“Damn man, someone is really paying you thirty grand for a desk?” Zeke let out a low whistle and took in the bare wood that only showed the first signs of being something other than a big ass piece of wood. “It looks real good.”

“Yeah, thanks. It’s going to take me awhile to get this done but yeah, one of our illustrious public servants has a very generous wife who wanted to show her appreciation. I’m not complaining.” It was a nice paycheck and every little bit helped for those months when jobs were lean.

“So, what’s up? You got at least half of this desk in the bank, you just came back from four days of what I choose to believe was filled with nonstop kinky sex, I brought a good lager with ten percent alcohol, and your ugly mug looks like someone killed your dog. What gives?”

“Nothing, man. Just tired and distracted, I guess.” That was a shameless lie. “Something’s up with Vivi, I think.” I didn’t just think. I had confirmation every time she stepped out of my grasp or the way her gaze never seemed to meet mine head on.

“What did you do?” Zeke’s lips pulled into a smile as he drank from his beer.

“You assume it was me?”

“Damn straight. Vivi’s hot, she’s a straight shooter so what did you do or say to piss her off?”

“If I knew that, I wouldn’t be talking to you about this, Zeke.” The man had never had a real relationship as far as I knew, which let me know just how desperate I must be.

“No offense taken. Look man, I might not have much experience with full on relationships but I do know women. And if she’s giving you the cold shoulder after a romantic getaway then you said or did something to upset her. No ifs, ands, or buts.”

“I already replayed every moment of those four days and I can’t think of anything.” And I was starting to get a little pissed off that the so called straight shooter wouldn’t tell me what the fuck I did to piss her off. “Norah’s over there now for another writing session and when I dropped her off, she barely looked at me.”

Zeke nodded and stared at the piece of lumber taking up most of my workshop. “Did you do any talking at all about how you’re going to resolve this accidental marriage?”

“Nope.”

“Not at all?” Zeke moved slowly, deliberately just to piss me off and plucked another beer from the cooler, crossing one leg at the knee.

“No. Not at all. I mean we talked a little about how things will be once this is all settled, but it was fine. She got distracted with the book she’s working on and that was it.”

“Oh, now we both know that’s pure bullshit, Nash. What did you say, exactly?”

“How in the hell should I know? Let me think.” I tried to remember but the only thing I could think about was how good she smelled, the way her hair covered my face like a sunshine, vanilla scented curtain. “I just said why would we want things to go back to how they were before when things are so good now. That’s a good answer. Right?”

“I guess that all depends on what Vivi thinks. If she’s developed feelings for you-,”

My derisive snort cut him off. “Are we seriously talking about our feelings right now?” I didn’t talk about feelings with anyone. Ever.

“Not our feelings. Vivi’s feelings, dumbass.” He shook his head and groaned. “Maybe she likes being married to you and sleeping with you. Having meals with you and Norah. I mean, you don’t seem to be running away from this relationship either.”

He was right. I wasn’t. “That doesn’t make it a good idea to take an accident and turn it into a lifetime.” That was crazy as hell and after Nanette left, I promised myself no more fucking crazy.

“An accident, maybe. But you guys have been dating from the moment you met, everyone in town knows it. But you, apparently.”

“That’s not true.” Was it? “We get along. We have chemistry, sure. But that’s all that it is.”

“Keep telling yourself that, brother.”

“Are you fucking with me, Zeke?” He had to be, that was the only explanation for this bizarre conversation. “You’re fucking with me.”

“No, I’m not. You’re lying to yourself. Maybe you’re scared, or maybe you’re still hoping ol’ Nanette will come back?” He laughed when I flipped him off. “It’s the only explanation for your clearly delusional thinking.”

“Fuck you, man. I am not waiting around for Nanette, or anyone. Look I like Vivi, okay?

“She’s good for you, but you have to want it too. If not, let her go so she can find someone else.”

“I can’t.” The words tumbled out before I could stop them, and Zeke’s shit eating grin meant he didn’t miss my quick answer.

“Then there’s your answer, Nash. You want her so figure your shit out, man. Seriously, don’t fuck this up.”

“Your faith in me is overwhelming Zeke, seriously.”

“Don’t run scared, that’s all I’m saying.” He stood and handed me another beer. “Drink about it until you have an answer.”

