My clothes on her body. My ring on her finger. A custom Artemis watch around her wrist. Small, annoying, frustratinglyhot ways I’m touching her without my hands, when that’s all I fucking want to do.
I want it so much that it’s driving me insane.
“Can we continue this argument lying down?” I pull back the covers and grab the book I’m reading.
“I have a few stipulations.”
“Of course you do.”
“Sleeping in the same bed permanently is a quid pro quo agreement. We both benefit.” She slips into the bed beside me. “Right?”
“Yes. Very quid pro quo.” I meet her chestnut eyes. This feels like a farce. A lie we’re both indulging in, because it feels far safer than sincerity.
“I panic less. You have fewer nightmares,” she says.
“Win-win,” I agree.
“Yes. We might as well get something out of this marriage. Beyond saving my company and all that. But we shouldn’t… cuddle. Not on a regular basis.”
“Of course not,” I agree. “Not on a regular basis.”
“Only on special occasions,” she says. There’s a smile on her face that she tries hard to hide, and it does something to me.
I think this woman might break me.
“Deal,” I say, and think of the news I have to tell her tomorrow.
She’s going to hate me for it.
CHAPTER 57
GROUP CHAT
West
Please give us an update on how the happy couple is doing.
Alex
I want to know if you’re still kissing like you did in the kitchen, “hating” one another.
Rafe
If you want gossip, don’t come to me.
Alex
It’s not called gossip when it’s coming directly from the source.
James
Have you fallen in love with your wife yet?
West
Very blunt. Excellent work.
James
