Page 44 of Unbreakable Vow

And Mom’s being taken care of.

“You should have told me.” I fold my arms over my chest. “You didn’t give me the chance to say no.”

He raises his chin. “I wouldn’t have taken no for an answer anyway. If that makes you feel any better.”

My jaw drops a fraction.

“You selfish prick.”

He deadpans, “What did you say?”

“I said you’re a selfish prick!”

“Don’t think that because I need to stay married to you that I’ll tolerate bad behavior, Coraline.”

“Bad behavior?” How did this entire conversation get so off track?

When I walked in, he looked like he wanted to strip me and throw me on the desk. Now he looks like he wants to strip me and throw me over his knee.

“You want to see bad behavior?” I look around and grab the only thing near me, a whiskey glass sitting on the edge of his desk.

He leans to the left, easily dodging the glass before it hits him. The glass hits the bookcase behind him and falls to the floor with a thud. A drop of whiskey has landed on his shoulder, seeping into the dark gray button-down shirt he’s wearing.

“Did…” He looks at the glass on the floor at his feet, then up at me. “Did you just throw that at me?”

A knot of regret threatens to choke me.

I’ve never thrown anything at anyone in my life. This man is ruining me.

“Pick it up,” he orders me.

Not going to happen. Why did I think this man was generous? He was only bringing my mother here out of guilt for having tricked me into this marriage. To use it against me so I wouldn’t just up and leave and ruin his inheritance.

“Pick it up yourself.” I spin on my heel and make for the door.

When I hear his footsteps behind me, I take off in a run.

If I can get to the guest room, there’s a lock on the door. I’ll spend the night in there, and he’ll be calm in the morning.

It’s a great plan.

I sprint up the stairs, not tripping once, and haul myself down the hall.

Just as my hand grabs the knob, his tree trunk of an arm wraps around my middle, easily picking me up off the floor.

“Put me down.” I try to shove his arm away from me, but he only tightens it as he carries me to his room. Once inside he kicks the door shut.

“You had your fun.” He drops me on the bed. “And now I’m going to have mine.”

“Get out of those pajamas,”he orders with a flick of his fingers in my direction.

“No.” I scoot to the other side of the bed and slide off until my feet are planted firmly on the floor.

He stares at me, dark eyes swirling with irritation.

“All right.” He gives a nod and for a second I think he’s going to back off. He’s realized he’s been an ass for keeping the facts from me, and he’s going to give me space.

I really should know better at this point.

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