The Casanova's Bride

Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

ALEXANDER

We had only been married for a month.

One month.

And already, Amara Devereaux knew exactly how to test my patience.

Last night, she had gone to a party.

I'd told her I didn't think she should go.

She went anyway.

I wasn't angry because men would look at her. I knew what my wife looked like. I knew she attracted attention wherever she went.

What irritated me was that she hadn't even bothered to tell me she was staying out late.

So I waited.

The house was silent.

11:00 p.m.

Midnight.

1:00 a.m.

I sat on the couch, staring at the clock while pretending I wasn't waiting for her.

At 2:47 a.m., headlights finally appeared through the windows.

I stood immediately.

The front door opened.

Amara walked inside, laughing at something someone had said before she noticed me standing in the living room.

Her smile disappeared.

"You're awake?"

I looked at the clock.

"Obviously."

She placed her handbag on the table.

"It's almost three."

"I can see that."

She sighed.

"Alexander, please don't start."

"Where were you?"

She stared at me.

"At the party."

"I know."

"Then why ask?"

I folded my arms.

"Because you disappeared for hours."

"My phone died."

"And you couldn't use someone else's?"

She shrugged.

"I didn't think it was necessary."

That answer annoyed me even more.

"You could have told me."

"You told me not to go."

"I said I didn't want you to go."

"Exactly."

She crossed her arms.

"So you expected me to stay home because my husband said so?"

I stared at her.

"No."

She looked surprised.

"No?"

"No. You're an adult, Amara."

She relaxed slightly.

"But?"

I sighed.

"But when you leave at night, I'd like to know you're safe."

She looked at me for a moment.

"You were worried."

"I was irritated."

"You waited for me."

"I couldn't sleep."

She smiled.

"At three in the morning?"

I looked away.

She laughed softly.

"You were worried."

"Don't make it sound romantic."

"Who said anything about romantic?"

I looked back at her.

She was still smiling.

That smile irritated me.

And somehow, I couldn't stop looking at it.

I cleared my throat.

"Next time your phone dies, borrow someone else's."

She nodded.

"Okay."

"And don't disappear for hours without telling me."

"Okay."

She picked up her handbag.

Then she started toward the stairs.

"Goodnight, Alexander."

I watched her climb the stairs.

"Amara."

She turned.

"Yes?"

"Welcome home."

Her expression softened.

"Goodnight, husband."

Then she disappeared upstairs.

I stood there alone.

A month ago, I had been convinced that marriage would ruin my life.

Now I found myself waiting until three in the morning just to hear the front door open.

That realization bothered me more than her going to the party ever could.