Read THE INVITATION (The Marriage Diaries, Volume 5) for Free Online Page A

and she was glad she hadn’t put any lipstick on yet. “I wanted to, and not a word out of your mouth about the cost, either,” he added, seemingly reading her thoughts. “I can afford to buy my wife nice things, and I shouldn’t be denied that pleasure.”
    Knowing he meant what he said, that spoiling her was something he truly enjoyed, she pushed the lid open and was nearly blinded by the brilliant sparkle of diamonds. Lots and lots of diamonds and way too many for her to even count. She stared in shock at the necklace — both dazzled and stunned by the three rows of high quality, flawless stones that would encircle her neck. An elegant design of a D and J intricately joined was at the center of the breath-taking piece.
    “Holy . . .” she swallowed back the unladylike curse word and raised her wide-eyed gaze to Dean, her heart beating like a drum in her chest. “Dean, this is too much!”
    He rolled his eyes at her protest, as if he’d expected it. “Too damn bad. It’s a custom design, paid for and non-refundable. Not another word out of you, unless you’d like to break in the new ball gag I bought but we haven’t used yet,” he teased in a soft threat as he lifted the piece of jewelry from the box. “Now turn around so I can put it on you.”
    Even as she wondered about his ball gag comment, she did as he asked and lifted her hair so he could put the jewelry around her neck and secure the clasp. Standing behind her, he looked over her shoulder and into the mirror reflecting both of their images.
    “It’s perfect, just like you,” he murmured, strumming the tips of his fingers down her bare spine.
    His light caress made her shiver and her nipples tighten against the fabric of her dress. The look in his eyes was so tender for a man with such a tough facade, and that emotion completely melted her heart. She touched her fingers to the smooth diamonds, which fit closely around her neck like a choker. “I truly love it. Especially our entwined initials.” Especially that.
    “I designed it myself.” He smiled, clearly proud of himself. “I have one more surprise for you before we go.”
    He went to his dresser and withdrew another box, this one small and white with no indication of what might be inside. A slight smirk canted the corner of his mouth as he gave her the gift. “I thought we’d make tonight more . . . interesting.”
    His smooth, seductive drawl was like a caress in and of itself and her stomach suddenly tumbled with awareness as she opened the box, revealing a small, egg-shaped vibrator. The sex toy was compact, about two inches in diameter and length, and textured with at least two dozen nubs on the purple silicone sleeve encasing it.
    “It’s a pleasure orb,” Dean said, his eyes twinkling wickedly. “It slips inside of you, it can vibrate, and it just so happens to come with a wireless remote. “Very clever and discreet, don’t you think?”
    She swallowed hard, knowing exactly why he’d given her the present now , instead of surprising her with it one night in their playroom. “And you think I’m going to let you put that thing in me, then walk around with it buzzing inside me tonight?”
    His grin turned positively sinful. “Of course you are,” he said presumptuously, before putting the remote in his pocket and plucking the toy from the box. “Now lift the hem of your dress so I can do the honors.”
    “Your arrogance knows no bounds,” she grumbled, just because her husband was way too used to getting his way. “Fine, I’ll let you put the vibrator inside me, but do not abuse your power with the remote.”
    He just smiled, oozing way too much bad boy charm. His non-verbal reply told her that he had no intention of following her orders, that he’d do what he wanted, when he wanted. The man was absolutely incorrigible, and goddamn irresistible.
    Denying him was impossible, especially when she knew that what he wanted would turn them both on. Setting the box on