Page 99 of The Exception

I silenced her with a kiss. “I likeyou.”

She smiled, beaming up at me. “I like you too. I like you here, like this. But?—”

Her words and the sweet way she looked at me sent a thrill through me. I kissed her again, harder this time. And she gave as good as she got, rolling us again so she was on top once more.

“We can’t.” She placed her palms to my chest, continuing to rock against me despite her protests. I wondered if she even realized she was doing it.

“Why not?” I asked, taking her left hand in mine and bringing it to my lips. I held her gaze as I kissed each of her fingers, lingering on her ring finger. Whether she knew it or not—admitted it or not—she was mine.

“You won’t even give me a straight answer about your pet name for me. We’re pretending to be married?—”

“Wearemarried,” I said, smoothing my hands over her waist until I was grabbing her ass.Oh fuck.She was wearing these tiny lace panties beneath her T-shirt and nothing else. “We’re not pretending.”

God. She was perfect. And I wanted her.

“Fine,” she huffed. “We’re married for real. We’re just pretending to be in love. Which iswhythis is messy. Adding sex to the mix is asking for trouble.”

“We did it before.” And I was going to come again if she didn’t stop. Was she trying to drive me crazy?

Her eyes fluttered closed, and I couldn’t decide if she wanted to throttle me or kiss me. “Yes, but that was…”

Don’t you dare say it was a mistake.I gave her hips a gentle squeeze, her skin warm beneath mine.Don’t you dare.

“A momentary lapse in judgment,” she finished.

I relaxed, grateful she didn’t view it as a mistake. A lapse in judgment—fine. I could work with that. But I didn’t want to cause her regret.

“Then let’s have another lapse in judgment.” I smirked, hoping to lure her in like she had me.

She leaned forward, and the ends of her hair dusted my shirt. “Tell me why you call me your little fish, and I’ll consider it.”

I chuckled.My wife.She drove a hard bargain. And that’s why we were such a great fit.

“Hm.” I pretended to consider it, but I was more excited about the idea of driving her crazy. “Nope.”

She slapped my chest and moved to climb off me. “You’re terrible.”

I didn’t let her go far, turning toward her so we were spooning. My front was to her back, and she was trapped in my arms. “You love it.”

I was so hard for her it hurt. There was no way she didn’t feel it, feel me pressed against her ass.

She shivered then yawned. “Well—” She yawned again, and it was totally fake. Then she reached out to turn off the light. “Good night.”

So that’s how she was going to play it. The little tease.

I knew she wanted me. Just as she knew I wanted her.

I lay there a minute, trying to get my breath—and my body—under control. I remained still, willing myself to get it together.

And then I totally caved.

“You can pretend all you want, but I’d bet good money you’re wet for me,” I rasped, inhaling her scent. It mingled with mine, and it smelled like home.

“Shh,” she whispered. “I’m sleeping.”

My chest shook with laughter. “If you were sleeping, you wouldn’t be talking.”

She was quiet.

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