Page 50 of Vengeful Union

I turn to see Niall standing there, holding out his hands. I stiffen, but Rory’s already stepping away, giving me an apologetic look.

I steel myself but paste on a fake smile.

“You look lovely, Ms. Burke.”

“Mrs. Murphy, now,” I say flatly, and Niall smiles, showing sharp canines.

“That's right.” He pauses. “You seem to be getting along all right with my boy.”

I stiffen again. “Might as well make the best of a bad situation."

Niall scoffs. “A bad situation? Oh,a’stor.”The Gaelic nickname that my father calls me coming out of Niall’s mouth makes me shudder. “This isn’t a bad situation. I can show you a bad situation.”

I go limp in his arms as he moves me around the dancefloor, terrified. “There’s no need. You’ve gotten what you wanted.”

“Oh, no, I haven’t, lovey.” He grins. “Not yet, anyway.”

The song ends, thank God, and I’m able to get back to Rory, shivering all over.

“Are you ready to go inside?” He looks between me and his father on the dancefloor.

“Yes, please.”

Rory takes my hand, and when we’re finally inside the mansion, away from all the people, he draws me into his arms, hugging me tightly.

“I won’t let him hurt you,” he promises, and I shiver again but melt into his arms, allowing myself to feel safe and warm for the first time today.

I’ve been so anxious and afraid, and Rory’s chest is so firm...

I don’t realize he's leading me up the stairs until I trip on one of them, and Rory grunts, scooping me up in his arms.

I giggle. “Are you going to carry me across the threshold?"

“It's tradition, isn't it?”

I hum in response, and people must be trailing in downstairs, because I hear whoops and hollers.

I can’t help but flush as Rory kicks the door of our bedroom shut and plops me down on the bed. I bite my lip, looking up at him.

He raises a bold eyebrow, taking off his tuxedo jacket and loosening his bowtie. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re going to eat me alive.”

“Maybe I want to.”

“Lara,” he breathes, his eyes intense as he looks down at me. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

I shrug. I wantsomeoneto touch me. I want someone close to me. I need it.

“Might as well get something out of this marriage, shouldn’t we?”

Rory gives me a half-smile and then pulls me up into a standing position. “Gonna take an hour to get out of this dress,” he murmurs against my neck. “You might change your mind before then.”

I giggle and when he finishes unbuttoning the bodice, I shimmy out of the dress, letting it fall to the floor. I’m only wearing a white thong underneath the dress, and Rory looks down at my body hungrily.

He takes a hold of my hip in one hand, pulling me closer, and I start to unbutton his shirt, tugging out his cummerbund and tossing it to the floor impatiently. I get his shirt undone, and I slide my hands along the broad expanse of his chest.

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