I crossed my arms, not wanting to get into an argument with him in front of my friends, all of whom were now staring at us, their eyes wide, their mouths hanging open.
He turned to them. “She’s only eighteen. Did you know that?”
Lila, Audrey, and Diane all shook their head in unison, looking like chastised children. Diane glanced toward the bouncers, probably checking to see if they were heading over.
“We’re going,” Stefan told me.
“I want to stay,” I said, holding my ground, but when I looked back at my friends I could see they all had wide eyes.
“Maybe you should go,” Lila said apologetically. “Especially if you’re not twenty-one.”
I was furious. Furious at Stefan for ruining my night and furious at the girls for letting him boss them around. Grabbing my bag, I stomped out of the club. Stefan followed behind me. Once we were outside, I turned to confront him.
It was cold, but I barely noticed. My anger and humiliation kept me warm.
“How did you get into that club?” he asked before I could say anything.
“How did you find me?” I demanded right back.
I hadn’t told anyone where I was going, and hadn’t used his driver for that exact reason. Was he having me followed?
“I asked first,” he said, crossing his arms.
There was no arguing when he got like this.
“I have a fake ID,” I told him. “Like most teenagers in America. My friend got it for me when I was seventeen, but I never used it before.”
“And they let you in with that? Unbelievable,” he said. “Let me see it.”
I dug around in my bag and handed it over.
“Great,” he said, pocketing it. “Tonight was also the last time you’ll ever use it.”
My mouth dropped open. “That’s not yours,” I told him.
“Report me to the police,” he shot back. “I’m sure they’ll be happy to help you get your illegal fake ID back from your husband.”
I was furious but I knew he was right.
“How did you find me here?” I asked again, knowing that he owed me that at least.
“I put a tracking app on your phone,” he said, turning and walking away from me.
“What?” I hurried to catch up.
“After your little stunt in Europe, I knew I couldn’t trust you,” he said. “So I had it added to your phone so I’d know where you are at all times.”
“You have no right!” I nearly shouted at him.
He turned, stopping me in my tracks. “I have every right. I pay the phone bill,” he said. “In fact, I pay for everything you have. Everything you want.Anythingyou want. And as your husband, I need to be able to know where you are and make sure you’re safe.”
“That’s not fair,” I said. “I never know where you are.”
“We’re going home,” he told me, but I didn’t budge. It was freezing, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going anywhere with him.
Without pausing, Stefan grabbed my arm and nearly dragged me to the waiting Town Car. I could feel the anger radiating off of him. I didn’t know what he would do when we were alone, but the moment the car door closed, he yanked me toward him.
And kissed me.
The kiss was harsh and unrelenting and undeniably hot. His tongue thrusted aggressively, as if he were claiming me with his mouth. His hands were everywhere, palming my ass, tugging my nipples, pulling my hair. I groaned into his mouth and kissed him back. But the moment I did, he pulled away from me. We were both breathing hard.
“I need to know where you are at all times,” he said. “You’re my responsibility. Don’t ever disappear like that again.” Then he turned away, facing his window.
We drove back to the condo in silence. When we got there, he went into the bathroom and slammed the door behind him. I undressed and crawled into bed, waiting, but when he joined me he didn’t reach for me. Didn’t try to finish what we had started in the car.
I was confused, lying there in the dark. What did this all mean? He had been worried about me. That much was clear.
Was it because he considered me his belonging?
Or because he actually cared?
