Page 24 of The Forbidden Bride He Stole

But her need for him wasn’t mangled in all the wreckage. It was as bright and clear as it had ever been.

She wanted to be consumed by him.

He had married her today. Wrested control from her. Taken her own plans and burned them to the ground.

But she could have this.

She was past the point of considering. She was doing it. Her father had been a leader. And she was now going to lead that company. He had clearly doubted her ability to do so. But this was her moment, and she was going to own it.

She took a breath, and opened the door. He did not have staff in the house at this hour, which meant it was only the two of them in the manor now. She also knew exactly where she would find him. In his study. If he was so convinced that things were going to stay the same between them, then his routine would remain the same. It was just like him. To be just so. It was like him, to go right in for a little bit of evening work.

She paused, her heart pounding so hard she couldn’t hear anything but the insistent rhythm. This could destroy everything.

Oh, Hannah. It’s already destroyed.

That sad, internal truth made her want to weep.

But she wouldn’t weep.

She wasn’t a child.

She was a woman.

She was going to show him.

She pushed the door open. He didn’t turn. Of course, he was certain that she had come to yell at him. To castigate him. He wasn’t even interested.

“Apollo,” she said.

“I’m working, Hannah.”

“I believe we have something to discuss.”

He turned, and immediately, the fire left his eyes.

“There is the small matter of our wedding night.”

CHAPTER SIX

SHESLOWLYCROSSEDthe room, and rounded the other side of his desk, sitting on his lap. He made no move to stop her, didn’t lift his hands to touch her, nor did he push her away. He was warm and hard beneath her. And she was trembling, but doing her best not to show it.

“I want my wedding night.”

“Hannah,” he said, his teeth gritted. “Stop.”

“You act like I don’t know what I’m asking for. But I do. I’m twenty-two years old. I know exactly what I want. You have denied me my groom. Will you also deny me a night of passion?”

“You don’t get to ask that of me.”

“Why not? It seems like it would be an appropriate thing for a married couple.”

“We are not a married couple. Not in that way.”

“But I want it,” she said. “I want to please you. I want to please myself.”

He reached up, unexpectedly, and gripped the back of her hair, his hold tight. He forced her head back, tilting her chin up. “And what is it you hope to gain from this? Are you playing with me?”

“No,” she gasped. “I’m not playing with you. I want you.”

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