Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
She laughs lightly. ‘Well that’s a relief.’
‘There’s sleepy twilight sex. And sleepy sex. And the Compromise Fuck. We had loads of those when you were expecting the twins.’
‘And what does a Compromise Fuck entail?’
‘A little rough, a lot of gentle. And, for the record, lady, you were the one who wanted the rough.’ I nod when she huffs a light breeze of surprised laughter. ‘And then there’s the Quiet Fuck. Usually when we’ve stayed at your parents’.’
Her light laughter turns quickly into hard laughter. ‘You gag me, don’t you?’
‘You can’t keep your pleasure quiet, Ava. What can I say?’ I shrug around a cocky grin, and she shakes her head in dismay.
‘Go on,’ she urges.
I take a step up, bringing us to eye level. ‘The Proposal Fuck was quite romantic.’
‘You asked me to marry you during sex?’
‘Actually, you were handcuffed to the bed and I didn’t release you until you accepted.’
She’s now on the verge of falling to her arse in amusement. I know it’s a lot to take on board. But at least she’s laughing and not raging any more. ‘I can’t believe what I’m hearing.’
‘Believe it, baby. But if it makes you feel better, I did propose again. On my knee. In front of your parents.’
Satisfaction flourishes before my very eyes. She looks dreamy, one hand moving to her chest. This pleases her. I know how much her parents’ opinion means to her. I try to behave around them. I try really hard. I don’t always succeed, but still. It’s the thought that counts.
‘It was my birthday. You couldn’t say no.’
A smile pulls at the side of her mouth. ‘And how old were you?’
‘Twenty-five.’
Softly chuckling, she glances away, clearly coming to terms with all of this. Her life. My life. Our life. ‘Wait.’ She looks back to me. ‘Why did you propose twice?’
All the contentment flowing through my veins turns to acid, my lips forming a straight, annoyed line. I’m not annoyed with her, more with myself. ‘We’d had a disagreement.’
‘Really? I can’t imagine what there could have been for us to disagree about.’
There it is. That sarcasm. ‘Sarcasm—’
‘Doesn’t suit me. I know. Why did you propose twice?’
‘Can we get back to the fucks?’
Her head tilts in impatience. ‘Tell me.’
I can’t go over this again, and I’m not afraid to tell her so. ‘It doesn’t matter. Just know I punished myself and you punished me, too.’
Comprehension dawns fast, and she flinches, as if she could be being hit with the motherfucking whip in her mind. ‘So you cheated on me when we were engaged?’
‘God, no!’ I blurt, disgusted by the suggestion. Give me strength. I won’t insult her and tell her we barely knew each other, nor will I argue my case in any way. It’s done. I can’t change it. I hate myself every day for it, but it’s done. ‘You found out when we were engaged. That’s why I proposed to you again. Properly. I was trying to show you that I could be the man you needed, as well as the man you wanted.’
‘Oh,’ is her only acknowledgment.
Good. Let’s move on. On to the most utilised fuck in our lives. ‘The Danger Fuck is our favourite these days.’
‘What’s that?’
‘When the kids are within a mile radius.’ Her smile’s back. And so is mine. ‘Can we go for dinner now?’
‘Depends.’ Her nose lifts, and she waits for me to ask for confirmation of what exactly our date depends on.
I don’t need to ask. On a dramatic roll of my eyes, I pick her up, mindful of that limp, and carry her down the stairs. ‘You can wear the stupid fucking dress.’
She grins, victorious, and loops her hands over my neck. ‘Wasn’t so hard, was it?’
‘We’ve not left the house yet. And you should have worn flats instead of heels. I saw you limping.’
‘I wasn’t limping.’
‘Are you arguing with me?’
‘Yes.’
I wrinkle my nose and nuzzle hers. ‘Are you wearing lace under that red thing?’
‘I didn’t have much choice. There’s nothing but lace in my knicker drawer.’
‘Good.’ I carry her out and put her in my Aston, pulling the belt across her body. She doesn’t protest, just lets me do my thing and buckle her up. ‘We’re late,’ I muse, checking my Rolex as I shut the door and round the car. Falling into the driver’s seat, I start her up and rev a few times.
‘That’s your fault for having so many fucks to explain.’ She goes to the mirror and applies a little gloss to her lips. ‘Which was your favourite, by the way?’
I laugh, loud and sharp as I put the stereo on and Glass Animals’ ‘Youth’ fills the car. ‘All except the Truth.’ I turn up the volume and zoom off, reminding myself to find those handcuffs and hide them.
Chapter 27
As expected, the gang is waiting for us when we arrive, all sitting around a table in the corner, two spaces left for me and Ava.