She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 13

Hilda froze. She hadn't expected him to make such a demand immediately.

He wanted to do it right now?

But it didn't take long for the horrifying realization to sink in.

This wasn't about a man's desire. It was a punishment.

A punishment for her perceived 'infidelity.'

...

The blinds in the private lounge were drawn tight. The room was bathed in a muted, hazy light.

Hilda slipped off her outer clothes, leaving only a simple white cotton tank top. Her long, raven hair cascaded over her shoulders. She looked effortlessly alluring, completely stripped of pretense.

Her beauty and curves had always been breathtaking—something others might not fully grasp, but Luther knew intimately. He knew every inch of her.

Luther remained fully dressed, impeccable in his tailored suit. He gripped her delicate jaw, studying the visible tension tight in her features. A dark scoff escaped his lips.

His fingers traced downward, deliberately brushing against the faint surgical scar on her lower abdomen. It was the physical proof of her childbirth. To him, it was the glaring proof of her betrayal.

Had she remained fiercely loyal, he might have respected her.

But a woman who gave herself away so easily? He felt absolutely zero guilt about tearing her down.

He fisted his hand in her hair, forcing her head back. Despite her subtle flinch of resistance, he crushed his mouth against hers, just as he had on their wedding night. A volatile mix of deep disgust and an intoxicating need to consume her.

The kiss dragged on, heavy and punishing.

Without warning, Luther hoisted her up, pressing her chest against the polished dresser. His dark dress slacks brushed intimately against her smooth, bare legs. His gaze dropped, raking over the flawless lines of her calves. His eyes were completely dark with lust, mixed with an intense possessive rage he couldn't even put a name to.

Hilda was entirely compliant. She didn't fight him, not even a little.

But her passivity didn't give him the thrill of conquest. Instead, an irrational fury clawed at his chest. Keeping one hand twisted in her hair, he roughly tilted her face up to kiss her again, practically spitting vile accusations against her lips.

"Were you this easy for the Sutton boy too?"

"Did you let him just take you however he pleased?"

"I thought you were so blindly in love with me. How did you end up in someone else's bed so fast? Getting knocked up? Was he that damn good? Is that why you forgot you were Mrs. Sanford? ...Answer me!"

Luther stared down at his wife. His deep eyes were thick with raw tension.

Just as the heavy atmosphere was about to snap, the lounge door was violently shoved open. Jolie's shrill, panicked voice pierced the room.

"Luther!"

Everything violently ground to a halt. The air in the room instantly turned toxic.

Jolie was trembling from head to toe in pure fury.

Luther had always been so sexually disciplined and aloof. It had to be Hilda shamelessly throwing herself at him. Thank God she arrived when she did—if Hilda actually succeeded in seducing him and got pregnant, everything would be ruined!

Jolie fully expected Luther to shove Hilda away in disgust, to walk over and comfort her instead.

But Luther shot her an icy, warning glare. "Get out."

Jolie froze.

What? Did Luther just tell her to leave?