Page 113 of Gloves Off

“Fine.” My heart flutters. I thought I’d enjoy spending his money, but I’m more intrigued by him buying me things.

I’ve always been independent. I’m proud that I can unapologetically buy myself things. I don’t need some guy to buy me shoes. I think about Alexei buying me a pair, though, and a fizzy little shiver of delight rolls through me.

A beat of silence passes where we just stare at each other.

“Who’s Liam?” he asks, watching me closely, and my stomach drops.

I didn’t mean to bring him up during the argument. The woman who let herself get swept away by Liam is long gone, so different from the person I am today. Even if things are changing between Alexei and me, I’d never tell him what happened. I’d never show him how truly stupid I can be when in love.

“No one.” I look away. “I should go to bed.”

He watches me for another beat, looking like he wants to press, but instead, he just nods. “Okay. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Later, I lie in bed, thinking about his expression of regret and shame as he apologized. I don’t think Liam apologized once to me. Before I fall asleep, I’m left with one concerning realization.

My crush on my husband is back with a vengeance.

CHAPTER 54

GEORGIA

Saturday morning,a fist pounds on my door.

“Go away,” I groan into my pillow. “It’s my day off.”

Another loud thumping noise. When I ignore it and pull the pillow over my head, the door opens. There’s a clinking noise from my bedside table, and a second later, the pillow is whipped away.

A big hand comes to my back and he shakes me.

“Mmm,” I moan into the bed, “harder, Dr. Handley. Harder.”

Alexei growls, and I grin before rolling over. His hair is damp from his morning shower. A navy T-shirt. Brown eyes a little sleepy, with those under-eye circles. Something pulses between my legs.

I’m distracted, though, by the latte and breakfast sandwich on my bedside table.

I squint at him, frowning. “Did you make that?”

He shrugs. That means yes.

“I already forgave you. You don’t have to keep doing this.”

“All you eat are those fucking protein bars, and I don’t want you getting hungry and cranky halfway through your dress fitting.”

I sit up straighter, starting to smile. “Dress fitting?”

His eyes glint. “Mhm.”

“Today?”

“If you ever get out of bed, yes. I have an appointment for a suit fitting. The designer is going to meet us there to get your measurements.”

“Designer?” My vocabulary has been reduced to repeating things.

“Yes.” He sighs like I’m getting on his nerves, but reaches for the coffee and puts it in my hand. “Eat. Drink.” He looks at his watch. “We leave in twenty minutes.”

Without another word, he leaves, closing the door behind him, and I look down at Damon, cuddled against my legs.

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