Kate Hewitt - Claiming My Bride Of Convenience

Which, of course, had been what I wanted too. Still wanted. It was just that his contrary kiss had rocked me for a second. I was already recovering—or so I told myself.

I lifted my chin, heedless of the tears that I knew still sparkled in my eyes. ‘Come on, Matteo. You’ve made it very clear that you don’t find me…desirable.’ Stupidly, it hurt to say the words out loud.

Matteo gave me a smugly amused look, his lips curving, a surprising dimple appearing in one cheek. I realised I’d never actually seen him smile before—not properly.

‘I think I just proved to you otherwise.’

‘You were proving something,’ I agreed, unable to keep hurt from lacing every word. ‘But I think it had more to do with power than need.’

The dark slashes of his eyebrows drew together in a frown. ‘What is that supposed to mean?’

‘You didn’t want me going ahead with an annulment…doing something that isn’t sanctioned and signed off by you. I get it.’

I shook my head, suddenly exhausted, both emotionally and physically, with the aftershocks of his touch still zinging through me. It had taken all my emotional reserves to survive this encounter, after three years of peace and quiet and solitude.

What had I been thinking , coming here with my request? Knowing Matteo Dias would refuse it? Because I realised that while I still longed for a child, a family, the need as deep and fervent as ever, I didn’t have the strength to fight my husband for my freedom. Not when he held all the cards and had all the power.

‘You think that’s why I kissed you?’ Matteo demanded, sounding irritated by the idea.

I raised my shoulders in a weary shrug. ‘Are you saying differently—that you were suddenly overcome by passion for me and couldn’t control yourself?’ I let out a humourless laugh. ‘As if.’

Matteo’s frown deepened and he didn’t reply. His narrowed gaze was assessing and, I feared, would dismiss me in the space of a few seconds.

‘No, of course not,’ he said finally. ‘Don’t be absurd.’

His words should have vindicated me, but they only deflated me further. Of course that hadn’t been the case. He’d just been using me to prove a point—and suddenly I couldn’t bear it. I thought of the loathsome Chris Dawson again, the look of revulsion on his face as I stumbled away.

Do you honestly think you’re worth that much, sweetheart? You’re deluded.

I thought I’d wised up since then, but I could see now that I was still under the most unbearable delusion—thinking that someone like Matteo Dias would agree to my plan and bend to my will, even desire me as a woman, rather than make me a point to be proved.

In that moment I couldn’t fathom why I had come here at all. Had it simply been a perfect storm of memory and loss? The anniversary of my parents’ death, the marriage of my closest friend back on Amanos, the feeling that, as happy and busy as I was, I was still alone?

I was always alone, and I would always be alone as long as I was married to this man.

‘Never mind, Matteo.’ I choked the words out, wanting only to escape his ruthless, arrogant sneer and get to the solitude and safety of my hotel room. ‘I’ve changed my mind. I’ll stay married to you. For another year, at least.’

I whirled around far too fast in my slinky dress and towering heels. I started to stumble and I gasped, flinging my hands out to break my inevitable fall, but then Matteo steadied me, his hands warm and firm on my shoulders.

‘Daisy…’ he said in a low voice.

He sounded…what? Sad? Apologetic? Or just exasperated at the fact that he’d had to deal with me at all and that I wasn’t doing as he bade?

‘I’ll leave for Amanos in the morning,’ I said, and, wrenching myself out of his arms, I hurried blindly from the room.

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