Page 17 of Thorns of Love

“Besides, kidnapping is not love,” she continued, her lips curved in disgust. “And first chance I get, I’m leaving you in the dust. Asshole.”

Anger washed over me that she’d even consider leaving me. Years of obsessing over her and all she could talk about and think about was leaving me.

“Want to run?” I asked. She nodded her head, her eyes watching me suspiciously. “Do it. I’ll love every second of hunting you down.” I grinned savagely. “And catching you will be the best part.”

Her glower followed.

“You’re a monster,” she rasped in a shaky voice, her lips swollen from my kiss.

The corners of my lips tugged. “If I’m a monster, you’re my prey. And guess what,moya luna?” I brushed my lips against hers, then sunk my teeth into her lower lip. “I just caught you.”

Twenty minutes later, I had finally gotten rid of the priest and was five hundred thousand dollars lighter, having charged me another hundred grand for the inconvenience.

But it was fucking worth it. I tapped the inside pocket of my suit where the marriage license lay securely. In my eyes, it was the most valuable piece of paper I owned. Fuck everything else. I could rebuild my empire, but I couldn’t get another one ofher.

The steward set the table with our wedding dinner feast, then disappeared. Nikita and Boris did the same, leaving me alone with my wife.

My wife.

That sounded so fucking right. She was mine. Finally! I was bound to her and she was bound to me. For life. God help any man who’d tried to take her away from me. There wasn’t a corner on this Earth they could hide that I wouldn’t find them.

I studied her, sitting in her seat like a queen and glaring at me. I might as well be her subject. She acted like it.

Although I was under no illusion that she had fully accepted this marriage. She probably schemed as we sat here how to get out of it. But sooner or later, she’d realize there was no way out.

Marrying her was the best way to keep her protected. There was no fucking way anyone would dare take her away from me. I had already sent a notice to the underworld that she was my wife, even before we said our vows. Her last name alone would keep certain people from coming after her.

I’d keep her and our children safe. Yes, children, because I planned on having many with her. Hopefully, she’d be on board with it. But at least two would be nice.

“How many children do you want to have?” I blurted out, like some damn teenager swooning after his first love. Fuck it. I told her I was all in.

She was my wife. Fuckingmine.

A dark obsession surged through my veins. The lust and love intertwined and urged me to rip off that dress so I could thrust inside her tight heat and claim her. Over and over again. Yes, that dress was beautiful on her, but she was even more beautiful without it.

“I’m surprised you even bother asking,” she snickered derisively, reaching for the glass of water and bringing it to her lips. “I mean, you forced the wedding on me. Why not force children on me too?”

I stiffened. “You don’t want kids?”

“I didn’t say that,” she snapped.

“Then how many kids do you want?” I asked again, keeping my tone even.

She took another swig of her drink, then landed the glass on the table with a loud thud. That strength that was part of her DNA had her spine straightening up and staring at me head-on. It always intrigued me her lack of fear of me. Women usually cowered in front of me, kept their heads lowered, and rarely met my eyes.

Tatiana always met me head on. In the bedroom she’d turn into putty under my touch, but outside it, she was a fierce woman ready to go toe-to-toe with anyone.

“Illias Konstantin, I will not entertain children with you until we get certain things straight,” she stated with a clear voice and thunder in her eyes.

“But my love, we already have one child on the way,” I pointed out.

“That is one child,” she remarked. “I’m speaking of children. Now, until you fix some of your wrongs, I refuse to have any more babies with you.”

“What wrongs exactly are you referring to?” I inquired curiously, admiring the way her hair reflected the light. Her hair was so light it almost gave her an angelic look, blinding me. But her mouth and brain fascinated me even more.

“Fucking men,” she hissed, as a few strands of hair fell down her forehead. “Figure it out if you’re so smart.”

I waved my hand. “No matter. We have the rest of our lives to work that out.” My lips curved at her thunderous expression. “Now eat, moya luna. Remember you’re eating for two. And I ensured the cook prepared only the healthy food that agrees with you.”