His eyes flare, dark and hungry. “Fuck,” he growls.
His hand tightens on my throat. Just slightly. Just enough. And I feel it everywhere… the pressure, the heat.
His erection pressed against my belly.
Oh god.
He’s hard.
For me.
“What are youtalkingabout, Cavin?” I demand, even though I’m shaking. Even though every nerve in my body is screaming at me to either run or close the distance. “What arrangement? What wedding?”
He stares at me for a long moment. “You're here because our families arranged a marriage.” A pause. “Between you and me.”
The world tilts.
He huffs out a breath without a trace of humor. “You never did have a poker face. You look like I just told you you’re marrying the devil himself.”
Marriage.
To Cavin McCarthy.
To the man standing in front of me right now, whose hand is still wrapped around mine, whose eyes are still burning into me like he wants to…What? Whatdoeshe want?
The bell rings again—sharp and shrill, echoing down the hall like a countdown.
“I can’t fucking believe they didn’t tell you.” He shakes his head, but his grip on my hand tightens. “We have to go. My mother gets impatient when that bell rings.” His voice drops. “And you’ve already gotten me in enough trouble for a lifetime.”
I wrench my hand free and stumble back.
I’m still wearing his fucking coat. I rip it off and throw it at his face. Hard. He catches it one-handed and doesn’t even flinch.
Then he moves, fast, before I can react. His hand closes around my wrist and spins me. My chest hits the wall.
“That,” he growls in my ear, “was a fucking mistake.”
Oh god. I push, struggle, but can’t get away from him. “Let go of?—”
Smack.
His palm connects with my arse, hard, through the thin fabric of my dress. The sound echoes down the hallway, and the sting blooms hot.I gasp and try to twist away. He holds me in place with one hand pressed between my shoulder blades.
The other—smack.
“You want to act like a brat? In my house?” His voice is gravel. “I told you we’re going to be married, Erin. Youwilllearn to respect your husband.”
Smack.
Ohgod.
Heat floods through me, and not just where his hand landed.Everywhere.
“Stop—”
Smack.
“That’s not your safe word.” His breath is hot against my neck. “You haven’t earned one yet.”
