The dark obsession boxed.., p.82
The Dark Obsession Boxed Set, page 82
CHAPTER 15
ROMAN
The monster inside of me rose up.
I didn’t want to treat her this way. She’d forced my hand.
If she had said yes, we would be celebrating this very moment in our future marriage bed. I would have lavished her with gifts of diamonds and furs as I made love to her and hoped she conceived our son in that glorious moment. If I closed my eyes, I could almost see her beautiful blue eyes staring up at me, her silky hair fanning out in waves over the pillow. I would reach for her hand and kiss her delicate fingers as I relished the sight of my ring on her finger.
But she hadn’t said yes. I had given her another chance, and she had rejected me again.
Now she would pay.
I unbuckled my belt and ripped it through the loops of my trousers. I folded it in half and snapped the leather over my palm. “I gave you an order.”
She stayed crouched on the table like a wet kitten, shuddering and afraid.
She should be afraid. Never in my life could I remember being angrier at a human being than I was with her at this very moment.
I slapped the leather against my palm a second time. “I’m not a patient man, Aurora.”
“I’ll scream for help.”
“And none will come.”
Her shoulders slumped in defeat.
“Come on, baby. Show me your tits, like that first night we met.”
Her eyes flashed with indignant anger.
Good. I wanted her angry. I wanted her furious. Hate fucks were more satisfying when everyone was playing the game.
“You mean the first time you attacked me?”
“No, I mean the time your parents sold you to me like a piece of meat.”
She rose to her full height, crossed to one of the silver candlesticks and kicked it so hard it fell on its side, then rolled off the table to crash onto the floor. “Fuck you, Roman.”
I smirked. “Agreed, now we’re just talking price. Oh, wait, I’ve already paid for your services. If I recall, every piece of clothing on your back, every morsel you eat, and that soft bed you sleep in are all provided by me.”
Her eyes widened. “Take it all back then, asshole.”
She ripped at the fastening of her skirt. It fell over her hips to pool at her feet. She kicked it toward me. She was now standing in only a bra and a scrap of lace for panties with a pair of leather boots that reached just over her knees.
She was glorious in her indignant, incandescent rage.
Goddammit. This woman was going to be my wife if I had to become the devil himself to make it happen.
With each day that passed, she was becoming bolder and more empowered, able to take me on like no other woman had ever tried. I had seen it all in her eyes the first time I had finally stood in her presence. She may be young, but there was fire and intelligence there. She would make a spectacular mother for my children.
But first, I needed to prove to her I was still in charge.
This was my game, not hers, and there would be only one winner… me.
I leaned low and with my right arm, I swept her legs, knocking her off her feet.
She screamed as she fell.
I caught her in my arms before her pert little backside could connect with the hard surface of the table. I then flipped her body over my shoulder and carried her kicking and screaming across the room.
She beat her fists against my back. “Put me down!”
I stood her on her feet, but before she could react, I turned her around to face the wall. I snatched one of her narrow wrists in my hand and stretched her arm up high. Draping my belt over my shoulder, I used one of the gold tasseled ropes that dangled from the ancient tapestries to secure her wrist.
“What are you doing? Stop!” She pulled on the trapped wrist, but my knot stayed firm.
While she was distracted, I grabbed her other wrist and did the same, wrapping the thick gold rope around her wrist several times.
“This isn’t funny, Roman. Release me now.”
“What’s the matter, baby girl? Don’t enjoy playing the whore anymore?”
“Let me go!”
I fisted her hair and wrenched her head back to growl into her ear, “Never.”
I then pulled the leather belt from my shoulder and raised my arm. She was facing the wall, so she’d never see the strike coming. I swung my arm and struck her in the center of her ass cheeks.
Aurora screamed as her knees buckled from the shock. The gold ropes held her upright.
I swung my arm again, striking her across the tops of her thighs. I watched her cheeks clenching as she bounced up and down on her toes, whimpering. I waited until she unclenched to whip her again with the belt. The cream lace of her panties only highlighted how her ass was now turning a delicious red from my ministrations.
“I hate you,” she screamed as she yanked helplessly at the ropes around her wrists.
I pressed my body up against hers. “Let’s see if that’s true.”
I pushed my hand between her open thighs. My fingers rubbed the silk of her panties, teasing her pussy. The soft silk was drenched.
She sniffed. “It means nothing.”
“It means you like feeling the bite of my belt on your skin. It means this pretty pussy wants my cock. Admit it.”
She refused to answer. As punishment, I struck her with my belt several more times until her ass was an angry, warm red. Tossing the leather aside, I unzipped my trousers and pulled out my cock. Rubbing my fist up and down the thick length, I positioned myself behind her. I lowered my knees to place the head of my cock at her entrance. I pushed in, but only to the crest of the head. Clenching my teeth, I broke out into a sweat, restraining myself from thrusting to the hilt into her tight heat.
I fisted her hair and turned her head to the side. I sank my teeth into her delicate earlobe. “Beg me to marry you.”
“No.”
“I’m warning you, Aurora. Say it, now.”
She hesitated.
I pushed in another inch. She groaned low in her throat.
