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

“You do know when you call me Ju-Ju I feel twelve.”

Alex’s eyes light up with a playful twinkle and he runs his hand down my belly. “I don’t believe that because if I were to touch you down there—”

“Alright, I got it,” I smack his hand and I feel my cheeks heat. The bastard. How does he go from something so serious, to…sex? He should be very glad I do still love him.

“But if you want, I can call you honey bear. I’m quite partial to it now.”

“As long as I can call you Asshole back.” I smirk.

“I don’t mind the name as long as it's coming from your pretty lips.”

 “I hate you.”

“And I’m fucking in love with you.” He leans over and kisses me softly on the lips. “I’ll be waiting at our home when you’re ready. However long it takes.”

“Do you really mean our home?”

“I do, and when you come back, I think it’s time to actually make it fully ours. Whatever you want to do, June. We can take it at your pace. I’ll show you I can be what you deserve. That you can trust me.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, and I got you something.” He reaches into his backseat and grabs a medium brown bag. He props it on my lap with a cocky grin on his face. “I can’t promise you it’s not a sleep aid.”

I peek inside the bag and giggle. It’s a dreamcatcher. 

“There’s my fucking laugh.” He runs his thumb over my lips. “I know you said before that you didn’t need me to be your dreamcatcher…but…everything else hasn’t helped, and you need to sleep. I was told this one was specially made to capture the bad dreams and only allow the good through. I haven’t seen one in your room. So, you can’t tell me you’ve tried it. It’s got special stones and feathers and shit to make it work.”

“I love it.”

“That’s not all.” He moves to the back again and pulls out another bag with Mott’s logo on it. “I also got you scones to eat whenever you’re ready.”

“Alex this is great.” I take the bag and pull it to my chest. I really do love these damn scones. “Thank you.”

“I mean it, June. I want to do this right. I no longer want to sweep the past under the rug. You might not want me to protect you, but I’m going to do my damndest anyway. I’m also going to be here for you and hold you, when you let me, whenever you have a nightmare and maybe one day help you so they’ll go away.”

I lean over and place a light kiss on his lips. All the familiar tingles run through my body. “I always knew my Alex was here. Glad to see he didn’t actually go anywhere.”

He squints his eyes at me, confused.

“Good night, Alex.” I open the truck door and slide out with my gifts.

“You do know, I’m going to call and bug you. You’re still my wife and I have to know you’re safe.”

“I know.” I wouldn’t expect anything less now. I blow him a kiss and close the door.

I head back into the studio to find Annabelle sitting on the bench, kicking her legs, waiting for me. She jumps up, clapping her hands as she sees me. “So?”

“It was fine.” I smile at her.

 “I’m not sure if you are torturing him or yourself.” Annabelle shakes her head.

 “I just need to let this all sink in. If he really loves me like he says he does, he’ll wait.”

 “You’re right. Well, in the meantime, I want you to meet someone. It’s time to put some new moves into your routine.”

“New moves?”

“You’ll see.”

16ALEX

You, me, dinner tonight. I’m cooking.

I text June as I pull up to the house after work on Tuesday. It’s been two days since we had our talk, two days since I have seen her, two days with a new promotion and I’m completely miserable. I need to see her. We’ve been texting, but it’s not enough. This house—this home, is nothing without June in it. It never was.

I know she needs the space. I revealed layers of hurt. Hurt I caused. But I’m sick of space. I need to show her she can trust me, that my feelings are real, and that I love her. The only way to do that is to be around her and to show her. For tonight, I’m digging deep and revealing I’ve never forgotten.

Honey bear: Are you asking or demanding?

I’m asking. Please *prayer hand emojis*

I miss your face. I miss those amber eyes

looking at me annoyed. We can even watch

some chick flick Christmas movie afterward.

Honey bear: I’m about to start this special class

with Annabelle but we will see.

Honey bear: But then, I do miss Elsa.

*pondering face emoji*

I smirk. That sounds like a yes to me, but I decide to play it up.

Only Elsa?

Honey bear: Yes. Does she miss me too?

Honey bear: And btw I can watch Christmas movies

at Ms. Gandy’s house

and as for your face… *shrug emoji*

I take a selfie of myself still in my truck and send it to her.

My face is what?

It misses you more than the horse.

Now come and watch those

damn crap movies with me.

Honey bear: Shouldn’t you be at work?

I thought you just got a promotion.

Don’t lose that to make me dinner…

I’ll still be here. I told you that.

I really should still be at work. Being VP was everything I wanted since I started, but when I walked