Page 49 of Immoral

I pick up Cara's hand and kiss it. "Good point. I still don't want her plastered everywhere with men drooling all over her. Her social media accounts are bad enough."

Cara snickers. "She's done well growing those. I bet it's been huge for her business."

"Have you ever read the comments from all the losers?"

"How do you know they're losers?"

"Read the comments. I'm surprised Killian doesn't shut that down," I respond, tapping my fingers on the black ceramic mug.

Cara arches her eyebrows.

"What?" I ask.

Her voice turns sharp. "His account is just as bad. And should I point out that he would have no right?"

"Sure he does. He's her husband."

Her eyes turn to slits. "I can see you're existing in a cloud of false reality."

My chest tightens. I lean closer, preparing to battle. I've always known Cara's independent, but now that she's mine, it's time she realizes that I do have a say in her life and choices. I innocently question, "How's that?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Gianni."

Locking my eyes with hers, I brush my fingers up her arm until I get to the bruise on her neck. I lightly press on it.

Cara holds her breath, but the combative look in her blues never falters.

I smile, stating, "Maybe we should clarify our roles."

She crosses her arms, angrily repeating, "Clarify our roles?"

"Mmhmm," I calmly mutter while sliding my fingers over her bruise with increased pressure.

She uncrosses and recrosses her legs, so I slip my hand under the table, sliding it between her thighs. She takes a deep breath, giving me a death stare.

I continue, "I'm your husband. You're my wife. If something is dangerous or inappropriate, it'll cease."

She huffs. "If you think you'll be telling me what to do—"

"If it's dangerous or inappropriate, I'll stop whatever it is, Cara. There won't be a warning, and you can remove all theI am woman hear me roarcomments in your head. My wife won't be in any compromising positions."

Anger lights up her cheeks. She moves her head so my fingers fall from her neck. "I'm not your little Stepford wife. I will make my own decisions. You don't get a say in any of them. And I'll be damned if I let you destroy my career that I've sacrificed my life to build."

I reach for her chin and hold it firm, leaning closer. "I have no desire to ruin your business. I've never tried to stop you, and you know how proud of you I am. But if I say something isn't safe or you're not to do something, then you're going to listen."

"Jesus. You should hear yourself. You sound like it's 1950," she fumes.

I count to ten, trying to reduce my irritation so we don't end up in a fight all day. I firmly remind her, "I already saved you once because you didn't listen to me. We willnothave any repeats."

She closes her eyes for a moment. "That's different, and you know it."

"How?"

"I won't be in that situation ever again."

I nod. "That's right. I'll go to my grave making sure you aren't. And this rule, it's not a choice, nor is it breakable. Let's get crystal clear on this topic."

"Rule?" she seethes.

---