Beauty in Deception

“Why wait?” I ask, retaliating with sarcasm.

“As soon as your wound has healed.”

My smile is flat. “How considerate.”

He leans away. “I’m giving you time to get used to the idea. I’m a gentleman like that.”

My gaze is drawn to the injuries I inflicted on his cheek. “You’ll have to take it by force. I won’t give you anything.”

A muscle twitches under his eye. “Careful, sweetheart. Don’t utter words you’ll have to swallow later.”

Indignation eats a hole in my stomach. “Never.”

“Correct. I never force.” Cupping my uninjured hip, he drags a thumb over my waist. “You’re going to give your pretty little virgin pussy to me out of your own sweet will.”

I slap his hand away. “What makes you think I’ll do that?”

He moves fast, catching my wrist. “Because the sooner you fuck me, the sooner you’ll go home.”

His intention hits me like a fist that takes my air. For a moment, I can’t breathe. He wants to ruin me. Evie. He wants to take her virtue and send her back to her father and her betrothed as damaged goods. It will ruin Evie’s chances of marrying Nathan. If Evie has been compromised, Nathan won’t have to honor his promise. If he doesn’t marry her, Bell will lose the alliance he’s hoping to secure with the Stone family. Evie will be worthless to Bell. He’ll no longer be able to use her as a currency for buying power. Even if it wouldn’t be Evie’s fault, the stain on their family name will be irreparable. That’s how it works in these families. It’s a very effective way of ruining a lot of people’s lives. Revenge must be more important to Roman than getting back the diamond.

Victory flashes in his eyes as he studies my face. He must be able to see the shock in my features and worse, the defeat. The despicable way in which men like him use women like me explodes inside me. Years of suppressed anger erupts to the surface, boiling over in hatred. He’s still clutching my arm, his fingers curled in an iron vise around my wrist, demonstrating how powerless I am. The only weapon I have is my tongue.

Inside, I’m shaking, but my voice is stable as I lift my chin and say, “Who says my pussy is virgin?”

The look of triumph is wiped off his face. “Warren signed a contract.”

“He cheated.”

His nostril flare. “You’re lying.”

Yes and no. Evie is a virgin. Bell protects her chastity. I, on the other hand, am not, and if Roman follows through with his plan, he’ll know the truth. I don’t have a choice but to give him that part of me, a part I haven’t given to anyone. It only makes me hate him more.

“You’re lying,” he says again, giving me a shake.

“Am I?” I laugh. “I guess you’ll soon find out.”

My victory is short-lived. Grabbing my other arm, he forces both behind my back and takes my wrists in one big hand.

His tone is icy, every word measured. “Who is he?”

I clamp my lips together and turn away my face. That, I’ll never give him.

“Fuck.” He slams a fist on the wall, making me jump. “Fuck!”

He’s not the cool and collected criminal who kidnapped me. The alcohol has not only loosened his tongue, but also the monster inside the man. I’m used to the violence, but he’s on a different level. Rulers and blackmail don’t compare to his fists and cruelty.

When he splays his fingers over my chin and makes me face him, I steel my spine. He can plant his fist in my face or in my stomach instead of on the wall, and I’d still not give him a name. He’s taken enough as it is.

His jaw bunches. “Did you come with him?”

I want to look away, but he tightens his hold.

His lips thin. “Did you, Evie?”

Fuck, that sounds so wrong.

He gives me another shake. “Answer me or I swear I’ll make you.”

I want to lie, but I can’t, not about this. I bite off the word. “No.”

His jaw slackens even as his gaze sharpens. I gasp when he parts my thighs with his knee and kicks my feet apart.

Letting go of my face, he cups my sex. “With me, you will.”

I go on tiptoes to escape the touch, but he chases after me with his palm while keeping me secure with my arms behind my back. Lightly, he flicks his thumb over my clit. The fabric of the sweatpants forms a thin barrier. The gentle touch on such an intimate place jolts me. The spark that ignites under my skin surprises me and the heat that spreads to my belly even more.

He studies my face, seeing what he does when my pretense drops. I try to keep the mask in place, but it’s impossible when he disarms me by making me vulnerable. It’s my weakness. I haven’t been under his roof for one night and he’s already discovered my secret. What will be left of me if he keeps me until summer?