“Say it, baby girl. Say you’ll be my wife and I’ll lay the whole goddamn world at your feet.”
She inhaled a shaky breath. “I can’t.”
I whispered harshly in her ear, “Then just remember, you asked for this.”
I thrust in deep as I shoved her body against the wall. I spread my fingers and pressed them to the back of her skull as I pinned her. I shoved my cock into her body, a man possessed. I wanted to fuck her into submission. I wanted her crumpled at my feet, begging for mercy.
I wanted her to say yes.
Her body clenched around my shaft as I pounded into her, each thrust more frenzied than the last. I shoved my hand between her body and the wall, sliding it down over her stomach to her open thighs. My fingers pushed her panties aside to tease her clit.
“Oh, God!” she moaned.
I repeatedly flicked her clit with the tips of my fingers, matching the rhythm of my thrusts as my balls lifted and my cock lengthened. I was so fucking close. I kissed and sucked the side of her neck as my release built.
Aurora’s fingers clawed at the tapestry, her entire body tensing. I leaned low and thrust upward, going in hard and deep. She cried out. I knew she was coming. I waited until her last tremor faded before I finally gave in to my own release.
I thrust several more times before pulling out at the last possible second. I released my seed onto her lower back. I didn’t want her conceiving my child until my ring was on her finger.
I pulled on the knots securing her wrists. Her arms fell uselessly to her sides.
I then turned and crossed back to the dining table. I lifted my coffee cup to my lips and swallowed several gulps of the now cold, bitter brew. I watched with detachment as Aurora shook out her arms and stepped into her wrinkled skirt, pulling it over her hips.
She then gathered up the remnants of her blouse and held them protectively over her chest. “What happens now?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Now? Now I go to work, and you practice your piano. Your new teacher arrives in a fortnight, and I want you prepared.”
Aurora pushed a tendril of hair lining her tearstained cheek behind her ear. “You know that’s not what I mean.”
I returned my cup to the saucer and approached her. She turned her head to the side, avoiding eye contact. I placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face to mine. “How about this for an answer, then? You are going to continue living under my roof, eating my food, and spreading those pretty thighs whenever I demand it, until I decide what I want to do with you.”
I released her and walked toward the door.
Aurora called out over her shoulder without turning. “I’ll leave.”
The corner of my mouth lifted. “I’m sure by now you know what I’m capable of. Try it and see what happens.” I rapped my knuckles several times against the door panel. In seconds, the latch released, and the doors pushed open. The servant bowed and then quickly disappeared.
I spared one last glance at Aurora as she stood helplessly in the center of the room. “I dare you,” I warned, before crossing the threshold into the dark hallway.
CHAPTER 16
AURORA
Ilooked over my shoulder for the thousandth time as I made my way to Trafalgar Square. I couldn’t see anyone, but just in case, I deliberately swerved in and out of the crowds of Londoners and tourists. Casting yet another glance around me, I headed up the grand stone staircase that led to the National Gallery.
I made my way to the room that held Delarouche’s The Execution of Lady Jane Grey. I scanned the room. Eleanor wasn’t here yet. I sat on the padded bench in front of the massive painting and put my earbuds in. As I listened to Paloma Faith’s ’Only Love Can Hurt Like This,’ I tapped the deep bass rhythm on my thigh while staring at the painting.
Poor Lady Jane, she looked so scared and helpless as she reached blindly for the chopping block. She was wearing a beautiful pearl silk dress. Its painted folds seemed to shimmer in the dim light. It looked like a wedding dress. As I listened to the somnolent tune, I thought of the symbolism and parallels in my own life. Her innocence, her blindfold, the wedding dress, and her inevitable downfall and death.
I shivered and rubbed my upper arms.
Just then, someone tapped me on the shoulder.
I cried out in surprise as I pulled the earbuds out of my ears.
A nearby security guard gave me a nasty glare. I mouthed I’m sorry, before turning to hug Eleanor.
“Jesus Christ, you’re jumpy!” she exclaimed as she took a seat on the bench next to me.
I frowned. “You would be too if you’d had the morning I did.”
“So what the hell happened last night? I showed up and some dour-faced butler turned me away. He refused to let me even speak to you.”
I winced. “I’m really sorry about that.”
She placed a concerned hand on my knee. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”
I hadn’t given Eleanor any details, only begged her to come and get me.
I bit my lip, unsure where to begin or even how much I wanted to tell her. Once again, I searched my surroundings. It wasn’t like Roman had forbidden me to leave the house. He had just warned me not to leave him. There was nothing wrong with me wanting to go to a museum and visit with my closest friend since childhood. So then why did I feel like I was breaking one of his unwritten rules?
I squirmed in my seat, still feeling the sting from his punishment earlier.
It was a harsh warning.
“Roman proposed to me.”
Eleanor cried out and wrapped her arms around my neck. She rocked us back and forth, saying, “Oh, my God, congratulations. Holy shit! You’re going to be a duchess!”
The security guard cleared his throat and glared even more fiercely at us. I grabbed Eleanor’s hand and led her out of the gallery. We walked the halls of the museum as I tried to explain. “For starters, he’s not actually a duke. That’s his brother, Richard. The media just calls him the Bastard Duke. Second, there’s nothing to congratulate me for.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
I bit my lip again. “I said no.”
