Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
I stay through the rest of book club then Lizzy drives me home. Funny how I’ve already started thinking of Cord’s cabin as home. Truth is, wherever he happens to be is home in my eyes. Just like Henry and his wife.
To my surprise, Cord is already at the cabin. He’s in the bedroom, and he’s just stepped out of the shower if the towel slung low on his hips is anything to go by.
“I was just about to call you,” he says, looking so delighted to see me again.
He’s never once looked at me with anything other than delight and affection. He’s been good and honest and kind in every interaction we’ve ever had. There is nothing that makes me think he’s like Stuart. “We need to talk.”
“What’s this about?” He drops the towel and pads barefoot to the closet. I take the opportunity to appreciate his body. This is a serious conversation, and it deserves attention. But there’s nothing wrong with appreciating the work of art that my husband is.
I wait for him to get dressed in his blue jeans and faded flannel before I say, “I was helping Henry at his office today.”
He pauses then nods. “And now you’re wondering about the post nuptial agreement. It’s just to protect you. I have shit in my past that I don’t ever want to touch you.”
“This is the moment I need to know what that shit is,” I tell him. I’m surprised by how I don’t feel the need to brace myself. With anyone else, I’d feel like I had to be defensive, but not when I’m with Cord. He never makes me feel like I have to protect myself, and I see now what a wonderful and rare thing that is in a relationship.
He shrugs. “It was before you. It doesn’t matter.”
“Well, it involved moving a lot of cash.”
He doesn’t look shocked or angry. “Yes.”
“And maybe it was less than...legal?” I’m testing the waters here. The thing is that it doesn’t quite align with Cord’s character. But it’s the only reason I could think of for large amounts of cash to be passed around. Most people don’t care if they leave a trail or even if they do, it can still eventually be found. It’s odd to have so much money just disappear.
He settles on the bed and leans back on his elbows. “Is this a deposition? Because I’m not going to lie, seeing you in lawyer mode is hot as fuck.”
“I won’t be easily distracted,” I answer even as my gaze strays to that place between his legs. It’d be so much easier to forget about this conversation and pretend I know nothing. But ignoring my own inner voice is what caused so many problems with my ex. If I’d only listened to myself early on in the relationship, maybe things would have been different.
He smirks. “Are you sure about that?”
“Cord, be honest with me,” I say.
Something about the note in my voice must snag his attention because he blows out a breath. “I know what he did to you. I don’t want a dime from you. It’ll take time, but I’ve got this.”
“I believe you,” I say softly as Lauren’s words come back to me. They put so much time and money and energy into searching, then one day against all odds, he’s coming home. “The search and rescue missions for Vale. You helped finance them, didn’t you?”
He shrugs. “It’s done now.”
“It’s why it had to be in cash. You’re getting in and out of other countries without being detected, probably getting weapons and gear. It all makes sense now. You’ve carried the lion’s share of the financial burden for that. You should have said something.” I wish he would have. With my net worth, I can wipe out the debt without blinking. Hell, I can earn that kind of cash again in less than a year.
“It’s not your burden to worry about.”
“We’re married. Your burdens are my burdens.” I remember how tenderly he held me in the kitchen during the thunderstorm, how he’s cared for Molly and Milo, how he’s made me breakfast and painted our kitchen yellow. He’s shown up in a million different ways.
“Look, I’ll work for Crew and continue to help out here on Valor on the weekends. Everything will be paid down eventually.”
“Okay.” I nod even though I have no intention of letting him work hard for decades to come. He’s not the only one that likes to take care of his spouse.
“You’re letting this go easily,” he says, narrowing his gaze at me.
I smile, feeling lighter now that I know the truth. “What can I say? I’m learning to trust my instincts, and my instincts tell me that you are an amazing man.”
“I love you,” he says as I crawl into his lap and press soft kisses to his face. We’re a tangle of heat and lips and limbs until he pulls away. “Wait, first, I have to do something.”