Page 29 of Dance of Thorns

“There’s more.”

I bare my teeth at him. “I’m aware of that.” My eyes drop back to the page. “Kinks including consensual non-consent…”

I start to raise my head, but he shakes his. “Don’t make yourself look foolish and pretend you don’t know what that means,” hesay. “Or do I need you to go back over yourextensiveinternet porn viewing history?”

“Asshole,” I mutter. “D/s dynamics, either part- or full-time. Impact play…”

My cheeks heat.

“Somnophilic activities?—”

“It means I’ll fuck you or do whatever else I want to you while you sleep. But you knew that. Keep going.”

“Bondage. Orgasm denial…” My face throbs. “Free use.”

I look up at him. Bane exhales slowly as he continues to pace around me.

“This marriage doesn't just mean that my family will get access to your father’s shipping port.” He nods his chin at the folder trembling in my hands. “It also means you’re going to bemine, in every sense of the word.”

I start to open my mouth. But suddenly, I’m jolting as he cups my jaw, then deftly pushes two fingers over my bottom lip, holding my jaw open as he shakes his head.

“Uh-uh, little bird,” he murmurs.

I shiver, something dark and sinful coiling in my core as he pushes his fingers into my mouth, sliding them over my tongue.

“I knowallyour secrets. All the deviant, dark, dirty little things that you crave.” His fingers are still in my mouth, keeping my jaw open as he stabs his smoky dark eyes right into mine. “And after you’ve read that list? I bet if I reached between your legs right now I'd find you nice and wet, wouldn’t I?”

I spit his fingers out of my mouth.

“Justtryto put your hands between my legs and see what happens,” I hiss.

Bane chuckles as he resumes his pacing. “Oh, I’m not going to play that game with you. Not today. But when you’re my wife?—”

“That isn’t happ—OW!”

Before I can even get the word out, he’s lifted the back of my skirt and brought his hand smackinghardagainst my bare ass with a loudCRACK.

“What thefuck?!” I jolt, half-whirling toward him even as he continues his slow, languid walk around me. “Are you fuckingkidding?! You can’t just?—”

“Interrupt me again,” he murmurs, “and the next time will be over my knee, with that charming goth barbie skirt pulled up over your ass.”

My eyes bulge wide.

“Whenyou’re my wife,” Bane growls, “I’ll be putting my hands on you however I see fit.WheneverI see fit.”

I shiver, gasping quietly when his lips brush my earlobe from behind.

“Remember; I knowallthe dirty things you like.”

I cringe, my face throbbing.

“Oh, don’t be embarrassed,” he murmurs into my ear as he continues his walk. “I’m into them, too. Would you like to find out now?”

“Pass,” I sneer.

He shrugs. “You can go ahead and sign that contract now.”

“I’m not signing anything.”