Page 14 of Bitter Secrets

“Why am I going if you’re going to be busy?”

He stepped into her, so close, she could smell his shampoo. Even though he wasn’t touching her, she felt invisible hands moving over her.

“We have one year. I’m getting my fill.”

“You want sex? You have money. Pay some bi—”

He squeezed her cheeks, stopping her from finishing her sentence.

“Why would I do that when I have you?”

Her hand hit his chest, nails digging into his skin, but he didn’t flinch.

“I’m getting your sisters back on track. I’m burying the fucking feud your dad started. I’m moving on from all of that and you’re moving on with me. Your job is to make all the bad shit fade away.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek before he whispered, “I’m going to fuck your mouth, take your ass, make you scream my name until you’re hoarse. In the end, you’ll beg me to keep you.”

“Fuhk yu,” she slurred.

“You will,” he promised as his tongue lapped at her pulse. “Everyfuckingday. No one measured up to you, just like no one can take my place.”

There was a beep, a warning that someone wanted to enter the penthouse. Roth released her and walked out of the kitchen as if nothing happened. She stared after him, a bit unnerved. The aggression he normally saved for the bedroom was now on display at all times. Had he been playing a role the first time she met him? Maybe he wasn't holding back now that he knew she couldn’t walk out? She was freaked out, pissed, and aroused. There was definitely something wrong with her.

She finished tidying up and was about to exit with her laptop and another glass of wine when Roth blocked her way. She stepped to the side as he wheeled in a cart with two trays on it. When she tried to pass him, he grabbed her arm.

“You’re going to eat,” he said.

“I told you, I’m not hungry.”

He pushed her on a stool and put a plate in front of her. She had to admit, the chicken drizzled with yellow sauce looked spectacular, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. She scowled when he took away her wine and replaced it with water. He settled beside her with an identical plate and began wolfing down his salad. When his phone flashed, he picked it up and put it to his ear.

“Go,” he ordered.

When she ignored the food and tried to open her laptop, Roth smacked it close and handed her a fork. He didn’t appreciate the intensity of her glare because he was reciting a bunch of numbers. When she tried to stand, he gripped a handful of her pajamas and said, “Hold on,” before he pressed mute and focused on her. “You’re going to feel like shit tomorrow on the flight.”

“I didn’t say I was going!”

“You are,” he said, eyes fixed on her mouth.

“Roth.”

His eyes flicked up to hers. “Eat before I feed you something else.”

Her heart slammed against her ribs. She sat and picked up her fork. He didn’t release her until she began to chew.

“I’m back. Go,” he said into the phone.

She shoveled food in her mouth. The sooner she was done, the sooner she could get away from his autocratic ass.

“Yeah.”

She glanced over and choked when she saw Roth had her notebook open, pink pen poised over one of her lists. She snatched the book from him and clutched it to her chest as she coughed. She doubted Roth could read her handwriting, which was as legible as a doctor’s, a mix of italics and cursive that even she had a hard time deciphering, but she wasn’t taking any chances. As she chugged water, she examined him, but his expression was inscrutable.

When he reached for another notebook, she tried to stop him, but realized he was going to write on her laptop if she didn’t give him something. She cringed as he ripped a page from a beautiful journal with gold edges. Heathen. She snatched the book from him and examined it to make sure he hadn’t ruined the binding.

Roth quickly jotted down what looked like twelve acronyms.

“Is that it?” he asked whoever was on the other end.

She kept the notebook with her lists well out of his reach and went back to cleaning her plate. It was no hardship since the food was delicious. She didn’t have to hurry since he went from one call to the next. When she rose, his eyes flicked from her to the plate and then he nodded. She snorted as she walked out of the kitchen.

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