“I know how to dress myself,” I said, frowning at him in the mirror.
“When you come home from the academy, you’re not a college student anymore, Lia,” he said. “You’re my wife and I need you to take that role seriously.”
I turned. “So I didn’t take it seriously last night?”
He put his hand on the back of my neck and spun me around, his mouth pressing to mine. When he pulled away, his eyes were narrowed. My brain short circuited as I stared up at his beautiful face.
“Behave yourself, Lia,” he said softly.
Then he left and his crisp footfalls echoed down the hall. Frustrated, I threw my toothbrush down and turned the shower on full blast. Then I stood under the water and seethed.
That night, he got in late, spent a few hours somewhere else in the house, and fell into bed around two in the morning. I felt his weight sink down beside me and his hand gripped my thigh and drew me open. This time, he tore something with his teeth before spitting into his hand and rubbing it over my pussy. When his cock breached my entrance, I bit back a moan as pleasure and pain rippled through my hips.
There was something about having him inside my body that scratched a psychological itch as well as a physical one. I’d never experienced pure, mental pleasure before, but this was it. It was like something just clicked and a warm haze stole over my brain and made me stupid.
He shifted and I realized quickly that something had changed.
“You feel a little different,” I whispered.
“I’m wearing a condom,” he breathed against my neck.
I was quiet, letting my sore muscles ease beneath his thrusts. His body was hot and hard and it drove into me with deep, hungry strokes. After a few minutes, he curled his arm around me and flipped me onto my stomach, pulling me halfway to my knees. It was clear to me already that having me on my knees while he fucked me from behind was his preferred position.
I heard him spit into his hand again and his wet fingers found my clit. Stroking me softly as he pumped hard and deep. Pleasure sparked and built and I whimpered in the dark. When my orgasm hit, his breath quickened and he rode me hard through it. As I sagged onto my stomach, he emptied himself into the condom with a deep groan.
He got up and disappeared into the bathroom and I lay in the dark, staring up at the angel in the corner. Wondering if perhaps my husband carved all of these angels as a way of making peace with himself. As a way of covering up the darkness that lurked in the corners of his being.
I was anxious for Saturday night. It would be my first time hosting anything and there was the added pressure of this being our first social appearance together. The house had to be cleaned from top to bottom and the linens washed because everyone was staying with us that night. And then there was the food to plan and prepare and the wine that had to be selected and ordered. It was all very overwhelming.
I went shopping on Saturday morning and Peregrine picked me up after I finished getting my nails done at the salon. He stopped at acaféin the city and I got acaramel cappuccinoto get me through the afternoon. As soon as we returned home, he disappeared upstairs in his office and I spent the next few hours in the kitchen.
Mrs. Greene and I completed dinner preparations around six, thirty minutes before the guests were expected to arrive. I hurried upstairs and jumped in the shower and did my makeup in a rush. Then, wrapped in my silk dressing gown, I finally stepped into the huge, circular walk-in closet off the bathroom.
It was filled with expensive clothes and an entire case of glittering jewelry. Peregrine hadn’t been joking when he said he’d bought me an entire wardrobe. I circled the rows of fine silk, lace, chiffon, and velvet. At the end of the right hand row was a heavy silk dress in Tyrian purple with a structured bodice and thin straps.
I unhooked it and put it on before the mirror. My heart thumped at the base of my throat as I slipped on a pair of black heels and turned to face my reflection.
I was stunning, my dark hair falling down my bare shoulders, and my midnight eyes burning. When I swiveled, the skirt parted, baring my thigh. Something tickled my leg and I bent, shifting the fabric aside.
There was a lace garter attached to the inside of the waist. I froze, turning it over in my hands.
Was I brave enough to wear something like this?
“Lia, are you almost ready?”
My husband’s voice from the other side of the bathroom door jolted me. Working quickly, I fastened the garter around my thigh and spun. The heavy silk opened just enough to reveal a flash of lace and bare skin. It was shockingly sexual and it caught me off guard. I wasn’t used to dressing like this. My mother had always bought me plain clothes and I’d preferred that because it felt safe.
“Lia.” He sounded impatient.
I stepped into the bathroom and ran a comb through my hair, sculpting my curls with a little hairspray, and unlocked the door. When I stepped through, he did a double take, cocking his head. He looked extraordinary in his black suit, fitted close to his tall, lean body. Heat traveled up my stomach as he gazed at me, unblinking.
“Are we late?” I managed.
“We will be if we don’t hurry,” he said hoarsely.
I darted past him, fastening a delicate black diamond necklace around my throat. It rested on my cleavage, pushed up by the stiff bodice. I heard Peregrine’s footfalls pursue me into the dark hall, lit only by the alcoves. He caught me in seconds, spinning me with a hand to my elbow.
His gaze burned and his mouth thinned. The hot palm of his hand slid down my back and I startled as it pushed beneath my skirt. His middle finger hooked between the lace garter and my thigh, closing it in his fist.