Page 9 of Dance with the Devil

She had survived the night.

Stepping into the main dining room, Draven looked up. His gaze traveled up and down her body. She couldn’t help but wonder if he regretted marrying her. He didn’t have to stand up and claim her last night.

She didn’t have a death wish, but she felt at peace with the prospect of dying. There was nothing to live for.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Morning.”

At home with her parents, she never shared breakfast with them, not if she wanted to be their main source of criticism. Her mother would say she couldn’t eat because she felt sick by the sight in front of her. It became easier to just eat in the kitchen. The staff had all been nice to her. They didn’t seem to mind her company, while her parents and siblings did.

She took a seat beside him and stared at the table of food in front of her. There were waffles, toast, an abundance of fruit, and at least three different kinds of cereal.

“I didn’t know what you like to eat in the morning, so I had my chef bring everything we have.”

She reached out and grabbed a glass of orange juice. “Thank you.”

Contrary to her parents complaining, she didn’t eat a lot in the morning. Most of the time she ate fruit with a few slices of toast. Sipping at the juice, she reached for a banana and peeled it.

She tried not to think about the man sitting next to her. He folded the paper he’d been reading and placed it to one side.

Maria didn’t know what to say or do. She’d never been much of a people person. The silence, though, was making her uncomfortable. “Thank you for the dress.”

“It looks stunning on you.”

Why did he have to lie?

Glancing in his direction, she noticed that he kept looking at her. She quickly averted her gaze, but then chanced another look, to find him watching her. Maria didn’t know if she had something on her face. She tucked some of her hair behind her face.

“You’re not used to being looked at, are you?”

“Have I done something wrong?” she asked.

“No.”

“I, er, I don’t know.” She felt her cheeks heating.

“A blush, now that is charming. My sweet, virginal, blushing wife.”

“I would understand if you didn’t want to stay married to me.”

“What makes you think I don’t want to stay married to you?” Draven asked.

“You could have any woman you want.” She saw the deep frown on his face, and didn’t know if she had crossed some kind of line.

Draven was a very sexy guy, even with his scary reputation. She had no doubt a lot of women would love to have a piece of him. Maria didn’t like the jealousy that swarmed around her at the thought of him being with anyone else. It wasn’t her place at all, and yet the feeling bothered her.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“Why are you sorry?”

“You look angry with me.”

“No, I’m not angry with you. You don’t realize there is no out for you, do you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t get a say in what you do now. You’re my wife, Maria. If I decide to divorce you, that’s a death sentence. There is no other future for you, other than by my side.”

---