Married to the One I Mocked

ing, Lena wok

zz of an espresso machine. Just the eerie stillne

floor-to-ceiling windows. Goose-feather sheets. Pillowcases

t was

ingsley

ed her more than waking

ples. There were no hangovers in a

ard the red folder st

RUL

arrangement was. No scandals. No touching. No fa

wife in name only, fine. She could play that role better t

n marble. Gold fittings. A mirror that didn

ou doing, L

n't sure

thing w

ing to let Dam

-

black coffee hit her lik

buttoned just enough to be infuriating. A broadsheet newspaper in han

wife," he said w

"You don't have to say

cal grace. "I wasn't aware you

ing off polished marble. "I'm sensitive to arrogance

ule four: sarcasm before 9

w. "Oh? And what'

Dangerous. Handsome. The wor

ind out so

-

gsley Foundation Gala

arance claus

. She wore a red gown with a thigh-high slit that made h

ride wa

for the

when she reached for the champagne in the limo

lked into the gala, his finge

ameras. She knew

ling

ke he didn't tell. He whispered things in her

as al

didn't fe

d stayed there, f

me up to them with his signature scotch breath and said, "Y

ed, without missing a

-

the night, Lena

hau

wat

d around. Blonde. Tall. Bone structure that could slice g

red, like the nam

her head. "

amon and I...

cked. "That's a

ove from Lena's. "Some hi

her waist and pulled her close. His lips brushed her t

he said, gui

earshot, she turned t

hat we're calling manipulativ

d a brow.

otec

your

my

word

perfume-expensive, linger

-

eeled off the gown and droppe

he bar, pouring h

m in a silk robe, i

d, not looking at him,

of people want thin

ned. "And what about

im of his glass. The silence

k. And for both of us to come

do you ne

dn't a

in

.. they flicke

lin

-

she dreamed o

ne glasses

breaking o

she wo

in bed b

y dre

t as

side of

than he sh