I run toward my cousin to help her out, but he wraps an arm around my waist, goes back through the sliding glass door, locks it, and carries me back to his car.
No one speaks for the entire short ride home. When we arrive, I run out of the car and try to lock him in the garage, but he pushes the door before I can finish.
“Don’t you ever touch my dog.” I knock down his finger, but I don’t cower. I stand tall and look into his eyes.
“My dog,” I state.
“Like hell.”
“My dog.” I lower my voice. “My. Fucking. Dog. You gave her to me.”
“You delusional little liar. I would give you away before I’d give my dog to anyone.”
“In a room full of guests, you said everything you own is now mine, and that includes Finch. I gavemydog to Selene.”
“Selene’s body will wash up in the river before that happens. Finch is—”
“Finch is property,sweetheart. In the eyes of the law, that’s what she is. And since you gave me all your property, she’s mine. Just like this house is mine, and I want you out of it. I don’t want you here. Leave my dog.”
He throws his head back and laughs like a deranged maniac.
“You are one evil woman.” He gets in my face. “Make me go.” I don’t move. “Thought so.”
He whistles, and the dog follows him out of my sight and up the stairs. I let out a breath of relief, and after counting to one hundred, I go to the bedroom.
The room is empty, and I’m grateful that he’s sleeping somewhere else tonight. After a hot shower, I put on a short silk robe and step into the bedroom. I lose a step when I see him lying on top of the bedspread in a pair of pajama pants and nothing else. I lick my lips at the sight of his exposed abs.
“What the hell are you doing in here?”
“I’m sleeping in my bed, in my house. What the fuck do you think I’m doing?”
“Oh, yeah? Are you going to give up the dick? That’s all you’re good for. That and being a shifty crook.” I wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole, but I know the dig will hurt.
“Witches like you who hurt innocent puppies don’t deserve dick.”
I scoff. “Ain’t nobody want your old, shriveled up dick. You look like someone’s grandpa in those ugly ass pajama pants.”
He scoffs, but doesn’t answer. He takes the remote and channel surf. I open my robe and slowly roll it off my shoulders before I drop it to the floor.
His body doesn’t move, but his eyes dart from the television to my naked body. I thrust my breasts forward and saunter into the room, ensuring that my hips swing from side to side. He licks his lips before biting the bottom one.
I make sure to walk past him, give him my back, and pick up the body lotion on the nightstand.
“Oops.” I drop it to the floor and bend down to pick it up. I stick my ass as far as I can, and shake it while I pretend not to be able to grasp the bottle. Once I have it, I face him, and his eyes land on my breasts.
I take my time and put lotion over my chest, paying special attention to my breasts. When I get to my legs, I prop one on the bed, and he gets a clear view of my pussy. He exhales and makes a strained noise in the back of his throat.
The crotch of his pajama pants rises. I arch an eyebrow at him, and he clumsily covers it with a pillow. I take my time and ensure my legs and inner thighs are well moisturized. Once I’m done, I lie on top of the bed, still completely nude, and reach for a paperback I keep on my nightstand.
I do my best to ignore him, but I notice he inches closer to me. I move as far away from him without falling off the bed.
“Maybe I can forgive you if you apologize.” The man has audacity to last for days. “It’s cruel to pretend to have feelings for someone. I’ve done nothing but worship you since—”
“Since when?” I ask, interrupting whatever nonsense was about to spew from his mouth. “Since you kidnapped an innocent woman off the streets?”
“Innocent, my ass,” he scoffs.
“Since you blackmailed me into a marriage because you have to have everything your way?”
