Catharina Maura

Xavier Kingston’s life is turned upside down when his nemesis and business rival, Sierra Windsor, suddenly begins to show interest in a man that isn’t him.

Certain he’s at risk of losing his chance with her forever, Xavier offers the Windsors a deal they cannot refuse: a merger between his company and Windsor Real Estate.

On one condition: Sierra must marry him.

The Devious Husband 

Sophia

“Sierra,” I say, reaching for her hand and stealing back her attention. I smile up at her, my heart overflowing with happiness. “Every day, I’m fighting for my life against the romance heroes you love so much.” She bursts out laughing, her tears drying. “And it’s a worthwhile fight, Kitten. You deserve the world, and nothing makes me happier than trying to give it to you.

My heart wrenches painfully, and I swallow hard as I follow her gaze. There’s one part of the story I omitted — just one. I’d started writing it because I’d planned to propose again on our one year wedding anniversary. The last few pages were meant to be all about how I’d give her the book and I’d watch her read it, mentally documenting all her smiles and little squeals as she reads, something I’ve really come to love doing. I’d sit with her in our library, until she got to the part where she’s reading all about how I got down on one knee in our front of her, and she’d have frowned, knowing that never happened, and then she’d have gasped when I do it in real life. I’d tell her, ‘the way this story currently ends is fictional, but I want nothing more than to make it our reality. I know I don’t compare to the heroes you read about, but I will never stop trying to make your wildest dreams come true’. I had it all memorized, spent months working on what I’d say.

My hand trembles as I turn the page and read the dedication. 

 eyes widen when realization dawns, and I turn the page. Xavier wrote this. I inhale shakily as I begin to read.

’d be surprised to learn that I’d never even met you when I first began to love you, but it’s true. Granted, I wasn’t ‘in love’ with you, but it was love all the same. It all started with a parcel I opened by mistake, and the sweet handwritten letter it contained, along with one single cookie, both meant for my roommate — Dion Windsor.

I hated that woman so much for so long after Luca's book but she really tried to be better since then😭

Anne Windsor’s funeral is one of the most secure yet high risk events of the year. Many politicians, royalty, and almost every business tycoon across industries flew in for it, to honor the woman that we all deeply respected.

He glances at the property deeds and smiles. “In order of acquisition, what do these six projects spell?”

I frown as I think back to the last eight years or so, when these properties were acquired. In order of when he stole each of these, it’d be… 

“SIERRA,” I whisper in disbelief when I recognize the pattern the first letters form.

My wife collapses against me, breathless, and I smile to myself. 

 Fictional asshole. How fucking dare he make my wife wet when he isn’t even real? Fucking prick.

Raven chuckles. “Yeah, right,” she says. “There is no way in hell that Xavier Kingston is ever letting you go. That man is playing the longest con I’ve ever witnessed.”

“It’s macaroni cheese,” she explains. “It sounds simple, but it’s a recipe Zane created for me, and it’s honestly just really delicious. I think you’ll like it.”

Pure elation rushes through me at the insinuation. “You’re making enough for me, too?”

“Waiting for you to stop running,” he answers, his expression unreadable. “I told you, didn’t I? I’ll wait a million years and a day, if that’s what it takes.”

“Don’t ever get hurt on my behalf,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Then I suggest you handle me with care, Mrs. Kingston.”

I reach for the device and Sierra instantly grabs my hand, bringing it to her chest as she turns back around to face me. “Are you insane?” she snaps. “What the hell, Xavier? That’s a blade.”

I cup her face, noting the way she’s trembling. “Be careful what you ask for, Kitten. There isn’t much I won’t do for you.”

She looks into my eyes like she’s only just realizing how completely fucking unhinged I can be.

Xavier glances at my bare feet and frowns before leaning in and sweeping me into his arms. “You shouldn’t walk on the cold marble floor barefoot,” he says, holding me tightly. “I’ll buy you some slippers tomorrow.”

His eyes twinkle, something I can’t quite read in them. “I suppose it’s time I return your jewelry, hmm?”

“I thought you said you wouldn’t return it until you got what you wanted?”

He pulls me against him, both of us straightening. “I did. I got exactly what I wanted, Sierra. You.”

“You know how I said I wasn’t romantically involved with anyone?” I ask. Something akin to devastation crosses her face, like she expects me to tell her that I lied to her. “Circumstances have changed,” I tell her as I cup her face. “I’m pleased to inform you that I am, in fact, married — and I’m incredibly devoted to my wife.”

