Page 81 of Vow to Hate You

She scowled, remaining silent as she jumped to her feet. Her flip-flops slapped against the tile as she stormed closer, clearly with the intention of leaving. I planted my feet, staying in front of her way out.

“Move,” she demanded.

“Not until you tell me what happened.”

Her eyes flashed with annoyance before her frown morphed into a dirty smirk. I went rigid when she ran her fingers down my chest. When her hand reached my slacks, I swallowed a groan, her palm rubbing against the cage. My dick stirred, and I clenched my teeth, willing myself not to get hard.

“Get out of my way,” she threatened in a sinful voice. “Or I’ll tease you until you’re begging me to stop.”

I snatched her wrist, backing her up until her spine hit the counter, her struggles doing nothing. “Don’t make threats unless you can back them up, Natalia. I could hold you here all night. Now, tell me what happened.”

She tilted her face up, fury gleaming in her eyes. “Nothing. Just my father reminding me that I won’t be leaving this life.”

“Leaving?” I repeated, intent on distracting her from what was bothering her. “You thinkI’dlet you go anywhere when youshackled my dick? You’re stuck with me at least until you give me the damn key.”

A small giggle escaped her, but it wasn’t enough. The sadness in her eyes was still heavy, making my chest tighten.

“What else did he say?” I questioned in a low voice.

She twisted her wrist, and I let her go, taking a step back as she crossed her arms. Silence fell over the room as I waited impatiently for her to answer. She bit her lips, nerves crossing her features.

“Did you read our marriage contracts?”

Her question surprised me. “Yes,” I answered slowly, unsure of where she was going with this.

“Before we got married?”

“I read through them before and after,” I informed her. “Why?”

“So you’re aware that you owning Club Facade could cause issues if our parents found out?”

My heart flipped. “Why are you asking?”

Her eyes stayed locked on mine. “If my father finds out about your business, then it voids their work partnership. Gives my family the majority of the shares. Grants me a divorce. Now I understand why you’re so secretive about it.”

“Talie,” I ground out, ice chilling my veins. “Did you tell Jude about my club?”

She stayed quiet, as if wanting to torture me more, before finally saying, “No, I didn’t tell him.”

I scrubbed a hand down my face, my heart thudding with relief. “He talked to you about business?”

Her laugh was bitter. “Only because it could benefit him. I don’t think our fathers are getting along right now.”

That was news to me. My dad hadn’t said a word about anything. Talie stared at me for a moment longer before trying to dart around me. I shot my arm out, making sure she stayed put.

“I told you what happened,” she snapped. “Let me leave.”

“Not yet.”

She gave me a scathing glare as she hopped onto the counter, leaning back on her palms. “Is there something else you need to talk about, husband? Or do you enjoy being in agony?”

Before I could ask what she meant, she spread her legs, tugging up her sundress until I got a peek of that sexy-as-fuck lingerie thong. My jaw ticked as I forced my eyes back to her face. I grabbed her thighs, forcing her legs wider apart.

“Agony?” I leaned closer. “Believe me, Talie. Anytime you offer me my favorite meal, I’m in fucking heaven. I don’t give a shit if I can’t get an erection. Tasting you? That surpasses anything else.”

Her eyes widened slightly when I trailed my hands higher until they disappeared under her dress. My fingers brushed her pussy, and she sucked in a breath, arching her back.

“Why didn’t you tell him?” I asked. “About Club Facade? You could have gotten the divorce you’ve been threatening me with.”

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