Page 170 of The Wrong Husband

She angles her body slightly away from the stranger and in my direction. As if she’s seeking my help?

She’s doing it unconsciously, not aware of the plea for help she’s sending out. Unable to resist, I draw abreast and wrap my arm about her waist.

I sense the shock ripple through her. She stiffens, growing so still, she could be mistaken for a pillar of stone.

"How dare you walk in here and insult her?" I glare at the man opposite.

He grows so pale, I wonder if he’s going to puke. What a pussy. And this…this sorry excuse for a human was the person she was going to marry. Seriously, she could do better. Much, much better. In fact, I can’t think of anyone who’d make a good husband for her. She’s incomparable. There’s no one who’d be good enough for her.

"Wh-Who’re you?" The other man swallows.

"I’m her boss."

As if the sound of my voice pulls her out of her reverie, Lark tries to pull away.

I tighten my arm around her and hold her in place. "I’m also the man who’s madly in love with her."

What the— Where did that come from?I did want to say or do something that’d wipe that smug expression off his face, but…

"Love?" The other man’s jaw drops.

"Love?" She jerks her chin in my direction. The shock on her face is almost comical. Only, it’s followed by panic and horror.Is the thought of my being in love with her such a terrible thought?

I glance down at her angelic face. "Yes, baby. I’m sorry if this comes as a surprise. But from the moment I saw you, I knew there was no one else for me."

"Wh-what?"

She draws in a breath. Another. Opens her mouth to, no doubt, protest, so I place a finger over her mouth. "Shh, it’s okay darling. I understand how overwhelming this must be for you. But I want you. I understand your value in my life. Unlike this clown." I aim a disgusted look at him before looking back into her eyes. "I can’t do without you, sweetheart."

She makes a gurgling sound. Her eyes behind her specs grow so big, they seem to fill her face.

"I want you to come home with me, so I can introduce you to my family."

She blinks rapidly, her face growing a shade of pink which is, frankly, adorable. Then she seems to pull herself together and scowls. "This is not funny," she hisses under her breath.

"No, it’s not." I shoot an angry sideways glance at the asshole who’s staring at us. "I should bash this wanker’s head in for the grief he's caused you."

"Why are you making fun of my predicament?" She makes this growling noise at the back of her throat, which makes her sound like an angry kitten. She’s so darn cute. Best not let her know that’s what I’m thinking.

I say aloud, "I’m serious."

The expression in my eyes must back up my intent, for she blinks. "I have no idea what you’re up to, but it's completely inappropriate."

"Why would it be when I’m going to marry you?" Uh… Okay… Didn’t know I was going to say that until this moment.

She gapes at me. "Did you fall down and knock your head? Is that why you’re spewing this crazy stuff at me?"

"Do I sound like I’m crazy?"

She searches my features and consternation filters into her expression. "You’re not making any sense. You’re my boss. I’m your assistant. You barely look at me, except for when there'swork to be done. Even then, you barely seem to acknowledge my existence."

"Oh, I acknowledged your existence, all right. I just couldn’t let on to you how much it affected me. After all, as you pointed out, I'm your boss. And I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable. Besides, you were getting married, so what could I say? But now that I know you're not, I can tell you the truth. I love you."

She shakes her head. "This is crazy."

“It is,” I murmur, my gaze locked on hers. “I’mcrazilyin love with you.”

The words hang there, shocking even me with how right they feel. I said them to mess with her head. To get under her skin. To make her ex wish he’d never drawn breath, let alone walked away from her. But now? Now, they feel real. And true.