Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
“I’m working another double. I’ll need to be there by four,” I answer.
“You work too hard,” he murmurs, but doesn’t look at me. “I am free until a video conference with Avi at midnight. We can spend the day getting to know one another.”
“It’s the Christmas season. It’s always busy,” I explain. Why are you having a video conference at midnight? Is Avi another candidate for a bride, or maybe a sex show?”
He laughs. “You’re forgetting the time difference. That’s only ten in the morning in Moscow. As for Avi, he works alongside me. I’m hoping to put him in charge there, so we can live here,” he explains, pulling out a stool for me.
“Oh,” I breathe. My stomach feels unsettled as he casually mentions us living together. I focus on the smorgasbord of breakfast pastries, sausage, eggs, and toast in front of me. Samuel apparently planned to feed me. Since I am hungry, I grab an empty plate and start filling it.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Orange juice, please.”
“I thought all doctors live on coffee?”
“I do that later in the day. I just need to be awake—not climbing the walls,” I explain, looking over the offerings before me.
“What’s that look?” he asks, bringing my juice over, sitting beside me, as he fills his plate.
“Huh?”
“You look disappointed. Did I order the wrong things?”
“Oh, no. I just like fresh fruit in the mornings,” I explain.
“I’ll remember that for tomorrow,” he murmurs to himself. The response gives me a funny feeling. What is going on here? “I was thinking after breakfast we might get out for a bit. Spend some time exploring the city and Christmas displays.”
“Why?”
Samuel stares directly at me. “We’re married, Isabel. We need to see how compatible we are—get to know one another.”
“Did you forget that a couple of days ago you couldn’t stand to be in the same room with me?”
“I think we should start with a clean slate, so to speak.”
“Um, no,” I deny at once, putting my fork down.
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to be married!”
He stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. I feel like I have.
“But we are. A deal was struck—”
“By my father. Not me. I didn’t want this.”
“But you signed the contract.”
“At my father’s order,” I argue.
“But you signed it.”
“You can’t legally force someone to marry you—contract or not.”
“Actually, you can. You agreed to the contract. I fulfilled my part. That makes it binding.”
“Your part? What was that—being a jerk?”
“Did you not even read the contract, Isabel?”
“There was no point. My father told me everything. When Juan spoke, it was better if you didn’t question him.”
I can see the surprise on his face. He shakes his head. “You’re a doctor, for Christ’s sake. You should know to read everything you sign.”
“Thanks for the advice. Also, I had one dad—he was useless. I don’t need another.”
He stands, quickly walking from the room. I shrug. I guess I pissed him off again. Maybe he’ll agree to the annulment faster now.
I finish eating as he comes back in. Standing up to take my plate and glass to the sink to rinse it out, I ignore him. I expected him to sit down, but instead he follows me, slapping a folder on the counter. He moves behind me, gathering my hair in his hand and pushing it over to one shoulder. I should move but can’t. I think I’m in shock. Samuel leans against me. The hard ridge of his erection pushes against my ass, as his hot breath caresses my ear and neck. “Read the contract, Izzy. Then look at the receipts that are attached. I’ll give you today to come to the realization that you are my wife—bought and paid for, for at least five years. I’ve not broken the rules and as such, I don’t plan on letting you go. We will try to make this work—as previously agreed.” He rubs his nose against my ear before slowly dragging his lips along the side of my neck. I bite my lip, trying to think of all the reasons I should be angry, but can’t form a clear thought. His teeth gently rake against my tender skin. It takes everything I have not to moan as he sucks on my skin. His hands hold my hips as he continues pushing against me, showing me just how much he desires me. He places a small kiss against my pulse point, before taking his lips away. “I’ll make sure you have someone here to go with you to the hospital. Don’t leave without them. If you do, you won’t like how I retaliate,” he warns.
He walks away, then I hear the door open and close. My legs feel shaky as I take the folder and go back to the island, sitting down. Inside is my marriage contract. I force myself to read it. With every page I turn, my heart rate quickens. I feel like I’m having a panic attack. It’s all here in black and white. Samuel was right. I should have read it. It was stupid not to. I thought it was just a simple alliance. Nothing could be further from the truth.