Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption novel Chapter 1

They said a man was most likely to cater to a woman's wishes in bed and right afterward.

After a heated romp, still basking in the afterglow, Lizetta lay spent on the man's chest, her eyes misty as she looked up at him and held out her hand.

"Where's my anniversary gift?"

Unlike her disheveled state, the man was still dressed to the nines, with only his tie a bit loosened, revealing a sharp, sexy Adam's apple.

His deep-set eyes were sculpted, with a natural cool, abstinent vibe in them. But it was this dapper dude who, just moments ago, had gripped her waist, not letting her pull away, driving passionately, pulling her into the whirlpool of desire.

Lizetta's heart was still racing, sweet anticipation brewing within.

The man glanced down at her, "What anniversary?"

Lizetta froze. He had been away on a business trip for over a month, and she thought his return today was to celebrate her birthday and their wedding anniversary with her.

She had heard that he went through quite a hassle abroad to buy a naming right to a small asteroid, and his mom had even given him the Dashiell family heirloom jade bracelet.

Either would have made her ecstatic.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" Lizetta huffed, reaching up to kiss his lips.

But she missed. Remington dodged. Her kiss landed on thin air; she didn't even graze his face.

Lizetta stiffened. They had done everything, but he had never kissed her. She thought today would be different, but it turned out.

A woman's sweet softness, a brief careless fling was simply not enough. Remington's body reacted swiftly, taking her hand and placing it on his belt buckle, his voice teasing.

"Not satisfied just now? Want a gift? Let's see how you perform."

Lizetta fought down the creeping feeling of disappointment, her cheeks flushing again. Though they had been married for two years, intimate encounters were scarce. She was a bit shy, pulling her hand away.

"You do it yourself," yet, leaning in, she handed him a condom.

Ostrich act, Remington snorted. His gaze fell on the condom, his eyes suddenly icy cold, his hand pinching her chin.

"Lizetta! Who taught you these nasty tricks?"

His handsome face lost the lustful heat, his voice now only cold and displeased, the earlier flirtatious warmth vanished like a dream.

Lizetta was dazed, only realizing what he meant when she saw that all the condoms were tampered with. She understood that Remington thought she had sabotaged them, just like the scheme she pulled on him four years ago.