Chapter 2

Obviously, I went wandering off.

My best friend and I got facials, then treated ourselves to my favorite hot wings.

So spicy. So good.

My poor stomach.

Outside, the rain was coming down in sheets. I had the perfect excuse to text Grant.

“It’s pouring.”

“My best friend lives right nearby.”

“I’m staying at her place tonight.”

Feeling very pleased with myself, I added, “That wasn’t a request!”

The next second, he was standing in front of me. “Finished eating? I’ll drive you both home.”

So I hadn’t imagined seeing him a moment ago.

Back at the house, Grant took a cold pack out of the freezer and held it against my mouth.

I jolted at the cold. “What are you doing?”

“Your lips are swollen.”

“From all your kissing.”

He gave me a look and went upstairs.

I held the pack there for a little while, then got bored and tossed it aside. The swelling would go down soon enough.

But the moment I tried to sleep, my stomach started to burn.

Miserable, I wrapped myself around Grant.

He got up and made me a cup of warm honey tea. After a while, he asked, “Any better?”

I clung to him again and whined, “I think it stopped hurting.”

“Then get up and rinse your mouth.”

Seriously?

I rinsed with great hostility and came back determined not to let him sleep. “I’m wide awake. Read me a story.”

“I want one of those bossy-billionaire romances.”

He skimmed a few lines and refused to read them aloud. I was so annoyed that I bit his Adam’s apple.

Scowling, Grant pushed me away.

Every time he upset me, he had the same solution: send money to my account.

“Who cares about your money?” I snapped.

He couldn’t sweet-talk me. He wouldn’t indulge me. What good was that gorgeous face if this was all I got?

I was furious.

My friend told me men could be trained.

I blinked. Tease that icy husband of mine into submission?

That did sound fun.

I tried it that very night. I made a few needy little noises and burrowed into Grant’s arms. Then, when he wasn’t looking, I slipped my hand down and grabbed his butt.

“So soft.” I gave him my most innocent smile. “Wait. So firm.”

Apparently you could build muscles back there, too.

His face darkened again, and he put a hand on my shoulder.

I got ahead of him. “Push me away one more time, and I’m going to be mad.”

“So mad you’ll never make it up to me.”

He stopped.

My hand crept upward, skimmed over his abs, and reached his chest.

I looked up at him.

Squeezed.

He shut his eyes and went stiff all over, as if he’d accepted his fate.

Oh, this was fun.

After that, I couldn’t stop.

I pestered him with texts whenever I felt like it.

“I just had the sweetest candy. Kind of want to share the taste with your tongue.”

“I’m all tucked in for my nap. Just waiting for you to say good afternoon.”

“I may not be an Oreo, but I’m still worth a taste.”

No reply.

“Is my phone broken? Why aren’t any messages from my handsome husband coming through?”

Still nothing.

“GRANT WHITMORE!!!”

“An unexpected meeting came up,” he finally replied. “Have a good nap.”

At night, I got even bolder.

First I draped myself over him to recharge. Then I let my hands wander.

He caught one.

I bit his lip. “What? Am I not allowed to touch?”

I covered his eyes with my other hand and huffed. “If you won’t let me play with you, I’ll find someone else to play with.”

He released my wrist and swallowed.

I touched his throat. “There it goes again.”

Then I lifted his shirt and buried my face against his chest.

All that muscle.

Those pink nipples.

I bit one. Heh.

Grant’s ears turned red with outrage, but his face stayed as cool and proper as ever.