Bound by Love novel · Chapter 10 of 24

Chapter 10: The Price

I woke up angry.

I lay in the pale light with his arm heavy across my waist and listened to him breathe.

He had said he loved me, and I had said it back with my whole body.

It was true, and I still wanted to hit him.

I slid out from under his arm, put on his shirt, and sat in the armchair by the window.

When he woke, I was watching him.

"You're up," Adriano said, and his voice was warm with sleep.

"Eleven hours ago you didn't believe me."

The warmth left his face.

"I know."

"I told you the truth in a study, in front of your uncle, on a staircase."

"You needed a stranger in Pittsburgh to say it before you'd listen."

"Yes."

"Do you understand why that's not the same as being sorry?"

He sat up slowly.

"Tell me what you want me to do."

"Don't touch me," I said.

"Alessia..."

"Not until I say so. Get out of bed and sit in the chair at the foot, and put your hands behind it."

He stared at me.

There was a heavy wooden chair against the wall, a captain's chair with arms.

I stood and brought his tie from the dresser, the dark gray one he had worn yesterday.

"You don't have to," I said. "You can say no."

"I know what I can do."

He rose, naked, walked to the chair, and sat.

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