Page 51 of Coercion

“This is good.”

“Try another, Ruby.” I order.

She pouts, picking a glass up and shots the entire thing back.

“You couldn’t possibly have tasted that.” I state.

She shrugs. “It’s not about the drink.”

“No?”

“No.” She says, jutting her chin, raising her lips so they’re so close to mine. “If my husband wants to get me drunk, he just has to say.”

I tilt my head, lowering my mouth to her ear. “I won’t get you drunk, Ruby. I’m not the kind of man who needs alcohol to get what I want.”

“And what do you want?” She replies, battering her eyelashes like she doesn’t know the game she’s playing, like she really is as innocent as she’s pretending to be, despite the slutty way she’s dressed.

I’m so close to just ripping that dress right down the middle.

I’m so close to picking her up and showing her exactly what I want.

But that voice of reason echoes in my head. I can even see Nico, in all his rage, losing his shit because I’ve devoured his precious goddaughter, even though she’s my wife now, my property.

“Preston?” She says softly.

I cup her face, stare back into those bewitching eyes. “I can’t, Ruby.” I murmur and her shoulders slump like I’ve just denied her every dream she’s ever wanted.

I pour out another drink, passing it to her, then avoid her gaze as I sit back down. She stands still, watching me then tiptoes to where I am before planting herself right beside me.

She can’t see it, but I clench my fist, digging my nails into my palm, reminding myself of why she is untouchable, why she is off limits, why I’m married to this incredible creature but I’m not allowed to fuck her.

“Why won’t you touch me?”

I shut my eyes, letting out a low breath. “Because…”

“Am I that repulsive?”

“What?” I snap. How can she think that? She’s the complete fucking opposite, that’s half the problem. “Ruby,” I begin. “You didn’t choose to marry me…”

“But I’m okay with it.”

I shake my head. “Are you really? Because from what I’ve learnt about you, you’ve been conditioned to give into everyone else. You never say what you actually want. You never say what you’re actually feeling.”

She winces and that makes me feel even more of an arsehole.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.” I say, cupping her cheek as gently as a brute like I can.

“I know.”

I tuck my fingers under her chin, making her meet my eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you, Ruby. Ever. That’s why I won’t touch you.”

She bites her lip, staring back at me. “What about what I want?”

“Ruby…”

“You said the last night that whatever I want I just have to ask.”

I feel my lips curl and before I can stop her, she’s leaning in and kissing me.