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But then he wasn’t my first choice of husband. I wanted Sebastian Lasker.
Me too
Thinking about the city reminds me of the girl I met eleven years ago.
Really?
Sebastian tightens his arm around my waist, pulling me closer and making me gasp. Little fireworks go off along my back where he’s touching, and his mouth slants over mine. His tongue pushes in between my lips, strokes mine. He plunders me like he has the right—like I’m his property. I should be alarmed, even offended, at the blatant display of ownership, but the hot rush from the kiss makes it seem unimportant. Every inch of my body heats and shivers with a potent thrill. I grip his shoulder, feeling like the ground is shifting.
I need his perspective ASAP!!!
I rise to greet her. She hugs me, dispensing air kisses. Her breasts press against my chest, and her soft floral scent washes over me. Lust stirs in my gut, and her smile is overbright. I wonder if she knows the effect she has on men. On me.
That's right! Catch feels!
He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me away from Jason and drawing me close until my side is flush against his. At this distance I can smell his pine scent and soap—something minty and refreshing. His body radiates so much heat that I start to tingle. I make a surreptitious attempt to put a little space between us, but his arm just tightens.
Jealous much lol
Then suddenly, she smiled. I always thought she had a pretty smile, but this was nothing like what I’d seen before. It changed her entire countenance. All her defenses came down, and her eyes sparkled more brilliantly than our finest diamonds. She revealed a vulnerable side, glowing like the full moon in a midnight sky.
Poet much lol
She’s never given me a true smile. And she’s never hugged me like I meant anything, even though I’m her fiancé.
He's so butthurt lol
“I take my wedding vows seriously. And I won’t be going to other women when I can have you.”
And I oop!
Before she can respond, I crash my mouth down on hers, claiming her in an openly carnal kiss. She lets out a muffled gasp, but I don’t care as my tongue glides in. I devour her, ravishing her mouth like I own it. Her breathing goes erratic. She slides her hand up, along my arm and shoulder. Then her fingers are plunging into my hair, holding me close.
*giggling*
“Please,” she whimpers finally. “Tell me what you want from your husband,” I say, “wife.”
Sebastian!!!
I put my arm under her knees and scoop her up, positioning her so her head rests against my shoulder. She buries her face, and her fingers squirm against my chest, betraying her unease.
Aww!
Since all of us studied in Europe, we speak French, in addition to German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish—and of course English. So I oblige. “Elle l’aime.”
Wow! What a turn on!
“I’m going to strip her of her title as CEO of Peery Diamonds.”
YOU WOULDN'T DARE!!! *Edit: HE DARED!*
I narrow my eyes. “If by some miracle you win, I’ll get on my knees and go down on you until you come three times.”
What happened to wagering money??
“Watch your tone if you want to keep your teeth. Nobody talks to my wife with disrespect.”
Yes Sebastian!
“She was. You call my wife your fiancée again, and I’ll break your face.”
Sir please!
Sebastian takes another step forward, which puts him right in Preston’s face. “What part of ‘she’s my wife’ did you not understand?” Menace radiates from him. Preston’s going to get punched for real if he doesn’t quit.
That would be so hot...what
“We won!” she says, pulling back a little to face me. The smile on her lips hits me like a bolt of lightning, sudden and powerful. The one she bestowed upon Jason in San Francisco that made me seethe was a lightning bug compared to the one she’s giving me right now.
Act right and you can get more
He studies me for a moment, then lifts his heated gaze to look into my eyes. “My pretty wife.” His whisper rumbles over me like dark thunder. “So hot for me.”
*giggling and kicking my feet*
“Good girl.”
You can see the feminism leave my body
“I’m serious,” he says. “You show up. You spent years learning to master the skills on the court, which lazy and undisciplined people can’t. I know because I’ve done it. You have a mischievous sense of humor. You don’t back down from a challenge, and you understand me without my having to spell everything out.” He stops abruptly.
Aww!
“What?” He blinks, then looks at me like he almost doesn’t recognize me. “Nothing.”
Run it back Sebastian!
Our time is scarily normal, almost as if there were no contract. Something is shifting between us. And I want to see what happens from here—how far it can go.
I swear if he messes this up, I will f*** him up!
I send the guest QR code to her phone and smile. Maybe this can be the start of a beautiful friendship.
Please Lord!
And my nipples get pointed like…tiny little hos with minds of their own.
Screaming!
The smile she gives me makes me feel a hundred feet tall. And I have an inexplicable desire to never disappoint her.
