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Her husband stepped across the threshold, and she rounded on him. “Do you mind? I’m trying to get dressed here.”
“Never,” he said in a low, threatening tone, “lock my bedroom door against me.”
She made a sound of disgust. “Your door? I have a right to my privacy.”
He moved closer, and she couldn’t help stumbling backward a little. She mentally kicked herself for her cowardice. Ezio took another step to close the gap between them. “You’re my wife. There is no privacy between us.”
“Look, I don’t have time for you. I have to…run a few errands this morning.” Her hand shook a bit when she reached for a blouse.
Ezio flicked her hand away from the garment and insinuated his bulky form between her and the rack. She had no choice but to back up a step.
“Why did you lock the door, Shakarri?”
She stared at him. “Move.”
“Why did you lock the door?”
She dared to look into his eyes. He was pissed all right, but his hands were at his sides, not balled into fists. It didn’t look like he was doing his best not to hit her. Perhaps it didn’t even enter his mind to do so. Her own anger skyrocketed when she realized she didn’t have to be afraid of him.
“Why do you think? Don’t come in here acting all innocent like you don’t know what’s going on.”
“I’m not aware that I’ve ever behaved innocent in my life.”
She pressed her lips together, holding back a laugh. Yeah, he was probably born a dominant jerk who demanded he get his baby food when and how he liked it.
“You know what I mean,” he grumbled. “Explain.”
“Am I supposed to yip in obedience right here?”
“If you’re afraid to tell me, you can be assured I’m a reasonable man.”
“Since when? And who’s afraid of you?” She walked around him and started flinging through clothes on the hangers. The metal scraping over metal gave her a sense of satisfaction. “You just want to live by double standards, and I’m not having it.”
He covered her hand to stop the noise and waited. She tried to pull away. His grip tightened, and she faced him.
“If you think I’m going to sit by while your lover stays here, you’re wrong. You can sue me all you want, but I’ll leave you. Today. Right now! I’m not going to deal with that kind of humiliation. I’m a person in case you didn’t realize in the midst of all your spewing out orders!”
His eyes narrowed. “Who told you Madison is my lover?”
“Does it matter?”
“Just because she spent the night doesn’t mean I slept with her.”
He wasn’t denying that she was his lover. Shakarri felt sick again. She asked herself why she should care if he slept with the woman. They were nothing but business partners in essence. She married him for money and him for a baby. Her stomach rolled over, and she swallowed. No way in the world was he going to know she was sick.
“I don’t care about your excuses,” she said. “Do what you want, because you can be sure I’m going to do what I want to.”
“So you’re threatening to leave again? Is that it?”
“You’re not going to deny she’s your lover?” Stupid, stupid, stupid. Shut up. You don’t care.
“Don’t you know if your husband slept beside you last night?”
Embarrassment washed over her. “Whatever. Forget it. Two can play your game, Ezio. I might not be in a position to leave now, but I don’t have to be faithful if you don’t. Come to think of it, I don’t remember that clause being in our contract.”
He swore and reached for her. She darted away and ran out of the closet. If she had to, she’d wear what she wore the day before and change after he had left the house. Right now she needed some air.
In the bedroom, she snatched up the clothes she had tossed aside the night before. She realized she had already begun to be spoiled in the short time she lived at the mansion. When she threw her clothes aside, they always disappeared the next morning. A maid straightened her room and made her bed every day.
