RAQUEL’S POV

“Just so you don’t forget, Buzzbee,” he murmurs, voice deep and dangerous, his lips brushing close enough to send a shiver down my spine, “we haven’t had our honeymoon.”

His cologne—strong, expensive, and sharp like him—wraps around me, cutting the air from my lungs. God help me, my thighs press together instinctively, a shameful heat curling low in my stomach despite every ounce of willpower I cling to.

My body locks in place, his words a brutal reminder of the reality I’ve been trying to escape. Last night I managed to avoid it, but sooner or later, my husband is going to want me. Claim me.

But will I be ready?

I never dreamed of a wedding, never once imagined a honeymoon. Those were fantasies for girls who believed in fairy tales. Me? I don’t even know if I’ll survive the reality.

Then, he straightens, cold blue eyes sliding to Danio like I’ve already been dismissed. “Tell Diana to meet me in my study.”

And just like that—he walks away.

Diana?

The name slices into me. He wouldn’t… he wouldn’t bring a woman here. Not to our home. Rumors about his playboy habits are no secret to the Internet or me—But rumor also said he takes them to hotels, not here.

So who is she? Someone different? Someone… special enough to earn this privilege?

The thought burns hotter than I want to admit.

My chest tightens painfully. Will I ever be worthy enough for him to even look at me that way?

Will he ever see me as his wife?

My head won’t stop spiraling. I tip the mug to my lips and gulp the rest of the coffee, sweet and scalding. It doesn’t help the rising sensation in between my legs. It doesn't cool the sudden hotness I'm feeling

I stand up and flee upstairs, retreating to the safety of my room.

The first thing I do is scan the corners, searching for cameras. Nothing. Relief crashes over me in a shaky exhale.

Then, before I can talk myself out of it, my hand slips beneath the waistband of my pajamas. My fingers slide against my clit, already wet, and frustration claws through me.

“Fuck…” I mutter through clenched teeth, hating myself for this. For how badly my body betrays me.

This is insane. I’m supposed to be numb—my meds are supposed to keep me in control. But against Kai? They’re useless.

I hate this weakness. I can’t let him find out how much his presence alone undoes me. The humiliation would be unbearable.

No. I need to talk to my doctor. And Eliana. Somehow.

I glance at yesterday’s outfit still tossed on the bed and sigh. Maybe I should take the free shopping slot . Just this once.

Decision made, I head into the bathroom to shower. By the time I step out wrapped in a towel and dressed, my mind is set.

But as I descend the stairs, the sharp click of heels echoes through the manor.

A woman.

She comes into view, rushing down in a sheer black gown that leaves little to the imagination. Her red heels match her lipstick and bag, the perfect uniform of a confident seductress.

So she's Diana.

My stomach twists in jealousy. Of course.

She looks like she belongs on a magazine cover—or sprawled in a man’s bed. My husband’s bed.

But not here. Not in my home.

Her expression shifts when she spots me. Pale surprise hardens into a glare as sharp as glass.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” she demands, voice dripping with venom.

I lift my chin, calm but unyielding. “That’s supposed to be my line. What are you doing in my home? And why were you with my husband?”

Her eyes widen. Her mouth parts, choking on a response. “Your… what?”

I let out a sharp, arrogant laugh. “Please, Dan,” I call sweetly, motioning toward her. “Escort this certified slut out of my home. I’d rather not risk lung cancer breathing the same air.”

Her lips tremble with rage, but Dan doesn’t give her the chance to speak. He ushers her out, efficient and merciless.

Only when she’s gone do I let myself exhale. That had took more confidence than I possessed.

I might have been able to scare this one of, but what happens when he brings the next one? Or the one after that?

No. I won’t let him disrespect me. He may not want this marriage, but I’ll be damned if he humiliates me in it.

Fuck my feelings for him. I deserve some respect.

My feet move before my doubts can catch up, carrying me straight to his study which wasn't hard to find.

The brass plate on the door gleams with the word 'study'. My hand hovers over the knob—then drops back. My courage beginning to falters. I pace back and forth.

What if he thinks I’m desperate? Jealous? Pathetic?

I hate this feeling. I hate being this weak, this small. And I hate having to share my husband, more.

