He folded her fingers over the card with his own.
Mia immediately shoved it back at him, shaking her head. “I don’t want it, Mr. Graves. I don’t want anything from you.”
His gaze darkened as he stared at her. “I’m not giving you anything. This is what you legally already own—as my wife.”
She hesitated, her eyes dropping to the card he still held out to her.
A flicker of thought crossed her mind. ‘I am his wife… does this really belong to me?’
But the confusion lasted only a second.
“No.” She pushed the card back again. “This isn’t mine. I didn’t earn it. I won’t take it.”
She turned to leave.
Alexander caught her wrist again—harder this time—and yanked her back until she was pressed flush against his chest.
Her breath hitched.
He leaned down, his lips close to her ear, his breath brushing her skin. “Only if you behave and take this card,” he murmured, his voice dangerously soft, “will I let you go home.”
A shiver ran through her as his breath lingered against her ear.
He pulled back slowly, a smirk playing on his lips—the look of a man who knew exactly what he was doing to her.
Mia glared at him.
Drawing in a sharp breath, she snatched the card from his hand, spun on her heel, and stormed toward the exit.
But before she could reach it, Alexander moved fast, stepping in front of her and blocking her path.
He leaned down slightly, his face inches from hers. “Wait here,” he said calmly. “I’m going to get you a sweater. It’s freezing outside.”
He didn’t wait for her answer.
Turning on his heel, he took the stairs two at a time, disappearing into his room.
He grabbed one of his sweaters—thick, black, the softest one, the one he wore most often—and hurried back downstairs.
But when he reached the foyer, his steps slowed.
He looked around.
The space was empty.
She was gone.
Alexander strode out of the house, his steps sharp and hurried, scanning the front yard, the driveway, the empty street. The night air was cold against his skin, but it did nothing to cool the anger burning in his chest.
Then he saw a cab at the far end of the road, its taillights glowing red as it pulled away.
Already gone
“She ordered a cab while we were still having dinner?!” he muttered harshly. “Is she so damn eager to run away?”
His jaw tightened, muscles flexing hard as his teeth clenched together. He dragged in a long, frustrated breath, fingers curling around the sweater still clutched in his hand. The fabric crumpled in his grip before he turned sharply and stormed back inside.
The door shut behind him with a dull thud.
