Chapter 0014
Violet
“What the hell?” I almost yelled, backpedaling and slamming the door shut.
I stared at the door for a moment, trying to process what I had just seen. My pulse was pounding, and 1 could still hear the echoes of her cries in my head. The Image of Theodore fucking some random woman wouldn’t leave. The image of her blurred with an image of me in my mind, and my whole body felt warm.
Damn him.
It was stupid and really just proving that I was probably in over my head. Everyone knew Theodore was a notorious playboy, but I hadn’t realized he would be so… brazen about it. Especially here, in the room right next to mine. The thought made my stomach turn. Jealousy? No, but it was unsettling.
I thought about the deal and everything that would come after, and my heart hardened like metal being clenched in water. I could hear the gossip and see the headlines already. Would it be too late to put out the truth that we’re just entering a marriage of convenience? 20% was too much if I was going to have to put up with this for a whole year with people thinking I was his actual wife.
I couldn’t. No– I wouldn’t put up with him carrying on like this. Theodore and I were business partners, and we’d be married if this fucking ring actually meant what he was saying it meant. I was still recovering from having my husband of seven years be intimate with another woman in public. The tabloids would have a field day.
I sighed, shaking my head. What had I gotten myself into, and was there a way forward?
I wasn’t going to sleep with him as part of the arrangement. I was pretty sure I didn’t even want to, but I wasn’t going to let him think that he could just carry on the way he had been all this time.
If Kincaid was right in that he was being driven to this because his mating drive was working over time, then it wouldn’t be fair to ask him to stop, but he was going to have to at least hide his escapades. I
I turned back to my room, gathering my thoughts for what I would say to him in the morning.
The next morning came faster than I had anticipated. The rain that had followed us from Darkmoon had cleared. Morning over Midnight’s rocky terrain was beautiful.
dressed quickly, opting for something simple and practical, and left my room. As I stepped out into the hall, I saw her–the woman from last night–storming out of Theodore’s room. Her eyes were red, and she was visibly upset, muttering something
under her breath as she rushed past me without even a glance.
I looked back at Theodore and found him leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest as he watched me with that same smile from the night before.
“What did you do to her?” I asked.
Theodore‘ shrugged. “She asked who you were and I simply told her you would be my future Luma.‘
1 blinked. His words hit me like ice water. “You what
“I told her the truth.”
The detachment in his voice made my stomach churn. There wasn’t an ounce of regret in his tone. He didn’t even seem to care. It felt like he was more like Lucas than I had ever imagined.
In some ways, that was good. I, at least, knew how to deal with assholes.
I cocked an eyebrow at him.
“I have no interest in interfering or even knowing about your private life, Theodore, but if we’re going to be married if we’re moving forward-
“If?” His voice was quiet as he stared at me.
“Did you forget your own exit clause?” I asked.
“What are you saying.”
accountable, didn’t I? Here’s your first lesson: you will respect me. I don’t care who you fuck but do so with discretion and not where I can hear it. Some of us like sleep.”
“I told you I was going to hold you accountable, didn’t I? Here’s
He glanced at my shoulder, and something like guilt flickered over his face.
“Sorry.” He looked away. “How are you feeling?”
“Better and irritated.”
His lips twitched into a smile, and he pushed off the doorframe and came toward me.
“As you wish, my Luna. Though…”
He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. He was so hot. His warmth sunk into me, pooling between my legs. I hated it and glared up at him.
Chapter Bris
Chapter 0015
