Page 42 of Venomous Vows

I soak in the sight of her, unable to hide the way my body floods with approval and boosts my ego that this goddess of a woman is going to be my wife. Her long, curly hair flows down the length of her ribs as her plush lips part, undeniably pissed that I’m here, but I’d have to give a shit to care.

Elena Rossi grew up to be the most delectable creature I’ve ever seen and I can’t help but not hate that we have a past. I know all about her and don’t have to waste time discovering her likes and dislikes. I might not know her favorite color or food now, but I am cognitive of her mannerisms.

And that’s why I need to bend her to my will.

“I came to see how dress shopping went.” That’s a full-blown lie because I know how it went.

And I don’t expect her to tell me the truth, either.

In fact, I came in here with the intention to make sure that Elena crossed that idea right out of her head, but seeing her shirtless with two pink bra straps holding up her tits, I have other ideas that come to mind on how I could spend my time.

“Horrible,” Elena replies simply but doesn’t offer up any more.

I step forward, erasing the space between us without much thought. “Was it the fact that you were wedding dress shopping? Or the fact that your sister and best friend gave you more to think about?”

Elena eyes me with suspicion, but she’s not stupid. She just doesn’t know how much I already do. “Both.”

“What can I do to make it less awful?”

“Call this whole thing off?”

I tsk because there’s no way in hell I’m doing that. “How convenient for you,piccola diavola.You got exactly what you wanted and needed with your sister’s rescue, and I’m still lacking.” I steer my unamused gaze to her, finding her shoulders slug and defeated. She knows I’m right and that she agreed tothis arrangement fair and square. “Do I need to worry about you reneging on our deal?”

“No,” she immediately blurts out, and I want to believe her.

But I don’t.

There is nothing more powerful than women getting into other people’s heads with their nurturing demeanor and sense of empathy. Marcella is quickly becoming a fucking problem that I’m going to snuff out if she doesn’t shut her mouth.

“Think of something else, Elena. I’ve already grown attached to the idea that you’re going to be my wife. Unless there’s something else you can give me that’ll possibly leave a long-term effect.”

“Like what?”

“You don’t want the commitment. The children. Those are things I need. So if you want to offer me something that might benefit me in times of stress, anger, and when I need to decompress, I’ll think about it.”

Elena’s brows knit. “Like…a friend?”

I roll my eyes because she isn’t stupid. However, I am for giving her this out. Nonetheless, I’m curious as fuck to see how long Elena would last as my personal little whore. “Right, because I’m looking for more of those.”

“Then what do you mean, Adrian? Speak English and in plain sentences or don’t speak at all.”

She removes the shirt from her chest then, heaving her head through the hole, and I instantly hate the idea of her covering herself.

My arm shoots out, grasping one of her wrists and then the other, stopping her from threading her arms through the shirt that hides exactly what I’m enjoying right now.

“You’re absolutely stunning,piccola diavola,” I mutter, absorbing every inch of her skin.“You’d look even morebeautiful in a wedding dress, but you seem to rather die than marry me.”

Elena yanks one of her arms free from my grasp and steps away from me. “Let go of me, Adrian.”

“That’s the thing…I can’t.” My thumb brushes up and down her flesh in a methodical motion that I perform to keep my wits about me. “And I’d hate to rip your sister out of your life, as well as your best friend since they have already thought of a place for you to hide from me.” Elena’s blue eyes remain locked on to mine when I reply, “Oregon.”

Her nostrils flare, but she doesn’t deny or acknowledge it out loud. That’s one thing that I particularly like about Elena.

“Let me make myself clear,piccola diavola.If I have to chase you…you’re gonna hate me more than you already do now.”

“I don’t hate you,” she retorts sourly. “I’m just…not a fan.”

“Either way, you’re gonna have to become one because you’re stuck with me one way or another, Elena. I’ve been more than generous and my patience is starting to wear thin. So, for the last fucking time, I’m going to ask you and give you another out.”

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