The room was an opulent display of luxury, with golden light casting a warm glow over the rich furnishings. The walls were adorned with intricate moldings and deep mahogany panels, exuding timeless elegance. Heavy velvet drapes in a deep crimson color framed the large windows, their tassels swaying gently in the evening breeze that carried a faint scent of jasmine from the garden outside.
“Answer the damn question. Are you Natalie Rivers?” His voice sliced through the quiet, sharp and commanding. Dominic’s eyes bore into her, unyielding and intense. Natalie felt her heart pound in her chest, each beat reverberating in her ears like a drum.
She absently played with the hem of her dress, the soft fabric slipping through her fingers. “Yeah, that’s me,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. As soon as the words left her mouth, Dominic stood up, his towering frame casting a shadow over her.
Natalie held her breath, fear prickling at the edges of her consciousness. What was he going to do?
“Did you fool me? Should I just end you right here? You’ll only save yourself if you’re not one of those bitches sent to mess with me,” he growled, his words dripping with menace.
“No, no, I’m not... My aunt planned a dangerous marriage for me that would have meant my demise. I managed to escape the wedding. You found me, and I had to pretend I was your bride... I’m so sorry,” Natalie explained, her voice quivering with desperation.
Dominic studied her, his gaze unwavering. She seemed sincere. If she had lied, he would have sensed it. But her problems were not his concern.
“Pack your things and get out,” he ordered, turning on his heel to leave. The rough fabric of his sleeve slipped through her fingers as she grabbed it, desperation coloring her voice.
“Don’t send me away! I promise I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t send me back,” Natalie begged, her grip tightening. She knew very little about this man, but the fear of returning to her aunt’s clutches overshadowed her uncertainty.
He slowly turned to look at her, his piercing gaze sending a shiver down her spine. Stepping closer, he reached out and gently lifted her chin with his index finger, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“Little lady, if you agree to be my wife, there’s no turning back. I’ll own you, and my world is far from easy. You seem too delicate for the hell I live in,” he warned, his voice deep and dangerous.
Nervously, she took a deep breath, the air in the room feeling heavy in her lungs. She would rather face his hell than the misery her aunt had prepared for her. “Yes, I want to be your wife. In return, you’ll have to protect me from my evil aunt,” she declared boldly.
A devilish smile spread across Dominic’s lips, his gaze trailing down to her slightly exposed cleavage, desire flickering in his eyes. “Now, strip,” he commanded.
Natalie swallowed hard, the command ringing in her ears. Strip? That was the last thing she expected him to say.
