Wife (Betrothed 1)

“I’ve been at war with the Skull Kings for a long time because they practice that bullshit. They stopped a few years ago, and while tensions are still high, I’m not as inclined to fire first…unless they get in my way.”

“Who are the Skull Kings?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he said quickly. “My point is, I’m not a good man…but I’m not evil. When I’ve paid for sex, it’s always with a free woman.”

“You’ve paid for sex?” I blurted. “You’re gorgeous. Why would you have to pay for it? That’s gross.”

His eyes narrowed slightly at the insult, but he didn’t strike back. “It’s just easier sometimes. I know exactly what I want, and I can pay a woman to be what I want.”

I pushed his hands off me. “I’m screwing a man who’s screwed prostitutes?”

He let me step back. “Judge me all you want. I’m not ashamed of it.”

“Well, you should be. That’s disgusting.”

“A lot of men do it. If they tell you otherwise, they’re lying. At least I have the balls to look you in the eye and say it, even if you’re looking back at me with disgust.” He held his ground by keeping his strong posture with defiance in his eyes.

I knew so little about the man I was screwing. The more I learned, the less I liked him. That was exactly what I’d feared would happen. I crossed my arms and turned, unsure what my next move was. I was too drunk to think clearly.

“Baby?”

I tried to look away, but I gave in at the tone of his voice.

“I know this is a lot to take in, but after you take some time—”

“Get out.”

He held his position, looking at me with the same confidence. He was quiet as he let my command sink in. My hotel was overrun with criminals, and the man I was sleeping with paid for sex. I’d been living in the underworld for so long, and it was my fault for not realizing it. “Get out. Don’t come back.”

He stayed rooted to the spot, as if he might ignore what I said. He had all the power and I had nothing, so he could do whatever he wanted. I wouldn’t be able to stop him. But he bowed his head and headed to the door. He put on his jacket then left without looking back at me.

I was alone, somehow feeling worse now that he was gone. I was chilled to the bone, lonely. He took all the heat in the room and sucked it into his muscular frame, leaving nothing behind. He was bad for me in so many ways, but I was miserable without him. Maybe I’d just been drinking too much, but I was devastated he left. I couldn’t think logically with him. I couldn’t have a reasonable thought when it came to that man.

Minutes passed, and I knew he would be down by the sidewalk by now. Even if I wanted to catch him, I probably couldn’t. But I slipped on my sandals and went after him anyway.

He was standing on the doorstep—as if he knew I would change my mind.

I hated him all over again.

He didn’t gloat in victory, didn’t crack a smile. His eyes were still full of apology.

Just as I did earlier, I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him back inside. Our lips came together like two halves of a whole, and we kissed like that conversation never happened. The door shut, and our clothes dropped to the floor right in the entryway. He lifted me with his strong arms and pinned me against the wall, his cock sliding into my wet pussy like it belonged there.

“Don’t leave me…” My fingers dug into his hair, and I kissed him as he thrust inside me, as he hit me so deep, I moaned with every thrust. “I’m not ready.”

He ended our kiss so he could look into my eyes. “Never, baby. Never.”

I stopped working in the office with Gustavo because I wanted nothing to do with the hotel anymore. But I did keep working as a concierge…because I had bills to pay. I stood at the counter and wondered when a shady guy would walk inside, intending to use my hotel for a back-alley meeting.

I was so bitter. I was so foolish.

Stupid.

The large doors to the entryway opened, and a petite woman in a black jacket stepped inside. In designer boots with a ten-thousand-euro handbag, she looked regal. It took me a few seconds to realize this prissy woman was my mother.

I’d been dodging her calls all week.

Her heels echoed off the tile as she came my way, carrying herself like a queen instead of a regular person like everyone else. Black gloves were on her hands, and once she pulled them off, her ridiculous diamond ring was visible. Her ears were adorned with the same luxury, and her clothes reeked of wealth.