Page 31 of About Love and Revenge

“Why are you teasing me?”

“You think I'm teasing you?”

“No...I mean, if you are, it's not working, but it looks like that's your intention.”She's completely oblivious to the role of a high society lady when she’s angry.

I lean forward, a little closer to her. I focus my attention on her mouth, and up close, I notice the cut again and remember what caused it. I reach out and run my thumb over it. “Almost healed. Does it still hurt?"

Even though she rejected me not even a minute ago, she doesn't pull away as I caress her, just like when we were in her room. I don't know if it's because she’s taken by surprise or because, like me, she wants this skin contact.

“It burns a little, but it'll pass.”

I follow the movement of her lips as she speaks. Her mouth is so delicious, and before I think about what I'm doing, I grab a grape and put it in front of her mouth.

“Eat it.”

She looks at my fingers and shakes her head from side to side, denying it.

“Open your mouth for me, Elina.”

“Why?”

“I want to feed you. Let me do it.” I usually make people bow to my will without having to express it, but there's something very sensual about coaxing her into giving in, which makes my desire soar.

I don't think she even realizes that she's obeying me, and I hold back a horny moan when her full lips taste the fruit.

Using all the willpower I'm capable of, I withdraw my arm and lean back in my seat. “Don't you want to know what part of the United States we're going to?”

She hasn’t asked what our destination is, which confuses me. While she's skittish and constantly defiant, she seems to completelytake my word for it that I’ll take care of her, as if she knows she's safe with me.

“I don't know the United States or anywhere other than the island and Athens, so everything will be new. Besides, what's the use of asking? I'm going to work. It's not like I can choose.”

“You're not being forced to go. You’re capable of making decisions about your own life, and that's what you did.”

She looks uncomfortable and shifts in her chair. “I know. I didn't explain myself properly. The reality is that I don't care. Anywhere will be fine. None of them are my home, you know?” As if to cover up what she’s let slip, she adds, “I know I'm not going against my will. I just don't like change very much, but I'll get used to it.”

I feel ill, even though I shouldn't.

Even though I know I am the one who took everything from her, what I said is true: Naim won’t just let it go. I only knew him superficially at first, but after the events of the last few days, I began to investigate him. He wasn't expected to attend the reception at my house—his younger brother, Kaled, was the one invited. At the last minute, however, the sheik came instead, and now I'm sure it was no accident. His deal with Leandros about making Elina one of his wives has probably been in the works for a long time.

I have oil investments and business deals with Naim’s family, but I never delved into their personal lives before. Now I’ve learned that Naim is a classic case of divine injustice. His father, who is sick, has renounced the title in his favor, but the bastard is incapable of ruling anything. Rather, his brother is someone worthy of becoming a leader, but unfortunately, he was born many years later.

Now that he has become an enemy, I have found out everything I need—perhaps a little more—about his life.

Especially his relationships with women. All three wives have been victims of domestic violence.

Of course, that didn't make it to the newspapers, but no employee keeps secrets if he's paid well to pass on information. They only confirmed what I already knew.

The sheikh is a sick jerk who considers the female sex to be inferior.

He physically assaults his wives and his many mistresses.

Such a man would never take no for an answer. The bastard’s mentality is still in the stone age. For him, a woman cannot decide whether or not she wants to give in to his advances.

This is how I know that Elina would be in danger if left on her own.

“You'll live in New York, where my main residence is. Most of my receptions are held in Manhattan, so it makes sense for us to be in the same city,” I explain.

“Is your house close to mine?”

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