Page 140 of Claimed
“You will not boss me around.”
“I’m fucking seeing that.” He leaned in closer until his face and mine only held an inch of space between them. “We have a busy day. Let’s bring this back up tomorrow. Perhaps, it will be a better conversation then.”
“There’s no need to bring it back up.” I scowled. “I said what I said.”
He blinked.
“And if you kill or hurt my friend, Melanique and anyone else dancing in the ballet, then I willneverfucking forgive you.” I pointed at him. “Never!”
“Now listen here, I—”
“Youlisten to me.” I stabbed at the air with my finger. “I am falling in love with you. I can feel it in my heart, happening so fast I can’t even grasp any logical thought to stop it.”
His expression softened, and he pursed his lips.
“And. . .I want to make this marriage work, even though I was forced into it out of nowhere, even though I don’t even know why and when you decided to marry me. I’m being patient for those answers, but goddamn it. . .since being with you last night and even now. . .I want to makeuswork.”
His voice was low now. “Those answers that you want will come.”
“Until then I will wait.” I lowered my hand and fixed my tattered dress so it somewhat covered my breasts. “That iscompromise.I read one time in a magazine that compromise makes a marriage stronger.”
“Unfortunately, my queen, I’m not a fan of compromising—”
“I’m sure you’re not, Devil of Shadows, but I am not going to be bullied into giving up my passion. So, ask yourself this. . .and take your time with thinking it over for the rest of the day. . .what doyouwant?”
He leaned his head to the side. “What do you mean, what do I want?”
“Do you want a wife that loves you with all her heart, all the way down to her soul? One that dedicates her life to not only being loyal to you but making you happy?” I swallowed. “Or do you want a prisoner in your castle? A prisoner in this marriage? A prisoner in your bed? One that begins to lose all hope and starts to plot her escape or. . .”
He widened his eyes.
“Maybe, she begins to plotyourdeath.”
He parted his lips in shock.
And then I got off the bed, before he could grab and wrap my wrists back up in that belt.
To my shock, he remained silent and stayed there.
I hoped to God he was truly thinking about those questions, really mulling them over because I was serious.
If he kept me away from that ballet—my passion—then all that love for him that had been rising in my heart. . .would slowly fall away.
And I would want him dead.
Please, Gianni. . .think about it. Do the right thing.
Not even looking back, I pushed my dress down over my butt and limped away. My pussy was too sore to stomp. And I saw a white door that I hoped was the bathroom.
When I turned the knob and opened it, I confirmed that it was.
Asshole. Sure, he’s sexy and has a great cock. But he can still be a bully asshole too.
I limped into that bathroom, slammed the door behind me, and wondered what was going on in his head.
What will you decide, Devil?
