Wild Billionaire Romance - Chapter 75: Chapter 75

MEREDITH
“I do.”
That was it. Two little words, then we were married.
No flowers. No rings. No personal vows.
Just a whispered I do from the both of us.
How could two little words have such importance in a person’s life?
I sat across from Josef in the dining room of our hotel suite not paying attention to anything I was eating.
It was delicious. I’m sure it was. I just didn’t taste it.
How could I?
I was a wife now. The reality of it sat squarely on my chest, suffocating me with its irrefutable truth.
I am Josef’s wife.
Years ago, this was exactly what I wanted. To belong to this big, brooding man.
But I didn’t know this Josef.
Over one day, he’d shown me a dozen different sides to him.
He was quiet, demanding, bossy, ruthless, and yet he’d been tender and kind. His behavior contradicted his words, and I felt lost.
I was his wife.
But I was not loved. Not cherished. Not half of the things our vows claimed.
“What is it? Is something wrong with your meal?” Josef asked, and I realized I’d frozen with my fork halfway to my lips.
“No. Um, it’s fine,” I whispered, taking the piece of perfectly cooked salmon between my lips.
“Good.”
The rest of the meal was finished in silence, and servers came to take everything away while dropping off a dessert cart with coffee and the makings for cocktails.
“Would you like me to pour?” Josef asked after dismissing the staff and his men.
“Yes, please,” I said.
He prepared a cup of coffee for me, lifting the bottle of Whiskey Neat in silent question.
I nodded.
I could use a little liquid courage for what was going to happen next. I accepted the cup, took a sip, and closed my eyes as I felt the whiskey spiked coffee burn as it slid down my throat.
The scent of his spicy cologne hit my nostrils a second before I felt him draw near.
I couldn’t breathe.
Was it going to happen now?
How could I explain to him that I’d never done it with anyone else? What kind of pathetic woman did that, anyway?
Fifteen years, and I’d been so scarred by my past, so heartbroken, I’d never allowed another man to come near me.
I sincerely doubted Josef hadn’t had sex in all that time.
But I didn’t want to think of the beautiful women he’d undoubtedly taken to his bed. I just couldn’t.
I supposed my hangups were about trust. How could I trust anyone ever again after I’d been betrayed by Josef?
Not in the mood for a pity party, I took another sip of whiskey spiked coffee. Weddings should be happy, but I felt like I’d just attended a funeral.
Oh, I’d mourned the girl I was years ago. The past was the past.
This version of me was older, wiser, stronger.
Sex didn’t have to mean anything more than that. My heart didn’t have to get involved.
I knew that. Really, I did. And I certainly wasn’t judging anyone for the way they lived their lives.
“You’re not wearing jewelry,” he said.
Josef’s gruff whisper interrupted my racing thoughts, and I was almost grateful for the distraction.
“Oh, I don’t really have any, anymore,” I confessed, slightly embarrassed.
It didn’t skip my notice that we hadn’t exchanged rings during our vows. But I guess it didn’t matter. Marriages didn’t require rings. I shrugged, wanting to speak, but I couldn’t.
I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t care. I always thought I would be the type of person who wore my wedding ring with pride.
I remembered conversations we’d had about that very thing all those years ago and my heart hurt. But maybe he didn’t feel the same.
“I’m sorry this wasn’t ready during the ceremony,” he added, and suddenly, he was there.
Josef was standing right in front of me, stealing all my attention. He took my left hand in his and I blinked hard. I lifted my chin, his gaze was locked on mine, refusing to release me.
His dark irises were smoldering as he slid something cold and hard onto my finger without looking.
“There. It fits,” he grunted.
I nodded, because yeah, it did. Then I looked down. And I gasped.
“You remembered,” I whispered.
On my finger was a single, solitary stone set in a thin gold band.
A pink ruby.
My absolute favorite gemstone.
Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I flexed my hand in the light, noting with glee it didn’t entirely cover the small tattoo encircling my finger.
He hadn’t said a word about it. So, I assumed he either hadn’t seen it or he didn’t care.
Either way, I was glad the tiny pink ribbon tattoo was still there. The color had faded with age, and it was hardly visible anymore.
If I wasn’t so fair skinned, it probably would have disappeared over the years. But I was, so the tattoo remained visible.
“It took a little while for the jeweler to find the right one,” Josef said.
“It’s perfect. Thank you, Josef.”
My voice was barely above a whisper, but he heard me, if the tightening of his fingers around mine were anything to go by.
I looked at the box still in his hand and sucked in a sharp breath. Inside the velvet folds of the jeweler’s box was a plain gold band.
"Is that for you?" I asked, plucking the masculine version of my wedding ring from the box.
Josef’s brown eyes blazed, and he nodded once. I took his left hand, sliding the ring onto his finger.
Grabbing my courage, I held his gaze, mimicking his pose as I pushed the band all the way into place.
My pulse was racing like mad, and it was difficult to breathe.
I should probably just get it over with.
“Are we going to go to bed now?” I asked, wetting my lips.
I didn't know if I was supposed to want to fuck my husband, but suddenly, or not so suddenly, I did.
I wanted to fuck him. Very much.
My core throbbed. That secret place inside of me that had gone with no attention from a real, live human being for so long was aching with need.
Working in a place where women sought sanctuary from the real monsters in their lives had hardened me to the careless flirtations of my coworkers and every day strangers trying to get into my pants.
I had no use for casual sex.
But I wasn’t strictly against fucking Josef.
I mean, we were married, and I’d neglected my needs for a very long time.
