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Stepping into yet another room, I find a well-stocked and comfortable library, beyond that is a music room featuring a Steinway piano, then a lavish formal dining room done up in reds and golds. The place is massive, and pretty soon I’m all turned around as I try to find my way back to the entrance. Somehow I end up in the music room again instead of the foyer.
“Lost already?” Dimitri pushes off from the doorframe, and slowly stalks toward me. His clenched fists belie his casual tone.
Pointedly ignoring him, I pretend to be especially interested in the sheet music at the piano. I can practically feel the irritation radiating from him as he comes up behind me. Good. At least I know that I can get under his skin, even if I can’t get through his thick skull.
“What the fuck were you thinking trying to get us all killed?” His tone is soft, lethal.
I pivot around to face him, crossing my arms. “You don’t seem to understand that I am not your plaything. I’ve told you that I don’t want to be married to you numerous times, but do you listen? No, you do not.”
“So this is my fault?” His brows dip in either confusion or irritation, I can’t tell.
“Exactly. You wouldn’t listen to me so I have to act out instead. Do I have your attention now, Mr. Kozlov?”
His gaze darkens. “You’ve always had my attention, kisa.”
I ignore his pet name for me, and how it makes my stomach flutter, focusing on my demands instead. “Good. Now, you will have our marriage annulled as soon as possible. Then you will return me to my parents’ house in the city. From then on, you will never contact me again. All of this you will agree to unless you want me to burn down this house to the ground.” Though in all honesty, the very thought makes my stomach twist. I could never destroy a place this beautiful, even to spite this man.
But Dimitri doesn’t know that. I hope at this point that he thinks I’m unhinged, completely psychotic, and true to my word.
He takes a step forward until I’m forced back. My backside bumps the piano, but he doesn’t stop until he has me caged in, his palms resting on either side of my body, on top of the ornate grand piano. My breath hitches. He’s so tall, he towers over me, displaying all of that tattoo-covered muscle.
“No, no, and no.” His body heat seeps through my clothing, and I flush. “You’re mine. You’ll always be mine. The sooner you come to terms with that, the better. Besides, it’s not safe for you out there. Or did you miss the part where the car was chasing us and the gunfire?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “They’re after you, not me. Being with you puts me in danger.”
Guilt and pain flash through his deep green eyes before both emotions are gone. He squints at me suspiciously. “How do I know you’re not the one behind that attempt on my life? You probably weren’t even supposed to be in the car with me, were you? Or was he your ride away from my penthouse?”
“You’re kidding me, right?” I scoff when his expression remains hostile. “I should be flattered that you think I’m such a devious mastermind. But no, my plan was to set your place on fire and walk out of there once the fire department arrived, then call my sisters to come pick me up. Unlike you, I don’t have henchmen waiting in the shadows to do my bidding.”
“So you’re not trying to kill me,” he muses, as his eyes search mine.
“Oh, I am trying to kill you, just not with hired assassins.” God, he’s so close, his proximity’s messing with my head.
He pins me with a flat stare. “Stop trying to murder me.”
“Then let me go,” I plead.
He presses his body to mine. “Never.”
I huff, frustrated, and trying to act like his nearness has no effect on me at all. When in reality, my heart’s pounding so hard and fast I feel dizzy, and every molecule in my body is hyper aware of him. His scent invades my nose, his voice echoes in my ears, and my body sways toward his body heat.
“You’re so beautiful when you’re annoyed.” His fingers trail across my cheek, his gentle touch startling me, leaving me more flustered than I was a moment ago. “You do remember my rules, don’t you?”
Shakily, I nod. I’d been so sure that I was going to escape that I never stopped to consider what he’d do to me if I didn’t manage to succeed.
“Then you know that I’m going to have to punish you for being a very naughty girl.” He pushes his thumb past my parted lips, the same one I bit not so long ago. Although this time, I won’t make the same mistake. “Now turn around and bend over the piano bench. You deserve a spanking.”
I shake my head and his thumb slips from my mouth. “No. I’m not a child and I’m not going to let you spank me like one.” My pulse thunders in my ears.
“You can either take your punishment willingly, or I will bend you over my knee and we can do this the hard way. The choice is yours.” His voice is so soft, the tone in contrast with his statement.
That’s not much of a choice at all. I have no doubt he’ll follow through on his threat, so reluctantly I nod and move toward the piano bench. Facing it, I lower my hands to the seat and bend over, presenting him with my backside.
This is the most humiliating position I’ve ever been in. I hate him for demanding that we do this at all. It’s juvenile.
My cheeks flush when he lifts my skirt up, exposing my satin panties. I grit my teeth, wishing he’d get on with it so this would be over already. I can feel the heat of his gaze across my skin, and when his palm smoothes over my ass, I swallow hard.
Smack! The force of his hand coming down on my butt cheek has me gasping and rock slightly forward. My face flames with both embarrassment and anger.
