Page 33 of Betrothed To Love

Damn. My husband can kiss.

While grinning at my own thoughts, I press play on my panel and allow Yara’s second album, Becoming Her, to provide the soundtrack to my ride back to my city. Although I told my friends I would call them on my journey back home, I refrain. Mondays are…well, a drag, and we all use Sunday nights as a time to rest and reset. Normally, I’m in bed by ten because Monday calendars are packed and tomorrow is no different. My first hearing is at nine.

It’s almost eleven-thirty by the time I pull into my private, detached garage. I have one of thirty-five for my tower. Foregoing my normal bath, I hop in the shower as soon as I enter my condo then pour myself a glass of my favorite sparkling red from Divine Vines. I’m sipping it in bed when my phone rings. It’s him.

“Hello,” I answer.

“So I’m guessing you’re still driving,” he says.

“No. I’m home,” I reply.

“Then you lied to me.”

“What? Lied about what?” I ask, a little confused by his words.

“I asked you to call me when you got home and I haven’t gotten a call. So you must still be driving,” he says sarcastically, making me smile.

“No. I’m not driving. I’m actually in bed, sipping a glass of wine. My apologies for not calling. I’m not used to being accountable to anyone.”

“Not just anyone, your husband.” All sarcasm is clearly gone.

“I’m definitely not used to that either.”

“You’ve gotta do better. Let’s practice.”

“Practice?”

“Yeah, practice. Who am I?” he asks.

Wholly amused, I answer with sass. “My hussssssband.”

“One more time for consistency,” he says, so seriously.

“My husband,” I repeat, minus the sass.

“Better that time,” he says and I smile. “Now, what kind of wine are you drinking?”

“A sparkling from Divine Vines. It’s a local winery and their selection is top tier. The spot is beautiful too.”

“Sounds like you like it there?”

“I love it there.”

“Then we should do the dinner there,” he says and I nod even though he can’t see me.

“Actually, that’s a good idea. Really perfect. They offer private tours and dining. I just need to let Duke know so he can coordinate and see if we can book it. Oh, I gotta talk to Shuga about it too. She really wants to help.”

“Glad, I can help, but let’s talk about Shuga. You gave her your number?” he asks.

“Yes, she asked. Besides, she’s helping with the dinner. We have to be able to communicate.”

“That’s gon’ be fun for me,” he says and I hear the sarcasm return to his baritone.

“It’s gonna be just fine. Shuga is very fascinating and apparently has the Nina Wright hook up. The pieces in her living room alone are rare finds. She must be secretly connected to someone important,” I say and he chuckles.

“Imagine that. Shuga probably just lucked up on those. She’s had them since we moved into that house and I was two then. She’s not connected in any way,” he says amusedly.

“Don’t count her out. I’m telling you; it’s so hard to find those paintings. Shuga is the connect,” I tease and his deep, sexy laugh flows through my phone.