Page 69 of Love & Other Drunken Mistakes
I arch an eyebrow. “Why are you surprised? You’re a people pleaser who always wants to fulfill others needs first and who came after being praised for his head game.”
He ducks his head to hide his face but not before I catch the blush. “Everyone likes a compliment.”
“Not everyone comes from one, though.”
He grumbles something unintelligible before relenting. “Alright, a praise kink makes sense. So I just need all my future partners to tell me ‘good job.’”
The words ‘future partners’ make me stiffen, my arms instinctively tightening around him as if one of those shadowy, hypothetical figures is going to snatch him from me. With a deep breath, I force myself to relax.This is a casual relationship, I remind myself. It’s just hard to remember that when Alex is technically my husband. “Did Theresa not tell you that enough?” Immediately, I regret the question. I don’t want him comparing us in bed. “Don’t answer that.”
Alex laughs. “I wasn’t going to. Not while I’m sober, at least.”
I remember him talking about it while he was drunk. Not their sex life, of course, but how Theresa used to be more grateful for the things Alex did for her. Or, maybe notmoregrateful, but more vocal in her gratitude. But over time, her expectations rose higher and higher, until Alex struggled to meet them.
“What about the lingerie?” I ask, refocusing the conversation on us. “Did you like them?”
He hums in thought, then says, “They were fine. Kind of itchy. I definitely don’t want to wear them.”
“Yeah, they were a little rough on my balls. More expensive ones might be better, but they aren’t really my kink either.”
“What are your kinks?” he asks, one fingertip tracing the graphic on my T-shirt. “We spent the morning only focusing on mine.”
“Oh, we explored a few of mine,” I assure him, lips quirked in amusement. “Edging, orgasm control. I like to make my partners come, but I like it even more when they need it so much, they can’t think of anything but me.”
“Goal achieved,” Alex says, his voice so exhausted I believe him.
I chuckle, pleased to hear him admit it. “And what about the bondage? Did you like that?”
“It was hot,” he admits, “but also a little frustrating. Might need to try it again.”
The thought has arousal stirring awake inside me, but I know it’s too soon to act on it. At least, if I want Alex to be anything other than a limp noodle throughout it. “We can try both cuffs next time, see how you like that.”
“Next time,” he repeats and the uncertainty in his voice makes me tense.
Does he not want there to be a next time?
Before I can ask, Alex’s phone buzzes across the coffee table. “That’s probably the groceries,” he says, shifting up onto his elbows. “Or work telling me the power is on, so I have to go in after all.”
“They can do that?” If I’d known that was a possibility, I would have gone a little easier on him.
“Sometimes.” He picks it up and frowns.
Theresa’s name lights up the screen.
At least she didn’t interrupt us this time.
Alex rolls off of me and sits up, scooching to the other corner of the couch. By the time he answers the phone, he’s not touching me at all. “Hello?”
I can’t hear what she says, but Alex glances at me. Then my own phone goes off, flashing with the name of Richard’s office. I grab it and answer it with a brusque “Just a minute,” then gesture to Alex that I’m going to the other room. The lawyers are probably calling for the same reason but we don’t need to be in an echo chamber.
Once the door is closed, I greet Richard properly. “This is Euan.”
“I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time,” he says.
It definitely could have been worse.“No, it’s fine. I assumethis is about the annulment.”
“Yes. Ms. Ackers and I have drawn up some initial paperwork and would like to meet with you both to discuss our next steps. Since you’re returning home on Saturday, I think it would be prudent for all four of us to meet before then. What’s your availability?”
“I set my own schedule, so I’m fine with whatever Alex needs, but my flight leaves at seven on Saturday morning.”
