I can’t bring myself to think about the possibility that I’m carrying a monster’s baby.
It’s what I am. In fact, I’ve even referred to myself as a monster or a beast, and yet hearing it from her lips angers me like nothing ever has. She’s under my skin.
“Breaking and entering now, Eliza?” I ask.
The column of her neck bobs up and down as she swallows hard. I can detect the pulse raising in her neck as her face turns as white as snow, despite her tanned complexion. “I only wanted to talk to my sister.” Her voice is steady and calm, despite the panic in her eyes.
“Talk to her or plot some elaborate plan to escape?” I tilt my head, enjoying Eliza’s crippling fear as her eyes dilate.
“We were literally just talking.” Her brow furrows. “I’ve no intention of trying to escape.”
There’s truth in what she’s saying, but I feel the need to toy with her a little longer. I step inside the room and shut the door, turning the lock. “And how do I know you’re not lying to me, baby girl?” When I turn around, I see she’s stood from the desk and is wielding her father’s golf club, her back to the wall farthest from me.
I arch a brow. “Put that down or you’ll do some damage.”
Her whole body trembles. “Are you worried I’ll do some permanent damage to your pretty face?”
“No, I’m worried you’ll do some damage to your father’s study.”
Her eyes narrow. “Don’t talk about him.”
I tilt my head. “Why? Because I put a bullet in his skull?”
“You’re a monster.”
I nod. “Yes, I heard you the first time telling your sister.” My eyes narrow. “Didn’t you take the test?”
“No.”
Irritation coils through me, as Eliza is purposely being a brat. “Why the fuck not?”
“Because I didn’t feel like it.”
“Eliza, you’re testing my patience.” I step forward.
She waves the golf club at me. “Stay back.”
I step closer, pretty sure that my innocent wife doesn’t have what it takes to ram that thing into my skull. Even if she tries, I’ll move out of the way faster. “Come on then, Eliza. Do your worst.” I spread my arms out and give her open target.
Her eyes widen, and she tightens her grasp on the handle of the club, sweat beading on her forehead. “Don’t tempt me. I will do it.”
The warning seems more like she’s trying to convince herself that she has what it takes to do it rather than to put me off goading her. “Go ahead.” I step even closer to her so there’s barely two feet between us. “I’m giving you the shot.”
Her eyes search mine frantically as she adjusts the grip she has on the handle of the club. There’s a flicker of consideration, but I can see from the look on her face she just can’t take that shot. Maybe I won’t have to carve her heart out to claim it after all.
After everything I’ve put her through, Eliza can’t hurt me. It’s an oddly satisfying feeling as I step closer, making her chest rise and fall harder with each breath she takes. And then I press my hand to her cheek and cup it gently, ignoring the fact that she could smack me over the head at any moment. “What are you waiting for?” I murmur.
Her chest hitches and I notice her grip slacken on the club as I reach for it and loosen it from her hand, dropping it to the floor. The clang of metal against wood makes her jump.
“It looks like you’re all talk and no bite, baby girl.” And then the overwhelming need to kiss her drives me forward as I press my lips to hers, even though I should punish her for breaking into my study. The punishment can wait.
Eliza’s lips part as I thrust my tongue inside of her mouth, groaning when she claws at my shoulders and pulls me closer. Her tongue thrusting against mine as if she’s as hungry for this as I am.
I pull my lips from hers and force her turtleneck sweater off, feeling red hot desire kick through me the moment I see the cut at her collarbone I inflicted the night before, along with the bruises around her neck.
Her eyes dilate as she watches me and then I kiss her neck, enjoying the feel of her pulse quickening beneath them as I skate lower to her collarbone, brushing over the cut which is healing.
Eliza shudders, lacing her fingers in my hair as I move lower, pulling open the poppers of her shirt and kissing her breasts next. The need to worship her body clawing at me.