Page 12 of We're Not Strangers Anymore

I lean down, resting my hands on the arms of her chair. “I said orwhat?”

“Or– I’m going to leave.” She tips her chin up.

She really thinks this behavior is going to fly. I’ve been too nice to her. I go over to my duffel bag in the entrance closet of the penthouse and pull out a pair of handcuffs. Walking back to Rowan, towering over her, I grab both of her wrists, knocking the glass of scotch out of her hands, and cuff them both together behind her back, pulling her to her feet.

“What the hell are you doing?” she screams, trying to pull her arm from my grip.

I bring her into the bathroom. Standing behind her, I bend her over the sink. Her floral scent, the way this cotton dress form fits to her midriff– it’s taking everything in me not to do what I want to her right now.

“I know you’re a virgin, Row.”

“You don’t know if I still am-”

“Yes I do. I know everything about you. You’re my wife now Rowan, I’m going to make you bleed eventually. You can choose if you want it to be a punishment or a reward. Tighten up that little mouth of yours or piss me off, it’s your call.” I grit out grabbing a fistful of her hair.

“You can’t do that,” she says softly with tears welling in her eyes “I’m saving myself for-”

“Marriage,” I interrupt her, a malicious grin on my face. “I’m your husband, you’ve saved yourself forme. Now beg me not to take you, or I will. Right here. Right now. Not quite the candles and rose petals you would hope for, right?”

“Please-” She cries desperately. Of course I’m bluffing. I’d neverforceany woman into sex, I’d never have to either. Even Rowan. But I’m also not going to make her think that I have a heart. Nothing seems to scare this girl into staying andkeeping her mouth shut, so the only thing I can do is threaten to take something only she can give.

“Please what?” I press up against her and breathe into her ear, “say my name.”

She presses her ass into my erection.She enjoys this.“Please Grayson.” she says with tears streaking her red cheeks.

I take a step back and turn her towards me, smiling down at her face now painted with mascara.

“See that wasn’t so hard,” I say, my voice low. I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Now relax, and have another drink with me, darling.”

Seeing Rowan cry gave me a strange mix of guilt and satisfaction. I don’t want her to try and run so I have to put my foot down, but part of me wants her to rebel so I have a reason to punish her. EvenIknow how sick it is. I pour her another drink and we sit down on the white suede couch in the living room. She’s shaking and we’re right back to where we started. She's uncomfortable. I don’t blame her though. A guy that she’s completely unfamiliar with just threatened to take her virginity. This is all new and I have to ease her into it. That’s going to take time.

“I- I’m tired. I’m going to lay down.” She says.

Before I can say anything, she rushes off to the bedroom.

Rowan went to bed half an hour ago and I took time to make some work related contacts. As I walk toward the bedroom I can hear Rowan quietly moaning.Is she getting herself off?I press my ear to the door to get a better listen. She’s definitely getting herself off. I turn the door knob slowly and crack the door just enough to get a good view of her. Her back is arching and her hips rolling as she moves in slow, gorgeous motions. I wonder what she’s thinking about. Or if she’s thinking about how I had her bent over the bathroom sink earlier. She picks up her pace and her eyes are closed, so I take the opportunity to move further into the room, drinking in every detail of her like this. I take a seat on the accent chair in the corner beside the bed and watch her intently, waiting for her to open her eyes and notice. She opens her eyes as she reaches her climax and her relaxed, lust-filled expression turns to shock when she catches sight of me as she comes.

“Fuck! What are you doing in here?” She screams, pulling the comforter to her chest.

“Trying to go to bed but I didn’t want to miss the show.” I say, my lips curling into a smile.

I rise from the chair, walking towards her slowly. She looks up at me with her big eyes like a puppy that just got caught chewing on the furniture. I reach for her hand as she watches me without hesitation and slide my tongue down her fingers, tasting every drop of her arousal.

“Next time I watch you come, it’ll be with my face between your legs,” I say, dropping her hand. “Get some sleep.”

Rowan

I wake up to the sound of Grayson yelling at someone. I walk out to the living room and see him on the phone. Still feeling the wave of embarrassment in my stomach from what he saw last night, I attempt to walk past him, avoiding eye contact.

“Look I have to go just text me the coordinates.” He says hanging up and turning to me.

“Morning sunshine. Jeweler came by and dropped this off.” He says, opening a large black velvet box.

“What is it?” I ask.

“A necklace. Turn around.” He places it around my neck and clasps it. It's a thin diamond choker with a gold square pendant on the front.

“We’re going to Saks today to get you some new clothes. Be ready in an hour.” He says, looking down at his phone.

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