Page 89 of Dearly Betrayed

“I want you to guard her. And protect her. There are still bad men out there, remember?”

My expression darkens. “I remember.”

“Good. Then you have your orders, soldier. You’re on wife duty.” He gets up and squeezes my shoulder. “I know this is hard, but I’m doing what’s best for the family.”

I want to ask him, what family? But he’s already walking away, rejoining his children and his wife, and I’m left to stew. Fallon comes over and tentatively kisses my cheek. I pull her in and press my lips to hers, holding her there, tasting her, feeling her body on mine.

“I take it that went well,” she says, smiling a bit. “He doesn’t trust me yet?”

“Not yet, but he will.”

“Where’s that leave us?”

I pull her into my lap. She wraps her arms around my neck, biting her pouty lower lip.

“It leaves us together. If that’s what you want.”

“Jayson—”

“I love you, Fallon. Neither of us wanted this marriage at first, but it grew into something right, and now I won’t give it up. Not for anything. But I need to know you want it too.”

“I want it,” she whispers.

“Even after the way I acted?”

“I don’t really blame you for that. Besides, my captivity wasn’t all that uncomfortable.”

“Still.” I lean in, smelling her, breathing her in. “I should’ve listened from the start.”

“Probably.” She grins at me. “But you’re a stubborn asshole.”

“Pot calling the kettle black.”

“Hey, how dare you. I’m a lady.”

I grunt and kiss her neck. “Lady? I don’t think so. A lady wouldn’t let me do so many filthy things to her.”

Fallon’s chin tilts up and she gives me an aristocratic stare. “Even ladies have needs. Gentlemen would understand that.”

“I’m not a gentleman. I’m a rough, brash, violent American brute. And you like it.” I pull her tighter and squeeze her ass.

She laughs, batting me away, and gets out of my lap. “Yes, I do like it, but there are children around. Control yourself.”

“I’ve gone too long without you. I’m sick and tired of control.” I lace my fingers through her hair. “Unless you want me to controlyou.”

“Filthy man.” She purrs the words and kisses me.

“Filthy, filthy girl.” I bite her lip and pick her up. “We’re going back to my room.”

“Right now?” She blinks at me. “I thought I was talking to Adler too.”

“We’ll do that later. I need to fuck you, baby.”

Her ears turn pink. “Keep it down, would you? And stop carrying me, people are staring.”

“You think I give a fuck who sees me take my wife?” I kiss her hard, crushing her against me, and muscle her up over my shoulder, slapping her ass hard. An old dude nearby laughs and raises his cane in a salute. I give him a thumbs-up as I carry my wife to the elevators.

“You’re an animal, Jayson!” Fallon says, laughing as she hits my back. “Put me down!”

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