Anger shoots through me, and I’m about to tell him to mind his own fucking business when Maria snaps back at him first.
“You walk around here like you own everyone. Like you own their minds and choices. You aren’t any better than any single one of these men, Artur. In fact, you’re worse. You’re disrespectful, selfish, and mean.” I think she’s been holding that in for a while, because she whips the words out at him like fire.
Artur growls, clenching his fists at his side.
I press my lips together, my brows raised. I’m fucking impressed. Timid little Maria isn’t as timid as she comes across. She’s got fire in her that would make me take a step back.
“Don’t speak to me like that,” Artur snaps.
“And how should I speak to you, Artur?” she challenges him. “Shall I call you,sir?” She asks sarcastically. “Shall I grovel at your feet and beg for your mercy?”
I watch him. The way his face heats. How his eyes drift over her. How he presses his lips together and squares his shoulders, and how his breathing changes.
He fucking likes this. He likes the way she challenges him. There’s tension here, but not just anger. It’s heat. Desire. Need.
Chemistry.
Artur is silent, his jaw is tight, and his muscles are rippling over his face.
Maria lets out a frustrated sigh. She turns away from him to face me.
“Thank you for teaching me. I really appreciate it and enjoyed it,” she says politely.
“Anytime, darling,” I reply.
We both watch her climb out of the pool with the same hunger in our eyes.
She wraps the towel around her perfect curves and walks toward the house.
I shake my head, chuckling softly.
“You think that’s funny?” Artur snarls. “She’s manipulating you, and you’re so fucking blind you’re falling for it,” he huffs.
“She isn’t manipulating me, Artur. Not everyone is out to screw someone else over. You’re the one who kidnapped her, don’t forget that.”
He shakes his head. “She’s our wife, Joseph, but this isn’t a luxury cruise. This is business. This is for the alliance. You should remember that next time you have your hands all over her ass,” he snaps angrily.
I snort with laughter.
“Fuck, you really are a piece of work,” I scoff.
“Stop feeling sorry for her and focus on the alliance,” he demands.
“And maybe you should stop treating her like a tool and start treating her like a human being,” I snap back at him.
Artur sneers, glaring at me with cold, dark eyes. I hold my ground, not looking away until he scoffs in annoyance and leaves.
That man is trouble. I get the feeling he’s up to something, but maybe it’s only because he’s so confrontational all the time. He’s got a massive chip on his shoulder, and if he doesn’t drop this entitled attitude, he’s going to come up short.
I was enjoying my swim with Maria. Pity he interrupted.
I kick off the wall and start swimming the length of the pool.
Chapter 7 - Maria
My heart is pounding as I slip the phone into my pocket, biting down hard on my lip and glancing nervously left and right to make sure it’s not a trap.
I don’t know who left it unattended in the kitchen, but I can’t let this opportunity slip by.
