Page 64 of Wed to You

Jagger willed his eyes not to roll at his father’s misogynistic comment. Of course he’d think that about woman because his women were like that. Not wanting to get into it with his father, Jagger said, “I’ll see what we have on the schedule tonight.”

“Excellent.” His father slapped him on the arm. “Let’s get this meeting started. How much money can we make today?”

That time Jagger did roll his eyes, but he waited until his father had turned away.

Jagger workedto roll the tension from his shoulders as he made his way from the elevator to the penthouse. He’d survived another round with his father, but remnants of anger and annoyance remained. Mostly because he wasn’t done. While he might be able to avoid Marlena’s party that night, he wouldn’t be able to keep his father from meeting Chelsea at some point, if this problem with Tanya continued. He cringed at the idea. Chelsea was good and sweet and, while she was strong, Jagger knew his father would hurt her. She didn’t deserve that, which was a reminder of how selfish he’d been to involve her in this fake marriage.

Rolling his shoulders once more and working a smile on his face, he opened the door and entered the apartment.

“Jagger’s back!” Kaden slid from his chair at the dining table and ran toward Jagger. Jagger scooped him up, savoring the feeling of being part of something good. Something his father would gladly spoil.

“Whatcha doing?”

“Me and Miss Chelsea are having lunch.”

“You need to finish yours.” Mrs. Stanton entered the room, her hawkish eyes scanning his and narrowing, a sure sign he hadn’t been able to push away the negative energy from his father.

Jagger set Kaden down.

“I’ll let Miss Z know you’re ready to eat.”

Jagger nodded and followed Kaden to the table.

“Ms. Fairchild called. She’ll be here in about thirty minutes,” Grayson announced from behind Jagger.

Jagger nodded. “Thank you, Grayson.” He went to sit at the table and then remembered he was a newlywed. He stepped to where Chelsea sat, quiet but observant. Holding his tie to his chest, he bent over to kiss her cheek. Her head turned, and his lips met hers, sending a sweet rush of desire through him. Her hand pressed to his cheek, warm and tender. His tension subsided, replaced by calm. He wanted to stay there forever, in Chelsea’s sweet warmth.

He pulled away a few inches, curious about her actions. She’d slowly come to accept his touch or kiss, but this time, she’d kissed him.

“You okay? You look a little worn.”

He mustered a smile. “Nothing a little time with my wife and Kaden can’t cure.”

She flinched slightly at the word “wife,” which annoyed him again. He had no right to be irritated by her reaction, or to take it as a rejection. This was a business arrangement. But each time she checked herself, mentally reminded herself that this was fake, he felt a pinch in his chest. Shaking his head to rid himself of the ridiculous thoughts, he smiled and went to his chair to eat the pasta salad Miss Z placed in front of him.

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