Page 36 of The Wife Situation

I chuckle. “Too much of a good thing, ya know? I can’t be out here, falling in love. Like right now, I’m not worried about you and me.”

That laugh returns, but it’s sarcastic, like he doesn’t believe me.

I make a face. “I’mnot, especiallynot with your inability to date anyone longer than two-weeks.”

Easton shoves his hands in his pockets and turns to me. He leans his head against the glass. I can’t help but smile as I tuck hair behind my ear.

He studies my lips. “You should marry me.”

I look at him like he’s lost his mind. “What?! Are you feelingokay?”

“Better than ever.” He places his hand on my shoulder. His hot breath is on my skin.

“I don’t understand,” I say, knowing I’m being pranked.

“I can explain everything, but I need you to sign something first.”

Then, I realize what he said. “Are you seriously asking me to sign an NDA?”

His beautiful face cracks into a smile. “Yes, I am.”

“You’re playing dirty, Mr. Calloway.”

“You set the standard,Alexis. That’s how you got the keys to my car.” He crosses his arms over his chest and smirks. “And if you want to know more, you’ll sign on the dotted line. And if not, well, goodbye,Ms. Matthews.”

“I’m amazed at how quickly you can turn the asshole on,” I say, thankful for the reminder.

“I’m a pro,” he tells me.

It’s confirmed that I’ve met my match. Extremes, willing to fight, and loves a game, otherwise we wouldn’t be here right now. But there is no way I’m walking away without more information. Curiosity will eat me alive.

“I’ll give you some time to think about it, but one thing you should know: I always protectmyassets.” He walks inside, leaving me to myself as he goes upstairs.

He wasn’t joking about the glass windows. From this vantage point, I can see all three stories of his penthouse. I watch him climb the stairs, loving how he moves, pure muscles and man. When he glances over, our eyes meet, and I turn around as if I wasn’t staring. We both know I was.

I inhale the fresh air and close my eyes for a few seconds. We’re suspended so high that I can see the lights from the city reflecting off the water, and I look up at the moon. The hint of his cologne still lingers, and I pinch myself to confirm I’m not dreaming.

I pull my phone from my back pocket and unlock it. After I open my camera, I snap a selfie with the skyline behind me. I’m tempted to post it online, but it’s a moment I want to keep to myself.

Movement in the kitchen grabs my attention.

Easton changed into black joggers that sit low on his hips, and he’s shirtless, grabbing a glass from the cabinet. With his back toward me, I admire the tattoos across his body. My temperature increases when he turns around, removing a cork from a bottle. If I could stare at him all night, I would. He’s artwork.

More ink is etched across his chest, and it all perfectly connects. The tattoos stop where a suit would no longer cover them. Everything about Easton Calloway screams professional on the streets, bad boy in the sheets. The man looks like a rock star with aVthat points down to his package.

Pulling myself from my thoughts, I realize he’s staring back at me with a smile. When I snap out of it, he waves me inside.

I grin, giving myself the biggest pep talk of a lifetime as I make my way to the double doors.

He’s right; I want to know the secrets he wants to share. But at this point, it might be a need.

10

EASTON

Same day

Iremove the cork from the Macallan scotch and pour some into my glass.

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