Page 45 of Bad Blood
Technically, it’s not a lie. I paid an exorbitant amount of attention to the shape of her body when I had her pressed up against the wall in my office. Every curve. Every valley. Every single fucking inch of her… “Look underneath,” I instruct, nodding toward the gown. “There’s more.”
She doesn’t want to, but she can’t help herself. After all, curiosity and impulsiveness are the two endearing traits that landed her ass here in the first place. I don’t have to look to know the exact moment she sees it.
That gasp is music to my ears…And my aching dick.
Thalia lifts the black lace bustier and matching thong in the air as if they were just peeled off a dead hooker. “Oh, fuck you, Carrera!” she breathes. “There’s no way in hell I’m wearing this.”
“Maybe I was unclear,” I say patiently. “It wasn’t a request.”
Despite what she wants to believe, I’m not a soulless monster.At least not completely.This may not be the wedding day she dreamed for herself, but she deserves to have beautiful things to wear, regardless. The gown isn’t a designer slap in the face. It’s an attempt to counteract the cheapness Bardi made her feel.
However, the lingerie? That’s to show her that even though we’re standing on opposite sides of the battleline, I’m still a man who can appreciate a confident woman.
However, the color isn’t for her.
It’s for me.
It’s a symbol of dark consuming light. A reminder that while heart and innocence may radiate on the outside, underneath all that satin and crystal, sin and lace wrap around her in blasphemy.
Blinking away her shock, she climbs to her feet. “This isn’t a dream wedding, Santi. This is…” Her words trail off as her eyes settle on the lace dangling from her outstretched hands. “This is matrimonial terrorism.” She exhales dramatically, and then she blushes as the sexy lingerie flutters under the force of her breath.
The truth stains her cheeks like a scarlet letter. Basic animal instinct can’t be controlled. It knows no boundaries and doesn’t give a fuck about crossing enemy lines.Right now, Thalia is imagining me ripping this off her tight little body.
I don’t even try to stifle my laugh.
“You think this is funny?” she says, the blush on cheeks darkening with anger.
No, Thalia Santiago. Nothing I want to do to you is funny.
“I told you, I never joke,mi amada.”
“I’m not your beloved. I’m your prisoner, and this”—balling her fists, she hurls the scraps of lace at my chest—“is revolting. If you think a couple of meaningless vows entitles you to anything other than a cold shower, you’re very much mistaken. You lay a finger on me, and I’ll break it.”
Dislodging the thong hooked around one of my shirt buttons, I step forward, erasing all but an inch of space between us. “Big words for such a small woman.”
I expected her to crumble under my wicked torture, but I should’ve known better. This girl is no wilted daisy—she’s a wild rose with thorns the size of her petals.
“Haven’t you ever heard that dangerous things come in small packages?”
“No, I’m used to handling...large things.” I lower my eyes toward my tailored pants. As if pulled by an invisible tether, hers follow. The innuendo isn’t veiled. It’s framed by a flashing neon sign. Her lips round in shock and I let out another laugh. “It’s a gift, Thalia. A simple gesture.”
Composing herself, she kicks the lingerie and the box across the room. “You want to be generous? Bring me a long black dress and a veil.”
“It’s a wedding, not a funeral.”
“Semantics.”
Okay, that’s it. I’ve indulged her tantrum long enough.
A low growl rumbles in my throat as I stalk toward her. A startled gasp escapes those tempting lips as Thalia takes a step backward—right into the wall. Placing a palm on either side of her head, I cage her in with nowhere to go…
Nowhere to run.
“You want to talk funerals,muñeca? Last night, you came within an angel’s breath of being the guest of honor at yours. The only reason you still have breath in here”— I don’t ask for permission before dragging a hand from the wall and placing it between her breasts—“is because I allowed it.”
“But you—”
“Youchose life, Thalia.Youchose our unholy union.Youchose debt over loyalty. So don’t act like you’re doing me any favors by following through.”
