My brows knitted together, accentuating the faint frown on my face.
“You two didn’t seem to like each other very much,” she added. “Is this how you are with all your family members, or is it just him?”
I didn’t respond because the more she talked about Rodion, the angrier I became. I couldn’t understand why she couldn’t shut up about him. And the idea that she might actually like the man fanned the flames of my fury.
“You know, you two are more alike than you think.”
I clenched my jaw, my scowl deepening.
The leather crunched beneath her weight as she turned to face me. “What do you think was going on in his head when he stared at me?”
Her words stung in ways I wasn’t ready for, messing with my sanity and the emotions I didn’t even realize I still had. I tried to control myself. But the more I tried, the more I felt my composure slipping through my fingers.
To make matters worse, she wouldn’t shut up.
“Those steel-gray eyes of his were cold,” she said, looking out the windshield. “Maybe even cute.”
That’s it! You’re done!
I swerved the car into an alley in a single sweep, tires screeching on asphalt. She grabbed the dashboard for support,her eyes wide with terror. I slammed on the brakes and brought the vehicle to an abrupt halt.
“What the hell, Karik?” she snapped, looking right at me. “What’s wrong with you?!”
That’s when I lost it completely.
“What’s wrong with me?” My voice was slightly higher than I intended. “What’s wrong withyou? Why are you fantasizing about my cousin?”
“I’m not!” she shot back
“Then why wouldn’t you shut up about him?”
A pause.
I glared at her, my chest heaving with measured breaths.
“Wait a minute.” Her brows rose slowly, a mischievous grin tugging at one corner of her mouth. “Are you jealous?”
Silence.
The truth was a hard pill to swallow, and I hated the fact that I let my emotions get the better of me.
“Oh, my God, you’re jealous,” she stated, her voice laced with conviction. Her eyes lit up, revealing the excitement and shock dancing in their depths.
I didn’t accept her claim; I didn’t debunk it either. Instead, I leaned in, eyes boring into hers. “Listen to me, Ellie. You’re my wife, and you belong to me.Me.” My hand snapped out, grabbing her by the jaw. “Do you understand?” I growled.
Her expression darkened in an instant. Not anger. Not pain or disdain. Desire. Need.
The air shifted to something more sexual, causing my cock to twitch in my pants. The longer we held each other’s gaze, the faster my heart raced.
“Prove it,” she whispered, her teeth grazing her lower lip. “Prove that you own me.”
I began slowly tracing the curve of her mouth with my thumb without breaking eye contact. Her chest heaved, her lips quivered beneath my touch and her eyes called out to me.
In a heartbeat, our lips met in a heated kiss, one that left us breathless. My mouth moved against hers with a hunger that left no room for hesitation.
She leaned in, hands already shedding my jacket as she shoved her tongue into my mouth. My hands found the curve of her breasts, squeezing over the fabric of her dress.
I broke our kiss suddenly, watching the insatiable need flickering in her gaze. “Get in the back. Now.” It wasn’t a statement. It was an order.
