Page 7 of Mr. Strategic

“That would be fair,” he said.

Alix gave a little screech, her voice sounding shrill. “It’s not funny, baby.”

“Who said anything about this situation was funny? You’re the one who wanted an open marriage.”

“I don’t—I don’t want an open marriage,” she said, darting her eyes unhappily between us.

“Then you just wanted to cheat on me?”

“It was a mistake,” she said uncomfortably. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“A mistake?”

“I—lied,” she begged, clutching at his arm, smashing her breasts against his white coat as she looked beseechingly up at him. “I told Michael we were in an—open relationship, too. It was just a stupid mistake. Please, you’ve gotta believe me, baby. I’ll never do it again, I promise.”

“All right. But I’ll be having sex with Mrs. Carrington first.”

My heartbeat began to flutter with excitement.

“That sounds fair,” I agreed, my fingers slick with nerves as I gripped my skirt.

“It’s not happening,” Michael cut harshly across Alix’s squabbling. “Now that this misunderstanding is cleared up, I’ll walk my wife out to the car.”

His hand extended over my lower back, each finger curving into my waist as he pulled me along with him.

Flushed with my boldness, I called back over my shoulder.

“I’ll be in touch.”

Alix was pulling on Reuben’s sleeve and gesticulating angrily at him. But he was looking toward me approvingly.

I felt a warm glow, not exactly of triumph, but of something.

Hedidwant to do it.

There was one man on this planet who wanted me. Even if he was trying to get revenge on his wife.

“The fuck you will,” my husband hissed in a low, angry tone.

Michael’s arm was pressed firmly on my back as he walked me out of the hospital.

“I’m taking off early,” he bit out to the receptionist as we passed by her. “Cancel the rest of my appointments.”

Ever the perfect gentleman,I thought bitterly as he guided me to my side of the car and opened the door.

This had always been our relationship.

He led, I followed.

Without a word, he waited until I was inside and slammed the door shut.

I sat straight again, my skin tingling, knowing at least one thing.

Reuben would have sex with me. Even if it was just to piss Alix off.

My husband slid into the car beside me like a panther. The way he moved his body was always almost uncanny. Controlled, cold, efficient.

“What the fuck was that, Lavender?” he asked tightly as he jerked the stick shift into reverse.