Read Online Because a Husband Is Forever by Marie Ferrarella - Free Book Online

because they don’t love that way anymore.”
    There was something about her expression, about the look in her eyes that drew him in despite himself. “What way?”
    â€œUndyingly. From the bottom of their toes.” She dusted off her hands, then wiped her fingertips in her napkin. “Now it’s a matter of boundaries and space and constantly looking out for yourself—”
    If you didn’t look out for yourself, he thought, you got cut down. “What’s wrong with that?”
    She didn’t expect him to understand. But rather than retreat, passion swelled in her voice.
    â€œIt shouldn’t be about maintaining your own space, it’s supposed to be about melding, about looking out for your loved one, not yourself. Marriage takes work, it takes selflessness.”
    He leaned back and studied her. His ex would have called Dakota an embarrassment to her gender. Maybe the woman was deeper than he first thought. “That’s definitely not women’s lib.”
    Dakota frowned, waving a hand at his words. “I hate labels.” She raised her chin like someone ready for a fight. “But if you want one, then fine, that’s people lib.” To her surprise, he laughed. She felt anger flaring. “Did I say something funny?”
    â€œNo, just unexpected.” He supposed that was part of her appeal. She said the unexpected. If asked, he would have said that he had her pegged as a modern woman tothe nth degree, interested in putting all men in their place. In his experience, women of privilege usually were.
    The lighting played along her face, making him aware of her flawless complexion and incredible bone structure. Ian felt a vague, distant stirring and recognized it for what it was. Desire. He would have had to be a dead man not to notice that the woman was damn sexy. He would have had to have been a fool to act on it or think that any action might have led somewhere.
    He turned his attention back to his meal. And to getting out of there in one piece.
    Â 
    The restlessness that had placed her behind the wheel of her BMW this morning refused to abate. Instead, as the minutes slipped by, it grew. Especially when Ian would look at her. She couldn’t begin to guess what was going on in his mind, only that his eyes were making her warm.
    The moment he finished, she signaled for the tab. When the food server arrived, she signed her name to the charge receipt that was already waiting for her.
    â€œHow much was that?” Ian asked, digging into his pocket for his wallet.
    â€œPut that away,” she told him. “You’re not paying for this.”
    He did as she said, but he didn’t like it. Maybe he was old-fashioned, but it went against his grain to allow a woman to pay for him. Even a woman he barely knew. “I’m not used to not paying.”
    â€œIf we go out, you can pay,” she told him flippantly as she slid out of the booth. “This, however, is on the show.”
    Damn, what the hell had made her say something like that? They weren’t about to go out. Even though Ian had looked at her in a way that made her squirm inside, he certainly hadn’t said or indicated that he was interested in making this personal. She doubted he knew how to make anything personal.
    Shrugging, Ian placed a hand to the small of her back, escorting her out of the dining area and to the front of the restaurant. She looked back at Ian. The man did have his good points, she mused.
    Once outside, Dakota noticed fallen leaves playing tag with the wind. She raised the collar of her jacket, thinking she should have brought a coat along.
    Stepping toward the curb, Ian raised his hand at a passing cab. Its Off Duty sign not lit, the vehicle still flew right by him.
    â€œI should have brought the car,” he muttered. As she watched, Ian edged his way to the corner, waiting for the next cab.
    One came less than a minute later. It pulled up right