The car ride was suffocating.
Isabella sat stiffly, hands clenched into fists on her lap, the silence stretched, heavy, unbearable… Rafael didn't look at her; his eyes stayed on the road, one hand gripping the wheel, the other resting casually on the gear shift
The city lights blurred past but she barely saw them, her mind replayed everything.. the contract his demand, the way he claimed her life as if it belonged to him. I can't believe this is happening, I can't… She turned to him, voice cutting through the silence "Why me?"
He didn't answer immediately, his fingers tapping once against the wheel, slow and deliberate and he is fighting battle of confessing that he chose her because she's perfect, dangerous to look at, impossible to ignore "because you're the perfect choice," he finally said
She scoffed clearly annoyed by his response "Perfect choice for what? A business deal? A contract wife?
His gaze flicked to her, unreadable and jaw clenched "yes," he said simply, voice low.
A shiver ran down her spine. She wanted to argue, tell him he had no right, but what would it change?
I have no power, none… my father made sure of that.
Rafael pulled into the underground parking lot of his penthouse, engine off and turned to her "We're here" he muttered
She hesitate but he didn't, he stepped out, walked around her side and before she could react, opened her door. "Get out."
She stared at him with her delicate brow up "You're unbelievable"
His lips twitched, almost amused and "you're wasting my time," he said.
Stepping out, her pulse hammered, the moment she straightened, he was there — too close, too steady, too in control…
His hand brushed her lower back as he led her inside subtle but firm like her bodyguard always in control.
He stayed behind her and was busy check her out her waist… her curves… everything about her screams to be claimed..
The elevator ride was silent. his scent surrounded her — dark, expensive and suffocating. She could feel it pressing against her delicate skin. I need to breathe, I can't let him see fear. But how?
The elevator door opened and herbreath caught, her eyes widened, mouth opened
The penthouse was massive? floor-to-ceiling windows framed the night skyline, Sleek, modern, and can see the entire city from her, it screams luxury but yet cold…. just like the man who owned it.
She took a step inside, but Rafael didn't move.
"What now?" she asked
His eyes darkened and his hands pocketed, every nerve in him screams to take her, but control is everything
Now" he said, shutting the door slowly behind them, "we make this marriage real"
Her stomach dropped, the thought of him touching her make her skin crawled even tho he's fine but she hate him…
She had walked into the lion's den and Rafael Knight never let his prey escape.
Real? Nothing about this feels real and I'm already losing" she thoughtfully sigh out.