Page 19

And it feels like I’ve finally won something.

six

WEST

She looks so ridiculously pleased with herself that I say nothing for a moment, wanting her to enjoy her brief victory. And yeah, her grin is endearingly cute. Truth is, I’ve always had a soft spot for Eden. I may not have any ideals, but I like them in other people.

Especially in women.

But luckily, I don’t do cute.

I fold my arms over my chest. “You done now?” I ask her.

She frowns. “Excuse me?” She deflates just a bit. And I hate that I like it. But I need this to be over, and I need to cut her down.

“That was your killer move?” I continue. “A celibacy clause? Because I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m a grown man. I can control myself.”

Her lip juts out like she knows she’s lost. I want to bite it.

“So what’s your next move?” I ask her, interested in the way her brain works. Because it’s not like mine. Not at all.

“Telling you to shove this marriage up your ass?” she offers. I bite down a smile.

I uncross my legs and lean forward. Despite the fact she’s standing and I’m sitting, there’s no power play here. I hold all the cards and she knows it.

“It’s funny, the way you said it.You’re not allowed to have sex with anyone else,” I repeat, emphasizing the last two words. And then I pause to let it settle in. “As in, Iamallowed to have sex with you?”

Eden grimaces, like she’s imagining it. “Listen, I’m just saying, a man like you has needs. And I’d hate to stand in the way of them. We really should rethink this thing.”

I take a deep breath. I could lie to her, agree to celibacy but discreetly disappear to have my fun in private. I wouldn’t be the first married man to do that, nor the last. But there’s something about the way she’s looking at me.

This woman has morals. Ideals. And for some reason, that hits me right in the chest. I’d do this for her.

“If celibacy is what you want, then yes, I agree to it. On one condition.”

She almost looks relieved that I’m not folding. “Oh this should be good.”

I shrug. “You stay celibate too.”

Eden shifts her feet, looking completely annoyed. “I wasn’t planning on any hookups,” she tells me. “Unlike you, I can keep my legs firmly closed.”

And of course I look at her bare legs.

“Then we have a deal,” I tell her. “No sex while we’re married. With anybody else. For either of us.”

“I’m pretty sure you’ll cave before I do,” she says, looking certain, turning on her heels and heading back to the bedroom.

I let out a groan. I’d forgotten how stubborn she could be. The next few months should be interesting.

She slams the bedroom door behind her, and I sit back, grimacing.

Celibate. For months. While I’m married to a woman I can’t have.

Yeah, I’m screwed.

But for some reason, I can’t help but smile.

EDEN