You still trying to swipe her company???
“Thank you. These are gorgeous,” I whisper, then look up at his handsome face, at his eyes gazing at me like my reaction means everything to him. “I happened to be in our L.A. flagship store. These caught my eye and made me think of you.” He plucks them out of the box and places them over my hair. “See? Perfect.” My heart pounds as pleasure warms my body. I look at my reflection. “They are.” “You are perfect, wife,” he corrects me, then places a sweet kiss on my temple.
Got me crying at work! If he still betrays her, I swear on everything that is holy!
“Talk to my wife like that again, and I’ll make sure you never talk at all.”
*giggling*
“She’s my wife. Nobody touches what’s mine.”
I'm jumping up and down right now lol
I still don’t know how the asshole crashed the party, but I’m going to find out. And fire the security team hired for the event. Actually, that isn’t enough. I’m going to sue them into oblivion.
It must be nice being rich lol
I wasn’t kidding about destroying him if he doesn’t stay away. Actually, I’m going to go ahead and do that anyway,
As you should!
“He’s being insubordinate, talking to you like that. You’re entitled to get rid of him for creating a hostile work environment. This is your kingdom, Luce. Defend it.”
Why?? So you can take it away from me????
“Only the people who are close enough to stick a knife in your back can betray you.”
I had my suspicions
The jealousy that spread through me like poison because of that smile she gave Jason… My uncontrollable spike of libido every time I see her… The fury that spiraled out of control when Karl backhanded her… The ragged lacerations each of her tears created in my heart… The overwhelming need to make everyone who hurt her suffer… And the profound desire to shield her from the ugly world… I’ve been kidding myself. None of that is because she’s my wife and I’m feeling what a proper husband should. I care about her. No. Care is too diluted. I think about my brothers—Emmett, Griffin and Grant.
...more
Finally!
Of all the betrayals of my life, his is the hatchet that cleaves my soul. The pain robs my lungs of air, my mind of words.
*crying angry tears*
“I’m going to have a chat with my father. Hae Min will not deal with a replacement. We want Lucie. And you”—she points at me—“can consider yourself persona non grata until you fix the mess you’ve made.”
Yuna a real one!
“It better not. A woman who doesn’t lose her temper with a child ruining a one-of-a-kind dress and soothes him with ice cream is a lot nicer than anybody says. I hope you didn’t hurt her because of some silly tabloid gossip?” The glare is now a death laser.
This is a Yuna stan account!
Her tone turns dry, like she’s talking to somebody who’s too intellectually challenged to know better. “Obviously things can’t be the same when you hurt someone I regard as a friend, can they? You’ll have a lot of convincing to do.”
Period!
It was weird to be unplugged at first, but now that it’s been a few weeks, I enjoy the peace. Besides, who’s going to text me? I have no friends or family. I don’t even have a job. And Jeremiah has Matthias’s number. She can get in touch with him if she wants to talk to me.
That's the single, saddest thing ever. Curse you Sebastian!
“If I tell you to crawl on your knees for me, will you?” “For you?” A corner of his mouth lifts, as though he’s saying, That’s all? “Over the proverbial mile of broken glass.”
Bitch, get to crawling!
“You are worth it, Lucienne Peery. You are the prize. I can do this over and over again until you believe that.”
Sir PLEASE!!!
He takes my hand from his head and threads his fingers through mine, his wedding band warm against my skin. He presses his cheek to the back of my hand and looks up at me like a man who has his prize in sight. “All’s fair in love and war. And this is love.”
Damn it!
Yuna adds, “He should pay for hurting my friend.”
Yes Yuna!
He takes a sip of the dry Riesling he’s poured for me, then gently but firmly takes my hair in his hand, the other arm going around me, and claims my mouth. His tongue glides over my lips, then slips inside. There’s an aroma of the wine I’ve been enjoying so much, but it’s the taste of him that’s making my heart pound.
Oooh
A sad, dry smile twists his lips. “This is why.” He dips his head until his forehead touches mine. “I have to stop because you don’t believe I love you.”
Oh man
“Yes. I’m so damn fucking sure.” It’s unnerving to say it out loud. “I’m worthy of everything. I’m worthy of love. I am enough. And I’m going to say that out loud every time you try to mess with me.”
Yes ma'am!
He reaches inside the case, plucks a stunning violet iolite hydrangea pin and sticks it in my hair. “Made it just for you because this was your favorite design.”
“You’re the moon in my night sky. I’m just putting a few stars around you so you can shine even brighter.”
Bitch!
