Page 37 of Red

“Ian is looking into it. I promise you, we’ll find out what happened.” He pinched her earlobe. “There is nothing for you to decide anymore, Melinda. You’re going to be mine. Completely.” He leaned into her, taking away the space blocking him from her sultry skin. He nipped at the soft spot behind her ear, and his eyes nearly crossed when she hissed.

But she didn’t shove him away.

“I want to hate you so much,” she shocked him by saying.

He pulled back. His hand left her leg and cradled her face, drawing her attention to him. A tear rolled down her cheek.

“It would be safer if you did,” he confirmed.

“Then why do I want to agree to this insanity?”

He lightly touched her lip with his thumb. “Because you’re cornered, and you’re a smart girl. You can’t win here.”

Her green eyes shone beneath unshed tears, and the streetlights cast her into a golden shadow. He recognized the buildings they passed in the car. Home was only a few minutes away.

“You said there would be no more anger between us, but that’s not true. People get angry, couples fight—even ones who don’t love each other.” She was rambling. It was cute.

“True. We will probably get angry with each other, but I will never hurt you.”

“So, what you did…in the bedroom…?”

“When I spanked you?” He laughed and pulled away from her. “I’ll do that a lot. Sometimes you’ll love it, and sometimes—when you do something outrageous like try to kill me—you won’t.”

“I’m sorry about that,” she said softly, tugging the hem of her dress down. The car pulled into the alley leading to the house.

He picked up her hand, pressing a kiss to her wrist. “After we see the judge tomorrow, I’ll arrange for your apartment to be packed up.”

“You didn’t answer my questions.”

They pulled into the garage.

“You didn’t ask any.” He shrugged. “Now. It’s time for bed.” He climbed out of the of the car and gestured for her to follow.

“You said—”

“Erik!” Nico called from the kitchen as soon as they stepped into the hallway.

“Go on upstairs. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Erik pressed his hand against Melinda’s back to aim her toward the stairs.

She ignored him and went to Nico. “What’s wrong? Is it my grandmother?”

“Melinda.”

“No. I’m sorry, it’s not.” Nico gave her a small smile.

“Melinda, go upstairs.” Erik said again with more force. She’d been so pliable, so sweet on the ride home, but now her steely resolve had returned.

“Is this also how it will be? You sending me to my room whenever you feel like it? Like I’m some annoying child always underfoot?”

He studied her features quickly, having started to learn her mannerisms. All bluster. Her hackles were raised because she’d given him a few moments of surrender. Small as the victory was, she hadn’t fought him off, hadn’t hurled insults and refused him. She’d been soft and reasonable. And now, standing in front of his brother, she would put on a show.

“If you’re going to act like a child, I’m more than happy to treat you like one.” He positioned himself between her and Nico. Maybe if she didn’t have the audience, she would back down slowly and go up the stairs.

Her jaw worked into a tight knot.

“Big bad wolf now that your brother is here to witness?”

“Nico, I’ll find you in a few minutes.”

---