Page 28 of Entangled Vow
The blow landed.Her brows pulled together as her head snapped back.“Because we don’t live in gladiator days.What, did you expect him to pick up a sword and go to battle for me?”
I mimicked her posture, hands on my hips.“Oh, so his devotion only extends to nonstop texting?Doesn’t he have a job to keep him occupied?Or a pet, maybe?”
“Please.He knows how much it means to me that I stay involved with the company.And besides, it’s not like we were—” She cut herself off, her mouth snapping shut.
As if I’d ignore the flush touching her cheeks and the aversion of her gaze.“By all means,” I insisted.“Finish your thought.”
Blowing out a sigh, she muttered, “It’s not like we were serious.Matteo and I were seeing each other, and I would like to keep seeing him when we get home,” she concluded, lifting her chin.“Even if nothing ever comes of it, I will make that decision on my own.Not you.”
My ego would be the death of me.It reared up in protest, creating a roaring in my ears.Still?She was still determined to see him?
What did I expect?For her to fall in love with my dick and decide she never needed another one?
Yes.Without realizing it, that was exactly what I had imagined.I knew it now, thanks to the way my fists clenched at the thought of letting another man touch or taste what I had.I was supposed to pretend I didn't care?
“Tell me something.”She arched an eyebrow, studying me as I fought to get a grip.“What is it about him that bothers you so much?”
“He doesn’t know his place.”It was the safest response and certainly part of the truth.“What is it about him you like so much?”I countered.
“He only wants me to be me, whatever that means.”Pride rang in her voice.“I get to be the one to decide.Not my father or anybody else.”
I waited for more and got nothing.“That’s it?That’s as far as it goes?”
“Does there have to be more?”Rolling her eyes, she shrugged.“Fine.He’s also kind.”
I did my best not to yawn.“Great.”
“He’s thoughtful.”She said it through gritted teeth, her lip curling in a sneer.“Considerate.Are you catching the theme?”
I stroked my chin.“Just to make sure I’m up to speed, you’re wanting this guy because he’s nice to you?”
Her nostrils flared on another deep, enraged exhale.“Only you could make it sound so pathetic.”
“It’s not pathetic.”No, that word could be reserved for the erection threatening to destroy my zipper any second.If this went on much longer, I’d have no choice but to tie her to the bed and fuck the sass out of her.“I’m only wondering why you hold yourself so cheaply.”
“There’s a laugh!”She barked one out.“Considering what brought us together in the first place.”
“At least our marriage was worth it.We both got what we wanted.”
“Did we?”She laughed again, and it was an ugly, bitter sound.“Or did one of us settle for second best?”
“Then, by all means, keep settling for less than what you’re worth,” I snapped.“That will make everything so much better.”
Her eyes bulged, and I knew I had said too much.Where had it come from?Either way, I wasn’t going to apologize.Her body trembled, but her voice was strong.“I don’t know where you get off making judgments about my life, considering you married a stranger to pick up a handful of properties,” she snapped, spitting out the final word like it was profane.“Do me a favor and get off your high horse.You’re not as virtuous as you think.”
She was breathing almost as hard as I was by the time she finished.Her chest rose and fell in time with mine.The heat of her breath was nothing compared to the heat between us.My blood had gone from a simmer to a rolling boil, and there was only one thing capable of cooling things down.
She saw it, too, her mouth parting to allow a sigh to slip through as I lowered my head, taking her face in my hands.“We can’t keep doing this,” she whispered even as her eyes began to close, and she started to melt.Her soft whimper at the touch of my lips sounded like victory to me.
Hadn’t she figured it out yet?Nobody told me what I could and couldn’t do.
And if I couldn’t forbid her from talking to that sniveling prick boyfriend of hers, I’d make her come hard enough to forget he existed.
12
MIRA
“Thank you for doing this.”Clay pulled me a little closer, his arm around my waist.Even with a caftan between his skin and mine, I couldn’t ignore the tingling sensation that raced through me at his touch.
