Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 39687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
He’d simply told her she was getting married, and she couldn’t go wrong with a man like Marcus Giovanni.
She couldn’t believe her father was even on board with this marriage, not after he knew how much she despised Marcus.
Her memories of Marcus were not good.
He’d been a horrible boy and even worse of a man.
The way he’d touched her the other night, his hand pressed on her pussy—she’d wanted to claw his eyes out when he stopped, and that right there was her shame. She didn’t want him to stop, and she should have.
He was a monster. Not a man she ever wanted near her, and yet, she couldn’t get the kiss or his touch out of her mind.
This had always been hard for her when it came to Marcus. There were moments growing up when she found herself feeling pity for him. When she’d witness the kind of life he had to deal with. The fights he couldn’t walk away from. Being part of the mafia, he’d been forced to grow into a man long before he should have been.
She’d been the easiest target for him. He’d taken all of his aggression out on her. There’s no doubt in her mind if given the chance, he could have killed her with one blow, but he hadn’t.
This wedding was a farce. He didn’t want it and neither did she, and yet, she was having to go through with it. Why?
What did they want?
He’d mentioned children and how she would have to spread her thighs. Why did it turn her on to hear his command?
Marcus was her enemy, not her friend.
Rubbing at her temples, she tried to ease the headache.
She’d not been allowed any bridesmaids, or any say in how she married Marcus. She hadn’t even known it was her wedding day until her mother collected her, and pretty much pushed her into a dress, hair, and makeup. She had to look the part of a blushing bride.
There was a knock at the door, and she tensed up, glancing over her shoulder.
She stood. “Who is it?”
“It’s me, sweetheart. Can I come in?” Her father called through the door.
“Yes.”
The door opened, and there stood her father. They weren’t in her home, or her bedroom. After waking up and being forced into a dress, her mother had pushed her into a waiting limo all alone, where she’d come to the Giovannis’ house and ordered into this room. She’d already tried the door before her father arrived. It had been locked. She hadn’t been able to make her escape.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
“I don’t want to marry him. Can’t I go home?”
He didn’t say a word, coming up toward her and running his hands across her shoulder, smoothing out any wrinkles he saw. “I always knew you’d be the perfect bride.”
“Are you even listening to me? I’m not going to marry him. I can’t. I don’t love him.”
“Love has nothing to do with this,” Marcus said, leaning against the doorway.
“You can’t make me marry you.”
“I think you’ll find we can.”
“Can I have a moment with my daughter?” her father asked.
“You’ve had a moment. It’s now time.” Marcus stepped into the room, and she tensed up, pulling away from her father.
Without another word, she watched him walk away, leaving her alone with Marcus.
“What is this all about? I’m not stupid. I know you don’t want to marry me. You’ve made your hatred of me very clear over the years.”
“And you haven’t?”
“I hate how you bully me. How you’ve always been mean to me, but I don’t hate you.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“I don’t want this,” she said. “There has to be another woman you want, who you can marry.”
“Not going to happen. You’re going to be mine, Laura. You might as well accept it.” He glanced up and down her body, and she had this sudden urge to cover herself so he didn’t get a good look. She stopped herself and hated how weak she was.
No, she wasn’t weak. She was strong, and no matter what Marcus or any of his family had in store, she was strong. They wouldn’t pull her down, or make her wish for death.
“What are you staring at?” she asked, gritting her teeth.
“You clean up really nicely. You’re pretty, but I think I prefer the ducks.”
“The ducks?”
He stepped up close to her, and she didn’t move back. There was no way she was letting him back her into a corner again. Her heart raced at his closeness. It was impossible to deny how sexy he looked in his tuxedo. He always wore suits, but this one was different. She’d be married to him by the end of the day, and he looked the part of a perfect groom. Only, he was far from perfect.
“There’s too much dress to get in my way of touching you. Of putting you in your place.”