Page 125 of Brutal Kingdom

“You got me a ring? Why would you buy me a ring?”

Scratching the back of my neck, I say, “Why do men ever buy rings?”

“You’re not the usual sort of man. What? I mean is. This. But…”

Her eyes snap to mine. Then back to the ring. Finally, she looks at me again.

“I think what you’re meaning to say is, yes.”

“You’re already engaged.”

“I haven’t put a ring on her finger and I don’t plan to.”

Now that I’m over the initial part of this conversation, my nerves are gone and I’m ready to fight her until I get the answer I want. There’s no version of events that ends with Jordanna refusing to marry me. Even if I have to fuck a yes out of her. I’m already removing my leather jacket and unhooking my belt, stalking towards her.

Her lips twitch. “Kinda premature to be celebrating. I didn’t say yes.”

“I didn’t really expect you to. I’m actually glad we’re doing this the hard way.” Wrapping my belt around my hands, I point to the wall. “You know what to do. Take off that coat, drop your pants and spread those legs wide.”

She’s trying to figure out how to get out of this. She can’t. It’s already been too many days since the last time I’ve had her. Even if we weren’t about to haggle over the biggest decision of my life, I’d be here now, ready to do this.

Pointing to my hand, she quips, “So you’re having that kind of a day, huh?”

“Yes.”

“Because I won’t marry you?”

“Youwillmarry me. But it’s about so much other shit on my mind that I need to escape from, and judging by the blank canvas in your studio, you’re blocked and need this, too. Now come on, baby, ass out like a good girl.” I whisper, shoving her coat off her shoulders and helping her step out of her pants.

“You’re wet already? Was it seeing me when you came through the door, the ring, or the anticipation of what’s about to happen for you being a stubborn girl, that’s got you wanting and waiting?”

She turns like I instructed, bracing her hands on the wall, arching her back, and presenting the perfect globes of her ass to me. Just waiting to be spanked and fucked. I drag my hand along my length. “Where do you want my cock today? In your ass or in your cunt?”

“Why choose?”

Groaning, I teethe her ear. Why choose, indeed. I’m on a time limit and Bella will be activating her bitch radar trying to find me any second now, but I don’t care. I just needed to do this one thing for myself today. “Then I guess I’m starting with this pussy and finishing in your ass. Hope you took your vitamins.”

* * *

It took proposing for Jordanna to bring me home. To her mom’s house. Not that she’s actually accepted my proposal yet. I smile at her mother and tell her she has a lovely home, not mentioning I’ve been here once before.

“I can see where Jordanna gets her artistic eye, Mrs. Waldorf.” I say, admiring the painting in the living room.

She hands me a glass of wine and says, “Please, call me Ivy.”

“Very well, Ivy.” I smile, pointing to the painting. “I heard you spent time in Europe. Was that where you picked that up?”

“Actually, I found it in a little gallery in Soho a long time ago. I just loved the blues in it. So peaceful and calming.”

Jordanna paints in blues too when she’s feeling unmoored. That must be her mother’s influence. My almost betrothed is in the kitchen, cooking. It’s a weird turn of events, because I spend more time in the kitchen when we’re together than she does. She still complains about the takeout food, but I think she likes watching me, and I like taking care of her.

Today, the roles have reversed. She places a charcuterie board on the coffee table and refills my wine glass. “Thanks baby.” I murmur. Squeezing her hand before she walks away. When I look up, Ivy’s smiling at me.

“So you’re the boy who I’ve heard nothing and everything about.”

“I suppose I am.”

“And why is it a year later that I’m meeting you?”

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