He narrowed his gaze. “Are you saying that I’m part of the collection? You did marry me to secure the future of the Vitalis legacy, after all.”
“I never lied about my motives.” I inhaled his crisp scent, allowing my lips to coast over his cheek.
“You never gave me all the details either.”
I licked my lips, fueled by this growing thrill offighting with him. “I never thought this marriage would amount to more than duty and positioning.”
“Are you saying it’s more than revenge now?” His expression changed, reacting to my words with an emotion that crossed so quickly that I would’ve missed it if I hadn’t looked at him then.
“How can you ask that after the other night? You already know—” My throat burned, and I turned my face away.
He captured my jaw, forcing me to look up at him. “Know what?”
“This is our children’s future. Work with me. We can do this together. I’m going to follow through with this plan no matter what.” My voice quivered, stating the truth but not the words I wanted to say.
He squeezed tighter, forcing me to angle my face up. “No evasions, Avra. Those are the rules. Finish the sentence. Know what?”
I drew a quick breath, desperately wanting to keep this part of me locked away. Eli’s fingers squeezed, and the pressure there, the show of his craving for dominance, had my pussy waking with need. I pressed my thighs together, trying to stem this instant flare of desire from his fierce grip on me.
“I told you before, I won’t let you take everything from me.”
He pushed me against the island, his cock pressed thick and hard between us.
“Did you forget I already have it?” he warned lowly. “You orchestrated our marriage. You sold yourself to me. I ownyou. You belong to me. Everything you are is mine, your body, your soul. Every part of you belongs to me.”
I shook my head, which only made his fingers tighten around my throat.
He brought his face right to mine, bringing us nose to nose. “Do you understand what it means to be mine?”
The intensity of his gaze sent a wave of uncertainty down my spine. However, it wasn’t because of fear but an emotion I refused to allow myself to feel.
“Don’t look at me like that, Eli.”
“You’re my wife. I can look at you any fucking way I choose.”
My lips trembled. “Please don’t make decisions about me that you will regret.”
If he changed his mind in the future, what would I have left?
“You can’t trust me. You said it yourself,” I reminded him.
“Look me in the eyes and tell me you believe this.”
I tried to turn my head away, but he refused to let me budge, so I could only glower at him. Fucking man had my mind all twisted.
Before I could say anything else, he said, “I have a proposition for you, wife.”
“And that is?”
“If I help you complete your plan…” He brought his hot lips closer, brushing them over my mouth. “There is no going back for you.”
I frowned, tipping my face back, making sure I understood his words.
His eyes were obsidian pools filled with emotions that sent my heart into a wild, thundering rhythm.
“Are you saying what I believe you’re saying?”
He nodded.