Chapter Eleven

Laila walked into Roland's office. Her husband wasn't at his desk, so she set the papers down that she wanted him to look at. She had wanted to talk to him to see what had been bothering him over the last few weeks. He still made love to her every night, but she could sense he was holding a part of himself back. His standoffish attitude hurt worse than she ever thought it could.

She turned to leave and gasped at the man standing on the other side of the room.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there," she said and pressed a hand to her heart. She forgot the man's name, but the few times she'd had to be in his presence, he had given her the creeps because of the way he watched her. She had never told Roland that because she hoped never to see the man again.

"Ah, I'm so glad I could see you," he said in a smooth, dark tone. "I was hoping I'd be able to catch sight of you."

Laila ignored his comment. "I'm sorry, I don't remember your name," she said.

She caught the flash of anger before he hid it. She was stunned by it and didn't understand.

"It's Julian Buchanan."

"Okay. Hello. My husband should be here soon. Have a good day."

She was a few feet from the door when Julian grabbed her upper arm and stopped her.

"Hey!" she exclaimed. "Let me go."

Julian closed the door. "Not until I get a kiss. I want to feel your lips, even if it's just once."

She looked at him, horrified. "No!" she shouted.

He pulled her against his body and held onto her tightly. She fought and tried to scratch him, but he was too strong. He gripped her face to hold it steady as his head descended.

"Roland will kill you. Let me go."

She couldn't stop the tears from sliding down her face as his lips touched her. She felt bile climb up her throat as she continued to fight. She used her fists and legs to try to hurt him as much as possible.

Julian pushed her away from him when the office door slammed against the wall.

Laila pressed on her stomach with one hand and wiped the tears with the other. She had never been so relieved in her life.

"I tried to push her away when she came at me," Julian said as he smoothed his clothing.

Her mouth dropped open. "What? No!" She looked at her husband and saw distrust and an emotion she'd never seen before. It was a dark, blistering look, and it made her stomach cramp in fear. "Roland, he's lying."

"Go to our room," Roland demanded.

"God, you can't believe I'd do something like that," she cried.

Roland's hand came out when she tried to walk toward him.

"Do what I say, Laila. I'll deal with you later."

She couldn't believe he was taking the other man's side. "You won't even let me talk. You won't listen to my side?"

He shook his head. "No."

Laila swallowed. She looked at the other man and was pleased to see surprise and apprehension. "You'll pay for this," she threatened.

"Laila, now!" Roland growled.

She didn't look at him again. She just fled the room and raced up the stairs into their bedroom. She grabbed a suitcase out of the closet, laid it on the bed, and started throwing things into it. She couldn't stay and look into her husband's eyes with him, thinking she would ever do something like kiss another man. When that was full, she went for a smaller suitcase and threw her bathroom things into it.

A scream tore from her throat when she walked back into the room to see Roland leaning casually against the closed bedroom door with his arms crossed. After she caught her breath, she ignored him and continued to pack.

"Where do you think you're going, Pet?"

Her teeth snapped together as she glared at him before turning back to the cases. "Don't call me that. I'm not a fucking dog."

His eyebrows spiked. "You really think I'm going to let you go?"

Laila stopped and turned to face him. "You don't have a choice. I'm tired of how cold you are to me lately and the distrust you feel when I've never done anything to have you doubt me. You can find another broodmare. I bet there are a lot of women that would give you a baby."

"But I don't want them."

"You don't want me either. I know you were forced into this marriage. We both were. But I can tell you're having regrets. We're adults and can make our own decisions. I choose to leave."

"Where will you go?" he asked.

"It doesn't concern you."

Roland tilted his head to the side. "How will you take care of yourself? You went from your father's house to mine. You've never been on your own."

She hated the smooth, cold tone of his voice and tried concentrating on folding her clothing. "I have my inheritance from my mother, so I don't have to worry about a job right away. I think I'm smart enough to find a place to rent for the time being. I'll figure everything out when I need to. Just think, you'll never have to worry about me. You'll never have to see me again."

The thought of never seeing him again was enough to make her want to clutch her stomach because of the pain, and her heart and soul felt broken. She had to get out of there before she broke down.

"What if you're pregnant?"

She froze and tried to calculate when her last period was. Her mind was so full of other things she couldn't concentrate.

"I'll raise the baby," she finally said.

He shook his head. "This whole marriage was to have a child. You can't take one away from here."

It hurt to be reminded of that. She forgot she wasn't supposed to care about him. She just needed to be there to breed. "I want the child with me."

He shook his head. "That won't be possible. You can come and visit, though."

She stared at him and felt like she was falling apart. "You'd take my child from me?" she whispered.

His eyes narrowed. "You're the one leaving."

How had things gotten so out of control? They'd made love that morning, and now she was leaving.

She sat down on the side of the bed, clutching clothing in her hands. "C-can you give me a few minutes, please?"

"For what?" he asked.

"I just need some time. I'll finish packing and be gone within the hour. I … if there is a child … we'll figure it out. I can't think right now…"

Roland stepped away from the door. Her head flew around when she heard the click of the lock. She stood and took a few steps back. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to make love to my wife." He slipped off his shoes at the same time he unbuttoned his shirt.

"What!" she yelled. "Haven't you heard me?"

She couldn't prevent her eyes from devouring him as he tossed his shirt aside.

"I heard every word, Love. I just don't agree with it."

She had to concentrate on the conversation, but it was next to impossible as his pants came off, leaving him in nothing but his silk boxers.

"But…Wait." She held out her hands when he took a step toward her. "You can't do this."

"Of course I can. You're my wife and will stay that way until our death."

Laila didn't know what to do. She knew she couldn't fight him. He was strong and had too much control over her. He was also between her and the door.

"Can you please just stop?" she cried.

His face softened. "No, Love. We need this. We'll talk eventually, but right now, we need to bond because somehow there is space between us, and I don't know why."

Her eyes rose to his. "You've been pushing me away, and now you're mad at me. God, I can't fathom why you would think I'd kiss that man."

He shook his head. "We've been together only four months, but I know for certain you would never do that."

"But you were so mad at me."

"Not at you. I know it probably sounded that way. I needed you out of the room so I could deal with Julian. I didn't want you to see it."

"What did you do?" she asked.

"I taught him what happens when he touches my woman."

"I … is he alive?"

Roland smirked. "Yeah. He'll feel like dying for a while, but he'll live." He sat down on the side of the bed and held his hand out. "Come here, Pet."

Part of her felt frozen, and another part shook with the need to have this man in her. She needed to feel like they were one again. But a few things bothered her.

"Would you really take my child from me?"

He sighed. "We will never have to know because you are not going anywhere. I can tell you how much it hurts me to see you in pain, and I'd do anything to prevent it from happening again." He held his hand out. "Come here."

Laila dropped the clothes to the floor and walked to him. He immediately pulled her between his legs.

He gripped the back of her head. "Promise me you'll never threaten to leave me again."

She felt tears well up and slide down her cheek. She sniffled. "I never want to be without you." When she looked at a future without him, the feeling of dread and pain grew.