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“He’s that controlling?”
The woman’s lips sealed together, and embarrassment rolled over Shakarri. It must be obvious to all of Ezio’s closest staff why he married her. No one must think they married for love. Not when she put her foot in her mouth like just now.
“I’m fine, thanks.” She took a seat, and the other woman left her alone.
A full fifteen minutes later, Ezio strode through the door. She stood with a hand on her hip. “You made me wait, but you were mad when I did it to you.”
He crooked a finger at her while he shut the door. She walked over to him, and Ezio crushed her to his chest to devour her lips. Dizziness assailed her, and she clung to him, enjoying his touch. All too soon, he released her and moved to his desk. Shakarri followed like a confused little puppy and then shook her head to clear it.
Ezio opened a drawer and removed a pair of scissors from inside. She wondered if he planned to cut up the pages he just brought in from his meeting. A long arm shot out, and he drew her closer. She didn’t resist because she liked kissing him. He traced his mouth along the line of her throat, and she tilted her head back to let him have his way.
Something scraped, and she figured out it was the sound of the scissors opening and closing. Gasping, she jerked away from him and looked down to discover he had cut straight up one leg of her shorts, revealing too much of her thigh.
“What do you think you’re doing?” On reflex she smacked him hard across his cheek. Red stained the area, and Ezio’s blue eyes snapped in anger.
He held up the scissors and placed them on the desk. “I asked you to choose between the outfits I set aside for you.”
“And I told you I don’t need you choosing my clothes!”
“You’re free to wear those shorts to lunch.”
She covered her thigh. “You know I’m not leaving here like this. I don’t know how they do things in Italy, but here a man doesn’t try to control everything his wife does. It’s called trust.”
He offered a dry laugh. “Trust? Our relationship isn’t based on trust. It’s based on—”
She held up a hand. “Please, don’t say it again. I never thought I’d hate a word so much. Ezio, you need to stop trying to handle me. I’m not the kind of woman you’re used to. Not like your employees or your family. I’m going to control me and mine. That doesn’t mean I won’t lay down whenever and how ever often you want.”
His gaze flicked to her thigh. “You assume your body is all I want.”
“Isn’t it?”
“No, and there are certain standards I expect. I explained everything to you in the presence of my lawyer. I paid for your solicitor as well. Everything was outlined to you.”
“Nowhere did the paperwork say you could cut up my clothes!”
“Call it a whim.”
“Call it insane. I’m leaving. You can have Lucca take me, or I can catch a taxi.”
He sat down on the edge of his desk and folded his arms over his chest. They had a staring contest for a few minutes, and Shakarri swung away to head for the door.
“You walk out and I will sue you for breach of contract.”
Pain exploded in her temple when she faced him. “No judge in his right mind would side with you.”
“Is that the chance you want to take?”
Her throat went dry. When she didn’t speak, he pushed off the desk and approached her. She checked him over carefully to be sure he didn’t bring the scissors with him. Ezio pointed to a closed door on his right.
“Through there is a closet. Inside is something for you to wear. Through the other one is a bathroom, or you can change in the closet. It’s big enough.”
She gasped. “You’re kidding?”
“I anticipated that you would continue to fight me, so I brought it along. I have an important client to meet today, one who happens to appreciate the form of a beautiful black woman. With you on my arm, I will be sure to get his business.”
“So you’re using me.”
“As you are using me,” he agreed.
