Page 34 of Dirty Husband

But she does.

Then she looks at me like she really does want to marry me. And for one sweet moment, I remember how things used to be. I'm there on an easy Sunday afternoon, holding her on the couch, whispering dirty promises in her ear.

Before that bastard ruined everything.

He's not ruining this.

I take in her smile until realization spreads over her face. Then I take her hand. Offer my own smile. "Ready to meet the world as a newly engaged couple?"

"Are you?"

No. But this is going to have to be enough.

Chapter Ten

Jasmine

Holy shit. He's not kidding.

Lock drops us at the waterfront park. Right as a helicopter descends.

The gust blows my hair, my coat, my dress. It's like something out of a movie. The couple rushing to get out of town.

Shepard looks to me with a cocky smile. He holds out his hand. Motionsafter you.

For a moment, I see the boy I fell in love with so many years ago. A confident boy with a lust for life as big as his ego. The wonder and charm that defined him.

They didn't seem boyish at the time—I was barely fourteen—but they do now.

Is that part of him still there? It's hard to imagine Shepard looking at anything with wide-eyed wonder. But it's there in his gorgeous blue eyes.

He's looking at me like I'm the most interesting things in the universe. Like I'm an uncharted island he wants to explore.

My heart races as I take his hand and follow him to the helicopter.

The pilot helps me up the stairs. Into the tiny cockpit.

Shepard places headphones over my ears. At once, the overwhelming whir of the blades quiets.

The pilot's voice comes through the speakers. A deep voice with a British accent. "You must be Jasmine." He turns enough to shake my hand. "I'm Ian. A"—he winks at Shepard—"friend of your fiancé's. Congratulations by the way."

Shepard returns a knowing look.

"Now, buckle up, kids. You don't want to die before your honeymoon." His smile lights up his dark eyes. They're gorgeous eyes.

He's a tall guy. Broad and muscular. Dark skin. Short hair. Winning smile.

I try to close my eyes and imagine him over me, under me, behind me.

It's no good. My head still goes to Shepard.

Then the helicopter moves and my thoughts disappear. It's actually…

Woah.

I reach for something steady. Get Shep's hand.

My eyes go to his.