Page 7 of Wicked Lord

“N-nope, sorry.” I held my breath and prayed to every single god in existence that he wasn’t turned on by blood play. “Mother Nature’s a bitch.”

His hold on my throat loosened, and I lifted my head off the vanity. His hands came around my shoulders and he shoved me to the ground instead. My knees hit the marble with a bone-crunching smack. Pain shot up my kneecaps, and I gritted out a curse.

“That’s another thing, Lorelei, that foul mouth will have to be tempered. No wife of mine will use those vile words in public.” His fingers dug into my hair, fisting the long strands. “I hope that dirty mouth of yours is good for other things.” He shoved his cock between my lips before I could snap my jaw shut. “Now, show me what you can do.” Icy blue eyes stared down at me.

The tip of his cock hit the back of my throat as he thrust deeper, and I gagged.

“Come on, Lorelei. You’re in college, aren’t you? Isn’t this what you do with all those disgusting fraternity boys? Now take my cock and make me believe you want this.”

Oh fuck, I was going to puke.

My father’s voice echoed through the back of my mind:You will marry Brock Haversham and you will save our family’s fortune. Without him, we’re all screwed, do you understand me, young lady?

I nodded and started to swirl my tongue around his shaft. His fingers dug into my hair, forcing my head to bob faster, deeper.

“That’s right. That’s a good girl.” He moaned as I stroked his balls and began to suck harder, desperate for this to be over.

Squeezing my eyes closed, I momentarily left my body, abandoning it for a safe place as I numbly went through the motions. I’d sucked off enough guys without ever being present.

The random thought sent another bout of nausea roiling through my gut. I’d wasted my life with terrible men. What the hell was wrong with me?

And now I was going to be forced to spend the rest of my life with this one?

Fuck, no. I refused.

I blinked quickly and the dark memories receded to the far corners of my mind, where I’d keep them buried forever. Axel’s face was still an inch from mine, his concerned gaze much too invasive. Steeling my nerves, I spun around and faced the monster I swore to myself I’d never marry.

“Where did you run off to, darling?” That practiced, plastic smile slid across his lips. “We weren’t finished.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought we were.” I’d let him come in my mouth, then I’d spat it out in the sink. He hadn’t been pleased. Apparently, a good wife should swallow down the nasty shit.

I could feel Axel move behind me, his broad shoulders like a layer of armor draped across my back.

“I don’t believe we’ve met.” His voice boomed across the shell of my ear as he extended his big hand. His muscled bicep brushed my bare arm and, for a second, I could pretend it would keep me safe. “I’m Lorelei’s friend, Axel Vanderhart.”

Brock’s smile grew wider. “Oh, yes, a pleasure. Vanderhart Securities, right?”

Axel nodded. With his naturally easy-going manner, it was easy to forget Ax came from a shit ton of money like the rest of us. His huge hand closed around Brock’s, and the asshole winced. I hoped he broke a few bones.

“Brock Haversham,” he rasped out. “Lorelei’s escort for the evening.”

“How fortunate for you.” Axel shot him a tight smile before turning to face me again. His eyes dropped to my neck, and embarrassment flushed my cheeks. He knew. I could see it in the streak of pity in his bright blue eyes. “Lore, are you sure–”

My head spun back to face Brock before whirling to Axel once again. I couldn’t tell him. I’d never live it down. “I’m good, Ax, thanks.”

Brock’s hand wrapped around my upper arm, none too gently, and he jerked me toward him. A faint gasp parted my lips despite my best efforts to muffle the sound.

The serene blue of Axel’s eyes turned murderous. “Hey, Haversham, didn’t your mama ever teach you how to treat a lady?”

“Excuse me?” Harsh lines cut into Brock’s face, all false charm vanishing.

Axel stepped closer, looming dangerously over my would-be fiancé. He pried Brock’s fingers off my arm, one by one. I just stood there paralyzed. As did Brock.

Once I was freed from his grasp, I took a step closer to Axel. An unfamiliar feeling tightened my chest, and those damned tears burned my eyes again. I’d never had anyone stand up for me like that. How sad was that?

“Lore, why don’t you come with Cordi and me to grab some food?”

“I don’t think so,” Brock interjected. “Our evening has not come to an end.”