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“Special is the last word I would use to describe you.” It feels far too generic for someone like her.
My eyes bulge as he shoves a spoon full of cake into my open mouth. “I finally found the perfect way to shut you up.” I glare at him as I taste the most delicious dessert I’ve ever had. His gaze remains glued to my lips as he drags the clean spoon past them. “All I need to do is keep your mouth permanently occupied.” I graciously proceed to choke.
What I’d pay to hear a second of her thoughts. Millions. Maybe even billions.
“Kiss her again and I’ll enjoy ripping your tongue from your throat.” He holds up his hands. “The only reason I told you about our kiss is so that you can stop thinking I want to make a move on her. I’m not interested in her like that. Trust me.” “Because the kiss was terrible,” I repeat back in a voice erased of any emotion. “Because she was never meant to be mine in the first place.”
Damn right she wasn’t. Fake marriage or not, Iris is destined to be with one man and one man only. Me.
I find it difficult to tear my eyes away from Iris as we walk down the aisle toward the exit of the church. She is the embodiment of elegance and grace, with her smile as dazzling as the new diamond band on her finger. The ring serves as a reminder of her promise to me.
Kissing her is addictive. Thrilling. So damn wrong I can’t help questioning why it isn’t right.
I sigh. “Jose does have a way with words.” His arms tighten around me. “Who the fuck is Jose?” I grin into the lapel of his jacket. “Nobody important.” “Good, then at least no one will miss him when he’s dead.”
“I was out on my run and grabbed you some coffee.” “From Joe’s?” It is eerie how she knows that. “Yes.” “French vanilla with whole milk?” My teeth grind together. “Obviously.” Her muffled moan through the door sends a current of energy down my spine. “And extra whipped cream?” I sigh. “Open your door and find out.”
I have come to realize that, while her smile might be my weakness, her damp lashes clinging together will surely be my downfall.
“I don’t treat you like everyone else.”
“No one can replace you.”
“She taught me how anyone can buy a house, but not everyone can buy a home. With a house, you can buy it, sell it, renovate it.” I point at the TV. “But a home is more abstract. It’s not a place, but a feeling I can’t describe, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.”
“I’m enjoying the view.” She glances out the window. “Says the man who hasn’t even looked outside once.” “That’s not the view I’m talking about.”
“I’m not confused. Far from it, actually. I know exactly what I want.” “And what is that?” “You.”
“Then ask me what word I would use to describe you.” I really shouldn’t, but curiosity wins out. “Fine. What word?” There’s something about the way he looks at me when he says it that makes butterflies take flight in my stomach. “Yuánfèn.”
Declan: Yuánfèn. I consider ignoring it, but curiosity wins as I pull up my search bar and type the word in the box with shaky fingers. The results are mind-blowing. Yuánfèn: A predestined infinity.
“Watch me.” I can’t do anything but watch her. I’m entranced
“What are you doing?” “Helping my wife.” My throat bobs. “You’re growing a bit too comfortable with that nickname for my liking.” “I use it to remind you of your place.” “And what’s that?” “Mine.”
He gives my hand another squeeze as if to remind me of our connection. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to keep you by my side.”
“Who knew you were such a nice guy underneath your grumpy exterior?” “Don’t go telling anyone else or they’ll be disappointed to find out it’s only for you.” Looks like the reporter was right. Declan does have a soft spot for me after all. “Why?” “Forelsket1.”
“Stop fighting and give me ten minutes.” “You don’t deserve ten seconds, let alone ten minutes of my time.” “How about ten words then?” I laugh. “I’d like to see you try.” “I am falling in love with you, Iris Elizabeth Kane.”
“Because I chose it for you.” “I’m sorry, what?” “I read somewhere online that sans serif fonts are easier for people with dyslexia to read, so I changed my requirements. Forced everyone else I oversee to switch with me or else they would face my wrath. All because I wanted to help you.”
“I couldn’t care less about anyone else’s happiness besides your own.”
“I do because it would make you happy.”
“We could have one kid or five, so long as you only have them with me. I’ll give you the minivan life, solely if you want it.”
“Daisuki1.” His deep thrust makes me gasp. “Szeretlek2.” He presses his lips against my forehead. My pulse flutters at the gesture, sending a rush of pleasure all the way to my toes. “Ich liebe dich3.”
I’m a mess inside. She doesn’t even seem to be looking at me but rather through me. Her glistening eyes serve as a window to her soul, and what I find is devastating. A beautifully broken soul who happens to be a mirror of mine.
I miss my wife. She belongs next to me, complaining about how I like to cuddle although she secretly loves it. I’d do anything to hear her groan about my alarm clock in the morning or for the grumpy kiss I get before I crawl out of bed to go work out.
No position feels comfortable without her. You’re fucked. I turn over for the third time and stare at the cactus she bought me two years ago. Don’t be a prick. I’ll try. Just for her.
“I miss you.” “It’s been less than twenty-four hours since you last saw me.” “The addiction gene runs strong in my family. Take pity on your husband.”
“I miss you so damn much, I don’t know what to do with myself. The house is too quiet and the bathroom is far too clean. Even pasta doesn’t taste the same without you cooking it.”
“Please. I’m miserable without you.”
“She’s still my wife. That chair is hers regardless of her occupation status, so use the other one.”
“Of course I miss him. I miss him so damn much it makes me sick to my stomach because I feel guilty for wanting him in the first place.”
“I’ll give you anything you want—anything at all—so long as you give me a chance to make you as happy as you make me. A dog. A family. A home. I want it all. These are my terms and conditions, take it or leave it because I’m not open to negotiations.”
“I thought about letting you pick a place, but when my real estate agent sent me this listing, I knew it was the one. I drove out the same day to check it out and put an offer on it.” “Why?” I croak. “Because there is nothing I want more than to turn a house into a home with you.”
“You can’t buy people’s love like that.” His eyes twinkle. “I don’t want other people’s love. I want yours.” “You already have it.”
“Good to know I’ve been feeding you well.” “Feeding me? More like spoiling me.” Declan comes home by dinnertime every night just to cook me a balanced meal. At first, I thought it was a one-time thing, but he has made it a point to be home by 7:00 p.m. every day. “Get used to it.” “For how long?” Once he becomes CEO, I doubt he will have time for small traditions like that. “Indefinitely.” I blink. “Even when you’re CEO?” “Especially when I am. You keep me sane.”
