Page 76 of The Worst Pucking Deal

“My sweet bunny,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to the top of her hair.

She’s quiet for so long, I’m beginning to think she’s fallen back asleep. Then she shifts so she can look up at me. “Why did you stop using a condom?”

Despite asking myself that question many times, I don’t have a good reason. Well, I have a good one, just not a… logical one. “Because I wanted nothing between us,” I answer truthfully.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll get pregnant?” she asks, quirking an eyebrow at me.

I shrug. “Not really.”

Her mouth becomes slack as she stares at me like she’s trying to figure out if I’m joking. “Sawyer,” she hisses. “That’s not funny at all.” Now that she’s not using her nickname for me, I miss it.

Raising my hand, I sweep her hair back so it isn’t covering her beautiful face. “I’m not laughing,” I deadpan. “Why didn’t you ask me to use one if you’re scared you’d get pregnant?”

Lucia rolls her eyes, swirling a finger through the hairs on my chest. “I’m not scared of that. I’m on the pill. But you didn’t know that.”

No, I didn’t. I just didn’t care anymore. Shrugging, I place her hand on top of mine and move our joined hands to my heart. “You’re mine, wife. If you become pregnant, I’m sure I’ll love being a dad.”

Scoffing, she pulls away, wrapping the sheet around her. I growl, annoyed she’s hiding her body from me. “You don’t love me, Sawyer. Stop trying to make this…” She gestures between us. “… More than a convenient arrangement by dressing it up as something romantic.”

Before she can get off the bed, I reach for her and pull her back to me by the hair. “Let’s get one thing straight, bunny,” I say, my tone deceptively sweet. “Love is for teenagers or people who believe in fairy tales. I said I was yours and you agreed you’re mine. What did you think those words meant? Maybe it’s love, or maybe it’s something more.”

“Sawyer, that’s not—”

Wrapping my other hand around her throat, I squeeze until her eyes widen. “That’s not what? Hmm? You meant it as much as I did, baby. Don’t pretend otherwise now just because you’re scared.”

Her nails dig into my wrist. I ease my grip, eager to hear what she has to say. “Fuck you,” she spits. Hmm, guess I could have done without hearing that.

“Give me another few minutes to recover, and you can jump back on if you want another go,” I smirk, gesturing at my crotch. “Is that what you need? My dick inside you, to be honest?”

Emotion dances across her green eyes, but it’s not anger. It’s… defeat? Longing? Fuck if I know. She takes a deep, shuddering breath and closes her eyes. When she opens them again, they’re glassy with unshed tears. “Fine,” she whispers. “You win. Is that what you want to hear?”

“It’s not a competition, sweet bunny.” Running a finger beneath her eye, I catch a tear. Looking at it, I feel like I’m watching part of her very essence. And being the greedy fucker I am when it comes to her, I lick it off the tip of my finger. “What I want to hear is the truth.”

“I don’t love you,” she spits defiantly. “But I… ahh, I don’t know. I do feel something for you.”

“Are you mine?” I ask, not caring one bit about her ramblings.

“Y-yes,” she admits. Then she lifts her chin, baring her teeth. “But you’re mine too, Sy. I swear, if you make a fool out of me, you’ll regret it.”

Nodding, I lock my gaze on hers. “I’ve never claimed another person before. I’ve sure as fuck never said I belong to someone else. So trust me, baby. I’m taking this very seriously.”

“How serious?” she asks, lifting her chin stubbornly.

I chuckle darkly. “You want me to measure my feelings for you? I’m not sure there are any measurements big enough, wife.”

“Will you remain married to me when our time is up?” A tremor makes her shudder against me as she asks her question.

“Is that what you’re worried about, hmm?” I cup her face, holding it still so I can look into her green eyes. Eyes that are swirling with emotions I don’t understand. The last thing I want is for her to freak out, to bolt. “I’m never divorcing you, Lucia. You’re it for me. You might not be ready to say it, but I want you to hear it. I love you.”

Lucia stiffens, her eyes flutter closed. “You don’t know what you’re saying,” she spits, sounding… insulted.

What the actual fuck is going on right now? “Look at me, sweet bunny.”

Lucia

I shake my head, unable to look at him right now.

This isn’t fair at all. Sy’s just given me everything I wanted, yet I can’t make myself take it. The icy grip around my heart and the hollowness in my stomach makes it impossible to accept the keys to my freedom.

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