Page 115 of Lessons in Corruption

I want to come deep inside her because I can. She’s clean, I’m clean, she’s on birth control, and I’m her fucking husband. But I want to mark her. I pull out and erupt in thick, hot ropes all over her stomach, and some even make it to her tits.

I see stars. God, I never came this hard. Breathless, I collapse next to Scarlett and pull her toward me, not caring if I get cum all over my chest.

My breath can’t catch up, and I feel lightheaded. “Christ, that was so good.”

“Are you okay, doctor?” My wife lifts my hand and checksmypulse.

Seconds pass as I watch her eyes as she counts the beats under my skin. “You’re gonna make it.”

“Not likely, if that’s the kind of sex we’ll be having.” I pull her in for a kiss, but she breaks it a moment later.

“So… Was this a one-time, get it out of our system thing?”

Fucking, ouch.

“I didn’t think of it that way.” I roll onto my back. “I don’t want to hurt you, Scarlett. I warned you about themess I am.”

“I, um, looked up some case studies on relationships and recovery.” She trails a hand down my sweaty chest. “You did a year, like they recommend. You’ve stayed clean. You have a stable home and a job. There’s no need to deny yourself anymore.”

I blink, taking that in. “It’s not me I worry about.”

She sits up. “Do you think because I let Pierce suck me into something hurtful that I’m a terrible judge of men?”

Fucking ouchagain because that’s exactly how I would characterize it.

“Sex was never part of the bargain to get married,” I remind her.

“We’re both sober adults. So we can do this again?” Her eyes light up.

I forget she’s twenty-five and full of energy and optimism.

“Sure.” I get off the bed and grab my phone. “I need you to promise me something.”

She grabs a pillow and covers herself. “A video promise?”

“No. I want you to promise me that the minute you’re not happy with something I’ve done, said, or if I’m just acting like a selfish asshole, call me on it. And if I give you a hard time, call this number.” I show her my phone. “I’m forwarding you the contact.”

She blinks. “Who’s Lachlan?”

“That’s my six-foot-six brother.”

“He knows we’re married?”

“He does now.” I clear my throat. “I saw him tonight. And told him.”

I’ll wait to tell her about meeting everyone on Christmas Eve. The last I counted, that’s thirteen strangers, including my mother. And not including seven kids. One being mine!

“Lachlan was in the same camp they sent me to,” I say to finish my point. “If I spiral, you call him, and he’ll come straighten me out.”

“Seems a little extreme.” She goes pale, the orgasm glow fading.

“Lachlan is the definition of extreme. But he’s fair. He’s just terrifying to look at.”

“Noted.”

I head to the bathroom and grab a washcloth. Back at the bed, I caress my wife with the warm cloth and smile as she groans against my touch.

“What do we do now?” she asks, her eyes dropping closed.