"How old is she?"
Fu Shao lips twitched.
"Are you jealous?" He rested his hands on my hips and I tensed.
He didn't pull away, but I could see anger crossing his face. But I also noted that he didn't answer my question.
I stepped out of his hold and headed for a glass door leading out onto the roof garden. I turned to him.
"Can I go outside?"
His jaw was tight. He wasn't stupid. He had noticed how quickly I'd shaken off his touch.
"This is your home now too."
It didn't feel that way. I'm not sure it ever would. I opened the door and stepped outside. It was windy and distant honking carried up from the streets below.
White lounge furniture took up the terrace but beyond it a small well-kept garden stretched out toward a glass barrier. There was even a square in-ground Jacuzzi big enough for six people. Two sun chairs were set up beside it.
So I strode toward the edge of the garden and let my gaze wander over Central Park. It was a beautiful view.
"You're not thinking about jumping, are you?" He asked, gripping the banister beside me.
I tilted my face up to him, trying to gauge if this was his attempt at humor. He looked serious.
"Why would I kill myself?"
"Some women in our world see it as their only way to gain freedom. This marriage is your lifetime cages."
I appraised the distance between the roof and the ground.
Death was certain. But I'd never considered killing myself. Before doing that, I'd run.
"I wouldn't do that to my family. My sibling would be heartbroken."
He nodded. I couldn't read his expression and it was driving me crazy.
"Let's go back inside," he said, putting a hand on my lower back and steering me into the penthouse.
He closed the door, then turned back to me.
"I have a meeting in thirty minutes, but I'll be back in a few hours. I want to take you to my favorite restaurant for dinner."
"Oh," I said, surprised.
"Like a date?"
The corners of his mouth twitched, but he didn't smile.
"You could call it that. We haven't been on a real date yet."
He wrapped an arm around my middle and pulled me against him.
Instantly I froze, and the lightness disappeared from his eyes.
When will you stop being afraid of me?"
"You don't want me to be afraid of you?"
But I'd always thought it would make his life easier if I was terrified of him.
Would make it easier to keep me in check.
His dark brows drew together.
"You are my wife. We'll spend our lives together. I don't want a coward woman at my side."
That really surprised me. Mother loved Father but she also feared him.
"Are there people out there who don't fear you?"
"A few," he said before lowering his head and pressing his lips against mine.
He kissed me without hurry until I relaxed under his touch and parted my lips for him. I raised my arm and hesitantly touched the back of his neck, my fingers brushing his hair.
My other hand pressed against his chest, enjoying the feel of his muscles. He pulled away.
"I have half a mind to cancel this fucking meeting." He rubbed his thumb over my lips.
"But there's still more than enough time for this later."
He glanced at his watch.
"I really need to go now. Xu will be here when I'm gone. Take your time and look around."
With that he headed for the door and left.