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I scream, placing a hand over my heart. “Don’t sneak up on a girl!” My heartbeat pounds inside my chest.
“Can you help with our daughter while I bring the food to the kitchen?” I smile, trying to act like nothing is wrong as I walk away. “It’s so nice you’re home early.”
“Is it?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” I call to the other room, placing my shaky hands on the counter.
He walks into the kitchen without Capree. “She’s buckled in her swing, safe,” he explains while taking the containers out of the paper bag. “Where were you?”
I give him a smile and start taking out the utensils to busy my jittery hands. “I stopped off at my gallery to check on things, since it’s been a while, and then I thought I’d treat us to some Thai food.”
“How is your gallery?” He takes out two plates before leaning on the counter, waiting for my answer. His eyes watch me closely, and I feel each of my movements being scrutinized.
Anxiety slithers its way around my heart. The temperature in the room rises, and I can feel myself sweat.
He knows I’m lying.
No, he doesn’t.
I swallow down my fear before answering. “It needs some work, but not bad, considering I’ve been gone for almost a year.”
“Huh” is all he says.
“How was your day?” I look up, and he has a scowl on his face. I force myself to breathe, my hand going to rub my chest, but I stop it midway.
He rounds the counter and comes toward me, the look on his face scaring me, and I take a step back.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice gravelly as his hand braces on the counter, his knuckles turning white. The muscle of his jaw clenches and releases over and over again. With each breath, his nostrils flare. How can a man be so intimidating and so hot all at the same time?
I have no voice to answer his question.
His eyes narrow, feeling like he’s looking into my soul. His lips are pressed into a thin line, before he calmly growls, “I see your family forgot to tell you they auctioned off your gallery. It no longer exists.”
My heart plummets as my eyes slowly rise to meet his. He looks like a caged animal that’s trying to get out. This must be the look he uses to terrify his enemies, but I know I’m not in danger.
That thought has me feeling powerful.
“I went home to see my family,” I confess.
“Have I not kept my word to you, Katrina?” His hand pulls me to his strong chest. It feels safe. I’ve never felt so protected by someone in my life. I want to tell him that and more, but how can I trust him if he refuses to trust me with his daughter?
Giving my trust over to him is as big a deal as signing my soul away. What if he ends up betraying me? He could hurt me more than anyone. I’ve made so many mistakes in the past. I carelessly gave everything I had, only to be used. I can’t risk that yet. I’m too scared of the consequences if something goes wrong. I have a daughter now. I have to protect her, even if it means caging my heart.
“I don’t take to liars very well.” He’s staring down at me.
Oh damn, why is my heart sputtering out of control?
Those deep green eyes have me questioning everything.
“You could punish me,” I say on an exhale.
He moistens his lips as he considers my suggestion. “You’re not leaving me many options. I can’t fuck you into submission yet. Six weeks, right? And it’s only been one.”
Why does that still sound so good though? My nerves trail down my body to between my legs, while his eyes don’t even blink. My mind conjures up a bunch of other punishments that don’t actually punish me in any way. I haven’t eventhoughtabout sex since giving birth, and now all I wish is that I could have lots and lots of it.
“I can still hurt your family.”
“Why would you do that? You have me. I won’t lie to you again.” Omitting something isn’t technically the same as lying.
