I shake my head. “Step back. I’m not comfortable – I want you to leave.”
After last night, this is too much. The fear, both new and remembered, threatens to smother me.
Is there nowhere safe?
Philip doesn’t move back. He pushes himself closer, into me until I can feel his breath on my cheek as I twist my head. His murmured words have my throat closing in panic as I try to shift from underneath him. “I think we’ve already established that what you want has no bearing on our arrangement at all.”
A noise pulls from my chest as his hand comes up to grip my chin, holding me in place. He doesn’t move as my hands lift, trying to push him away.
He’s strong. Stronger than I realized, with his bland, dismissive words, and his feigned bowing to my father.
And much more dangerous.
My breathing comes faster now, as we stare at each other. My hands are wrapped around his wrist as I try futilely to push him away, his lower body pinning mine in place.
“I’m going to enjoy breaking you.” His lips skate over my cheek. “Have your little tantrums if you like. It won’t make a difference. We will be married, and once you’re in my bed you’ll learn exactly what happens if you don’t do as you’re told.”
“Please,” I whisper. My voice shakes as I keep pushing, but he doesn’t move. “I want you to leave now.”
His grip on my hair is painful, my head yanked back as he slams his mouth down. My legs kick out as he bites down on my lip before pushing his tongue into my mouth, his fingers holding the edges of my mouth so I can’t bite down.
He pulls back, his breathing harsh. “I can do whatever I want, Briar. Pull your skirt up, turn you over and fuck you, right here, put you on your fucking knees if I want to. Your father isn’t here to stop me. Not that he would, with the amount I’m paying for you.”
“I’ll tell him.”Rage. It fills me, red-hot fury battling with the icy fear that still fills me as his head pulls back. My nails dig into Philip’s skin, drawing blood, but he doesn’t even flinch. “This wedding will not be going ahead.”
And he only laughs. “Your father knows exactly who he’s handing you over to, Briar Rose. He plays the doting father well, but in the end, the money is the only thing he cares about.”
The verbal jab lands directly between my ribs, stealing my breath. “You’re lying.”
Whatever my father is, he wouldn’t push me to marry Philip after this. My lip feels swollen, painful as I run my tongue over it.
He clicks his tongue. “I believe I’ll insist that the wedding moves up. One month from now. You’re entirely too irresistible.”
My head shakes. “You… you’re—,”
Philip pulls back suddenly, releasing me. My legs, pinned in midair, collapse to the floor, taking me with them as my spine rakes painfully against the edge of my desk. He ignores me as I crumple onto the floorboards, my breath rasping as I scramble to get to my feet.
Blindly, I reach behind me, yanking a pair of shears from the desk and aiming the blade at him. “Get the hell out.Now. There will be no wedding. I’m not marrying you.”
My breathing is unsteady. “I’d wish you the best, but I’d be lying. I think I’ve dodged a bullet.”
He hid it so well. A predator in plain sight.
It feels as if I’ve unveiled a stalker. This man has been in my life for two years. Dinners at my home, taking me out, always with a thin veil of bland politeness that was hiding… this.
His gaze flickers between my face and the blade. “I didn’t know you had so much fire in you. I’m suddenly finding myself much more invested in our relationship.”
“Get out!” Iscreamthe words, hoping someone might hear.
But Philip only laughs, mocking and low as he turns to the door. “I’ll be in touch. And you’ll behave in the presence of my mother in future, or I will make you regret it. Understand?”
He pauses, glancing over his shoulder. My arm is shaking as I keep the shears up, my lip throbbing.
Get him out. Lock the door. “Yes.”
“Good,” he says smoothly, tugging his coat back into place. “I’m glad we understand each other. I’ll pick you up for dinner on Sunday. Be ready for one, and dress accordingly.”
“Oh.” He turns, tossing something at me. The small box hits my chest and slides down to the floor. “You’ll wear this, or I’ll break your finger to hold it in place. Put it on now.”
