Page 53 of The Watcher's Bride

I don’t allow myself to look back. Even if he sees himself as a beast in need of a woman’s love to transform him, I’m not the woman who can give that to him. This isn’t a fairytale, and I can’t fool myself into believing otherwise.

Chapter 33

Leo

Nora and I have been living together as a married couple for just over a week now, although I can’t imagine most newlyweds living as we are. When Nora isn’t holed up in her room avoiding me, she likes to walk along the beach. We’ve talked a little and I’ve done my best to explain things to her, but she always brushes me off. We might be living under the same roof, but Nora’s more distant from me than ever.

When she used to push me away as Max, at least I always had the mask to fall back on. As her dark, faceless protector, she was helpless to resist the connection between us. But I can’t even get close to her like that now, not without her finding out the truth that she’s not ready to face yet.

Not being able to touch her, to taste her, to talk properly to her is driving me insane. At night, I toss and turn, the thought of her sleeping peacefully in the next room keeping me awake. She might be my wife, yet Nora isn’t mine, not totally and completely in the way I need her to be. I’m trying to be patient, but I don’t know how much more I can bear.

As usual, I rise before dawn. I leave my latest peace offering to Nora outside her door, a racier novel this time to remind her of the fire I had awakened in her. I’ve tried being nice, I might as well try appealing to her base instincts. It’s worked for me in the past. When Nora gets out of her head and lets her instincts take over, she can’t deny the attraction she has to me.

After downing my coffee and a protein shake, I go for my morning run along the beach at sunrise before heading into the small home gym that’s set up in the garage. I work out until my muscles are aching, trying to expel all my pent-up frustration and energy. By the time I’m finished, I’m dripping with sweat, my wet shirt discarded midway through.

I bump into Nora in the hallway as I go upstairs for a shower. There’s no sign of the book outside her door, so she must have done some morning reading before getting up. Based on how her eyes widen ever so slightly with desire at the sight of me, sweaty and shirtless, the book is having the desired effect I’d hoped for.

“Good morning,” I say nonchalantly.

“Morning,” she squeaks, her cheeks flushing.

“I trust you slept well?”

“Yes, thank you. I was going downstairs to make breakfast. I won’t keep you from taking your shower,” she says pointedly, but I don’t move so she can pass. If she wants to go downstairs, she can squeeze past me, nice and close.

“Or you could join me,” I suggest, enjoying the way her eyes darken with desire briefly before she reminds herself that I’m the enemy. I prowl closer, ever so slowly, like a lion stalking its prey. “You can be mad at me all you want, you might find it makes it better,” I say, never taking my eyes off her.

For a woman who claims to hate being touched, Nora sure looks as if she’d like it if I took her in my arms and fucked her right here in the corridor. She bites her lip in a way that makes me want to tear off her dress and do just that.

“Leo…” she says, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“You keep doing things like that and I might not be able to control myself any longer,” I growl, moving closer so there’s barely an inch between us.

Her breath hitches and she tilts her head up to meet my gaze, pupils dilating as she wrestles with herself. “I don’t…”

“Oh, but you do,” I say seductively, loving the way she squirms, before pulling away.

I take one last look at Nora’s flushed face, the arousal evident despite her trying to hide it, before I turn and walk into my room, heading for the shower. I leave the doors open behind me, the invitation clear. She’s welcome to join, but I won’t force her.

“You’re always welcome to watch,” I call teasingly over my shoulder.

I take my time, waiting for the shower to heat up before dropping my shorts and stepping inside. I pretend I don’t hear Nora’s tentative footsteps crossing the threshold into my room as curiosity finally gets the better of her. I close my eyes, letting the water run over my head before lathering plenty of soap over my chest, carefully and deliberately washing each ab, putting on a show for the woman I love.

I can sense Nora, hovering just out of sight, watching me from the bedroom. My cock twitches and hardens knowing she’s looking. I continue to pretend I’m not aware of her presence as I take my shaft in my grip, stroking along the length of it as it grows even larger. Knowing she’s watching me is spurring me on, but it’s not enough. I need her.

I open my eyes and they meet Nora’s startled gaze. She panics and flees, leaving me frustrated but unsurprised. I finish quickly, thinking of what could have happened if Nora had given in to her desire. I imagine fucking her right here, water cascading down her perky tits, her legs wrapped around my waist as I delve deep inside her.

The sound of my phone ringing forces me to finish quickly. I rinse off and go answer it, still dripping, with a towel wrapped around my waist. The caller ID tells me it’s my uncle.

“Pakhan.”

“Leonid, how is married life suiting you? Is your malformed Irish whore doing her duty?” he taunts, no doubt feeling smug to have gotten one over me. If only he knew the truth, he’d be livid.

“Everything is fine, thank you, Uncle. Though as Nora is now my wife, I’d appreciate you treating her with the respect her position deserves,” I say tersely, trying to hide my rage at the names he called my wife.

“Of course, nephew. I was only teasing. So sensitive. She must be good,” he says, unable to help himself.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your call? Is there something you need from me for work?” I ask, my voice icily polite.

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