Page 16 of Forsaken Promises
And now, she’s my wife.
7
SOFIA
The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife as Dominico and I enter the wing of his family’s estate that will now serve as our marital home. The opulent surroundings do little to ease the dread churning in my gut, the knowledge that I’m now trapped in this gilded cage with a man I despise.
I think back to the end of our wedding. My father, his eyes shining with pride and love as he kissed my cheek. I hear his voice, rough with emotion as he tells me how proud he is of me, how brave and strong I am.
I see my mother, her beautiful face streaked with tears as she embraces me tightly, whispering words of love and encouragement in my ear.
And I see my sisters, their eyes wide and solemn as they watch me leave with my new husband, witnessing the sacrifice I’m making for our family.
As we make our way to the bedroom, I can feel Dominico’s eyes on me, his gaze burning into my back like a brand. I hate the way my body responds to him, the traitorous flutter of desire that stirs in my belly despite the anger and resentment that consume me.
We begin to undress in silence, the rustle of fabric and the clink of buttons the only sounds in the room. I keep my back to him, my fingers trembling slightly as I unfasten my gown and let it pool at my feet.
I can feel Dominico moving behind me, the heat of his body radiating across the space between us. I turn around, wanting to get away from him.
I wish I hadn’t.
Dominico is standing there in nothing but his trousers, his chest bare and gleaming in the low light. His hazel eyes are fixed on me, a mix of desire and determination swirling in their depths.
Fuck, I hate the way my body responds to him, as if it’s remembering what it was like to have him on top of me, his tongue trailing its way down my breasts, my stomach…
Desire pools low in my belly, and I nearly squirm as memories of him licking my pussy come to the forefront. But I can’t show him that I’m turned on.
Thankfully, all he has to do is open his mouth and I immediately dry up.
“You know, since we’re married now, it’s only right that we consummate it.”
His words hang in the air like a challenge. I stiffen, my heart pounding in my chest.
A rush of anger overcomes me at his presumption, at the way he seems to think he has some sort of claim over my body now that we’re legally bound.
“Is that so?” I ask coldly, my voice dripping with contempt. “Well, here’s a thought. Why don’t you go to hell instead?”
Dominico’s eyes narrow, his jaw clenching with barely suppressed fury. “Dammit, Sofia, I’m trying to be reasonable here. We both know this marriage comes with certain… expectations. Providing an heir is one of them.”
I let out a harsh laugh, crossing my arms over my chest. “Oh, so that’s what this is about? Now that we’re ‘married’ you think you’ll get a child out of me? Well, let me make one thing clear, Dominico. I may be your wife in name, but I will never be your broodmare. Find another way to get your heir.”
Although, now that I say that aloud, an idea comes to mind. Maybe I should get pregnant so I can ensure he doesn’t touch me for nine-plus months. Hopefully, it’s a boy so I can then ban him from touching me ever again.
Dominico’s eyes flash with anger at my defiance, and before I can react, he’s pinning me against the wall, his body pressing hard against mine. I gasp at the sudden contact, my heart hammering in my chest as his face hovers mere inches from my own.
“Listen to me, Sofia,” he growls, his breath hot against my skin. “Whether you like it or not, we’re stuck together for life. So you'd better get used to the idea of being my wife, in every sense of the word.”
I glare up at him, trying to ignore the traitorous heat that coils in my belly at his proximity. Despite the hatred that burns in my veins, I can’t deny the attraction that still simmers between us, the undeniable pull of his body against mine.
He’s changed since we were last together, his shoulders broader, his muscles more defined. The boyish softness of his face has given way to chiseled angles and a well-groomed beard, the dark stubble accentuating the sharp line of his jaw.
He’s a man now, in every sense of the word. And God help me, I want him. Even as I despise him, even as I curse his very existence… I crave his touch, his kiss, the feel of his skin against mine.
“Why did you agree to marry me, Sofia?” he asks, his voice a low rumble in his chest. “If you hate me so much, why go through with this farce of a wedding?”
I meet his gaze head-on, my chin lifted in defiance. “Why didyouagree to marry me, Dominico? You made it perfectly clear four years ago that you don’t want me. So why tie yourself to a woman you can barely stand the sight of? A woman you never wanted to marry?”
He stares at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine as if looking for some hidden truth. And then, a slow, wicked smile curves his lips.
