Free Unyielding (Tortured Love Book 1) by Ravenna Tate

in his voice was evident, but it almost made her laugh. It was only a bedroom, for heaven’s sake. “It’s an amazing room.”
    “Thank you. When I’m home and working, I have an office up here, too. Let me show you where it is.” She followed him through a narrow hallway and into a large office with plenty of sunlight. “This also opens into the main hallway, and there’s a balcony out here.”
    They walked onto it, and Lynda couldn’t stop staring out over the city. It was breathtaking. “Do you come out here a lot?”
    “I like to come out here at night, mostly, when the sky is clear.”
    She glanced up. Yes, that would be beautiful. Would they walk out here together one evening?
    When they went back inside, he showed her where his bathroom was located, and she eyed the sunken tub. That would be fun. It had jets in it, and was surrounded by tiles that matched the scenes in the hallway ceiling. “It looks very relaxing.”
    He shocked the hell out of her by stroking her hair. The gesture sent a shiver down her spine, and she almost moaned out loud. “It is. Why don’t you join me in there later?”
    She swallowed hard as erotic images raced through her mind. “All right.” So much for refusing to have sex with him again. You’re an oak. Not.
    “Good. Now let me show me your suite. If you don’t care for the decorating, you may change it to suit your tastes.”
    And there was the rollercoaster ride of emotions again. Right on time.
    She tried hard not to be disappointed. It’s not like he hadn’t told her last night who he was. He’d married her for the company, and now that he knew she’d have sex with him, it would be difficult to take it back off the table.
    Lynda followed him down the hall, trying to think of a way to say what she’d decided last night. That it would be a cold day in hell before she’d fuck him again. But she knew she’d end up in that tub with him later, and she knew they’d have sex again. What bothered her more than anything was how much she wanted that.
     

Chapter Nine
     
    Merrick sensed a subtle change in Lynda as soon as he showed her the suite he’d had his staff ready for her use. She told him she loved the colors, and he saw in her eyes she wasn’t lying, but something was bothering her. As soon as he’d made the suggestion she join him in the tub later, something had changed.
    Was that it, then? She didn’t want to have sex with him again? He’d apologized for leaving her alone last night. Had she assumed they’d share a bedroom here? Was that what had upset her? That she had her own suite? Even Merrick’s ego wasn’t large enough to believe that an hour in bed with him could change the reason she’d married him, so it had to be something else.
    “You can change the décor in here if you want to.” You already said that, genius!
    “No, I love it. It’s very pretty and relaxing.”
    He’d asked Todd what kinds of colors and fabrics Lynda preferred, and of course he had no idea, so Merrick had told his staff to choose something. The room had a feminine feel to it, but not too frilly. Apparently his staff knew more about Lynda and her tastes than he did.
    “There’s a balcony outside this room as well.” He pointed toward an alcove. “I thought you could use that area as a home office if you want, so that’s where I had them put your computer.”
    “Yes. It’s perfect.” She walked over to the desk and touched it. “This is wonderful. Thank you.”
    Her appreciative words held an undercurrent of sadness that Merrick didn’t understand. He thought they’d settled everything. She knew he didn’t do romance, and they each knew why they’d gone through with this marriage. What else was there to discuss?
    “Are you hungry?” He was. Breakfast had been rushed, and she’d eaten hours ago.
    “A little.”
    He pointed toward the intercom on the wall. “These are in every room. I’ve had them label the buttons for you in this one. To reach the