Page 398 of The Christmas Wife

"Sure, I do. I know that every time you look at me, you feel something, but you’re so convinced you’ll never own your emotions again, you won’t admit it."

"It’s why you should have never married me, Belle." His tone is serious.

And when I search his features, I realize he believes it, too. I swallow hard. "I married you of my own free will."

"Did you?" There’s something in his features, an expression I can’t interpret.

A cold sensation spirals down my spine. I shiver, then shove it aside. "I did," I say in a firm voice.

"What you got a taste of in my office is not even a starter course."

"I’m not scared, Edward. I want to be your main and your dessert. I want to be your eight-course meal."

He scoffs, "You, the newly deflowered virgin… You have no idea what you’re talking about."

"No, don’t do that." I cut my palm through the air. "Don’t patronize me. I am not a child."

"You were one not too long ago."

I shake my head. "You don’t get to diminish me. I know what I’m doing."

"Do you?"

"I do. I knew what I was taking on when I left home and moved to a new city. I knew what I was doing when I agreed to marry you."

"You didn’t have a choice."

"I could have refused you and my father. I could have walked out."

"But you didn’t."

"That’s right." I straighten my spine. "I chose the tough route, because it was my responsibility to help my father. I don’t shirk my duties."

"So that’s what this is?" He looks me up and down. "You want to sacrifice yourself at the altar of my depravity because you want to live up to the duty of being my wife."

"Yes." I tip up my chin. "I won’t shirk from my obligations."

"You have no obligation toward me."

"How can you say that? I am your wife."

"And I will not corrupt you further."

34

Edward

"Why are you not with your wife?" Arthur frowns.

"Because I didn’t want to miss poker night." I focus on my cards, while well aware of the suspicion in his eyes.

I’m not doing a good job of playing the newly-married husband desperately in love with his bride. In fact, I’m screwing up my role so badly, even my grandfather believes something is wrong.

"For a man enjoying post marital bliss, you seem strung tightly," Knox drawls.

Asswipe is trying to get another response from me, and this time, I will not give in to him.

I accompanied Belle to the door of the townhouse, made sure she was in safely, then instructed my housekeeper to cook dinner for her. I had no interest in the poker game, but I did want to see my grandfather face-to-face. He still hasn’t confirmed me as CEO, even though I'm in charge of all the keydecisions of the company. I'm not going to bring it up with him, of course. I'm more strategic than that.

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