Chapter 21 Mine to Protect
Still sniffling, Evelyn told him everything. Her father had strangled her, and he also demanded she restore the business relationship between their families. They'd also keep calling her ‘a whore’ the whole time for sleeping with "Nathan's uncle." The worst part was she couldn't even defend herself—how could she explain she'd been drugged? How could she confront Nathan about the hotel incident?
She just had to bury everything up and let them point fingers, because it would mean admitting their entire story about being pregnant and meeting earlier was a lie.
As Roman listened, a cold quiet rage settled in his chest. But he could also feel her frustration with him, for imposing this contracted marriage, and with the situation he'd trapped her in. To lighten her mood, he decided to tease her.
He buried his rage for now, focusing on her. He nuzzled into her hair. "Well, you're my whore now. And I wouldn't have it any other way."
Evelyn stiffened and pulled away, her eyes blazing. "What did you just call me? A whore?"
He looked at her tear-streaked face—like an angry kitten trying to be fierce—and gently pinched her cheek. "I didn't call you a whore. I said you're my whore. There's a difference."
"I am not a whore, and I don't want to be yours!" She spun away and stormed toward the door with her cheeks puffed.
Roman chuckled softly, warmth filling his eyes as he watched her dramatic exit. But the moment the door closed, his expression turned cold.
He picked up his phone calmly and made a call. "Begin the acquisition of Hayes Corporation."
"Understood, sir. Push them straight to bankruptcy?"
"No," Roman said, his gaze fixed on the door Evelyn had just walked through. "Bring them to the edge. Let them dangle there, desperate. Then offer them a loan with impossible terms. When they inevitably default, we'll take everything. I want Richard Hayes to watch his life's work crumble because he dared touch what belongs to me."
He ended the call. The man who had just teased his wife was gone, replaced by a ruthless man.
\---
After handling some business calls, Roman went looking for his wife. When he got to the bedroom, it was empty, but the window was open wide, curtains billowing in the breeze. He frowned and moved to close it, then spotted a silhouette in the garden below.
His lips curved in a small smile. He grabbed a jacket and headed downstairs.
He found Evelyn standing among the roses, her face tilted toward the evening sky. The wind played with her hair, and a peaceful smile graced her lips as she watched the flowers dance in the breeze. For a moment, Roman simply watched, captivated by her. His heart, that had been steady for so many years, gave a hard unexpected thump.
He approached quietly and draped his jacket around her shoulders. She turned, startled.
"It's getting cold," he said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Come inside with me?"
He took her hand and led her back to warmth.
\---
After dinner, they retired to their bedroom. The moment the door closed, Roman began unbuttoning his shirt. Evelyn immediately spun around, her back facing him.
Roman's eyes gleamed with mischief. He moved to stand in front of her, now shirtless. Her eyes darted everywhere but at him.
"W-what are you doing?" she stammered.
"What are you being shy for?" he asked, amused. "It's not like you haven't seen all of me before."
Her face flushed red, her heart racing as he stepped closer.
“Y-you—”
“Y-you what?” he leaned in, “hmm?”.
She pressed a hand against his chest to stop him from getting further, and he deliberately flexed under her touch. She was stunned and immediately yanked her hand back as if burned.
Roman laughed, entertained by her reaction.
Realizing he was teasing her, Evelyn glared. "Shameless," she muttered, turning away.
He closed the distance, pulling her back against his chest and bending to whisper in her ear. "You're the only one who gets to see this side of your husband."
Her ears turned bright red. She broke free and scrambled onto the bed, pulling the covers over her head.
Roman chuckled. She heard the bathroom door close and, some time later, felt him settle onto the bed beside her. He shifted closer, then wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, pulling her against him.
She tried to wiggle free, but his hold was effortless.
"Seems like you have energy for other activities tonight," his voice rumbled against her ear.
"What?" she whispered, confused.
"Don't tell me you can't feel what your wiggling is doing to me."
She froze, suddenly aware of the hard length pressed against her lower back. Her eyes flew wide.
"I'll let you off for tonight," he said, voice strained. "But move one more time, and I'll keep you awake all through the night."
She gulped and went completely still. She was still tender from their wedding night.
"Can I have my own room?" she whispered stiffly.
His chest vibrated against her back with a silent laugh. "What married couple sleeps separately? Especially newlyweds?"
"But—"
In one swift motion, he flipped her onto her back. She gasped, finding him hovering above her with dark, hungry eyes.
"I see you do have energy after all," he murmured, leaning down to nip at her ear.
She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself. But he rolled away and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Sleep," he said gently. "And if I come back to find you still awake and talking... I can't guarantee my self-control. Your voice right now is driving me to distraction."
With that, he headed for the bathroom, and she heard the shower turn on.
—
Roman stood under ice-cold water, cursing under his breath. Having her so close yet restraining himself was exquisite torture. ‘Maybe giving her a separate room would help in moments like this… but no, that would only give her more reason to pull away.’
“Fuck,” he cursed under his breath, running a hand through his wet hair. If he wasn’t so determined not to scare her, not to make this feel like an obligation, he wouldn’t have stopped. He wanted her to come to him willingly, to want him as much as he wanted her.
Taking a steadying breath, he willed his body to cooperate.
Meanwhile, Evelyn had fallen asleep, blushing furiously from his raw honesty, completely unaware of the torment her innocent presence had inflicted on her new husband, leaving him under a cold shower for a very long time.