Chapter Five

Samuel

It’s a good kiss. Some would say spectacular. I wouldn’t. I can’t explain why either. It’s just the way I feel. The kiss fell flat. It’s not what I want. When the image of Isabel flashes through my mind, my body recoils. Or maybe that’s because Natalie’s hand has found my crotch and she’s rubbing against my cock. I’m a man, so I’d be lying if the thought wasn’t there to give in. Still, we’re married. Doesn’t she want to talk before we go further? Plus, she doesn’t know me. Why the fuck would that bother me? I’ve been without a woman for a while. What the hell is going on with me?

“What are you doing?”

I ask, pulling away and barely resisting the urge to wipe my lips off, trying to get rid of her taste.

“I want you,”

she murmurs, pressing against me. “When Isabel said you wanted to see me, I thought you felt the same. Am I wrong?” Her voice sounds so sweet and innocent. It’s the complete opposite of the lust in her eyes. She should be the perfect woman for me. Christ.

“We don’t need to rush this, Natalie. We have the rest of our lives together.”

“The rest of our lives?”

she asks, her eyes round. Something flashes in them I don’t understand.

“Marriage is forever, Natalie. At least it is in my book.”

“Marriage? You want me to be your wife …”

“I realize we didn’t start out in the way a woman dreams of meeting a husband, but I think the two of us can make a go of our union. Don’t you?”

I prompt. Yet, even as I’m talking to her, I want to end this conversation. The deal I made with the Navarro family feels even more wrong.

“I can’t believe this is happening. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted,”

Natalie gushes. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. She didn’t want this marriage any more than I did. Hell, she’s the one that put in the stipulation that she wanted to finish schoo; first. Seriously, Isabel said Natalie was a CNA. I’m no expert, but I think classes are taught through vocational school that don’t require exorbitant amounts of time. Her father said she’d invested years into this career.

I’m starting to feel like this damn family has played me for a fool since day one.

“Why don’t you go back to the room you and Isabel were given. I’ll have my men come collect you when we’re ready to leave.”

“Do you know how long it will be?”

“I—”

“I only ask because Brick mentioned there’s a party here. I was thinking of going.”

I school my features—it’s not easy. “You’ve been kidnapped and held prisoner. Are you sure you’re up to a party?”

“I’d like to unwind. You could join me,”

she hums, curling her fingers into the fresh shirt that I borrowed. I’m not sure who it belonged to originally. It’s a little big but fits relatively well. E-Z brought it to me. “I hear the Titans’ parties get a little wild. Might be fun for us to enjoy together.”

“Wild?”

I repeat, and I can’t keep the sternness out of my voice. What the hell is going on here?

“Yes. A coworker of mine usually comes to a couple every month. You wouldn’t believe what she tells me goes on during them.”

“And you want to take part?”

“Yes, I mean, obviously I’d want to share those experiences with you,”

she qualifies.

At this point, I’m pissed, shocked, and numerous other emotions that I can’t name. I just stare at the woman that I’m married to. I’m wishing we could’ve remained strangers.

“Go to your room. We’ll be leaving before the party starts,”

I bark. If my voice is too stern, I don’t give a damn. I must rethink everything. I don’t need the Navarro alliance any longer. Perhaps I can talk with Daniel and offer to keep our pact in place but annul the marriage completely. I’ll call him later to discuss our options.

That’ll be the first thing on my list tomorrow morning.