*~*The Deal by Z. Elizabeth Blog Tour – Deleted Scene and Giveaway*~*

 Wine in hand, television remote in the other, I settle down upon the red sofa and bask in the privilege of having the flat to myself, at least for a little while. With Craig not home, he is most probably still being terrorised by his father. I know his father hates me. Hates my family with a passion. It was clear to see on our wedding day when he watched us recite our vows; glaring at me throughout the whole ceremony. It was kind of intimidating and to be honest, I tried to stay far away from him throughout the night. I did a pretty damn good job until Craig dragged me along to say goodnight. Yeah, John isn’t someone you want hating you and lucky me, I’m that girl.

            I flick through the Sunday viewing schedule and like every Sunday nothing good is ever on. Deciding to switch on a radio station, my lips contort into the biggest grin as one of my favourite songs begins to play. I turn up the volume louder, jump up from the sofa, wine glass firmly in hand and dance around the living room, singing at the top of my lungs. I shake my butt to the beat and just let go of everything for the duration of the song.

            I lose myself in the music, the beat, the lyrics and it’s not until I hear clapping from behind me that I know I am not alone anymore. I freeze in my place before turning around slowly. Craig is leaning against the door frame, a cheeky smile planted firmly on his face and I know he is dying to burst out laughing. I try not to let him see how thoroughly embarrassed I am and how I am dying on the inside at being caught. I turn the volume down and give him a ten thousand watt gleam and a wink before taking a seat back on the sofa, placing my wine glass on the table.

            “If I had known you had moves like that, Nic, we would have gone clubbing sooner!” Craig says while he steps into the living room. He discards his jacket on the one seater before taking the seat next to me and stretching his arm along the back.

            “Maybe we should go clubbing. We’re 22 and what do we do on the weekend? Absolutely nothing! You mark your classes homework and thinking up lesson plans whereas I spend it looking up news articles or reading.” I reply, turning to face him, a plan forming in my head. “Tell you what, let’s go out next weekend. I’ll get the girls out and you get the guys. We can go to that new club, ZoHoKa?” I watch his eyes brighten and I know I am onto a winner. Since we have been married, we have either spent the weekend down the local or holed up in the flat. At 22 we should be out enjoying life, making the most of it, not being the typical boring married couple.

            “I’m in, Nic. We can do it this Saturday then bunk off from going to our parents and stay in bed all day and order take-out.” He grins at his idea and I clap my hands with glee. Bunking off from attending our weekly meetings at our parents will not go down well and despite not wanting my mother to come over and drag me to my parents, I am loving the idea of reliving my university days and feeling like the single girl I was last year.`

            “Yes, yes, yes, I am loving this plan. Then it’s sorted. We round the troops up, pre-drink here then head into town for more drinking and dirty dancing.” I gleam, already thinking about what to wear in six days time. I need to wear something sexy, something that will keep Craig’s eyes on me every second of the night.

            “Nic, don’t wear something sexy for Craig, wear it for all the guys in the club” The devil on my shoulder calls out to me and I resist the urge to smirk. This night could expose his true feelings for me and that is exactly what I plan to do…I need to know he feels the same way before I tell him about the night I sobbed myself to sleep. I promised him I would let him know when I was ready and if this night shows me he loves me too, then I will be able to let him know my feelings for him. After all the little hints into his mind when we are sharing a moment, I want to believe it could be more than it seems, but if I do think he loves me and I tell him I love him, if he rejects me, I don’t know what I would do. I need to be absolutely certain that we share the same feelings, we want to same thing and we have a future after the 12 months is up. Otherwise I’m going to have to pretend that my heart isn’t breaking and move away. I wouldn’t be able to know he lives around the corner from me or bump into him with a new girlfriend…

            I only snap out of my self-loathing when I see Craig waving his hand in front of my face. He scoots over and wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his body. “And what were you thinking about, babe?” His fingers begin playing with my hair and his other hand attached to the television remote. Settling upon an animated film we have seen a dozen times already, I move myself into a more comfortable position and proceed to tell Craig that I was thinking about what to wear next week, seeing as its been too long and that I might go shopping to buy some new outfits.

            “Well, just take me with you when you decide which day to go shopping after work.” He, oh so casually says and I narrow my eyes at his answer and glare at the side of his face. Craig absolutely hates shopping and I definitely know he has a motive for why he wants to come with me. No guy would ever turn down a shopping trip when their girlfriend will be trying on revealing outfits. No, Craig knows exactly why he wants to come along and be dragged from shop to shop.

            “And why, exactly, do you want to come with me?” I smile sweetly, leaning my head up to watch his face. A chuckle escapes him and I feel it vibrate throughout me. He looks down at me and smirks, planting a kiss on my forehead.

            “You’ll be trying on all these sexy outfits and I’ve heard from Rob that changing room sex is a turn-on. Trying to be quiet, knowing there are people in the room next to you…” He replies, running a hand up my thigh, “Plus it’s my right as your husband to approve new clothes.”

            I snort in response and take his hand off my leg. We have been using the husband/wife line when we want something and now Craig is bringing out the big guns. I use it when I want him to go out and buy me food and wine and he uses it when he wants sex and well, yeah, sex (and cuddles). He raises his eyebrows at me and smiles cheekily. He knows I can’t resist that grin but this time I have to. Kelsie has to be the one to pick me something so sexy that it will make Craig pass out….or make him rip it off me and fuck me against the door. Either one will do me just fine.

            “I’m sorry husband but you are not coming with me. Girls trip only.”