Page 121 of The Reluctant Wife

"Not to mention that his brother's and uncle’s boats were blown up, too. He probably feared they were already dead." Another thing that makes me feel guilty. "Thankfully, no one was hurt." Both men made it clear to me they were doing their job and, given a choice, would do it all over again. Which makes me feel lucky to have them as part of my new family. But that doesn’t lessen the guilt of what I put them through.

"You really should talk to him?—"

"Talk to who?" My husband’s voice reaches me from the doorway of my suite. After what happened, he upped the security and installed locks outside my suite which now require a passcode. A passcode only he and I, and one member of my household staff responsible for the cleaning, have. No one else is allowed in here, or into the cottage he bought on the premises.

The security outside the palace was also increased, and all of the staff was subjected to more rigorous background checks and enhanced skill development. All of which makes me feel safer… But if I'm being honest, the only time I feel completely safe is when I’m with him.

"Hi, Ryot," Zoey calls out.

"Zoey." He nods at her "How’s the job coming along?"

"As well as can be expected, considering so many of my authors have missed their deadlines." She rolls her eyes.

"I promise, I’ll be done with the redrafts by the end of the month," I hasten to add.

She laughs. "Oh, I know you will. Despite all of the changes in your life, I know you’re so professional, you’ll stick to yourdeadline. Unlike some of the others I manage." Someone talks off screen, and she nods at us. "Okay, I’m late for my next meeting."

"Take care, Z."

She disconnects. I hang up and slide my phone into the tiny purse I’ll be carrying. Then, because I need something inane to talk about, I step away and pose with one hand on my hip. "How do I look?"

He peruses me from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, and everywhere his eyes alight on me, it feels like he’s touched me. Little sparks of heat dance off my skin. Tiny stings of pleasure nip at my nerve-endings. His gaze is so hungry, so admiring, so lust-filled and tender, all at once, my heart swells in my chest. A heavy sensation squeezes my pussy. When our gazes connect, I feel like I’m being pulled in his direction.

As if in a dream, I take a step in his direction, and another, until the tips of my stilettos bump into his dress shoes. It’s my turn to scan him, from the razor-sharp crease of his black pants, to the crisp white of his shirt, and the emerald green tie which brings out the silver highlights in his eyes. The breadth of his shoulders stretches his jacket. The dark, spicy scent of his aftershave crowds my senses and turns my nipples into pinpoints of need. The lack of his five o’clock beard indicates he recently shaved, and his hair is combed back, with an errant strand falling over his forehead. My fingers tingle and, unable to stop myself, I go up on tiptoe and brush it aside.

His gaze widens, and as I pull back, he plants one big palm on my hip. The heat of his fingers burns through the fabric into my skin. "You look beautiful."

"You look beautiful," I murmur.

He slides a hand into his pocket and pulls out a ring. He releases me, only to take my left hand in his and slide a ring next to my wedding band.

"Oh!" I take in the large, oval sapphire in the center of the ring. It's deep blue, with a sparkle.So, like my eyes.My heart stutters. A warmth squeezes my chest. Surrounding the sapphire are brilliant cut diamonds that enhance the beauty of the sapphire. It’s simple, yet elegant, and very regal.

"Fit for my Empress." He kisses the ring, then holds my hand between both of his.

"It’s gorgeous." My throat aches with unspoken feelings.

"It belonged to my grandmother. She left a piece of jewelry from her collection for each of us brothers to give to the woman we love. She’d have wanted you to have this."

"It’s beautiful." A pressure drums at the backs of my eyeballs. I can’t take my gaze off the beautiful stone. "It feels… Perfect."

"You’re perfect," he says with such feeling, I raise my gaze to his.

On his face, I see the wonder, the love, and the tenderness. That look which marks him out at as mine.Mine. Mine. Mine.His green irises spark. That underlying current of lust that Is underpins our interactions flares.

I take a step toward him and tip up my chin. He lowers his chin, and a buzzing sound interrupts us.

59

Aurelia

"Ignore it." He brushes his lips over mine.

Soft and sweet. Then, he deepens the kiss, and it’s urgent and hot, and the flick of his tongue into my mouth sends shivers all the way to my toes. I moan deep in my throat, and his muscles bunch. He sweeps me up to my toes and into him. My breasts flatten against his chest. The muscled strength of his thighs, the throbbing length at his crotch… I feel everything. I dig my fingers into his biceps and hold on as he ravages my mouth and turns my insides to jelly. The buzzing grows more insistent.

He groans, and when he lifts his head, his green eyes have turned into a sea of emerald fire. My lips throb, and my breath comes in pants.

My phone vibrates in my purse again, but I ignore it.

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