My Boss's Husband - Cassandra Dee Page 0,13

the same people that we were years ago.”

I shoot him a confused look.

“What do you mean?”

He sighs, and looks out over the Manhattan skyline.

“I guess everything changed, with respect to family, the business, and even her personality. Marissa was warm and bubbly when we first got together, if you can believe it. There was none of this ice queen persona, and her warmth and friendliness are what drew me to her. But she became hard and brittle somehow, and maybe it was the business. The stress of running the House of Steele can be overwhelming, and I guess we just handled the pressure in different ways.”

I nod.

“I enjoyed working under Marissa, and I feel like she taught me a lot, but yes, she’s harsh,” I acknowledge. “She’s someone who leads with a whip, and not an apple.”

Marcus nods.

“I agree. That’s why I fought for the company in the divorce. Marissa took a buy out, and I think it’s because she realized the company has been eating her alive. She’ll be happier now that she can do something else with her time, and maybe that icy shell will melt a bit.”

I nod.

“I hope so, and I’m glad it worked out this way. Not just because I got promoted because it sounds like it was the best thing for her too.”

Marcus nods and sips his drink thoughtfully.

“Yeah, that’s why we’re calling it an amicable separation. Marissa built a wall around herself. By the end, there was no one and nothing that could touch her. It was as if she’d fossilized behind a hard shell, and was no longer a woman, even. As a result, we decided to separate last year and finalized our divorce last week.”

I start with surprise.

“Wait, you finalized it already?”

“Yes, as I mentioned, this has been going on for a while. We separated a while ago, but we never told the staff because there was no need. By the morning of the meeting, we were no longer legally married.”

I take a deep breath. This changes nothing and everything at the same time because I had no idea they were already divorced. Everything happened so fast, and I just assumed that Marcus and Marissa were in the throes of separating, or maybe even the beginning stages. I had no idea they were done done. But then, the handsome man interrupts my thoughts.

“You’re not like her, Addy,” Marcus says, his voice low. “You’re her opposite in every way.”

I look at him through my lashes.

“I am?”

“Yes. I like that about you.”

“Oh.”

“Addy?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to kiss you now. Can I?”

My eyes widen. I can’t find the words, so all I do is nod.

The flood gates open. Marcus moves to my side in an instant, and kisses me hard and fast. The passion is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. His tongue dips between my lips, tasting mine, and I sigh with pleasure, wrapping my arms around his neck. He’s so massive and broad that I feel positively tiny next to him.

Carefully, he levers my curvy form down onto the couch, making sure not to crush me with his weight.

“You drove me crazy when you walked into the restaurant wearing that dress,” he growls, blue eyes blazing while tracing my collarbone with his finger. “You’re absolutely beautiful.”

I blush. “Thank you. You too.”

He quirks an eyebrow.

“I’m beautiful?”

I giggle.

“You know what I mean.”

He merely growls again and kisses me slower this time as I melt against him. I’ve been kissed before, but never like this. It feels like he’s absorbing me and I toss a bit against him in pleasure, trying to get closer.

After all, this man is everything I’ve ever wanted. And now he’s fully and truly divorced too! Like a needy girl, I run my hands up and down Marcus’s muscular back, luxuriating in his carved physique. His shirt is soft, and his skin hot even through the material. Giggling a bit, I slip my hands up under the hem of his shirt and scratch lightly down his back.

Marcus takes the hint and pulls his shirt over his head.

“Wow,” I say appreciatively, letting my eyes roam over his tanned form, those six pack abs bulging. “You must work out a lot.”

He laughs, although it comes out a little choked-sounding.

“Thank you, and yes, I do. But I think it’s only fair we get this dress off you, too.”

With that, we shift so Marcus can slowly slip my dress up over my head. He tosses the fabric aside, his gaze roving over my curvy form.

“You’re gorgeous,” he