Page 73 of Impending Consent

"I'm saying when that muthafucker stood there talking about you like you were an object and something he'd used and discarded, it made me want to break his fucking jaw."

“I’m pretty sure you did.”

Rival shrugged, unbothered. "My point is, I didn’t react like that because I think I own you or because I can't handle that my wife has a past. You deserve better than that. You matter to me, Sail, more than I expected you to and I’m good with that. This is real. Look, shit was pretty fucked up and I apologize for fucking up our breakfast, but I'm not sorry for breaking his jaw." Rival smiled sexily and I rolled my eyes.

“Maybe next time catch him in the parking lot and not in the middle of a crowded restaurant and I'll work on not attracting assholes from my past."

"Your past is your past, Sailor. I don't judge you for that shit. I just don't want it becoming a recurring part of our lives."

“Our lives as in, we’re in this?”

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, just unexpected and I don’t like fighting with you."

"All couples fight. Even the fake ones."

"We just had our first fight?"

"Nah, your ass has been fighting me since day one.”

“Right, which is why I saidwe. You participated this time.”

He chuckled and nodded. “Aight, you got that. How’d we do?"

"Good enough for makeup sex.”

Rival lifted a hand and gripped the back of my neck. "I’ll think about it. We good?"

The question was simple, but loaded at the same time.Were we okay?This morning I woke up in his bed and my body still remembered his touch. I just watched him nearly make a man comatose defending me. Now he was looking at me with those damn intense eyes, asking for reassurance that we were still moving forward, whatever "forward" meant for us.

Through all the chaos, I still wanted this and him…

"Yeah, we’re good."

"Aight good, because I'm starving since we never actually got to eat."

"There's food here," I pointed out. "Lots of it."

"Then lead the way, wife, and I promise not to hit anybody before we finish our food."

Monday morning came too quickly and that meant back to reality. I had to go back to work and Rival and I both had to shift back into the separate lives that existed before this marriage. I was disappointed about not having full access to him all day.

"You sure you don't want me to drive you?" Rival walked up behind me and caged me in, placing his hands on the counter and his chest to my back while I gathered my briefcase and travel mug of coffee.

"I'm sure. I’m perfectly capable of driving myself. It's easier than trying to coordinate pickup later." I checked my watchand smiled when he started a trail of light kisses on my neck. "Besides, don't you have that consultation in Virginia-Highland?"

He nodded, looking impressed that I'd remembered. “Let me find out my wife pays attention.”

“I pay attention.”

He kissed my neck again then stepped away, watching me secure the lid to my mug before he added, "Meeting the clients at three."

"Then there's no sense in you going downtown just to come back this way, but thanks for offering.” I lifted my things and moved to him, dropping a kiss to his mouth. “I have to go.”

He nodded but moved his hand to my waist and stole another kiss. "Have a good day at work, wife."

"You too, husband." The word still felt foreign on my tongue but less uncomfortable than it had a week ago.

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