CHAPTER 2: His House, His Rules

  The elevator only went to one floor. His.

  

  Penthouse.

  

  Caelum Vane didn't hold my hand. He held my wrist. Like I might run.

  

  His driver opened the car door and wouldn't look at me. Like he was scared to look at his boss's new wife.

  

  "Caelum, this is too fast," I whispered as the elevator doors closed. My ring felt heavy. "My family -"

  

  "Your father got $8 million cleared ten minutes ago. He is at home drinking. He is safe because you said yes." He looked down at me, his jaw tight. "Don't worry about them. Worry about me now."

  

  The elevator opened into his home.

  

  God. It wasn't a home. It was a kingdom. Black marble, glass walls overlooking the whole city, lights like stars below us. It was cold. Perfect. Like him.

  

  A woman in a black dress appeared. Old, stern.

  

  "This is Irena. My housekeeper. She will show you your closet." Caelum finally let go of my wrist.

  

  "My closet?"

  

  "Our closet, principessa. But your side is waiting."

  

  Irena led me down a hall. I glanced back. Caelum was watching me, hands in pockets, eyes dark.

  

  The bedroom was bigger than my entire apartment. One huge bed in the middle, black sheets. And a wall of glass.

  

  But the closet - I gasped. It was full. Dresses, heels, bags, all in my size. All new, tags still on. Designer.

  

  "Mr. Vane ordered for two weeks," Irena said. "He knows your size."

  

  My face burned. How did he know my size?

  

  When I turned, Caelum was in the doorway. Irena disappeared.

  

  "You like it?" he asked.

  

  "You bought all this without asking me?"

  

  "I don't ask, Elira. I provide." He walked in, slowly. He took off his watch, placed it on the dresser. "Take off your blouse."

  

  My heart stopped. "What?"

  

  "You are wearing cheap polyester. You are Mrs. Vane now. You don't wear that." His voice was low, commanding. "Take it off. Put on something in the closet."

  

  "I can change later. When you leave."

  

  "I am not leaving." He sat on the edge of the bed, legs spread, eyes locked on me. "This is my bedroom. My house. My wife. I stay."

  

  I clutched my blouse. "You said contract. One year. No feelings."

  

  "And you will sleep here. Every night. Next to me. That is clause one." He leaned forward, elbows on knees. "Clause two - you don't hide from me. I want to see what I paid eight million for."

  

  I was shaking again. But not just fear. Anger made me brave.

  

  "You didn't buy me!"

  

  "Didn't I?" He stood, and in two steps he was in front of me. He grabbed the hem of my blouse, his knuckles brushing my stomach. The touch sent electricity through me. "This debt, this ring, this closet - you are mine, Elira. Say it."

  

  I bit my lip hard so I wouldn't make a sound.

  

  He noticed. His eyes dropped to my mouth.

  

  "You keep biting that lip, and I will bite it for you." He whispered, his breath hot on my ear. He was so close I could feel his chest against mine. "Take. It. Off."

  

  Slowly, with trembling fingers, I unbuttoned my blouse. One button. Two. Three.

  

  His eyes never left me. They turned darker with each inch of skin.

  

  When the blouse fell to the floor, I stood in my plain white bra, breathing fast.

  

  He inhaled sharply. His jaw clenched.

  

  "Christ." He muttered in Italian. "Sei perfetta."

  

  His hand came up, but he didn't grab. He traced the strap of my bra, feather-light. I shivered.

  

  "So innocent," he murmured. "Have you ever had a man touch you here, Elira?"

  

  I shook my head, too embarrassed to speak.

  

  "Good." His hand slid to my back, pulling me closer until my chest almost touched his shirt. "Because from now on, only I touch you here. Only I kiss you here. Understand?"

  

  "Yes," I whispered.

  

  "Yes what?"

  

  "Yes... Caelum."

  

  He groaned, like my saying his name did something to him.

  

  Then he let me go abruptly, stepping back. I gasped at the cold.

  

  "Put on the red dress. The silk one. We have dinner with my business partners in one hour. They need to meet my wife."

  

  He walked to the door, then stopped.

  

  "And Elira?"

  

  I looked up, clutching my arms over myself.

  

  "If you ever try to run from this marriage, I will lock every door in this city until I find you. And when I find you, I won't be gentle."

  

  He left.

  

  I stood alone in his giant closet, wearing his ring, his eyes still burning on my skin.

  

  I put on the red dress. It hugged every curve, slit up to my thigh. When I looked in the mirror, I didn't see poor intern Elira anymore.

  

  I saw Mrs. Vane. The devil's bride.

  

  And for the first time, I wasn't sure I wanted to escape.