Page 31 of Bound to a Monster

“That’s a shame, because from what I remember, it was a good night.” That smile comes back for the first time. I hate how charming he is. There’s something magnetic and easy about him, and no matter how hard I try to despise him, he manages to break down my defenses without even trying.

“Oh, you mean when I got pregnant? That was a good night?”

He falters, but only for a moment. “A very good night. Where did we start? Right down here?”

“I’m going to bed.” I stomp toward the stairs.

“What, you don’t want to consummate our vows?” He follows me, grinning now.

“You can consummate your hand for all I care.” I head up the steps. He’s on my heels now, following close. My heart’s racing as I make it to the top and turn toward the guest room.

“Here’s the thing,” he says, leaning against the wall and watching me carefully. “I know you don’t like me. You wanted this marriage about as much as I did. But we’re stuck together, and I’m starting to think we might as well make the best of it.”

“Yeah, you think that now?” I stare at him, struggling not to let my condescension show. “Now that we’re alone and you’re a little drunk and you’re thinking about fucking me?”

He licks his lips and tilts his head. “That’s not it at all.”

“Based on the way you’re looking at me, I think it is, and I’m not interested.”

“You do look beautiful tonight, Carmie,” he says quietly, which I didn’t expect. I figured it’d be something crude or overly sexual, but not that.

He sounds sincere, and it’s actually kind of sweet.

“Great, thanks, that’s what every arranged bride wants to hear on her wedding night.”

“I’m not trying to fuck you right now,” he says, smile fading. I catch a glimpse of that dark tension hiding beneath his easygoing surface, and it scares me a little bit. What’s this guy hiding from everyone else? And what does it mean that he’s letting it peek out in front of me?

“Then let’s say goodnight and end this mess. I’ll sleep in the stupid dress, I don’t even care.”

“Carmie. You’re pregnant with my baby.”

“Thanks for reminding me. I’m extremely aware.” Exhaustion floods over me. “Can I just go to bed now?”

“I’m not letting my pregnant wife sleep alone on some piece-of-shit mattress.”

I laugh at the audacity. Is he being serious right now? “I didn’t realize you were chivalrous. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m serious. That baby changes things.”

“How, exactly? No, seriously, how does the baby change anything? You don’t want to be my husband and I don’t want to be your wife. We’re in this because that’s what our families want. The baby doesn’t change any of that.”

“It changes everything.” He says it very quietly. But there’s an edge to him now. “I’m not asking your permission. I’m tellingyou, my pregnant wife will not sleep alone on some crappy spare bed.”

“Thenyousleep on that bed, because I’m not sharing with you.” I’m so frustrated I could scream.

“Carmie—”

“Stop with that crap, okay? If you really cared about me, you would’ve let me go home with my dad tonight. You would’ve given me one last night in my own room in my own bed and let me pack my stuff before coming here in the morning. Instead, you dragged me off like a selfish asshole, and now you’re doing this, like you actually give a shit. We both know you don’t, so quit pretending. I don’t need that from you.”

He glares at me, jaw working. For a second, I think he’s going to storm toward me as he pushes off the wall, but instead, he disappears into his room. I let out a breath, deflating, and a wash of cold sadness rushes over me.

This is awful. This is so much worse than I could’ve imagined. I figured our marriage wasn’t going to be all happiness and comfort, but I didn’t want to start out hating him.

I turn to head into the guest room when he reappears with his arms full of what looks like pillows and blankets. He flips on the light and tosses everything on the bed.

“Clean clothes to sleep in. They’ll be big, but better than nothing. That’s my good pillow, and an extra blanket in case you need it.” He doesn’t look at me as he lingers in the door and I walk past him.

It’s a weirdly kind gesture. I didn’t expect it.

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