htly behind her back, her face te

loser, suspicion fli

y out of my study unless in

though her eyes remained chilly. "In seven days, we'll ma

dn't press her about it. He simply rai

ael was attemptin

ed, try not to lose your co

she spoke of barely r

a fresh message. He glanced down, a ch

dent who h

pened withi

together, he'd know that their anniv

gnificant surprise plann

d, she turned

y remembered Rachael. He looked up, re

rept onto

him with questions?

over him, though he ch

him his usual coffee and snacks, and Xander grew

and made his way to

r and was now seated at the vanity, caref

e had changed from her usual modest white cotton paj

s skin, while her slender waist was petit

, lifting the gown's hem as it fluttered around

t moving forward almost involuntarily, drawn in by the

" he call

her waist from behind, his cool che

, eyes sharp and cold as she caught

be sleeping in the guest

of marriage, they had never

ome intoxicated, and eventually, he moved out of the master bedroom and r

henever things seemed to get close, Milly's c

silent treatment for weeks one time. But

appearing tired and worn out, and say, "

ke that, sh

d her ear, his breath felt hot and tem

asure now only filled her wi

fought the impulse to throw it at him. Yet she unders

ney

ing to back away, but h

avier, and he reached

he hated my perfume. If we're together tonight and she smells my perfume on you tomorrow, won

der's eyes inst

ing his tie free

e rest. There's still

e turned and

und of running water came

her lips in bitt

f with a cold shower th

votion,

pes and scrubbed fiercely

ing made her wa

ht passed without a

left, Rachael called to have all he

med decorations she had put

e dinged with a new email, and she o