Page 111 of Pucking My Grumpy Accidental Husband

Dax nearly chokes on his champagne. "Jesus Christ, Tessa. Are you telling me you were professionally documenting how much you wanted to fuck me?"

"Professionally documenting your physical capabilities, thank you very much. The fucking part was just excellent research methodology."

"Dr. Bennett, you're absolutely filthy and I'm obsessed with you."

"Good, because you're stuck with me. Legally and everything."

"Speaking of legally," he reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out an envelope. "I have something else for you."

"More surprises? Dax, the photo was already perfect."

"Open it."

Inside the envelope are official documents—our annulment papers, which we never filed, now stamped with "VOID" in red ink.

"I voided them," he says simply. "Last week. Had them officially stamped so there's no going back. Thought you should know we're officially, permanently, ridiculously married."

"You voided our annulment papers?"

"Also bought us real wedding rings to replace those plastic disasters from Vegas." He pulls out a small velvet box. "Because my wife deserves better than costume jewelry, even if she looked fucking perfect wearing it."

The ring is simple, elegant—a platinum band with a single perfect diamond that catches the candlelight and throws rainbows across my champagne glass.

"Dax," I breathe, staring at the ring. "It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you, but it'll have to do until I figure out how to bottle starlight." He takes my left hand, sliding the ring onto my finger with infinite care. "There. Now you look properly married to a man who's stupidly in love with you."

"I can't believe you did this."

"I can't believe you're surprised. Did you really think I was going to let some technicality about drunk Vegas marriages stop me from being your husband forever?"

"Forever is a long time, Kingston."

"Not long enough, Bennett. Or should I say Mrs. Kingston?"

"I'm keeping my name professionally, thank you very much. Dr. Bennett has worked too hard to build her reputation to give it up now."

"Fair enough. But in bed, you're Mrs. Kingston. And when I introduce you at parties. And when I'm talking to my teammates about how incredible my wife is."

"In bed I'm usually too busy screaming your name to worry about titles."

"My favorite kind of research," he grins, flagging down our waiter. "Check, please. I need to get my wife home so I can properly celebrate our non-annulment."

"What exactly did you have in mind for this celebration?"

"I'm going to worship every inch of your body until you remember why you married me in Vegas. Then I'm going to remind you why you chose to stay married to me. Then, if you're very good, I'll show you exactly what I've been thinking about during all those board meetings where you look so professional and untouchable."

Heat floods through me, settling low and demanding between my thighs. "Jesus, the way you talk should be illegal in twelve states."

"Wait until you hear what I'm going to whisper in your ear when I'm buried deep inside you tonight."

"Dax Kingston, you're going to make me come right here at this table if you keep talking like that."

"Don't tempt me, Dr. Bennett. I have very creative ideas about public spaces and the sounds you make when you're trying to stay quiet."

The waiter returns with our check, and Dax pays quickly while I try to remember how to breathe normally. The man has ruinedme for polite dinner conversation. Everything he says sounds like foreplay, and frankly, that's exactly how I like it.

"Ready to go home, Mrs. Kingston?" he asks, standing and offering me his arm.