“Letting him control you.”
A heavy breath rushes out of me, but I can’t even deny it, because Dare is right. And for the first time ever, I’m disgusted with myself.
twenty-eight
DARE
Patience has never beenmy strong suit, but seeing Rose slowly begin to question Joseph is worth the time it’s taken to ease her into the truth. I’ve spent more time with my wife in the last few months than I have with anyone else since my parents died.
I’m so used to being isolated that I didn’t realize how good it would feel to have someone around. Even if she is insufferable and sassy. Even if she’s killing me with the clothes she wears. The way she purses her lips when she’s annoyed with me. The way she scowls at me. I’d take it all over being alone again.
There’s no doubt that Rose is quickly becoming my favorite obsession. I think about her in meetings, when she walks away, when I should be sleeping. Work was never fun before, but with her here, she makes my mornings brighter.
I have no idea if she feels the same way. It’s not enough to be inside her head. I want to be inside of her. I want her to breathe in and taste me on her tongue. I want her heartto beat faster and know it’s me who’s holding it. Fuck. I simply want.
Rose side-eyes me in the back seat of the car. “You’re thinking too loud.”
I cut my gaze in her direction and purposefully let my attention stray to those plush lips. “What am I thinking?”
Her mouth parts, forming an O shape I want to thrust my cock through, and her throat bobs. “Probably world domination or something of the sort. That’s what villains do, right?”
Closing the distance between us, I wrap my fingers around her pretty throat and capture the lobe of her ear between my teeth. When I gently nip it, she sucks in a sharp breath. “Is that what I am? Your villain?”
“Maybe,” she murmurs, biting her lip.
I stroke her neck, bury my other hand in her hair, and slam my mouth against hers, stealing the throaty moan that slithers out of her. Our tongues tangle, but finally, she’s not fighting to control the kiss; she’s following my lead. She’s giving me a little more every day.
There’s something terrible inside of me that demands it all now.
But I won’t take what’s not willingly offered. She may let me kiss her, but Rose isn’t ready to let me fuck her again.
Soon, though. I’m close to having my wife all to myself.
Despite having ordered her an outfit, Rose takes the afternoon off to go shopping. I force Remy to go with her. He doesn’t like it, but I don’t pay him to do what he likes. I’m in the middle of reviewing some paperwork at home when I get an email from Joseph.
My mood immediately sours.
What the fuck does he want?
Sighing, I open the message. With every word read, anger kindles in my gut.
As the second majority shareholder of Vista Holdings, I’d like to get a briefing on the company. Work with my assistant to schedule a meeting.
I clench my jaw and scowl at the screen. This motherfucker thinks he can tell me what to do? He wants a meeting? I’ll give him a fucking meeting.
Storming out of my office, I slam the door behind me. Remy’s replacement appears seconds before I get into the car I’d already called to take me to Vista.
“Sir—”
“Shut up and get in,” I growl.
The guard nods and slips into the front with the driver. I inform them of the change of plans, then sit back, clenching my fists and jaw. It takes too long to reach Joseph’s building, and by the time we arrive, the scowl on my face hurts. The bodyguard opens the door and scans the area. I put my gun on the seat, so the building’s security doesn’t confiscate it.
The new bodyguard looks at me. “I was told to stop you if you came here.”
I glare at the guard. “Go ahead.”
Face scrunching, he eyes the rigid set of my shoulders and jaw, catches the hard edge of anger on my face. “Remy’ll kill me.”