Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107660 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Aspen snorted and rolled her eyes. “Of course. Besides, I couldn’t imagine you creating a child. I don’t know how you’d manage to get past all your selfish arrogance and care for a baby.”
I blinked and an image of a golden-eyed baby with dark hair flashed in my mind like an explosion flaring bright. The percussion vibrated down my back with a warmth I quickly shook away.
This was about coming to an agreement about our marriage so I could fulfill my promise to Felix. Nothing else mattered.
“Thank you, princess, for sharing your complimentary view of me,” I drawled, earning an overly saccharine smile from her that didn’t reach her eyes. “Regardless of what you decide to do with your womb, you will make sure that you wait until our divorce is finalized. I will not tolerate cheating of any kind.”
She raised a brow. “Does this no cheating extend to you as well?”
“It applies to both of us,” I confirmed. “Including forming emotional ties with another. I would expect you to offer enough respect to not embarrass either of us by becoming friends with a man that you magically fall in love with as soon as we part.”
“So, I can’t have friends?” she asked, her voice rising.
“Of course, you can.” I sighed at her dramatics. “As I said, please refrain from placing yourself in a situation that could lead to any embarrassment for either of us.”
Her eyes narrowed, looking me over. “And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“What if you find someone and fall in love?”
I barked a laugh. “Oh, princess. I assure you, that won’t happen. I don’t do love, so that isn’t anything you will have to concern yourself with.”
“And I assume that extends between us too?” she asked with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
“Of course.”
She laughed and tipped her head to the side with a slight shake. “This is what confuses me the most. People get married because they love each other. I planned on marrying the person I loved so much I couldn’t imagine spending my life without them. Didn’t you?”
Yes. Yes, I did. And it fucked me royally.
“There are other things that make a marriage work.”
“Like what?”
I held her gaze and drew out the silence, building her anticipation of my answer. “Sex.” She swallowed, and I savored the tinge of pink blooming on her cheeks and parted lips. “Among other things like communication and respect. But fucking can be a damn good foundation, princess.”
“Oh…” Her mouth formed a perfect circle. “So, you plan on having sex?”
“Fuck yes,” I laughed. “Just because we haven’t had more sex, doesn’t mean I don’t plan on it.”
“But you don’t plan on love?”
“No. I’ve married for love once before, and I will not be doing it again.”
“Wait.” Her brows furrowed. “You’ve been married? When? For how long?”
“I…” I struggled to form the words when I didn’t want any part of Daria intruding on my negotiations with Aspen. “It’s unimportant. At least for now in this conversation,” I amended when she opened her mouth with more questions waiting on her tongue.
“Okay.”
She went quiet again, and I let her, knowing she did better with time to think rather than being strong-armed into another topic.
“Do…do you want to continue the relationship we have now?” she asked quietly.
“More than you can know.” My cock swelled just thinking about it. “One with more exploration and visits to the club. But also, with explicit communication and honesty.”
“But I thought we covered most of it with the contract.”
“Yes, but I will always check in. Some things may change, and I never want you to feel like I…coerced you into anything.” I gritted through the last part, remembering Daria’s accusations that garnered her favor in the divorce.
Aspen uttered a short laugh. “Trust me. You couldn’t coerce me into anything I wouldn’t want.”
“I’ve coerced you into this marriage,” I said, kicking myself for bickering with her over this thing I needed her to agree to.
“Maybe,” she said with narrowed eyes. “But not really. I’d find another way if I wanted to.”
I quirked a brow. “Does that mean you want to marry me?”
“Hardly,” she scoffed. “But I think I can tolerate five years for what I want.”
The reminder of her deadline pricked against my flesh again, but I shoved it aside and moved on. “There is also the discussion of how we want to move forward with our relationship. There are various ways Dom and sub interactions can play out in day to day. All the time. On certain days or times. Only while playing. Or maybe only while playing during agreed upon times.”
Her chest rose but didn’t fall for a long moment, and I found myself matching the movement. She took a sip of her coffee and finally exhaled, placing the cup aside again before looking at me. “I don’t think I want it all the time. But…I don’t know about the rest.”