“The thing is, ma’am, as of this morning, you’re legally married.Do you want to file for divorce?”
“There’s no way to...I don’t know...just change the record back?”
The door creaks open, and a young woman sticks her head in.“Hey, George, there’s a bunch of reporters out here tryin’ to get a word with a Mrs.Roy.”
George gulps and stares at me.There’s a sheen of sweat on his bald head.
The young woman zeroes in on me.“Is that you?You married Rex Roy?”
“Uh, no?—”
“Actually, Denise, Mrs.Roy would like to file divorce papers.”
“Are you serious?”Denise props a hand on her hip, showcasing her acid-green nails.She looks me up and down, chomping her gum.“You just hooked him, and now you’re throwing him back?”
“Uh—” I glance back at George, who gives me a weak smile.
“Can I have him?”Denise waves a finger.“’Cause honey, the whole package works for me, you know what I’m sayin’?”
No!I’m surprised by a sudden surge of possessiveness.He’s mine.
Denise doesn’t give me a chance to answer.“I’ll get your divorce forms, stat.Fault or no-fault?”
I blink at her, trying to understand what she’s asking me.Before I can recall what fault or no-fault divorce means, she snaps her fingers to get my attention.“Will Mr.Roy be contesting?”
“Absolutely,” comes a deep voice.Rex appears behind Denise.Her mouth opens so wide her gum tumbles out.George also gapes.
But Rex has eyes only for me.
“Hello, wife.”
11
Inara
Rex smiles at me,cool possession in his gaze.My whole body flushes at the sight of him.I’m already amped up, but now I’m suddenly giddy, like I’m riding an adrenaline high.He’s claiming me publicly, and I’m not annoyed; I’m excited.I’m used to my body interpreting pain as pleasure, but this is a new type of masochism.
Or else I’m craving complete ownership more than I thought.
“Excuse me,” he says.“Can I have a moment to speak to Mrs.Roy?”
“Of course, sir.”George scrambles out of his own seat to offer it to Rex.It’s a revelation, watching Rex move through the world like the rich celebrity he is.
“Thank you.”Rex’s smooth tones remind me of a politician’s.“We’ll just be a moment.”
“Take all the time you need!”George hustles out, taking a starry-eyed Denise with him, but not before she wrangles an autograph out of Rex.
And then I’m shut in a clerk’s tiny office.Alone with Rex.
My new husband.
The room feels smaller with him in it.Like there’s not enough air.I stand to face him, crossing my arms over my chest to keep myself from touching him.I need to make clear that he’s in trouble, and swooning into his arms will give the wrong idea.“Does Roy Manor have a doghouse?Because that’s where you’ll be sleeping tonight.”
“No, darling.But you can have one installed on the grounds.You’re the mistress of the manor now.”
I narrow my eyes on him.If he thinks that’s tempting...he’d be right.The mansion is beautiful.I could spend years exploring all the rooms.I drop my arms and close the distance between us.The pull to go to him is too strong; I can’t resist it.I don’t want to.“I can’t believe you changed my name.Rex, what the hell?”I playfully smack his chest.
He grabs my hand and kisses it.The touch of his lips makes my pulse flutter.He is so sinfully handsome when he’s being bad.“Inara and Rex Roy-Ramos.Sounds perfect.”
