Page 30 of Red

“You hate me so much?” he asked, surprised.

She wrapped her arm around her middle, cupping her elbows. “I hate this whole situation.”

He checked his impulse to go to her and hug her. She had that ability with him, to force empathy and engage his protectiveness.

“Okay, some time to think.” He switched the topic. “We’re going out tonight. I’m taking you to the Annex for a party they’re holding. It’s a catalogue party.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I’ve heard of those. It’s a sex party.”

“Yes and no.”

“And you’re taking me.” She gave him a pointed look. “It’s one of my options?”

“It can be, yes, but tonight you’ll go as my fiancée—even if you decline my offer—and you can see the alternative. If you haven’t already made your decision.”

“And if I don’t want to go?”

“There will be times when you have a choice and times when you don’t. This is one of the times you don’t. I’ll have a dress brought up to the bedroom for you. Be ready by nine o’clock.” He tapped his knuckle on the counter.

The discussion was closed.

“I’ve decided to let you make lunch,” Marianne breezed into the kitchen with a smile. “I’ll supervise, of course.”

Erik used Melinda’s distraction to slip out of the kitchen. She needed to think about his proposal. Not that it was much of a marriage proposal, but it was better than the other options.

He’d already made his decision.

She wasn’t going anywhere.

Married to him or not, she was staying right where she was.

Chapter 11

The yellow glow of the streetlights flashed over Melinda’s lap as the car made its way through the city. She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger and tried to convince her stomach to stop dancing around.

She’d managed to stay clear of Erik since their conversation in the kitchen, but there was no hiding from him in the back seat of the car. He didn’t push her for an answer to his proposal, just let her keep to her own thoughts.

Which was turning out to be worse than talking with him. She’d conjured up all sorts of horrifying scenarios she could find herself in. What if one of the men at the party offered to buy her from him right there?

Her stomach turned again. She’d already wallowed in all of thewhy messhe could handle. This was the situation, and she wasn’t getting out of it unscathed. But she could be the one to decide how she became tainted. And by whom.

“While we are here, you are not to walk off by yourself. Stay by my side at all times. Do not talk with anyone unless I introduce you.” Erik straightened his collar as the car pulled to a stop.

“Why not just put a leash on me?” she muttered. Watching him do typical things, normal things like fix the errant bend of a shirt collar sent the butterflies into full attack mode. In the normal moments, he didn’t seem so scary.

His lips spread into a wide grin, exposing perfect white teeth. “It’s not a bad idea. Behave and maybe you’ll get your wish when we get home.” And then he winked, setting the butterflies on fire.

Before she could gather up all the words flying around her muddled mind to form a sharp comeback, his door swung open, and he climbed out. His hand reappeared, and she grabbed on to it.

His hand was warm and rough, and she wondered what work he was in before he’d been called up the ranks by his uncle. It occurred to her she didn’t know much of anything about him. Other than he was arrogant and overpowering, and his grin could send her heart into a fluttering mess.

“Don’t be nervous. You’re my fiancée. No one will say or do anything against you.” His grip tightened.

She nodded, assuming he wanted some sort of reaction. She was busy watching the other people walking through the gates into a garden area. The winter had taken all the beautiful blossoms away. She took in the marble statues positioned throughout the garden walkway. She’d learned about similar styles in the mandatory art class she’d taken during her undergrad degree program.

“You like these.” Erik slowed his walk, giving her more time to enjoy the work.

“I have no real eye for art, but yes, I do.” She shivered in a cold breeze that ran up her skirt. “I like heat, too. Can we go in?” She tried to release his hand, but he wouldn’t have it.

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