Page 16 of His Fake Wife

“All these years of trying to get you to shut up and this is what it takes. Keep the same energy until we get home. I’m enjoying the peace and quiet.”

Her eyes narrowed to slits and she blew out a breath. There she was. The Beth I was used to.

“Why is it that every time I put my dislike of you aside to try being civil you mess it up by opening your mouth?”

“As I recall, you like my mouth.”

If looks could kill, I’d be a dead man. Her glower was severe enough to freeze body parts.

“Bringing up that meaningless kiss from years ago is getting old.”

I shrugged. “That was the only other time I achieved the impossible?getting you to stop talking.” As much as I pretend to have hated it, I wasn’t likely to ever forget it.

“I know why you don’t like hearing what I have to say.”

“Enlighten me.” My dry retort earned me another dirty look.

“You only hate hearing what I have to say because I make you see the truth about yourself.” She turned towards me and continued. “You’ve always been a selfish philanderer with only one goal, gaining control of your family business. Plus, I’m the only one who doesn't feel the need to kiss your ass because you’re a Thorne. That’s why you can’t stand me.” She gazed at me with challenge. “Admit it.”

She hit a nerve. Jaw clenched so tightly I thought my teeth would shatter, I glared at her. Instead of addressing what she said, which was the truth, I growled, “I haven’t gotten laid in two months. Picking a fight with me when I’m horny and miserable is not a good idea.” Her gasp echoed in the vehicle and she gave me one of those self-righteous stares.

“There’s such a thing as too much information.”

“Just a warning. I wouldn’t want to snap and say anything to hurt your feelings.” The way she’d hurt mine.

“As if you have that power.”

“You know what Beth…” I sighed. “Let’s just agree to disagree...on everything, and be done with all of this for the next year and ten months. Do you think we can do that?”

She snorted and rolled her eyes in answer. It got quiet so I focused on the scenery flying by through the tinted window.

“I assumed you were still...getting your needs attended to.”

My gaze snapped to her. “What?”

“I said, I thought?”

“I heard you.” I couldn’t help laughing. “Getting my needs attended to? What’s the big deal about saying sex?.”

Her face became a pretty shade of pink. “I don’t get what’s so funny,” she harrumphed.

“You’ve just always been so proper. I used to find it annoying as fuck.”

“Used to?”

“Now it’s a bit of a turn on. Sometimes...when you're not driving me absolutely crazy.”

Maybe I was too honest because she was gawking at me again. Letting go of that piece of information was a slip-up. It caused the tension to rise a notch. The air was so thick and uncomfortable that I stuck a finger into my collar and tugged.

“What makes you think I was still out there fucking around for the last two months?”

Beth’s fingers were intertwined on her lap and I could see her knuckles turning white. “You are who you are, Adam.”

I had to bite down on my annoyance. The discomfort from wanting to haul her across the seat and kiss her was enough. I didn’t need anger being added to the mix. “Must you take every chance to call me a manwhore?”

Her shoulders lifted. “You can't be all that offended. One thing I’ve always given you credit for is that you own your roguish ways.”

“True. Well, it may come as a surprise but I’ve been faithful to our sham of a marriage. After all, the whole point of it is to change my image and repair my reputation. I’m not that irresponsible to go out there and ruin our progress.”

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