Chapter2
1766 Words
Bianca's POV
Throughout the ride I didn't even give him a single glance, but that did not stop me from feeling his piercing gaze on my skin. They felt like little sparks of electricity.
“We've arrived. Get down with me.” he ordered and I frowned.
The side door opened and three guards lifted him into his wheelchair.
“Welcome sir!” A series of voices exploded at the same time, making me shield my ears as I went down. My mouth could not help but drop open, there were about a hundred maids bowing to Quinn with their hands clasped tight on their uniforms. Some of them were shivering with fear.
Behind them was a large villa that made me spin in my wedding gown to get the full view of its beautiful lawn.
Laura's wedding gown, my mind corrected... I stopped my admiration remembering how I got here. I noticed three maids looking up at me for a brief moment.
“Everybody rise!” Quinn commanded and they all stood straight like soldiers. His hand pointed in the direction of the three that had broken the bow for a brief moment. “The three of you are fired, kick them out of my house.”
“Yes sir!” Two guards moved forward and led the confused ladies out with force even as they pleaded for mercy. Quinn would hear nothing from them.
My frown deepened and I stared daggers at him, raising my voice before I could stop myself. “Why would you do such a wicked thing?”
Quinn glanced at me from the corner of his eyes. “ The rest of you are dismissed and can retire for the day. My wife here is going to take care of me. Now, get out!”
The maids bowed and scurried away in different directions.
“You,” he continued, pointing in my direction. “Come with me.”
Quinn controlled his wheelchair toward the house, leaving me to stomp after him in my dragging gown.
“The kitchen is to the west. Go there and fix me something to eat. Everything you can think of for cooking is there and neatly labeled. I expect my meal in thirty minutes.” Quinn said with his back to me.
Something within me snapped. It might have been pent-up anger or the fact that he ignored me and was moving in the direction of the dining table to wait for a meal he ordered me to prepare. I hopped up my dress and ran to obstruct his path.
He had to halt the wheelchair to prevent it from colliding with me.
“What are you doing? I was very clear on the task I gave you.”
“I am not your slave! If you want to eat so badly, why don't you stand up and fix your meal by yourself?"
Quinn looked down at his legs and frowned. “Laura, that's a good joke.”
“And I am not -'' My hands slammed shut on my mouth before I could complete the statement. His eyebrows raised and his frown deepened.
“You're not what?” he demanded and I shook my head. My heart was racing as I almost blurted out my identity.
“I'm not going to jump at your every word just because you say so. It's my wedding day but you definitely don't care about that.”
Quinn grinned and leaned forward. “To me, you're just one more thing that I've acquired and my favorite collection. I want to eat and you'll prepare me a meal.”
“Is that what people are to you? Assets to be used and discarded?” I could hear my voice quiver, and I took a step back.
“Yes, but you're my wife and I'm hungry.” he spoke with a finality that said he was not to be countered.
“I can't cook in my wedding dress!”
“If you're so bothered about the dress why not strip it off? It's only us couples here.”
The direct word he used as his eyes traced down my body made me shiver, and I also felt a rush of warmth spread through me. I realized that I both hated and craved this man. I lifted the dress and walked away with red cheeks.
“The west is the other way,” he called, and I changed direction by stomping my feet loud enough to hurt.
There was nothing I could not find in his kitchen that within minutes I was so lost in my own world. Cooking had that way of absorbing my worries and I carried a mouth full.
Once I was done setting up the table, I felt a little fear in myself that the meals were in excess. Quinn got into his seat by lifting himself onto the chair with strong arms.
“You should sit,” he called to me, snapping me out of my obvious stare at his ripped biceps. I rolled my eyes and sat down.
“Hmm…” he trailed off.
“What?” I asked, now clutching my napkin but hiding my nervousness with a glare.
“This isn't bad, it's actually better than I expected.”
My curiosity was piqued. “What do you mean?”
“Well, my sources believe that Laura Northwood is a terrible cook. I wanted to know if I'll need a professional chef to stand by every hour but this —” he paused, staring at his plate.
Damn, I wanted to scream. I knew for a fact that Laura couldn't even boil an egg properly and here I just prepared a three-course meal. Well-done Bianca, I felt like smacking myself.
I gave a forced laugh. “You should ask those spies for a refund.”
It made him chuckle and I loved how bold it sounded. We both ate in silence… me secretly watching him eat. His muscles were well-defined and he looked too young to be a cripple.
“What happened to your legs?” I blurted out, my curiosity rushing out before I could tame my lips. Quinn stopped his meal and looked at me with a slight tilt of his head. He was probably wondering if I fell on my head.
“Go to the east wing and enter the biggest room. There are clothes in the wardrobe that you can change into. I'd love to take a shower after this, so heat up my bath while you're there.”
“You're avoiding the question.”
“No, I'm not answering. There's a difference… You should go.”
I banged my hands on the table as I stood up. “I really hate you Quinn Talon.” He did not respond, which only added to my frustration. I walked away, hating that there was nothing else I could say or do that'd move him.
The door to the bathroom opened while I was setting the temperature at the right degree. I turned to see a naked Quinn. My gaze settled on his muscular body for a moment before it returned to the water with my cheeks feeling like a shade of heated steel.
“I think I made it too hot.” I said, looking for an excuse to leave.
Quinn placed his hands on the tub and I turned away because I wasn't comfortable seeing anyone naked. When I looked back he was in the water.
He saw the surprise on my face and grinned. “Do you think I ordered ladies to help with my bath?”
I did think that he had the money to afford the luxury, but I was not about to admit that.
“I don't care what you do.” I tried to stand and leave him but he grabbed my left hand.
“Wash my back for me,” he commanded, and gave me his sponge.
I collected it and fumbled with it a little but once I touched his back, I focused on the movement of my hand resisting the urge to caress the firmness of his skin.
Quinn grabbed my hands again and pulled me up to face him and kissed me. I wanted to push him away and break free but it was like the nerves in my body were refusing to respond. My mouth opened up to him, inviting him.
“Laura,” he moaned and I trembled, pushing him off with so much force that I landed on the floor. There was confusion in his eyes but I couldn't explain so I ran out of the bathroom and buried myself in the pillows.
“Did I push you too far?” Quinn asked from the doorway and I shook my head.
“Laura!” He snapped and I turned to face him.
“What do you—” I paused, unable to comprehend the sight in front of me.
Quinn Talon stood on his feet with a very deep frown on his face.
“What!?” I gasped, rubbing my eyes.
“Oh… did I shatter your little fantasy of taking care of a filthy rich cripple?” He chuckled to himself and moved closer to me. Without thinking, I climbed further into bed.
“N-No, that's not what I'm thinking.” my eyes diverted to the side to avoid his heated gaze. I should be angry and screaming but my body would not obey me with him standing naked in the room. It trembled with fear.
Quinn turned my face to him.
“Is there anything I should know?” He asked, with a serious gaze. Those hard eyes reminded me of my father's contempt and I slapped his hands away.
“A man like you couldn't possibly care about anyone but themselves. What do you want from me?”
Quinn pushed me to the bed and came close enough that I could feel his breath on my neck. His fingers traced the side of my face and he whispered.
Q
“Darling, there's no one like me. I do not care about the weaklings of the world, but what I want is quite obvious. I want all of you… you are mine.”
“I do not —”
His fierce kiss sealed my rejection within my throat… my body gave the minimal struggle, giving in to a man that didn't even know my name. It was terrifying and I was scared... yet, beneath everything, I could feel my body start to tremble in a pleasant emotion.
- Writer
