With This Ring (To Have And To Hold Duet #1) - Natasha Knight Page 0,43
Noah.
“You’re all right. You’re safe.”
I shove his hands away. “I’m not upset because I don’t feel safe. I haven’t been safe in ten years. I’m upset because nothing will change. I’m upset because maybe it would have been better if you’d just had my uncle pull that trigger two more times.” I don’t mean it. Why did I say it?
“Dead is never better, Scarlett. Never.”
“I mean, ultimately, that’s what’s going to happen to my brother. To me.”
“God you’re fucking dramatic.” He pulls me toward the second SUV.
“Fuck you.” I resist all the way, and no one does a thing. Not one of the men gathered here. Not that I expect them to.
He sighs, wraps his hands around my waist and lifts me into the backseat. He rests his hands on my thighs and even for as high as the vehicle is, I still have to look up at him.
“Isn’t it better than locking him up in that cell?” he asks.
I try to shove his hands away, but just then he cocks his head, glances down.
Shit.
He must feel the file I strapped to my leg. It seems so stupid now as he pushes the dress up a little on my thigh.
“What have we here, Little Kitten?” He takes the file out of its makeshift strap constructed out of hair ties and tests the point. He looks at me, eyebrows raised, then turns to the man behind him. “We’ll need a minute, Antonio.”
“Yes, sir,” Antonio says, turning his back as Cristiano climbs into the backseat and closes the door.
I fold my arms across my chest.
“What did you think you’d accomplish with this?”
“I don’t know, poke an eye out maybe?”
He smiles.
No, it’s more of a smirk.
He sets the file aside but before I can even register what’s happening, he flips me face down over his lap and smacks my ass so hard I cry out in shock.
“You need to learn to behave,” he says, adjusting my position, tucking me closer to him and smacking my other cheek.
“Ow! Let me up!”
“Not happening, Little Kitten,” he says just before flipping my skirt up.
He stops short the instant he does, sucking in a breath. Because I’m not wearing underwear. I didn’t have any.
“Let me up!” I reach back to at least cover my butt and he grabs both wrists in one hand.
“What’s this?” I hear laughter in his voice.
“I didn’t have underwear, you jerk! Let me up!”
He tsks and when I kick my legs, he shifts his to trap them between his thighs.
“We’ll put panties on our shopping list,” he says calmly before spanking me three times. “Although I’m tempted not to.”
I crane my neck to look up at him. He’s trying hard to keep a serious expression on his face. “Stop it. I mean it. And this is in no way funny.” My face feels hot.
“It’s funny from my vantage point.” He raises his hand to smack again and I squeeze everything tight, my eyes, my fists, my butt.
“What do you want from me?” I call out as I process the sting.
“Well, I’d like to turn your pretty little ass bright red for starters.”
“You’re a fucking Neanderthal.” I try to kick, but it does no good.
“And you have a very nice ass, Scarlett.”
“Fuck off.”
“Look at me.”
“No.”
“No?” He smacks again and tears sting my eyes. Then he starts rubbing my butt in lazy circles and my wires must cross because all I should feel is pain. Pain and humiliation and brutal injustice. But his hand on me right now, him holding me like he is, that’s not all I feel.
“Look at me,” he repeats.
I do, a tear sliding down the side of my face.
“What did you think you’d do with a nail file strapped to your thigh like you’re some warrior woman?”
“What do you expect me to do? Not fight? Not try to defend myself? I was twelve when I started fighting. I don’t know any other way to be. Don’t expect me to roll over for you in a day. It’s not how I’m wired. I know I’m not a warrior woman. I know you’re stronger than me and that you’ll probably beat me every time, but I have to try.”
“I don’t want to hurt you, Scarlett.”
“Yeah right, that’s obvious. I fucking hate you.”
He shakes his head and raises his arm.
I struggle, wriggle to get free, and that’s when I feel him. Feel his hardness against me. He’s aroused.
He’s fucking aroused.
And I have no idea what the fuck is happening here in the backseat of