Page 61 of Buckled in Barbwire

Her entire face ignites into flames. “That part slipped my mind.”

“That’s some sexy shit you brought home.”

“The shop owner warned me about that,” she mumbles.

“But you picked it anyway.”

“To be fair, she told me after I’d already committed to the title.” Paisley swats at the rising temperature in the room. “It was the first thing I grabbed.”

My eyes narrow on her evasive maneuvers. “I think my wife likes her romance spicy and extraterrestrial.”

“Or maybe I just like it when someone reads to me.” She swaps her mug for the paperback on the nightstand. “Can’t believe you broke the spine.”

“You wanted it rough.”

“I saidgruff,” she corrects. “As in your voice. You didn’t need to manhandle my book.”

“Hard to hear over your demands.”

“At least you fulfilled most of them.” She pets the cover. “We’ll call this a honeymoon hazard. It’s easy to get carried away in the moment.”

After setting my coffee aside, I sprawl out beside her on the mattress. “Should I read the next chapter?”

Paisley stiffens. “That’s not a good idea.”

My lips twitch. I’m becoming fond of just talking to her. “Why not?”

“Look where last night got me.” She gestures at her outfit like I haven’t been constantly staring at her. “I can only imagine what will happen to my resolve during the light of day.”

“We should find out.”

“No way, mister. You’re too handsy.” Her nail taps a deep crease on the book’s spine.

“I’ll be more careful.”

“Sounds a lot like your promise to be gentle.” She taps my nose, giggling when I attempt to bite her finger. “See? You can’t be trusted.”

And she doesn’t know the worst of it. My gut clenches into stone, reminding me of what stalks beneath the surface. The shit with Bianca will hit the fan soon enough. I can’t keep them apart much longer. That will require major damage control, and I’m not sure our shaky truce will survive. But why should I care? This is what I wanted.

Paisley gasps as if hearing my betrayal. “My phone!”

Relief I shouldn’t feel sags my shoulders. “Ah, yes. It took an unfortunate swim in the hot tub.”

Which I had nothing to do with. Paisley saved me the trouble of expanding my deceit by dunking her device underwater. It was very convenient, almost like I planned that too.

“I can’t believe it’s ruined,” she whines.

“No sweat, wife. Your new one is already on the way. It’ll arrive at our house on Friday.”

Confusion pinches her drowsy features. “What?”

“Ordered it before I fell asleep.”

“Oh.” She smiles, but it’s weak. “Thanks. I’ll pay you back.”

“You better be joking.”

Her chin tips to a defiant angle. “I’m not.”

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