Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
I back up against the bed, then slide along its length until I’m against the wall. I would have to go and corner myself like this, wouldn’t I? And I don’t have anything to defend myself with, not that he wouldn’t make me regret pulling a weapon.
The only weapon I have is my words. They’re all I can use. “You don’t think anything was wrong with what happened earlier today? Seriously?”
“Seriously. My business is my business. I won’t be told what to do or how to do it, not by you or anyone, for that matter.”
“Okay.” I fold my arms, glaring at him while I try to keep from shaking. It isn’t only fear making me do it. There’s still a red-hot river of anger rolling through my body. “And it was totally innocent, I guess.”
He blows out a sigh. “If it matters to you so much, yes. It was innocent—at least, in the way you mean it.”
It’s the laughter in his voice that hurts the most. This is all so amusing. My frustration and confusion are funny. “Then it would be okay if you came home one day, and I was showing some guy from school to the door?”
His nostrils flare, and I know the question hit him like I wanted it to. “What?”
“Some guy from class. A study partner. If you came home one day, and I was showing him to the door, and he kissed my cheek. That would be fine? Because it would all be innocent?” I’m goading him, wanting him to feel the same way I do right now.
“Not the same,” he mutters, his brow lowered. I’d swear his eyes are burning.
“How? Why wouldn’t it be the same? Totally innocent, working together on a class project or something. Even without the kiss,” I offer. “Just studying together, alone. You’d be okay with that the way I’m supposed to be okay with you having some strange woman here with me not knowing who she is?”
He’s like a bull ready to charge. Face flushed, breathing harder, faster. Like even the thought is enough to set him off. “Not. The same.”
“Says who?”
The fire in his eyes hardens into something vicious. Something feral. And I know before he even lunges at me that I pushed too far.
But I know something else, too. I know the idea of me being with anyone else—even studying, even something as simple as that—makes him crazy. That alone lights me up inside, even as he pins me to the wall, knocking the breath out of my lungs. He wants me. Pretend all he wants, there’s no changing the fact.
“We would have a serious problem on our hands if you ever spent time alone with another man.” He’s breathing heavily, unhinged, and my pulse races at the knowledge of how close he is to losing control.
“Would we?” I whisper, as defiant as I can be, when what’s happening to my body is another story. My pussy is already wet and getting wetter. This is the only way I can make him touch me and show he cares. Even though I could be in danger, the payoff is worth it. “How so?”
“Don’t play dumb.” His hand encircles my throat, and my nipples tighten in response. “If another man so much as touched you without permission, I would have no choice but to cut off his hands.”
He leans in, his grip tightening. “You are mine,” he whispers through gritted teeth.
Yes, I am. God help me.
I need him. I know that now. There’s a part of me that lights up in moments like this when I’m equal parts turned on and terrified. The anticipation is excruciating. He’s going to take me, he’s going to fuck me, and I’m going to love it the way I always do. Even when he hurts me, I love it because it’s his touch I need the most. I need the pleasure only he can bring me. It’s fucked up and twisted, and I know it, but I don’t care. Not right now. Not when he’s looking at me like he wants to tear me to pieces.
“Let’s get something straight,” he growls, and I shiver at the sound of it. “I am not the man you storm off on. I will not accept you behaving like a fucking child. And you do not spend time alone with any man, for any reason, unless I’ve given you permission. Do you understand me?”
I don’t understand anything right now. I certainly can’t get a grip on the way my entire body reacts to him. Head to toe, I’m on fire, tingling, throbbing, hungry. So hungry for him, for the oblivion he brings me.
“Answer!” he barks, making me jump.
“Yes!” I gasp. “And I will not accept you treating me like shit, like I don’t matter. I’m your wife. I deserve to be introduced to people. I deserve a little respect.”