Page 187 of Dirty Eoin

Memorizing. Remembering.

There’s no urgency. He’s taking his time because he knows that’s what he now has. All the time in the world.

I groan as his hand cups my pussy before twisting out of reach.

“Six weeks for you means six weeks for both of us.”

“I want to give you pleasure, Jaine. It’s my right as your…”

He stops.

Reality check.

We both know what he was going to say next. Something that’s no longer the case. I can immediately sense his frustration. He’ll think he’s acted with haste.

He didn’t. He was more patient than I ever deserved.

Taking his hand in mine, I lead him to the cream leather sofa. It’s reminiscent of the one back home in Rising, but it holds no old memories. Only new ones.

He takes a seat then pulls me down beside him, and I turn so I’m facing him.

“Can we reverse the Decree Absolute?”

I shake my head. “No. We can’t. It’s a legal document.”

I link my fingers through his, his skin hard and calloused. How little did I know about him? Back when I assumed his hands would be soft and unblemished because he instructed his toy soldiers to do all the dirty work on his behalf.

I was so wrong about him.

“I knew we should never have had the marriage annulled.” He rests his head back on the sofa and closes his eyes.

He looks tired, his complexion paler than usual and his cheekbones more pronounced. I realize it’s partially my fault.

What I’ve done. How I’ve behaved.

Unreciprocated love can do a lot of damage even when it turns out not to be the case. I should know.

“I’m glad we did.”

He opens his eyes and frowns at me. “Why?”

I shrug. “Because we got married for all the wrong reasons using a platform that was both toxic and unstable.”

“Then we have to marry again. A fresh start. Now that you’re in love with me.” He says that with a confidence that only he can.

“That sounds almost conceited.”

He smirks. “Isn’t that one of the things you love about me?”

Mr. Smug. Selfish. Pompous is completely right.

It is.

I roll my eyes with a smile before my expression turns serious. “We don’t have to get married, Eoin. Or at least not straight away.”

“Why not?”

“Because protection is no longer such an issue now. I’ve agreed to live here with the kids. There’s no immediate rush.”

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