Page 124 of The Wright Man

I swallowed hard and headed for his man cave.

Maybe if I let Gavin remind my body who it was supposed to want—maybe, just maybe—I could stop wanting someone I was never supposed to have.

I opened the door and found him where I always found him—planted in his gaming chair like a damn oversized mushroom, headset on, jaw tight, yelling at somebody through the screen like he was getting paid for it.

"Gavin."

He glanced over his shoulder at me, eyes narrowing just slightly in surprise—maybe confusion. Definitely irritation.

And then I let my robe fall open.

"I'm ready to cash in that rain check."

The controller clattered to the floor. His headset flew off his head so fast it slapped the arm of his chair. On screen, his character took a bullet to the dome and rag-dolled on the battlefield, but Gavin didn't even blink. He was on me like he hadn't eaten in weeks, hands greedy and mouth greedier.

His lips crashed against mine. His hands found every part of me they could reach—my hips, my ass, my breasts—like he was trying to squeeze validation out of me.

His fingers yanked at my hair. His breath was already heavy in my ear as he backed me into the bedroom.

"Gavin," I moaned—again and again—more as a mantra than a plea. A reminder. A command.

You want Gavin.

You're married to Gavin.

Your body craves Gavin.

"You missed me, Angie?" he growled, voice low and possessive in my ear.

"Yes," I breathed, trying to sound like I meant it.

But the words didn't settle. They tasted like metal and regret in the back of my throat.

Because it felt… off. All of it.

He touched me like a possession. Like something to be claimed. Like I was a thing to conquer, not a person to please.

Maleek touched you like you mattered.

I shoved that thought down so fast I nearly choked on it. Focus. This was my husband. This was safe, right? Familiar. He just needed time. We both did. We were just out of practice.

I reached into his boxers, found him already hard, and tried—desperately—to ignore the way my body flinched at the feel of him. Tried not to compare him to the heat that had branded itself between my legs less than an hour ago. Tried not to remember the weight of Maleek's body, the size of him pressing into me like a brand I could still feel.

I tried. And I failed. Again.

Gavin hissed through his teeth. "Fuck, Angie… That's it. I missed how eager you are. You dripping for me already, huh?"

"Uh huh." I forced out, detached and distant as I pulled his shirt over his head.

Lie, lie, lie.

I pulled him toward the bed, trying to pull him down with me, desperate for eye contact. For something human in all this performance.

But he resisted.

"Bend it over for me, baby," he said, breath hot against my neck.

"No." I shook my head, gently, firmly, trying to stay grounded. "Been too long. I need to see you."