Page 21 of Jaylen

“Nothing.”

“Such a shame. Ah, here comes our repast. Thank you.” He gave the woman a charming smile that had her blushing to the roots of her reddish-brown hair.

“If you need anything else—”

“I will let you know.”

“Champagne?” He handed her the glass and she took it. He also handed her a plate with cheeses and little nuts.

“I haven’t had my coffee yet.”

“We could get coffee after this.” He lifted his glass. “What shall we toast to?”

“Getting home safely.”

He quirked a brow at her. “Not to our marriage?”

“What marriage?”

He slapped a hand over his chest where his heart was and gave her a wounded look that tugged a smile from her. “I feel an ache settling in. Most women would be over the moon being married to someone like me.”

“I am not most women.” She sipped the excellent champagne and felt it sliding smoothly down her throat. “And you are more trouble than you are worth.”

“How would you know that?”

She shrugged slender shoulders and started to reach for a piece of cheese when he plucked a piece out of her plate and popped it into her mouth. His fingers touched her lips lightly and sent shivers throughout her body.

“I just do.” She hated the huskiness in her voice.

“You ought to get to know me better.”

“Not interested.”

“Sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“You have no idea what you are missing.” He liked sparring with her and had to admit that he found her enchanting. Her hair was brushed back into an elegant chignon and she was wearing an olive-colored cashmere sweater over faded jeans.

The ring he had given her twinkled and shot out colors as it caught the overhead lights. It felt strange being married to her, but it was not unpleasant.

“I think I do," she finally responded as she stared at him. For a minute he had no idea what they were talking about.

“Hmm," he muttered, downing his champagne and reaching for some nuts. “Want to return the favor?”

“Of?”

“Feeding me.”

“I never asked you to.”

“I was doing the husbandly thing.”

“I can feed myself.”

“I have no doubt. I just wanted to show how devoted I am to you.”

Ignoring the tripping of her heart, she gave him a bland look. “Do women usually fall for your BS?”