His body moves behind mine, heat pouring off him in waves, his breath near my ear. “You think you can lie to me and strut back in here like nothing happened? With no consequences?”
“I told you,” I snap, twisting, “I went out for gelato and got distracted by the city.”
“And I was born yesterday,” he bites back. “Try again.”
I try to wrench my arm free, but he turns me into him, our chests colliding. His other hand comes to my jaw, forcing me to look him in the eye. And I do.
God, I shouldn’t.
Because I see the storm under the surface. Fury, yes, but something else. Something darker.
His gaze sharpens. “Who were you with, Livvie?”
“I was alone,” I lie, my voice too quick, too thin. “Your men picked me up on the street… alone.”
His thumb presses against my chin. “Try again.”
“Iwasalone.”
Kingston’s mouth curves into something dangerous, a slow smile edged in threat. “Lying to me, princess? Now we’re playing a whole different game. You want to find out how punishment works in this household?”
“You’re an asshole.”
“I’d rather be an asshole than a cheating fucking liar. Last chance, Livvie. Who were you with?”
“Roman,” I spit, my breaths shallow.
His hand drops from my jaw, sliding to my hip, anchoring me in place. His voice lowers to a growl. “Did you fuck him?”
My heart pounds because right now, Kingston Viacava looks like he’s one breath away from drawing blood.
My heart slams against my ribs, loud enough to drown out reason.
“No,” I snap, the word sharp and immediate. “I didn’t fuck him. I’m married to you, aren’t I. And for all my sins, that makes me loyal to you. Until our divorce is settled.”
Kingston’s gaze doesn’t waver. His hand tightens on my hip, his thumb dragging slow, infuriating sweeps against my skin like he’s testing how far he can push me before I break.
“But you were with him, behind my back.”
“Yes.” My voice cracks with fury. “But not for what you think. I didn’t go there to fuck him. I didn’t even want toseehim.”
“Then why lie?” he growls, nostrils flaring. “Why sneak out? Why risk everything we’ve built?”
“We haven’t built anything, Kingston!” I shout, the words bouncing off the penthouse walls. “You think just because you shoved a ring on my finger and gave me a closet full of designer dresses that means we’re some kind of team? We’re not and I don’t have to ask you how to live my life.”
His eyes turn jet-black and the muscles in his jaw flex.
“And Roman?” His voice is rougher now. “He’s nothing, right? Just a stray shadow you happened to fall into?”
“I don’t give a fuck about Roman!” I scream, fury and heat rising all at once. “He’s not the one I think about when I can’t sleep. He’s not the reason I feel like I could actually belong somewhere… withsomeonefor the first time in my life. That’s all you, Kingston. And I fucking hate you for messing with my head.”
The words hang in the air, thick and irreversible.
Kingston’s eyes flicker, stunned for the briefest second before something far more dangerous replaces it.
Possession.
Heat.
