Page 9 of Cord

“Remind me. What grounds are we divorcing on? Like the legal speak of it,” he clarifies.

“Oh, uh, right.” I grab my phone and pull up a website on the North Carolina annulment laws. “So, we’re not cousins, can’t use that one. No mistaken pregnancy here. We’re both adults, so that’s a negative.”

“What else is there?”

I click my phone screen off. “Don’t worry. I’ll have my friend fill it out. You can just sign.”

“You wouldn’t be thinking about doing it on the grounds of impotency, would you? Because I think we both know that’s not going to stand up in court. Or do I need to remind you of what your husband did last night?”

My cheeks heat even though I have no idea what he’s talking about. “No reminders necessary.”

He smirks. “Good. Then looks like we’ll have to dissolve this the old-fashioned way, over a divorce. Takes about a year in North Carolina, isn’t that right?”

I sigh because I know he’s right. I can’t get this annulled because Cord is very clearly hung like a horse. “I’m going to hit the shower.”

He stands, showing off his naked body and all of that golden skin I want to lick. Did I do that last night? Ugh, a girl can hope. “Great idea. We can conserve water.”

“Alone. I was planning to shower alone,” I tell him, surprised that my voice doesn’t squeak. But now I’m thinking about what it would be like to have him touching me and to be touching him under the shower spray.

He shrugs. “Then I guess I’ll order room service.”

My stomach rolls at the idea of food thanks to the migraine that’s slowly getting worse by the minute. I’m sure realizing that I’m stuck in this marriage isn’t helping my pain. I start toward the bathroom then turn back to him, feeling almost shy. “About last night...was I good?”

The smile he gives me isn’t mean or teasing. Instead, it’s gentle and filled with affection I don’t understand. “Last night was the best night of my life.”

In the bathroom, I fill a glass of water and swallow some pain relievers. Then I check my phone, glad to see the picture of Molly and Milo with Ronnie. I know they’re both in safe hands this week. I take a quick shower then wrap myself in the hotel’s plush robe.

When I step out of the bathroom, Cord is at the kitchenette dining table. He’s dressed again, wearing the same outfit from yesterday before the wedding. Blue flannel layered over a white t-shirt with snug blue jeans and well-worn cowboy boots. His Stetson must be around here somewhere.

He’s sitting at the table with a huge spread of food. He gestures to it. “I didn’t know your preference, so I went with some of everything.”

I can barely stomach the smell of food even though I’m normally a breakfast eater. My voice is quiet, pain evident in it. “My dad texted. The original limo driver flaked.”

Cord must notice because he drops his voice. “Do you need me to drive?”

“No, my dad didn’t want to send someone else. He’s insisting on seeing us off.” I frown. It’s not a task he would normally do, but I don’t tell Cord this. No sense in both of us being nervous.

He butters a stack of pancakes then reaches for a pitcher of syrup. “Are you a toast, bagel, or pancakes girl? I couldn’t decide which one you’d want. I did sample the cheesy eggs. Those are tasty.”

I blow out my breath. “You don’t understand. I’m going to the airport to take our honeymoon. I can’t have my dad see me leave alone for my flight. I need you to come along.”

He sets the syrup on the table. “I reckon I could go on our honeymoon. That might be nice, seeing as couples normally do that together.”

I glare at him. “We’re not really married.”

His gaze roams up and down my body, heating me in ways I didn’t know a man could. “If we’re not really married, then why do we need a divorce?”

Chapter 5

Mira

I swallow for the second time in thirty seconds. My nausea has ratcheted to a solid ten now that I’m waiting in the airport for our flight. “Is my dad still here?”

“Don’t worry about him,” Cord says, taking the hard, plastic seat next to me. He disappeared for a few minutes, and for one horrifying second, I wondered if he was abandoning me right here before our honeymoon. But he returned with a plastic bag. He passes me an electrolyte drink and a pack of sea salt chips. “You’re hungover. You need sodium and fluids.”

I twist the cap off the drink and take a tiny, hesitant sip to see how my stomach responds. Thankfully, it doesn’t lurch and I take two more small ones. “Thanks for this. But I’ll pass on the sodium. It makes women swell, that’s what Stuart always said.”

He leans close, invading my space which isn’t hard to do in these tiny seats. “Number one, your ex was an idiot. Number two, your health matters the most. I want my wife to be healthy and strong. I want her to feel good, so don’t let that fuckwit have any more space inside your head. You got it?”