Page 25 of Falling for the Wife

Thank God, he diverted attention to safer waters. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself had he continued on. Besides, there was some good news to be shared. “I’m not pregnant. It’s a false positive.”

Jared didn’t immediately respond. He took a good minute until he finally spoke again. “Are you relieved?”

“Very much,” I murmured, relieved, “although I’d love to have a litter of babies someday. Eighteen’s not a good age to start a family. I’m glad I can put that all behind me now.”

“Have you spoken to Jack Yates?”

Jack. Damn. “Not yet, no, but I do intend to call him sometime tonight.”

“Are you planning to tell him about the false-positive pregnancy?”

“Not if I can help it.” Jack wasn’t one of my brightest moments. It sure gave credence to those sayings about broken hearts making unwise decisions. Had Jared not swooped in the way he did, I had a feeling I’d still be on the yacht with Jack, trying not to let him win me over. The thought made me shiver. I was weak, and it was mortifying to be reminded of it.

“Do you plan on resuming your relationship with him?”

What was with the interrogation? Disconcerted, I slowly peeled my eyes open. As I did so, I found him intensely gazing at me. Therefore, I let my head roll to the side, fully facing him until our eyes met. Vivid cerulean blues probed my gaze. “Why are you so curious? Do I have to report if I’m to see or date a guy from now on?”

“Yes,” he responded with an unwavering stare. “It’s for your own safety. If you do intend on being with another man, I expect you to be on birth control as well.” There was an edge to his voice, as if condescending, as if reprimanding a mere child instead of addressing an adult.

“You’re full of commands. Are you always this way?” I’d have taken offense, too, but I supposed I understood where he was coming from. “I’ve taken care of birth control. So you need not worry about my sex life.” Speaking of which, my curiosity ran amuck. And it couldn’t be helped; I had to know. My fingers touched the collar of his dress shirt, tracing it with my fingertip. “How was it?” I guardedly inquired before lifting my eyes to clash with his.

His eyes cautiously flickered to mine, wary. “How was what?”

“Rose,” I succinctly said, “Was the sex good?”

Light eyes immediately darkened, aghast at my audacious attitude. “Gisele—”

I decided to cut him off, shrugging with nonchalance. “It’s an honest question. I don’t mean anything by it.” Even I didn’t believe it, but I simply had to know how much power this woman had over him and to also understand the depth of Jared’s attachment.

“Yes.” His throat bobbed, perturbed. “It was good.” He finished saying with a bite to his tone, displeased he had to divulge his sordid affair to me.

“How many times did you fuck her?” I was on a roll, but it seemed I couldn’t stop myself. It hurt to know such things, but I simply had to know.

Appalled, his eyes bugged out for a moment before coloring at my obscene question. “Why are you so curious, Gisele?”

“It’s in my nature. I like to know these things.”

“What if I choose not to answer?”

All right. “Then you don’t. But if you need me to be truthful to you someday, maybe I’ll plead the fifth. Would that suit you?” It was manipulative of me to taunt him, but I had a hopeless case of lovesickness, so what the hell?

“Bloody hell!” he gritted out before shaking his head with contempt. “I don’t know how many times, and I’m being truthful. What I do know…Well, it went on for about two hours.”

He lost count? Well, damn him. “That good? Wow, she must be one hell of a woman.”

Fuck him. Seriously.I’m so furious I’m almost shaking with rage.

“Is there anything else you want to know?” he pressed on, almost taunting.

“Not at the moment.” I shrugged, loathing how much he affected me. “So, I guess we’re always going to be forward with each other, right?” This was the best I could do to appear as though his words hadn’t pierced me and gutted me from the inside out.

He nodded before taking a lungful of air. “I’d greatly appreciate that, Gisele.”

“All right.” Pressing my lips together, I mustered a strained smile. “Well, I’ll go and thank our parents for sharing this day, and then I’m going for a nap.”

He nodded. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

After exiting the library, it took everything in me to seek Abigail and Papa, thanking them for being there, but I had to excuse myself due to a headache. Abigail reassured me that she’d be staying for a while, so I might catch her later this evening.