Page 41 of Covenant

I swipe right, but I know it doesn’t matter. He saw it. I’m sure it was all over my face. It makes my heart sink, but then I straighten slightly. At least it’s expensive. It will put a dent in his wallet.

Good, that’s why I chose it, I tell myself. To make him hurt in some small way, even if it’s only financially.

It gives me some power. A teaspoon’s worth.

I hand the tablet back to him, and he turns it off. “I’ll set it up.”

“I don’t want to go on a fucking honeymoon,” I grind out, but my words are cut off when his hand grabs on to my chin roughly, his fingers digging into my flesh.

“This needs to appear real, Wy. So you’ll go on this fucking honeymoon and you’ll pretend.”

He doesn’t let go of me, forcing me to look up at him. Our eyes clash, wills and egos at war.

“Maybe we should practice right now,” he murmurs, his eyes sliding away from mine so easily and moving to my lips. “After all, if we’re husbands, people will expect us to kiss.”

Is he for fucking real right now? We kissed briefly at the wedding, wasn’t that enough?

I try to wrench my head away, but he just tightens his hold on me.

He wouldn’t. Would he?

My breathing picks up and I watch as his pupils dilate. Are mine doing the same thing? Giving him permission?

They better fucking not.

“I dare you, Wy. I dare you to show me how much you hate me.”

My tongue peeks out, wetting my lips, that competitive spirit coming out to play. Maybe I should. Maybe I should kiss him, bite him, mark him. Show him that I can pretend better than anyone.

But before I can, his hand falls from my face and he leans back. “Never mind. I’d rather not.”

Inhaling deeply, I clutch my fists on my thighs. Why is my heart still racing? It has to be the adrenaline. It has to be. I can’t stop the taunt I throw his way. “Scared? Doesn’t surprise me. You’ve always been the one to run.”

His chuckle is dark, no humor in it. “Actually, I think you’ll find that’s you, Wy. I’m not scared, but I’m also not interested.”

My eyes narrow as he stands up, tucking the tablet under his arm. “You’re welcome to stay here or explore the grounds more. I, however, have work to do. And Wy, you have crumbs on your shirt.”

He turns to leave, and as he does I can’t help but make out the bulge in his trousers. That big dick pushing out from the fabric.

Liar.

Heisinterested. But he still left. He dared me and then gave up.

Alone in the room, I brace my elbows on my knees and take some deep breaths. It never used to be like this with Matthias. Once, I knew him as well as I knew myself.

Now, he’s practically a stranger. A stranger who seems determined to fuck with my life and my mind.

I’m not going to let him. There’s no way.

I’ll figure out a way to break him. Just like he broke me.

* * *

I find myself outside, my legs carrying me across his expansive property. It’s quite beautiful, freshly mowed grass, pebbled trails, and different seating areas hidden beneath mature trees. As I continue on, I find a hidden gem. Sitting on the edge of a small pond is a gazebo with vines crawling up the sides. Wisteria, it seems—expensive and frivolous.

I take a seat on one of the benches, looking out at the raindrops falling on the serene water, tilting my head up and inhaling deeply.

Petrichor, wet grass, and a floral scent.

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