AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m your husband.”
Her smile is soft. “My fake husband.”
“Not fake.” I hold her a little tighter.
“You know what I mean. This isn’t a real marriage. Besides, a man like you has way more experience than a girl like me.”
“You calling me old, wife?” I growl.
Her reply is to toss her head back in laughter. “I mean, I wouldn’t say old, but you know, you do have ten years on me.”
“Does that bother you? That I’m so much older than you?” I don’t think it bothers her. She’s in full support of Roman and Emerson and their marriage, but I need to know before I take things further with her. I never want to put her in a position that makes her feel uncomfortable.
“No. It doesn’t bother me. However, if this were a real marriage, one where you chose me, it might bother you. I’m not all that… experienced.” She avoids my gaze and stares over my shoulder.
“Monroe?” I wait patiently, but she refuses to look at me. Shifting to hold all of her with one hand, I use the other to bring her eyes to mine. “There is not one single part of you that could ever disappoint me. Fuck, gorgeous, I’m honored to get to call you mine for however long that might be.” I don’t want to say our time is limited, because the more time we spend together, and the more I allow my thoughts to drift to what could be, the more I know I don’t want it to end. “You’re also forgetting something.”
“What’s that?” She tilts her head to the side.
“I did choose you.”
Her lips part. She quickly closes her mouth, then opens it again as if she’s going to reply, but words are failing her.
“I wasn’t going to do it. I don’t care about the money. The idea that my grandparents are controlling me as they did my mother infuriates me. I know it’s different, that I got to choose, but it’s still a game they’re playing, pulling the strings from the grave, and I hated the idea of it.”
“Then how did we get here?”
“You offered to help me.”
“Legend, I don’t understand. There are a ton of women who would be more than willing to step into my shoes.”
I nod. “You’re right, but I didn’t want any of them.”
“Are you saying you want me?”
I don’t know what I’m saying, to be honest. “I’m saying that until you volunteered, it was a hard no from me. I don’t know what it means, but I know that this never would have happened without you. I would have told my grandparents' attorney to fuck off and go on living my life.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What? Why are you sorry? You’re making the ultimate sacrifice for me.”
“I feel like I pressured you into this.”
“I gave you my last name of my own free will, Monroe Raines.” Leaning in, I kiss the corner of her mouth. I know I need to take a step back. I’m about to beg her to let me trace every inch of her skin with my tongue. I’m pushing at the boundaries we’ve established, erasing the lines that we’ve drawn.
“You ready for bed?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
I nod and carry her out of the pool. I set her on her feet when we reach the lounger that holds the towels and grab one, helping her dry off. “Arms up,” I say, and she obeys, allowing me to wrap the towel around her. Quickly, I take another for myself, tying it around my waist. Holding her hand, I lead us back into the house and to our room.
“I’m going to shower,” she says.
“Yeah, I’ll do that too.” I point over my shoulder. “I’ll use one of the other bathrooms. I just need to grab a few things.”
“This shower is huge. More than enough room for both of us.”
I swallow hard as I process what she’s saying. “It is a big shower,” I agree.
