Page 15 of Might as Well

“Yes. Can I see your house?” When I glance over at her with surprise, she adds, “I just want to see it, know where you live, and take a peek at proof we’re married.”

I take a turn since we’re going to my house.

“Nice place,” she murmurs once I park. I jog around to open the door for her and then lead her inside.

“Look around all you’d like; I’ll grab the paperwork.” I leave her for my bedroom and snag what I need. When I return, she’s taken a seat on the couch. “Apparently, I paid for a photographer, too. About a week after, I got a package in the mail.” I hand her the marriage certificate and the photos.

She briefly looks at the document deeming us husband and wife before turning to the photos. “We look happy,” she sayswith a little laugh. “Can barely tell we’d been drinking.” Violet sighs after looking through all the photos. She sets them down on the coffee table and then slides the ring set off her finger. “Here,” she says, holding them out for me to take. “You spent entirely too much money. You should get some of it back.”

I shake my head and push her hand back toward her. “Keep it. No take backs. I don’t mind.” Itwasa good chunk of change, but it’s not like I spend that much every day. It’s fine.

She doesn’t seem to like my answer, but she slides the rings back on her finger. Violet stands and excuses herself to the restroom. It seems like quite a bit of time passes and she still hasn’t returned. Has she escaped out the back? I stand and head down the hallway.

She’s in my bedroom, holding a picture of my family that rested on my dresser.

“Everything okay?”

She swivels to face me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be nosy.”

I shrug. “I said you could look around.” I walk over to stand next to her. I want ask more about her family, but not tonight. “Was this just a ploy to get me in the bedroom?” I ask as I take the frame and put it back in its place. Tired of the wig, I pluck it off my head and drop it onto the dresser.

Violet laughs, but she sounds a little nervous. “I don’t need a ploy; if I remember correctly, you’re the one with the lame pickup lines.”

I grin. “They always seem to work, though. They definitely did with you.” I rest my hand on her shoulder and let my fingers slowly fall until her hand is in mine. Such a simple move yet I swear she shivers.

“Did you ever stop to think it only works because you’re kinda famous and have money?”

She’s teasing, lying even, because she didn’t know who I was. Yet her words still bite, especially when there are women whothrow themselves at me for that very reason. I learned that when I had my wild streak after Deanna. I barely had to ask some of the women to come back to my room.

Something about my demeanor must change because Violet softly says, “Oh, Zane.” She rests a hand on my arm. “I’m sorry. I was teasing. It works because you’re ridiculously handsome with a killer smile. At least that’s my excuse.”

I grin. “Are you saying you find me irresistible?” I take a step closer, making us toe-to-toe.

“Hardly,” she breathes, looking up at me. The air around us shifts, electrifying. Every fiber of my body itches to devour every inch of hers. “You should probably take me home.” Her soft voice spurs me onward while her words make me hesitate.

“Should I?” Leaning down, I trail kisses from her cheek, down her jaw, to her neck and shoulder. She’s beautiful and her costume has been driving me crazy all night. I need to get her naked first at the very least.

“You’re trying to seduce me while looking like a troll?” She sounds like she’s about to laugh, but it’s cut short when I place an open-mouthed kiss on her neck. “Zane,” she exhales. I can’t tell if it’s a protest or a plea.

I lift my head, hoping her eyes will tell me more. Violet doesn’t give me a chance. Her hands grab my face and pull me back to her. Our mouths collide and all bets are off. It’s a race to remove our clothes as desire overwhelms us. I guide us over to my bed and we fall with a heap.

This?

The rush, the excitement, the anticipation.

The emotions flood my body like a drug I can’t get enough of.She’ssomething I can’t get enough of. It’s never been like this with anyone. Always itching to be around her, to be with her. Violet is unlike anyone I’ve ever met.

There’s this vulnerability, yet a toughness.

Skepticism, yet conviction.

Softness, yet a hardness.

She’s all the emotions wrapped in one pretty mysterious package.

“How do you keep doing this to me?” Violet asks breathlessly as she lies next to me some time later.

I turn my head toward her and laugh, both at her question and at what I see. My body paint is now smudged all over her body. Violet follows my gaze and laughs as well.

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