Those were the words Zeke left me with and I did what he said. Since Norah would likely be at Vivi’s for another couple hours, I popped another cap and sucked down the ice cold beer while I turned everything over in my mind. I wanted Vivi. I wanted her bad and I couldn’t think about losing her.

Which meant I needed to talk to Vivi.

“You’re upset with me.”

Vivi looked up at me, green eyes sharp and clear. “No, I’m not. Are you okay?”

“Am I okay? You’ve barely looked at me since we got back from the honeymoon.”

“I’m looking at you right now, Nash. What is this about and where is Norah?”

“She’s at a friend’s house. Which means I have all the time in the world to talk about this.”

“What this are you talking about, Nash?”

“Us.” I stepped in closer until we were toe to toe, well not exactly but we were close enough that her apple scented breath fanned my face.

“What do you mean by us?” She crossed her arms over her chest feeling protective, and I hated that.

“Can I come in?”

“I can hear you just fine right here.” There was no trace of amusement in her eyes, and that was like a goddamn kick to my gut. “What’s up?”

“Let me in, Vivi.”

She rolled her eyes and stepped back with a heaving sigh. “Come in, then.”

I watched Vivi walk away, the short t-shirt dress clinging to her curves and the way it shaped her ass was mouthwatering. “What did I do?”

She stopped at the counter and poured two glasses of clear liquid with cucumbers and mint in it and turned to me. “You didn’t do anything, Nash. You were honest and I appreciate that. It made me reassess things.”

“Things?”

“Yes. You were right. We had a good thing going before Aunt Mae’s mistake.”

Mistake. She said it was a mistake and it felt like a fiery spear right through my chest. “So you are upset with me.”

“Ugh!” Vivi’s low growl was sexy as hell and I was so distracted by her that I didn’t notice her coming my way and shoving a glass in my hands. “I’m not upset,” she said instead of apologizing.

“You are.” She was so frustrating, I wanted to just shake her. Instead I shook my head and pulled the t-shirt off. “Just tell me why so we can work it out.”

“You mean so we can keep having sex, right? Why can’t you just say that? Why do people have to be so dishonest?” Frustration rolled off her in waves as she turned and her eyes were angry and hurt. “Okay, fine.”

“What?”

“Let’s have sex. It’s always great between us so that’s no hardship.” She set her glass down, oblivious to the way it nearly tumbled off the counter. “Let’s do it.”

“Vivi, stop.” I wanted her but not like this. Not angry and resentful. Even if it was hotter than shit, the way she stalked over to me and grabbed me by the waistband. “Not like this.”

“Sorry Nash, we’re not doing this on your terms. Not anymore.” With short, jerky movements she pulled the button through the tab and yanked down my zipper. “This is what I want.”

“Is it? Because it feels like you don’t want this.” It felt like she was reluctant but trying to make a point and I didn’t want that. I didn’t do reluctant fucks.

“I do.” She yanked my shorts down, taking my boxers with her and taking me in hand. “But I’m in charge right now.” She was on a mission, with something to prove.

“You’re always in charge, Vivi.” She snorted a laugh as she stroked my cock, her lips touching everywhere on my body but where I wanted them most. Second most.

Her mouth and tongue touched me everywhere, like flames licking my sensitized skin. I couldn’t resist her even if I wanted to and sure as shit didn’t want to resist her. Especially when her tongue swirled around my nipple. Left and then right and back to left again, like she couldn’t get enough.

But Vivi was still on her mission. Intent on pleasure but she didn’t venture higher than my neck. Never to my mouth. Goddammit. “Vivi.” Her lips skidded down my abs and lingered there for a moment. A long bliss filled fucking moment. Then she kept going south until one soft hand cupped my balls as she took me in her mouth. “Fuck, Vivi.”

“Mmm.” She moaned around my thickening cock and I was lost. It wasn’t just the feel of her mouth, wet and hot as it slid up and down my cock, it was her scent and the way her hair brushed against my thighs. It was pure fucking heaven, the way she gripped the back of my thighs and urged me deeper into her mouth.

