Page 15 of Hostile Bond
“Jesus fuck, Sin. You’re like the gatekeeper to my fucking sanity.” He bends, bringing his eyes directly in line with mine. The immediacy of his sole focus makes me shiver. “I’ll give you a million dollars to tell me what’s wrong. And if that's not enough cash tell me the ransom amount, so I can figure this shit out.”
I swallow hard when he bares his teeth. The short leash his temper tugs on is ready to snap. I’d be a hypocrite to keep my concerns to myself when I want his openness.
“Who am I to you, Dré?”
“You’re my wife…” he replies immediately. “The tattoo on your finger should be sufficient evidence of that.”
“And what’s the purpose of having a wife if not to share your life with her?”
His fingers fall away from my face and he rolls back his shoulders, scowling at me. “Am I not sharing?” he says incredulously. “Seems to me like my wife is next to me, the only man who has given youeverythinghe has. So, what have I missed?”
“You haven’t given me everything, Dré,” I protest. “You’ve shut me out. I’d prefer to discuss important plans that involve the both of us, not just be ordered to pack up my things and move. I want to be your equal, not just some woman you control.”
Pain flares in his dark gaze and I almost shrink in size, afraid that I’ve pushed him too far.
“Some woman? Control?” He scratches the scruff on his jaw. “Are you serious? I learned a long time ago that I couldn’t control you. I moved us out of the penthouse foryoursafety. We left Miami, so you wouldn’t have bodyguards breathing down your neck everywhere you go. We’re on an island that offers you an element of freedom—without worrying about asicariohiding under your bed. Look––” His hand waves toward the deserted sandy shore. “No armed men watching us. No interruptions. Just blue skies and sand for miles. I’m doing my best to protect you while there’s a threat out there and give you independence at the same time.”
I pant as my heart drums. “I understand that. But why didn’t you talk to me about your plans? You sit in your office night after night and never once thought about sharing them with me. Letterman knows more about my future than I do! You bark out orders and expect me to obey. I love you, Dré. I really do, but I can’t be a silent partner in this relationship. I want more––”
He grabs my shoulders, snarling in warning. “More what?”
My chest aches for his sudden show of buoyant vulnerability.
“More to this marriage—more for us—or…”
He bristles. “Are you giving me an ultimatum?”
“Well… yeah… I mean, I want to be your wife… your partnerandyour friend. Is that such a terrible thing to wish for?”
I push my hands into his chest, instantly shocked when goosebumps shower his skin. The powerful thrumming of his heart collides with my palm, over and over, the rhythm strong and dominant. Heat sizzles and crackles. The potency of his height and brawn feeding my primal desires.
“There is no ultimatum. Not now. Not ever.” I become breathless when he strokes my jaw with his knuckles. The tingles are addictive. “We’ve been through this before. If I haven’t made it crystal fucking clear for you, then hear me now!” His nostrils flare. “That ink on your finger makes you mine forever. I wasn’t purposefully controlling our future—rather, I was safeguarding it. It’s like happiness is falling through a hole in my hand and I’m trying so very hard to hold on to it.”
My guts tangle with pure emotion, making everything around me appear so much sunnier, warmer, and safer—because of him.
I stare at his gorgeous face and memorize every detail. From his devilish black lashes to the fine lines of candor creasing the corners of his eyes.
Palm fronds yo-yo against the sandy backdrop flickering shade and sunbeams in intermittent intervals. Our fast breaths chase each other’s. The scent of smokiness and vetiver invades my nostrils.
Love runs deep through my soul.
“If you really want us to be happy together…” I balance on my tiptoes to match his height, yet still have to tip my head back. “Then treat me as your partner.”
His eyes sparkle. “Is that the only thing that would make you happy? Or simply one of many?”
“It’s a priority. A non-negotiable caveat to our vows.”
The corners of his mouth twitch into a slight smile as he stares at me, his eyes spearing every word leaving my lips.
“Right… okay.” His head nods slowly. “I get it.” My stomach quivers when his sexy cheek dimple winks at me. “Communication is up there with your happiness. And what if it's impossible for us to be equals when my father has reserved a seat for me in Hell?”
“You’re too hot for Heaven anyway, Hotshot.” I smirk. “I’ll sit on your lap while we’re in Hell together. Besides, angels are boring.”
Masculine laughter spills from his lips. It cracks open the gloomy blanket of sadness he’s been suffocating under. The richness of it bursts through my heart like rays of the sun. Unzipping his jeans, he yanks his legs free and exposes his hard dick.
“As you’ve chosen to for-go a swim, which is your prerogative, I’ll leave you alone… with your thoughts… to consider the other priorities for your happiness,” he says around a flirty smile, his mood somewhat lighter than before.
The toe-curling awareness of what I feel for this man buzzes through me when he pivots to the glittering blue sea. Sunlight worships his sinewy shoulders and firm buttocks contract as he moves with his bare feet plowing through the soft sand.
