Page 32 of The Wife Situation

“Are you embarrassed by me?”

“Absolutely not,” I say, the spark igniting deep inside, but I also know how this goes.

It’salwaysthe chase. It’s always the first fourteen days, the prospect of falling in love. But then it ends when they show their true colors.

“Okay.” She reaches forward and takes my hand.

Her touch makes me tense. It’s the electricity, the undeniable attraction, that’s almost too much.

I narrow my eyes at her and swallow hard. “You shouldn’t start something you don’t intend on finishing.”

“Why not live in the moment?” She interlocks her fingers with mine, and I surprisingly relax. “You should make them eat from the palm of your hand, Easton. Give them something to talk about.”

I tilt my head at her. “You’re perfect.”

She laughs. “Now, that’s officially the second time you’ve told me that tonight. Oh, wait, that was your brother. Guess it’s true then?”

I make a mental note to ask Weston why he said that. Maybe he sees the same thing I do—determination, mixed with a dash of defiance. My favorite combination in a woman. And the only type who can handle me.

“One hundred percent true. Now, do you remember where you parked?” I turn my body, loving how small her warm hand feels in mine and how soft her skin is as I rub my thumb across the top of hers.

“At the end of this block,” she whispers, smiling at me as we stroll down the sidewalk. It’s almost easy to pretend with her, especially when she looks at me the way she does.

A silent conversation streams as we arrive at the car that’s parked perfectly between two others.

I let go of her hand and face her. “You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met.”

“I’m one of a kind. Now, gonna give me those keys?” She holds out her palm.

“Hell no. I’m okay to drive. You’re not.” I unlock the passenger door and open it for her.

“I’m having déjà vu from when I got picked up,” she says, tugging on my black tie and sliding her hand down the length of it. I notice how her gaze meets my mouth, and how she licks her plump, kissable lips.

“You can try all the tricks in the book, but you’renotgetting the keys this time. I’ve got a little secret.” I lean in and whisper, “I’m much harder to crack than my brother.”

“Great. Because I love challenges too,” she whispers, holding back a smile as she gets inside and buckles.

“You play dirty as fuck.” I close the door and hear her laugh as I walk to the driver’s side.

I get behind the steering wheel and crank the engine, loving the way it roars to life. I haven’t driven this car in so fucking long. There was no reason to.

“Parking brake engaged,” I say with a brow lifted. “Good girl.”

She tucks her lips into her mouth. Mmm, maybe it’s not a billionaire kink she has, but a praise one.

I hold down the clutch carefully moving the stick into first gear as I slowly inch onto the road. As we speed off, leaving Brody and the paps here, I know hundreds of pictures of us were taken together in that short amount of time. The tabloids will run with this story.

“Do you like the yellow roses?” I ask.

“Yeah, they’re beautiful,” she admits.

“If I had to guess, I’d say white ones are more your style.”

She grins. “It’s almost like you know me.”

9

LEXI

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