And then the door swings open.

Kai stands there, black shirt stretched across his shoulders. Cold blue eyes land on me like a blade.

I gasp, caught in place.

Before I can speak, his hand clamps around my wrist, yanking me inside. The door slams shut.

In one brutal motion, my back hits the wood, his body pressing into mine. His left hand pins both my wrists behind me, his right hand wrapping firmly around my throat.

I gasp, struggling, my nails digging into  skin. He doesn’t flinch.

He towers over me, like a wolf cornering prey. I’ve always pride myself for being tall, always teased Eliana for being shorter. But in his shadow, I feel so small. Breakable. I barely even made it to his shoulder.

His chest looms inches from me, the fabric stretched over lean muscle. My gaze flickers helplessly to the open collar, to the clean tattoo free skin that’s maddeningly close.

It’s illegal for someone to be this dangerous and this beautiful.

My bottom lip trembles between my teeth. His breath fans across my face, hot, sharp, intoxicating.

“What are you doing, Buzzbee?” His voice is silk and steel, sinking into me, coiling around my nerves.

Buzzbee. Is that what he thinks of me. Like I’m nothing more than a nuisance?

I cough against his grip, struggling for air. “I… I can’t… speak… like this.”

He holds me there, frozen, then slowly releases my throat. His other hand doesn’t move—it cages me in, palm pressed against the door above my shoulder.

I suck in a ragged breath, my neck still tingling where his hand was. Shame burns through me, because all I want is to feel it again.

“I saw a woman downstairs,” I force out, my voice steadier than I feel.

His brows lift slightly. He knows who.

“And?” His tone is bored, dismissive.

“I don’t want to see her here again.”

A smirk curls across his lips, dark and merciless. “And why should I care what you want, Buzzbee? You don’t get to call the shots on me.”

“Because I’m your wife, Kai.” My voice cracks but hardens. “I may hate this marriage as much as you do, but I won’t be disrespected. Sleep with whoever you want, but not here. Not in my home.”

His smirk deepens into a grin—dark, mocking, amused.

He leans close, his lips brushing my ear, his words dripping like poison and honey all at once. “You sure about that, Buzzbee? About hating this marriage? Because I could swear I smelled your arousal earlier.”

My heart stutters. My eyes go wide.

He chuckles  dryly, low, dangerous, dark . “Admit it, Buzzbee. You fancy me.”

My knees nearly give out at the seduction in his voice. Raw and addictive.

But I force the words out, shaky but firm. “I. Don’t. Fancy. You.”

And then I bite him. Hard. My teeth sink into his shoulder through the fabric. He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t even blink. But he releases me.

The arrogant bastard simply turns his back, striding to his desk like nothing happened.

“Here.” He tosses something without looking. I catch it on instinct.

A card. Black. Gold lettering. A Limitless debit card.

“Use it for your shopping,” he says coldly. “It’s yours now.”

My lips part in a silent gasp. The bastard just handed me power.

I roll my eyes, covering the confusion twisting inside me, and spin on my heel.

*****

The mall air feels different—lighter, filled with chatter and polished floors reflecting neon lights.

Kenzo, my assigned driver, walks beside me. A giant of a man, all bulk and frowns, his intimidating presence clears a path through the crowd. People shrink away, but to me he’s almost harmless. Loyal. Predictable.

Still, I almost pity him now. His massive arms are stacked with over fifteen shopping bags, straps biting into his skin. And that’s after he already dropped off half in the car.

I stifle a laugh. Maybe I should help. But no, he’d refuse.

Instead, I school my features, adopting a mask of discomfort. “How about you take that to the car and wait for me? I really need to use the restroom.”

I tilt my head, eyes wide, lashes fluttering.

He hesitates, jaw tight. But there’s no way he’ll follow his boss’s wife into a ladies’ restroom. With a curt nod, he turns and lumbers off toward the car.

The moment he disappears from sight, I pivot smoothly and head in the opposite direction—toward the back exit.

My phone slides into my hand. My thumbs fly across the screen, messaging Eliana.

My heart races—not from fear, but from the thrill of getting away.

For once, Kai Rodriguez won’t know where his little Buzzbee is going.