Page 16 of Wicked Devotion

He pulled her off the bed and took her into his closet. “This will have to do until some of your clothes are delivered.”

She looked up at him in surprise. “How’d you get my clothes?”

“I didn’t. I bought some online while you were sleeping. Some of them should be here by this afternoon.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” she said as she pulled on one of his dress shirts.

“Yes, I did, Love. Everything that has to do with you will come from me.”

Her head snapped up. “What does that mean?”

“Everything, be it clothes, food, entertainment, sleep, will come from me. Everything you do will be approved by me.”

“For how long?” she asked with wide eyes.

He faced her and stared down at her. He just realized how truly tiny she was. “Because, Love, you are my wife, and I own you.”

****

She inhaled a startled breath. He owned her? What did that mean? she thought. “Will I have any freedom at all?”

He pulled on her dress from the previous night and tied his shirt over it in a knot at her waist.

“No, you won’t.”

“Why?”

He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Because until I know you’re going to be safe, I’ll be stuck to you.”

Her stomach tightened. “What if it takes years?”

“Then you and I will get to know each other very well.” He pulled on a t-shirt and then grabbed her hand.

“But…”

He swiveled to face her. “Enough! You’ll abide by my rules or get punished.”

She tried to yank her hand away from him. “Wait! Punished? How?” she screeched.

“Nothing you can’t handle. I promise. Now, let’s go. I’m hungry.”

She let him lead her down the stairs and took a quick look around. The house was beautiful—muted earth colors were everywhere. There were no bright splashes of color anywhere, but it still looked lovely and very comfortable.

On the far wall was a marble fireplace. The tan in the marble went well with the tones of the wood floor throughout. The furniture was cream, gray, and black. Different seating arrangements were spaced in groupings, adding a sense of coziness to the space.

He tugged on her hand. “Come on. You can look at everything later.”

She nodded and followed him.

“Maddie, I’d like you to meet my wife, Faith.”

Faith stiffened until she saw a warmth fill the woman’s eyes, and she came toward her and pulled her into her arms.

“I am so pleased that Master Rafael has finally taken a bride. Look at you. You’re so beautiful. You two will makegorgeous babies,” Maddie said.

Faith smiled and stayed silent because she didn’t know what to say to that. She’d known the man for a day. She hadn’t had time to think about children.

“Come and eat. I bet you are hungry.”

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