Page 150 of Marrying the Savage

Her face heats again, and because I’m not a good man, I let my gaze move over her torn dress, the hint of breast still visible where the fabric refuses to close, the bare skin of her throat, the slight tremor in her thighs she’s pretending I can’t see.

“Then I will not glare,” I say.

Her lips part.

I step closer, lowering my voice. “I will approve.”

“I refuse to buy underwear with you standing there like a criminal judge.”

“Then you will buy dresses, and Marina will buy the rest.”

Her eyes narrow again, calculating.

That is the moment I should pay attention. Instead, I’m thinking about Sofia in lace she chose herself. Sofia in silk that never touched another woman. Sofia in colors that don’t carry grief. Sofia standing in front of a mirror, pretending not to watch my face while I imagine taking every new piece off her with my teeth.

“Yes. Fine. Tomorrow afternoon. Secure place. Marina. Guards. You, unfortunately.”

“You agreed quickly.”

“I’m tired.”

“You are never too tired to argue.”

“I just had sex against a wall and then discussed your dead wife’s wardrobe. I believe I’ve earned a shorter argument.”

I reach for her, but she steps back. “Don’t touch me right now like this conversation is finished because you decided it is.”

I lower my hand. Her eyes flicker with something like surprise. Then she hides it.

“I’m going to my room,” she says.

“Your dress is torn.”

“You did that.”

“I will walk you.”

“Absolutely not. I can manage thirty yards of hallway without male supervision.”

“With your breasts half-visible?”

She looks down. The torn dress has slipped again. She curses under her breath and yanks it shut.

I remove my jacket and hold it out. She eyes it like it may contain a trap.

“It’s a jacket, Sofia.”

“In this house, nothing is just anything.”

“Take it.”

She hesitates. Then she takes it. The jacket swallows her shoulders. It falls nearly to her thighs, black wool over torn fabric, my scent around her. My cock stirs at the sight because apparently I am no wiser after having her.

A small, dangerous smile touches her mouth. “You are very easy for a terrifying man.”

“Only with you.”

The smile disappears.