Page 15 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

"What does that mean?" I asked in the most controlled voice I could muster. I had figured out that Miko grew tense when I shouted. He feared something, and I hoped it wasn't me. I knew I could be loud and boisterous and...well...loud.

That's just who I was.

"Miko," I said when the man didn't answer. "You need to tell us what is going on. Why isn't it safe for you in Japan anymore?"

"I bring shame to my family by my very existence. For my entire life, my grandfather has stood between me and the others. Now that he is gone, there is no one to stand between us and I fear that my grandfather's brother will order my death so he can remove my stain on the family name."

I turned and drove my fist into the wall.

Miko didn't make a sound.

Monty sighed. "You'll be fixing that."

I knew I would, but the anger I'd felt when I figured out no one had told Miko he was getting married had turned into a rage so great, it was either punch the wall or go hunt down the bastards that threatened my new husband.

When I turned back, Miko was standing so close, our chests brushed against each other.

I forgot to breath.

"You are hurt?" Miko's soft voice rushed over me as much as the touch of his fingers on my fist did. Like warm silk.

"I'm fine, Miko," I whispered.

Miko peeked up at me. "You are angry."

"I am."

Miko's head cocked to one side. It was the most animated I'd seen him since we left the barn. "Why?"

"You belong to me now." Probably shouldn't be all possessive like, but that ship had sailed the moment I laid eyes on him. "No one threatens what's mine."

My gaze flickered to Miko's lips when his tongue came out and licked along the plump edges. Oh, the things I wanted to do to those luscious lips. The things I wanted that tongue to do to me.

I should be shot.

"I am yours now?"

"You are." There was just no other way about it. From the moment we said the words and signed on the dotted line, Miko belonged to me.

I hadn't known what to expect when Monty offered his deal. Fifty-one percent of the ranch would be deeded to me on the day we got married. The other forty-nine percent would be Monty's until his death, at which time, it would go to Miko. I would still hold controlling interest, which only made sense. I'd lived on this ranch for years. Miko had never even been on a ranch.

"But I also belong to you," I added.

Miko's eyes widened. "You are mine?"

"I am."

"I...own you?"

I smirked as I raised my hand and slid it along Miko's cheek until I could wrap it around the back of his neck. "I'm pretty sure you could own me with a smile."

Miko's breath stuttered in his throat loud enough for me to hear it, to feel the little warm huffs against my skin. There was a glint of something in Miko's eyes when he raised them to look at me, but I couldn't figure out what it was. I didn't know him well enough.

Hell, I didn't know him at all.

I'd be changing that.

Miko firmed his jaw. His nostrils flared. I could tell he was gearing up to say something and he was afraid of my reaction.

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