I set down my beautiful Christmas book, realizing out loud, “So yeah, that’s the example I grew up with. I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about who I’d eventually marry—hell, I wasn’t even sure I’d get married at all. But when I did, I always imagined it would be like that. Happy and loving, not…whatever this is. And with someone who loved me because I’m me. So, no matter how great the sex is, I’m never going to be okay with being married to you just because your possession turned out to be a lot more loyal than you expected, and you decided to keep it in the most official way possible.”
A look came over Han’s face—so harsh it verged on ugly. And I braced for another argument.
But in the end, he rose to his feet and said, “You are right. And I am sorry.”
Then he gave me a solemn bow.
And though I’d stated nothing less than the truth, for some reason, guilt churned in my stomach as I rose to my feet too. “Han, I…”
“We will talk of this no more,” Han said. He gave me a wry smile. “That’s an order. Now, I have arranged for a Christmas lunch. I would like us both to get dressed up before they come.”
“Oh, you don’t want me to wear this to answer the door?” I asked, stretching my arms overhead with an innocent look. The shirt moved up just enough to hint at but not show my nipples.
You’d think that trick would have gotten old by now, but Han’s eyes darkened, and well…
If you were wondering how to get a man to throw you down on the couch and make you nod until you come so hard you see stars—there’s a suggestion for you.
Hours later, I still had a nice sex after buzz when Han walked me down to meet Bui in the underground garage.
At least, I thought we were going to meet Bui. When we got downstairs, none of the other STs Infinitis were parked in their usual spaces.
“Is Bui running late?” I wondered out loud. He hadn’t mentioned having Christmas plans like Chen. But half the island became tourists during the holiday, so there was plenty of other stuff he could have opted to do.
As for Han, he must have had his own plans. He let go of my hand and went over to the only Infiniti left in the ST’s designated row of parking spots.
“Should I just wait here for Bui then?” I asked after him, not sure of the new security protocols. “Or maybe go back up to the apartment until he texts me he’s here?”
Han turned around and tilted his head at me. “Of course not, we are going to your Christmas party, as I promised. All of the guards are already in place outside your future brother-in-law’s home. Come, get in the car.”
I did so gingerly. But after I put on my seatbelt, I had to clarify. “So you’re driving me all the way to Diamond Head yourself?”
He kept his eyes trained on the rear camera as he backed out of the spot, and it almost sounded like an afterthought when he informed me, “Yes. Also, I will be attending the party with you.”
“Wait...what? No!” I answered as we rolled out of the garage toward the complex’s gates.
“This…” I wagged a finger between the two of us…. “It is supposed to be a secret. This needs to stay a secret!”
Han glanced over at me, his face a work of shadow and stone in the car’s dim light.
“You are my wife, Jasmine. And I am your husband,” he bit out. “I will not be your secret anymore.”
32
JAZZ
“I’m tired of waiting. We will go in. Now.”
I sat in the passenger seat of Han’s car, my right hand curled over my left hand. Like a prayer made of fists.
“We don’t have to go in,” I rasped. “I don’t understand why you’re making me do this.”
He glanced at me, then back at the house. The party inside carried on so bright and loud we could hear all the people talking and music spilling out, even though we were parked on the street since the carport was full.
“I would like for both you and your family to understand,” he answered.
“Understand what?”
“That you’re mine now.”
His…
“I hate you,” I whispered, meaning it. That he would double down on this possessive bullshit after what I shared with him earlier…
“And yet you are still going to take me inside and introduce me to your family,” he answered. He almost sounded bored.
Yes, I guess I was. I could ask if this was an order like I usually did. But I already knew it was. That question now felt like a childish game, considering what he was about to make me do. After tonight, this thing with Han would no longer be a secret. They’d know. Everyone would know.
