Page 27 of The Devious Husband

“We will proceed with the merger within the following months, but considering the complexity of the deal, it will take several months just to get the paperwork done,” Mom explains as we drive through our gates, and I nod, trying my best not to let on that I couldn’t care less about the merger.

“Remember your promise,” my dad says as we pull up in front of my house, and I nod as I step out of the car and offer Sierra my hand. She takes it hesitantly, her expression conflicted. Her eyes narrow when I smirk at her, and she gasps when I sweep her off my feet and into my arms.

“What are you doing?” she asks, outraged.

I chuckle as I carry her to my front door. “Putting on an act. Isn’t that what you told me to do?”

She relaxes in my arms, seemingly placated by my lie. Truth is, I just want to carry my wife over the threshold and into my home, but there’s no way she’d let me if I told her that. The door swings open automatically as I approach, courtesy of my security team, and I grin as I carry her straight through the house and into my bedroom.

“Put me down,” she says, her voice filled with the same venom I’ve gotten used to.

“I don’t want to.”

“Xavier, I swear, I’ll bite you,” she warns, shifting in my arms to brush her lips over my neck.

I swallow down a needy moan at the feel of her lips on such a sensitive part of my throat. “Don’t threaten me with a good time, Kitten.”

She stiffens, almost like she’s only just realized what she’s doing, and I laugh as I gently lower her to the floor, loving how beautifully she’s blushing. “You’re fucking breathtaking, you know that?”

She looks at me like she isn’t sure if she should believe me, and I sigh as I reach for her. Sierra steps back and turns around, seemingly flustered. I watch her as she walks through my room, her curious gaze roaming over every little detail.

“You act like you’ve never been here before, but I know for a fact that you’ve snuck in here several times.” She looks up sharply, surprised I’d know that. “I always wondered, you know? The camera in the hallway showed you sneaking into my room, but nothing was ever amiss. So what did you do in here?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she denies, her voice pitched higher than usual. I smirk as she walks into my walk-in wardrobe, only to pause in shock. “Raven,” she mutters, sounding aggrieved.

I follow her in and bite back a smile when I realize half the room is now filled with Sierra’s clothes, some I’ve seen her wearing before, and some that look brand new. My wife rummages through her things and blushes fiercely when she pulls out some scraps of red lace that I think are supposed to be pajamas. “How could she?” Sierra grumbles. I peek over her shoulder and read the note Raven left.

You once bought something similar for me, and you were right, so the very least I can do is reciprocate. Thank me later! Love you!

PS. Good luck getting your wedding gown off without Xavier’s help. I made the buttons at the back too tiny and too numerous for you to do it yourself.

I can’t help but laugh, and she pulls the note to her chest as she glares at me, her eyes sparkling absolutely beautifully. “Need some help, Kitten?”

Twenty-Five

Sierra

“Need some help, Kitten?” Xavier asks, his voice a unique blend of seduction and amusement. I crumple up Raven’s note, shocked I didn’t see this coming. After all, she learned all of that cunning behavior of hers from me.

I glare at my husband, unwilling to admit that I do, in fact, need his help. Instead, I throw the note in a drawer and walk over to the mirror, my heart pounding wildly. I’d given Raven a few racy sets of lingerie and nightgowns when she was forced to marry Ares in her older sister’s place. She’d always been in love with him, and I was just so certain the feelings were mutual, so for her, it was a perfect plan. For me, on the other hand, it’s a disastrous, terrible plan.

I sigh as I assess my dress. She’d been shockingly gleeful as she helped me into my dress, but I’d been so preoccupied with the thought of marrying Xavier Kingston that I completely missed the signs. There’s absolutely no way I can get these buttons undone, not unless I rip my dress apart, and she knows I’d never do that to one of her precious creations.

Xavier appears behind me and places his hands on my shoulders, his expression unreadable. “Let me help you,” he says, his voice soft. For once, his tone isn’t mocking, nor does he appear to be teasing me.

I nod almost imperceptibly, and he smiles at me sweetly as he places his hands at the top of the long row of buttons. He works quietly, taking his time to undo the buttons one by one, his fingers softly caressing my spine as more and more of my skin is revealed. His touch elicits a soft shiver, and I blush fiercely, scared he’ll mock me for being so affected by such simple actions.

I lift my head to look in the mirror, and my heart begins to beat wildly when I notice that his sharp cheekbones seem a little flushed, his gaze heated. I bite down on my lip when my dress comes undone and hold it up at my chest, our eyes meeting in the mirror. Xavier leans in and presses a soft kiss to the back of my neck, his touch featherlight. I gasp, and he steps back, the edges of his lips turned up, like he’s suppressing a smile.

I rush past him and reach for one of his t-shirts instead of the red lacy nightgown Raven left me, and Xavier chuckles as I disappear into his bathroom. My heart pounds so wildly I’m certain I can hear it, and the thought of walking out in nothing but a pair of panties and this t-shirt that smells so much like him has me feeling far more flustered than I could’ve imagined. I’ve joined Raven’s fashion campaigns a few times, and nudity doesn’t really bother me, but somehow, I’m feeling a little shy tonight.

“Sierra,” Xavier says when I walk back out with my dress in my hands. “How about a glass of champagne?”

I drape my gown over an armchair in the corner and raise a brow. “Champagne?” I ask, noting he’s already taken off his bow tie, suit jacket, and cufflinks. His gaze roams over my body, and I’m hyperaware of the fact that he can probably see the outline of my nipples through his ridiculously soft t-shirt. Considering the countless pins in my updo, there’s no easy way for me to hide behind my hair either.

“I can do with a drink. What about you?”

I nod hesitantly. I’m far too nervous to even look at his bed, and I’m not too sure how to behave, what to do or say. He smiles and tips his head toward his kitchen, and I follow him hesitantly. Xavier glances at my bare feet and frowns before leaning in and sweeping me into his arms. “You shouldn’t walk on the cold marble floor barefoot,” he says, holding me tightly. “I’ll buy you some slippers tomorrow.”

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