Chapter 11 Out . He grabs my hand and pulls me out of the elevator , and I stumble forward . I swallow the lump in my throat as I look around . I always knew that Gabriel Ferrara had expensive taste , but this is next level . The walls are a soft hue of gold . The ceilings are sky high , and huge dark wooden archways interconnect the rooms . The arches remind me of something you would see in an historic church or something . Grand and oversized . The furnishings are all beautiful dark wooden antiques . Huge navy and maroon Aubusson rugs are on the dark timber floors . Beautiful artworks in huge gold gilded frames are hanging on the walls . Its like a step back in time to a kings palace or something . Welcome to my home . His eyes twinkle with pride . Suddenly , I remember the mission . Thats right , I hate you . Its nice , I lie through gritted teeth . Its not nice , its fucking fabulous , but Im not giving him the satisfaction of gushing over it . His dark eyes hold mine . Dont look at me like that . I drop my shoulders to try to look tough and in control . Like what ? Before I can answer the question , he cuts me off . Like I want to taste every inch of your skin ? I feel myself melt into a puddle . Dont start talking dirty , I wont stand a chance . The Perfect Husbands Secret 14506 apter But I do , Violet . I cannot hide it . I wont even try to . I havent even touched the surface with the things I want to do to you . Arousal begins to steal my brain . You shouldnt be such an asshole , then , I whisper . That didnt sound convincing , even to me . Do you know me at all ? He smiles as he lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my fingertips . The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention . 1 Oh … I watch him softly kiss my hand . Thats the problem , I do , I whisper , distracted . Hes just so … Im not your plaything , Gabriel , I say as I pull my hand from his grip . But I am your toy to play with . He smirks . You think Im a science experiment ? I squeak . 45 He tips his head back and laughs out loud , and I bite my bottom lip to stop myself from smiling too . Would you like a drink ? he asks . That depends . On what ? On whether Im getting an apology for your assholeness or not . His eyes dance with delight , and I get the feeling that it is me who is the toy . He takes me into his arms and drops his lips to my neck . I am sorry for acting like myself at the office . He bites me , and goose bumps scatter up my arms . I should have acted like someone else . He teases me as he bites me again . Because the very least you deserve is for me to act like I want the entire office to know my business . The Perfect Husbands Secret 19.6 % apter 11 He bites me again , and my body melts against his as I grab his hair . Okay , what the hell is this ? Hes taunting me while not apologizing and my body is lapping it up . I take a step back from him . Id like that drink now , please . Of course . He licks his lips as his eyes hold mine and the darkness behind them sends a shiver down my spine . I get the feeling that Im going to get it . He walks into another room off the living room and down a corridor and I tentatively follow . Holy … what the ? Its a bar . A fully fledged huge bar , the walls are dark green and the bar is a rosewood timber . He begins to pour the drinks as my eyes look around the space . The a pool table , a card table , even a roulette table . Its like a damn casino in here . To the right , theres a sunken room with a black circular leather couch around a pole . Huh ? Whats the pole for ? I ask . Strippers , he says casually as he takes a sip of the drink hes just poured . I stare at him as my brain misfires , what do you even say to that ? The Perfect Husbands Secret 19.7 % ་ You have strippers to your house ? I gasp . Of course I do . I certainly dont want to go to their houses , he replies casually as he passes me a heavy crystal glass . What the … Im shocked , shocked to my core . He has a fucking stripper pole in his bar room . I take a sip and wince, so strong . Ugh , its horrible . Is this stripper juice ? He raises his glass in the air with a cheeky wink . Something like that . Figures , I reply dryly . I imagine all the hot women he must have here , and insecurity creeps in . What could he ever see in me ? Damn it , maybe I do need this liquid bravery . I take a huge gulp and it burns all the way down . Ugh … Oh , hell . Perhaps tonights stripper may be throwing up after drinking this , but whatever . He asked . He points to a stool at the bar , and without thinking I do as he says and drop to the seat . He sits down beside me ; his eyes linger on my lips as he takes a slow sip of his drink . Hes imagining something , god knows what , but its perverted , I know . I glance over to the sunken lounge and the pole ; I imagine him sitting there watching a naked girl writhe and dance for him , its too much to bear and I snap my eyes away . Seriously … what am I doing here ? He isnt in my league . We arent even in the same stratosphere . This is going to break me . What is it ? he asks . The Perfect Husbands Secret 19.9 % Papter Nothing , I say softly . He puts his finger under my chin and lifts my face to his . Violet ? My stupid eyes well with tears , betraying my bravado act . His face falls . What is it ? I put my drink down on the bar . I should … Im going to get going . Have a merry Christmas . I force a smile . It was really … I pause as I try to get a hold of my emotions , … nice working for you . He stands abruptly . Violet , the night is young . Im not a stripper , Gabriel . Im not even a player . The last time I had sex was over a year ago , and this is …. I gesture to the room . Isnt… I shrug , embarrassed that Im not the bad girl I want to be , that my heart is already broken after one cheap fuck on his desk . Its not who I am . Im sorry if I gave you the wrong impression . I rush back out to the living room with him hot on my heels . I keep walking . He grabs my hand and spins me toward him . Forgive me . He pauses as he searches for the right words . I shouldnt have taken you in there … its been a long time since . He pauses . Since what ? Since Ive been with someone like you . Someone who stupidly loves you ? I stare at him , hating myself that I cant forget tomorrow and be lost in the moment tonight . He cups my face in his hands and kisses me softly , his lips linger across mine . He kisses me again . 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