Bitter Heat

by Mia Knight

  She saved her manuscript before she cleaned up the kitchen. It was a beautiful day in New York without a cloud in the sky. She wished it was fucking storming. As she left the kitchen, she heard the rumble of Roth’s voice as he talked on the phone. How did he have the time to run an empire and box her in so neatly? Fucker.

  The only thing she needed to pack was her toiletries since she had clothes at Tuxedo Park. She focused on the positive. This was the beginning of the end. The sooner this shit went down, the sooner it would end. She was happy to take a break from the city and stay in the country for a while. She was going to see Kaia. It would be great to see her recovered from her surgery.

  She was on her knees in the closet fussing with her toiletry bag when Roth walked in.

  “Why is your stuff on the ground?”

  “I haven’t had time to sort through everything,” she muttered as he stripped off his sweatpants and reached for his slacks. Out of the corner of her eye, she admired his sculpted ass.

  “You don’t have to do it. That’s the housekeeper’s job.”

  “I…” To keep herself occupied, she started making sure all the lids of her products were on extra tight. “I didn’t want anyone coming in while I’m working. It’s distracting.”

  “She can unpack while we’re gone,” he said as he zipped up his pants.

  “I’d rather do it myself.”

  “You’re still resisting,” he said quietly.

  She waved her hand at her toiletries. “Does it look like I’m resisting?”

  “You resist in your mind.”

  Of course, she was. What was she supposed to do? Give herself to him so when he got rid of her a year from now, she’d be a wreck again? Fuck that.

  She fetched her wedding dress and veil from the guest bedroom and piled everything near the elevator before she went to the kitchen to pack her work bag. Once she finished, she found Johan near the elevator with her garment bags held aloft and his hand on her suitcase. Roth came out of the room with a small bag over his shoulder. He was talking on the phone and held his hand out to her. A glance at his face told her this wasn’t the time to test him. She let his fingers engulf hers and boarded the elevator.

  She kept her head high as they walked through the lobby. Like the other times she had passed through, it was busy and teeming with people. There was a slight din in the noise level as they strode past, but Roth couldn’t care less. He was still on his call with her hand held securely in his. She kept her eyes trained straight ahead.

  Mo was at the curb. She climbed into the back seat with Roth and saw the partition was up again. She buckled up and looked out the window as Roth ended one call and took another. Just another day, which turned out to be her wedding day. No biggie, right? People got married all the time. Some even married the same person twice, which was what she was about to do… Did they divorce the same person twice? Now that was the real question.

  They left the city behind and cruised through the country. Orange and yellow leaves still decorated the trees. At least the pictures will be nice, she mused.

  She jolted when Roth grasped her wrist. She turned her head, saw the ring in his hand, and tried to pull away.

  “No,” she said firmly.

  “It’s expected.”

  “But—”

  “Don’t argue.”

  She tried to curl her fingers into a fist, but he flattened her hand and threaded the massive ring onto her finger. It was a flawless cushion cut diamond on a delicate band encrusted with more flawless diamonds. It was massive and ridiculous and so beautiful that her already heavy heart sank to her toes. The ring dominated her hand. It was a declaration, one that no one would overlook.

  “It’s too much,” she said faintly.

  “It’s perfect.” He tilted her hand from side to side, making it sparkle. “It suits you.”

  He was going all in on this charade. “This must have cost a fortune.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Dai said you picked up the tab for the gown as well.”

  “I’m looking forward to fucking you in it tonight.”

  Her gaze whipped up to his. While she had been studying their hands, he’d been watching her. His eyelids were lowered over hungry eyes. Her skin tingled as his thumb brushed over her skin.

  “I decided in Germany that I have a bride fantasy,” he said quietly as his finger nudged the diamond ring. “You’re going to make it come true.”

  She tried to untangle her hand from his. “Cocky.”

  “Cocky describes someone who thinks they’re a boss. I am the fucking boss.”

  “You’re not the boss of me,” she snapped.

  “We’ll see.”

  His eyes dipped to his crotch, and hers automatically followed. He was aroused.

  “I want to see you fisting me with my ring on your finger.”

  “You’ve had too much time to think on your business trip.” She tried to sound lofty but came out sounding breathy instead.

  “That’s why you’ll travel with me in future. I won’t have to think about fantasies because I’ll get to act them out immediately.”

  “You’ve been sexually deprived, Roth?”

  His gaze was fixed on her mouth as he said, “I’ve never been one to take what’s offered just because it’s free.”

  “You’d rather pay and have an unwilling partner?” she asked caustically.

  “I pay for the best, princess,” he said softly. “And you only fight me because you think you should. I allow it because it makes my victory that much sweeter.”

  She wrenched her hand out of his. “You’re such a—”

  “Looks like my mom made it before us.”

  They had passed through the front gates of the estate without her noticing. As they approached the house, she saw a rental car parked in front. Roth answered his phone as Mo pulled up to the front door. She slipped out of the SUV and headed inside to find Thea and Kaia in the foyer.

  “You are getting married, miss?” Thea asked with wide eyes.

