Page 37 of Irresistibly Wicked

“You can if you really want to, but I think it’ll be harder to convince him to go anywhere if you’re talking in hypotheticals rather than having a plan in place. I know you’re strong, but if he starts making promises and begging you to trust him, it’s going to be harder for you if you don’t have a next step readily available. If we’re lucky enough to find a place to take him quickly, that’s a fire in your belly, too.”

Her brow knitted. “You’re right. I just feel guilty leaving him to deal with strangers.”

“That’s because you love him, but you’re doing the right thing.”

“I don’t have any doubt about that. He needs help.”

“That’s today’s goal.” He tried to lighten the mood. “Well, that and starting the process for that ball and chain linking you to the hottest guy in Bayside.” That earned a smile. “You should write a prenup to protect yourself. I don’t want you worrying about me going after any of your stuff.”

She looked at him like he was nuts. “You have a beach house, a truck, a motorcycle, and who knows what else, and you’re worried about protecting me?”

“You’re going to be my wife. My top priority is protecting you.” He opened the patio door and said, “Let’s go, Angel. Time to fuel up and figure our shit out.”

ZANDER WASN’T KIDDING about fueling up. He made a feast of eggs, pancakes, and sausage, and when Shauna said she wasn’t a big breakfast eater, he lectured her about the importance of eating protein in the morning.

“I work out every day and I’m doing just fine, thank you.” She snuggled Kitty as Zander set two plates, piled high with food, on the island.

“You work out every day?” He pulled out a chair for her.

She put Kitty on the floor by her food dish and sat beside Zander. “Yes.”

“Cool. What gym are we going to?”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t know how trusts or inheritances work, but I’d imagine they’re not okay with a fake relationship. Do you know if there are home visits, or do they talk to friends and family? Or your boss?”

“I don’t know. I wasn’t planning on getting married, so I never called the attorney.”

“You should probably do that today. If I’m going to be your husband, it has to look real. I assume you’ll need to move in here, and we’ll need to be seen together. Working out together makes that easy.”

Wow, he’d really put some thought into this. “Okay. I guess we can work out together when I’m not at the firehouse or taking a pole class, assuming you’re not at work. I guess that means evenings or maybe weekends.”

“We’ll figure it out.” He ate a bite of sausage. “How do you like pole class?”

“I love it. I wanted something different and fun. It’s a great workout. I had no idea how hard it would be when I first started.” She lifted the edge of her shorts, showing him a bruise on her thigh. “Hard-earned bruises.”

“Better than the other kind,” he said. “I can’t wait to watch you work that pole.”

“I don’t work the pole. I’m not a stripper. And you’re not coming to my pole class.”

“What’s wrong with wanting to see my wife do what she loves?”

“Zander,” she warned.

“We can talk about it later. I know you’ve got a lot on your mind right now.” He nodded to her fork. “Eat up so we can get started.”

“You’re going to be my husband, not my boss, so please don’t tell me what to do.”

“Sorry for trying to look after you.” He dunked a piece of pancake into a pool of syrup, and the sight of it was so tempting, her mouth watered. “I’ve never had to answer to anyone, and the last thing I want to be is someone else’s boss.”

“Good.” She doused her pancakes with syrup and cut off a piece. As she lifted her fork to her mouth, Zander’s lips quirked in amusement. “I’m not eating this because you told me to.”

“I didn’t say anything.” He ate another bite.

“You said plenty. Just not out loud.”

“Listen to you, sounding like my wifey already.”