Page 81 of Prized Possession

My dad cuts in, “Great, now we can enjoy the main course.”

As soon as he announces that, the room floods with staff once more. The same pantomime continues as they bring food, announcing how fresh and homemade everything is, while my parents boast and preen like damn peacocks.

I’m distantly aware of what’s going on, but the gentle vibrating continues to pull my attention away. I try to keep an ear out, in case anyone talks to me, but it’s not easy when my whole body feels like it’s on fire.

My mother decides this is the perfect time to discuss wedding planning, and the more questions she asks me, the harder it is for me to focus. I can see Marcus getting more agitated, to the point he’s cutting his meat with far more aggression than is needed.

“We will have to find a time to go wedding dress shopping. It’s already going to be hard enough getting a dress at the last minute, and since you’re not small enough to fit in a sample size, that will only make it harder,” she says, looking down her nose at me.

Before I can respond, Scott cuts in. “What’s the difference between Chloe’s size and the sample sizes?”

“Well, wedding dresses do run on the smaller side, but I suspect Chloe would need to drop a dress size to fit in a sample,” my mother replies, dragging her gaze over my body in a less than satisfied way.

Scott shrugs his shoulders. “Well, I’m sure Chloe can drop a dress size before the wedding. I’d actually prefer that.”

I must have fallen into some kind of bizarre world. My mother and my fiancé are basically calling me fat, telling me I need to drop a dress size before getting married to a man I hate, while the man I do want to be with sits opposite me, glaring at everyone like he wants to kill them, all while a fucking love egg vibrates in my pussy, driving me crazy.

When the fuck did this become my life?!

“You can do that, can’t you, Chloe?” My mother directs her question at me, though I’m not really sure she’s even looking for me to respond.

Scott clearly doesn’t need me to reply, as he does it on my behalf. “Of course, she can. I’ll set her up with a personal trainer I know, and they can sort her out with a diet and exercise regime that will make her look amazing.”

“Absolutely fucking not,” Marcus snaps, hitting his fist on the table, startling us all.

“Marcus, you—” My mother starts to address Marcus, but he simply cuts her off.

“In case you’ve all forgotten, Chloe will be with me for the next few weeks. Which means it’s my decision if she gets a trainer or not. And I will not allow it. She doesn’t need to lose any weight, she looks amazing the way she is,” Marcus snaps, and I can’t keep the smile off my face that he’s sticking up for me.

“That’s not your fucking decision to make. She’s going to be my wife. This thing with you is just temporary, and you’d do well to remember that,” Scott snarls, glaring at Marcus while he sits there with that cocky smirk of his.

I expect him to fly off the handle, but I’m surprised to hear Jacob cut in. “Actually, Scott, you’re the one who needs to remember your place. You may be aligned with us, but we rule side-by-side with the Morellis. Meaning, Marcus is just as much your superior as I am.

“You may not like that he owns Chloe for the next few weeks, and you have a right to be unhappy about it, but you must never forget the hierarchy. Marcus is a leader, and you will show him the respect he deserves.

“You’ll also honour the agreement made between me and him regarding Chloe, whether you like it or not. If he says she doesn’t need a trainer and won’t be going on a diet, you will honour that, and quite frankly, I agree with him. Do I make myself clear on this?”

Everyone around the table has matching looks of astonishment on their faces. I think that’s the most I’ve heard Jacob say in a long time, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so authoritative.

Although Scott looks pissed, he nods his head at Jacob, giving him the respect he demands. Through gritted teeth, and despite him clearly not wanting to, Scott turns to Marcus. “My apologies for stepping over the line.”

“See that it doesn’t happen again,” Marcus deadpans, clearly refusing to accept Scott’s poor attempt at an apology.

I have to bite my lip to stop from laughing at the way Scott balls his hands into fists. He’s grinding his teeth so loudly, I can almost hear them.

Luckily for us all, Scott doesn’t attempt a comeback and remains silent,though he continues to glare at Marcus. What’s worse is that Marcus isn’t paying him any attention, his gaze is fixed on me.

The rest of the meal passes by extremely slowly, and by the time the dessert plates have been cleared away, I’m ready to burst. Although the mild vibration isn’t enough to push me to the edge, having it running constantly has left me in a state.

I’m hot, sweaty, and so fucking desperate to come.

“Well, this has been lovely. We’ll have to do it again next week,” my dad states, and I have to bite my lip to stop a sarcastic laugh from coming out as a snort. This meal has been far from lovely, and I think everyone at the table will agree.

He makes it sound like next week is a suggestion, but we all know it’s not.

Ewan, who has remained reasonably quiet for most of the meal, is the first to respond. “I can’t thank you enough for inviting us. It’s a pleasure to get to know you all better, especially since it won’t be long until we’re all one big family.”

When he says the last part, his glare is fixed on Marcus, waiting for him to react. I’m not sure if he just doesn’t care, or if Miles is doing a good job of keeping him calm, but Marcus doesn’t even bat an eyelid, let alone respond.

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