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

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 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.

“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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

“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.”

“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.”

“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?”

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.”

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