He raised his brows. “Since when were you Angie’s biggest fan?”
“I’m not. But she wouldn’t hurt you.”
“Scorned women can be unpredictable.”
“And scorned men can't? Need I remind you of Adam.”
“Fair point.” He smoothed a hand through his hair, the telltale sign that he was stressed. I slipped my hand into his. “I thought you were cutting me off again.”
“No. Someone’s fucking with us, Alfie. I know that.”
“I know it too and Elliot is looking into it. For now, I’m going to fuck with you.” I almost got excited, then I noticed the dark look in his eye. “You didn’t answer your phone. Ten missed calls, Lola.”
“You should have called Maia?—”
“Maia is not my wife.” He stilled, catching his mistake. “My fiancee, I mean. Keep your fucking phone with you, please. Especially now.” He pulled me to him, pressing his forehead to mine. “Where were you anyway? Why didn’t you answer me?”
“I was on the roof having a drink. I needed to unwind.”
He stilled. “What?”
Oh shit.“That sounded bad, didn’t it?”
“You think so?”
“I’m not drunk. It was just a few glasses. I wasn’t exactly dancing along the wall.”
He stared at me. His grey eyes had turned to ice.
“Say something.”
“I’m deciding which room to punish you in. There are so many options here.”
I took a step back but he didn’t let go of my nightdress. I wasn’t going to be able to run.
“I don’t need to be punished. You're being paranoid.”
“Yes, I’m paranoid because you are my life. I don’t want you in danger, ever. You’re being reckless with something that belongs to me.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think.” I reached for him and in turn his hand curled around my neck. His grip was firm, enough to make me pay attention, not enough to hurt me. He walked me backwards into the house and through to the golden ballroom. This was the first room I’d ever seen in Harrington House.
“Are you going to hurt me?”
“Never. At least, not in a way you won’t enjoy.” He pressed me up against the wall, his mouth consuming mine. I didn’t get lost in it the way I usually would have. A part of me held back, uncertain of this man I trusted more than anyone.
He urged me to my knees but for once, my body resisted him. He paused, pulling back to run those x-ray eyes over me.
“Of course. How stupid of me. You don’t like to play when I’m angry with you.”
“Is that what this feeling is? I’m not scared of you, I trust you.”
“I know. Forgive me. I’ve never played with someone I was in love with before. The dynamic is different. Other women, they like it when I’m angry. They like the threat of danger without the reality of it. For you, it’s different because your heart and mine beat together. We have to be in sync for play to get us off. I won’t make that mistake again.”
I went up on my toes to kiss him. “I’m sorry about the roof…and my phone…and the drinking.”
“Forgiven.” He pressed his forehead to mine and we stood for a moment, calming ourselves together.
“So, what now?” I whispered.
