Page 63 of The Reluctant Wife

"I thought we agreed, we didn’t care about that side of our relationship." I take another careful step back.

He follows me, crowding me. I swallow.

"Youdidn’t care about it.” His gaze turns flinty. “I remember telling you that once we get married, I expect us to sleep together. And now you’ve fucked another man."

I wince at the crudeness of his tone but decide it’s prudent not to respond. I badly want to flick my gaze at the door, but that would only alert him to my thoughts of escape, so I don’t.

"Given we are still engaged, surely, you should give me a chance as well?” he says in a decisive voice, which again, I don’t recognize.

“A chance?” I frown. “What do you mean?”

“To fuck you.”

I reel back from the vehemence in his words. From the tension that colors the air.

I hurt his ego. And like any person who’s insecure, he hates losing face.

My only way out is to lean into the persona of the haughty princess I’ve perfected over the years.Don’t show how scared you are. You can handle this.

“Don’t speak to me like that,” I say in an icy tone.

His features turn ugly. “Ah, that virginal outrage. When you and I both know you’re not one anymore.”

“You’re crossing a line," I say in a low voice.

"Did I say something wrong?” A hurt look joins the anger in his eyes. “Did you think I was stupid enough not to notice when I’m being cuckolded?”

I stay silent, not wanting to compound the situation further with my denial. Running from the truth is what landed me here in the first place. So, I’m done with that.

He curls his fingers into fists at his sides. “I demand to sample the goods I was promised."

Just my luck that my ass of a fiancé turned out to be a narcistic idiot who wants retribution. "How dare you say something so crude?"

He looks me up and down in a way that makes my skin crawl. “The least I can get out of this is sex with my fiancée."

Jesus, what have I gotten myself into?I don’t regret giving my virginity to Ryot, not one bit. And I will not let this asshole make me feel guilty for it. I realize now, I was wrong to sacrifice myself on the altar of my father’s wishes.If I’m not happy, how can I serve my country? Surely, my father wouldn't want me to be sorrowful. Surely, he’ll understand why I can’t marry this... this wanker?

I tip up my chin and summon my haughtiest princess look possible.

"I will not demean myself by entertaining this conversation further. My father is waiting for me downstairs. It’s best if I appraise him of the fact that our marriage is off. If you’ll excuse me." I brush past him and toward the bed, where I pick up my purse.

I take a step toward the door when he grabs my arm. He swings me around with enough force that I lose my balance and plonk down on the bed.

"What’s wrong with you?" I tug on my arm, but he only squeezes it harder. "You’re hurting me," My heart slams intomy ribcage. "Let me go, you asshole." I kick out my leg, but he evades it with a litheness I would not have attributed to him.

How could I have misjudged him this badly?

I continue to thrash around, and when he leans his weight on me, I begin to panic in earnest.

My heart leaps into my throat. Adrenaline spikes my blood. I open my mouth to scream, when he’s pulled off of me.

31

Ryot

I grab Gavin and throw him aside. He lands on his back on the carpet and groans. He begins to rise, but I’m on him. I plant my foot on his neck and hold him in place. The bewildered look on his face is replaced by anger. He grabs at my leg and tries to pry me off. I merely press down more of my weight, holding him in place. Fear creeps into his eyes. "I… I…wasn’t doing anything… She?—"

"Shut the fuck up. You were trying to force yourself on her.” My chest hardens. A pressure begins to build behind my eyes, and I lock my fists at my sides. "I shouldn’t let you live." I begin to bear down my weight on him. He begins to choke. His features turn red, but I don’t let up.

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