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I know I’ve found my home.
“Eat.We have a busy day ahead of us.”
She looks up in question from her seat on the balcony. We have an unobstructed view of the city center. And anyone looking has a view of us.
“As you heard so well eavesdropping last night, we are back on the campaign trail today. Nat is coming by this morning with some staff to get you ready, and we will be heading out around noon. So eat up,” I snap. I’ve never been a kind taskmaster. Learning cold ruthlessness at the hands of a psychopath will do that to you.
I sit beside her, making sure I’m facing the direction I told LL to have the paparazzi posted. This exclusive will hit the news blogs before we even finish our coffee. I want so much attention put on how much we supposedly love each other that everything else—like how long we’ve actually known each other—falls to the wayside.
“Here, little wife.” I take a blackberry and press it to her lips. She opens for me so prettily. My dick lengthens watching the way those lush pillows she calls lips cover my fingers.
Uncaring of who is watching, I lean over and take her lips with mine. I capture her gasp, savoring the delicious flavors of berry and Nikki mingling on my tongue.
“So good,” I say, giving her a wink, chuckling to myself as I see confusion flit across her face.
It’s no more than she deserves. Serves the little menace right for causing me all this fucking turmoil.
In a blink the fury is back. I lean back, crossing my leg over my thigh, watching her in quiet malevolence. “Tell me, little wife. What did you hope to gain from all this?” I pause for effect. “My love?”
The words end on a humorless scoff as if the possibility of ever loving her is an absurdity. Which it is. Before her betrayal it was possible—hell, more than possible. Now? It’s never happening and I mean never ever. I don’t tolerate liars, especially not liars who would use our friendship as the method to gain power over me.
“I told you I had nothing to do with this, Mathias.” She visibly bristles before me with hot indignation.
“Are your cousins not your new best friends? Haven’t y’all been a feature at the Shack? Having guys stacked eight deep to watch y’all grinding on that bull?” I spear her with a look I know is heated by the way she blanches.
“I didn’t know you were keeping tabs on me. You’re the one who threw me away like so much trash.” She can’t hide the hurt from her words or the tremble of her fingers as she reaches for her coffee.
“So that’s why? I hurt your feelings, so you destroy my life? Pathetic.” I shake my head in slow disgust.
She freezes looking aghast. The color drains from her face again. Her brown eyes are round pools of misery as she rises slowly from the table. A small smile plays across her face. Her face is a mask of passivity when she whispers, “Fuck you, Thi.”
I put my arm out, stopping her before she turns away from the table. “Oh, you definitely will be doing that, little wife. Often. Don’t call me that again.” I bring her curled fist to my lips and kiss her knuckle.
Silently she watches me kiss her hand, confusion playing on her face. I let her hand drop. She brings it to rest on her tummy, cradling it in her other hand, covering it. “Okay.” She breathes. Then: “Motherfucker.” She spins on her heel before I can grab her little ass, flouncing off.
“They’re here,”I tell Nikki a little while later, after showing the style team and Natalie in. While they set up, I search social media, seeing all the articles relating to our great love affair. How we connected at her graduation and, though the connection we felt was strong, the obstacle of our family history stopped us from moving forward until my father’s untimely death showed me how short life was and I could no longer deny my feelings.
I have to give it to LL—he crafted a masterful story for the press and blogs. It has just enough truth to make it believable. I almost believed it myself. I smirk, looking at the responses from one particular shade-throwing site. They even took a poll to gauge if people like us being together, and we are winning by an eight percent margin.
Our marriage made national news as well since I’m the front-runner and likely next senator from Alabama, the first Democrat in a long time. People are rooting for rather than maligning us, which is always a good thing.
“We took the fire out of Fitch’s attack with this marriage,” LL told me moments ago. “Now you have nothing to explain. And since Nat is seen as a team member with no hard feelings, everything is on track. Now just play the happy couple, and Mathias, friendship and campaign aside, don’t hurt my cousin, man.” He hung up before I could tell him I’ll handle my wife as I see fit. Not that it matters. Nicolette Love Shelby is my wife to do with as I please, and I will allow no one, no matter how well meaning, to interfere.
As for her obstinance at the moment…I exhale, watching as she makes no move to remove herself from the pillow fort she created and has her iPad propped on so she can read hands-free.
“The stylist are here with Nat to get started on your wardrobe.” I tell her looking down at her curvy petite frame, remembering how prettily she came for me in that very spot.
“No thanks.” She barely looks up from her device.
“Nicolette. Get up.” I stride over to her before dragging her up from the bed. “You’ve already earned a spanked ass. If you want it now instead of waiting until the staff is gone, it’s up to you.” I tug her behind me. I stop just as we approach the door to the bedroom. “What is it going to be?”
“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes.
I drop her elbow, open the door, then nod so she can precede me.
When we enter the living room area, I put my arms around her waist. “Thanks for coming on such short notice.” Then, looking to Natalie, I ask, “How do you want to proceed, Nat?”
She smiles. “I was thinking we could start with some of the pieces we brought. Have Nikki try them on. Decide on some signature pieces, and then do something with her hair. Maybe a smooth coiffure?”
