Page 38 of His to Destroy

She snorts. "That was all survival instinct."

"Still. I’m proud of you."

Her smile falters. She looks away.

"Don’t," she says.

"Don’t what?"

"Don’t say things like that unless you mean them."

I move closer.

"I do mean them. Every word."

She doesn’t step back.

"I don’t know what this is between us," she whispers.

"It doesn’t have to be anything right now. Just honest."

Her eyes find mine.

"And is it honest for you? This marriage? Me?"

"I thought it was strategy," I say. "But now? Now it’s the only part of my life that feels real."

She blinks.

And I see it—the exact moment she lets her guard down.

Just a little.

And it’s all I need.

The night ends finally and we say our goodbyes.

I’m surprised to find out Almeria has made a couple of friends that she leaves me to exchange kisses on the cheek with before we leave the hall.

Settled back in the car, we don’t speak, our social batteries worn out.

Well, hers more than mine. I can tell this is still new territory for her and I’m grateful she even agreed to come in the first place.

Her hand finds mine in the dark.

And for the first time since this began, I don’t feel like I’m pretending to be her husband.

I feel like I already am.

And I want it.

Not for power. Not for the syndicate. For us.

Because I’m falling for her. Faster than I thought I could or would.

Chapter 11 – Almeria

There’s something dangerous about silence when it’s shared with someone you’re trying not to want.

---