Page 28 of Impending Consent

“Alright then, let’s get coffee, then we’ll shop and for the record, I’m buying the most expensive coffee and espresso machine I can find.”

I grinned. “I know.”

Those beautiful browns narrowed. “You don’t know me, Rival.”

Her eyes narrowed more. “And how about dressing appropriately since sex isn’t on the table?”

I chuckled and glanced down at the only thing I was wearing, gray briefs. “According to you, my body is my best asset.”

“It is but if you’re not sharing then I’d prefer not to be taunted by that.”

I crossed the kitchen, stopping in front of her. She stood her ground. “It’s only fair when you’re taunting me with this.”

I worked my hand beneath the oversized T-shirt she was in and firmly cupped her pussy. She sucked in a sharp breath. I leaned in so my mouth was a whisper away from hers. “I can smell you, Sail. The sweet aroma of your pussy is my new favorite thing and it’s driving me fucking crazy. I would prefer fucking you until you’re too exhausted to worry about coffee over shopping for it, but what my wife wants she gets, and you want coffee.”

I leaned in just a bit more and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, giving her pussy a firm squeeze before I released it and walked away. “I’ll get dressed now so we can start our day.”

My dick was once again unbearably hard but I refused to give in to Sailor just yet. Once the ring was on her finger, she could have her way and I would have mine by thoroughly satisfying her beautiful body. But for now, she was getting coffee.

Chapter 7

Sailor.

Rival was infuriating andsexy. Impossible andsexy. Persistent andsexy. No matter what thought I had about this man, it was followed with sexy. Rival in briefs as my first visual of the day was… sexy. Sinfully sexy and frustrating because I wanted him so badly I couldn’t focus on anything but wanting him.

When he touched me, cupping my pussy, I thought I would orgasm simply from the intense look in his eyes and the mere contact. I had a lot of sex in my life. Most of those experiences were gratifying but never as gratifying as not having sex with my husband. Insanity, right? It truly was but the torture of not having sex with Rival had me convinced that once he was inside me again would only make the experience so much more satisfying.

Damn, I had it bad.

“Why don’t you pick one? Isn’t that how this is supposed to go? The man picks a ring then proposes to the woman?” I smugly watched Rival, who was beside me while we examined the presentation of rings placed on the glass enclosure in front of us.

After breakfast, when he mentioned our first stop would be purchasing wedding bands, I argued but he drew the line, stating this was very real to him, which meant I would be wearing a ring he gifted on my finger.

Sexy Rival was nice, but bossy, assertive, and dominant Rival was even more attractive. I wasn’t a fan of men telling me what to do. I was certain the dislike was a side effect of being raised by a man like Torrance Addison Sr., a man who controlled everything. Our father loved us with all his heart but loving him back always felt as if I was losing a part of myself, handing it over by force.

His expectations of me and my siblings were so all consuming that I often felt suffocated by the need to live up to them. Not doing so wasn’t an option, especially since Skylar and TJ had bailed on being our father’s promised offspring.

My life more or less felt committed to impressing our father, at least career wise, which was also why my personal life was so chaotic. My sexual freedom was the only thing I had control over. That was how I felt, even if it weren’t completely true. So men commanding me, dominating me, or simply expressing their desire of my compliance with following their lead was a no go.

So why was I not opposed to Rival taking charge and leading? I kinda liked that he did, a lot.

Damn it Sailor, you will not fall for this man. Get a grip.

“You’re well aware that we did not follow the traditional path with this union and I want you to like your ring enough to feel comfortable wearing it. But if you don’t want to pick, I’ll gladly select one for you.” His deep tenor and intense eyes penetrated me.

Fuck, he’s so sexy.

“You’re forcing me to wear one. Might as well be one you approve. You pick it.”

I assumed he would be angry, or at the very least annoyed, but my husband only smiled arrogantly, nodded with assured confidence, and scanned the rings. After a brief moment, he lifted one. It was simple. Not a solitaire. A diamond encrusted platinum band, slim and delicate. I fucking loved it, had mentally selected that same one. So when he lifted it from the case and held it into view, my brain stuttered.

“This one feels like a good choice.”

“Why?” I mumbled, not liking the pitch of my voice.

“I can’t visualize you with some massive, clunky diamond on your hand. This is a statement piece but still delicate. It’s classy, beautiful, and edgy all at the same time. It’s you, Sail. The others are too cliché, that’s not who you are.” He reached for my hand and worked the ring onto my finger and smiled cockily. “Plus, you would never want those suits you face off with in court to mistake the Sailor Addison for the sappy, sentimental, lovestruck type.”

I smirked because he was right, about all of it. I lifted my hand and examined the visual of the ring against my finger. “I suppose this will do.”

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