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The doors to the study were open, so Axel walked inside, wearing dark jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and boots. He entered the room, tall and muscular, and dropped into one of the armchairs in front of the desk. “What do you think?”
“About?”
“The study.” He crossed his ankle on the opposite knee and propped his elbow on one of the armrests.
“It’s nice. Really nice.”
“You can have it. I never use it.”
“Where do you do your paperwork?”
“On the couch in front of the TV.”
“I’ve never seen you work.”
“Because I don’t give a shit about work when you’re in the room.” He rested his chin on his closed knuckles and stared at me across the big desk.
His blue eyes were possessive, like he wanted to reach across that big slab of wood and grab me. I took in his stare and then severed the contact when I looked at my laptop. “I think I finished the numbers for the week. Things are looking good.”
“That’s what I hear.”
“My father is trying to resolve the production issues.”
“I’m sure he’ll figure it out.” He continued to stare at me the same way, touching me from clear across the room. “I have a dinner party tonight. I’d like you to come with me.”
“A dinner party?”
“A diplomat from the US.”
“And why are you having dinner with him?”
“Connections.”
“We barely have enough product to meet our demand.”
“But once your father figures it out, we’ll have another revenue stream.”
“I’m all for making money, but we don’t want to grow too much, too fast.”
“These things take time,” he said. “I’ll just have a couple drinks with him and compliment his wife. Pretty simple.”
“Then what do you need me for?”
His stare hardened. “Because you’re my wife—and you go where I go.”
I wore a black dress with hints of gold, held up by a single strap across one shoulder, tight over my stomach and hips. I paired it with gold heels and a gold bracelet. My wedding ring clashed because it was platinum, but I couldn’t go out without wearing it.
Axel arrived at my bedroom door and knocked.
I grabbed my clutch and slid my phone inside before I stepped into the hallway.
He was in black jeans and dress boots, wearing a dark blue button-up that was open at the top, revealing a spot of his chest. He looked me over, his warm eyes showing how pleased he was by my appearance. He complimented me with just a stare. “I like that dress.”
Memories rushed back to me, all the times he would say those words with a sly grin. “Thanks.”
We walked together down the stairs then took the elevator to the garage. That time was spent in silence, the tension locked in the elevator with us as we moved underground. When the doors opened, some of that discomfort floated out, but it was still trapped around our bodies.
He picked one of his cars, and we drove onto the street, the engine roaring every time he hit the gas with his heavy foot. One time we were in the car together, he’d grabbed my hand and held it in my lap. I’d swooned on the spot. But he didn’t do that this time—and I wasn’t sure if I would have let him anyway.
He drove across town, close to where my old apartment was, and then pulled past the gates to the property. We parked our car then headed to the double doors hugged by two enormous pots that held olive trees.
Halfway there, his arm hooked around my waist, and he brought me a little closer.
That was all it took to make me feel it, the spark that used to ignite me into an inferno. Any time he touched me, I felt that same potent longing, that same desperation that had driven me into his arms night after night.
He knocked on the door, and then the butler greeted us. He took my coat and hung it on the rack before he guided us into the parlor, where everyone was having a drink while appetizers were passed around.
I felt a wave of nervousness when I looked at the room full of people I didn’t know. Making small talk with strangers that I would never see again felt exhausting, but to support Axel…my husband…I’d have to put on a good face.
“Alexander, it’s nice to see you.” He must be the diplomat because he spoke English with an American accent. He greeted Axel with a handshake then turned to me. “And this lovely lady?”
“This is my wife, Scarlett.” The pride was noticeable in his voice. “We just got married a couple weeks ago.”
“Oh, newlyweds.” He shook my hand. “I’m surprised you found the time to get away and be here.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Axel said. “I know you aren’t in town often.”
The butler got me a drink, and I mingled with the socialites I didn’t know. Some of them worked in government, and some of them were from the UK. It still shocked me how much government and criminality went together, like the perfect pairing of wine and cheese.
