Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Stop it,” I say but without force. “I like safe and boring and I don’t have to justify myself to a sick freak like you.”
“I am a sick freak, you’re right, and you need a sick freak right now. You need me to feel something. If you agree to be my wife, I can promise that you’ll have a better life than you ever could imagine—” He holds up a finger. “But only if you obey.”
My mouth falls open. The idea of obeying this man is ludicrous, it’s absurd, it’s grotesque and digesting and—
It’s filthy.
And a strange excitement runs down into my core. It’s a wild, stupid tingle, buzzing between my legs as his lips part slightly, showing his straight teeth and a glimpse of his pink tongue. His dark eyes smolder into mine and my knees are trembling. He’s big, muscular, bold and dangerous, and everything I always thought I hated. I can taste dirt in my mouth. But he’s right, the taste of that dirt is so much more distinct than anything else in all those four years at school.
Why do I hold onto him like that? It was one moment, one mortifying, painful moment. He dominated me, embarrassed me. Why can’t I get it out of my head?
Because some sick piece of me wanted it.
Not the way it happened. Not the actual event—no, that was traumatic and awful.
It only came to me afterward when I was home in my dorm and safe with the shower water running and the bathroom door locked. It only came to me when I found myself, legs spread, fingers exploring my body, trying desperately to calm myself down, only to find my mind wandering back to Carmine over and over. I only realized that the danger, the excitement, those disgusting words, I only realized how fucking excited it made me, and I’ve worked hard to keep that part of my mind locked in a tight little box.
Now, with Carmine standing here and looking at me like a hungry wolf, I feel like that box is cracking open.
“I’m not playing your game,” I whisper even though I desperately want to, even if only to find out how I end up losing. This is wrong, it goes against everything I’ve been taught, and I’m not going to give in to this monster no matter how much I want to.
My life is safe and comfortable and orderly. And Carmine is the opposite of all that.
He’s pain and danger and chaos.
“I don’t think you have a choice. Your grandfather is putting on a very nice show, don’t you think? The cane’s a nice touch.”
I grimace and say nothing.
He continues, “I understand you aren’t going to throw yourself at me. Frankly, I wouldn’t want you to. I enjoy watching you squirm too much for that.”
“I’m glad we both agree this is never happening.”
“Have dinner with me, filthy girl. One dinner.”
I grind my jaw and shake my head. “No.”
He leans forward, one hand over my shoulder, holding me there without touching me. My lips tremble. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“I can’t.” But I can. And I should. If not for my grandpa and my father and my family, then for all the people that work for this company. Am I really that much more important than all of them? Should they suffer instead of me?
“One meal. Best behavior. Come with me tomorrow night. We’re running out of time, filthy girl.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Filthy. Girl.”
I hate the way his lips form those words. I hate the shiver of excitement that runs down my spine.
“One dinner,” I say through my teeth. “And if you’re a pig, if you’re disgusting, if you step out of line—”
“You can scream and throw your drink in my face. Imagine the memory that would create.”
“I’m not joking. I’ll get up and leave, and this whole thing will be over.”
He nods once and mercifully pulls his arm away. “Despite what you may think, I really do want this deal to go through.” He moves away, back toward the windows again, and I feel like I can breathe. “My family needs this as much as yours does.”
“Then why not forget this stupid marriage thing?”
“I told you already. The company is only one piece. Your name is the other.” He stares at the sky and I feel like he wants to tell me more, but can’t bring himself to say it. “Tomorrow night. Eight o’clock.”
“I’ll pick the restaurant. My grandpa will get in touch with your people.”
“I’m sure he’ll be very pleased to hear we’re going out together.”
“This isn’t a date. It’s not—it’s a business meeting. That’s all.”
“Business or pleasure, I don’t really care. It’s all the same to me.”
“Whatever you’re looking for, you’re not going to find it in me, Carmine.”
“Oh, you’re wrong about that, filthy fucking girl. Very wrong.”