Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 233

233 Setting the Date (Winona)

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Jayden and | are in our bedroom, getting ready for bed. The room is dimly lit, just enough to see the soft outlines

of the furniture and each other. It's a peaceful moment, but my mind's buzzing with everything that's happened

over the past few days. We climb into bed and automatically gravitate towards each other,

"It's been amazing having you close at night."

today with

| manage a small smile, but I'm distracted, my thoughts still on the conversation | had earlier today Gus and

Phillip. "I'm glad you think so." But inside | worry that | should be taking this to the next level. We're not

teenagers. Jayden tightens his arms around me. "You seem tense, What's going on?"

I'm not sure | can tell him what's really bothering me, so | opt for the second line thing that's bothering me. It is

something | do need to tell Jayden anyway. I'm not sure what he'll make of it all.

"It's just... Gus cby to talk about Maria and Greg's kids. To my office."

"Okay, get it off your chest. What's Gus been up to this time?"

"He's got sserious concerns," | say. "Apparently, there's an ongoing investigation into Maria's father and

other leading politicians and diplomats from Cuba. They're allegedly connected to smuggling drugs and people

into the U.S." ""Are you for real?"

"Yes. Apparently, Maria hasn't spoken to her father in years. She wiped him. But also that there isn't enough

evidence to convict anyone of anything. So maybe there's nothing to the accusations against this man."

"Okay, but what does this have to do with us?"

"Gus doesn't trust that Maria's family is as innocent as they seem. The organization grooms kids for the long

term. You know, setting him up to use his position here in the U.S. to open new smuggling routes. "So, you're

saying Greg's kids might be connected to all this?"

"I don't know."

"I mean, if they can't prove anything and there's no immediate threat to us and our little family, | don't really

give a flying fuck what happens in Cuba. I'm not about to throw a big family reunion."

"I know. | just thought you should know. Cass is apparently best friends with Mia and they are going to share a

unit."

"Best friends? She's known her one weekend."

know. But no one could tell us we were wrong when we were eighteen either."

"True."

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233 Setting the Date

"Cass wants to go spread Mom's ashes over the weekend."

"That's a positive step."

"Yes and she has more news, but I'll let her tell you that herself. Anyway, | do worry about her change in attitude

with Mia around. What if she starts using again?" "You can't take all this on yourself."

"I'm trying not to."

Jayden's quiet for a moment, his mind clearly working through everything. "I'm not getting dragged into anything

with Greg's family. | gave them my shares, | gave them their piece of the pie, and I'm done with all of them."

"Okay."

"I think we give Cass the benefit of the doubt and let her make her own mistakes."

"| agree." He's right.

Jayden runs his hands over my back. "You feel good." He kisses my lips.

My thoughts are running wild, wondering if tonight's the night he'll expect more from me. And even though | love

him, even though | want him, | can't help the stress building up inside.

"Now. Tellwhat's really got you all stressed out. No hiding feelings, remember?"

| bite my lip, he's right. "I just... I don't want to disappoint you."

His hand reaches for mine in the silk sheets. "Disappoint me? What are you talking about?"

"Jayden, | still see you, and Ashlyn, in my dreams. Not always, but enough. | know | need to go back to Barnaby,

and | will."

"Do you needto cback with you?"

"No. | need to work through it. | know you've been patient with me, and I'm so grateful for that. But having

sex..." | stop myself, feeling embarrassed. "I don't know if I'm ready yet. But you must be." "Hey. There's no rush.

I'm not expecting anything."

| let out a breath | didn't realize | was holding. "Of course you must be. You're not made of wood. You have

needs."

His thumb brushes gently over the back of my hand. "I want to wait for the wedding night."

I blink in surprise, not expecting that. "Wait? But-"

"I want us to be able to take our time," he says, his voice steady and firm. "No pressure, no expectations. | love

you, and | want that night to be special. When we're both ready. Is that a deal? If you don't want to have sex with

me, | guess we will never get married." feel the tension start to melt away, and | can't help but smile. "That

sounds... perfect."

"Good," he says, leaning down to kiss my forehead.

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233 Setting the Date

"In that case, | want to set a date now."

"Right now? | just got warm and comfortable."

"Right now."

"So you're makingget up and get my tablet in the cold?"

"es."

"Cruel."

I laugh. "You'll be fine."

He clambers out of bed and puts on the bedside lamp,

| admire his broad shoulders, well cut muscles, and the outline of his ass in his tight trunks.

"Now, which venue that you've researched has the soonest available date?"

He taps on his tablet a few times. "Hmmmm. Looks like the soonest available venue is in three months. The five-

star ballroom option. We could have the service in one room and then the reception in the grand ballroom."

"Lock it in."

"So that will be a summer wedding. The first weekend in June." "Perfect."

Jayden puts his tablet away and slides back into bed. "You're perfect."

"| can't wait until our big day."

234 Calm Before the Gala

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234 Calm Before the Gala