I can almost feel his lips on mine again. I draw a shaky breath and lower my eyes down to his belt, entirely unable to focus on what’s Xavier is saying.

I blink and drag my eyes back up to his, only to find him staring at me, his cheeks rosy and an adorable disarmed expression on his face. He must’ve stopped speaking in the last couple of minutes and not even realized it.

I bite back a smile at his fluster. Serves him right.

My heart is pounding in my chest as I park my car in a secluded area at the back of the Kingston compound, right by a little gap in the thick hedges that surround the property. For years now, I’ve used this tiny weakness in the Kingstons’ security measures to break in and enter Xavier’s house, and each time I park here, I’m certain they’ll have fixed their lax security, only to breathe a sigh of relief when I find they haven’t.

I was so excited for this book I think I was looking forward to it since The Wrong Bride. 

However, I was a tiny bit disappointed plot wise. The scene from The Secret Fiancée that happened underground, didn't make any sense to me when Sierra mentioned it this time because they never called a "truce" while they were married. And by that point Sierra already trusted him whole heartedly so she wouldn't have questioned his motives like she did in Lex's book. 

Another thing that was a bit disappointing is that major plot points that were alluded to, like Sierra finding out about poker nights or finding out he actually wanted the marriage and therefore kinda lied in that regard, fell flat. Not only did we get zero drama or tension out of it, we didn't even get the scene itself for the poker night. (I know there is a bonus chapter but that's not the same.)

I did love the book but it couldn't compare to Ares or Lex for me. And it fell completely flat drama-wise when you look at Zane and Celeste or even Dion and Faye.

I was so excited for this book I think I was looking forward to it since The Wrong Bride. 

However, I was a tiny bit disappointed plot wise. The scene from The Secret Fiancée that happened underground, didn't make any sense to me when Sierra mentioned it this time because they never called a "truce" while they were married. And by that point Sierra already trusted him whole heartedly so she wouldn't have questioned his motives like she did in Lex's book. 

Another thing that was a bit disappointing is that major plot points that were alluded to, like Sierra finding out about poker nights or finding out he actually wanted the marriage and therefore kinda lied in that regard, fell flat. Not only did we get zero drama or tension out of it, we didn't even get the scene itself for the poker night. (I know there is a bonus chapter but that's not the same.)

I did love the book but it couldn't compare to Ares or Lex for me. And it fell completely flat drama-wise when you look at Zane and Celeste or even Dion and Faye.

This book was one horrible hot mess from beginning to end. I am honestly baffled by the five stars and how any reader could find this even a decent book. This author just keeps getting worse with each book and her cynicism towards the male gender is becoming more and more obvious in her writing. I really gave this up to over 90% of the book and the moment we got to the grovel, which literally made me actually sick, I DNF this one. I just don't understand what the author was doing here with this book. The first half was so angsty and full of conflict and then right when I thought things were going to go smoothly for our couple, then the grovel happens and it literally went from a solid 4 star to a DNF. The way the heroine is with the hero, how she demeans him during the grovel and practically abuses him, and forcing the hero to literally beg on his knees. It was practically a copy cat of the previous book in many respects lol It lacked authenticity, creativity or even original thought. And the grandma scene was not necessary and not what I was looking for in the finale of the series. This author deserves this rating because this book deserves such a rating and I hope she learns to improve her writing and actually write good satisfactory endings like what she wrote in the beginning of the series.

Lover of Romance 

My Review: 

This book was one horrible hot mess from beginning to end. I am honestly baffled by the five stars and how any reader could find this even a decent book. This author just keeps getting worse with each book and her cynicism towards the male gender is becoming more and more obvious in her writing. I really gave this up to over 90% of the book and the moment we got to the grovel, which literally made me actually sick, I DNF this one. I just don't understand what the author was doing here with this book. The first half was so angsty and full of conflict and then right when I thought things were going to go smoothly for our couple, then the grovel happens and it literally went from a solid 4 star to a DNF. The way the heroine is with the hero, how she demeans him during the grovel and practically abuses him, and forcing the hero to literally beg on his knees. It was practically a copy cat of the previous book in many respects lol It lacked authenticity, creativity or even original thought. And the grandma scene was not necessary and not what I was looking for in the finale of the series. This author deserves this rating because this book deserves such a rating and I hope she learns to improve her writing and actually write good satisfactory endings like what she wrote in the beginning of the series.

The Devious Husband

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