Page 15 of We're Not Strangers Anymore

“Perfect, I'll have that right out for you guys.” He turns walking away and shoots Rowan another smile.

I glare at Rowan, “What do you think you’re doing?” I growl, gripping her thigh.

She scowls. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about your little school girl act with the waiter, you’re flirting.” I grip her leg tighter.

She looks at me and a smug expression washes over her face. “Oh no, is my kidnapperjealous?”She grins.

“I don’t getjealous, Rowan. I told you I’m a possessive man. I get homicidal.” My eyes darken on her and her grin turns to laughter.

“Uh ohhh I’m so scared of the jealous caveman,” she giggles, “give me a fucking break Grayson it’s not like this is a realmarriage. Tell me, is your dick too small to find a woman who would willingly marry you?”

“Well since you’re so curious, I’ll let you find out tonight.” I say to her, unphased by her little comment. Her smile drops. She knows she fucked up. I can’t wait to show her just how bad.

The waiter returns with our drinks and Rowan goes right back to being all smiley and flirtatious as we order dinner. Threats aren’t going to work on this girl, she needs some discipline if I want her to get in line. If she wants to drive me crazy by giving her attention to another man, that's fine. I’ll let her feel every inch of crazy soon enough.

“Drink your wine, all of it. Now.” I demand.

“What? You don’t chug wine, it is to be sipped on, Grayson.”

“I wasn’t asking, Rowan. You’re going to want to be completely relaxed for what I’m going to do to that pretty little body of yours.”

“You’re being serious about that? For fuck’s sake it was a joke.”

“Funny joke. Now you’re going to learn some respect.” I inform her, my face expressionless.

“No,” she says panicked, “ I will scream in this restaurant right now I am not kidding.”

“Rowan, I think you know you’ll only make matters worse if you do that. I own this fucking city. I’ve shot motherfuckers in broad daylight, don’t ever think I’m afraid of consequences, because I suffer none.” I say to her, my tone turning vexed.

The waiter returns with dinner, but the tension killed Rowan’s appetite I can tell.

“Eat.”

“I-I can’t right now.” She looks down, like she’s holding back from crying.

“You need to, come on.” I say gently. I don’t know why I’m softening. It’s not my fuckin’ job to make sure the girl eats the food that’s in front of her. She purposely flirted with this dude just to get a reaction out of me and now she’s upset at the reaction.

“I’m not hungry.” She says looking up at me.

I sigh, “Don’t worry about it, we’ll take it home. I’ll just go pay our bill and we can get out of here.” Every time I see her about to cry I feel like a piece of shit but she’s taking a gamble when she acts like that. All I’m asking her to do is to comply and she decides to make it hard on herself.

She nods, looking back down at her hands folded on her lap. I walk to the front, informing the waiter we’re ready to go. The sooner we get home the better. She’s nervous and I want her to have time at the house to settle in. Part of me feels guilty for scaring her but I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep her around and keep her safe– I’ll do whatever I have to do to let her know she’s mine, and if that means scaring her or making her develop stockholm syndrome, then that’s what I’ll do. The alternative is much worse than her having to be my wife.

As we drive home I decide to break the silence– I don't want her to start to think her emotions are going to soften me.

“I have given you simple fucking orders, and all you want to do is rebel for what? I’m offering you a plush life and all you have to fucking do is shut the hell up sometimes and show some respect!”

She stares at me, silent for a moment, then spits right in my fucking face. I brush my thumb under my eye and lick her saliva off of it. Clearly she wants to play dirty.

“Not a smart move, darling.” I say calmly.

We pull up to the house, it's almost midnight now but I’m not even tired. I have too much anticipation coursing through me. I exit the driver side and walk around to the passenger door, opening it and pulling Rowan out, tossing her over my shoulder and delivering a sharp slap across her ass. She thrashes against my hold but I’m much bigger than her, so it doesn’t make a difference to me.

“You just can’t comply can you, Row?”

“Fuck you!” She screams as we enter the house.

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