Free Accidentally Still Married (The Naked Truth #2) by Carmen Falcone

one that rolled down her cheek with the back of her hand. “That’s exactly what those papers mean,” she said in a low but steady voice.
    “Are you upset because I suggested you visit me in L.A.?” The question after they had hot sex in a stockroom had surprised even himself. The more he thought about it, the more it all came together. Why couldn’t she visit him, and he visit her? Wasn’t that why he had a jet available? For the convenience?
    “No.” She winced. “There’s something else.” She reached in her pocket, and produced the engagement ring he had given her. His mother’s ring. “I meant to give this back.”
    He lifted the ring to eye level, somehow fascinated it was the one. The diamond princess cut, with the shining metal. How could that be? “You told me you sold it.”
    “I did, I didn’t want to be mean or anything. I just needed the money to leave you. Listen, I was in a bad place after we lost our baby. Fleeing was my survival strategy.”
    “This was my mother’s ring, you know?”
    She lifted her hand to her mouth. “I’m sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “I was mad at my mother for a long time. Didn’t want to think about her,” he said, and the words came out strained. He shoved the jewel in his pocket and ran his fingers through his hair. Was it fair to still be mad at his mother? “Listen, I didn’t know you had this planned.” He waved the divorce papers, and tossed them on the sofa. “We weren’t supposed to finish this way,” he said before thinking.
    She threw back her shoulders. “How else could we finish, Sebastian?”
    “I proposed the deal,” he hissed. “I chose when it ends.” He realized his statement was a contradiction to his original proposal, but shit, what else could he do? Once he filed those papers and left her house, there would be nothing linking them together. Not even the insane attraction.
    He sucked in his breath, his body stiff like a violin string. She glared at him, her eyes glossy and determined. A strangled sound escaped her lips. “Of course this is about you calling the shots. Well, tell me, how and when will it end?” Sarcasm dripped from her voice.
    “Not today. I changed my mind.” He shrugged, and stepped toward her. “Grace, I’m not being deployed to Iraq or moving to a remote town in Africa. I’m a flight away.”
    She reared back, and narrowed her eyes at him. “I should just visit you whenever you’re horny? Was that why you gave me that office space? So I can go from ex-wife to mistress?”
    “Listen,” he urged her, although he himself was not sure what to say. “That’s not why. Grace, have you ever considered moving to the west coast? There are great nursing homes in California. And your business can take off there too.”
    “You’re mapping out my life, my grandma’s well-being, to suit your needs? You think the sex is that good I will just pack up and leave?” She raised her voice. “I’m not leaving, Sebastian.”
    “Grace, do you have any idea what it’s like to open new firms while maintaining my standard? I will be swamped with work. I won’t be able to just come see you.”
    “You don’t have to. We’re done.” She flashed him a glance of disdain. “I’m sorry, but you don’t get the last word this time.”
    He rubbed his brows and took a good look at her. With puffed chest and lifted chin, the vulnerability of a couple minutes earlier was gone from her expression. Grace King acted as if she was ready to conquer the world on her own, and his assistance was no longer needed.
    He was no longer needed. Leaning over the sofa, he picked up the divorce papers and held them. Their sexual relationship was an asset he could no longer invest in. An icy liquid spread through him, congesting his veins and stealing the air from his lungs. “Fine. Good-bye, Gracelynn.”

Chapter Seven
    “Sounds great. Ten o’clock. See you then.” Grace injected some misleading energy in her voice, placed her