Monster A Dark Arranged Marriage Romance - Vanessa Waltz Page 0,84

his voice softening. “You’re one hell of a drug.”

A hot ache grew in my throat. I wrapped my arm around his leg and leaned against his thigh. He brushed my hair until the sweet moment passed, and then his grip turned fierce.

He pinned me over the coffee table.

His seductive smile seemed to penetrate me before he wedged himself in my mouth. His head tilted back, rapturous. The sight made me ravenous for his attention between my legs. He granted my silent wish, pushing my thighs apart to lick me while he thrust in my mouth. When his breath hit my pussy, I surrendered.

Later, I melted into a pool of bliss on our bed as Tony disappeared into the bathroom. His muscular frame slid in and out of view as he washed his face. He mopped his neck as he reentered the bedroom, the mouthwatering image of his briefs stretched over his glutes dragging me from the sheets. Still drunk on a post-orgasmic glow, I stumbled into his walk-in closet.

“Um—I was thinking we could go out tonight.”

Tony zipped his pants. “What did you have in mind?”

“There’s this Thai restaurant downtown that looks awesome.”

He frowned. “I thought you hated Thai.”

I shrugged. “I’ve been having cravings.”

Earlier today, I’d scrolled through a social media post. I clicked on the link, and it brought me to the gallery of appetizing images. Suddenly, an intense yearning for condensed milk, black tea, and coconut assaulted me.

His brows pinched as he tucked in his shirt. “I’ll get a reservation under a fake name.”

I crossed my fingers. “It’d be nice if Christian and Jennesy came, too.”

“Are they a thing now?”

“This would be their second date. She’s actually sneaking out to see him.”

“Ah. Well, I’ll see what I can do.”

Tony’s lack of enthusiasm wilted me a little. He clearly had no interest, but at least he was trying. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed the skin above his unbuttoned collar. He endured it but didn’t reciprocate. Then he disengaged from me.

“I’ll let you know soon.”

He pressed his lips into my cheek, the imprint of his mouth burning me. Then he left me in a breeze of vanilla musk.

I returned to bed in a fog, texting Jennesy.

Me: Double date is on.

Jennesy: Yasss! Where?

Me: I was thinking Thai.

Jennesy: What? You hate Thai!

Me: I know…but I have this craving for coconut and noodles. The other day I ate pickles and chocolate cake. Together. LoL.

Jennesy: Wow.

Jennesy: Are you pregnant??!

Shit.

I might be pregnant.

The test I bought from Target shortly after that conversation sat on the counter, taunting me. If Jennesy’s suspicions were right, it explained the bouts of nausea followed by an insatiable appetite, my missed period, and the strange cravings.

I paced the bathroom, sweating.

What if the result was positive?

Excitement shot through my nerves because I’d imagined this ever since Dad’s lawyers shoved the prenup in my face. I had prepared for it before we’d said “I do,” but now I pictured our children’s features and obsessed about the details. Would they have his hollowed gaze? Or my hooded eyes? No doubt, dark brown hair. Tall and wide, or more willowy, like me? Olive skinned or pale?

I checked the test again.

A faint line joined the solid one already etched in the window.

Holy fuck, I was carrying Tony’s child.

An explosion took place in the pit of my stomach.

Isabella would be ecstatic. She’d demand to be involved, and I’d appreciate the company. I didn’t have a mom to bombard with questions. My heart fluttered as I pictured a whirlwind of events—ultrasounds, the baby shower, pushing a stroller in parks, Tony and I holding our newborn, Tony rocking her to sleep.

My enthusiasm shorted out.

Tony would be pissed. He didn’t want kids and had told me so, repeatedly.

He also said he loved me.

That didn’t mean he was willing to forgo his lifestyle to run to doctor appointments and change diapers. He might walk out on us. My mother had professed to love me before she vanished. In my world, people rarely stuck around. Men made promises and broke them. Jennesy was living proof. I liked to think Tony wouldn’t abandon his child, but how could I be sure? He’d shot down trying for a baby, and now it was happening, six months into our flimsy marriage.

Devastation wracked my chest.

I loved him.

I loved his baby, but would our relationship survive?

I quietly lost my marbles at dinner.

I pretended to hate the Thai iced tea, which I could no longer drink, and avoided Jennesy’s probing gaze. She’d sent me several