Page 79 of The Wrong Husband

When I’m not with her, I think about her. And when I’mwithher, it’s all I can do to not keep touching her. To hear the cadence of her voice. Relish the touch of my fingers on her skin. To hold her close. To look into her eyes and track what brings her pleasure. To be inside her and feel her snug pussy squeezing down on my cock. I want it all. I want a future with her… And apart of me is sure she wants it, too. Only, she’s conflicted about it, and I don’t understand why.

On the other hand, when she confessed that she wanted our marriage to be real, I heard the sincerity in her voice. Felt the veracity of her intent. She wants this as much as me. But she's still marrying me primarily to get access to money to help her ER.

Perhaps, that’s why it feels like she's holding something back from me? I felt sure the call she took wasn’t from the hospital. But that must be my imagination working overtime. There’s no need for her to lie to me, is there?

I could get my team looking into her background, question those she works with at the hospital. I could dig into her past and find out if there’s anything she’s keeping from me—but then I’d be doing exactly what she accused me of: prying into her life without her permission. So far, I’ve not crossed that line. I haven't intruded into her private life. And I intend to keep it that way. I plan to give her enough space and show her how much she means to me, so if she has anything to share, she’ll do so of her own volition.

I crack my neck, roll my shoulders, then try to find that center of myself as I settle down to wait.

My phone buzzes. The screen shows:Brody calling.

I answer the FaceTime call. "What?"

"You still single?"

I groan. "The fuck do you want?"

His lips twitch, which is Brody speak for a chuckle. Man’s sewn tighter than a switch on a ticking time bomb—holding together long enough to fool you.

"Is that a hint of frustration in your voice? Shouldn’t this pre-wedding stage be when you’re getting it on all the time?" he drawls.

And now, my normally more-silent-than-a-grave brother is making jokes.What in the ever lovin’ fuck is going on?

I thump my forehead against the steering wheel. "If that’s what you called me for, I’m going to hang up."

"Where are you parked?" He peers into the screen, taking in what he can see of my surroundings. "Are you in the car? Are you waiting for someone?"

"Get to the point, will ya?"

"You're waiting forher?" His frown intensifies. "Are youstillsurveilling her?"

I stay quiet.

His jaw drops. "Oh, my buggering pisstard, youarestillwatching her. Does James know what you’re up to? More to the point, doessheknow? Of course, not. If she did, she’d be upset with you. You do know that, right? Not that I'm finding fault with your caveman instincts. I’d be the same if she were mine?—"

"She isn’t."

He makes a disgusted noise. "Chill, mate. She’s marryingyou. She wouldn’t have agreed if she didn’t think of herself as yours. So why are you trying to screw things up in such a spectacular fashion?"

With a sigh I sit back in my seat. "How aboutyoukeepyourbollocks away from mine."

"Don’t like that picture, mate.” He cringes. “But what-fucking-ever; it’s your funeral."

“Fuck you too.” I shift in the seat to find a more comfortable position. “Why did you call? Was it to find out when the wedding is going to be."

There’s an uncomfortable silence. Then, “Grampsison my case to get you to commit to a date." His voice is sheepish.

Knew it."And since when do you do Arthur’s bidding?"

"Since I’m the only Davenport bro left to marry, and since the old geezer won’t let me access my trust fund or confirm me asthe permanent CEO of a group company until I marry.” He rolls his shoulders. “Ergo, it’s in my interest to stay in his good books. With the rest of our brothers wanting to spend more time with their families, and you too busy setting up house, it’s natural for me to take on the role of keeping Arthur abreast of news. Which reminds me, when is it?”

“When is what?” I keep an eye on the entrance.

Not that I expect her to come out anytime soon, but no harm being vigilant.

"The marriage, dumbass. Have you set a date yet?”

I stay silent.