Page 168 of Falling for the Wife

Something broke, like a blasted damn, and everything became a blur as I made love to my woman.

? C

It was after the second time we made love that Stella rolled atop me, kissing my face, when her curiosity got to her. “So, where are your dates?”

I studied her face before responding to her with honesty. “Well, I sent them away.” My arms wrapped around her hips before I rolled her onto her back.

“Right.”

I kissed her some more. “Very right.” This felt right… there were no other words for it.

“How many women have you shagged since me?”

That broke our connected lips as I peered into her face, wondering. “Is this a question you really want me to answer?”

She looked away before nodding her head. “Yes. It is. I need to know.”

“Really?” I had to make sure.

Eyes darted me a hateful glare. “Fuck yes. Now hurry and stop making me crazy.”

“Not one.”

She cursed as she pushed me off, enraged. “Not one what?Not one redhead, but tons of blondes?None what?”

She didn’t believe me, yet it was the truth. “Not onewoman, Stella.”

That made her think for a second. “You weren’t even tempted? Not even oral?”

“No. Not once.” I sighed. “Although I did want to try, I couldn’t do it.”

Her eyes turned into slits. “Not even with those dates? You shared a room with them.”

“Nope.”

My answer didn’t seem to please her an iota.

“So, you’re telling me that you had two beddable women and you what?Played Scrabble together?” Stella pressed further.

How did I explain this without sounding odd?

“They were for show, okay?” Best I kept going with that statement. “I didn’t want to look so affected after you, so I had to keep up a façade. The girls were able to do what they liked as long as they remained here while I worked in the adjacent office. Most times, they did online shopping, painted their toenails and played Candy Crush. Does that suffice or do you need me to give you a whole rundown?”

“Candy Crush? Great.” She pushed me back on the bed, grinning. “Nope. I think you’re in the clear.”

I think I’m falling for you, the words surfaced as I kissed her, however now I had come to realize that I didn’t need to insert thethink… I was mad for her, but my fear had gotten the best of me.

The four-letter word frightened the living daylights out of me. I knew I should’ve said it then, yet saying it out loud made it all too real… and I wasn’t certain if I was ready to step in that direction.

The point of no return. The second I announced those words to her, I could never take them back. Not only was I frightened, but I was also hesitant that what I was feeling right at this moment might not be the real thing. It could be infatuation or a fleeting moment of madness because I was so caught up in needing her, wanting her in my life. So I had held my tongue in check, knowing it was wiser to say them when I had no doubt, no room for uncertainty over whether it was truly what I felt for her—and I had come to that—I knew now. It was only a matter of time until I told her the truth.

Life was certainly brighter.

? C

For two days, we joined the rest of my friends and explored the little cities along the French and Italian Riviera. I had never felt more fun, carefree and very much besotted by having Stella with me.

It was our last night. Tomorrow, we were heading back to the real world—back to London—so I decided to take her to Positano and enjoy a moment with her. As much as I liked being with my friends, I needed to spend some time with Stella. Yes, I bloody needed it.