บททั้งหมดของ Submit To Me: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

Water runs in fast circles around my feet. Some of it gets in my eyes, blurring my vision. It doesn't stop me from watching the drain. It's easy to imagine myself washing away more than just sweat or dirt in this pristine place. The truth is, even if the water runs clear, my sins aren't gone. Nothing can wipe them from my soul.She hates me, but she agreed to dinner. I remember Katerina's face this morning when I came to her door, and how she glared at me through the crack. The thought draws a dark laugh from my throat. She is wild. I have a feeling if I'd stepped into her room, she would have tried to attack me. There are no weapons in there; I made sure of that. But still ... I wouldn't put it past her to have found something suitable outside of her bedroom, tucking it away until I came to see her.Katerina has claws; that doesn't make her foolish enough to use them. Bracing my palms on the pure white tiles of my shower, I arch my face upward into the hot spray. How fun it would hav

SashaI underestimated my prisoner.Panting heavily, I grip Katerina against my body. We're sandwiched tight, her heartbeat rattling against mine. Still, she continues her struggle, working to get the knife into my flesh. I give her wrist a sharp squeeze and she cries out. The knife clatters loudly at our feet. I don't look; I'm focused on her face, watching her frustration as it continues to boil over."And what, I wonder," I whisper in amazement, "do you think will happen to you if my guards find me dead and you are holding the knife?""I don't know and I don't care!"Shoving myself to my feet, I knock my chair over. Katerina spins in my hands until I have her pinned against the table. She wriggles wildly, her hips slamming into my pelvis. If she meant it to hurt, she failed. All it does is rile me up further.Winding my fist into her hair, I pull until the strands come loose from her bun. She yelps, but my other hand on her throat quiets her. I lean down and whisper in her ear, sav

KaterinaMarriage. No. No way.I'd never get married to someone like Sasha! But it's more than that. I don't want to get married at all. Not after ...My mind tangles up with awful memories. Things that linger like flecks of glitter, popping up no matter how hard you work to sweep the mess away."Katerina?"My vision shrinks to a pinprick. "You're insane. Straight up insane.""I've thought that myself, many times, in fact. But in this case, I'm clear-headed. Marry me, Katerina."The rush of anxiety threatens to pull the ground out from under me. "Never!""You seem to be under the impression that I'm asking. I'm not. I'm telling you to marry me."Lifting my head, I watch him with blatant distaste. "If you're going to force me, why bother with the pretense of acting like what I say matters?""Because this will go much smoother if we're on the same page."That takes the winds from my sails. Sasha is watching me patiently. It's the same way he watched me when we had drinks, with that buil

KaterinaWall-to-wall dresses line the parlor. It's an army of silk and chiffon, the bodices glimmering as they stand at attention, waiting for me to choose one of them. The sight of them makes my tired eyes blur further."Well?" Ulyana prods. She's hovering near my elbow, watching in that expectant way of hers. "Go on. Examine them.""Yes," Sasha agrees. "Show a little excitement." He's sprawled on the velour sofa in the corner, his legs stretched out across the floor. He's so big that his arms dangle over the back, dwarfing the furniture.My eye twitches. Holding back a curt response, I study the dresses again. It's impossible to feel excitement. I'm barely keeping it together, my pulse throbbing quicker as I stand in front of the gowns. I don't want Sasha to see a hint of fear though. Showing him any sort of weakness would be a mistake .... I don't think my pride can survive anymore damage.Lifting my hand reluctantly, I brush my fingertips over the closest wedding dress. The silky

SashaMy shoes crunch on the loose gravel that covers the path. One of the white roses has begun to shed its petals. Bending down, I lift one up, holding it up in the sunlight. It's as pale as she was. I'm not a fool. I know Katerina doesn't want to marry me. I gave her a ring, not a choice. I refuse to consider her wishes in the matter. I've fought too hard to get close to defeating Yevgeniy. Katerina's stage fright isn't my concern."The weather is finally getting too cold for them," Ulyana says behind me.Dropping the petal, I turn toward her with a shrug. "It was only a matter of time. Did she pick out a dress?"Ulyana arches her thin brows. "You don't want to know if she's okay?'""Just answer the question.""Yes, she chose a dress."Nodding, I reach for my phone. "Good. There's still a lot to do. We can't spend hours on every little task." I start to walk by her; Ulyana shifts to block my path. Frowning harshly, I wait for her to move."Sasha Ivanovsky." She doesn't budge. "This