This morning, I got the same coldness from Margo when I offered her a ride to work. I explained that it would be best to be seen coming to the office together since we’re a happily married couple.

I could tell that she was reluctant, but she agreed.

I steal a quick glance in her direction in the elevator. Her dark hair is down today, flowing freely in big waves over her shoulders. It’s such a stark contrast from the bright red dress she’s wearing that I can’t help but notice every curve on her body.

As if she can feel my eyes studying the contours of her body, she turns her head and points her gaze right at me. I don’t make any apologies when she catches me either. I never say sorry unless I mean it, and in this case, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with staring at the work of art that’s Margo’s body. So I might as well compliment her on it.

“Your tits look amazing in that dress. You should wear it more often,” I tell her.

She narrows her eyes. “Do you always have to be so crass?”

“Yes,” I muse with a smile. “It’s part of my charm.”

“Who said you were charming?” she jabs back at me.

I raise one eyebrow. “I seem to recall being able to charm you out of your panties on more than two occasions.”

“Well,” she scoffs. “Everyone loses their mind from time to time. If anyone ever questions me about it, I’ll plead temporary insanity.”

“Insane with lust, you mean.” I chuckle.

“Hardly,” she says as the elevator doors open.

When we step out into the lobby, Darby stands near the front exit. He smiles the moment his eyes land on us. I know what he’s thinking. God knows he and Aggie have voiced how beautiful Margo is enough times since they met her yesterday. Although they aren’t entirely pleased with the way I ended up married, they somehow believe Margo might be a suitable match for me since she doesn’t seem to take my shit. While their opinions mean a great deal to me because I consider them to be my family, I don’t think they know what in the hell they’re talking about. They obviously don’t know the bitchy side of Margo like I do. Once they see that come out, I’m sure they’ll be celebrating the day I get Margo to sign the divorce papers.

Without permission, I wrap my arm around Margo’s waist and pull her tightly against me.

She begins to pull away nearly instantly. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Acting married and madly in love, of course,” I reply as smoothly as I can.

She shakes her head. “There’s no one here to put on a show for.”

I swirl my index finger in a circle. “There are eyes everywhere. If we want to be believed, anytime we’re in public we need to make our relationship appear to be real. So get ready because these hands will be on you a lot.”

I can tell by the heated expression on Margo’s face that she would love nothing more than to smack my hand away. The woman seems to be very fond of inflicting pain to my face with her hands. I can tell this is killing her to allow me to grope her a little in public, but before she has time to argue much more, Darby steps in front of us to open the door.

“It’s almost working,” Darby says. “The two of you aren’t smiling. If you want the world to buy it, you’ll be needin’ to sell it a wee bit more.”

I glance down at Margo and plaster on the biggest grin that I can fit on my face. “Hear that, sweetie. We both need to smile. We’re in love, remember?”

“How can I forget,” she replies with a dry tone. “How’s this?”

She tips her head and stares up at me, and it gives me a moment to stare into those gorgeous blue eyes of hers. The moment she smiles, I swear to God my breath catches. I’ve never believed in the saying ‘You take my breath away,’ but it just fucking happened to me.

“You’re perfect,” I tell her, and at that moment, I mean it.

My honesty must surprise her because her usual sarcastic comment doesn’t follow. Instead, her eyes remain locked on mine as she swallows hard.

My heart is pounding like a thoroughbred’s hooves beating against the ground. I know it makes me sound like a complete fucking pussy, but if I had met Margo Buchanan in a different way, I could see myself actually being with this woman. Not only is she the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, but she’s wicked smart and has a witty tongue. Beauty and brains like hers are a rarity. She’s like finding a goddamn unicorn.

Darby clears his throat. “Your car has arrived, Alex.”

I shake my head, breaking out of my daze. I can’t seem to keep my head on straight when I’m with Margo, and I need to figure out a way to stop that. So much is riding on every move I make right now. I can’t afford to screw anything up. My head has to be in the game at all times, or I might lose everything.

The car ride to the office is quiet. I’m sure we both have a lot of thinking to do and neither of us find it necessary to make small talk. I appreciate the silence.

When we step into the elevator to head up to the office, I tell her, “Even though this is a work setting, we still need to maintain our little act, so I expect you to play your part of doting wife.”

Margo smoothes her hair down with her fingers. “Don’t worry, King. I know my part and I plan to play it well, so you better hold up your end of the deal.”

“I never go back on my word.”

“Good to know,” she says.