Page 26 of Breaking Storm

“No.”

His firm response and deadbolt stare has me thinking about changing my strategy.Ask what he wants. Show concern and interest.

“Okay, what do you want?”

“Sex.”

My grip tightens around the armrest, and my face scrunches in disgust. “What?”

“You heard me.”

I whip my head away, clenching my jaw, and simmer in anger. He’s blackmailing me. In order for me to finish school, I have to sleep with him. Typical thug. God forbid he does something honest.

My head snaps back to him. “Why can’t you get a mistress?”

“Because I have a wife.”

His answers are quick, with his eyes pinned on me. Blood pounds in my head.What the fuck!

Again, my mouth opens before thinking. “Why ask? You seem to be good at taking without consent.”

Joey slides his chair back, stands, and says, “We’re done here.”

While he walks away, I kick the table and yell, “You’re an asshole!”

He stops, looks over his shoulder, and responds, “And you’re going to be without a degree.” The door closes behind him.

I scream, kicking the table and pounding on it. Tears stream down my face, as I pull my legs against my chest, and rest my chin on my knees. Joey is a lowlife thug. Sean is delusional to think he’s smart. He isn’t any better than the rest of them. Gerard comes in and places a piece of chocolate cake in front of me, pats my shoulder, and leaves. At least someone understands my heartache. I dig the fork into the cake, something I’d like to do to Joey. Jab the prongs into his neck. Oh my God, how can I think of such a thing? I gasp with a mouth full of cake. What’s wrong with me?

There’s only so much television I can watch. Joey is already in bed. I go through my evening routine, scooch into bed, and grab my book. Again, I examine Joey’s body in my peripheral. It’s a beautiful mess of scars and tattoos. Muscles harmonic in strength and grace. His outstretched leg displays finely shaped corded muscles. My eyes rise to his boxer briefs, remembering how thick his cock felt inside me. If I consent, I can get back the control I lost in this marriage. Maybe I’ll even enjoy it. Scratch that. He’s looking for a release.Hisrelease. Would it be so bad having sex with him? Get in and get out. It would be done and over in a matter of minutes. A tradeoff for receiving a college degree.

I bite my lip, and without thinking more about it, I ask, “What do you have in mind?”

His head angles toward me. “What are you talking about?”

My heavy sigh is a sign I’m not buying his pretend cluelessness. “Sex.”

Joey gives a one-shoulder shrug. “I changed my mind.”

“So, I can register for classes?”

He doesn’t even look at me when he says, “No, I changed my mind about sex.”

“That’s your decision, but I should be able to go to college.”

He flips his book closed, turns to me, and says, “And I should be able to have sex without having to ask for it from my wife.”

“But you just said—”

“Forget about the deal. I don’t want sex or to pay for your college.”

I toss my book on the bedside table, stand, and pace on my side of the bed. “Why? Why can’t I go to college?”

The smug ass jerk folds his arms and responds, “Why can’t I fuck my wife?”

“Because you raped me!”

Now he’s standing, pointing his finger at me. “You’re my wife, Teagan. Wives have sex with their husbands. It shouldn’t be a battle or groveling session. Sex is part of marriage. I mentioned it to you on our wedding day, and you flat out said you weren’t ready. Who the hell isn’t ready to sleep with their husband on their wedding night?”

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