AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Don’t interrupt me.” My tone is level, but deadly.
She steps back and lowers her gaze. “Sorry.”
“As I was saying, I will send for Cassandra within the week. Have her ready. She will be my bride and live with me at my estate. If she chooses to see you, she may. If she chooses not to, then you will honor her request.” I turn to leave.
“The money?” Selene follows me into the posh-for-1976 foyer.
“I’ll wire a generous sum when I come to claim her. What you do after that is up to you.”
* * *
I scoop her into my arms. She protests, her little hands forming into fists and pummeling me.
“It’s tradition.” I carry her over the threshold, then set her on her feet. “Welcome home.”
“How many people live here?” Cassandra steps away from me, her gaze going all over the foyer, down the wings, and straight ahead through the glass windows that give a view of the lighted pool.
“You and me. Eventually our children.”
She scoffs. “Not happening.”
“Maybe not right away, no.” I won’t pressure her into children, though I must admit I want them. But those decisions are ones we’ll make together.
“Never.”
I let her have the last word. For now. “My associates stay in the guest house behind the pool.”
“You mean your goons?”
“A man like me has many enemies.” I shrug. “Money and success breed jealousy, and there’s always someone out there who wants what I have.” I give her a long look. “It will be even worse now that I have you.”
“Don’t worry.” She grins. “You won’t have me for long. You’ll be dead.”
“You still plan on murdering me?” I don’t doubt she’ll try. But I also felt the way she clutched me, the way she responded to my kiss, her body heating as her tongue danced with mine. Her mind and body are in a disagreement, but I’ve been quite adept at dividing and conquering my entire life.
“Yep, you’re a dead man walking.” She struts forward, her hands on her hips. “But I’ll like living here without you. I’ll keep it nice, so don’t fret about that.”
“Thank you.” I gesture toward the stairs. “Would you like to see our room?”
“Not a chance.” She scowls.
It’s an act. I can see her so clearly, the dark heart that struggles for freedom. She’s been caged until now, her mind and body encased in the life her parents created for her. I want to set her free, but she has to give me a chance before that will happen. But I can be patient … and cunning.
“Well, then.” I stride toward the curving staircase. “I suppose I’ll see how Ms. Kittles is faring without you.”
“She’s up there?” She cranes her neck back to look at the second-floor landing.
“In our room. Yes.”
“Bastard.” She stalks past me and hurries up the stairs.
I follow.
When I reach the top, she whirls and shoves me with all her might.
I easily hold my ground and grab her wrists. “Bold, my darling vixen. A broken neck on the staircase would have been rather convenient.” I yank her to me, her surprised mouth open as I taste her again.
She scratches at my chest, her nails doing no damage as I grip her ass, my hands molding to the satin, and lift her. Her little moan is all the urging I need, and I stride toward our bedroom. She will be mine tonight, and I will use every dirty trick I know to make it happen.
