Free Cunning (Infidelity #2) by Aleatha Romig Page B

it’s already begun. It started yesterday.”
    “I-I don’t like that.”
    “Too bad. I didn’t ask you. I bought—”
    “I know,” I quipped. “You bought me.”
    “My security detail is excellent. Most of the time you won’t even know they’re around.” Nox scoffed. “Well, last night, they did almost blow their cover in the bar. Chad was about to get more than he bargained for.”
    “Yesterday? So you knew? You knew I didn’t go to the spa?”
    Nox nodded as his forehead wrinkled. “I knew. I wasn’t aware of how far you’d strayed from my orders.” He reached for my chin and pinched it between his thumb and finger. “Remember that. Think about it the next time you decide to go rogue. I’ll have a fuck’n GPS tracker placed in you if I need to. Don’t push this.”
    I swallowed. Security that sees without being seen—the Montague staff all over again. My stomach twisted. This would be a dream for most people. This was what Patrick enjoyed. Hell, Chelsea would be in heaven. I hated it. It was what I left in Savannah. “Nox, can we please talk about this?”
    “No. Keep me informed of your schedule and I’ll do the same. You have things you need to do for school—get them done. Just remember we’re a couple. Don’t do anything that would make people question that. Your freedoms are yours until you squander them.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “It means, princess, I will ground your ass here or in my apartment, or anywhere I choose, if I need to. Don’t make me need to. I know you’re not a child.” He sat up and raked my body with the tip of his finger, from my collarbone to my core, stopping short of where he’d been before. “You’re a sexy-as-hell woman, and that alone makes the idea of having you tied up in my bed awaiting my return all the more appealing.” His lips quirked upward, and the menacing gaze that swirled with navy shimmered in his eyes. “Go ahead… do something like you did last night, and we’ll see how fast your freedoms disappear.”
    I didn’t respond. I wasn’t sure what to say. It was the new internal battle that his words and actions waged within me. Alex didn’t like it, but Charli’s tummy was doing flip-flops with the memory of the satin binding in Del Mar.
    He brushed a finger between my folds and his grin blossomed to a full smile. “Maybe I’ll need to think of a different punishment. It seems as though you like the sound of that one too much.”
    I started to sit up. “This is bullshit. This isn’t what I signed up for.”
    Nox seized my shoulders and pushed me back to the mattress. “You’re wrong. It’s exactly what you signed up for. And you got me. That fairytale you spoke about—I want that for you. I want you to get your law degree. Just never forget, fairytales don’t really exist, and the world’s not black and white. One person’s good is another person’s bad. I can make the next year of your life as pleasant or as miserable as I want. As I’ve mentioned, my tastes are unique, and to me, tears of pain taste as sweet as tears of joy. You signed the agreement, and it wasn’t to star as Cinderella. I’m about as far from Prince Charming as you’re going to find.”
    My mouth dried as a cold chill settled over the room. This wasn’t the man I’d met in Del Mar.
    “I’m also a selfish bastard. I don’t share well. Never have. You’re going to learn to behave, and in public, you’ll be my queen—my princess. In private, you’re mine, which means whatever I want it to mean. I’m warning you: I’m not a good person, but I’m the only bad I want near you. Don’t mention the security again. Is that clear?”
    “Yes, Nox.”
    He sat up. “You have my number. Use it, but not frivolously during the day. I have work, but if you’re unsure if I’ll approve of something, call me. Keep in mind that my calls are all monitored. Don’t do anything stupid like sexting. My security will only see you naked if I want them to