Chapter One #2
The deep, husky voice filled the room like smoke, curled around my neck, and suffocated me until all I could do was scream.
I panted, wanting to shrink into the headboard behind me.
“Who are you?” I whispered.
There he was.
His lean, terrifyingly tall frame sprawled on the dark couch, where he rested against it as if he had no care in the world.
His gorgeous, tanned skin stretched for miles, adorned with a haunting, intertwined viper tattoo that ran from the side of his neck to his veiny arms, which clutched his tumbler, bearing a little amber liquid.
“Your captor.” He spoke shrewdly.
My eyes widened as the memories crashed into me all at once.
I lost my job. I left the firm’s building. I ... I was going home, and then ... I bumped into someone.
“You,” I spat.
He took a swig from his drink. “Me.”
“You-you drugged me and kidnapped me,” I stuttered. My hands tried to cover my body to shield it from his hungry view. “Did you undress me?”
“Yes.”
My cheeks heated with embarrassment, knowing that he had seen everything. It was harassment. He invaded my privacy.
“I could sue you for assault!” I snapped.
“With what money?” He arched one of his perfectly thick dark brows.
I swallowed. He was right. My finances were crumbling. I was on the verge of losing my family’s estate. Of course, I had no money. I was broke.
“That’s what I thought.”
“What do you even want from me?” I scrambled for the rest of the covers, throwing them around my body.
“You are the one who needs me,” he deadpanned.
For someone who was meeting me for the first time, he was very arrogant.
I scoffed. “I don’t know what sort of twisted fantasy you are into, but let’s get one thing straight. I don’t need your help. I’m fine on my own.”
“Half a million.” He rose to his feet, and my breath caught in my throat. The man moved like a panther. He glided around with so much ease. It’d probably take him no more than a second to close in on me and strangle the life out of me. “That’s how much you owe the bank.”
I was stunned. “How-how did you know that?”
“Irrelevant,” he cut in dismissively.
I couldn’t help but gawk at his body. He was well built with his deliciously athletic body.
“You still haven’t told me what you want.” I breathed.
“I have a proposition for you. It’s the answer to all your prayers.” He could see that my interest was piqued. “Marry me.”
His words hit me straight in my gut, causing me to stare at him like he had grown two heads.
“I’m sorry, what?”
I must not have heard him clearly, right?
“I won’t repeat myself.” His jaw clenched. “You owe the bank half a million dollars. If you marry me, I’ll clear the debt, and you get to keep your family estate.”
“Are you crazy?” I squinted my eyes at him. “How do you even know all this about me? Have you been watching me?”
“You haven’t given me an answer.”
“No.”
Darkness so intense crossed his brooding dark eyes. It was as though getting a no from me made him snap. He prowled toward me like a predator, my heart pounding terribly against my chest.
He threw the covers off my body, baring my naked thighs to his gaze.
The heat of his body called out to mine when he leaned into me. The minute distance between us allowed me to get a better look at him up close, and, fuck, the man was gorgeous. He was all sharp jawline, angular features, pointed nose, and thick, sensuous lips.
“I must have made it sound like you have a choice.” Lean, veiny fingers reached up to grab my jaw so that my watery gaze could meet his.
My skin caught fire. It shot straight to my core, causing heat to settle between my legs. I had never felt more soaked. I was dripping so much, I could feel my arousal coating my legs. My chest heaved heavily as my nipples strained against the flimsy material of my nightwear.
“Are you going to force me?” My voice trembled.
“If I have to.” He leaned farther, wrapping his hand around my throat.
A strange sound filled the air. It took me a while to realize it was me. This strange, dangerous man choked me, and I moaned. I rubbed my thighs together, torn between fighting him off and how every nerve in my body seemed to come alive beneath his touch.
It was sadistic.
“I don’t want to marry you,” I choked out, my eyes filled with tears.
“You need me.” He squeezed my neck harder.
I fought to breathe, but he was stronger than me. My lungs burned, and when he pushed me into the mattress, hovering above me with my hands secured tightly in a ruthless grip, I coughed out violently.
“Please, just let me go,” I whimpered.
Strands of his thick, dark hair fell on his lethally attractive face as he looked down at me. His eyes flared with a possessiveness so intense, darkening even more until they reminded me of nothing but an abyss.
“I’m not a patient man, Red. You can either say yes to my proposal, or I could crush you to pieces right here on this bed, and no one would ever find your corpse.
I can make your death look like an accident.
So when I say blink, I suggest you fucking blink.
” The words rolled off his tongue, thick with an eerie calmness that made my spine stiffen.
“What are you getting out of this?” My voice was tiny and full of defeat.
“You.”
I froze, locking eyes with him. I didn’t know who this man was. I didn’t know why he wanted me. But I knew he was dangerous. And I also knew that there was no way in hell I was walking out of this room alive if I didn’t say yes to his proposal.
My eyes blurred with unshed tears.
After all, what do I stand to lose? I’d be married to this monstrous man I knew nothing about. But in the end, I got to keep my family estate.
Perhaps the price I had to pay to keep it was making this deal with the devil.
“I’ll do it. I’ll marry you.”