Violent Triumphs by Jessica Hawkins

Author:Jessica Hawkins [Hawkins, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781950488025
Publisher: 518 Books, Inc.

16

Natalia

Cristiano the Brute dropped me on my feet in our bedroom, seemingly oblivious to my fuming. I’d begun to sweat under all this clothing, but that was part of his punishment for leaving me alone, naked, and more aroused than I’d ever been. “Pendejo,” I said.

“You’re awfully brave to call me an asshole,” he said. “Considering you were shaking in your huaraches when you arrived here.”

“I was not. I stood here, in this room, and invited you to fuck me that first night. You’re the one who walked away,” I accused.

He didn’t deserve that; my gratitude for his restraint during that time knew no bounds. Cristiano could’ve taken what he’d wanted on our wedding night. How many men in his position would’ve? I shuddered to think. I’d be a different woman if he had, married to a different man.

But enough was enough. I needed him to finish what he’d started and consummate this goddamn marriage.

“I wasn’t going to rape you the way my brother did.” Cristiano stalked up to me, taking my chin in his large paw of a hand and forcing me to look him in the eyes. “And that is what he did, Natalia. He said whatever he had to in order to coerce you into his bed. I wasn’t going to do the same, and I never will, so you’d better learn how to ask for what you fucking want.”

“I did. I told you not to leave this morning, but you didn’t hesitate a second before running off when Jaz called.” Smug satisfaction settled in me at the way he flinched. I’d offered myself to him twice in twenty-four hours, and he’d turned me down both times. The unrelenting need to be relieved by him and only him pushed me to poke him until he reacted. “My husband turns his back on his wife when another woman needs him. Jaz, Tasha, Sandra—is there anyone I come before?”

“How dare you say I haven’t put you first!” He took his hand back, towering over me. “Have you wanted for anything since you stepped foot inside these walls?”

You.

My desire for him had been simmering since our first dance, I just hadn’t wanted to admit it. Now that I could, it overwhelmed me, and I hated that I could be flipped so easily. I trusted Cristiano with my body, but it didn’t erase Diego’s violation.

“I thought I knew what you wanted, but maybe I was wrong,” I said, my lips pinched as I dropped my eyes to the bulging crotch of his sweats. “Or maybe I wasn’t. There must be some other reason you keep your hands to yourself.”

“Watch your mouth, chiquita,” he warned.

Being referred to as a little girl only infuriated me more. I stepped up under his nose. “I think I hear Jaz calling. Perhaps you should run along so I can return to my friend.”

“People’s lives are on the line. You expect me to laze in bed when they need me and let them fend for themselves?”

“Yes.” I was being unfair, but so was he.

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