Page 32 of Wed to the Devil

Talia's eyes widen and she looks up at me in surprise. But to my relief, there isn't any anger this time - just a small smile playing on her lips.

"Alright," she says softly before turning to head off to the bedroom. "I'll be ready in no time."

And with that, Talia begins getting ready for our evening out - an evening where I know we'll have a bit more fun than usual, thanks in part to the new wardrobe I've so thoughtfully provided. Sure, it might not make us best friends anytime soon - but at least it will be a start.

I look over at Talia, who is staring out the window as we drive to dinner. She looks so peaceful and beautiful at this moment, she really takes my breath away. Lucky for me, I have something special planned for just this moment.

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out a silky bag. Within the bag is a stunning necklace encrusted with diamonds. The second I laid eyes on it, I thought that its beauty can only be matched by hers.

Plucking the necklace from the bag, I wait until she faces out the window before I slip it around her neck.

Talia's eyes widen in surprise when she feels me fastening the clasp behind her neck. She turns to face me, touching the necklace with awe-filled fascination. "It's heavier than I thought it would be."

My eyebrows fly up. "That's all you are going to say? No, 'thank you, Dare, I love it'?"

A deep crimson floods her cheeks. "It is a gorgeous necklace. And I am thankful for it. But what is itfor?"

I smooth my touch around the back of her neck, causing a shiver to slide down her spine.

"It has no value beyond the fact that I knew it would look beautiful against your collarbones."

I run a single fingertip in a tiny arc across her bare skin. Talia looks me in the eye and her whole body shudders. Sweeping the copper hair off of her shoulder, I bend down and place a burning hot kiss against the base of her neck.

The sudden, shocked inhale I hear satisfies me on a primal level. I chuckle as I sit back.

I gave her a smirk as I watch her eyes flick over the necklace. She’s intrigued, but she’s trying to hide it. “You know plenty of women would be falling all over themselves for this?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.

Her response comes quickly and with fire in her voice that tells me she isn’t going to be one of those nameless, faceless women that came before her. “I am not like them. I don't need your gifts to make me happy," she says

I cock my head. "You make a good little wife, Talia. I didn't expect it, but I'm beginning to enjoy having you by my side."

She rolls her eyes and looks away, shaking her head. But I see a pink flush creeping across her cheeks.

We arrive at the restaurant and she steps out wearing her dark gown and a heavy fur coat. It's coupled with a dark frown, refusing to look at me at all. I grab her hand and tug her forward across the sidewalk and into the bistro.

At the restaurant, a suit-wearing maitre d’ shows us through the loud, dimly lit restaurant. Every table is full. White-shirted waiters artfully twirl trays full of drinks, dodging around the tables full of restaurant patrons.

We are shown to our table, which is a large circular booth at the center of the restaurant. The company clients I agreed to meet with are already tucked into the booth and sipping their cocktails.

As I greet them, I tug on Talia’s hand, needing her to sit down and move inward toward the clients first. It’s all about power. I chose this booth at this restaurant for a reason.

She gives me a puzzled look as she does it, her lips pinching and her eyes flashing.

“Go ahead, darling,” I purr. I flash a smile that’s as sharp as a knife.

Her eyes tighten but she slides into the booth. I smooth my tie down as I seat myself. I slide a hand into her lap and grip her knee, pasting on a smile. Talia does the same after I give her knee a hard squeeze.

I address the clients, who look like cookie-cutter versions of the same Wall Street businessman. Three expensive white or blue shirts, rolled up at the sleeve. Three dark wool jackets tossed into a pile separating Jamal from Talia. Three tumblers of liquid courage clutched in their hands.

“Gentlemen. May I introduce you all to my new wife, Talia? And Talia, meet Gus, Ken, and Jamal. They are clients that require quite a bit of finesse…” I gesture to the restaurant around me. “To be content.”

“Congratulations, Dare,” Ken says, looking at Talia like some prize-winning horse. “Never thought you were much of the settling down type.”

Talia’s mouth pinches. I pat her knee under the table.

“She convinced me,” I lie blithely. “Didn’t you, darling girl?”

If looks could kill, I would be dead from Talia’s toxic glance. She doesn’t make much of an expression, but her eyes are angry.

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