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“Well, are you?”

“I asked first,” I say, having this ridiculous urge to stomp my feet.

In the corner of my eye, I catch Maddox smiling before he coughs into his hand.

“I don’t consider it eavesdropping when it was said loud enough for anyone within earshot to hear.”

“I won’t dispute your claim, but for the record, my men are very discreet. Anything they have to say is said above a whisper.”

“If they didn’t, will you reprimand them? What would their just punishment be for disobeying your orders? Would you withhold their pay? Tar and feather them, like in the Dark Ages?”

He’s teasing. I face him, and when he stares back, I roll my eyes.

“Again, for the record, my men are loyal and follow orders to the T. They don’t disobey, and should they ever, I make them recite my rules.”

“And what are they, may I ask?”

I open my mouth. He sticks up his index finger.

“First, answer the question. Are you or are you not an insomniac?”

“I am.”

Satisfied grin from him. “Now the rules.”

“Bossy,” I say. “But since you’re my husband, I’ll tell.”

His grin transforms into a smile I can only describe as delighted.

“My rules for my men are: respect, protect, and trust one another.”

“That’s it?”

I shrug. “That’s it. So, tell me something I don’t know about you, and I’ll share something you might not know about me.”

“Everything you read in the tabloids is a bunch of BS.”

“Ah, so all those women you were romantically linked with you’ve never met in real life, right?” I tease.

Slight smile on his face. “I take that back. I did wine and dine the celebrities I was linked to, but that’s the extent of the relationship.”

“Are you a romantic at heart?”

“I’m not for romance, Blaise. I’m after what happens in the bedroom.”

“I see.”

“My apologies if you thought there would be more from our arrangement than the physical.”

“No need to apologize.” I reach for my tea and take a sip. The tea has cooled down, lending no comfort to the rawness in my throat.

I’m right. Maddox Stassi is a heartbreak waiting to happen, and falling for him would be a disaster in the making.

“I don’t expect anything other than the physical, anyway. I’m a non-believer in romance and love.”

“Because of your kidnapping?”

“From hearing my men and my cousins talking.”