  She hoped neither of them noticed the hitch in her step. “Yes, I am. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you.”

  “A woman, I think her name was Sarai? She called me an hour ago to let me know you’d all be coming in today and to make sure I was here to welcome the caterer and guests. Who else is coming?” Thea asked.

  “My sisters and their families. I’m so sorry, Thea. I should have given you a heads-up.” Well, she would have if she’d known she was getting married today.

  “Are you all staying the night?” Thea asked.

  “I believe so.”

  “I’m going to freshen up the rooms,” Thea said and hurried upstairs.

  She hugged Kaia who was dressed casually in jeans and jacket. “I’m glad you’re here. How are you feeling?”

  She pulled back to find Kaia regarding her with a strange expression on her face. “Are you all right?”

  Kaia looked behind her. “Where’s Roth?”

  “He’s outside taking a call.”

  Kaia gripped her hand. “I need to talk to you.”

  “Okay,” she said and went along willingly as Kaia led her into the library. “Did something happen on the flight?”

  “It’s not that.” Kaia stopped in the middle of the room and turned to her. “I need you to answer me honestly.”

  A trill of foreboding trickled down her spine. “Okay?”

  “Are you marrying him of your own free will, or is he forcing you in some way?”

  She felt the blood drain from her face. “I’m sorry?”

  “I knew it.” Kaia paced away and tugged on her braid as she mumbled under her breath. “This is all my fault. I should have let you leave when you had the chance.”

  “What are you talking about?” she demanded.

  Kaia turned back to her with an expression that was almost fearful.

  “You can’t marry him, Jasmine. He’ll ruin you.”

  Her heart skipped a beat.
“What?”

  “He’s my son. I should love him but…”

  Should love him? What the hell? “Kaia, what are you talking about?”

  “I should have known once he saw you again, he wouldn’t let you go. The way he watches you…” Kaia shuddered. “He’s a master strategist, always one step ahead of everyone else. He’ll wait for years before he makes a move, and when he executes, he never makes a mistake. The psychologist says he lacks empathy. It allows him to focus on his goals without letting anyone get in his way. He’s always been cold, even as a child. Once he starts on a path, nothing can stop him.”

  “Psychologist?” she whispered.

  Kaia cocked her head to the side. “You don’t know?”

  “Mom.”

  They both jumped. Roth stood in the entrance of the library. His expression was as inscrutable as always, but something was wrong with his eyes. They glittered like black diamonds in his otherwise still face.

  “You’re done,” he said in a soft voice that made her stomach flip.

  “She doesn’t know, does she?” Kaia managed to sound defiant and nervous at the same time.

  “That doesn’t concern her.”

  “You haven’t changed,” Kaia whispered.

  “Neither have you,” he said coolly as he clasped his hands behind his back.

  “You’re holding something over her. She’s not willing,” Kaia said.

  His eyes cut to her. Her skin began to itch as she felt his will pressing on her. She felt as if she were receiving tiny paper cuts all over her body. The low-key anxiety she had been nursing on the ride here had turned into full-blown panic.

  “You know nothing about my relationship with Jasmine. Johan,” Roth said, and the guard appeared at his side. “My mom needs a ride back to the airport.”

  “No, Roth!” she said and stepped protectively in front of Kaia.

  “It’s fine, Jasmine,” Kaia said.

  “No, it’s not. I don’t understand what’s—”

  She didn’t realize Roth had moved until it was too late. He yanked her away from Kaia who backed away hastily as if she was afraid he was going to get physical with her.

  “Wait, Roth, you can’t let her leave!”

  Kaia paused at the door and opened her mouth to say something, but her eyes flicked to Roth, and she hastily looked away. Johan gestured out the door, and she walked out.

  “Wait!” Jasmine shouted, but Johan closed the door, bouncing her scream right back in her face.

  Roth cupped her face. “What did she say to you?”

  She glared at him. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  If she wasn’t plastered against him, she might have missed the way he tensed.

  “What do you mean?” he asked in a voice completely devoid of all emotion.

  “She said you’re going to ruin me.”

  His eyes moved over her face as he considered her words. The fact that he didn’t immediately contradict Kaia made her heart slam against her ribs.

  “What are you going to do to me?” she whispered.

  “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  She didn’t believe him. “Back off.”

  “She was your one request, so I allowed her to come. I knew better,” he said mildly as if she wasn’t struggling with every ounce of strength she had to get away from him. “Don’t listen to her.”

  “Your own mother told me not to marry you!”

  “Your father told you the same thing, but you did it anyway.”

  “That was different.”

  “How so?” He forced her to look at him, fingers digging into her skin. His eyes were black holes that led into the abyss. “I’m the same man.”

  No, the fuck he wasn’t. “You’re hurting me.”

  Instantly, his touched gentled as if he didn’t recognize his own strength.

  “Don’t believe her,” he said.

  She couldn’t look at him, not with Kaia’s warning ringing in her ears. “I need…” She tried to think of an excuse, anything to get away from him. “I need to…”

  “You’re safe with me.”

  She closed her eyes to block him out. “Roth, please.”