“You said what?”
“I said no.”
“Are you crazy?”
“There are a thousand reasons why marrying Roman would be a terrible idea.”
“Yeah, and I can think of a couple billion reasons why it’s a great idea.”
“You can’t honestly think I’d marry a man just for his money?”
She shrugged. “Why not? It was good enough for both of our mothers.” She then gasped. She hugged me from the side. “Oh, God, I’m an asshole. I forgot. I’m so sorry.”
I waved aside her apology. I was hardly broken up over my mother’s death. I couldn’t fault Eleanor for not being more sensitive.
We found another bench in a deserted smaller gallery. Under the disapproving glares of long-dead aristocrats, we continued our conversation in harsh tones.
Eleanor leaned in. “It’s not like you’d be marrying him only for his money. There’s also his big cock.”
My cheeks burned. “I told you about that in confidence.”
She smirked. “Yeah, and I’m confident that if that gorgeous piece of super rich man meat had asked me to marry him, I’d be down on my knees sucking his big cock in gratitude.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re impossible.”
Eleanor adjusted her seat and turned to face me more directly. “Okay, all kidding aside. Let’s look at the facts.” She ticked off her fingers one at a time. “Fact, he stood up for you against your ghoulish stepfather. Fact, he rescued you from possible near-death after you got sick staying in that dreadful apartment. Fact, he’s paying for you to have one-on-one tutoring by some of the best musicians in the world. Fact, he showers you in gifts and attention and gives you anything you want. What am I missing here?”
I pursed my lips as I spread my fingers and ticked off my own points. “Fact, I’m still not convinced he wasn’t somehow involved in my stepfather’s embezzlement and my almost being arrested for his and my mother’s murder. Fact, he stole my entire inheritance, which is why I was stuck in that dreadful hole of an apartment. Fact, he’s only paying for tutors after burning all my bridges for attending university in France. Fact, I don’t give a damn about all his gifts. I want his—”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “Cock?”
“Love!”
She shrugged again. “It’s overrated. Love fades. Money lasts.”
“That’s a terrible thing to say.”
“Well, who’s to say he doesn’t love you? He proposed, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, but he didn’t say he loved me.”
“So? Don’t you watch movies or read romance novels? Men suck at saying I love you. It’s like a whole thing with them.”
“What if he doesn’t love me?”
She waved her hand in my direction. “Who couldn’t love you? You’re adorable and hot as fuck.”
“I’m being serious.”
“So am I. Do you have any idea the type of woman Roman Winterbourne has dated? Stunning models, princesses. I think there was even a female royal fighter pilot in there somewhere in his twenties. He never proposed to any of them, did he?”
Holy shit. She had a point.
“You don’t think I’m too young to get married? Or that he’s too old for me?”
It was Eleanor’s turn to roll her eyes. “You can’t be serious. You know what the boys our age are like. You can’t honestly prefer one of them to an intelligent, sophisticated gentleman who knows the proper fork to use at dinner and doesn’t belch the alphabet to impress you.”
I gave her a playful slap on the upper arm. “Stop making sense.”
She draped her arm around me and rested her head on my shoulder. “What are besties for?”
“Still, you don’t know what he can be like. He’s very… controlling and domineering and seriously possessive.”
“That’s just because it’s still new. He’ll mellow out.”
I laughed so hard I snorted. Just the very idea of Roman mellowing out was hilariously ludicrous. That was like saying the sun would dim or a tornado was just a little breeze.
“I know you are making sense, but I just don’t think I could go through with it. Part of me wants to say yes, but a way bigger, more rational part of me wants to run for the hills.”
“Then run.”
I stared at Eleanor. She continued, “I think you’d be making a mistake, but this is your life, not mine. If you want to run, then run. I’ll help you escape. I have money.”
I shook my head. “I already took money from you. I can’t take more.”
“You can and you will. I’ll just tell my parents I need a new car or something stupid for them to buy my affection once again.”
I shook my head again. “No. I’ll just pawn one of the diamond necklaces Roman gave me.”
She rolled her eyes and pushed out her lips to mimic the selfie duck lip photos. “Oh… you’ll just pawn one of the diamond necklaces he gave you, dahhhrrrlling.”
I gave her a small shove. “Stop. Okay, I know how that sounded.”
“In all seriousness, what’s the plan? Are you staying or leaving?”
I played with one earbud on my lap. “I haven’t decided, but I want to keep my options open.”
She nodded. “Smart. Pawn the necklace and hide the cash. If you decide it’s too much and you want to get away, text me a code word and I’ll drive over to get you. We won’t make the same mistake as last night. I’ll wait for you by the bridge at the end of the lane, near that copse of trees, so I’ll be hidden from the house.”
My eyes widened. “You’re good at this.”
“It’s my hidden talent. If only a man wanted to chase me so I could put it to good use!”
“Trust me, it’s overrated. So what is our code word?”
She thought for a minute. “Diamonds.”
I laughed. “You’re an ass.”
