Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“How are we celebrating?” Jean asks on the way back to the car.
“We’re not,” I say quickly, probably too quickly. Julien gives me a curious look. “I should get back home,” I explain and glance down at the floor.
Julien nods slowly and looks at Jean. “Would you give us a minute?”
“I’ll be at the car.” Jean has a knowing smile as he walks off through security, leaving me alone with Julien in the main atrium.
He steers me to a bench. We have some privacy, off in a corner away from the movements of employees and family members and folks showing up for their court dates. I feel heavy and tired, but also strangely lucid. He sits very close and puts a hand on my thigh.
“You’re okay,” he says, not a question.
“I know. Just a little overwhelmed.”
“I understand. That kiss nearly broke you.”
I let out a choking cough and glare at him. “Like hell it did.”
“Come on, mon minou, I could taste the excitement on your tongue.”
“You need to get your taste buds tested then.”
“I’ve been thinking. I promised I’d be faithful to you, and you promised the same.” He looks at me, eyebrows raised.
“I remember,” I tell him, leaning back slightly. “Where are you going with this?”
“The list.” His voice is very soft. But there’s a hunger in his tone. “Since you’re my only option for a sexual partner—”
“Wow, way to make a girl feel so wanted,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“—I think we should make the best of our situation. Let’s call this a bonus? We’ll work through your little list, one fantasy at a time.”
Sweat rolls down my back. I’m nervous and I don’t know this. He’s coming on strong and I should push him back, but he’s honestly got a good point. We both just signed up for at least two years of monogamy to each other, and why not test our compatibility a little bit?
Maybe we’ll sleep together and find out it’s terrible—
But that kiss is still rolling through my head like a stock ticker and I have a feeling if I let myself crawl into his bed, I won’t want to get back out again.
“Maybe it’s better if we keep this professional,” I say, and my voice shakes more than I like.
“Was that kiss back in front of the judge professional?” He’s moving closer. “I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, mon minou, but I’m making myself clear. I want you. I find you attractive. Frustrating and a pain in my ass, but very attractive.”
I sit very still, tempted to tell him that I find him attractive too—also a pain in my ass—but instead I push him gently away. “I don’t think so.”
He watches me carefully for a few seconds before standing with a shrug. “If that’s what you want.” He holds out a hand and helps me up. “But you really do look beautiful, mon minou. Or I suppose I should start calling you ma femme.”
“Which means what?”
“My wife.” He kisses my cheek and takes my hand. “Come now. I’ll take you home.”
I feel dizzy and overwhelmed. I follow him back through security and toward the parking garage, trying to make sense of what just happened. I said the vows—I kissed him in front of the judge—I signed all the paperwork and gave myself away to a total stranger.
And he propositioned me. He’s not even subtle about it, which is kind of refreshing. He wants to fuck me, and yeah, he says it’s because I’m basically his only option and that’s not super appealing, but the way he looks at me suggests he’d want me no matter what. And I like that.
Despite myself, I like it.
The moment the elevator doors open on the garage, Jean comes hurrying forward. He’s clutching his phone in one hand and his face is pale as he goes straight to Julien and starts speaking in rapid French. Julien goes from surprised to very angry, and I have no clue what they’re saying as I’m dragged back to the car.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Jean throws the car into reverse and peels out in his haste to leave.
“My Grandpère did something very stupid,” Julien says and lets out a string of curses.
“Should I be worried?”
His expression is grim. “Grandpère just started a war with Dusan Petrovic. So, yes, I think you should be worried. The whole fucking city should be worried.”
Chapter 11
Julien
We drop my wife back at her father’s house. I figure she’s safest there for now. Jean speeds back through the city toward the mansion and my mind’s racing as my emotions shift from rage, to sorrow, to confusion, and back again.
Grandpère is a fool. He’s a selfish, egotistic fool, and he has no clue what he’s just done. From his perspective, he’s picking on a weaker, smaller crime family, and starting a fight that can be very beneficial in the long run.