Page 38 of Wicked Scandal

I’m going to be dead-ass tired today, but I’d do it again a thousand times over to feel what I feel right now. Now I need coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. And to put on a show for the cameras so that my husband believes I was in our bed all night and not in the arms of another man.

CHAPTER 10

WILDER

WildMisfit: Good morning, again! How is your day going so far?

I look up from my phone and watch Cat reach for hers, confirming my suspicion. What surprises me is the smile that instantly grows on her face.

Her head is down, her long sleek hair cascading around her face as she taps into her phone. As always, she looks stunning. She’s not wearing a turtleneck today, and I’m positive it’s because her jackass husband hasn’t been around to beat on her. The last marks he left must’ve faded and she’s able to wear what she wants to wear. Today it’s a long black dress that matches the color of her hair. She even wore lipstick today, which is new. Maybe Mayor Jackass doesn’t allow her to wear it. Wouldn’t surprise me. He’s going to rue the day my suspicions are confirmed.

I keep watching her, taking in the most beautiful thing about her—the sheer happiness on her face. She’s glowing. If she could just find the courage to leave her husband, I believe she’d have this same zest for life every single day. Yet, for some reason, she stays. I’m just not sure why…yet.

CatEyes: One of the best days I’ve had in a very long time.

Her words make me smile and I can’t help but wonder if it has anything to do with last night, or this morning.

WildMisfit: It’s still so early. What’s got you in such a good mood?

I lift my head again, expecting to find her typing into her phone, but instead, I catch her watching me. Does she know I know? I doubt it, but she will soon.

Her head drops again, her fingers gliding over the screen of her phone before another message comes through.

CatEyes: Have you ever had someone come into your life and rearrange it in the best way possible?

She has to be talking about me, about us.

WildMisfit: I have, in fact. Tell me more about this person.

I might be fishing here. No…I’m definitely fishing. This is my chance to find out exactly how she feels about me.

CatEyes: It’s someone I shouldn’t want to spend time with, but I find myself looking forward to the next time I’ll see them. They are just easy to talk to. For the first time in a while, I was able to let my guard down and be myself.

An instant smile grows on my face because I know exactly what she means—I feel it, too. I love everything I learned about her and how close we got in just one night. It was like our souls were twin flames coming together.

WildMisfit: Sounds special. I bet this person feels the exact same way. Care to tell me who it is?

CatEyes: Not a chance.

I see her smirking as she clicks around on her computer now, feeling like she’s getting away with playing this little game. I love it, but I also don’t want to lie to her. It’s taken a while to get to where we are and her trust in me is still growing.

WildMisfit: Can I guess?

CatEyes: You’re welcome to try. Doesn’t mean I’ll tell you.

And here it goes. No going back now.

WildMisfit: Can you see this person right now?

As she lifts her head, our gazes lock and a jolt of recognition passes between us. This time, I don’t look away as I type back to her. Flashing her a wink when I lift my phone slightly, I feel a sense of relief flood through me as her secret identity is revealed.

It’s out there now. Cat has been caught.

Suddenly, her eyes go wide and a deep blush fills her cheeks. She looks away in an instant and it's the reaction I suspected. In an attempt to ease her humiliation, I send her one more message.

WildMisfit: Can I see you again tonight?

Her nostrils flare and she tucks her hair behind her ears nervously just before the bell rings. She lurches at the sound, chest rising and falling rapidly. I don’t want to make her anxious, but I crave to spend every moment possible with her.