Something alerted my senses, causing me to slowly drift out of my sleep. It was as if something was pulling me out of my subconscious, gradually making me highly aware of my surroundings. It was the sound, the smell, and the primal instinct that told you there was another person in the room with you. Though my lids protested opening, they somehow made it halfway, allowing me to groggily scout the room, wondering what had woken me.

The first thing I noticed was my left hand, splayed across the bed with the ring Reiss had given me a little over a week ago, sparkling brightly at me. I was a married, unmarried woman. The thought bubbled out of nowhere, making me release a crucially melancholy sigh.

“Already regret marrying me, huh?” The question made me look across the bed, meeting his critical stare as he sat on the opposite side of the bed, possibly gazing at me sleeping.

Slowly pushing my body to do a half sitting position, I made a face, hoping to make light of the situation. “I’ll let you know once I do, but so far, it’s been okay. Nothing monumental or anything of the sort.”

He looked relaxed with his dress shirt un-tucked and a few buttons undone, mesmerizing emerald eyes, and a face that made women go gaga for. I couldn’t help but eye him with gusto.

“How was the meeting? Did it turn out the way you wanted it to?”

“Yes and no,” he responded with a serene look on his face, glancing at me with a look I couldn’t decipher. “I apologize for not taking you out. I know the situation isn’t the most ideal, but I hope you and I will have an amicable relationship, especially in the upcoming months.”

Sigh. Why did he have to ruin the spell I was in? I knew it was an illusion, but I wanted a few moments more without being reminded of what had brought me here in the first place.

“I know, Reiss. I promise I won’t come in between you and your life. I mean that. You won’t even know I’m around. It’s best that I start having my own life here again. So, if you’re worried about any of that, you shouldn’t.”

“I hope this newfound drive to start having social life doesn’t include boyfriends.”

His comment took me aback. “Boyfriends?”

“Men you go out with and share everything with without the intimacy—a clause that was clearly stated in our pre-nuptial agreement.”

The bastard had woke me up for this? If he had dealt with such a rough day, he could very well find someone else to work out his stress from all of his work baggage.

“I read it, Reiss, but nowhere did I read in there that I couldn’t have male friends! Besides, even if I did become friends with other males later down the road, what is it to you, anyway? It’s not as if I would be shagging and flaunting them before you.” He was pressing on something I hadn’t even thought of, which only infuriated me some more. How dare he throw stipulations when he himself had someone on the side?

“Don’t play with fire, Ava, or you might not like the consequences.” His warning tone put me over the edge of madness.

I growled, wanting to slap him as I slid off the bed and rounded it to reach him, ready to bring down all the pent up anger and wrath I’d been harboring since we had met again.

“I have been bloody patient with you. Every time you’ve done something deplorable, I always try to tell myself that it was your right to treat me like I’m nothing but dirt on your heel because I caused you pain in the past. But you’ve taken everything out of me. I’ve exhausted all my patience in trying to tolerate your beastly behavior!” My shrill voice echoed in the room while Reiss gave me a stony look that said he was beyond insulted I was lashing out on him. Well, this whole pity-party was over. I was done making excuses for his measly treatment of me. “You’ve done nothing—not a damn bloody thing—to ease your horrid attitude towards me. If it makes you feel all-bloody-fucking-powerful, well, go right ahead. I’ll just fucking pretend that you don’t exist since most of the time you do the same to me. Your unfounded and biased opinion about having male friends is ludicrous. Why deny me another man’s company when you yourself don’t make that sacrifice to show me the same kind of respect? Why should I bother? Why should I care about what you think?”

“The thought is not unfounded since you have my child growing inside you! What is it with you, Ava? Why make such an easy request sound like it’s a life sentence?” He flashed his anger at me, his eyes darkening as he slowly got up from the bed, all six-foot-three of him looming above me, hovering in an intimidating matter. “Are you so deprived of male attention you don’t care what others think of you? Is this what you did when poor, dearest Ashton didn’t shower you with attention—throw a bloody tantrum, maybe tease and shag another man to make him come to his senses and beg of your return? You had better listen well, love: I’m not going to tolerate seeing you slutting your way around while you’re pregnant with my child. The moment you cross this fine line, Ava, I’ll hire security to detail your every move.”

