Dirty Husband Read online Crystal Kaswell

Categories Genre: Billionaire, Romance Tags Authors: Crystal Kaswell Advertisement1

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I want to fuck her.

I want to kill him.

"Smart too," Lucien says. "I always liked that about you. I couldn't believe my son was ready to settle down so young."

Where the fuck does he get off, calling me his son?

"It was surprising, but I wanted it to be you." His eyes meet mine. "I didn't think you had it in you, Shepard. To win back a woman you hurt so thoroughly."

She replies before I can. "We all make mistakes. Shep realized that. And he… well, the truth is, I never stopped loving him." She turns to me. Runs her fingers through my hair. "He did hurt me. He broke my heart. I wanted to stop loving him, to stop thinking about him, to stop knowing he existed."

She stares into my eyes, asking for something.

I don't know what it is. But I nod anyway.

And she continues. "I tried. I was with other men. I was even in love with one. But when I saw Shep again… when he walked into the Odyssey office in his grey suit, his navy tie bringing out those gorgeous blue eyes." Her fingers brush my neck. It's soft. Comforting. "I knew then. I was always going to love him."

"For that long?" I try to find the truth in her eyes, but I can barely breathe. Truth is beyond my capabilities.

"Always." She rises to her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine. It's quick. A stage kiss. For the benefit of that bastard and his friend.

It doesn't soothe me. It twists the knife in my chest.

I have to pull back. To release her.

I can't stand here anymore. I can't watch him smile and think look at how I've made him grovel. Look at what I've made him do. Look at all the strings I pull.

"It helps when they have money, doesn't it?" Lucien asks.

Jasmine smiles, completely unfazed. "It helps when a woman is beautiful. What's the difference?"

Charles nods true.

Lucien just smiles. This sick smile that means I know what you've done and you're not getting away with it. "Yes, it does. Better when you find someone who's also smart and articulate. What is it you do, Jasmine, now that you aren't in finance? I'd love to help any way I can."

"I'm an actress." She smiles. "Well, in training. I was studying in college, but I had to put that on hold. Now… I'm still working out the details, but I'd like to go back to that."

"Acting. How interesting." Lucien's voice is knowing. "I wonder what people will think."

"I know." She doesn't miss a beat. "Rich men are always buying their wives careers. I'm not going to turn down Shep's connections. But I'm not letting him do this for me either."

"He won't buy you a theater?" Charles asks.

"I suppose I can't stop him, but I hope not. I don't want everyone putting me on a pedestal simply because I'm Shepard Marlowe's wife." She forces a smile. No doubt, she means everything she's saying. But I can't grasp the implications.

I barely manage a breath. "Excuse me, gentlemen." I'm not letting him look at me with that smug smile. I'm not letting him win. "Princess, we should do this."

"Princess?" Lucien raises a brow.

He and Charles exchange some look. One I can't begin to contemplate.

I don't wait for Jasmine's response. I take her hand. Lead her to the stage.

The room is full now. A few dozen people. Her family. My colleagues. Some mutual friends.

And press.

All the people we need to convince. And the bastard who's sure he's controlling me.

I step to the mic. "Thank you all for coming. I know it's sudden, but sometimes, when you know, you know." I squeeze her hand. "The truth is, I've always known. I've loved Jasmine since the first time we kissed, all those years ago. I've always wanted to marry her."

"Why haven't you," someone calls.

I laugh. Play my part. "I've been trying. But I just convinced her." I turn to Jasmine. Stare into her eyes like she really is everything I want. "I love you, darling. You're the smartest, most beautiful, most tenacious woman I've ever met. I'm lucky to have you. And I can't wait for you to be my wife."

She stares up at me like I really am everything she wants. "I can't wait for you to be my husband."

Someone cheers. Someone else claps.

I dive in before the audience can take over. "When I say I can't wait, I mean it. We're going to be married two weeks from today. And everyone here is invited." I turn to the crowd. "Please, join me as I celebrate the most wonderful woman I've ever met." I make my voice teasing. "I have to do it fast. Before she changes her mind."

Everyone laughs.

Jasmine too.

She smiles at the crowd like she's well aware of my surprise announcement.


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