Page 95 of Dex

“Best get on with it.”She turns on her heel and walks away, her back straight, her chin high.

It was an act.The wedding, the romance, the costumes, the smiles.

Now, it’s just us.

And reality.

Alone, in a romantic setting, For honeymooners.It’s going to be nothing but slow, painful torture.

Chapter 23

DEX

I’ve spent the entire day working.Or at least, that’s what I tell myself.In reality, I’ve been sitting in my private villa, watching my wife.

That word doesn’t seem so strange anymore.I quite like it.From where I’m sitting, I have the perfect vantage point to see her at the infinity pool, stretched out in the sun, those curves impossible to ignore.She looks gorgeous.People keep coming up to her, congratulating her on our marriage, smiling, flattering her.

It’s not just her looks.God knows, she’s stunning.Dani has a heart of gold.She hates that people notice her looks.It’s why she picked me, because I didn’t fall at her feet.

Yet, there’s something between us.Something that burns, sizzles.My lips still remember our first dance, our kiss.

I want more, and I wonder if I’ll ever get the chance.I don’t know how she feels about me.She’s made it clear this is just a business arrangement, a deal to save her father’s company.An arranged marriage with a clear-cut expiration date.

But we connected, and that is hard to forget, even as I work, and she sunbathes by the pool.

My brothers are almost home.I’ve been texting Jett, Zach, and Rio, but Rio isn’t answering.I text Jett, needing his opinion as to why the old man stayed behind.His reply is dry and predictable:

Shouldn’t be surprised.He’s obviously there to spy on the business.

Do you think something’s not right with the deal?

I text back.

Jett’s reply:

Our father wouldn’t have agreed to this deal otherwise

I text Zach, asking for his thoughts.His response?

Any photos from the honeymoon?

My reply:

Sick

The hours pass and I catch up on my workload.My schedule is all over the place.We’re here for three nights, then back to Brazil for a day because Daniela insists on spending time with her parents.After that, New York.

And then… reality.

I’ll have to get used to her invading my privacy, her presence in my penthouse, the way she’ll set up her life inside mine.

Hopefully, the renovations will be done by the time we return.

By the time I finally look up, the sun is high, and I’m roasting.I glance outside and narrow my eyes.Daniela is standing near the infinity pool.Talking to someone.Wearing that damn sexy strapless bikini.

My insides are molten lava when I recognize the guy.He’s a Hollywood superstar.One of those action-hero types.And he’s standing too damn close to her, his hand hovering near hers, his body angled toward her like he’s claiming her space.She’s smiling, nodding politely, but I know that look.It’s the look of a woman trying to disengage without making a scene.

Jealousy creeps in before I can shove it down.I don’t like the way the guy lingers, the way Daniela tries to walk away, and he won’t let her.She didn’t ask for that attention.She hates it, that’s why she picked me.

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