I wasn’t sure what prompted me, but my palm made its way towards his face, slapping against his cheek at such a speedy rate he barely blinked from the impact. “I hate you. I really fucking hate you!”

His hand massaged the injured cheek, his nose flaring as he glared down at me. “Good. The feeling’s mutual, princess.”

Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones taking over me, but I felt possessed by something far greater than I could control. My train of thought was hazy as my senses fully focused on the anger that pounded in my veins, boiling in blood. Every agonized thought I had for him was channeled into more anger with every single breath I took.

“My mother was right; you can never dress a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I cannot believe I spent a bloody decade crying for you. I should’ve listened to them, then I wouldn’t be here, stuck with you.”

He sneered, looking disgusted with me. “You’re becoming a real piece of work, Ava. I say give it a year or two, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming just like your mother.”

Ouch.

I opened my mouth to say something, but I had nothing for rebuttal. He was comparing me to a woman I loathed more than anything, and for him to do that was something I couldn’t fathom. Then, out of nowhere, I felt like I had committed the biggest mistake of all by holding on to a sliver of hope that he’d possibly come around—not soon, but someday. It wasn’t going to be, especially not when he saw me as my mother. Maybe being around him wasn’t all that healthy any more.

“I … I want an annulment,” I blurted out, shaky and breathless.

“No,” he gritted out, his jaws locking.

“Fine. Then we’ll get a divorce.”

His hands cupped the sides of my arms, almost shaking me to come to my senses as he pushed me backwards. “I. Said. No.”

I was a fool, a fool in love. And I had let that steer me towards something that could very well eviscerate me completely, threatening to dissolve my own sanity. My identity.

“Fine. I’ll just go ahead and leave then.” I tried to use all my might to push him off, but he remained unmoved, as if all of my effort hadn’t even made a dent. “Let me go.”

He wouldn’t budge. “Well, tough, you’re not going anywhere! You’re staying here, in my home, with me.”

God, how I wanted to hurt him, make him feel just a bit of what I was going through, although even if I did, it wouldn’t change a thing. It would only serve in hurting me even more.

“I can’t be here, Reiss. I think we both know that.” Shaking my head, I felt worn and exhausted. “We’ve barely been married for a day, and we’re at each other’s throats. It makes my marriage to Ashton look like a walk in the park.”

“How dare you mention his name at a time like this! That man did nothing but steal you away because he felt threatened by me. He has done nothing except harm, and here you are, praising the man I wanted to kill with my bare hands.”

We were back in the past again. He spoke as if it had only happened yesterday. Had his anger warped his mind to hold onto such a grudge that wasn’t relevant any longer? Did his vindictiveness stretch that far?

I could feel the sharp burn behind my eyes, threatening tears as I took the risk in glancing at him. His expression, though still angry, caught me off guard when I found him staring at my lips. Then, when he dipped his head to kiss me, I moved my head to the side, not wanting to continue the hell that would come after he had his way with me.

“Please, don’t—don’t insult me like this.”

His lips kissed my cheek, trailing across to my ear while the tip of his nose inhaled my scent. “I hate you … but I hate myself more for wanting you. When you’re not around, things are back to normal. But, whenever you are, I just have this consuming need to kiss you and fuck you until sunrise.”

I couldn’t take hearing him say it out loud, especially not when I was feeling at my lowest. I was far too vulnerable to fake my way out of this rut.

“Then let me go. It will make things easier for us.”

“That’s the thing—I can’t do that, either. I like the fact that I can see you whenever I want to. I like knowing that you’re sound asleep under my roof or if you’re eating well. I like having you here.”

“Stop—” I nervously heaved when his hand cupped my breast while his mouth busied itself with my neck, arousing me to submit to him.

“You want this as much as I do. Why deny us the pleasure when it’s clear you and I can’t get enough of each other?”

“If things were just that simple, I’d probably let you have your way. But it isn’t with me, Reiss. I don’t know if you’re acting blind, but I’m sure you already know I’m in love with you, so it’s not that simple for me.”

He was breathing raggedly, and his hand had stilled against my breast as I waited for his response.

