Page 79 of One Wealthy Wedding

She glares at me.

“Come on, doing these things with someone else would be bad for our image.”

“Should have thought of that before we agreed not to sleep together,” she retorts.

Something ugly claws at me. “I know we agreed we could sleep with other people. But I haven’t been with anyone since that night I saw you at the bar.”

“Oh.” She hesitates. “Well, me neither.”

Satisfaction rushes through me. “Good,” I say. “So let me help.” I give her a cheeky smile. “After all, I’ve been training for this my whole life.”

She smiles reluctantly back. “Maybe just one. Do you know where I can get good lingerie? But nothing too expensive. I’ve been saving from the bar now that I don’t have to pay rent, but I don’t want to be too frivolous. I have to say, saving is not a skill that comes naturally to me.”

It wouldn’t be. This is probably the first time Cat has ever had to save. I swallow down my frustrated response and focus on her face. Cat is sharing with me. She’s being open. I won’t lash out at her.

“How much do you have saved?”

She names a number that won’t get her even one month of rent.

“Where’s it all going?”

Her mouth parts. “What do you mean where’s it all going?” She stands. “God, Theo, you’re such an asshole. Have you seen me shop at all since I’ve been here? Have you seen me eat out? Have you seen me do anything except tend bar in a low-cut shirt so I can make sure my tips are high and go to school? I bought my own groceries so I wouldn’t eat yours and be indebted to you, for fuck’s sake. The money pays for my tuition.”

She’s shaking with the force of her anger. All I can think is she wears a low-cut shirt to get more tips. My stomach churns uncomfortably. “You won’t be indebted to me.”

“I’m not taking that chance,” she says, crossing her arms. “You could turn on me at any moment. I’ll pay my own way.”

“I won’t turn on you.” What the hell led Cat to think the worst of people?

She gives me a skeptical look.

I stare her down. “Let me buy the lingerie.”

“No,” she says.

“Yes.” I dig my wallet out of my pants and pass her my credit card. I force her fingers to close around it. “Consider it payment for all the events I’m about to make you attend. I don’t need the money.”

“I suppose you don’t,” she says slowly.

“Exactly. I’m your doting husband, remember? Buy the lingerie and make sure the tabloids see it. Make sure someone knows I’m the one buying it. And wear the ring while you’re at it.”

There’s still wariness in her gaze, but she nods before she heads upstairs.

I feel like I just boxed ten rounds with Jonah, but at least I’m getting her to trust me.

And why the hell does that matter so much?

26

Theo

The issue with giving my darling wife my credit card to buy lingerie is that I can see, and imagine, every store she goes to.

The first charge pops up that afternoon when I’m eating lunch. Jonah is in my office, scowling at his phone, eating a wrap from a diner that Callie made him try. Made being the operative word. He’d eat the same damn thing every day for lunch without her.

I choke on the bite of my own sandwich, and Jonah’s head jerks up.

“Don’t die,” he warns. “I can’t replace you.”

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