It was too much but I couldn’t stop the thrust of my hips, not when she closed around me and moaned. Again. And again. “Vivi.” I was close and as much as I loved coming in her mouth I didn’t want that. Not now. “Vivi!” She groaned and took me even deeper, licking my sack and I was lost. Soft lips and a warm wet mouth sent me right over the edge into a leg trembling, body vibrating, mind numbing orgasm. “Ah shit, Vivi!”

She sucked me for minutes longer than I needed her to until I was drained. Spent. Totally fucking satisfied. And then she stood slowly, licking her lips as her body brushed up against mine. “Satisfied?”

“Boneless.” I slammed my mouth down on hers, tasting myself on her tongue and feeling hungry for more. It shouldn’t be so fucking hot, letting her take control like this. But it was. I let her go on a growl and felt her shiver that satisfied me down to my soul. “Vivi.”

She stepped back, red hair tumbling around her shoulders as she leaned forward and slid a pair of wine colored panties down her legs. And tossed them at me. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

She walked away, slowly, and I was hypnotized by the jiggle of her ass. My mouth watered and finally my legs got moving, following her. I lost sight of her but I caught a flash of flesh. A leg. “Vivi.”

“Yes?”

She was on the couch, one leg resting on the back of the sofa, legs just far enough apart to tease me. Tempt me. “Open them.”

She sat up and removed her dress before leaning back with a flirty smile. “Like this?”

She was pink. Freshly bare and glistening. “Fuck, yeah.” I licked my lips and rounded the sofa so I stood right in front of her, and dropped to my knees. I didn’t need to say anything because words wouldn’t do. Not right now. “Just like that.” I flipped her legs over my shoulders and let the sounds she made when I ate her pussy consume me. It was like a game, lick her slowly and she purred like a mighty lioness. Suck her clit and she screamed like a porn star. Fuck her with my tongue and she turned into my dirty girl, fucking my face like it was her job.

“Oh fuck, Nash. Fuck me. Please.” That throaty cry did me in and I got on my knees and slid into her pulsing wet heat. “Yes.”

Too good. She felt so fucking good I was sure I died and went to heaven as she welcomed me into her body. Her pussy was wet and hot, completely fucking irresistible as it fluttered and pulsed around me. She was beautiful in her pleasure, nipples pink and hard, skin flushed and slick with sweat. “Gorgeous.”

Thick lips curled up into a smile as she arched into me, heels digging in my ass. My hands went to her breasts, cupping them while I pounded into her. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her, lost in her pleasure. The sight was magnificent. Breath taking, really. “Nash, yes!”

Her thighs tightened around me and then she was in a freefall, pulsing around my cock wickedly until I felt the spark in the base of my spine, crawling up to my brain and down my balls as she milked my orgasm out of me. “Vivi, shit. Fuck! Oh!”

I collapsed on top of her and she laughed. “Luckily, you feel so good or I might be upset. Christ, you feel good.” She pulsed around me and I groaned, which pulled another laugh from her.

I kissed her neck, licked her collarbone and the sweet taste of her sweat had me drunk. “Damn, you taste good.” I rolled off and pulled her into my arms. “I’m sorry if I upset you, Vivi.”

“You didn’t. You were honest and I appreciate it. But I think we need a little distance. Not forever but just until it’s not so weird to be together and not do…this.”

“So you don’t want to see me?”

“I always want to see you, Nash, and that’s the problem. I need to finish my story so I’m going away for a few days. See if you can get in touch with one of the McInnis lawyers while I’m gone.”

Sucker punched. That’s how I felt. Like she wielded a mallet and struck me right in the fucking gut. I only heard one thing. “You’re leaving?”

“Just for a few days to clear my head and give Kade and Amber the ending they deserve.”

“And our ending?”

She sighed heavily and tried to move out of my embrace but I wasn’t having it. “Nash, we don’t have an ending. You want us to go back to being friends and I intend to respect that.”

“So, you don’t want to be friends?”

“Of course, I do! I like you, Nash, but I can’t. Not right now. Not for a while. When I come back, I’ll work on it because Norah deserves it. I love that little girl and I won’t do anything to make her feel like I…like she’s not wanted. I promise that.” She disappeared into the bathroom after that.

I waited ten full minutes before I realized she wasn’t coming out because of me. I left—reluctantly—but this wasn’t goodbye. She could have her space because I needed time to plan.

To plot.

To show her what I now knew.

I was in love with my accidental wife.