“You fucking mudak,” I seethe.
I should be excited about what he said, that I’ll get to live my life away from him. It’s the dream. But I can’t look past the insults. The mockery of me.
I’m fucking sick of men underestimating me.
He chuckles again, just as darkly. Then waves his hand dismissively at me. He pulls out his phone and starts typing.
I’m speechless. I honestly don’t know what to say. I’m used to being dismissed by powerful men, but for some reason, I can’t handle it from him. My blood boils.
I finally get my bearings, having come up with a killer comeback, when the car jolts to a stop.
“Not now,” he says then closes my mouth. “It’s time to smile for the party, doll.”
I grind my teeth and hold back the urge to bite him. I know the urge stems from hatred, but I can’t ignore the way his cologne affects me. Biting him would be purely out of anger, not because I need to get closer to that smell.
“Listen–” I start again, only for the door to open and him to pull me out of the limo. I lose my balance and tumble into him. He grips my arms, hauling me into his chest. Once I steady, I pull back and push him.
“Get your hands off me, mudak! You don’t get to touch me. Ever!” I warn him under my breath.
I swear on my life this infuriating man will never get the privilege of my body. No man deserves it. I doubt any will ever earn me.
“We’ll see about that,” he whispers it in my ear, and I can’t help but notice he’s tall enough that he needs to lean down to reach my five-foot eleven frame. “I’m Dominic Montclair. I get whatever I want. And if that’s your body, then I’ll have you begging for me.”
“You vile man! I will never beg for you. You’re not even worth my time.” The blush on my cheeks isn’t from his sexy grin, but from the gall of this man. The anger he elicits from me.
But instead of fighting back, he throws his head back and chuckles. He leads me to the entrance of the building, and I pause at the door. He rolls his eyes but opens it for me.Rightfully so. A man will always treat me with respect and chivalry.
I take a deep breath before we enter the reception, needing to center myself before facing Viktor. Needing to get the rebellious fighter under wraps before Viktor beats her out of me.
It was beyond exhilarating to talk back. To be sassy. To be my real self. And to not face consequences because of it.
In fact, Dominic seemed humored by it. Even thrilled.
Maybe this is my chance at freedom.
But I can’t let Viktor in on it.
Chapter 16
Dominic
I sit at the head table next to my intriguing wife.
Katerina isn’t just a pretty face, a porcelain doll, after all.
She has fire in her.
Granted, the little fierce dragon doesn’t spit enough to burn me, but it’s entertaining.
Her little episode in the limo changes everything. She’s sparked my interest. I want to see her spit fire at me again. I want to piss her off just to see the way those blue eyes fill with heat.
Good God, when she tried to hit me, it was the most excited I’ve been in as long as I can remember. Not because of the risk of pain, but because she tried to come after me. Because I was able to get under her skin enough to crack that boring exterior.
Some parts of me may have gotten a little too excited from it. I had to get some space from her before she saw it. Or before I did something I’d regret.
I don’t understand how kissing this woman did nothing for me, but her fire, her violence, fuels me in a way I haven’t felt before. Maybe there is something wrong with me.
I’ve been trying to rile her up all evening, but I’ve been unsuccessful. There’ve been a few times I’ve seen her lips purse or her fist tighten under the table, but she always remains composed.
