Page 24 of Vow of Darkness
“Why would you want to? I’m your prisoner. You’re trying to punish me.”
“Because you’re an innocent little bird caught in my cage. I want to take that innocence from you.”
“And leave me bloody?”
“If that’s what it takes. But I would prefer not to. You don’t need to bleed for me.”
“You just want to control me,” I snap. “That’s why you married me. The ultimate control. Everything of mine is yours now. My name is yours now.”
“No other man will touch you. It was to stop that from happening. The moment I saw you, Aurora, I knew you had to be mine. A man like me doesn’t get good things. That’s why I wanted you.”
I shift around in my seat and it causes Gabriel’s hand to slip higher up my thigh. “What has happened to you to make you want good things in your life?”
“You’re a curious little thing, aren’t you?”
“Does it have anything to do with your scar?”
His hand tenses on my leg. “I got my scar from an accident. Nothing more. Stop asking questions.”
“And be a good little girl? No. I don’t think so. I will not lose my own agency to you.”
He leans in close until our faces are almost touching. “That makes me like you even more. Everyone is afraid to stand up to me but you’re not. You’re going to make my life fun, Aurora.”
“What do you mean?”
Instead of giving me an answer, he moves his hand between my legs, cupping me once more. My dress is the only thing protecting me from him and yet… I can’t help the feel of arousal that hits me. His touch is not unpleasant.
Just like last time, Gabriel doesn’t move his hand – only keeps it rightthere. “I could rub your pussy. Show you pleasure. Make you feel good.”
“Why when I’m your prisoner?”
“You’re not my prisoner now. You’re my wife.”
“You confuse me,” I whisper.
“And you excite me.” For the first time, he moves his hand back and forth, pressing against my most intimate area.
And I can’t help but admit that it feels good.
A gasp escapes me as I clamp my legs around his hand. It stops him. Our eyes never leave one another.
“What are you doing to me?” I ask.
“Making you mine. I’ve never owned another person completely. But I want to own you, Aurora. I am going to make it happen.”
“What if I say no?”
“You won’t say no. Not in time.”
“You’re arrogant.”
“I’m confident. I know what I want and what I want is you. So either submit to me, Aurora, or continue to fight. But either way, we’re bound together now. For life.”
He removes his hand from between my legs, making me gasp once more. Gabriel faces the window, ending the moment between us, confusing me even more. He’s the one completely in control and it’s killing me.
And yet, I don’t feel as upset as I should be. Instead, for the first time in my life, I feel… alive.
Gabriel picks me up into his arms to carry me over the threshold.
