I barely have time to put on lipstick and brush my hair before he’s ushering us out the door with a hand on the small of my back. I try not to lean into it, but the warmth of his palm is so comforting.
We ride in silence. I can’t think of what to say. I want to ask about his family, but he hasn’t been open about them. They’ve been off limits. I didn’t expect to be invited over. I figured they didn’t want anything to do with his pretend wife.
There’s a foreign feeling in me as we sit in silence. It’s anxiety. Which is crazy because I don’t get nervous. Why do I even care?
But there’s so much unknown. Why did they invite me? What if it was only to drive a wedge between Dominic and me? What if they don’t approve of me and want me gone?
They were nice when we met at the wedding, but I was cold and distant. Definitely not a warm and welcoming addition to the family.
My husband doesn’t seem to share my unease though. He drives casually, weaving through traffic. I survey him, trying to find any sign of concern. His fingers grip the steering wheel a little too tight; his knuckles are a little too white.Good. I don’t want to be alone in my anxiety.
It relieves me that he’s in the same boat as me. I know he’s a master of hiding his emotions, but not from me. I can see through his act. And I can see his discomfort.
“Relax. I’m not going to stab any of them.” I break the silence with a joke.
He turns his head towards me and shoots me a glare.
“Too soon to joke about, then?” I tease him. He cracks a smile and lets out a small chuckle. It feels like winning the Stanley Cup to make him laugh.
“You barely stabbed me.” He rolls his eyes as he dismisses my claim to fame.
I gasp.
“How dare you! You needed the doctor to come stitch you up!” I swat his leg jokingly, but since it’s his left one, when I pull back, I accidentally brush overit.
Anditis hard.
And big.
And firm.
I freeze with my hand resting on his steel pipe.
He coughs and starts to laugh.
“Either start getting to work or let me go, but don’t just hold my cock,” he says through a chuckle.
I tighten my grip, and he hisses, then I pull back quickly.
“Why are you hard? We’re about to be with your family!” I try to sound disgusted, but I’m not sure I succeed.
“After our little encounter in the hallway, you can’t expect me to be anything but hard. Fuck, tiger. My blood just stopped boiling.” He runs his hand through his hair, messing it up.
“That’s unfortunate for you,” I muse, sounding unaffected. I keep my attention focused on my manicured fingernails instead of meeting his gaze. I can’t let him see that I’ve been just as affected.
“You’re telling me you feel nothing after that kiss? Hottest damn minute of my life. Cut too damn short.” He sounds so exasperated that I can’t help but grin. I love getting on his nerves.
“Honestly, wouldn’t even rank it top five hottest kisses for me,” I say nonchalantly.
“Bullshit,” he grits out. I see his fingers tighten on the steering wheel and can’t help but push him further.
“Well let’s see.” I start counting on my fingers. “There was Zeke in junior high. You never forget your first kiss. Then there was Gabriel at prom. Oh, that was a prom night I’ll never forget.” I chuckle at the fake memory, and it makes Dominic growl. I’m lying through my teeth. Half these kisses didn’t happen, and the ones that did, they didn’t come close to our kiss. “Skipping to college, there was Danny at the frat party. Now, he knew how to kiss… everywhere. Oh, I can’t forget Anton! He might deserve first place. I’ve never had dick like–”
“ENOUGH!” Dominic roars, cutting me off.
“Don’t raise your voice at me!” I reprimand him sharply. I reach over and squeeze his arm, digging my nails into it. Then I pat it condescendingly. “Yours deserves an honorable mention.”
“You’re such a fucking brat,” he mutters through clenched teeth.
