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And shereallyhated that.
Today was just another shining example of what a bastard he was.
By the time the driver pulled up in front of Hugo’s, she was thirty minutes late.
“Thanks for the ride,” she said as the doorman at the valet stand opened her car door for her. Bri made sure she had her phone and purse as she scrambled out of the back seat, wobbly on her high heels.
Her husband had requested she wear his favorite little black dress along with her red fuck-me pumps. He’d even asked her to wear the diamond necklace, earrings, and bracelet he’d gotten her for each of their three wedding anniversaries for their night out on the town. She’d done all she could to look her best in a desperate attempt to make the coming conversation easier.
As if me looking good makes a fucking difference.
Once inside the crowded lobby of the restaurant, Bri panicked. She’d been so focused on getting there, she’d neglected thinking about what she could possibly say to the man she loved more than anything else in the world when she saw him in a few minutes. As a woman brushed against her in the crush of waiting patrons, she could still feel the welts left on her ass by another man just hours before.
Tears blurred her vision.
I don’t deserve him. I should tell him the truth, the minute I sit down. Tell him everything and beg for forgiveness.
She rejected the idea immediately. It was too risky. He’d never forgive her for what she’d done six months ago. How could he? She couldn’t even forgive herself. But tonight, she would talk to him about what she was missing. Try to explain it to him. Maybe… just maybe… he might not think she was broken.
When it was her turn at the podium, she spoke loud over the din of the crowd. “Hello. I’m Brianna Lambert. I’m meeting my husband for dinner. I’m incredibly late.”
The regal maître d’ gave the closest impression of a smile she’d ever seen from him on her many visits to her husband’s favorite restaurant. “Of course, Mr. Lambert is waiting for you in his favorite booth. Peter here will take you to him. Enjoy your meal.”
Brianna followed the server as he weaved them through the dining room tables full of tourists and families and into the smaller annex room near the back of the restaurant. The noise level dropped as the ambiance changed to intimate nooks and out of the way tables for two. She didn’t need the escort. She knew the booth she’d find her husband in. It was the only place they’d ever sat on their many visits to his favorite restaurant.
Her first glimpse of Markus took her breath away. He was on his phone, looking off into the distance. Instinctively she reached out to grab the server’s arm, stopping him from announcing her. He seemed to understand, leaving her to stand to the side, out of her husband’s line of sight.
He was listening intently to whoever was on the other end of the line. He hadn’t shaved like he normally did before going out in the evening. His dark facial hair grew back so fast, he often shaved twice in one day. Bri wanted to think he’d left his sexy scruff just for her since she told him often how much she loved this more dangerous looking Markus.
But it was the hard line of his jaw… the dark scowl as he listened that told her he didn’t like what the person on the other end of the phone was saying.
Finally feeling stupid just standing there, she moved closer, catching his attention. As he turned toward her, she saw a darkness in his eyes she’d never seen before, but it was gone in a flash as recognition chased away the shadows from his gaze.
“Hey, need to go. Brianna’s here.”
Despite him saying he needed to hang up, the person on the other end of the phone kept talking for at least twenty seconds, leaving her standing awkwardly. When she finally started to sit at the end of the circular booth, Markus held up his hand, stopping her.
He never said goodbye to whoever he’d been talking with. He just pressed end and threw his phone to the table before sliding to the edge and standing.
Brianna fought the urge to cry tears of relief the second his arms hugged her tight against his chest. She buried her face against his dress shirt, taking in the hint of his cologne that she loved so much. She took a drag of his uniquely Markus scent, letting it calm her in a way she probably didn’t deserve.
This… right here, in his arms, was where she belonged. She had to do whatever it took to make sure she never did anything that jeopardized her happily-ever-after with her husband ever again.
“God, I’ve missed you today,” she offered truthfully as she felt her husband’s hands roaming lower from her waist to give her ass an indecent squeeze. Her squeal as he held her welted bottom was damning. She scrambled to cover her gaff. “I can’t believe you’re feeling me up in the middle of the restaurant.”
Markus released her as she wiggled in his arms. When she pulled out of their embrace, he stayed close, glancing up and down, blatantly checking her out. His low whistle told her he approved of what he saw.
“Christ, you’re a sight for sore eyes. After the day I’ve had, I’ve needed to hold you for hours.” He turned and led her back to their booth, having her slide in first before he retook his seat on the end.
“I thought you had a good day,” she prompted, reaching to take a sip of the already full water glass, hoping to calm her ragged nerves.
Just act normal.
“I did, for the most part. I never expected my court case to wrap up in one day. Honestly, it was a complete waste of time. The jury was out less than two hours before coming back in favor of my clients.”
“That’s great, honey. We need to celebrate tonight.” Bri forced a smile.
“That’s the plan. Dinner and a club.” He paused before adding, “When you were late, I went ahead and ordered for you. David should be here any minute with your Cosmo and the appetizer.”
