Page 37 of Vow to Hate You

“What else do you want me to do, Damian?” Her words had a harsh edge to them. “Our fathers made it clear they don’t want me to work. You don’t stand up to them, so here I am.”

“Give it time. You haven’t even been here a month.”

She tilted her head toward me, slowly pushing her sunglasses onto her head. “It feels like it’s been forever.”

My gaze dropped to her body when she ran her fingers over the thin fabric covering her breasts.

“Natalia,” I ground out.

“What?” she asked with fake innocence, her eyes trailing down to my slacks. “Am I distracting you?”

I didn’t even try to hide my raging fucking erection. She knew what she was doing to me. I’d left her alone this week so she could get used to living here. Clearly, even giving her space wasn’t making her feel better.

“I’m on lunch,” I told her. “You have plans today.”

“No, I don’t.”

I chuckled. “Have you forgotten there are certain expectations as my wife?”

Her eyes snapped to mine, fury filling them. “What does that mean?”

I let the silence drag for a few seconds. “The dinner we were supposed to go to last week? It’s been rescheduled for tonight. Now it’s at my—our—home. Our parents are coming too, and they’re expecting you to be there.”

The anger brewing through her was nearly tangible. She’d grown up hearing those words. It was her father’s favorite saying. Heexpectedher to bow to his demands. A tinge of guilt flitted through my chest as I kept her stare. The entire reason we got married was to get her out from under her dad.

But things changed. Then, instead of waiting to talk to me about it, she fled after stealing everything from me. I shouldn’t feel a tinge of fucking anything.

“You should probably get ready now.”

She checked her phone. “If it’s a dinner, then why do you want me to get ready at two?”

I smirked. “Because you have a busy day ahead.”

Suspicion lurked in her eyes. “Why?”

“Your father will be at dinner, and I was more than happy to inform him that you’ll be in charge of tonight’s menu.”

Her jaw dropped. “You didn’t.”

“Consider this payback for taking my clothes.”

“I’m not cooking tonight,” she stated coldly.

“I have a list of the best restaurants that cater in the kitchen. Though I’m not sure you’ll find one on such short notice.”

“Money talks,” she muttered. “If I use your fancy card you gave me, I’ll have no issue.”

“My father wants this couple as a client,” I warned her. “Don’t mess this up for him, or he’s going to be pissed.”

“I know,” she said tightly. “That’s the only reason I’m doing this. Because if it was just for you, I’d leave for the night.”

She had no issue fighting with me, but when it came to our parents, she wouldn’t go against them. Even though we were adults, they still held an enormous amount of power. And Talie? She knew her sister was under her father’s thumb, which was another reason she would toe the line our families wanted.

My dick twitched when she stood up, getting a full view of her body. I swallowed a groan when she turned away from me, revealing her perfect ass. Her bathing suit was nearly a thong, and my eyes zeroed in on the one tattoo she had. On her right ass cheek. It was two musical notes, and I couldn’t help but wonder when she got it done.

Tearing my gaze from her, I checked my watch. “I have to go back to the office.”

She gaped at me. “You’re going to leave me here alone? I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve never planned a business dinner before.”

---