Her Reluctant Husband by Erica Marselas (summer beach reads txt) 📗

his lips. “I thought you weren’t watching those serial killer documentaries.”

“I wasn’t watching them last night.”

He shrugs and takes a large bite of his eggs with potato. "Well, I guess I'll die fat and happy,” he says after he swallows.

Who would have thought, we could banter...playfully. This is such the old us.

“What were your plans for today?” he asks after he scarfs down half his plate and I clean up the pans.

“I don’t know. I thought after I took care of the animals, I would take Elsa out for a bit. Nothing exciting.” I have Sundays and Mondays off at the studio, so I spend my days here hiding away and keeping up with the things that need to be taken care of.

“Maybe we could do that together? I can help you, then we can go riding together. Hit the old trail.”

“Like a date?" I tease.

His eyes narrow. "No."

I roll my eyes. "Okay, but you want to hang out…together."

He shrugs. "You're wearing my ring now. I'm wearing yours. Might as well start doing stuff together."

My eyes flick to the band on his hand. Yes, he is wearing mine. Still. Keeping that ring on his finger was the first hint that maybe he wasn’t so heartless towards me. I know the reasoning he keeps it on may be more about my dad, but he still could have taken it off his wedding finger and put it anywhere else to keep it close to him, but he didn’t. No matter how small, it was a sign he cares.

"When was the last time you even went horseback riding? You've become such a city boy when you got your big advertising job."

"I don't think I have since your dad died to be honest."

"Really?"

"Maybe." He shrugs. "It's what we would do when he needed to have one-on one talks with me. Never felt right afterward."

"It's what he did with me too. I have to ride to keep feeling close to him."

"So, are we going or what?"

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

He gives me a boyish grin that melts my heart. “Good. We’ll go after we eat. As long as the cyanide doesn’t get me first.”

“Hopefully, it’ll kick in when we get on the trail.”

He chuckles as I move back to finish cleaning up the rest of the breakfast. This feels so normal and light. Maybe he is right. Maybe we don’t have to settle the past. Maybe going from now to the future will be enough because what will the truth fix? It won’t take away what Deacon did. It won’t bring Kathleen back. It’ll be better for me—to never have to admit all the sordid details of what was done to me.

Nobody else needs that in their heads, right?

I can make my own beginnings from this point forward.

The rest of the day, we manage to spend getting along without ending up at each other’s throats. It isn't without some mindless bickering or sniping, but we make it. We stay up late, and I forced him to watch the first season of Shameless, and once again, I sleep through the night. Though, this time I sleep in my own bed. There is a little voice in the back of my head that is a little disappointed he didn’t try to make any moves on me. I mean there was a promise of a next time. And that’s when I know I have completely lost my mind. I shouldn’t want the man just because we managed to get along for a couple of days and he gave me a pretty ring.

But that orgasm is still singing through my body and he is being nice to me.

Yep, I’ve lost my mind.

Three knocks on the screen door bring me out my irrational thinking. I place down my worn copy of Wuthering Heights and slide off the couch to greet my visitor. Just as I’m expecting Maggie to pop in, I’m greeted by a man in a thousand-dollar suit, reeking of old money, and a slimy smile.

Great.

I didn’t want to ever have to come face to face with Orlando Bookings, let alone in my polka dot PJ shorts and matching top with my hair in disarray. Orlando is an egotist and oozes arrogance; I want nothing but to be on my toes around him, ready for battle. I fix my messy bun and take a deep breath as I push open the storm door.

“Can I help you?” I ask, syrupy sweet.

Orlando tips down his oversized cowboy hat and his beady eyes glance down at my outfit. Unease chills my bones and I wish I was covered in a parka. “Ms. Madison, just the one I wanted to see today. How are you? Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“Actually, you did. So, if you don’t mind, you can leave.”

“My apologies.” He leans against the doorframe, smiling cheekily at me. “But I’d hoped you could give me a moment of your time. I wanted to talk. Check out the property I would be buying soon.”

“You’re not getting this house. Ever.” The gall of this man. He thinks he can come here and intimidate me. It’s not going to happen. I’ve had enough of men doing that to me for a lifetime.

“Are you sure?” He chuckles as he adjusts his bolo. “I talked to Elizabeth in her final days. I know about her little scheme with you and Alex having to get married to keep it. If it doesn’t work out, it’ll be mine. Let’s say even she was iffy about it working out. It’s why I’ve come today.”

“Mr. Bookings, I don’t know what game you’re trying to play, but I’m not into games.” I go to close the main door on him, but he puts his hand out to stop