Page 53 of Ruthless Oath

“I’m far from stupid.”

“Well, you did get yourself kidnapped.”

“I didn’t know I was dealing with such a heartless man.”

“You have no idea,” he replied.

I turned my back to him as my erratic pulse rattled my ribcage. Taking my eyes off him could be a mistake, but it might prove to be beneficial. He needed to see I wouldn’t bend to his every command.

“Don’t defy me.” He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “You won’t like what comes next.”

“How do you know?” I closed my eyes and sucked in a breath when he lifted my arm up and trailed his fingers down it.

What was it about him that made me want to submit to his desires, even when he wasn’t demanding it of me?

“We’re about to find out what you like.” He slid his hands to the bottom of my tank top and tugged it over my head. “And what you don’t.”

He tossed the top on the floor and then spun me to face him. I fought the instinct to cover myself under his intrusive gaze. He took my hand and led me to the bed.

“It’s time for me to see what I’ve stolen.” He sat on the edge of the bed and guided me to stand between his legs, then he skimmed the rim of my panties with his finger. “Take these off. Don’t make me wait.”

I stood frozen in front of him. He wanted me to strip out of my panties and show him my…

“You don’t like that idea, your highness?”

I didn’t get this strange dynamic between us. His condescending attitude should have offended me. When Danny was crass with me, I cringed, but when Marchello did far worse, I wanted more.

Danny’s threats weren’t the same as Marchello’s, but my captor’s menacing requests could be far more dangerous to my heart.

“I want these off,” he said.

Before I had time to protest, he jerked my panties around my ankles.

“Marchello, I…” I tilted my head down as he took in my body.

“No smart retorts now?” He reached for my hand and assisted me in stepping out of my underwear. “Where’s that bold mouth?”

I wanted to be bold and sexy, but what if I wasn’t enough for a man like him?

“Look at me.” He hooked my chin. “Why are you being so shy?”

“I don’t like being under inspection.” The heat in my cheeks spread down my neck and across my chest.

“Your embarrassment humbles you.” He flipped my hair over my shoulder, revealing my breasts to him. “I like it.”

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I already told you what I wanted.” He traced his finger over my nipple. “You refused me, and now you’re going to see what I mean about consequences.”

He tugged me closer to him, and I stumbled forward. Without hesitation, he caught me in his arms.

“There’s no reason for you to be embarrassed,” he said.

I closed my eyes as he brushed his lips along my throat.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “Stunning.”

“I don’t know what’s going on between us.”

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