Page 20 of Rockstar's Accidental Marriage

“It’s no big deal. Our being married—”

“Yes, Sam. It is.” I realize I’ve said the wrong thing as her expression changes. Hardens.

She then places a hand on my chest and pushes me away. I turn as she straightens her clothing and stands. But I notice the way her legs appear unsteady, and her face is flushed.

“This was a mistake—”

“No, it wasn’t,” I interrupt, stepping closer. “Don’t act like this is one-sided.”

Emily narrows her eyes. “I can’t deny that we have chemistry. But I don’t like being out of control. And you took advantage.”

I flinch at her words. “Really? You mean you dressed this way just to have a talk with me?”

Her eyes widen as my barb hits home.

“I made a mistake.” She looks up at me, her eyes blazing.

“That isn’t what I meant–”

Her expression hardens further, and she steps back, putting more space between us. “Sam, come on,” she says, trying to keep her voice steady. “We don’t get along. We’re too volatile when we’re together—too different.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Why, because you’re you, and I’m me?” I frown at her.

“Wow. That’s profound, Sam. Did you come up with that all on your own?” Her voice drips sarcasm.

“Don’t do that,” I snap, frustration bubbling to the surface. “You know what I meant.” Taking a deep breath to calm myself. “I’m tired of arguing. We need to talk and settle things once and for all.”

Emily narrows her eyes, lifting her chin. “Fine. Talk.”

“We need to stop pretending we can’t stand each other–”

“I’m not pretending anything,” she interrupts me, “You’re the one who started this, remember?” She crosses her arms, her gaze sharp enough to cut steel.

My head reels, and I hear Cass's voice saying to either tell her how I feel or leave her the hell alone. The way she's looking at me now, all fire and defiance, makes me want to kiss her again, to prove that what's between us is more than just antagonism.

"Look," I say, exhaling sharply. "What if we stop fighting this?" The words spill out before I can stop them. "What if we actually give our marriage a chance? Why not see if we can make it work?"

She stares at me like I've lost my mind, but I don't miss how her breath catches and how her pupils dilate slightly. She affects me in ways no other woman ever has. "You're kidding, right?"

“No. I’m not kidding,” I say, taking a step closer. “Let’s give it a shot.”

“Give it a shot?” Her laughter is sharp and humorless, her face clouded with disbelief. “Why can’t you, for once, be serious?”

“I’m not joking, Emily. I’m saying we—”

“You’re saying we should try to make our marriage work? A marriage where you’ve spent the last year treating it like a joke?”

Her words hit like a slap, but I force myself to stay calm. “I’m saying we’re already in this, so why not give it a try? What’s the worst that could happen?”

Even angry, she's beautiful enough to stop my breath. Her hair is slightly mussed from where my fingers tangled in it, and the memory of how she felt in my arms makes my hands itch to touch her again.

Emily shakes her head, her jaw tight. “You really don’t get it, do you? This isn’t some experiment, Sam. This is our life. And the idea that you—of all people—think we could make this work is insulting.”

“Insulting?” I echo, my frustration boiling over. “How is it insulting to think we might have something worth fighting for?”

“Because you don’t mean it!” she snaps, her voice rising. “A few minutes ago, you agreed that we’re too different! Make up your mind, Sam!” Her eyes flash.

I flinch. “That’s not fair, and you know it.”

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