it isn’t, it’s hardly Salvation Army castoffs.”
    Ben picked up the bucket and set it on the marble table. “Is that better?”
    Gina furrowed her brow. “I don’t know. I guess since they make countertops out of marble, it’ll be okay. But put this under it just in case.” She tossed him the towel.
    “Yes, ma’am.” He did as she requested. “I didn’t think you liked the furniture.”
    “What are you talking about? I love it. I’m just not used to having furniture like this. High style for me was the