“Are you going to kill her?” I ask, hands pummeling into my husband’s back. None of my hits are causing him to falter as he continues out of the club with an easy stride. He moves past the crowded line of gawkers and further back still. Slowly, the crowd dies away, and I realize we’re completely alone in a deserted section of the clubbing area.
“I should,” he growls, unlocking the car door of his blacked-out BMW. “She’s nothing but an annoying gnat that doesn’t know when to leave.”
“You can’t kill her, Lex,” I exclaim, using his shoulders to push up further. I don’t go far. He adjusts me, opening the door with one hand. “This was my plan. She didn’t know what I would do. Or how I would use her.”
Dropping me onto my heels, his hands don’t leave my hips.
He stares down at me, eyes hot with barely contained rage.
“So, you admit you were trying to use her to anger me?”
I glare, crossing my arms. “Maybe. But if you kill her, I’ll never forgive you.” Because then it won’t just be his fault but mine. Because I didn’t care about keeping Danica safe. I just saw a way to get my way, damn the consequences.
“Too bad I don’t need your forgiveness, menace.” He bares his teeth at me, a lion ready to snap.
“No. But you’ll want it,” I retort. “If you ever wanted me, you’ll want that. You’ll want me on your side.”
“You still think very highly of yourself.”
“I know my worth.” I lift my chin in defiance.
He laughs and chills dart up my spine. It’s not a nice laugh but one of barely controlled fury. “And what was your plan exactly, Sloane? Fuck your little addict in full view of everyone there and force me to divorce you because of the embarrassment?” I rear back because holy shit, that was my plan. “You knew I’d have to do it to save face. Because if I didn’t, I’d look weak to the other families.”
His hands cage me in against his car, powerful body leaning over me like a panther readying to eat his next meal. My pulse thumps in my neck, blood rushing with my fear.
“If you’d just divorce me,” I breathe, my heart pounding in my chest at his nearness. “I wouldn’t have to do this. We could both be happy. Away from each other.”
“Little fucking menace,” he mumbles, edging closer still. Bodies fuse, his knee plants firmly between my thighs, keeping me captive. One hand wraps into my loose curls, tilting my head back so our eyes meet with a sharp tug. “I am never letting you go. You could fuck the entire continent and you’d still be mine. Do you want to know why?”
I gulp, licking my lips, unsure I want to know. “Why?”
He moves, knee brushing the spot that’s been aching for weeks, since the night of our engagement dinner. I yelp, the immediate pleasure spiking through me viciously.
“No matter who you take to bed, who you fuck, whoever licks that pretty pussy, will never satisfy you. Only I know how to give you exactly what you deserve. The sooner you realize that, the better this will go.”
My eyes narrow, scoffing at his arrogance. Because didn’t I just think that with Danica? That she, that no one, would compare to the raging inferno of passion Lex invokes in me?
“Big game for a man who’s never had sex with me.”
“And who’s fault is that, Sloane?” His hold turns punishing, pain ripping across my skull. “Just give in to me, stay with me and that ache? That pain you feel? Will all go away. I’ll soothe every need. Gladly.” He sucks my bottom lip into his mouth and I groan, feeling his teeth roughly rake over my swollen lip.
There’s something to be said about how willing I am to just give in. Just for tonight. Because this ache is maddening, his scent intoxicating and I want whatever depravity he’s offering me.
Beyond that, I want his touch, crave his words, want that passion to wash over me because I’ve never had that before. Not since Lex.
“Promise you won’t hurt Danica.”
Lex yanks me closer, growling under his breath. “She doesn’t deserve your loyalty, Sloane. She isn’t worth it.”
“Maybe not. But promise me.”
“Why do you bother? Did you forget how she left you, drugged, with a stranger?”
“She’s the only person who’s never judged me.” I sigh, tears welling in my eyes from his grip and from the sudden onslaught of emotions. My heart beats so hard in my chest, breaking open for this man who I shouldn’t let see this vulnerable side. A man I’m trying to get away from. “She’s the only one who’s seen me, all of me, and has not tried to change me. Even you can’t say that.”
Lex’s eyes soften but his hand tightens in my hair, a reflex to keep me. “I don’t want to change you, Sloane. I want to fucking possess every part of you. I want you to wake up thinking of me, consumed with me like I am with you.”
My heart stutters, mind blanking. “What?”
“You fucking haunt me.” He seethes, fury and lust coating his words. “Your eyes, these bright red lips. Your fire, those vicious words you spew. It’s infuriating how badly you’ve wormed your way into my defenses, broken my impeccable control. I want every inch of you to show my ownership, I want you to bleed for me and only me.” He drops his forehead to mine in an intimate act, but he shoves painfully, digging into my face. “I don’t want to change you. I want your fire to consume us both. But your safety is my concern, and I want you to be completely mine if I’m to protect you in this world.”
“I’m a big girl.” I watch his lips. They look deceivingly kissable. “I can handle myself in this world.”
“You’re probably right,” he mumbles, eyes shutting briefly. “But as my wife, I need you to rely on me. To be completely mine. In every way possible. Just give in to me, Sloane. Just give in and be mine.”
Would it be so bad to give in? To allow this marriage to work?
I want freedom and my choice, but Lex is offering…
“Do I disgust you?”
He rears back as if struck. Cradling my face into his gloved hands, he searches my eyes, looking for my meaning without asking. Seeing things that I’ve kept hidden.
“I take it Ferguson didn’t appreciate your fondness for women.”
My cheeks redden even in the dark night, embarrassment washing over me. “The appropriate term was ashamed. He had a nasty temper and sometimes…” I trail off, but Lex gets my meaning. He looks to my cheeks as if he can see the physical marks Ferguson left behind.
“Menace, if you want to fuck a woman, you just need to tell me.” He licks my bottom lip, inhaling my scent like a delicacy. “I’ll watch as you devour her pussy and fuck you from behind as you ride her face. You just tell me when. I’m not someone whose feelings get hurt by giving my wife the pleasure she needs. In any capacity that might be.”
If he was looking for another way to turn me on, he’s found it. My panties are uncomfortably damp and my knees are shaking with adrenaline.
Just the idea that he’s willing, that he wants me to enjoy every part of myself, without judgement, without shame, is enough to lower all defenses. To allow me to see things differently.
“Just tell me. Will you stay?”
It’s a simple question, one I can fight against. I can shove away his desire, his concern, his acceptance of my tastes and wants. I’m sure I could find another man so understanding or so willing to give me what I need.
“Yes,” I say slowly, hands planting on his chest. It’s the first time I’ve touched him, felt the hardness of his body, the firmness hidden under clean clothing and expensive taste.
His face turns youthful in awe, looking all over my body with unabashed desire, seeing me anew.
“I will happily submit to you,” he says quietly. “I belong to you as much as you belong to me, Sloane. That’s how this marriage will work. Do you understand that?”
Throat dry, I nod. “I do.” It’s the first time anyone has said they belong to me entirely. Or wanted to.
“Good. Because right now I’m going to fuck you like you’re my own personal fucktoy.” He steps back, discarding his jacket onto the roof of his car. “Take off your panties and get in the fucking car, little menace.”
