Page 160 of The Wife Situation

“Why do you think it’s impossible for me to want you? I don’t understand.”

“Because we’re not the same,” she says.

“Ah. Explain it to me,” I urge with a smile. “Tell me how we’re different. Without the bullshit, Lexi. List the differences that matter.”

Her mouth opens and closes like she understands.

“Last time I checked, we were equals.”

She laughs. “I’m not your equal.”

“You are,” I say. “So, start acting like my queen if that makes you believe it’s true. Act like the woman you think I should be with. Because I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I just wantyou.That’s it. No one else. Lexi Matthews, the girl who wears graphic tees in public and politely tells people to fuck off. Lexi Matthews, the woman who snores like a princess when she’s exhausted. Lexi Matthews, the smut queen who also has a weird fucking obsession with billionaire books. I think that’s who I’m supposed to be with, but I don’t know; you’re convinced there’s someone else who’s more deserving of my attention.”

“I’m insecure when it comes to you. I feel like an imposter. That’s the truth.”

“And you think I’m not? Babe, I know you don’t give two fucks about materialistic things. So, tell me, how do I give a woman everything who doesn’tneedanything, not even love? That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

“You’re right.Thingsaren’t my love language, but experiences are. You know that. Otherwise, I doubt we’d be here. You’ve already got me figured out, and you know exactly what I need and want.”

“There’s the truth I’ve been searching for,” I say. “Welcome to the party. It’s fun here, where we don’t give a fuck and we can be truthful about what’s going on.”

She shakes her head.

I check my watch, then meet her eyes. “I’m waiting for you to finish.”

“You know I’m falling for you, Easton.”

“Oh, I know; I wanted to hear you say it.”

I tilt her chin upward and meet her eyes.

“In a crowded room, the only person I’m looking at isyou. You’re the last thing on my mind when I close my eyes at night and the first person I think about when I wake up in the morning. I thought we’d cross the line and I’d get yououtof my system, and things would go back to how they were before I met you, but that didn’t happen. Every time you touch or kiss or fucking glance at me, it makes me think about our future.”

She looks out at the city as I steal glances at her. I wish I could read her mind.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” she whispers.

“Let me guess … bad timing?” I ask with a laugh.

“Always. I just … I had aspirations. And it wasn’t to be Mrs. Calloway.”

“So, make your dreams come true. I’m not stopping you whether you have my name or not.” I shrug. “I believe inyouand your dreams, whatever they are.”

Our mouths magnetize toward one another again and I tuck her hair behind her ears.

“I’m serious.”

“I know,” she whispers. “God, I need you,” she says desperately, and it almost comes out in a plea.

I laugh against her hair. “I kinda like it when you call me God.”

As I drop to my knees, I look up into her eyes.

“This was written in invisible ink on my bucket list.” She chews on the corner of her lips.

I flip the red skirt of her designer dress over my head. When I see her bare pussy, I rub my face across her.

No panties.

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