I dreaded the shame of experiencing pleasure when he didn’t intend to give me a choice, but I would get through this with as much dignity as I could muster. Just like I’d done in the car, I could choose to endure. I wouldn’t let him break me.

We stepped into an opulent bedroom, and he kicked the door closed behind us. I jolted as the noise boomed through my entire body, as though he’d slammed it with all his strength. The sound was a condemnation, a punctuation that put an end to my life before this forced marriage. He’d already taken away my freedom to choose my future. In a few minutes, he would take my virginity too. If I didn’t carefully guard the core of myself, my soul, he would take everything that I was and strip me down to nothing.

He finally set me down on my feet, his big hands bracketing my waist as though I would fall if he didn’t steady me. Embarrassingly, I realized my knees were shaking. I did need the support. I clenched my jaw to keep my teeth from rattling, and a chill settled deep inside my bones. I didn’t want to show fear, but terror iced over my limbs despite my best efforts to deny it.

A big hand cupped my frigid cheek, and his warm brown eyes were almost kind as he looked down into mine. “It’s okay, kitten. I’ll make you feel good.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” I whispered the confession before I could think better of it.

A frown tugged at his lips. “There’s no need to fear pleasure, Elenora. I’ll show you how good it can be between us. I’ll show you what your body is capable of. All you have to do is yield, and I’ll make you come so hard you forget your own name. You’ll be screaming mine soon enough.”

Another tremor wracked my body at his dark promises. The thought of him having that much power over me was terrifying. I didn’t want to forget my own name. I didn’t want to lose control of myself.

His hand cupped my nape, long fingers sliding into my hair. He tugged gently, urging me to drop my head back, so I had no choice but to stare up into his eyes. My breaths came quick and shallow through parted lips, and his gaze darkened as it flicked to my mouth.

“Don’t be afraid, kitten,” he murmured, the soft command warm on my cheeks as he lowered his face to mine. “I’ll take care of you.”

“I can take care of myself.” The defiant words came out in a strained whisper. I wasn’t sure if I believed them. Not when his strength surrounded me, his huge body caging me in. No man had ever touched me, and now Luca was handling me as though he owned every inch of my body.

His face dipped closer to mine, until our lips brushed. “You don’t have to take care of yourself anymore. I’m your husband. It’s my job to protect you. It’s my job to give you pleasure. And I’ll teach you to please me as well.”