That earns me a gasp and she spins in the gravel again. “You’re supposed to propose first and maybe, if you’re lucky and don’t keep on pissing me off, I’ll say yes.”
“I’ll drop on one knee right now if you want me to,kroshka.”
“What if I said tomorrow?”
“To marry? Or for me to propose?”
“To marry!”
“I’d say we can hold the service tomorrow but you’ll still have to arrange a wedding in the city.” When her shoulders slump, I run my fingers along the line of her jaw. “I’ve made great strides in hiding my role in the Forgotten Boys from the bulk of society, Victoria.”For you. “Legitimizing my position means that there are expectations.”
“Since when do you live up to those?”
“Since forever. Being a leader involves more give and take than I think you imagine.”
“You want to make a statement.”
“In a way.”
“What statement?”
“That you belong to me. That you’re mine.”
“So, nothing to do with business then?” she drawls.
I tsk. “What did I tell you earlier?”
She huffs. “Yeah, yeah.I am your business.”
“Precisely. I’m glad we understand each other.”
“Are there beds inside?”
“I won’t fuck you. Not until you’re my wife.”
“My body, my choice,jerk.”
“What can I say? I’m a traditionalist.”
“What if I’m not a virgin?”
“It’s still the first night I’ll call you mine in every way under the moon. Nobody will ever take you from me.”
“You want to own me,” she falters.
“No, I want to make sure no one else can.”
Her shoulders slump again. “You rile me up and then say sweet shit. It’s so annoying. Grr, why do I even like you? And don’t ask me if I’m bored. No. I’m not. Jackass.”
I slide my fingers around the back of her neck and haul her into me.
Her arms immediately wrap around my waist.
Unsurprisingly, she breaksdown.
Her sobs fuel my rage like little else can, but I hold her through the storm.
Whatever she expected tonight, it didn’t include murder.
