Page 79 of After the Vows

“But—”

“Which is why our deal is changing,” I say and cut her off.

Her jaw drops open. “Our deal is changing? You’re kicking me out? I really am sorry. I…”

I slam my mouth to hers to stop her babbling. Her lips are salty from her tears. I growl. Chloe should never cry again because of her mother. And I will make sure of it.

I pull back. “From now on, you’re not my wife in name only. This marriage is no longer fake.”

Her green eyes cloud with confusion. “I don’t know what’s happening. Did I fall asleep doing inventory? Did the whole school incident not happen? I hope no one writes on my face with a Sharpie while I’m sleeping. I better not be snoring.”

I chuckle. My wildcat never ceases to amuse me. “You’re awake. And no one has written on your face with a Sharpie, but thanks for the idea.”

She rolls her eyes. “As if Mr. Law and Order would ever write on my face without permission.”

I’d do a lot of things she wouldn’t expect of me. Including binding her to my bed naked and not letting her go until we’re both satisfied and unable to walk.

“What do you say, wildcat? You want to make a go of this relationship?”

“I don’t understand. You’ve made it clear you don’t want a relationship.”

Because I was afraid before. Afraid Chloe would abandon us. But she wouldn’t. This woman would kill to protect my daughter. She’s the one I need in my life. I can’t let her go.

“What’s changed?”

I’m falling in love with my wife is what’s changed but Chloe’s not ready to hear those words. She’d flee the house faster than Natalia can disappear when it’s her turn to do the dishes.

But I’m not letting Chloe run again. She’s staying.

“I was afraid to expose Natalia to my dating,” I lie. “But since you’re living here and Natalia is used to you, there’s no sense in worrying about it.”

“Try again.”

“What?”

Chloe leans close to my face. “Try. Again. You’re lying.”

“I’m not lying.”

“You shouldn’t lie to someone who’s a master at lying.”

I frown. Chloe’s a master liar? This doesn’t bode well.

“I can’t tell you the number of times I told my mom I had to go to Sophia’s because we had a school project we were working on. Lucky for me, Lily always backed me up.”

I growl. “I hate your mother.”

“And you haven’t met her yet. I bet she’d try to seduce you.”

I rear back. “Seduce me? Her daughter is my wife.”

She shrugs. “I doubt your status as her son-in-law would stop her. I can’t count the number of judges she seduced back in my pageantry days.” She shivers. “Mom did whatever was necessary to ensure she won.”

I brush her hair from her face. “But it wasn’t her winning. It was you.”

She laughs. “You really don’t understand my mom. Everything I won was her win. Did you know she stole all of my trophies and ribbons when she left? Even the ones for track and field despite ordering me not to participate?”

I place my hands on her cheeks. “I’m sorry for all you went through. I wish I could take all of the pain away.”

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