“Thank you,” Annabelle returned with a shaky breath. “I’m still a little scared to believe it.”
“Believe it, girl. If anyone deserves a happily ever after, it’s you and Phoenix.”
After the initial excitement died down, Phoenix and Aaron went to get some drinks from the bar while Annabelle and I got a game of pool set up. Once we started playing, it felt like old times, and my initial unease completely vanished.
Finally, Phoenix made the winning shot. He dropped his cue stick and scooped Annabelle into his arms. “It’s been fun, guys, but I have a blushing bride to fuck,” he said, already moving toward the door.
I stood there smiling at my friends and wondered if a love like theirs would ever be in the cards for me.
A hand snaked around my waist and pulled me back as warm breath tickled my ear. “You want to play another game, baby?”
Suddenly feeling uncomfortable again, I turned to face Aaron and put some distance between us. “No, it’s getting late, and I should probably get going, too.”
Aaron shook his head with a knowing grin on his face. “You’re staying here tonight. With me.”
“Excuse me?” I huffed.
“You heard me.”
“Yeah, I did, but I don’t take orders from you,” I said and placed my balled fists on my hips.
His grin grew even wider. “Yeah, you do. And you like it,” he said as he methodically backed me into a wall. He leaned down and nipped at my bottom lip. “Bet that pussy’s getting wet right now just thinking about it.”
“I, um, uh—”
He chuckled. “Thought so. Let’s go.” With that, he hoisted me over his shoulder, slapped my ass, and carried me down the hall to his club room.
7
The following few weeks passed by quickly. Things were going well for me. I loved my job with Ember, I was saving money, and, for the first time in a long time, I was happy. My relationship with Aaron continued to grow. We saw each other at least once during the week, and we spent our weekends together, starting with him picking me up from work on Friday afternoons.
One particular Friday afternoon, I was alone in the office, anxiously awaiting Aaron’s arrival. It was a holiday weekend, and Ember had offered to let me take the days off, but I opted to work so I could keep building up my savings account.
When I heard his footsteps coming down the hall, I shut down my computer and grabbed my purse from the bottom drawer of my desk. When I looked up, my eyes landed on the last person I ever expected to see standing in my office.
“Robert,” I gasped. “What are you doing here?”
He cleared his throat and fidgeted with the cuffs of his suit, seemingly nervous, which was completely out of character for his overconfident ass. “I need to speak with you. Is there somewhere we can talk?”
“We can talk here. What is it?” I asked, utterly confused by his sudden appearance.
He glanced around my office before asking, “Are we alone?”
“Why?” No way in hell was I going to tell him that we were indeed alone.
“Because this is a conversation that needs to take place in private.”
“This is as private as it’s going to get,” I huffed, irritated with having to look at his face.
He was silent for a few long moments before he floored me with his next words. “We’re still married, and I want you to come home.”
“What?” I shrieked.
“Apparently, our divorce papers were misplaced and never officially filed. We’re still married, and I want you to come home and resume your place as my wife.”
“No,” I stated firmly.
“I don’t believe I asked you a question.” And the pompous ass I knew was back.