His Ring Is Not Enough. Maisey Yates

your father’s health? And if he stays with your sister that long? Likely. That means whatever happens, this marriage is not going to be quick and easy. Even then...even then perhaps it would be best for us to consider making this arrangement permanent. However, you have just stepped in at the last minute—I’m hardly going to force you upstairs to ravish you.”

      Her breath caught in her throat. “That’s not what I...”

      “You were the one who asked,” he said.

      “Just making things clear. We did get married today, and you did make a comment about consummation,” she threw back.

      “So you’re offering me your body, as well? Right now? How about here? I could dismiss my staff, or hell, they’re paid to look the other way, why bother dismissing them? Would you like me to tear your dress off and have you against the wall?”

      His voice was rough, unsteady, like nothing she’d heard from him before.

      She’d pushed him to a place she hadn’t intended, the conversation not seeming as absurd as she’d imagined when she’d first spoken the words. There was an edge of danger, reality to all of this. She’d never seen him like this. This close to losing grip on his control.

      Being in the path of it was almost frightening. But she was close to the edge, too. She felt vulnerable and at a disadvantage, two things she hated. And pushing at his control made her feel like she had even more of it.

      “I could, Leah. Some women like that. Or, if you prefer I could take you upstairs and make you my wife for real. But the thing is, I would be doing it because I’m angry. At her. I would think of her. She is the only woman I have ever loved, and she walked away from me on our wedding day to be with someone else. Someone I despise. If I were with you,” he continued, his voice rough, “it would be to get back at her. I’m a man—never forget that. I could think of anything and get it up while I parted your thighs. It would hardly make you special. Yes, I could have you. But the question is, right now, would you want me?”

      His words shouldn’t hurt. But they were so cold, so hard, they cut through her defenses, straight to her heart.

      But she wouldn’t let him see.

      “You loved her?” she asked.

      “I love her,” he said. “Years of loving someone isn’t erased by one act. As convenient as it might be.”

      “I suppose not.”

      The whole thing made her pride burn. How adamant he was about not wanting her. And at the same time, she looked into his dark eyes and realized his own pride was savaged. Realized how hard this was for him.

      He’d lost the woman he loved. He had married someone else. Someone he had no feelings for. He was looking at her and seeing a broken dream. No matter how strong her armor, she felt the impact of that like a battering ram against the steel.

      “I think I’ll go to my room then, since you’re not interested in a quick consummation,” she said, her tone tart, her expression as neutral as she could get it. “Good night.”

      He nodded once. “Tomorrow, we’ll come up with a plan.”

      “I look forward to it.”

      Maybe a night of sleep would help her figure out what she was doing. Help her figure out what had happened to her.

      And what they were going to do about it.