Bitter Heat (Singed, #1)

by Mia Knight

Thankfully, no code was needed to leave the penthouse.

He wanted to punish her for leaving him. It was in his words and the way he looked at her.

“How long what?” “How long do I have to whore myself out?” When he didn’t respond, she asked, “Do you have a number in mind or is it over a certain period?” God, it couldn’t be long. She wouldn’t last.

He positioned himself behind her. She heard the clink of his belt before she felt the head of his cock slipping through her wet.

“This is the only way I know how to communicate with you,”

“You’re going to ruin my life, aren’t you?”

“That depends on you.

After, he carried her the last block home because her legs weren’t working right. That was shortly after they were married and right before he moved to London. He probably considered that moment rock bottom, since he was in the midst of watching his companies topple. But for her, those were her happiest memories.

“I never lost my taste for you. I figure a year should be enough time to work you out of my system, and in return, your family legacy will continue, and you’ll never have to worry about me again.”

“It won’t be like last time.” “It’ll be worse,”

“Even if you don’t sign, every time I see you, I’m gonna find a way to get you on your back. At least, this way, you’ll get something out of it other than a climax and material for your books.”

“You want me even though you claim to hate me. I fought long and hard for you, and you left me. I want my prize.”

She was idiotically loyal and built to protect… but who would protect her from Roth this time?

“If I need a mental break… or even a physical one if you go overboard.”

“I’ve never hurt you.” She crossed her arms. That was a fucking lie. He destroyed her five years ago.

“You can’t call me a whore.”

He had already stomped all over her pride, but she wasn’t a punching bag. She was a fucking person, and once upon a time, she had been a real wife (in her mind), and he wasn’t allowed to mock her for it.

“Maximus told me if anything happened to him, you’d show up, and here the fuck you are.” “He knew, no matter how long it took, I’d get her back, and she finally agreed,”

The fact that he had so easily taken over her life in a few short days freaked her out. What did he want from her?

“You’ll fulfill all roles as my wife. You attend functions with me, you travel with me, you fuck me.” He cupped her chin as he leaned in. “No other men. If I even see you look at another man, I’ll…” He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip and shook his head. “Just, don’t.”

“We have history, most of it bad, but that’s in the past. We start from here.” “Start what?” she asked. “What we would have had if Maximus hadn’t ripped us apart.”

“I was pissed at your father, and I took it out on you. It won’t happen again.”

“I spent five years without you, and then you gave me the green light in Colorado. You’re better than I remember. One taste, and I’m addicted, worse than before.”

“Been jacking off to the thought of you for three weeks.” His hand clenched painfully around her breast. “You want to know why marriage? I want legal rights over you. I want you at my mercy. I want everyone to know I’m fucking the Hennessy princess. I want those frat boys to know they’ll never be where I am. I want Maximus to turn in his grave.”

“You like how I give it to you. You like when I take over, when I force you to bend. You were made for me. No one fits me like you.”

“A year of you. That’s my price to stop me from claiming my vengeance. Your father made me a slave for seven years. You’ll be mine for one.”

“I’m not your enemy,”

“You don’t like me in your space, do you?” Obviously. The corner of his mouth curved. “Too fucking bad, princess.”

“Being nice hasn’t gotten me anywhere in life.” She opened her mouth to snap, but his next words stopped her. “But I have everything I want now, so I’ll try.”

“What time is it?” “Time to fuck.”

He purred and brushed kisses over her face as she cussed him out. He rocked slowly in and out of her until she quieted. He stared at her as he fucked her, commanding her attention without saying a word.

She tensed. “Yes.” “You figure out what happens to my character yet?” She leaned against the island and crossed her arms. “A knife-wielding hooker cuts off your penis, and you bleed to death in a dirty motel in Vietnam.”

“You’re seriously not going to tell me the code?” “Ms. Hennessy, I think this is something you need to speak to Mr. Roth about.”

“Roth holds everything close to his chest, but he’s a good man,” Sarai continued as she shouldered her bag. “No one can force him to do anything. He knows what he wants, and he doesn’t stop until he obtains it.” She cocked her head to the side. “He’s different with you.”

“Don’t, Roth,” she whispered. “What did he say, princess?” “Don’t call me that,” she said harshly as she covered her face with both hands. “I’m not a princess.” “You are to me.”

“There are other molds. You don’t have to fit into theirs.” She stared at him. “What are you saying?” “I’m saying you can choose another path.” “Which is?” “Me.” Her heart stopped. “I don’t have the money your family does, but I work hard. I’ll marry you.”

Roth brought out a side of her she didn’t know existed. She didn’t have to put on an act. He liked her for who she was. For the first time in her life, she truly understood what it meant to be happy.

then she met Roth. She loved the way he made her feel—empowered, desirable, strong. He listened to her and asked for her opinion. He made her yearn for a different path.

With Roth, the possibilities were endless.

She had no idea how he ...

“You don’t want him. You want me.”

“You want me, don’t you?” With everything in her. “We can’t.”

“I… I want you,” she said in a rush. “But I can’t have you!” He caged her against him. “You can.”

“I don’t want you to regret this.” “I won’t.” “Promise?”

“Promise.” He stroked her cheek. “Are you going to marry me?”

“Are you… Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”

He hadn’t given a clear reason for wanting to marry her. He had proposed (sort of) and she had agreed. She had been so desperate for love that she took a chance on him and jumped. Stupid girl. She had uttered the L word many times over the two years they were married. He never had.

A man stood by the lake. As she approached, he turned. Her father didn’t smile. He couldn’t anymore, but he held his hand out to her in invitation. “Come, daughter, tell me a story.”