Page 36 of Be My Bride

Try to tug my hand away to escape from the crackling sensation.

Hansley holds firm. He lifts my arm and my ring jerks toward the sunlight, bouncing light fractions all around the room.

He tilts his head in that cocky way of his. “This us.”

“We’re not actually married,” I hiss, yanking my hand away.

I can’t believe I’m still affected by him. This is so not the time or place to lose my head over a man like Hansley. Whatever his deal is, I know one thing—the man is incapable of commitment.

He said so himself. Admitted it to my face.

What kind of idiot would I be to ignore the warning?

I can’t go losing my head because he’s hot.

Because we spent one crazy, eventful night together.

“As your husband, I forbid it.” Hansley folds his arms over his chest. He’s got these incredible muscles that bunch every time he moves.

His body is pure art. Six feet of dirty fantasies.

That mouth-watering physique almost overshadows what he says.

Almost.

“You forbid it?” I arch both eyebrows. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

His lips twitch.

“Might I remind you that you’re not my husband.”

“I am.” He’s barely hiding his smirk now.

And I’m barely hiding my annoyance. “Even if you were, you don’t tell me what to do or say or feel. This isn’t the freaking 1950’s. I don’t have to listen to you.”

“Exactly.”

“You think you’re funny?”

“You don’t owe that punk anything. He was your fiancé? So what? Screw him for letting you go. Make him suffer for it. He doesn’t get to show up when he feels like it. He doesn’t get to make demands on you and your time. Send him packing. I’ll do it for you. Gladly.”

I pick up my dress and my bra. “Since when did you care so deeply about me getting revenge on this guy?”

“Since I spent the night wiping your tears.”

A lump forms in my throat.

He’s right.

He did.

“Look, Hansley, I appreciate everything you did for me. I really do. But we’re getting an annulment and we’re never seeing each other again. That is what we are to each other. I don’t need your opinions or your help.”

He frowns. Hard. “You think I could walk away from you now?”

“That’s what you’re good at, isn’t it? Why am I any different than those other girls?”

His jaw muscles flex, but he doesn’t say anything.

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