Page 126 of Vicious Vows

“It would have if it wasn’t a demand.” She leaned against the bed and pulled her legs into her chest. “It’s supposed to be a question. One that would allow me to choose.”

That hadn’t occurred to me. Our relationship had been unconventional from the start. I figured she would be on board and we would go from there.

I didn’t have time for a fight. I needed to marry her as soon as possible. I had to make my position clear. Anyone who came after my wife, would suffer at my hands.

“I know you’re a caveman.” She sighed. “But you watch TV and read books. You have to know what a proper proposal looks like.”

“I do.”

No one had ever put me in my place this way. Not even my father. It should have infuriated me, but she had a point.

“You inadvertently rescued me from an arranged marriage—a union you know I would have been forced into if not for you.” She smoothed out her tangled sex hair. “What would make you think I would respond well to you telling me that we’re getting married?”

“I was caught up in the moment. I didn’t think it through, but for the record, I’m nothing like the arms dealer.”

“So, your ridiculous demand wasn’t sincere? We’re not getting married?”

“Wait?”What’s going on here?“No, you said I rescued you once. I’m doing the same thing now.”

“By forcing me to marry you?”

“You’re overreacting. It’s not being forced if it’s something you want to do.”

“Barbaric. How do you know it’s what I want when you haven’t even asked?” She leaped off the floor. “Just when I think we’re on the same page, you find a way to set us back.”

She paced the room, then stopped in front of the window and kept fidgeting with her hands.

I stood, adjusted my pants, and joined her by the window that overlooked the incredible New York City atmosphere. The buildings lit up the sky, illuminating the room and accentuating her goddess-like beauty.

I admired her fierceness. Her fiery personality only served to make me desire her more. She could have fallen into line and agreed to marry me, but instead, she was bold enough to tell me exactly what she thought of my idea.

She didn’t face me as I took in her mesmerizing body. She was still wrapped in the soft fleece throw that she liked to cuddle under when she came to bed to read or play on her phone. Her wild hair cascaded down her back, sweeping over her bare shoulders that the blanket didn’t cover.

“What did you mean when you said you were trying to rescue me again?” she asked.

Hell.I shouldn’t have said that. I was off my game tonight. The less she knew, the safer she was.

“If you were my wife, I could guarantee your safety.” I ran my fingers down her arm. “No one would hurt you.”

“You of all people know that’s not true,” she whispered. “Your father couldn’t protect your mother.”

I clenched my fist and took a deep breath. She didn’t mean to hurt me. She was only speaking the truth. No matter how harsh her words may have been, she was right.

“This is different,” I said. “I will do everything in my power to make sure you don’t have the same fate as my mother, and marrying me will ensure that you don’t suffer an unspeakable torture.”

“What do you mean?” She turned and gazed into my eyes. “What has happened now?”

“It doesn’t matter, but we have to focus.”

“How can I focus when you’re clearly keeping something from me? Haven’t you learned that I’m just going to investigate on my own?” She motioned toward the door. “Is that what you want? For me to go and get my own answers?”

“You’re not going anywhere.”

“I’m back to being your hostage then?”

“Let’s be fair.” I touched the ends of her hair. “You were never my hostage.”

“Treat me like your equal and tell me what’s going on.”

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