Page 136 of Uncrowned

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re still hiding behind your clothes. I’m not opposed. I just much more preferred the blue one you wore yesterday.”

“You—Of course you saw me. How did you know I was here?”

“I know everything, Penelope.”

“I have no doubt.”

Her tone was clipped as she went back to staring out the window. We had so much to discuss, but now wasn’t the time. She was pissed at me, and until I got to the bottom of what the hell happened almost six months ago, I was going to stay furious as well.

“Do you normally go for drinks with men? That’s where you were headed before Bastian⁠—”

“Do not even go there.” Her glare was back but at least she was looking at me. “You lost all right to have an opinion over what I do or who I have drinks with.”

I was across the seat so fast, trapping Penelope against the window and door. She couldn’t move. But she did have her hand right on my chest. She applied pressure, not backing down from the murder written in my eyes.

“Your rights are mine. You don’t drink with anyone but me. If you even try⁠—”

“You’ll kill them?”

An evil smile appeared just as slowly as my own vow left me. “I will kill them.”

“Is this how it’s going to be? You smashing me into the ground or doors whenever I stand up to you? I’d like to know so I can mentally note how big of an asshole I can expect you to be.”

My gaze dropped to her lips long enough to have her pushing harder into my chest.

“Vaughn.”

Her tone deepened, but I couldn’t stop from inching towards her lips.

“Alright. Asshole. Noted.”

“I hope you wrote it in permanent marker. This asshole isn’t ever going anywhere. You tortured me for six months. You’re going to pay for that in your lessons.”

“You’re wasting your time. I will not be undergoing anymore lessons.”

“Oh yes you are.”

Blue eyes grew almost vibrant in her fury. The SUV took a turn, sending me leaning even more into her. Our lips brushed and she pushed against my chest, hard, putting space between us. I could have fought her, but I didn’t. I was too surprised by her force.

“I’m not going to be your queen, Vaughn. You’re wasting your time. You have to choose someone else.”

“Never.”

“There’s plenty of available women with titles.”

“No.”

Silence thickened in the SUV. Men shifted uncomfortably. Penelope didn’t seem to notice or care as she turned away again.

As the miles passed, the man who’d been robbed of a year from his obsession clawed to break free. He wanted to jerk Penelope up and force her to straddle him so he could stare into her eyes. So he could implant himself inside to live there within her again. To exist only for her.

He didn’t.

To allow that weakness to show was to sign mine or Penelope’s death warrant. I couldn’t risk it. Let The Order and all who saw her believe we hated each other. Behind closed doors, I would suffocate her with my love until she couldn’t breathe. No one would ever take that away from me again. Not even her.

Until Penelope was convinced that she was my very existence, I’d continued to force myself into her any way I could. Before it was over with, there wouldn’t be a single part of her where I wouldn’t exist.