Page 91 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

But it’s better if I never touch her again. In the end, when my revenge against her father is done, I want her to know that she wasn’t a pawn. That I brought her here to protect her. Sure, the auction was my design. But I only agreed to marry her to protect her from her father’s greed. This all-consuming chemistry between us took me by surprise. I never meant to hurt her. It’s why I refuse to let my desire for her win. Because I know I won’t survive her hate.

“So.” She peers at me with so much fear in her eyes. “Do all your ex-girlfriends get to kiss you whenever they want?”

“Of course not.” I cradle her neck. “Edith got overly excited. And I hadn’t told her about you. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear before.” I let myself have one more taste of her lips. “Even if our marriage isn’t real, I expect you to never look at another man again or even think about one. I promise to do the same. Do you understand?” I lean to whisper in her ear. “That pretty cunt of yours is only for me. Your mouth.” I slide the pad of my thumb over it. “Only mine.”

“But you won’t even?—”

“I told you. It’s better if you keep your distance.” One of these days, I will figure out how to keep my hands off her.

Marrying her was an unavoidable mistake. But falling for her would be a tragedy. Because there is no version of us where we can end up living happily-ever-after like in some fairy tale. Not after I destroy her father.

“Don’t kiss her again.” She grips the lapels of my suit jacket. “It hurts.”

“I won’t.” I press my lips to her one last time. “I promise.”

“Okay.” She shakes her head, then makes to leave.

“Wait.” I take her hand and make her look at me. “Edith is joining us for dinner.”

“Are you serious right now?” She scowls at me.

“If you talk to her, get to know her a little bit, you’ll see you have nothing to worry about. And you’ll see there’s no reason for you to be jealous.”

“I’m not jealous.” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“Okay. Then join us in the study for a drink.” I kiss the inside of her wrist.

The angry scratches are healing, which means she’s left them alone in the past few days. I’m still trying to figure out what triggered that reaction. Was it Hunter? Or her worry for the Senator? I hate that she cares for that murderer as much as she does. He doesn’t deserve a single minute of her distress.

“Fine.” She shrugs. “It’s not like I have a full schedule the rest of the night.”

“Good.” I offer her my arm, and she takes it.

In the study, Edith stands facing the fire, nursing her gin and tonic. Placing my hand on Paloma’s lower back, I usher her to the sofa. When Edith joins us, taking a seat across from us, I do a proper introduction.

“Edith, I’d like you to meet my wife, Paloma Davis.” Wife? That word is getting easier and easier to say. “Paloma, this is an old colleague of mine. She works in the city. And she just agreed to run point on a deal for me.” I gesture for both of them to sit, then stride to the bar cart to make two drinks.

“He’s so modest.” Edith sets her glass on the coffee table. “He just dropped a multi-million-dollar deal on my lap. My boss is going to be so happy.” She runs a hand through her hair with excitement, letting it fall on her cheek.

I can see why Paloma would be jealous. Edith is beautiful. And in all honesty, a few months back, we probably would’ve celebrated our new deal with a round of sex. She and I never quite dated. One time after we closed a deal on a hotel in the city, we fell into bed and that sort of became a habit. Business, then sex was our thing. I wouldn’t even say she falls under the category of ex-girlfriend. Edith belongs to a time before I knew Paloma, before I had a taste of ecstasy.

When she kissed me earlier, I felt nothing. Paloma has ruined me forever. The fire that burns inside me when I touch her is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Her body calls to me in a way that I can’t resist. She bewitched me from the first moment I saw her.

“So, Paloma.” Edith looks at her with curiosity. “What do you do?”

“Oh.” Paloma looks at me for a beat. “I’m a ballet dancer.”

“Wow.” Edith sits up. “That’s amazing. I mean I think I’ve been to a real ballet once or twice in my life. But I think it’s great. Did you always want to be a dancer? Or, I don’t even know how that works. How does one even get started with something like that?”

“Yes.” She nods, shyly. “My mom was a dancer. I took my first lesson when I was four, I believe.” She glances down and rubs the inside of her wrist. “Dad was excited when he realized I’d gotten Mom’s ballet gene.”

It’s my fault Paloma feels intimidated by Edith. I should’ve been honest with Edith and told her about Paloma the minute she walked into my office.

“Paloma’s ballet company presented Swan Lake last month.” I offer Paloma the drink and sit next to her.

“Swan Lake? What is that one about?” Edith asks. “I only know the Nutcracker. That’s the one with the rats, right?” She laughs, pointing at me.

“Swan Lake is my favorite.” Paloma’s tone is quiet and subdued.

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