Tears prickled again as the seconds flew by, and I wondered what kind of damage I had caused this time.

“I want you, and I have accepted the fact that I always will. But that’s all I can give you, Ava. And even if I tried to love you, my entire existence revolts at the thought of what loving you might cause me this time.”

I sniffed, holding back a sob. “I’m sorry. I know there’s no possibility of it, but I still had to say it.”

“I’m sorry, too, for not being the man for you. Ten years ago, I would’ve moved mountains to have you and your heart. I was so crazy for you I was willing to look like a complete idiot as long as I had you with me, in my arms, loving you each day. But that was years ago, Ava. You can’t keep living in the past. I don’t want to hurt you, but sometimes, I can’t control this bitterness that resurfaces each time I see you. And, yet, my body desires you like you’re its drug. Sex with you is like nothing I have experienced before. I thought how good it was with you was all in my imagination all these years, but after that night in your room, I knew I wasn’t imagining it anymore.” His body pressed against mine as he whispered into my ear, making me all the more confused about my feelings for him.

“Fucking you scares the living hell out of me because it is only you who has the power to unman me. It’s a battle between wanting to experience Heaven and what kind of Hell could come out of it. This is what I experience every time I look at you. So, if I’m acting hostile, you know I’m fighting the need to ravish you on sight.”

Licking my lips, I couldn’t help getting aroused at the thought of him struggling with his attraction to me. “How are you fighting this battle now? Are you winning or losing?” Sex was such a powerful tool that women could use to their advantage. Knowing this made me feel as if I had something to hold against him, though to what extent? How could I gain a foothold without compromising too much?

“Do I look like I’m fighting it anymore?” His voice came out raspy, sounding like he was trying hard to control something. “I came here tonight knowing you were asleep, and I simply wanted to see if you’d settled in okay. However, the moment I walked into the room, I somehow ended up studying you like I used to for twenty minutes until you awoke. I want to lose myself in you, Ava.”

This could get very tricky. I had to do this right. I had to stand my ground, even if it was killing me inside, because there was this huge part of me that wanted to reach him—not just on a physical level, but deep within. Maybe his heart was unavailable, but maybe, just maybe, I could reach deep down and somehow make him want me, need me in a sense that he couldn’t survive without me.

“If I let you, you have to promise me one thing.”

“Go on,” he urged, frowning down at me.

All right. I could very well do this. It was all or nothing. “Whoever you’re doing now, anything pertaining physical contact must cease. This is the only way I’ll let you have me.” I wanted to feel embarrassed to demand such a thing to him, yet if I let him have his way and he still carried on with his activities with other women, then there was no point in any of this. I wanted him—there was no doubt of that—but he had to live by his rules, as well. If he wanted me badly, then he, too, should pay the price.

His eyes penetrated into mine, letting me know he was weighing things as he stared at me, pinning me into stillness before conveying his thoughts. “If I agree to this, you have to promise me that you won’t ever dare deny me your body, whenever, wherever. Even when you’re angry or loathing me on sight, you’ll spread your legs, welcome my cock, and let me have your sweetness for as long as I want.”

He wanted me that much? Bloody Hell.

“Any time of the day?” My body shivered at the images that appeared in my mind—him plunging into me, demanding I give him everything he wanted. Fuck. Why did this arouse me so?

“Anywhere. Anyplace. Anytime,” he stated succinctly. “If I want it in the morning, I’ll have you without protest. If I want your cunt for dinner, you’ll spread these lovely legs apart and let me do all the dirty things I’ve wanted to do to you since you teased me by letting me finger your sweet cunt that night at the lake. I don’t want you to think about another man while I’m fucking you, either. In fact, I forbid you to think about anyone. I want you to focus on me—me and me alone. I’m a selfish bastard, and I don’t bloody give a fuck, because I want what I want. I’ve endured years of dreaming you were mine, writhing and moaning while I took liberties with your body.” He then paused, seeming like he had just delivered the most grueling speech of his life. “Can you handle me this way, Ava?”

My word … I was rendered speechless. Had it been Ashton who had spoken such filth, I might’ve slapped him. However, this was Reiss, and in such a twisted way, I found his filthy, cursing mouth … poetic.

