Page 26 of Vicious Vows

I’m also not doing any hacking at all. It’s as if he doesn’t want me contacting the outside world, and I feel saddened by that. I thought we had really connected, so much so that I wanted to stay here with him. After, of course, I’ve checked on my loved ones, which he can’t seem to understand. My heart is too heavy now, though, seeing how he’ll treat me if I don’t do everything exactly the way he plans. I’d like to think that would change, but the ankle monitor is still on my leg, and I’m locked up again.

I sigh as I push myself off the bed and head for the toilet, rubbing my temples. My body is tired of just sitting and lying. I want to go out and smell the fresh air before fall grips the city and it’s toocold to enjoy it. I want to enjoy a cup of hot coffee at a café or sit and watch the birds flit through the air at the park. Instead, I squat on the toilet and relieve my bladder thinking of why things were going so well and Luke couldn’t see that I’d never just run off to escape him.

The door to the bedroom opens and closes, and I think it’s just Ellen coming to bring my breakfast. I finish on the toilet, ready to ignore her entirely and just have a shower, when the bathroom door pushes open. I’ve only just flushed the toilet when Luke pops his head into the room.

“Good morning,” he says, the deep baritone of his voice rumbling my chest.

I’m instantly surprised and angered by his appearance. After a week in this room without a single word, he comes in with his kind tone and intoxicating scent, and I don’t even know what he wants. For all I know, he’s here for a booty call and I’ll just be the princess locked in a tower from now on.

“Hello,” I reply coldly, stepping in front of the sink to wash my hands. I won’t shower now, not with him standing in the open doorway watching me. He doesn't deserve to see my body, not after the way he manhandled me and locked me up. If he’d come back the next day, perhaps I’d have been a bit more forgiving. Even the next evening, maybe I would feel differently. But he kept me here for a week with no contact.

“The men who hacked our system tried to get into the vault. You caught them… Well, Christopher caught them, but it was because of your work. If that camera had stayed under their control, they’d have gotten into the vault and stolen a lot of money from us.” He leaned against the door jamb, and I pushedpast him and folded the blankets back, then climbed into bed and curled up.

The bed was still warm, which was a mild comfort, and it was the only comfort I’d receive today. My heart was torn right down the middle. Part of me wanted to go home to my father and feel welcomed by his arms. Another part of me wanted to go back to a week ago before this all blew up and be in Luke’s arms again.

“I came to thank you.”

I ignored him, staring at the door which was probably unlocked. I didn’t know if I wanted to make a run for it or just lie here feeling sorry for myself a bit longer. I’d never get very far anyway, and it would only prove his point that I’d been upset with him and trying to flee. Holding my tongue is harder than I thought it would be, though. I have to bite back nasty remarks I want to make about his locking me up and not trusting me. I’ll never be the type of subservient, placating wife he thinks he wants. He should have known that the minute he met me.

“Hey,” he says, folding the blanket back. I hear his shoes drop to the floor, one then the other, and then the bed shakes. I remain facing away from him. I’m too upset to even look at him. I want to go home. “Micah, I don’t say I’m sorry to anyone ever, but… I’m sorry.” His strong hand pulls me back against his body. He’s warm and firm, comforting me despite my hostile feelings. I resist feeling close to him, but when he tucks hair behind my ear and kisses my cheek, I sigh.

“You locked me in this room for a week without speaking to me.” Tears burn in my eyes, begging to be released in a hot torrent, but I blink them back.

“It’s okay to be angry. I know I don’t always handle things the most delicately. You deserved better than that.” He rains kisses on my cheek and shoulder, and I blink again, but this time, the tears escape.

“I wasn’t running away. I am not your prisoner. I’m your wife. I wanted to check on my friend. You just got jealous?—”

“You’re right,” he growls, gripping my hip hard. I’ve pushed a button that he doesn’t want to hear about, but I don’t care. He really hurt me.

