Page 13 of My Ruthless Husband

That wasn’t a question. Still, I answer. “No, I’m not.”

“What’s the reason behind this little rebellion?”

“I’m tired of being a good girl.” My smile is wry.

He finally releases the bottle, and I take a long sip. The wine is rich, smooth, like velvet sliding down my throat. My eyes close for a beat as I savor it. I can’t help the little hum of appreciation that escapes me.

I glance at him, then hold the bottle out, offering him a taste.

He takes it from me, and brings the bottle to his lips. My breath catches in my chest as I watch him, unable to look away.

He tilts the bottle, and my eyes follow the line of his neck, watching his throat work as he swallows.God.

His lips glisten when he passes it back to me. The wine doesn’t hold my interest any longer. It’s latched on the ruby droplets clinging to his lips. My mouth goes dry and I try to swallow.

I still want to taste the wine but now I want to do it from his lips. The sinful thought makes my toes curl.

To hide my emotions from reflecting in my eyes, I lift the bottle and chug, trying to drown the fantasy of him kissing me passionately. I keep taking healthy swigs until the bottle is ripped from me.

I cough. His hand lands on my back, rubbing and patting gently while frowning down at me. With his free hand, he tilts my chin up. His gaze slides down on my wet mouth. Still frowning, he touches my bottom lip with the pad of his thumb and wipes it.

A thrill soars through me and I find myself inching closer to him. My chest heaves from my shallow breathing as my hand lands on his chest, my fingers digging into his shirt.

“River,” he warns and I lift my eyes, now heavy-lidded, meeting his gaze.

Ignoring his warning, I inch closer to his lips. His fingers fist my hair at the nape, stopping me. “You’re being reckless.”

I lick my lips as I stare at his. “I told you I’m done being a good girl.”

His face darkens. “Be careful, angel. I’m not the man you should trust.”

My breath hitches. But I don’t let his words sway me. It may be the alcohol or it might be his intoxicating scent. All I know is, I’m not going to shy away from taking what I want. At least not tonight.

“I’ll take my chances,” I murmur before touching my lips to his.

Happy Birthday to me.

Chapter Four

Present

“We have to go shopping, River! We are so partying tonight!” She grins at me, her beautiful heterochromia eyes glinting.

I find myself smiling back at my best friend. Summer’s dark hair cascades down her shoulders in waves and reaches to her hips. She’s wearing hot pink shorts and orange top with neon green bucket hat.

She is a complete opposite of mine. And I’m not referring to her obsession with bright colors. We are different in many ways. Take our heights for instance. She has a frame of a model because she is around 5’9” and has facial features that should be on a magazine cover. I on the other hand am petite with thick dark curls that reaches to the small of my back and most of the time refuses to behave.

I’ve often been told that I possess a haunting beauty, one with a touch of melancholy woven into its essence. My pale green eyes, in particular, seem to hold a perpetual hint of sadness whereas Summer’s unique eyes are the source of sunshine.

She is always hyperactive unlike me. And her voice raises an octave higher when she is excited. Like now.

I met Summer on mywedding anniversary over a month ago. The exact same day when my delusions and the world I was living in came crashing down. We met by chance and bonded immediately.

We might be polar opposites. But that’s why we fit so well together. Our friendship may have bloomed in a saddest point of our lives, but I couldn’t have been luckier.

“Earth to Riverrrr!” Summer sings loudly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Sorry, what were you saying?”

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