Page 24 of Impending Consent

“You’ll be married to him for a year. Do you plan on avoiding all family functions for the next twelve months?”

“Eleven months and three hundred and sixty something days.” My sister grinned with amusement flashing in her eyes, which only further annoyed me. “If I can, yes.”

“Sail, that’s crazy.”

“So is this marriage.”

“Blame yourself.”

I groaned. “Sky, leave it alone.”

“Fine.” She rose from her chair and walked to the door. “I will let this go for now because pushing you to do anything is pointless. I will say this much, he’s doing his part as a husband.”

“And how would you know what he’s doing?”

Her eyes lowered to my desk where the food he had delivered was sitting and I rolled mine.Who cares?He sent me dinner and not to mention lunch two days ago. I had also received beautiful flowers but the most important gift was his distance. Rival stayed away, knowing I didn’t want to see him.

“Night, Sail, and you might want to consider meeting him halfway. It will make this year go by much smoother and faster.”

When she was gone, I sank back in my chair feeling annoyed. I hadn’t had sex in almost a week. I was unreasonably horny and the worst part was that I had a perfectly sexy and willing husband I was sure would gladly welcome me into his bed to fix that problem.

And what was worse, I wanted him to. No matter how much I ignored his texts and kind gestures, the man was heavy on my mind. I found myself wondering what he was up to and if he was honoring our vows. Sham or not, the thought of my husband sleeping with another woman, something he was very good at,bothered me. What I couldn’t understand was why I cared. I didn’t want to be married to him.

True enough but Rival confessed his attraction to me. I felt the same. The time I spent with Rival filtered into the background of my life had been an interesting one. We didn’t talk often but when I was home and he was there, I was uncharacteristically comfortable with his silent presence.

Wanting to have sex with him was one thing, craving his presence was an entirely different reality. A reality I couldn’t explain. The lack of clarity was what bothered me the most. Even now, as much as I loathed the idea of moving in with him, mostly because I was being forced to do so, I was secretly looking forward to sharing his space. I was curious about Rival and what his life looked like outside of what little I knew of the man.

“I’m curious about my husband. A husband I don’t want,” I whispered quietly to myself.

Exhaling a sigh, I lifted the lid to my food container, resealed my catered meal, and placed everything back in the bag. Like it or not, I had to face the firing squad so I might as well get it over with. I reached for the duffel in the corner and removed Hippo, which I sat on my desk and frowned at. She was my comfort tool and I would have to live without her for a while. I damn sure wasn’t letting Rival know I relied on a stuffed animal to keep me grounded. He would think I was insane.Maybe I am…

She got one last hug before I shoved her back into the bag then I gathered my things and removed my phone from safe keeping. The very first thing that had my attention was the text thread from Rival. His last ones to be exact.

Rival: You’re moving in tonight even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming, and to answer the question in your head, no I don’t care who sees. My neighbors or yours. You are my wife. They won’t get involved. Be there before midnight, Sail, or I’m coming to get you.

Rival: And because I know how damn stubborn you are, I’ll give you until ten after. If I have to guess you’ll stretch this out just to spite me. My money’s on an 11:59 arrival time.

His messages made me smile. Full blown smile and I didn’t once try to hide it. How on earth this man knew me so well was lost on me. It was as if he had some secret Sailor handbook, and if I was being honest with myself, it made me wish I had one on him as well.

Or maybe that was just the competitor in me. I supposed I would have to roll up my sleeves and learn about my husband the good old fashioned way. Working his nerves until I learned all his pleasures and triggers.

Pleasures, well shit. That just changed the game.

Chapter 6

Rival.

My wife surprised me.

By eight forty-seven Sailor was parked in my driveway yanking a suitcase from the trunk of her SUV. I watched briefly from my bedroom window before I was jogging down the stairs to assist, when I knew she was likely going to deny any help I offered.

Once I was behind her and reached for the largest two suitcases, she surprised me again by offering a smile and no rebuttal when I lifted both.

She only removed an oversized duffle from the back seat and trailed me into the house. She followed me up the stairs to the room next to mine, which I spent the last week furnishing. There was now a queen bed, new mattress, bedding, dressers, and matching wardrobe. It cost me more than I wanted to spend, considering my goal was to have Sailor in my bed, but I had to make the effort.

The room also had a fresh coat of paint, new blinds, and a vase of flowers sitting on the bedside table.

“You might not have been sure of the time but you had faith I would show.” She dropped the duffle on the floor next to the bedand leaned over the flowers, inhaling deeply before her fingers traveled over the petals.

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