Page 55 of The Reluctant Wife

He drops first one bag, then the other, on the floor between us, and slaps his hand on his hips. His stance is belligerent. He fixes me with his gorgeous green eyes, and in them, I see disdain. And an accusation I know he’s right to level against me.

That sinking feeling in my stomach spreads until I feel it’s swallowing me up completely. I’m sure my frustration must show on my face, but he doesn’t acknowledge it. His green eyes turn into glacial sheets that resembled frozen absinthe. He could cut me with his glance. Tear my heart to pieces.

Oh wait, I did that to myself already. I am the princess of Verenza, but I am also human. I make mistakes. And this…might be the most expensive one of them all. But I’m going to try to fix it. I must fix it.

I hold up my hands. "Ryot, I’m sorry. I really am, for not telling you about the betrothal."

His jaw grows harder. That tell-tale nerve throbs at his temple. Anger radiates off of him, mixed with icy contempt. He seems to grow taller and looks more forbidding than I’ve seen him before. I deserve his derision.

"I thought you knew about my impending marriage. I assumed my engagement would have been mentioned in myfile.” Somehow, my reasoning, which I used to convince myself, seems lame. Even to my ears.

His eyes blaze, but his voice is barely audible. “You thought I’d fuck you, knowing you were engaged to be married? You think I’m a cheater?”

I draw in a sharp breath.

His lips twist. "Couldn’t find anyone else to help sow your oats, so you decided to use me, did you, Princess? I was attracted enough to you that you could seduce me. I was a willing dick on which you could lose your virginity, is that it?"

"That’s not fair, I—" I wring my hands. "The attraction between us did take me by surprise. It’s also what confused me, and I was swept away by my feelings for you, and?—"

"Feelings? Don’t talk to me about feelings.” A nerve pops at his temple. “You led me to believe you were available. I had no reason to doubt that. I was taken in by your innocence. There was no mention of your engagement in your file either, because your father had it removed.”

My father didn’t want to publicize this engagement. So, it’s not a surprise he had it removed from my file.

I glance away, then back at him. “This marriage is a business transaction.”

His gaze narrows.

I feel my courage slip. Feel my stomach tremble and taste the bile on my tongue.Nope. Not going to be sick.I square my shoulders. I am going to see this through. I am going to face his wrath, even if I feel like running away and hiding. Even if a part of me wants to throw myself at his feet and beg him for forgiveness. And ask him to do anything he wants with me, except— Seeing the scorn in his gaze, I’m not sure if that’s the right move.

No, I won’t lose his respect for me any more than I already have. I’m going to face up to him. I’m going to own this. I have to. I need to…find a way to make him understand.

"My father drilled into me and my brothers that, as part of the Royal Family, my happiness is secondary to my responsibility to my country."

A flicker of something crosses his gaze. Just enough, I know I’ve gotten through to him.

"You were a Marine. You know what it is to believe in a cause that’s larger than yourself."

He doesn’t nod. But he’s still listening, and he hasn’t walked away, which I count as a win.

"So, when my father told me that Verenza’s economy has been shrinking over the past decade and that we urgently need an infusion of money, and asked me for help, I couldn’t refuse."

"What does that have to do with—" His brow smooths out. A glimmer of understanding dawns in his expression "He wants you to marry that fuckface in return for?—"

I nod. "Gavin belongs to a Royal Family in Europe who are no longer recognized by their country. They live in exile. They have access to familial wealth. Enough that if our two families were joined by marriage, they’d be willing to provide an infusion of money into Verenza. In return, they’ll once again be recognized as royalty and be accepted by their peers; and Gavin gets a title."

"So, you took the hit for the family?" he drawls. There’s not an ounce of sympathy on his features.

What did I expect? That he’d understand my point of view and forgive me right away?

"My father told me what was needed of me, and I chose to do it out of duty. I have no feelings for the man I’m supposed to marry. And when I met you... the way I felt—” I swallow. “I knew then, I couldn’t just settle for an arranged marriage withoutbeing with someone with whom the chemistry was off the charts. So yes, I wanted to give you, my virginity.”

His features turn to stone.

“I admit, I lied by omission. But I thought you knew. Then, I reasoned, if I reminded you that I was engaged, you’d never sleep with me.”

“You're bloody right, I wouldn’t have.” His voice is so harsh it feels like a whiplash. I flinch.

“I’m sorry, I hurt you. I truly am.”

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