Page 29 of Bartered Innocence

I smile, turning my head so I can reply through bared teeth. “It’s absolutely disgusting knowing that everyone is going to be thinking of you fucking me all night.”

The hand on my waist tightens, and I swallow the laugh lurking in my throat. Yeah, I don’t think Rian is happy with the image I just painted.

Chapter12

Isabelle

He shutsthe door as I walk stiffly to the bed, trying to ignore the urge to admire the luxurious elements of the hotel. The hints of gold on the walls and the large open space tell me it cost more than I could have dreamed of affording.

I turn to face him, clenching the dress at my sides. “Well, that wasn’t a total disaster.”

The corners of his lips curl. “No, it wasn’t. And now you’re mine.”

A shudder rips through me, my stomach fluttering at his statement, but I steel myself, pushing the feeling away and reminding both of us, “Only on paper.”

Rian steps closer, his smirk deepening. “As long as the world knows first. You’ll grow to accept it, eventually.”

I narrow my eyes. “So arrogant for a man who had to blackmail a woman into marrying you.”

He chuckles, the deep sound sliding over my skin like ice. “Love, I didn’t have to do anything. The marriage was signed before you woke up that morning.”

“You could have chosen someone else. I didn’t want this,” I whisper, tears threatening to gather. I’m not sure why I keep repeating it when no one is listening, perhaps to hold myself to it most of all.

Rian’s taunting expression doesn’t change. “I could have, but I didn’t.” He cocks his head to the side. “Now turn around and let me undress my wife.”

My heart kicks up, beating erratically in my chest like it’s trying to escape its cage. “I’m on my period.”

His grin turns predatory. “Good, we need blood for the sheets.”

“Ugh. Disgusting.” I shiver as he steps closer. My stomach twists, and I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I’ve slept with him before and it was good.Really, really good. And I hadn’t been half as nervous as I am now.

Giving him my back, I face the mirror hanging over the dresser and watch as Rian stands behind me. His fingertips brush up my spine and goosebumps pebble on my skin at the touch. His lips press against my neck as he undoes the first button.

“Tonight I’m going to show you how your first time should have gone.”

My heart runs away at his comment, and I swallow while wetting my dry lips.

“I didn’t think it was a bad time.”

As soon as I say it, I wish I could take it back. I can’t believe I just complimented him after everything he’s done. Rian pauses, he’s about a quarter of the way down my back, and I can feel my dress loosening around my breasts.

“I would have taken my time, prepared you more so you wouldn’t bleed as much. You deserved more than a quick fuck in my penthouse.”

I swallow, tempted to turn around so I can watch his face as he speaks. Rian expresses more emotions than he realizes with his eyes. “Well according tothem, everyone bleeds their first time. That’s why they have this stupid tradition.” I’m sure he can guess who I’m referring to.

He hums. “Yeah, I said as much. I would have made sure you had as little pain as possible.”

“I’m not really on my period.”

His hand slides up my back and pushes the straps of the dress off my shoulders. I don’t stop it, allowing the bundle of white fabric to slip off my body and pool at my feet.

“Wouldn’t have bothered me either way,” he says, his voice more hoarse than before.

I roll my eyes, trying to be confident in the tight white lingerie set I’m tied into. “How chivalrous.”

Rian leans down to kiss the shell of my ear. “Don’t act like you want a gentleman, Isabelle. You enjoyed the way I took my pleasure from your body.”

“No, I could never mistake you for a gentleman.” It comes out as a breathless whisper while Rian kisses down my neck to the curve of my shoulder. The soft brushes of his lips send goosebumps down my spine, and my nipples pebble to hard tips. His fingers trail down to the lace of my corset, and I feel the loosening of the straps.

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