"What’s the point of giving me this? We didn’t even have a honeymoon..." I clarified.

"Now that’s disappointing..." Zade said, amused. "If you wanted one, I could’ve given you the full experience."

I felt my skin crawl. "No thanks."

I set my eyes back on the car. I’m bursting with joy right now, but I can’t even bask in it.

Something just felt... off. In the office, when he said those words, he seemed... pissed. I just can’t explain it, and now he has gifted me a car?

"Wanna take it for a spin?"

"I thought we were going for lunch?"

"We are."

Just calm down, Anastasia. Take deep breaths. This could be nothing, and he’s just trying to throw me off as usual. Same dirty trick as always. It’d only get worse if I let myself fall for it.

Zade raised the key fob, and even though my body screamed at me not to take it, I did.

"Good thing you bought it," I said. "I was already planning to get one myself. I’m not about to sit pretty in the backseat while your chauffeur drives me around like some doll."

I opened the car door, feeling my insides scream when I felt the texture.

I got in, brushing my hand on the smooth wheel that automatically leveled. The scent of fresh leather and expensive cologne wrapped around me.

"Seatbelt."

I strapped them on, and he did too.

"Well then... what are you waiting for?"

I pressed the start button mounted on the steering wheel, and the car roared to life instantly.

*Internally screaming*

"Follow the map."

My eyes caught the digital dashboard.

I drove out, maintaining a good pace. The silence wasn’t up to a minute before Zade broke it.

"You do realize snails move faster than this, yes?"

"Sorry for not treating the road like a racetrack," I bit back.

He chuckled. "You wound me, kitten. I’m an exceptional driver."

Cocky bastard. Unlike him, I had no intention of driving like a maniac. I’m not racing ahead like I have a death sentence beaming at the top of my head.

I made a turn, emerging into a busier road when I felt his hand against my thigh.

My blood ran cold as I descended my gaze. What is he—!

"Eyes on the road, kitten."

My eyes shot back up, my nerves skyrocketing because he got bolder, pushing the rim of my dress backwards until I could feel the cool air kiss my sweet spot.

I panicked when he drove further, and I shut my thighs, trapping his hand. I couldn’t offer words because I was too busy trying to focus on the road, and he fucking knew that.

I gasped when he forced my thighs open, his fingers teasing around my thigh garter.

Fuck!

I chewed the inside of my mouth, the cold touch of his rings sent shivers up the back of my neck.

"D-Don—!"

"Tell me, kitten..." His voice became huskier. "Do you always moan Jacob’s name whenever you touch yourself?"

I hit the brake, my body lunging forward momentarily.

With a heavy breath, I raised my head to the road, a car stopped in front of mine because of the small traffic waiting for the lights to turn green.

A heavy chill doused me as flashes covered my head. Last night... I didn’t make it to my room alone. Zade was definitely there. The deja vu when he held my waist was right.

The memories came quicker as I recalled my drunken state like a horror movie. My breath grew rough, my grip on the wheels tightening until I could hear the leather squeeze.

He was there... with me...in the kitchen. I don’t remember it all clearly because some parts were hazy.

I was in his room... no, he carried me to his room and dropped me on the bed. My legs shot in the air as I took off my panties and tossed them at him, just like I did in the office.

All this time... it was all a fucking hint. Oh my God.

How could I forget such a thing...? I fucking rode his pillow as my horniness got the better of me.

Oh no no no no!

I shuddered when I felt his hand beneath my chin, tilting so that I faced him. He traced my jaw before he pulled down my bottom lip, slowly.

"What’s wrong, kitten?" he asked lightly. "You look as if you have seen a ghost."

I could hear the raging horns that called for me to move.

Suddenly, his hand was off.

"Drive."

I zoomed off in speed when I knew I shouldn’t. There was an innate dread growing inside me, and it got worse by the passing minute.

I pulled up in front of a building, and an almost hour of silence felt like the heaviest moment of my life. It didn’t even amount to the wedding day when I debated running away.

Zade was the first to get out, my eyes tracking his movement as he rounded the car to the driver’s side, opening the door.

With a trembling breath, I pinned my eyes on the hand he offered. Shakily, I took it, and he helped me out, closing the door behind me.

His eyes locked on mine as he took the key fob from me and flung it to the valet.

He led me into the restaurant, the whole time I was frozen as he navigated me through, even as we climbed up the stairs to the second floor, which was isolated, just a few men hanging around, and I knew they were his.

Panic crashed through me when I saw our table. Jacob was seated there, two men in suits behind him.

"Forgive us for being late, my wife drives pretty slow."

A chair was pulled out for him. Before I could react, he pulled me onto his lap as he sat down.

"Now..." His hand settled possessively against my waist. "Shall we begin lunch?"