Chapter 18

Posey

Tears fall freely down my face as I try to pull myself together. Yes, I'm marrying Bane for money, but not in the way Ledger thinks I am.

It hurt my feelings that Ledger accused me of being a gold digger. It makes me even more mad that he went to my father's house.

Not mad, but embarrassed.

I never like anyone knowing where I grew up. I know I shouldn't be ashamed, but I am. I can't help it.

I didn't come from this life.

And it hurts that Ledger could sniff that out in me. I thought he was different.

I glance out my window, watching the party below. Bane"s friends and enemies are gathered under one roof. I should be scared, worried that someone might try to hurt me. But instead, I"m upset about what Ledger thinks of me—poor little girl in search of marrying up in the world. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Fuming, I glance down at the party, my anger intensifying when I spot Ledger on the dance floor with a blonde.

He's allowed to dance with women. He's allowed to dance with whoever the hell he wants. This is ridiculous.

I wipe my face clean of tears and head back downstairs. Spotting Bane by the bar, deep in conversation with a politician, I march right up to him and grab his hand. "Dance with me." It"s not a request, and Bane raises an eyebrow, recognizing my seriousness.

"When the fiancée wants to dance, you dance," he says with a polite smile to the man he"s speaking to, not wanting to cause a scene.

He leads me to the dance floor, and it"s as if the party guests part before us like the Red Sea. I feel all eyes on us as he pulls me close.

"What's this all about?" he asks me, keeping me close.

"I just wanted to dance," I whisper, my eyes scanning the floor for Ledger.

Ledger's still dancing with the blonde, and when he spots me, our eyes lock.

"Did you see Bridgette scheduled a tasting for tomorrow?" Bane asks me as my mind is preoccupied with thoughts of Ledger.

I nod. "Yes. I'm excited."

"You don't have to pretend with me, Posey." Bane's eyes sear into mine.

I nod again. "Right."

Bane and I are hardly ever alone together, and when we are it's like we're strangers, not a happy couple in love.

But right now, I'm trying to make Ledger jealous. And I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'm playing a juvenile game, and I can't help myself.

"The wedding is in a week, Posey. I've moved it up."

My eyes flick to Bane's dark ones. "What?"

"Enough pretending. You will be my bride."

I nod. I hate this, but I agree. I have to.

I glance back over at Ledger, and he's no longer dancing with the blonde. She's now dancing with another man, and Ledger stands with arms crossed over his chest, his eyes focused right on me. It sends shivers racing all over my skin.

He's burning with passion.

Desire.

And it's all focused right on me.

It makes me heady, and I try to suck in a breath, hoping Bane doesn't notice. So instead of continuing to stare at Ledger, I return my attention back to my betrothed.

"I think tonight should be the night I pluck your cherry from that sweet cunt," Bane says, seething. His words are vile, and nearly make me vomit.

"Why would you want to do that?" I try to reason with him.

Bane can do anything he wants, and all I can do is sit by and be a party to it. Mean, disgusting things he tells me he wants to do to my body, and all I can do is wait. Like an unsuspecting prey waiting to be mauled by a monster. Nothing I can say can change his mind, but I keep trying. Hoping he waits until we're married. I don't know why I keep trying to push the inevitable off. Maybe I should just meet my fate and get it over with. But I know I can't just have sex with him once.

He'll want it all the time.

Every night.

So, I keep trying to stall.

I can feel Ledger's eyes on me. I can feel the want he has for me radiating off him in waves, catching me up in the heat of his need.

I can always feel him.

He wants me. I want him.

Why can't we just be horrible people and give into that want? Or, why can't we just accept it'll never happen and move on? Move away from one another.

Easier said than done, I guess.

Bane leans in close to my ear, and I brace myself for his next words, "Because I can do whatever I want to you. I own you."

It's true. He does.

A debt for a lifetime of debt. I'll be paying my father's debt off for the rest of my life. And I should be grateful Bane doesn't toss me aside and kill my father instead.

So, I bat my lashes, trying my best to play the part of doting fiancée, even though we both know I'm anything but, and say, "I'll make it worth your while if you wait until we're properly married." I have no idea what these words mean. What could I possibly offer him?

But Bane takes the bait, baring his teeth at me. "Worth it, huh? You'd better not be playing me, or else I'll wring your little neck as I fuck you deep."

I suck in a breath, blinking rapidly at him. "I wouldn't dare."

He laughs, remembering he is putting on a show in front of his friends and enemies here tonight. He holds me close, finishing off our dance as the slow song ends. "Go mingle," he tells me.

I rush away from him, heading straight up to my room, not wanting to see anyone right now. How the hell did I get myself into this mess?

I slam the door shut behind me, breathing deep. I don't want to have sex with Bane. I don't. I've learned everything I can about sex, and how much it'll hurt the first time. And I know Bane will be rough with me.

How can he not be?

He doesn't care about me.

It's going to hurt, and it'll forever hurt with him.

I need to return to the party before Bane realizes I'm missing, but I can't bring myself to just yet. I suck in some more cleansing breaths, and spin around to open my door.

Before I can there's a light rap against the wood, and I swing the door open. "Ledger?" I question with wide eyes. "What are you doing? Why don't you go back to the blonde?"

He pushes me inside my bedroom, closing the door shut and locking it. "Are you okay?" he asks me, his eyes pouring over me.

"I'm fine, why?"

"You and Bane looked like you were in a heated discussion. It didn't look like two people who love each other."

I cross my arms. "I'm surprised you even saw us while dancing with that woman."

He inches closer. "She's Dev's girl, Chloe. The one who just had the baby. Now are you okay?"

My mood lightens a bit, and I adore Ledger for looking out for me. Even though he doesn't need to.

I stare into his dark eyes, wanting more than anything to rest my hands on both his cheeks, and bring him in for a passionate kiss.

It would be passionate.

Just like before.

There's this connection between the two of us I can't deny, but I laugh instead of doing any of those things.

"I'm fine. We're fine. Just wedding details we're not agreeing on," I say with a gentle laugh, trying my best to pretend everything is all right.

Even though my stomach churns at the thought of a wedding to that vile man.

Ledger hangs his head. "I'm sorry about what I said."

"Why did you say it?"

He runs a hand down the lapel of his suit jacket. "Because I can't think of any other reason why a purely beautiful soul like you would marry a jackass like him. You don't love him."

Our eyes are connected, and my breath comes out in fast pants as I try to focus on the words he's saying.

But all I can hear is that he thinks I've got a pure and beautiful soul. If only he knew I'd sold my soul to the devil himself—Bane.