It won’t work. The lines show.
I slide my panties off, look again.
Much better. No marks, nothing breaking the silhouette.
“Are you preparing to give me easier access, wife?” Flynn’s voice makes me jump. He stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame, eyes dragging slowly over my body. There’s fire in them, hungry and consuming.
“No,” I blush, stepping back. “No sex in the pretty dress.” I try to sound firm, but my voice betraysme.
“Not now.” He steps closer. His fingers brush the hem of the dress, and my skin prickles, breath catching. “But after.”
His mouth dips to my neck. “Are you wet?”
“Y-yes.”
“Good girl.” He steps back, green eyes flashing. “I’ll take your ass tonight.” The warning is quiet, a whisper that brings a chill down my spine, but he doesn’t say anything else; he turns and walks out.
My heart drops, exploding into excitement and fear.
I put my makeup on, the one Flynn got me. I do it a little heavier than I usually wear, with my hair loose, long waves down my back. The deep red lipstick puts it all together.
I walk to the hallway and stop, seeing Flynn and Kaden near the bar, both in tailored black suits, their shirts with three buttons open. Flynn’s chest tattoos peeking out. Their hair slicked back, Flynn has some strands looser, covering part of his eyes. I look to the hand holding the glass, and I see it, our wedding ring. Glowing under the dim light.
I married Flynn Brady.
My breathing picks up, and I catch myself in the mirror near the bar where they stand. The air feels too heavy. “I can’t.” I say, and run back to the room.
“Autumn.” Flynn calls after me, but I don’t stop. I enter the room and slam the door, but I hear him catching it.
“Autumn, look at me.” He orders, but I can’t move. My head is going a hundred miles. It’s Flynn, six foot six of pure muscles, tattoos, money. And I’m a photographer.
It’s childish, but I can’t fight the feeling of insecurity. Showing up at Teine as his wife is terrifying me.
“Autumn!” His voice is louder, and I flinch. “Turn the fuck around.”
I swallow and turn; he stands there, in his full height, breathing heavily, hands in fists.
“Talk to me.” His tone is controlled, but his body tells another story.
“I can’t go to Teine.” I tell him.
“Why? You were the one who asked to go.” His eyes are locked on mine, those beautiful burning green eyes that look like a forest.
“The women there—” I stop myself, knowing how ridiculous it sounds.
He lets out a breath, his body relaxing. “I thought you got a text from—” He stops and strides towards me.
“Autumn, I don’t give a shit about anyone else but you. I’m thirty-six years old; if I wanted to marry any of them, don’t you think I would’ve?” He grabs my chin. “You are the only one for me. The only one I can lose myself with and show my true self to. You are my every fucking thing.”
He kisses me, hard, his hand pressing on my lower back, and I let myself melt into him.
He grabs my hand, and we walk out of the room. Kaden is waiting at the door; he and Flynn exchange a look, and smile. We head down the elevator and head to Teine.
We arrive, and there is a huge line outside, but Kaden drives around the building and heads to the back. A huge bouncer stands at the door.
Flynn opens the door and helps me out; my breathing picks up as we head to the door. When it opens, the sound makes my entire body jump, the bass pulses, I see the lights flashing in the distance.
We approach the main floor, and my feet feel heavy, my skin is burning, and as my mind starts to spiral, I feel him. Flynn, his huge hand on mine, holding, intertwining his fingers with mine, and I look at him. He is staring ahead, chin imposing, strong, a menace in a black suit and tattoos, and it hits me all over again.
