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“Well, you shouldn't leave mealllllalone to hang out with other women,” I huff, running my fingers along the buttons of his shirt.

“I had to go rub elbows.”

“Well, aren’t you supposed to be rubbing me?” Warren’s hold on me tightens.

“I was saving you from the agony of it. It had to be done.” He lets out a sigh, and I know it’s the last thing he wanted to do.

“It’s a part of this whole charade.”

“You’re not a charade. That was why I didn’t drag you with me.”

“As opposed to carrying me?”

“As opposed to carrying you,” he agrees. “I didn’t want to leave you alone. I would have rather spent my time with you.”

“Really?” I perk up. “I thought you were avoiding me.”

“I avoid you because I maul you like an animal.”

“That was one time!” I hold up my finger. “And I liked it.” I wiggle my brows at him. “Wait, where are we going?” I hadn’t realized we were moving.

"To our living quarters."

"Whoa, I think you're getting ahead of yourself here," I tease. I’m pretty sure everyone knows what we’ll be doing tonight. The idea of sex with Warren doesn’t scare me. No, I’ve had many fantasies about him over the years. The only man I have ever had them about.

"It is where you'll be staying from this point on."

"I was teasing."

"I'm not."

"Hey." I poke his cheek. "Go back to not being so serious."

"For you, I'll try."

I'll take it… and him too.

Chapter Sixteen

WARREN

She’s drunk. It’s not optimal, but it’s understandable. I’m actually enjoying how it’s making her very chatty and open with me. My mother's words of telling me to speak with Tova push to the forefront of my mind. Now would be the time.

It’s a dick move of me to use this vulnerable moment, but I have never claimed to be a good man. In fact, I’m finding I’ll break every law or code I live by when it comes to my little wife.

“Oopsie,” Tova exclaims loudly as she unfastens one of the buttons on my shirt. Her fingers go for another. I don't think it was really an oopsie.

Tova’s cheeks are more flushed than normal. Some of her freckles showing through the makeup she had done for the wedding. Her lips are parted enough that I can see her little pink tongue as she works to get another button loose.

Tova’s sweet naïveté shimmers around her. She is not made for my world. It has not hardened her. Her face always shows every emotion she has. Even when she tries to hide them.

It’s part of why I decided not to drag her around the reception room to meet all the guests. I should have told my father to fuck off, but I thought it might give me time to cooldown. I also wanted to give Tova a chance to mingle with her parents and catch up with my younger sister.

I needed the distraction to get my mind off the wedding night. The second the doors opened to reveal my bride, all I could think about was getting her all alone for myself. I wanted to find all the freckles she tries to hide.

"Wait. Where are we?” I entered through a side door, not wanting to be stopped or seen. I need to be left alone with my wife. My only thought was how to quickly get her back to our room, away from everything else.

"This is my living quarters." The house is expansive, featuring various sections. I have double doors that lead into mine. It has a living area connected to the main bedroom. There is a second, smaller bedroom. Despite its intended use as a nursery, it remains empty. I had no use for it.