More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Lauren Asher
Read between
July 6 - July 7, 2025
To anyone fighting an invisible battle. I see you.
IRIS
I WAS HOPING IT WOULD BE IRIS TO MARRY DECLAN. Im kicking my feet ready
“Special is the last word I would use to describe you.” It feels far too generic for someone like her.
Haha WOWWWW okay right off the bat. Way to go Declan w the curve ball
You’ll always be unlovable. My father’s voice slithers through my head at the most inconvenient moments, sending a chill across my skin.
Okay so Seth was a shit bag dad to multiple of his children. Got it
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.
No sexual inuendos here...
“Although a soundproof bedroom doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” Her brows jump. “For them or you?” “Them. Mine was remodeled years ago.” She instantly becomes interested in looking at anything but my face. What I’d pay to hear a second of her thoughts. Millions. Maybe even billions.
She rolls her eyes. “You’re no fun.” “This isn’t supposed to be fun.” Yet it certainly doesn’t feel like work.
“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 can assure you that I will always have Iris’s best interests at heart.” Even if they jeopardize mine.
“Iris, I offer you this ring as a reminder of my commitment to you, our marriage, and our future. Let it serve as a symbol of my devotion to you, from this day on.”
“Declan, I give you this ring as a symbol of my promises to you, as your partner and friend. May it serve as a reminder that even during our hardest days, you can always count on me to stand by your side.”
“You’re supposed to carry me into the house, not out of here.” He sighs like I’m the biggest inconvenience in the world. “You couldn’t walk a straight line out the door in flats, let alone in those shoes.” “Hmm.” His brows pull together. “What?” “Maybe you care about me after all.” “That’s the alcohol talking.” 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.”
lift her chin with my finger. “Tell me.” She sighs, and it takes an exorbitant amount of effort not to shake the answers out of her. “Promise not to do anything illegal if I tell you?” “No.” Her head drops. “You’re not going to be happy.” “I’m never happy.” Except for rare occasions. All of which Iris is a part of.
“Selling a story,” he whispers. “Then settle down, Romeo. This is a romance, not a porno.”
“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.”
“Are you stating the obvious solely to annoy me?” “Of course not. I’m simply pointing out the stakes. There is far too much riding on our relationship for us to screw it up because we’re horny and confused.” I don’t miss the way she says we, although I think she did. “I’m not confused. Far from it, actually. I know exactly what I want.” “And what is that?” “You.”
Our marriage might be fake, but these feelings burning inside me are anything but. It’s only a matter of time before I make her mine. She just doesn’t know it yet.
“No. That’s all thanks to your last name being on the building,” I tease. “Our name.” I roll my eyes. “For now.” “Quick to get rid of me already, Wife?” Somehow, one word seems to cause a rush of warmth from my head to my toes. Danger. Red alert. DEFCON 1 activated.
“Marriage is like going on a road trip with the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, except you have no map or fancy GPS system to help you out. You might not always agree on what music to play or which direction you should go. I can guarantee there will be moments you want to rip your hair out—or each other’s. Just like there will be times that test you, where you think that maybe things would be easier if you hitch a ride with someone else. The point is, life is going to throw a lot of things at you. Stuff like flat tires, dead ends, and mechanical issues. But you can either
...more
She smiles up at me. “You’re not dancing.” I’m not sure I’m even breathing. She laughs as she wraps her arms around my neck and tugs me closer. “Move your hips to the music.” I try and fail which makes her break out into another fit of laughter. If that’s the reward I get for looking like an idiot, so be it.
By the time the auctioneer steps away from the podium, I’ve spent over fifty-million dollars solely for the rush I get whenever Iris smiles.
“I lost track of time.” She gasps as she checks her phone. “It’s midnight!” “You’ll make it home before you turn into a pumpkin, princess.” “That’s not even how the story goes.” Her laugh is muffled by the material of my tux as I carry her out the door. “Close enough.” “You’re a disgrace to your last name.” I smack her ass for that comment.
“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.”
“Why?” “Forelsket1.” His raspy whisper makes me feel like he shares a secret I can’t decode. “Spell it for me.” I pull out my phone. He shakes his head as if it can erase the tiny smile on his face. “Some words aren’t meant to be translated.” “That’s such a lie! All your words have translations.” “Correction. Some words aren’t meant to be translated by you.”
“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.”
While Declan might not be the best with words, his kiss says it all. He is falling in love with me. No translation necessary.
For the first time ever, I’m not afraid of love. If this is what it feels like, I’m willing to try, consequences be damned.
“I fucked up.” “It’s nothing some good groveling can’t fix.” “Groveling?” “Get in the car and I’ll explain.”
“What are you doing?” “Proposing to you in the middle of a rainstorm in a Tom Ford suit.”
I haven't stopped crying fo the last 20 minutes make it stop
“Marry me for real this time. No contract. No inheritance. No expectations other than for you to love me despite all the reasons you probably shouldn’t.”
