Chapter 13
It’s 11 PM.
Figured Shane wouldn’t
come back–rich guys like him always have plenty of places to stay. He hasn’t texted, and I can tell he’s avoiding me.
I power off my sleep, but just as I kill the light, the front door clicks open.
I jump out of bed, slide on my slippers, and bolt to the living room. Shane’s kicking off his shoes, and when he sees me, those perfect brows furrow.
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
“Baby, what happened
to
your
One side is swollen–definitely a fist. I reach to touch it, but he grabs my wrist, pushing me away coldly.[]
“It’s late. Go to bed.”
He heads to his room without another glance. []
I know Chad decked him, and guilt nags at me for letting him take the hit.
I grab a hot towel to ice his face, but his door’s locked.
Knocking nonstop, he finally yanks it open in irritation.
I follow him to the couch. He drops into it, legs spread, a lit cigarette between his long fingers. Smoke curls around his face, making him look cold and distant. I can tell he’s pissed. []
I wet the towel again, wring it out, and kneel on the couch to press it to his cheek. The scent of gardenia body wash hits him–he notices I’m not wearing
a bra. Suddenly, he grabs my wrist.
I look up, batting my lashes. “What’s wrong?”
Shane studies my
“innocent” eyes, thinking of today. He crushes the cigarette, yanks me onto his lap.
I expect a makeout, but he tilts my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.
Under the chandelier, his face inches closer, voice low and dangerous: []
“Joanna, I’ll bang a married woman to help you screw over Chadwick. But I won’t take advantage when you’re vulnerable.”
His hot breath fans my face, and I feel his body heat through my shorts. Those dark eyes burn into mine. []
I get what he’s saying–see the sweat on his forehead, hear his ragged breathing. [
I drop the towel, loop my arms around his neck. []
“Shane, this isn’t taking advantage. I know exactly what I’m doing.” []
Then I press my lips to his.
He lives up to the hype. First time’s rough, but he’s got stamina for days and picks up tricks fast. []
I planned one night, but after a month of, well, hunger, I deserve more.
- 0
We hole up for three days, only surfacing for takeout.
Chad calls nonstop–I hang up as soon as I hear his voice, ignore his texts. []
One evening, we head to the strip for food and get cornered by Chad at the gate.
My Husband Lea Me for a
Die Billionaire Rivddy Tmally Tuse to Crown My Dueenl
70.6%
Chapter 13
“Joan…” He crushes his cigarette, striding toward me, but Shane steps
“Shane, what the fuck!”
Chad snarls, cocking his fist again. [
“Watch out!” I yell. [
Shane catches Chad’s wrist, turns to me gently: []
“Joan, let me handle this. Go inside–we’ll go out later.”
I nod, worried: “Don’t get hurt.” [
“Promise,” he says, eyes soft as I walk away.
“Shane, we’re brothers! How could you?” Chad’s voice cracks.
tween us.
0
“Brothers? Since when?” Shane’s stare freezes him. “Truth is, if you didn’t have such a smoking hot wife, I wouldn’t give a shit about your lame ass.” []
Chad’s face turns purple. “You two were hooking up all along, weren’t you?” ||
“Nope,” Shane lights a cig, smirking. “Barely spoke the past few years. Guess I should thank Vance–his idea worked like a charm.” [
As he walks off, he tosses over his shoulder: “She only forgot you.” []
Upstairs, Chad calls again, babbling about being my husband. I delete his messages.
Mom rings, begging me to come home for dinner. When I walk in, Chad’s sitting with her, laughing like nothing’s wrong. He leaps up, all sunshine: “Joan!”
But the sight of him makes me sick–reminds me of that video. []
When he reaches for my hand, I flinch back.[]