“I wasn’t going to leave forever. I planned to come back after I spoke with Will.” I swipe at my eyes, and he forces me to look up at him. I lie on my back sniffling, shaking, and he grabs my chin and holds it in place.

“We have to have an understanding, Micah. You cannot make me look like a fool in front of my men. Part of the reason for that anklet on your leg is to protect you. My enemies will come after you with everything they have, and your only shot at a normal life is to listen to me. Do you understand? Your father and brother are safe because my guards are with them round the clock, even when your family doesn’t see them.”

His eyes are stern, piercing, and I’m angry but sober enough to understand he’s making an attempt to show me affection even if he is demanding my obedience. I nod, terrified of what he’d do if I don’t agree, and he lets the air puff out of his chest across my cheeks. Then he kisses me, a long, hard kiss whose passion rivals the first one he laid on me. I part my lips to let his tongue enter and feel ambivalent about it.

I want to let myself go and indulge in this feeling, but I also want to get up and leave and never see him again. I love him, andthat hurts, that I would come full circle in my feelings for him. I should hate him and everything he stands for. It’s dangerous and terrifying. But I care about him, about his heart, his business, and what he’d do without me.

So, I let him kiss me and touch me and undress me until we’re under the covers and our bodies collide with passion. His fingers trace the contours of my body with a gentleness that's almost disarming, making me forget, if only for a moment, the harsh realities of our existence. My body responds to him in turn, coming alive with sensation that has me melting beneath him. Until his fingers pinch a nipple and twist it hard.

“Ah…” I arch my back, leaning into his touch inadvertently as his mouth slips over my body, closing around my nipple. His teeth replace his fingers, nipping and biting, and I moan and writhe. My groin burns and aches for him to touch me and he doesn’t disappoint.

His hand sweeps down my body, between my thighs, his fingers finding the heat and wetness that betray my desire for him. A cruel smile plays on his lips as he savors the soft gasp that escapes me.

"Tell me you want me," he demands, his voice a low rumble that tickles my ear. How can I not tell him that? My pussy screams for him to have me and make me his, mark me so everyone knows it too.

In answer, I thrust myself against him, my own hands seeking the hardness of his body, tracing the contours of muscle under smooth skin. There is no denying I want him. I am angry, yes. But there's something about this man, this dangerous love we share, which makes me yearn for him even when I am seething.And it doesn't hurt that the way he touches me has me spiraling into a world of ecstasy that numbs my sense of discretion.

"Yes... I want you," I whisper, my voice trembling as desire takes hold of me, making me temporarily forget the pain and fear buried within my heart.

A smirk graces his sinful lips while his fingers continue their exploration of my skin, paving a path of molten fire along my curves. His rough hands handle me with a seductive mixture of dominance and affection which sends wild shivers down my spine. He rises up, grabbing my hips and flipping me over. A whimper of shock escapes my lips as he plants me on my belly, then hoists my hips into the air. It all happens so fast, I don’t have a chance to process what’s going on.

“Fuck,” I hiss out as his firm grip spreads me to his view. His breath, warm and steady, ghosts over my exposed skin. I can feel his lustful gaze burning into me. It sends a shiver down my spine—the type of fear that thrills and terrifies in equal parts.

"You're so beautiful," he purrs, an odd moment of tenderness among the storm brewing between us.

He skims a hand down my back, tracing the curve of my spine before resting on my hip, his grip firm yet gentle. I gasp as his other hand descends, reigniting the burning sensation in the pit of my stomach as he massages my sensitive nub. His fingers move deftly, stirring the ache within me to a fever pitch. My fingers curl into the bedsheets, drowned in the intoxicating sensation. His touch is commanding, and I am his subject, fully at his mercy.

When his lips brush over my moist valley, I shudder. His tongue dips into me, sending me spiraling. He licks and sucks, pushingagainst my entrance with his nose and my ass with his thumb. I’m on the edge in seconds, trembling and begging him to fuck me. But all he does is tease me, stroking and pushing me closer to climax while withholding the pleasure that I deserve. I back into him, but he pulls away.

---