Page 44 of Reckless Promises

“I’m having potential business partners over to the house this weekend to discuss a few opportunities. And then I need to head into Bridgeport next week for a meeting.” Cillian changes the subject, stepping back. “Themeeting in Bridgeport will run late, so I’ve asked Darci to book a hotel room for that night.”

His statement snaps me out of my trance.

“I take it you’ll find actual clothes to wear before then?”

“Wouldn’t want your staff to see my tits,” I snap back at him, annoyed he’s worried about his staff staring at me while he’s out of town.

He chuckles. “I was thinking more about the driver, the hotel employees, my business partners. Even the general public, depending on how creative you’re thinking of getting.”

“Wait.” I shake my head. “You want me to go with you?”

“You’re my wife. If I’m going somewhere overnight, you’ll come with me.”

My father never brought my mother on trips out of town, so I’m not sure what to make of the fact that Cillian wants me at his side.

“Odette?” He snaps my attention back into focus.

“Right. I’ll find something.”

I start to turn before he can read the conflicting push and pull of emotions playing out on my face. But when I try to walk past him, he grabs my waist and stops me, pressing his front to my back.

“One more thing.” He brushes my hair off my neck, trailing his fingers down my spine. “The next time you come to my office, I expect you to be wearing real clothes, or I’ll pick you up and carry you back to our bedroom myself. And once we’re there, you’re more than welcome to show me the difference between nightgowns and lingerie.”

He steps back, and I glance over my shoulder at him. Anger and desire brew in his eyes. But all I can do is walk away and not think too much about it. Because what started as a cold war between us is starting to change. And I don’t think I can trust where this is going.

Hearts are blind. And even if I’m the one who played with fire just now, if I’m not careful, I’ll risk him using mine against me.

16

Odette

“Dogs shouldn’t eat fromthe table.” Cillian stops in the doorway, frowning at me feeding Birdie a piece of pancake.

She snatches it from between my fingers before running over to him and circling his legs.

“Why not?” I shrug, sticking another piece with my fork and dragging it through some syrup. “Afraid she’ll be spoiled?”

Opening my mouth, I pop the bite in, not missing that Cillian watches me as I do.

Since the other day in his office, something’s been brewing.

Tension.

A nuclear explosion.

Whatever it is, it eats up the air in the room the momenthe steps into it.

I don’t want to see my husband as a chiseled sex god, but as he walks toward me with his hands tucked in his dress slacks and his shirt unbuttoned at the top, my throat closes around the bite of pancake I’m trying to swallow.

Dropping into the seat at the table next to me, he leans back and watches me take another bite.

“I already know she’ll be spoiled.” Cillian hitches an eyebrow. “You and my sister will make sure of it.”

I try to bury my smile, but my cheeks heat at his comment.

Cillian glances over to where Birdie is circling the table, motioning for one of the guards standing watch in the doorway. “Take her out.”

“Yes, sir.”

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