Page 26 of Mine to Keep

“I just need some time. I’ll finish packing and be gone within the hour. I … if there is a child … we’ll figure it out. I can’t think right now…”

Roland stepped away from the door. Her head flew around when she heard the click of the lock. She stood and took a few steps back. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to make love to my wife.” He slipped off his shoes at the same time he unbuttoned his shirt.

“What!” she yelled. “Haven’t you heard me?”

She couldn’t prevent her eyes from devouring him as he tossed his shirt aside.

“I heard every word, Love. I just don’t agree with it.”

She had to concentrate on the conversation, but it was next to impossible as his pants came off, leaving him in nothing but his silk boxers.

“But…Wait.” She held out her hands when he took a step toward her. “You can’t do this.”

“Of course I can. You’re my wife and will stay that way until our death.”

Laila didn’t know what to do. She knew she couldn’t fight him. He was strong and had too much control over her. He was also between her and the door.

“Can you please just stop?” she cried.

His face softened. “No, Love. We need this. We’ll talk eventually, but right now, we need to bond because somehow there is space between us, and I don’t know why.”

Her eyes rose to his. “You’ve been pushing me away, and now you’re mad at me. God, I can’t fathom why you would think I’d kiss that man.”

He shook his head. “We’ve been together only four months, but I know for certain you would never do that.”

“But you were so mad at me.”

“Not at you. I know it probably sounded that way. I needed you out of the room so I could deal with Julian. I didn’t want you to see it.”

“What did you do?” she asked.

“I taught him what happens when he touches my woman.”

“I … is he alive?”

Roland smirked. “Yeah. He’ll feel like dying for a while, but he’ll live.” He sat down on the side of the bed and held hishand out. “Come here, Pet.”

Part of her felt frozen, and another part shook with the need to have this man in her. She needed to feel like they were one again. But a few things bothered her.

“Would you really take my child from me?”

He sighed. “We will never have to know because you are not going anywhere. I can tell you how much it hurts me to see you in pain, and I’d do anything to prevent it from happening again.” He held his hand out. “Come here.”

Laila dropped the clothes to the floor and walked to him. He immediately pulled her between his legs.

He gripped the back of her head. “Promise me you’ll never threaten to leave me again.”

She felt tears well up and slide down her cheek. She sniffled. “I never want to be without you.” When she looked at a future without him, the feeling of dread and pain grew.

Chapter Twelve

Roland gripped her hips, lifted her, turned, and laid her down on the mattress. Within a minute, he had her stripped. He stood and stared down at her. “You really are very beautiful.”

He watched her start to tremble. He lay down on his side facing her. He rested his head on one hand. He used his hands and mouth to push her need for him higher. He was going to take her in the most intimate way because he knew it would bond them together quicker than anything else.

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

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