Chapter 51
Of course not, she said through gritted teeth. Billy still needs you alive.
He imperiously pointed to the stool beside the tub. ‘Begin.”
She started washing his back, her touch so light it was barely perceptible. “Harder, he commanded, and when she immediately increased the pressure, his back instantly felt the stimulating sensation, but ilenty maintained his smile.
The feeling made his spine tingle–even her defiance excited him.
“Since we’re getting along so well,” she said in a falsely sweet voice, ‘why don’t we discuss divorce? You could be with Isabella openly, no need to sneak around-
The name Isabella snapped something inside him.
He moved faster than she could react, suddenly turning to pin her against the tub’s edge. Water splashed out, soaking her blouse, the fabric clinging to every curve. Her startled gasp made his whole body heat up.
*Henry!” She struggled to break free from his control, but froze when she felt the heat pressing against her hip. Their eyes met in the steam–filled air.
Her wet clothes were full of temptation, the thin fabric outlining her perfect body. Looking at her like this–yulnerable yet defiant, beautiful yet untouchable -made him crazy with desire.
He lowered his head, capturing her lips in a bruising kiss. She tasted just as he remembered–like vanilla, like defiance, like something uniquely Sophia.
His hands slid to her waist, gripping her hips to pull her closer. Through the wet fabric, he could feel the heat of her skin, her breathing becoming rapid when his fingers found sensitive spots. Part of him wanted to punish her, punish her for making him want her so much, punish her for refusing to know her place, punish her for whatever feelings she had for this mysterious “Sam.”
But a larger part just wanted her, had always wanted her, even when he pretended otherwise. This realization shocked him enough to loosen his grip slightly.
Sophia seized her chance, breaking free with a gasp. “Stop,” she commanded, though her voice trembled. “This changes nothing. I still want a divorce.”
The word divorce reignited his fury. Before she could retreat further, he grabbed her wrist. “You seem to have forgotten something important, wife. His fingers tightened. “You don’t make the decisions in this marriage.”
‘No?” She showed that familiar defiant expression. “Then who does? Isabella?”
The name hit him like a physical blow. Images flashed through his mind–Isabella’s perfect smile, her graceful movements, her need for him. All the things Sophia wasn’t, all the things he thought he wanted.
So why did thoughts of Isabella now feel so hollow, while Sophia’s defiance made his blood boil?
“You want to know where Billy is?” he growled, pulling her close again. “Then stop talking about divorce. Stop mentioning Isabella. Stop thinking about
Sam.”
Hearing this name, her eyes widened, confusion temporarily replacing anger. Then understanding dawned, and to his further anger, she actually laughed. “You investigated me again, didn’t you? Henry, your jealousy reveals your weakness!”
“Who is he?” Henry demanded, his fingers digging into her soft flesh. “This man you dream about?”
For a moment, something like pity crossed her face. Then her expression hardened. “Let me go,” she said calmly. “Or I’ll show you what five years of rage can do.”
The threat in her voice sent another wave of heat through him. She was magnificent like this–maintaining her pride and defiance even unde ontrol. He wanted to shatter that pride, make her submit, possess every part of her until she had no room to think of other men.
His free hand tangled in her wet hair, pulling her head back to expose her elegant neck. “You’re mine,” he growled against her skin. “Whatever you feel for Sanders or this Sam, remember this. You’ll always be mine.”
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The Ex Wife’s Redemption: A Love Reborn
Ch
