Page 56 of A Win-Win Situation
I didn’t mean to be short with her yesterday, especially not after her attempt to extend an olive branch, but witnessing my uncle’s declining state shifted something within me. All I wanted was to be alone, but then she spoke and her soft cautious voice made me feel guilty. It was too much.
Despite my annoyance, I can't help but notice how beautiful Leora looks today. Her hair is up, showcasing her delicate neck—its subtle curve is begging to be touched, and the dress she’s wearing fits her perfectly. For a moment, I forget all about our exchanged words and find myself admiring her from afar.
When she catches me staring, I quickly avert my gaze. I can't let myself get distracted by her beauty. I tell myself that I need to keep my distance and avoid getting emotionally invested. The way her laughter weaves a melody, filling the air with warmth, is a detail I shouldn't be captivated by, yet inexplicably, I am.
This is only a business partnership. I need to stay focused on the task at hand and get through this day without any further arguments or distractions.
But deep down, I know it's easier said than done. Something about Leora's fiery spirit and unwavering determination intrigues me, and despite our differences, I can't deny the chemistry between us. God, all I wanted to do when I saw her this morning was shut her up using my mouth.
It’s infuriating.
I've never seen eyes be so mesmerizing when they’re irritated. It makes me want to push her buttons even more. But I can’t do that. Being attracted to my wife is not what I need at this moment. When she opened the door in her gorgeous white dress, memories of the kiss we shared during our wedding flooded my mind. All I wanted to do was stay home, and I'm ashamed to admit it because it feels pathetic.
I’m pathetic.
We’re only on day three of this marriage and I’m lusting after her like a high school boy with a crush.
How am I going to survive this?
I’m either going to have to hide every time we’re alone together or get it out of my system. But that’s the tricky part. She told me not to cheat, or to be discreet.
I think about it for a second, but it’s not what I want or stand for.
One year. I can control myself and my urges for one year; it's a challenge, and I thrive on that.
One year without fucking anyone should be doable. That’s what my hands are for.
Not when you’re living with someone who looks like her.
As soon as we stepped into his garden, Leora’s eyes grew incredibly large, looking as though she were in a trance. Her gaze swept over the meticulously-tended grounds, taking in the blooming flowers of all shapes and sizes. They painted the landscape with a kaleidoscope of colors. Michel’s house is nestled in the enchanting Villefranche-sur-Mer, with the Mediterranean Sea stretched out before us in all its glory.
I watched her in awe, captivated by the way her eyes sparkled with childlike wonder, and how her lips parted slightly in amazement.
The thought of that makes me realize I want nothing more than to see her like that every day.
I catch her eye while we wait for the host. She mouths our safeword to me subtly, all while staying engaged in conversation with another one of our stakeholders, Gérard Moreau.He and my uncle have been working together for as long as I can remember, and they both have a warm and welcoming quality in their gazes that draws people in and makes them feel safe.
I’m a few meters away from her at the bar Michel has set up, grabbing an orange juice for myself and a third Mimosa for her. I changed my mind about the alcohol when we got here—I need to be as alert as possible. I still haven’t spotted Michel and that makes me nervous.
I respond with a subtle nod and a smirk. With that, her smile fades slightly as she looks at me with a furrowed brow, silently pleading for my assistance. It's time to continue acting like I genuinely like my wife. A voice inside whispers"It’s not an act."
"Ah, Lucas! I’ve been getting to know your lovely wife and she’s just magnificent."
Ah, my lovely,stubbornwife.I wrap an arm around her and press her against my body and Leora smiles gratefully, playing her part by leaning into my embrace as I answer, "Am I not the luckiest man in the world?"
I see her eyes begin to roll at my comment before she snaps back to her part as the sweet wife.
"Tell me, son, why isn’t your brother here?"
Leora’s gaze shifts to me, her eyes searching mine, silently conveying why she asked for help.
"Unfortunately, my brother couldn't make it,” I say smoothly. "He's caught up with work commitments. You know how it is."
Gérard seems satisfied with my explanation and moves on to another topic with the other guests around us. Leora visibly relaxes. She leans her head on my shoulder, and in the spur of the momentum I press a soft kiss to the top of her head.
The gesture shocks me as much as it does her, and I quickly pull away, my heart hammering in my chest. What am I doing?
"If it isn’t the newlyweds, welcome, welcome!" Michel’s voice bellows through the garden and we both turn around. I feel a sudden tug on my hand as Leora grabs it, a subtle attempt to keep up the charade. He slowly makes his way through the party and stops when he reaches us.
