Page 37 of If You Give a Billionaire a Bride

“I want to sit next to my wife, if you don’t mind,” I tease as I nudge her shoulder.

She rolls her eyes. “You’re insufferable.”

“Thank you.” I stretch my legs and lean against the headrest to get comfortable.

“That’s not a compliment,” she grumbles as she stashes her purse in the compartment in front of her seat. “I couldn’t help but notice the flight attendant was overly friendly with you.”

“She’s getting a big bonus because of our delay. Of course she’s going to be nice.” Everly nods, staring straight ahead. “There’s only one person who has my attention, and it’s not her.” I absentmindedly run my finger along a stray piece of her hair, tucking it behind her ear. She shivers slightly at my touch, her gaze locking onto mine with a flicker of interest before it vanishes as suddenly as it appeared.

Everly might have heard about my reputation from Theo, but it unsettles me that she only sees me as a charmer who’s looking for my next conquest. I’m determined to prove that she’s the only woman I have eyes for now.

“Don’t say things like that.”

I raise a brow. “Why not?”

“Because they’re just empty words,” she says, like it’s an undeniable fact.

“I meant every single one, wifey,” I murmur in her ear, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

She stiffens at the touch, her fingernails digging into the leather armrests. I feel a rush of adrenaline, seeing my effect on her.

“Stop calling me that,” she says, but her voice lacks conviction.

“Not a chance. You’re my wife, and I plan to remind you of that every chance I get.”

“Are you sure you can survive indefinitely without sex?” she taunts.

“Can you?” I quip.

“I have my toys, remember? I’ll be just fine.” She tilts her head toward me, a smirk playing on her lips.

“Well, I have my hand, so we’re on an even playing field.” I wink.

There’s no chance in hell I’ll be able to stop fantasizing about her lying beneath me on the bed, as I tease her breasts with my hands, and sink inside her warm heat.

Everly may come across as reserved and closed off, but she’s also a confident, alluring woman. I’m venturing to guess her sexual desires have been neglected because of her past experiences.

She’s tightly coiled like a twisted rope, waiting for the right person who is patient enough to unravel her complexities—someone who views every flaw and imperfection as intricately woven threads in her story.

The problem is I don’t stand a chance at being that person for her when all she can see is the sum of my playboy reputation.

Truthfully, I’m tired of being perceived as a manwhore who is selfish and uncaring—they’re wrong. Being upfront with the women I’ve slept with has made things far less complicated.

For a guy who keeps women at arm’s length, I’m acting like a lovesick puppy where Everly is concerned. She’s shot every rule I have to hell, and oddly enough, it doesn’t bother me.

I would have thought after fourteen years, I’d be over my one-sided interest in her. I was wrong. It’s like I’ve reverted to a teenager, and all the suppressed feelings I’ve kept hidden are fighting to rise to the surface every chance they get.She’s captivated me with her quick wit and sharp tongue, and my fascination grew to adoration when she called me beautiful yesterday while I tried to hide my scar.

Now that Everly and I are bound together, I’m committed to keeping my promise to make her smile every day. She was willing to confide in me about her rocky relationship with hermom and deserves to have someone in her corner who knows the truth. Someone who’s determined to give her a chance to spread her wings and break free from her dad’s control once and for all—she shouldn’t settle for anything less.

The rest of the flight back to London is uneventful. Everly used the time to catch up on work, and I spent mine watching her—incognito, of course. The car ride is the same. She’s busy reviewing documents, only looking up occasionally.

“We’re here,” I say when the driver pulls up to my apartment building.

Everly doesn’t respond, too absorbed in the pile of papers on her lap. She’s hunched over reading as she chews the pen cap in her mouth. I gently tap her on the shoulder to get her attention.

She snaps her head in my direction. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“We’re here,” I repeat, motioning to the apartment building outside the car window.

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