Page 132 of Sweet Animosity

While untucking my shirt and kicking off my shoes, I asked, “Did you have fun tonight, baby girl?”

Her bright green eyes glowed with excitement. “I did! I almost forgot it was to celebrate our wedding.”

I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it aside. “Not sure how to take that.”

Vivian reached behind her to unlatch her bra but only managed to turn in circles like a puppy chasing her tail.

Placing my hands on her shoulders to still her, I unlatched it for her, then cupped her breasts from behind and nuzzled her neck. She was far too tipsy for sex, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t give in to a little taste.

She continued. “It’s so weird to think I married you. Like we’re married. Married married.”

My tongue flicked over her earlobe before giving it a small bite. “Woman, you are definitely married married, so don’t you forget it.”

She turned in my arms and placed her palms against my skin.

My cock hardened. Tomorrow over breakfast, I was going to murder Yelena for getting my beautiful little wife too drunk to fuck.

“Yeah, but it’s silly, right? I mean this can’t be real. It has to end at some point.”

My stomach tightened. Grasping her neck under her jaw, I tilted her head back to study her face. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

If I’d learned anything about reading people over a poker table, it was to always trust the honesty of alcohol.

“It’s been weeks, and there is no sign of that other Russian dude, so clearly he’s moved on and forgotten all about me. And as long as I don’t put out any new forgeries, the syndicates are appeased. So if you think about it, there’s no real reason for us to stay together anymore. Is there?”

Her body stiffened slightly as she held her breath, waiting for my response.

Before I could respond, the elevator pinged. “Wait here. We’re not finished with this discussion.”

The midnight porter nodded after I thanked him and hurried back down to the kitchens.

As I removed the silver cloche, Vivian appeared in the kitchen.

The sight of her washed over me like a warm wave.

She looked so damn beautiful standing there dressed in my tuxedo shirt, with her hair a mess of wild curls and her makeup slightly smudged from an evening filled with laughter and kisses.

My life before her seemed like a dull, monotonous slog compared to now.

She brought so much passion and color and fire into my world. I couldn’t imagine a single day without her by my side.

And I had every intention of making sure she understood that.

It was past time I told her how much loved her. “Vivian, I?—”

“Oh, my God! Is that a banana split?”

She leaned on the counter and lunged for one of the spoons before dipping it into the strawberry ice cream and swirling it around the hot fudge sauce. Her lips tightened over the bowl of the spoon as she slipped the sweet bite into her mouth. “This is so good.”

She scooped another bite into her mouth and closed her eyes as she moaned in pleasure.

When she opened her mouth, she smiled. “I love you.”

I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck and pulled her against my chest, needing to feel her warmth against my skin. “It’s about time you realized that,” I said with a wink. “I love you, too.”

She bit her lip. “This is awkward… I was actually talking to the banana split.”

My mouth fell open as she pushed away from me, laughing.

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