Page 40 of All Tied Down

“You know how much I hate wearing a tux.”

“Yeah, and I already ordered myself something with your credit card as a reward for putting up with all your bitching about it.”

Lips twitching, I try—and fail—to keep my composure, snorting out a laugh as he pops his hip and huffs.

But he’s smiling too.

“Is it something good?”

“Hmm?”

“What you ordered…is it something good?”

“Of course it’s something good; who do you think I am?”

“But you’re not going to tell me?”

“I’ll tell you when it arrives because I know you don’t actually care. You’re just trying to distract me from planning your social calendar.”

He’s not wrong.

“What about your social calendar?”

“What about it?” he asks a little too quickly, flustered by my question as his cheeks heat.

“Did you go out with Des yet?”

“No.” He pauses and licks his lips before clearing his throat. “I haven’t figured out if he’s interested yet. Or available.”

“Huh,” I say before I can stop myself.

“What? It’s not like your wife was any help.”

“Do you need help?”

“Not usually. But he’s…guarded.”

“Some people like a challenge.” He opens his mouth, presumably to protest, but I hold up my hand. “You took me on.”

“Yes, and you’ve filled my cup of hard work for the rest of my life.”

“I’m not that bad.” I scoff and Theo’s eyes widen to comic proportions.

“I beg your finest pardon.” He gasps, clutching his nonexistent pearls as Emerson walks in the door, her gaze bouncing between us.

“Am I interrupting something?” she asks wryly, and I take the opportunity to take her in.

Fucking gorgeous.

“Only your husband trying to pretend he’s not a lot of work.”

“Musicians are temperamental,” she agrees and I gape at her.

“I am not.”

“See what I have to deal with?” Theo laments and I roll my eyes.

“I’m a lot of work but I fully admit it.” She winks and that small acknowledgment goes straight to my dick as if her mere presence can jump-start my libido.