AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I let his words sink in and feel the honesty and earnestness behind them. When it’s clear I don’t know what to say in return, he adds, “If you’ll let me.”
Finneas Fox is not a good man, but he ismyman. “Okay.”
He fights a small smile, and there’s a hint of hope in his eyes that I haven’t seen before. “Okay.”
It’s almost a relief when the intense moment is broken by Roan shouting, “Go get your fucking shuttle-dick!”
“It’s a shuttlecock, you dumbass,” Lochlan hollers back, and both Finn and I break into laughter. The smile on my face feels good and right, and the man in front of me feels good and right.
“Your brothers are ridiculous.” I laugh.
He shakes his head. “Fucking clowns.”
Chapter 18
Actions and Consequences
Effie
Whatareyousupposedto say to the man whose son you killed?
I guess I will find out soon. The car to take us to the charity gala should be arriving any minute. In a way, I’m relieved it’s almost time. I’ve been so anxious about tonight, and running into the governor, that I’ve been on the verge of throwing up all day.
I’m ready on time, all that’s left is for Finn to help me into my dress. It’s a gorgeous strapless, form-fitting dress in heavy, emerald satin, with a daring slit in the back and a large playful bow that covers my entire back. We’re at his condo in June Harbor, so I walk down the hallway to his suite from the guest bedroom I’ve been using to get ready in.
I find him in a walk-in closet easily three times as big as the bathroom at the barn. His back is to me, and his white dress shirt is at his elbows, his strong, capped shoulders bare. He’s not even halfway dressed. “Finneas, I can’t believe you’re not dressed yet,” I whine, anxiety coursing through me.
He turns slowly, tongue in cheek and gives me a lazy look up and down. His gaze rakes my skin and my stomach flutters. “That’s rich coming from someone in nothing but lingerie.”
“I need you to help me with my dress. The car will be here any minute.”
He slowly shrugs his shirt over his shoulders. “You’ll wait for me, the car can wait for us.”
“Why are you being so fucking difficult?” He only replies with a smug coolness. “Jesus Christ, come to my room whenever yourhighnessdecides he’s done making everyone else wait on him.”
I storm back around. My palms sweat and my heart rate increases.1
A heavy hand grips the back of my neck and tugs me back. Finn spins me around and gets so close our noses nearly touch. “We’ve been playing a sweet game of house lately, but you’re dancing with fire. Do I need to remind you the kind of man I am?”
His eyes darken intensely, and his dominant display is making me feel something other than stress for the first time all day. My heart thumps against my sternum, and I can’t help but push him, riding the high of a small reprieve from the anxiety. “We don’t have time for that either.”
“The moment you became my wife is the moment you stopped letting anyone or anything else dictate your life. The car will wait. The gala will wait. And the governor? He can kiss your fucking feet.”
“That’s not how the world works, Finn.” I bite back. “Point A, I’m married toyou.”I shove him in the chest. His hands clamp down around mine on his bare chest. I feel his heart pound under my palms.
“You’re right. And as your husband, it’s my responsibility to get you out of your head.”
He whips me around and bends me over the island of drawers in the middle of the closet. My cheek presses against the cool glass top. He hums in my ear and his breath sends chills down my spine. “Don’t move an inch.”
The island is taller than my hips, so I’m stretched on my toes to lay flat. He releases my neck and grabs a tie from the drawer. “Hands.”
I bring my arms behind my back, and he ties them with the silky material.
I test the restraint, and the next thing I know a blinding pain is burning across my ass. I gasp, too shocked for words. The sting is so good I instantly crave more. He trails a finger up my spine. “I told you not to move. From now on, every time you fidget even the slightest bit, you’ll earn another one. Do you understand?”
Fuck me,I know I should be pissed, but instead my body raises ten degrees, and my inner thighs slicken.
“I understand.” Immediately I want to defy him, move just to spite him. And to get his hands back on me, because when he’s touching me, I finally feel like I can breathe.
