Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“Ah, Killian. Surprised to see you here.”
“You shouldn’t be,” I say through my teeth.
The woman glances between us uncomfortably, and I turn to her. “You should join your friends.” It’s a threat, and judging by her wide eyes, she knows it.
“Be nice,” Logan warns.
I snarl. “Please go join your friends.”
Logan’s expression twists up, as though he’s surprised by that, but I don’t have an issue with this woman. I have an issue with his behavior.
“She doesn’t have to go anywhere—” Logan insists.
“It’s fine,” she tells him. “Clearly, you have important things to discuss, but you have my Insta. Hit me up.”
“He won’t,” I blurt out.
It’s times like these when I wish I had more self-control. But I must have some since I haven’t attacked her yet. It’s only when she walks away that I realize I’m holding my breath, my fists clenched like I was trying to keep from losing it. It doesn’t ease up as I glare at Logan, who steps to me.
No one steps to me.
“I was working up something there,” he snaps.
“You’re done with that. Now give me your phone.”
“What?” Judging by his expression, you’d’ve thought I backhanded him.
“You heard me. Your phone. I want to block her off your Instagram account.”
He chuckles, like I said something funny, but then sobers. “Wait, are you being serious?”
I scowl, putting my hand out.
“You’re gonna have to take it from me.”
“I’ll take whatever I want from you,” I assure him, earning a nasty look.
“Then take it because you don’t have a right to my phone or who I socialize with.”
“I preferred having you tied up. Is that what you’d like to happen again?”
Logan gets even closer, until I can feel his breath. “You’re gonna have to do that again if you want me to do anything you want.”
I’m intrigued. “That sounds like a request.”
He flinches. “No, I don’t want that. I want you to leave me the hell alone.”
I’m stewing in my rage. “For someone who wants his family to be protected, you sure are playing with fire.”
“If we plan to make this work, and I do mean if, then I’m not gonna live my life doing whatever you want, so maybe you should just get used to it.”
As obstinate as he’s being, his comment sets me at ease. Because he’s already saying it, suggesting he’ll honor the arrangement.
“I’m fine with you having freedom, but you won’t cheat on me.”
“What am I supposed to do for sex while we’re together? You know I’ll need pussy. Surely, you’re not expecting…” He trails off, mouth hanging open as he takes in the seriousness in my expression.
“I told you you’d have to consummate the relationship.”
“Yeah, but after that…”
“After, you’re mine,” I say, and can’t help myself, this part of me that knows he’s mine. I seize his wrist. He tries to pull away, but I resist him, needing to remind him who’s in charge.
“Anyone ever tell you you’re out of your damn mind?” he asks.
“Everyone tells me that.”
He yanks again, earning his freedom.
I consider how easy it would be to knife him right now, then hate myself for the thought because I’m talking about my future wife here. But he knows how to push my buttons, ignite this rage that burns in my soul—that’s always been there and only gets worse as the years pass by.
As if the last few minutes didn’t happen, Logan says, “I’m gonna go find Alana and see if maybe I can save this.”
He spins around and takes a step before my words chase after him: “Not the best thing for her, is it?” I’m impressed by how smoothly that comes out, and it effectively stops him in his tracks.
He turns back to me. “What did you just say to me, you goddamn psychopath?”
He’s furious, and so fucking right. I’m glad I’ve got him so worked up since now he knows how I feel.
“You heard.”
“What does she have to do with this?”
“She’s the one trying to seduce you right now.”
“I’m not yours, so I don’t see what the issue is.”
I grit my teeth, tightening my fists even more, thinking if I tense up much further, I might give myself an aneurysm. “Is that what you’ve decided, then? To sever the agreement? Because say the word and it’s done, and you can go fuck any of the women who came here tonight. If not, though, you are mine. Or does your word mean nothing to you?”
His nostrils flare. I’ve struck a nerve, since we both know our words are all we have in our business. His offense assures me he’s the sort of man I figured, a man worthy of being my prize.
“Because if you decide to fuck her,” I go on, “well, this wouldn’t be the first time someone who’s touched my things ended up at the bottom of a river.”