Page 96 of Buckled in Barbwire

“Well, this”—I straighten slightly to gesture at him—“is extremely unexpected.”

“Thisis what happens when you’ve wrecked me beyond repair. I’ve become unhinged and it’s your fault.”

The audacity behind his blame steels my spine. “No way, husband.”

He nods against me. “This is your consequence. Theonly option is to accept it.” He cinches me in an unforgiving hold.

I don’t bother trying to free myself, but he’s not getting out of this either. “I’m not responsible for you acting like a man possessed.”

“You are, wife. Only you.”

“Totally meant to be,” Bianca chimes in.

“Whatever,” I lament.

Brody’s unwavering stare burns into mine. “How can I convince you?”

“Just take it easy.” I pat his chest. “We’re barely married beyond name only.”

“Am I coming on too strong?”

My fingers lift a pinch of space. “A little, and all of a sudden.”

Not that I mind, but I’m not about to fall at his feet. Mama didn’t raise me to be weak. Just too much sparkle and the right amount of sass to wrangle this fella.

His grunt echoes my thoughts. “Can’t help it, Twinkles. Once I got a taste—”

“La-la-la-la,” Bianca blurts and starts singing “Worst Way” by Riley Green.

I laugh at her antics before addressing the grump towering over me. “Okay, I’ll compromise and give you a heads-up about my plans. I probably would’ve texted this morning but—”

“That reminds me. This is yours.” A new iPhone is pressed into my palm. “Just arrived. I’ve already put myself at the top of your favorites.”

“Shocking,” I laugh. “I’m still not in love with the fact that you bought this for me.”

His expression hardens. “You’re not paying me back, wife.”

“But it’s not my money.”

“It is, and you’ll get used to spending it.”

“I’ll help,” Bianca volunteers.

“Problem solved.” He tugs on my belt loop, the flirty move melting me against him. “But before you go on a shopping spree, allow me to make up for this rude interruption.”

My smile is effortless. “And how might you do that?”

“Go on a date with me.”

“When?”

“Right now,” he blurts.

“Show isn’t over, husband.” I blindly swat at the competition behind me.

“Then I’ll wait until you’re done.”

I stare at him, suspicion narrowing my eyes into a squint. “Why aren’t you at the office? Shouldn’t you be worrying about making your next billion now that you’re in charge?”

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