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I actually had to think about it.
Yes, I supposed I was. I had everything I could ever want. A handsome husband, financial security, a beautif-
ul home. I was more than satisfied with Parker.
If only he could learn a little self–control, it would be perfect.
But my hesitation was misinterpreted.
He pressed a soft kiss to the side of my neck. “I’m happy,” he said, as if speaking to himself. “I never even dreamed I’d be able to marry you. But I also know that if one person in a marriage is unhappy, it’s not a marr-
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Chapter 7
iage, it’s a tomb. I don’t want to trap you.”
He said my name, his voice serious. “Nora, if you want your freedom, I’ll let you go.”
I didn’t realize that to him, this marriage was a stolen piece of happiness he was constantly afraid of losing. His tone was all wrong. It screamed of noble sacrifice.
I immediately knew.
I turned in his arms to face him, my gaze unwavering. “You saw the divorce papers, didn’t you?”
Parker’s lips pressed into a thin line. His dark hair, damp with sweat, clung to his forehead. And there it was again–that sad, wounded puppy look.
“I only had those drawn up because I was angry,” I explained quickly. “I don’t want a divorce anymore. Not at
all.”
“Why were you angry?” His focus, as usual, was slightly off–kilter.
I was both exasperated and touched. I poked his rock–hard stomach. “And you have the nerve to ask? For six months, I threw myself at you, and you acted like you couldn’t stand to touch me. When a man isn’t attract- ed to a woman, it means he dislikes her, right? I was just a substitute for my sister. I thought you were in love with her. Of course I was angry!”
I kept going, my voice rising. “And don’t think you can get away with it just because you’re handsome, Parker. There are plenty of younger, hotter men out there. If I really wanted to divorce you-”
My words were cut off as his mouth crushed mine. His arms tightened around me, a cage of muscle and
desperation.
“It was my fault,” he breathed against my lips. “Don’t be angry anymore.”
“I was never in love with your sister. And the reason I didn’t touch you was because…” He trailed off, a faint blush creeping up his neck. “I have… a problem.”
Seeing him look so vulnerable, my anger melted away. At home, Parker was less of a corporate shark and more of a big, soft golden retriever.
I ran my fingers through his damp hair and decided to lay all my cards on the table.
“Parker, are you in love with me?”
