Page 19 of Hupotasso
“Don’t,” he mutters.
I look up from his chest to his eyes. They seem pained, and I don’t know what he sees in mine, but he gives a quick, sharp intake of breath before his lips claim mine in a deep, passionate kiss.
I know I should resist. I know it only makes it harder to leave if I succumb again to his desires. But in this, at least, he wants me. Try as I might to deny it, I want him too — more than anything. Whimpering, I wrap my arms around his neck and close my eyes as his grip on me grows more possessive and intense, and his teeth drag across my lower lip.
When he lowers me to the floor amid the piles of gowns, I don’t resist.
14
Once again I leave her on the floor, only this time she’s not crying. She’s watching me with intense, troubled eyes.
There was something else I’d glimpsed in those purplish orbs as I’d pulled on my clothes. Something I’ve seen before — right before she left for the final challenge in The Games when she didn’t believe she was going to see me again — when she planned to run.
Neither of us said a word as I met her gaze before stalking from the ballroom. What was there to say? Once again I’d been drawn to her, drawn to protecting and comforting her, yet loathing her at the same time. I hadn’t planned to fuck her tonight, hadn’t even planned to see her, but my feet had led me to the ballroom after my discussion with Sophie, and one thing had led toanother. I don’t regret spanking her. She fucking deserved it. But it was bothering me that it had made me so hot. And that her eyes held sincerity, just as they had in The Games.
Once upon a time I relied on my gut, on my knowledge of humans, especially women, to tell when they were lying, to tell every thought that went through their tiny brains. I could read them like books. But Angie’s a blind spot in my vision. She confounds me.
Yet I’d had it confirmed through Tom that she was Spider’s minion.
Why then does she hold some strange power over me still? A power I fight daily, but one which doesn’t seem to be diminishing?
Calling for Caroline, I pace the library as I wait for her. I don’t have long to wait, she’s breathless and looking suitably nervous when she enters the room.
“Caroline,” I snarl the moment she enters and rises from her curtsy, “if I ever,evercatch you giving my wife that look again… if I even get a sniff of an intimation that you’re not treating her as her station demands or, by God, I learn that you’ve threatened violence, I will personally gut you like a fish.”
“Falcon, please, there was never any suggestion…”
“Shut the fuck up,” I snap. “You’re an avaricious little cunt and I’ve never liked you. I hired you because it’s been expected since I announced I intended to marry and I know you have connections in the court.”
“Please,” she holds her hands up, “Cousin...”
“You leave tomorrow night for the tour,” I cut her off again. “I want Angelina chaperoned at all times, day and night. It obviously hasn’t been lost on you that we’re having difficulties settling into marital bliss.”
‘Fucking understatement of the century.’
I could almost laugh at her expression, but I don’t.
“Angelina wants to leave. I’m sure she’s told you as much. Naturally, that cannot occur. But that doesn’t mean she’s to be shown any less respect than the marchioness would normally be accorded by you or anyone else.”
“Of course, Falcon.”
I nod at her contrite expression.
“Good. I see you’ve arranged her clothes. Is there anything else she needs for the trip? Anything she’s asked for?”
“A phone,” she shrugs. “I told her ‘no,’ as you’d already directed.”
“Did she say who she planned to call?”
“We’re not on such friendly terms yet,” she murmurs.
“Then you’d better fucking work on that,” I snap. “A good start would be to keep your fangs under wraps. Your weak-ass father and useless-as-tits-on-a-bull older brother have entrusted you to my household. You’ll live by my rules and do the job you’re born to do. You reportonlyto me, daily, and no word of what goes on under my roof had better spill from your lips to another soul. I will fuck you up if you break your word, go behind my back, or disrespect my woman again.”
“I understand. You’ve made yourself very clear,” she nods. “Ah, she did also ask to have a computer. She wants to see the show before she leaves.”
“It would seem a reasonable request on the surface.”
“Ah, yes, of course, I told her so myself.”
