Page 75 of King of Hearts

“Why are you laughing?”

Kyle leaned closer, seeing that Mal and Decker were threading their fingers together and turning back toward us.

“Because your boy just had a meeting withyourdad, claiming you two have already tied the knot.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Taylor was off today;I could sense it. Maybe that was why I had demanded her touch, her lips…that fucking space between her legs. She had no clue it was the organ in her chest I craved the most. It was something I knew she’d never part with, and still I wanted it.

The fact that she wanted to go home without me, without protection meant she was planning something. I could feel it in my bones, so I may have taken the opportunity to cut her off at the head and make a deal without her. She’d be pissed, but if she had any plans whatsoever about doing this herself or doing something heroic, she was wrong.

The front door slamming was the only warning I had that my beautiful, fake bride had returned and somehow learned of our artificial nuptials. My guess was that she’d somehow run into Decker’s little brother, a loose end I needed to tie up.

Her flip-flops slapped against the marble as she charged toward the kitchen. I had asked the men to start doing rotations outside the house, giving us more privacy, especially after how hard we’d fucked that morning. There was zero percent chance we weren’t doing that again.

I leaned against the kitchen island, crossing my arms, just waiting for her wrath. If I was lucky, she’d end up wanting to take it out on my dick with her mouth.

“Juan,” she snapped, coming into view. Her golden hair was down in loose waves, and tiny freckles were splattered like paint across the bridge of her nose. She wore a loose-fitting dress, which meant she had to have changed from our little romp that morning. She was all boobs and perfect, round belly, and my chest ached at her overwhelming beauty.

“Babe,” I replied casually. I wondered if I should cook her something. She always seemed to be hungry these days.

“Was there something you forgot to tell me?”

I smiled, deciding if we were going to eat, it would just be better if we feasted on each other.

“What do you mean?”

She stepped closer, her blue eyes narrowing. “Are you kidding me? Why did Kyle say you told my father we are already married?”

Knew that fucker had told her. The fact that he had been close to her today didn’t sit right with me, and I likely would be requiring a private conversation with the little idiot soon.

The sky was darkening. She’d left early in the morning, and now it was nearly dusk. I hated that my chest ached, questions dancing on the tip of my tongue about her day. I wanted to know how she was feeling, what she’d had for lunch. I wanted to show her the new baby swing I’d bought for her with the help of her friend from the store.

“Because I did tell your dad we are already married. Are you hungry—have you eaten?” I turned away, heading for the fridge. I could order us dinner; I could even eat some of it off her body. I was about as horny as a fucking middle schooler right now, and I needed to calm down.

“But why would you tell him that?” Taylor followed me around the kitchen, holding one hand out.

“Because it changed the game board.” I ducked, looking in the fridge. My mom had made enchiladas.

Taylor crowded the stool closest to the fridge and gingerly slid onto it.

“I’m so confused. So, now you’re…what?” She pressed her palms into her eye sockets. “My fake husband?”

I stood up straight, grabbing a water bottle. “There’s nothing fake about it. You’re mine until I say you’re not.”

A pink flush overcame her face while she shook her head. “This is crazy.”

“What would be crazy is if you tried to cut me out of this…I’m half tempted to marry you for real, just so you can’t.”

She looked up from under her lashes. “Marry me for real?”

Was that shock in her voice?

I stalked closer. “Yeah, you know, you and me, baby girl…why not?” I shrugged, feeling a fluttering sense of hope begin to spread through my chest. I tried to stop it before it crushed me, but I wasn’t fast enough.

Her scoff was like a knife against my chest, cutting with a serrated edge.

“Because we hated each other not very long ago, we’re not good together, you have an entire life ahead of you with a beautiful wife and kids, and I have unfulfilling single mom sex with the single dads from school in my future. My highest hope right now is that I end up like my mom and find some Charlie out there who will take pity on me, Juan. Pity. My only future relationship will be one birthed from pity, and that sure as hell won’t be with you.”

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