“Good? Are you kidding me? This is a small town, Josh. I have to live here. The whole town doesn’t need to know you seduced me.”
“I seduced you? Are you serious right now? You come in and make a killer meal with an apple cake better than I’ve ever had in my life. You charmed me with your mind, your body... I mean, you kissed me first. You definitely seduced me.”
I should be worried that she’s so mad and doesn’t want anyone to know she’s married to me, but all I can think about is taking her, right now. Just bending her over and taking her. I need her more than ever. Maybe to convince her that we’re meant to be together, I don’t know. I push against her, and she lands with an oomph when the brick wall touches her back. I forget how strong I am compared to her because in reality, I’m weak. I’m so weak when it comes to her. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rough or to hurt you, but I need you, Violet. I need you right now.”
Her eyes widen in shock. “I’m not having sex with you in the alley. We have papers that need to be signed and then you can go back to Jasper.”
“I’m not leaving you.” I pull the rolled-up papers out of my back pocket and hold them up to her. I grab on to them and rip them right down the middle. I almost did it when I saw them on the table of my entryway this morning. But ripping them now, right in front of her, feels good.
“Josh, you can’t do that.”
She reaches for the useless papers, and I hold them out of reach. “I can and I just did. You don’t get it, Violet. We’re married, and we’re staying married.”
The last two months I’ve been convinced that we are in fact not married, but obviously, we are. The papers had to have been filed somewhere if her attorney drew up divorce papers. But I’ve already thought about it. I’m not leaving anything to chance, I’ll just have her marry me again. But this time we’ll be sober.
She tries to pull away, but I don’t let go of her. She looks at me with pleading eyes. “I need to pace. I’m not going to run.”
I know I’m looking at her like a crazy person, but the fear is real and completely palpable. I can’t let go of her. I won’t let myself. “Well, then if you need to pace, we pace together.”
“This is ridiculous, Josh. It was one crazy night. We got drunk, did something stupid...”
But I don’t let her finish the sentence. Maybe she needs reminded of how good we are together. I pick her up until her feet are dangling underneath her. I hold her to me and stake claim to her lips. The kiss goes from something simple to an overpowering tangle of limbs and lips in an instant. Her legs are now wrapped around me as she grinds her core on my pelvis. I’m cupping her ass, holding her to me as I gyrate my hips and thrust my cock against her cunt. I know from experience what she likes, and I give it to her. I can’t stop. I’m kissing her lips, her face, her neck, her shoulders and then back to her lips again. Her breaths are coming in pants and her whimpers bring back the memory of the one night we had together.
I wrench my lips from hers and look at her dazedly. “I’m not letting you go. Give me three days. Three days to show you that this is real.”
I expect her to argue. “You have a big game in four days.”
I barely contain my smile. Obviously she’s been watching my schedule, and that sends a thrill through me, giving me some hope. “I know.”
She shakes her head, confused. “Well, don’t you have training or practice or something?”
“I do. But you’ve seen me, Vi. I haven’t been shit lately. I can barely hang on to a ball, forget running with one. I told my coaches I would be back in time for the game.”
“And they’re just letting you blow off practice. Just like that.”
I nod. “Yeah, because I told them I was coming back with my wife and I would be back to the old Josh Chambers then.”
She shakes her head, “Josh, we’re...”
But I don’t let her finish. I don’t want to hear her say we’re not meant to be together or anything else like that. “You’re mine, Violet. Give me three days, and I’ll show you that we are meant to be husband and wife. If you still want a divorce after the three days, I’ll give it to you.”
I hold my breath. I know that if it comes down to it, I can’t make her do this. So all I can do is hope she gives us a chance.
“I’ll have to see if I can get Tillie to cover the restaurant.”
I pick her up and swing her around until she almost looks green and is holding on to me with her eyes clenched tight. “Stop. I’m going to throw up.”
I stop immediately and let her down but don’t let her go. “I’m sorry. You okay?”
“Yes.” She clears her throat. “Yes, I’m fine.”
She’s holding her belly, and I put a hand on each side of her face. “Look at me, are you all right?”
She blinks her green eyes at me, and just like that I’m in a trance. “Yes, I’m fine, Josh.”
I stare at her, trying to see what’s hidden in her eyes but know that right now is not the time to ask. “Well, c’mon, let’s go. I have plans for us.”
Chapter6