“Why ask when you already know the answer to this question?”

His hard cock pressed against my stomach while his nose rested against the side of me head, breathing in the scent of my hair. “I want to hear you say the words.”

“I will handle you this way because I want you,” I passionately vowed with my entirety. “You’re the only man I’ll always want. From the beginning until the end, it’s always going to be you, Reiss.”

“Fuck,” he groaned before I felt his hands cup my face, and then I felt his lips gently, slowly kissing me. It was incredibly slow and sweet, as though he was making love to my lips with caring devotion. “You don’t know how much this kills me to say it, but I feel like I have to show some restraint since you’re my new bride and all. Besides, I don’t want to scare you away.” He smirked, making this sexy face that made my heart palpitate madly.

“Never mind my hard cock, sweet wife, but would you let me indulge you in a late night meal? Since I couldn’t deliver on my promise, I took an off chance and swung by my favorite Chinese restaurant. I hope you don’t mind take away, but if you must know, my cooking might leave you constipated, so I hardly thought it would be the best way to entice you for a good shagging marathon.”

I guffawed at his mild attempt at humor. “God, how I fucking adore you.” I kissed him one more time before my stomach made a loud, growling protest.

“Time to feed you and our baby, I see.”

It was the first time he had addressed the baby as ours instead of my child or simply addressing it as such—the baby. Call me naïve, call me gullible, but I couldn’t help it, I fell in love with him all over again.

Dinner became a feast. Well, with me naked atop the living room coffee table and him feasting on me while he teased me before feeding me. He gave the food to me in small servings. All the while, the wicked devil made sure he tortured my body enough to drive me insane with need.

I hadn’t had this much fun since … well, since him. He and I used to drive each other mad, testing each other’s limit until one of us begged for mercy. Back in the day, it had usually been him surrendering to me, but tonight, it was I who was the greedy one because I couldn’t get enough of him and his laughter. Seeing him smiling made me happy. It was infectious.

“More,” I mumbled before opening my mouth, wanting more of the shrimp he had in between his chopsticks.

“Tell me something, then I’ll feed you.” His mouth lowered to softly suckle on my breast, making me slightly open my legs, wanting, needing more of him.

“Reiss,” I moaned as I slowly rocked the table.

He groaned in frustration, breaking away from my breast before he eyed me with suspicion. “I’m not going to let you win. Tell me something first, then I’ll reward you.”

“Like what?”

He shrugged, grinning from ear to ear. “Anything you like.”

“Hmmm,” I said aloud before something clicked in my head. “Well, I’m not sure if you’re interested to know, but I’m still flexible.” When I saw his eyes darken with desire, I wanted to push him a little bit more.

Slowly getting up from the table, I heard him hiss as I was about to do something that used to drive him mad.

“Don’t—” he warned, getting up from the carpeted floor before I felt his arms circle my hips. He dragged me away, bringing me down with him with my back on the carpet. “Don’t do that,” he murmured.

“Why not?” I teased. “You used to love that…”

“Don’t get me wrong, I still do, but I don’t want to go harsh on you tonight. I want to savor you slowly…” His head went towards my abdomen, marking a kiss on the tiny bump that could barely be noticed unless you really stared at it hard.

“Did I ever tell you how beautiful you look, especially pregnant? Your cheeks are always flushed, and your eyes have light behind them. You glow.” He kissed the other side of my hips, trailing kisses around the area. “I love seeing the gradual transformation of your body ripening before me.”

Bringing his head above mine, his eyes softened while he watched me closely. “I don’t think I have said thank you. Thank you for this present. At first, I was panicked, but the more I get used to the idea, the more I see how much I actually want to be a father. It still terrifies the bonkers out of me, yet there’s excitement with it now. So, thank you for giving me one of the greatest gifts a man could ever wish for.”

“Do you mean that?” I choked back, forcing myself not to cry.

“Yes … I do … more than you’ll ever understand.”

A tear slipped away, and his thumb immediately went to catch it. “You didn’t have to tell me this, but you must know how much I appreciate that you did. There are times when I’ve thought you might hate me for it … so hearing you say otherwise just took a hefty load of guilt off my heart.”