Keep Me (Sinful Manor, #1)

by Sara Cate

“Yeah, someday.”

“I thought we settled this already,” he mutters lowly. “I am your husband, Sylvie. You are my wife.”

“But you are my wife, and it’s only a matter of time before you truly submit.”

He can have my body for now, but I refuse to let my husband have my heart.

I never intended to fall in love with my wife.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love fighting with my wife. I enjoy how easily I can push her buttons, and doing so has quickly turned into my favorite thing to do. Right after making her moan and purr in my bed every night.

He’s the last person on earth I want to love, but I can’t help it. I do.

“Grip the desk, mo ghràidh. Hold on tight.”

“Look how well you take me, mo ghràidh. Like you were made for me.”

“Wait, wait, wait. I’m supposed to take care of her?” I ask in a panic.

“Well, you are her husband, Mr. Barclay. Who better than you?”

For her, I could be better. I could leave this house more. I could be a real man. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. If that’s what she needs. Give her what she needs, and she’ll be fine.

“You have large muscles, but you’re still stupid and ugly.” “Well, that’s just a lie,” I reply with a grin. “I’m incredibly handsome.”

I hold her face and kiss her hard right on the mouth. I don’t care that she’s sick or that I’ve seen her go through an entire box of tissues in a day. If that’s disgusting, so be it. She’s my woman, and I’ll take the bad with the good. “In sickness and in health, remember?” I say with my lips just inches from hers.

We’ve been married for six months. And we have six months to go. I’ve not made any indication that I expect her to stay after the year, at least not yet. I desperately hope she does.

If I could have anything for my birthday, it would just be a typical day at home with my wife. Or perhaps her admitting to me that she actually gives a fuck about me. I’d like that too.

Because if any of those men think they can lay a hand on my wife, this weekend won’t end well.

“You clearly love your wife very much, Killian.”

This marriage isn’t even real, but he’s right. I do love her.

“You’re right. I do.”

“I’m not a monster, you know. If you get too drunk, I won’t be able to fuck your brains out later, and I plan to. So, I’ll say it again…”

“Keep your wits about you.”

That’s when Sylvie tightens her grip on my arm as if I’m being claimed. And I’m not going to lie, I sort of love it.

“Is my wee little wife jealous?” “I don’t like cheaters,” she mutters, denying that she’s jealous of another woman wanting me.

“I like to see you jealous.” She jerks away from me. “I’m not.” “Then you won’t mind me kissing another person tonight?” Her eyes turn to fire, glaring at me with rage. “You wouldn’t dare.” I chuckle softly. “It’s not really cheating. Just a kiss.”

“This, my sweet wife,” I say, grabbing her ass cheeks in my hand, “is mine.”

“Tell me I can punish you, Sylvie. I need to hear you say it.”

“Say it, wife. Yes or no?”

“Don’t worry, darling. I’ll let you pay me back, but I want to show you how good it feels first—to be claimed by your husband.”

“Yes,” she replies breathily. “That’s my girl,” I reply with a grin.

“All mine,” I mutter with a sneer as I take another long lick. “No one else can ever touch you. Is that understood?”

“Do you understand, Sylvie? Tell me you’re all mine.” “No,”

“You need more then.”

“Say it, Sylvie,” I mutter darkly. “Tell me you’re mine.”

“More,” she whines, shoving her hips backward.

Finally, on the last harsh hit, she screams, “Okay!”

“I’m yours,” she cries out in a breathless whimper. “I’m yours, I’m yours, I’m yours.”

“Ride my cock and show me, then.”

My heart swells in my chest. There is only her, only us. And I know she could have said those things because of the heat of the moment, but in my heart, I pray they’re true.

My woman. My wife. My darling.

It’s such a strange feeling to fall in love with someone you don’t intend to. It’s like being coerced or tricked. Everything that reminded me of what it was like to despise her is gone. Wiped from my memory forever.

It’s now early May, and I’m starting to feel a sense of panic building inside me because the days of our marriage are numbered. Sylvie only has four more months here. It will take me four more months to convince her to stay. To be my wife forever.

She has to know how I feel about her—how I feel about us.

“It’s all in my head, then,” I reply with a frustrated grunt. “You really do feel nothing for me.” Her head lifts, and I see a tremble in her lips. “I didn’t say that.” “Then, what are you saying, mo ghràidh?”

“I don’t know. Why are you asking me all of this right now? Why do I have to decide?”

“It’s okay, darling,” I whisper with my lips against the side of her head. “Let’s just go back home.”

“Fuck the house, Killian. Fuck this stupid contract. Let’s just blow it all off and go away together.”

“Because I love her, you fucking twats. And I would never talk to her the way the pair of you do. And for your information,” I add, pulling open the front door to find a deluge coming down outside. I put my finger in Sylvie’s mother’s face this time as I lean in. “Your child is supposed to be the center of your universe, you ungrateful, selfish bitch.”

To my surprise, my wife turns toward me in anger. “Leave me alone, Killian! You lied! You don’t love me! You’re not my husband. None of this is real!”

“What are you talking about? Of course, I love you.”