“I’d planned on walking you to the bedroom and taking the guest room tonight, but I guess that’s not going to happen now, is it?”
The way he said it, it almost sounded like he was talking to himself. Head cocked to the side, chest rising as he sucked in a greedy breath, I was helpless to do anything but stare.
Josef’s nostrils flared. His chest rumbled as he turned his body into mine, walking me backwards until I was against the wall. He crowded me, and I trembled.
Honest to God, I fucking trembled with need.
“I was going to be the good guy. To let you have the night to yourself,” he growled and pushed his body into mine, allowing me to feel his hard length against my stomach.
We both groaned as he flexed his hips a second time.
“You want to fuck me, Wife? Is that what you want?”
My mouth was dry.
So fucking dry.
There was no way I could answer him.
“I planned to let you have tonight alone. To let you rest after the long fucking day we’ve both had,” he growled, and it sounded like anger, but his pulsing dick against my soft stomach told me otherwise.
“You asked me if we’re going to go to bed now, and now I’m hard as a rock. So, do you want me to fuck you? Huh, Wife? Cause if you do, you just have to say so,” he growled.
“Oh, God,” I whimpered.
Josef flexed his hips again, dragging a tortured sound from my lips. His huge hands ran up and down my sides, sending pools of arousal dripping into my panties.
“I don’t know—I didn't mean,” I started, not sure what I was trying to say.
“Didn't mean what? You asked if we were going to bed.”
“Yes, yes,” I said, not sure what I was saying yes to. But meaning it.
Oh, I meant it.
“Yes? Then, that’s what we're going to do. No take backs, Little Red,” Josef growled.
“Wait,” I said, needing him to understand.
“Wait for what?” he asked, but he stopped, and that was all that mattered.
“I mean, it's not the same as before,” I mumbled.
“I, um, look, Josef, I haven’t done this. I mean, I’m not like your women. And I look different now,” I blurted, embarrassed.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about this,” I said, gesturing to my body.
“I’m having a hard time following, Little Red. Better use small words.”
I rolled my eyes.
This prick.
He thought I didn’t remember how fucking smart he was.
Ha! That was a laugh.
I remembered everything about him. Including how good he looked without his clothes.
“I’m not a teenager. I’ve gotten older, and fatter, okay? Are my words small enough for you?” I asked, angry at myself for all my stupid feelings of inadequacy.
I knew people got older.
It was natural. It was nothing to be ashamed of or apprehensive about.
But Josef was ridiculously fit and attractive. I didn’t even want to imagine the kind of women he’d been with.
Svelte, sleek, physically superior women. Women who probably did not share my views on aging naturally.
Fuck.
“So, let me get this straight, Wife. You think I give a shit that you look different now as opposed to fifteen years ago?”
I nodded, arms crossed over my chest.
“Fuck, okay. Meredith, look at me,” he said, gripping my chin between two fingers. “I will never lie to you. Not ever. So, let’s start with me telling you this truth. Okay?”
“Okay,” I whispered.
“Eighteen-year-old you was beautiful. That’s no lie, Baby. You were the prettiest thing I ever saw. A truly lovely girl,” he said, his voice dropping to a deep whisper.
“But, Little Red, and this is important so pay attention,” he demanded, and I nodded again. “Thirty-two year old you is fucking stunning. Every time I look at you, you just get better. Now, give me your hand,” he growled.
I listened. I gave it to him. My body trembled, but I followed his command, helpless to do otherwise. Josef took my hand, forcing it down on his hard as steel cock. I swallowed.
Holy shit.
He felt even bigger than I remembered.
“It’s true you’re not a teenager anymore, and I’m fucking glad. Because what you are is a sexy as fuck woman whose beauty increased tenfold since I knew you last.”
“Josef,” I moaned, squeezing his cock, and feeling it move against my hand.
“Fuck, I want you so fucking bad, Wife. I'm willing to commit any number of crimes to get you. You believe me, Baby?” Josef asked, and I nodded.
“Yeah. I believe you.”
“Good. Now, come here, Wife, because I’m taking you to bed.”
I was mesmerized by his words, his scent, the feel of his hard body so close to mine.
It was intoxicating, knowing someone like him wanted me back.
His warm breath fanned my cheek before he turned slightly and slammed his lips to mine.
Fuck. I was drowning. Losing myself in him. Clinging to his shoulders just to stay upright. If I let go, I just knew I’d melt into a puddle at his feet.
His kiss was everything.
It was true, I was a novice when it came to sex, never taking part with anyone else.
But I’d been kissed. More than a few times.
Needless to say, Josef’s kiss blew the others all away. They were nothing compared to this.
Having Josef’s mouth on mine was everything I remembered and more.
His lips were firm, demanding, and hungry. It was that hunger that stoked the flames of my forbidden desire for this man.
My dress felt too tight. My nipples strained against the material, dying to have a bit of attention. My panties were soaked with my arousal. Need roared through my veins like a blazing inferno.
Josef was an addiction I’d never cured. I knew he married me out of spite or vengeance, or both. I knew he didn’t really love me. He never had.
But I couldn’t stop my reaction to him. It was as natural as breathing.
God help me, I want him so much. I would do anything to have him.
“Good. You’re almost desperate enough for me,” he growled, pulling his mouth from mine, causing me to whimper.
I froze for a moment at his words. Was he going to leave? Did he get me all worked up just to walk out? Then he pressed his mouth against mine in a biting sort of kiss before squeezing my hips and backing away.
“Now, turn around so I can undress you.”
Thank God.