Page 43 of King of Pride

Then, in an almost casual voice, she finally said, “Mr. Carrington, I was trying to tell you that someone set all of your cars on fire at your house last night.”

Ivan’s face drained of color.

All the composure he had managed to gather over the past few minutes vanished instantly. A deep frown settled across his face as he stared at her, momentarily unable to process what he had just heard.

The girl, completely unabashed, continued in the same soft, leisurely tone.

“And the police were asking whether you wanted to press charges. I informed them that you needed some personal time and that they should call back later.”

Then she gave him a sweet, innocent smile.

“Have a nice day, sir.”

With that, she turned around and walked out, leaving Ivan standing there in stunned silence.

***

Maverick watched as Rose angrily ended the call, stabbing the hang-up button with her thumb before finally lowering the phone. She let out a frustrated huff and pushed her hair back from her face as she turned around.

She immediately stopped.

Maverick stood directly in front of her, his eyes fixed on her with an intense, unreadable expression.

Rose instinctively took a step back, startled as she finally registered how close he was.

“Why didn’t you tell him about our marriage?” he asked.

His stern gaze remained fixed on her face. He stepped closer, slowly invading her space until her back was nearly against the wall.

Rose’s heart pounded against her ribs.

She tried to laugh it off.

“I forgot. I’m not used to being married yet. I’m not used to having a husband.”

Maverick’s eyes darkened.

He reached behind her neck and drew her closer until her body pressed against his chest. His gaze remained locked with hers as he lowered his voice.

“Then I’ll make sure you remember that you’re my wife every damn day.”

Rose stared into his eyes, her heart racing.

There was nothing playful in his expression now. The seriousness in his face thrilled and frightened her at the same time, sending a strange ache through her chest.

The instant after, he closed the distance between them until Rose was pressed flat against the wall. He trapped her there, one arm winding around her waist, the other clamping the back of her head, and sank his teeth into her neck.

“Ah!” Rose winced, her nails digging into his shoulders as his hunger darkened. He licked the same spot repeatedly before hardening his bite— and then, just as fiercely, he bit the other side. She gasped in harsh breaths, pain and unwanted pleasure convulsing through her. Her body trembled; she clung to him, even as crimson marks bloomed on her skin.

When she flinched, his mouth shifted to hers. He kissed her fiercely, his tongue ripping across her lips with a ravenous need that stole her breath. He tugged her lower lip into his mouth, sucking until she trembled, then moved to her upper lip and did the same.

Every drop of wetness he could seize, he consumed, drawing moans of shock and discomfort from her throat. Within seconds, he’d asserted total control.

He was at least a foot taller than Rose. Small and unresisting, she was helpless beneath his weight. His right arm pinned her wrists above her head while his left arm curved around her waist, pressing her backside to the cold wall.

His lips tortured hers—licking, sucking, flooding her mouth with his saliva even as he stole hers. Rose’s breaths grew ragged; her heart pounded so fiercely she thought it might burst. She tried to shove at his chest, desperate for air, but he tightened his grip, his hunger only intensifying.

Finally, gathering what little strength remained, she broke free from his grasp. She stumbled, clutching at her bruised lips, and fled up the narrow spiral stairs to the first floor, her body shaking, her heart vaulting in her chest.