  He was standing so close, she couldn’t breathe. There was activity in his eyes, lots of it. More than she had ever seen. She felt as if she was standing on the edge of the cliff, and he was trying to coax her off the ledge. She wasn’t convinced he was the safer option.

  “My mother and I have never seen eye to eye.”

  “You need to let me go.”

  His expression hardened. “There’s no going back.”

  There was a cursory knock before the library door opened. That quickly, he was beside her, hand clasped in hers as Ariana came into the library with Kye on her hip.

  “There you are! I have the makeup and hairstylist with me!” she said gaily.

  When she started toward her sister, Roth pulled her to a halt.

  “Give us a minute, will you?” he asked so courteously that Ariana nodded and moved toward the door without a murmur of protest. Clearly, Ariana didn’t realize she was leaving her sister with a psycho. Jasmine was encouraged by the fact that Ariana had left the door open.

  “Whatever my mom said, forget it,” Roth said.

  She nodded instantly but couldn’t meet his gaze. Her mind was racing as she tried to think of all the ways he could screw her over.

  “Jasmine.”

  “Mm-hmm?”

  “Look at me.”

  She mentally braced as she obeyed. His face was calm, but something vicious lurked in the inky depths of his eyes.

  “You know me,” he said in a low voice vibrating with some emotion she couldn’t define.

  “What the hell are you two doing?” Lyle asked brusquely, breaking their staring contest.

  She stepped away from Roth, and this time, he let her go. She walked up to her brother-in-law who gave her a hug. When he held her at arm’s length and examined her face, he frowned.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She might have just made the second biggest mistake of her life with the same man.

  “You sure about this?” Lyle asked as his gaze flicked over her shoulder.

  She sensed Roth draw near a second before he said, “Of course she is.”

  His hand brushed the small of her back, reminding her he was watching, listening, waiting.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” she said hoarsely.

  “You never invited me to the first one,” Lyle said, eyes on Roth. His finger bumped against her new engagement ring. He raised her hand to get a better look. “You couldn’t get a bigger one?”

  “No,” Roth said.

  Lyle pushed her toward the door. “Get ready. Roth and I have things to discuss.”

  She left the room without looking back. The foyer was filled with people. Kye dashed through the legs of the caterers who were coming in with food. Rami held Polara in one arm while he shouted at his son, and Ariana tried to console Bailey who was crying over a broken headband.

  “Today’s the day!” Colette said and gave her a hug. “Are you ready?”

  Jasmine glanced at Mo who stood casually in front of the door, but she had a feeling he’d do something if she tried to go through it.

  “Come on, Min.” Ariana looped their arms together. “We need to get this show on the road!”

  Her sisters ushered her into a guest room where the hair and makeup artist had taken over.

  “Congratulations, Ms. Hennessy. What look are we going for on this special day?” the makeup artist asked.

  She tried to think of something, but her mind was blank.

  “What color is your bouquet?” the makeup artist prompted.

  “Do… do I have a bouquet? I don’t even know.” Her heart thudded in her ears as they all stared at her. She looked at her sisters for help.

  Colette stepped forward. “Her bouquet has dark purples, soft pinks, and white. Let’s put her hair up. She has a high-necked gown, a
nd you can see the veil there.” She pointed at one of the garment bags. “As for the makeup, let’s keep it light and classic with a bold lip. Minnie?”

  She nodded, and everyone lurched into action. The hairstylist tugged on her hair while the makeup artist caked her face and told her to tilt her head this way and that. Her sisters sat on the bed with the kids and chatted. The mood in the room was light and festive while she sat there, paralyzed with shock. Hysteria spread with every second that ticked past. She felt completely detached from everything that was taking place around her. Kye and Bailey perched on her lap, but she didn’t hear a word they said. When the makeup and hair stylist stepped back so she could see the full effect of their work, she didn’t react for several seconds.

  “What do you think, Ms. Hennessy?”

  “Great job,” she said.

  The makeup artist was so skilled that there was no trace of fear on her face. The cold sweat had been powdered away, and the soft blush on her cheeks gave the impression that she was joyful and excited rather than panicked and ready to lose her shit. Her hair was sleek and shiny, and the beautiful veil fell around her in soft waves. She had an unusually dark purple matte lip, a personal touch that made her feel more like Jasmine and less like a Barbie playing dress up.

  As the hair and makeup artists packed up their things, she turned to Colette who sat on the bed breastfeeding Polara.

  “Are you excited?” Colette asked, but her attention was on the hair and makeup artist as they filed out of the room. As soon as the door closed, she turned back to Jasmine.

  “I started,” she confided in a loud whisper.

  Jasmine blinked. “I’m sorry?”

  “Your books.”

  “Oh.” She didn’t feel the normal rush of nerves or insecurity over her work. She didn’t feel anything.

  “They’re very steamy,” Colette said and shifted uncomfortably.

  “I told you they would be.”

  “Is all that real?” Colette asked.

  “Is what real?”

  “The main character. How she feels about him? Is that how you felt about Roth?”

  She wanted to lie, but there was no use. “Yes.”