Chapter 33
My entire body is on a knife’s edge as she rushes around her room like a woman possessed gathering her belongings. “I’m done!” she announces, causing panic and anger to claw at my chest. The thought of losing her has me using the wall for support. My reaction is simply unheard of as my heart hammers irrationally at her leaving us.
Just when the hell did I become so dependent on her?
“You’re not leaving.” I shake my head. No way in hell is she leaving me.
“Watch me! I refuse to be your whore.” She stamps her foot as she glares back at me and crosses her arms over her chest. The action would look adorable if she wasn’t threatening to not just break my heart but Oliver’s too.
I step forward. “I’m telling you. You. Are. Not. Leaving.” My tone is laced in a threat, and she swallows while stepping back, then a sliver of guilt ripples inside me at the fear in her eyes; outside of our rampant sex life, I don’t like seeing it. I sharpen my jaw and refuse to acknowledge the fear. Instead, having her comply by any means necessary in order to get what I want. Her.
“You’re staying, Little Doll.” I stroke over her cheek in a move I hope soothes her, but she bats my hand away, and I clench my teeth to refrain from lashing out in anger. Then I grip her throat, and my cock hardens when she swallows against my palm. “You’re not going anywhere; you’re going to be a good little doll for Daddy.” A tear slides down her cheek, and I lean forward and swipe it away with my tongue. Her pupils dilate, and I relish it. “I understand my little doll is lashing out and upset, but threatening me is not going to cut it. You will do as I ask.”
Her bottom lip trembles. “I don’t want to be the other woman, Rafael.”
The anguish in her eyes guts me, and I tell her the truth, hoping she can see the sincerity bleeding from me. “You’re the only woman.”
Then I step back. “Now, stop with this tantrum of yours and get dressed. She’s joining us for dinner.”
Her nostrils flare, and she erupts yet again. “What the hell do you mean, she’s joining us for dinner?” I sigh, not used to having to explain my actions to anyone, let alone a woman—my woman. My lip twitches at the thought.
I’m not blind to the fact Ellie is pissed and devastated at finding out about Nikita, nor am I ignorant to believe this will be the last conversation about her, but I intend to get back to our normalcy as quickly as possible, and this ensures it.
We simply play ball, show a united front, and then show her the door, until she needs another check sent her way.
All that matters right now is that I keep Ellie by my side and show her how important she is to me and Oliver, a united front against the bitch who bore him.
“She wanted dinner with Oliver. Then she’s leaving again.” I shrug, unsure of my words as I say them. The vindictive cow is up to something, I can feel it, and I intend on using this time to figure out what.
“How long for?”
I spin on my heel as I fasten the top button of my shirt, my gaze lingering in the mirror on the tattoo that marked me as hers.
She lets out a loud huff, and my eyes lock with her blazing ones reflecting back at me. My beautiful little doll looks adorable all fiery.
“Huh?”
“How long will she be gone for?”
I shrug. “Until she wants more money.”
Her mouth falls open, and I want nothing more than to stuff it with my cock. “You pay her?”
“Pay her to stay away, yes.” I turn to face her. The way she pouts with her hands on her hips has my lip quirking. I pull her against me, ignoring the rage seething from her innocent face.
Then she sighs heavily, and I hate it. The way her confidence slips due to Nikita’s proximity.
“I need you by my side where you belong, Little Doll.”
“I-I don’t...” I tip her chin up to face me and slam my lips against hers, hoping I can convey my feelings for her through my touch. I need her.
When I pull back, she’s breathless, and the tension has slipped from her slender body.
Having her by my side will solidify this is where she was always meant to be. “I don’t know if I can do this, Rafael.” Her soft voice has my resolve crumbling, and I take her face in the palms of my hands.
“You can, baby. You don’t have a choice, just like I don’t.” I gift her soft hair with a kiss and pull away, determined not to see the disappointment I know will be swimming in her pretty brown eyes.
So instead, I throw open the bedroom door and head downstairs to pour a scotch. Something tells me I’m going to fucking need it.