She looks confused. “How did you know that my mum took out a restraining order on my dad?”
“When you said you’d marry me, I did some research. I knew your dad left when you were young and had a suspicion he might prove to be a problem. Aren’t you glad I did?” I glare at her. I feel hurt that she doesn’t appreciate what I’ve done for her.
Her eyes flare. “Well, I can’t stand here and say that I’m not glad after what happened today, can I? But that doesn’t mean I’m pleased you invaded my privacy.”
“It wasn’t a case of invading your privacy.”
“What was it, then?”
“I was protecting you.”
“I don’t actually need protecting, thank you.”
“I’m sorry, but tell me again what happened today?”
She glowers at me. “I would’ve handled it.”
I just give her an exasperated look. She lifts her chin, and my heart rate increases. Goddamn it. She’s irresistible when she’s feisty.
Nope, not going to think about sex. That’s the last thing that should be on my mind.
“Well, it won’t happen again,” I snap, irritated with myself. “I’ve increased your security detail. Now you’ll have someone with you at all times, as soon as you set foot out of the house.”
She inhales, and her eyes flare. “No! I don’t want that.”
“Stamp your feet all you like. I’m not changing my mind. He won’t get near you again.”
“I am not stamping my feet,” she says hotly. “You don’t need to fix everything. I’m not a problem that needs solving. I have a mind of my own, and you need to consult with me before you make decisions like this.”
My patience has run out. “It’s non-negotiable.”
“Marcus! For God’s sake. This is still my life. And I don’t want you waltzing in and controlling me.”
“Tough. You’re my fiancée. You’re going to be my wife. And nobody gets to touch you but me.”
She looks completely shocked at that comment. Her bottom lip trembles, but her eyes blaze at the same time.
“Now you listen here, mister.” She stabs my shoulder with a finger. “I’ve just about had it today with men thinking they can push me around. And I’m done. I’m fed up with you playing the knight in shining armor, pretending you’re swooping in to keep me safe, when all you really want to do is toss me on the bed and fuck me.”
I blink. “What?”
“That’s all you want. I turned you down, and it’s bugged you all these years, and now you want to fuck me so you can put me in my place. The least you can do is be honest about it.”
I stare at her. She stares back, breathing heavily.
I move closer to her. Her eyes widen, and she backs away. I continue to close the gap, and eventually she meets the wall behind her.
I walk until I’m right up close to her, forcing her to look up. Hot tears burn in her eyes.
“Just do it,” she whispers. “Go on. Isn’t that the point of all this? Then everything can go back to normal.”
“Nothing’s ever going to be normal again,” I say in a low voice. “When you said yes to marrying me, you changed everything. You really think one fuck is going to cure this… this fever inside me?”
I take her chin in my hand and force it up so she’s looking me in the eyes.
“This isn’t about me,” I say.
“What do you mean?”
