I look up from my plate. “Why do you care to know?”
“Do you always answer a question with a question?” Her remark makes me grin.
“Does it bother you that much?” I answer with a question again, enjoying the frown and tiny eye roll she gives me. “Usually, yes. If you must know, I do business during the day. Sometimes here at the house and sometimes I leave to handle it.”
She nods. “My father never told me anything about the business. He always said that it was a man’s job, and I was meant to be a housewife someday. That I shouldn’t be getting my hands dirty or meddling in things I knew nothing about.”
“So, your father kept you sheltered then?” I already know this, of course, but I’d like to hear her version and maybe find something out I didn’t get from my spies.
Elena laughs, but it’s bitter and humorless. “Sheltered is an understatement, but it’s not really different from the life I’m living here. I’ve merely been moved from one cage to the next. The only difference is my gatekeeper.”
The blood in my veins heats at being compared to that piece of shit she calls her father. If she knew how he brutally murdered my mother, maybe she would be singing another tune, or maybe she wouldn’t believe me at all.
Deciding to change the topic before I get any angrier, I ask, “Would you like dessert today?”
She shakes her head, but looks up at me, her green eyes piercing something inside of me.
“I would like to go for a short walk, though.” Those eyes turn pleading, and though I’m tempted to give in to her since she has been so well behaved, I don’t.
“No, that must be earned. Your reward tonight was having dinner outside.” Her mouth pops open, and it looks like she’s going to respond, but I shake my head. “Don’t dig yourself a hole that you cannot get out of. Tears and begging do not work on me.” Leaning a little closer, I notice the way her breath hitches, my eyes trail over her throat and down her chest. I want her, I want her so badly I can taste it. “In fact, I get off on other people’s pain. Tears make my cock hard, and a hard cock leads to fucking. Do you want me to fuck you?” I ask in a low voice.
Elena looks away, and I can see the worry filling her features.
“I saw you watching me beat off. It’s okay if you’re interested. I won’t tell your daddy you want me.” I won’t tell, I’ll show him.
“I’m ready to go to bed,” she says, ignoring my offer.
“As you wish.” I nod and stand, pulling her to her feet in one move. She gasps in surprise at my fast movement but doesn’t voice a complaint.
Instead of holding her hand, I tuck her into my side this time, keeping my arm tightly wrapped around her as I walk. She surprises me yet again at how natural she acts—as if she isn’t scared of me. She walks with me almost as if she is enjoying my nearness. Like I’m the white knight and not the big bad wolf hiding in the shadows.
Then suddenly, she digs her heels into the ground.
“Wait!”
Instinctively, I pull her closer, holding her to my chest as I scan the space for danger. My heart rattles in my chest as worry overtakes me.
“What?” I growl when I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.
She peers up at me through her long coal lashes, her eyes pleading with me. “Can we go in there?” She points her finger at the open door we just passed.
The door that leads into the library. “Please, can I pick one book out? Just one? I’m going crazy in that room with nothing to do. Please…” She begs so sweetly, and I wonder if she would beg this nicely for my cock.
“One book? What would you do for that book?” I question, a grin tucking on my lips.
“What do you want me to do?”
Oh, god, she is so naive. What does she think I want? The first thing on my mind is a blow job, but I know she won’t go for that. I could push for some light touching, but I’m not sure that would help my hunger for her. A different idea hits me.
“Take a shower with me. I’ll let you pick one book if you agree to willingly step into the shower with me. No cowering and no running.”
“Just a shower?” She nibbles on her bottom lip nervously.
“I’ve already seen you naked. You’ve already seen me naked,” I point out. “What’s there to hide? It’s just a shower.”
“Okay,” she agrees reluctantly after a moment, and this time, I can’t hide my triumph. I smile.
“Go ahead, then, take your pick.”
She hesitantly steps away from me, watching me like I might grab her at any moment to drag her away. When I motion for her to go, she eagerly walks into the library and starts looking through the shelves. She looks like a small child on Christmas morning, and I won’t lie, I enjoy seeing her like this. Her smile is much better than her sullen face.
I fully expect her to search the shelves top to bottom to find a romance, thriller, or maybe even a mystery novel. What I didn’t expect her to do is stop and browse through my old textbooks. College wasn’t something I really needed, but I wanted to do even against my father’s wishes. During the day, I took online classes, and at night, I spilled blood. It was the perfect balance.
Watching her curiously, I wait to see what she is up to.
“This one,” she announces and pulls out one of the thickest books on the shelf. Advanced Mathematics. She can’t be serious? This must be a joke.
Arching a brow, I ask, “Are you sure you want to read that? Or did you pick that particular book to hit me with over the head in my sleep?”
“What? No! I do really want this… and maybe a pencil… and some paper?” She bats her eyes even more, and all I can think is this shower better fucking be worth it.
“Fine, but if you try and stab me with the pencil or make me regret giving you any of these items, I’ll—”
“Punish me? I know, and I won’t. I swear.” I give her a stern look at the interruption. Maybe it’s her manners that need whipping into shape. Either way, I still walk over to the massive desk in the center of the room, knowing there are some loose pieces of paper and pencils in here somewhere.
I find both items with ease and almost laugh at Elena, who seems to struggle with carrying the massive textbook. Together we walk out of the library and down the hall and into the bedroom. Inside, Elena places the book on the table in front of the chaise lounge. She looks excited, elated even, but before she gets the chance to dig into a shit ton of math problems, she has to pay up.
“It’s time for my payment.” I grin as I loosen my tie from around my neck and start to unbutton my shirt. Elena nods and stands, the smile wiped clear from her now pale face.
Oh, I’m going to enjoy this thoroughly.
9
Elena
It’s time for my payment.
I have to remind myself that it’s just a shower and that he’s seen me naked before. Plus, I’m marrying him next week, and then, he will expect more than showers from me. This is going to happen regardless. I might as well get it over with. Grabbing the hem of my shirt, I pull it up and over my head.
As soon as the cool air touches my skin, I shiver. Julian’s penetrating gaze is on me, and I feel like a lamb being led to the slaughterhouse.