Page 51 of The Billionaire's Bride

"Yes," I growl, "it’s a fucking order."

What the hell?What’s wrong with you? Why the hell are you commanding her, knowing it’s going to piss her off?Maybe I want to make her angry? Maybe I want to see her lip’s part, the flush bloom on her cheeks, her green eyes glittering as her chest heaves and she leans forward, to thump her little knuckles on the table...

"What the fuck?" she snarls. "Did you really say what I think you said?"

I allow my lips to curl. "You heard me, babe." I buff my fingernails on my sleeve. "It’s either me or Baron here for you."

"Is that right?" She rises to her feet, "You can’t control me."

Baron raises his head, a slight quirk to his lips. He stares up at her, peruses her face. Oh, yeah, I get the appeal. It’s that sass of hers, the steel in her spine, her feisty sprit that makes me feel alive. It’s the same reason Baron’s so fascinated with her.

I turn to Ava, "Sit down, Eve."

Her cheeks redden and her chest heaves as she draws in a breath, then another. Oh, yeah, she’s certainly found her backbone, the woman who’d been a virgin not so long ago. She’s changed, all right. She’s found the will to resist and I love it, even as a part of me regrets that I tainted her. I spoiled her. If I had left her alone, she’d probably still be the pure, untouched Ava, who would have ultimately given her virginity to someone else—my pulse pounds at my temples and my belly knots—something which I would never tolerate. The thought of her being with anyone else…? I bunch my fists, press them into the table, much like Ava had done earlier. "Sit down, Ava. Now."

She blinks, stares at me, then at Baron, who jerks his chin.

She sinks into her chair. "There." She huffs, "Happy?"

"Not yet." I don’t take my gaze off of her face as the waiter brings the wine. He pours out some for Baron to taste. He nods and the waiter fills our glasses halfway. I raise my glass and shift my gaze to Baron.

He lifts his glass. "To Ava."

I echo his toast, “To Ava.”

She glances between us as a blush steals over her cheeks. She raises her glass, then takes a sip, swirls it around her palate. "It’s good," she takes another sip, "really good."

"Only the best for my woman." Baron smirks at her and she laughs.

"Not your woman yet," she says.

"Oh, you will be." Baron’s grin widens.

"You’re awfully sure of yourself, Mr. Masters." She raises one eyebrow.

"No reason not to be." He shoots me a sideways glance. "No offense."

"None taken," I arch an eyebrow, "though if I were you, I wouldn’t get too confident."

"Hey," she protests, "I am still here, you guys."

Baron opens his mouth to retort, when our food arrives. The server places the food on the table and leaves.

She frowns down at the food, "I think I lost my appetite."

"Eat," I order.

When she firms her lips, Baron, leans forward. "Eat, Ava, before the food gets cold," he coaxes her, and her gaze grows mutinous.

"Ava," I warn, "don’t defy me."

She glances at Baron again, who stares down at her plate then back at her. "Go on, Eve," he cajoles.

She draws in a breath, then reaches for her fork and digs in.

Is she more responsive toward him? Does she place more importance on his words?

I scowl down, push the food around on my plate. Surely, it must be my imagination. Yeah, that’s all it is. I reach for my glass of wine, take a sip, then place it down.