Page 42 of Princess of Pride
He shakes his head, humor in his eyes but nowhere else on his expression. “I was clear that we’d live together for appearances sake.”
“And I was clear that I wanted my trust fund so I could live my own life and open my business.”
“Is that what you were planning to do in St. Croix?”
He knows about that too? I just barely keep my bottom lip from plummeting with shock. “I don’t have to answer to you.” I face forward, and the car jostles.
He leans toward me, his earthy musk cologne swirling my nose. “You do. And as a flight risk, now I need to keep you by my side.”
I turn my head to look at him, his face still dangerously close. I spare a glance at his perfectly shaped lips. I can’t help it.
“See something you like?” he purrs.
“Stop that.” I snap my head forward.
“Stop what?” He leans closer, his breath near my ear, making me wish my hair was down so I could hide behind the caramel-blonde strands.
“Talking with your deep voice like you’re a romance book voice actor.” A sexy one who could portray all kinds of morally grey characters.
“You can stop pretending you don’t want me. It’s more than obvious you do.” His suit jacket touches my bare arm.
I shrug him off and lean away. “I don’t wantanything from you, least of all your touch. This body is banned from you from all future activities.”
That dark chuckle leaves him as he straightens and clasps his fingers between his spread legs.
Is he trying to take up more space?
The crowded city, aglow with lights, passes by outside the tinted windows.
“Youwilllive with me like we agreed,” he says, “and play the role of the loving spouse like you agreed. Need I remind you you’re legally bound to these stipulations?”
“I was manipulated or else I wouldn’t have agreed.”
“From what I remember, you initiated the topic and did all the talking. I merely nodded and laid out a few of your father’s terms.”
I open my mouth to disagree but pause, recalling that scene clearly. “You made me think you were gay!”
“Youmade the assumption. I simply let you ramble. You were doing such a good job.”
I groan, feeling trapped like a feral animal. “You could have told me you were into me, instead of laying it on me on our wedding day.” I glare at his face from the side of my eye. “I wouldn’t have agreed so willingly.”
“With the way you lose your breath when I kiss you, I believe I could have convinced you to agree to anything.”
I like to think that wouldn’t have been true. I cross my arms tighter. “I’m not looking for love in a relationship.”
“What makes you think I am?”
The car bumps again.
I arch a brow. “You admitted towantingme when you first laid eyes on me three years ago.”
He lowers his head close to mine again. “I believe the word I used wasfucking.”
I ignore the tingles his voice and dirty words stir between my legs.
“Neither has to do with love.”
Such an asshole. My breathing accelerates with my anger. I stare out the window, considering leaping from the car into the traffic. We’re on a bridge now. If I survived, I’d have no place to hide.
