Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 50828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
I spent six years merely being Eric’s girlfriend. His infidelity was awful enough, but I can’t imagine finding out your spouse of nearly a decade was sleeping with someone else.
I don’t want to feel anything for Nathan, especially sympathy…but suddenly I do. “I understand.”
“Thank you. If you’ll meet him halfway, he’ll be a great husband.”
While I’m still reeling, he passes me to his children. After a quick goodbye to the quartet who’s nearly my age, I find Jen beside me and grip her hands. “Help. I’m screwed.”
“Not yet, but give your new husband an hour…”
“I’m not kidding,” I hiss.
“You’re going to be fine. Life threw you a curveball. Instead of ducking like you did for years with Eric, maybe swing this time. Really give him a try. You might be pleasantly surprised. To get you started, I left you a little something in your suite. Call me later.”
I cling to my best friend. Once she’s gone, I’ll be alone with my stranger of a husband. “Where are you going?”
“I’m flying to Chicago in the morning. My parents are expecting me for the holidays.”
“I meant tonight.”
“Well, the room service waiter called.” She glances at her phone. “And I’m late. I’ll be back in Boston for New Year’s Eve, but I predict by then you won’t just be wifed up, you’ll be loved up and you won’t have time for me.”
Where does she get that idea? “You’re insane.”
“I’m more objective. I think, despite his best efforts, your husband has feelings for you. At least based on the way he’s looking at you.”
I whirl to find Nathan staring at me with intense dark eyes. His expression isn’t merely full of heat that makes me shiver, but a warmth I haven’t seen before. Is Jen right?
She slips away with a kiss to my cheek and a squeeze of my hand. Steve, Laurel, and their kids all leave together full of smiles and joy.
Seeing their closeness, I feel so defeated. I’ll never have that.
“Ready, wife?”
I turn to Nathan. “If I said no, would it make a difference?”
“Not really.”
Now that family is gone and people are no longer watching, is he dropping the tender groom facade? “I figured.”
“Let’s go.”
I down another glass of champagne with one hand and grab the last of the open bottle with the other, trembling when Nathan settles his hot palm at the small of my back and leads me to our suite.
Once inside, he flips on the light in the foyer. I rush for the bathroom, looking for even a temporary escape. I stop short as soon as I reach the bedroom.
The bed is surrounded by battery-operated candles and rose petals. On the pristine white bed, someone has arranged more red petals in the shape of a heart. At its apex, a pair of swans formed from towels kiss. Fluffy white pillows are wrapped in red bows and more fake tea lights give the space a romantic glow. Above the headboard, someone hung a banner that reads Just Married!
Jen did this for us?
“I found this on the table in the front room.” Nathan hands me a delicate ribbon-wrapped box. “Any idea what’s inside?”
“No.” I pluck at the bow and the box springs open to reveal scanty silken lingerie. The card inside reads:
Happy wedding night! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t enjoy…
I hope you find happiness. You deserve it.
Love, Jen
“That looks…interesting.”
Mortified, I slam the lid on the box. On the one hand, I can’t imagine slipping on something this scandalous for a groom who’s only using me. On the other hand, Nathan is always voracious in bed—without me even trying to arouse him. I can only imagine how passionate he would be if I wore something this close to nothing.
“Yeah. Um…I need a shower and—”
“No.” He takes the box and sets it aside, then lifts my chin until I can’t look at anything but him. “You need to be told how beautiful you are. Then you need to be undressed, touched until you beg, and fucked until you can’t walk right. Let’s get you out of this dress.”
My heart clutches with fear. My traitorous body clenches with thrill. “Nathan…”
“Wife,” he murmurs before he lowers his head and takes my mouth in a deep, dreamy kiss that has my champagne-addled head swimming.
I grip onto him, clinging even though I shouldn’t. But every time he puts his hands on me, I melt. And I crave more.
When he pulls back and nuzzles my neck, I don’t even think. I tilt my head to give him better access.
“Hmm.” His lips drift up my throat and across my jaw while he finds and loosens the corset-back of my dress and begins stripping it away, eventually pushing the sleeves down my arms until the bodice sags around my waist. He turns me to face him and grabs my hands, holding them out wide, then begins examining the skin he’s revealed.