Page 11 of Galen

“Is that what you want, Galen?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “For me to just let go?”

He didn’t answer, but the look in his eyes spoke volumes. He wanted her, and the realization sent a thrill of excitement through her.

She had always been in control, always known what she wanted. But here, now, with him … she wasn’t so sure. And that uncertainty, that loss of control, was exhilarating.

Bianca knew she was playing with fire, but for the first time in a long time, she didn’t care. The heat between them was undeniable, and she was tired of fighting. Maybe, just maybe, she could let herself burn.

His hand was warm against her cheek, and despite the fear that coiled in her chest, Bianca couldn’t suppress the shudder that ran through her at his touch. Galen’s palm was rough, callused from a life of violence, yet it felt oddly comforting. She didn’t understand why his touch stirred something deep inside her, something primal and undeniable.

“Let go,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing, as if he could sense the storm raging within her.

The words were more a command than a request, but they held a strange promise—a promise of release, of surrender, of something she had never allowed herself to feel.

Before she could process what was happening, Galen leaned forward, closing the distance between them. His lips brushed against hers, tentative at first, as if testing the waters.

The contact was electrifying, sending a jolt of heat through her. Instinctively, she responded, her body betraying her mind as she kissed him back with a fervor that surprised her.

That was all the encouragement Galen needed. His grip on her cheek tightened, and he deepened the kiss, taking control. His mouth moved against hers with a demanding hunger, and she found herself yielding to him, letting him lead.

Her nipples tightened under her pajama top and her panties became moist with want. It was dizzying, overwhelming, and when he finally pulled back, her heart was racing, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

She stared at him, trying to make sense of what had just happened, but her thoughts were a chaotic mess. It was terrifying how this man—a stranger, really—had tilted her entire world with just one kiss.

But there were still details to iron out. Despite the undeniable attraction, Bianca wasn’t about to lose herself completely to this madness.

“You’ll let go of my father if I agree to be yours for one night?” she asked, needing to clarify the terms of this twisted deal.

Galen’s response wasn’t what she expected. His gaze was steady, his expression unreadable as he said,“Not just one night. Bianca, I want you to be my wife.”

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. She recoiled, shock written all over her face.

“What? Your wife? You’ve got to be joking. We don’t even know each other,” she blurted out, her voice tinged with disbelief.

She had been wrong about Galen Arrow. He wasn’t just dangerous—he was crazy. And just when she thought she might understand him, might even feel some twisted connection, he revealed himself to be a psychopath.

Who proposed marriage to someone they barely knew? Especially under these circumstances?

But Galen’s expression didn’t waver. He was completely serious, and that terrified her more than anything else.“I’m completely serious,” he said, his voice calm and even. “Why? Would being married to me be such a nightmare?”

His hand moved from her cheek to her hair, his fingers curling around a lock of it. He tugged lightly, just enough to send a strange thrill down her spine. She hated how her body reacted to him, how every touch ignited something inside her she didn’t want to acknowledge.

“You’re insane,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “You can’t just decide to marry someone like this. It’s absurd.”

“Is it?” he countered, his tone challenging. “I know what I want, Bianca. I don’t need months or years to figure it out. You’re the one I want.”

His certainty was unnerving. She had always prided herself on being rational, on making decisions based on logic and reason. But here was Galen, turning everything she believed in on its head, making her question herself in ways she never had before.

“But why me?” she asked, desperate to understand. “There are plenty of women out there who would jump at the chance to be with you. Why choose someone who doesn’t even want to be here?”

“Because you’re different,” he said simply, as if that explained everything. “You’re strong. You don’t back down, even when you’re scared. I admire that. And there’s something about you, Bianca. Something I can’t quite explain, but I know it’s real.”

His words left her speechless. This was madness—complete and utter madness. And yet, there was a part of her, deep down, that was tempted. She had spent her whole life being careful, making the right choices, avoiding risks.

Look how that turned out. She thought Tom was the right choice, a safe choice. In the end, he ended up betraying her. But Galen was still a risk, a huge one. And the thought of taking that risk, of throwing caution to the wind and diving headfirst into the unknown, was exhilarating.

But it was also terrifying. “This is crazy,” she said again, as much to herself as to him. “You don’t even know me.”

“Then let me get to know you,” he replied, his voice softening. “Let me show you that this doesn’t have to be a nightmare. It could be something else, something … better.”

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