Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

ATHENA

The scent of roses is the first thing I notice.

Then soft, warm kisses, featherlight on my shoulder, my cheek, and my collarbone.

| stir with a sleepy sigh, the ache between my thighs, a hazy reminder of how thoroughly my husband ruined me

last night.

My lashes flutter open, and the first thing | see is Alex. Shirtless with his hair slightly damp, his green eyes

burning into mine like he never stopped watching me, not even for a second.

"Good morning, my beautiful wife," he murmurs against my skin, pressing another kiss to my jaw. "I figured

flowers and kisses were a good way to wake you."

| glance toward the nightstand, and sure enough, a stunning bouquet of deep red roses sits in a crystal vase.

"Are you trying to spoil me?" | ask, my voice still thick with sleep.

"Always,” he replies, brushing my hair from my face. "But right now, I'm here to take care of you."

He sits up, pulling the sheets down gently. | shift, wincing a little at the soreness between my legs.

Alex notices immediately.

"Too much?" he asks, his voice low and full of concern.

| give him a lazy smile. "Worth every second."

A dark smirk touches his lips, but he doesn't push. Instead, he leans down and kisses my forehead, then stands

and offers his hand.

"Cwith me."

I let him helpout of bed, his hands firm and steady as | find my footing. My legs still tremble slightly, and he

notices that too, scoopinginto his arms without another word.

"Alex-"

"No walking. You've earned the right to be carried," he says simply, carryingthrough the villa.

He takesout onto the private terrace, where steam rises from a sunken jacuzzi overlooking the ocean. The

air smells like salt and flowers.

He steps in within his arms, easing us both into the warm, bubbling water. The heat instantly soothes my

body, the ache slowly dulling as | melt into his chest.

“Better?” he murmurs, his hands already working slow circles along my back and thighs.

"Mmm... so much better," | sigh, resting my head on his shoulder.

We sit like that in silence for a while, the ocean stretching out before us, the sun rising higher in the sky, and the

only sound is the gentle ripple of water and his heartbeat under my ear.

He presses a kiss to the crown of my head.

"There is something I've been keeping from you." He says, makinglaugh.

"Your sense of humor has really improved lately. What is it this time?"

But he doesn't respond. He just draws circles on my back. Something he does when he's in deep thought.

I turn so I'm on the other side and can see his face,

"Did something happen?" | ask.

His green eyes find mine, and he hesitates. "I didn't want to tell you earlier because it would have ruined our

wedding. It was selfish, | know but-"

| move closer and capture his head between my hands.

"I'm not upset. | trust you. Just tellwhat the problem is so we can go back to enjoying our honeymoon."

He sighs, "When granny was dying, she askedto find the people who killed your parents."

| freeze.

The warmth of the water fades beneath the sudden chill crawling up my spine. My breath catches in my throat

as | stare at him, my fingers still cradling his face.

"She... she asked you to what?" My voice shakes slightly.

His eyes never leave mine. "To find who was behind it. Your parents’ deaths."

My heart thuds so hard that | can feel it behind my ribs.

That grief I've buried deep for years surfaces like it never left. | blink rapidly, trying to steady myself.

"And?" | whisper. "Did you find them?"

He shakes his head,

"Not yet."

| watch his jaw tighten like it physically pains him to say that.

"I didn't want to lie to you, but | also didn't want to give you false hope. I've been

digging into everything quietly. Luca's been helping. So has lan."

Tears prick the corners of my eyes, not out of sadness but from the overwhelming wave of emotion surging

through me.

| remember being told that the flood incident was just a cover-up. But didn't have enough power. Not knowing

Alex has been working on

If anyone can find those answers, it's him. s

"Alex..." | whisper, pressing my forehead to his. "You didn't have to do this for me."

"Of course | did," he says softly. "You're my wife."

My chest aches, but in the best way. | wrap my arms around his neck and hold

him tight, the water sloshing softly around us.

"Whatever you find..." | say quietly, "I want to know. Even if it hurts."

He nods, pressing his lips to mine.

"You'll know everything. | promise."

After a long soak, Alex finally helpsout of the jacuzzi, wrapping a thick towel aroundbefore carrying me

back inside.

I'm still a little weak on my feet, but there's something comforting and intimate about letting him care forlike

this. It makesfeel loved in ways words never could.

Back in the bedroom, | pull on one of his crisp white dress shirts, the hem falling just above my thighs. The fabric

smells like him, clean,

masculine and addictive M net?

hair clings to my shoulders, still dripping slightly down my back. | don't bother with underwear. s

Behind me, Alex tosses on a pair of black sweatpants, low on his hips, and nothing else.

The sight of him bare chest, sculpted torso, the band of his Calvin Clein boxers peeking out is enough to make

my mouth go dry.

God, how does he always look this good?

| bite my bottom lip before | can stop myself, my gaze lingering just a second too

long on the V-line disappearing beneath his waistband.

He catches it.

"Caught you staring, Mrs. King," he says, stepping towardwith that dangerous

smirk tugging at his lips. "You look like you're about to climb me."

"Maybe," | tease, raising an eyebrow. "You're not exactly hard to look at."

He laughs, then grabsby the waist and liftswith ease, my feet leaving the

ground as | squeal. His hand delivers a soft smack to my ass as he says low against my ear,

"Let's feed you before | decide to eat you again.”

“Alex!” | gasp, laughing breathlessly.

"I'm serious," he says, "You're walking around in my shirt, with no panties, wet

hair, biting your lip like that, and you expectto act civilized?"

"I thought you were being sweet for once," | murmur, pressing my forehead to his.

"lI am," he says, placing a kiss on my

temple. "That doesn't mean I've stopped being a man in love with the

sexiest woman alive. Plus these

fucking curves will be the end of me"

s

Still holdingin his arms like | weigh nothing, he walks us into the sleek,

modern kitchen.

The smell of fresh fruit and espresso lingers from the villa's stocked supplies, sunlight pouring through the glass

walls as the ocean glimmers in the distance.

He setsgently on the counter, standing between my legs, with his hands still at my waist.

"You sit pretty. I'll make us something quick,” he says, brushing a kiss across my jaw. "Then we can go back to

being completely naked."

"But | want to see the island. I'll be sad if we go back before | get a quick tour."

He chuckles before walking out of the kitchen. He then returns with a document

and hands it to me,

"Maybe you should see this."

| frown as | flip through the pages and my mouth hangs open.

"You own this island?" I all but scream.

Alex shakes his head,

"Nope. It's in the trust. The one you have all the power over. So technically, it's

yours to do whatever the fuck you want with it. Including touring anytime."

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