I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 45

Back then, Alexander had assumed Eugene Ramirez had hidden Natalie away. It was only later that he discovered she had gone abroad.

But if she was so in love with Eugene, why leave the country? After mulling it over, considering Eugene’s words and reactions, Alexander could only come to one conclusion: Natalie had confessed her feelings to Eugene, been rejected, and fled the country in a fit of pique.

She couldn’t even wait for their divorce to be finalized.

Without a second glance, Alexander had fed the divorce agreement she’d left behind into a shredder. Signing it was out of the question.

“Natalie, you and I are still husband and wife,” he said now, a cruel, almost triumphant smile on his face, as if savoring his revenge.

Natalie’s struggles ceased, her eyes wide with a confusion so deep it was almost painful. “Why? You don’t even love me. Why wouldn’t you sign the papers?”

She had believed that with time, and with Camila White by his side, he would eventually sign. She had struggled to understand why his love had vanished so suddenly, but she had come to accept it, willing to let him go. Yet he had refused to grant her that one freedom.

“Alexander, what in God’s name do you want from me?” she cried, her voice cracking with desperation.

His arm tightened around her waist while his other hand tilted her chin up. “I want you to fulfill your wifely duties.”

Three years. It had been three long years, and his patience had run out. The memory of her smiling at all those men at the auction ignited a possessive fire within him, a burning desire to punish her, to reclaim her.

The moment their bodies touched, he felt the familiar surge of desire. His body still craved hers.

Before Natalie could process his words, his mouth crashed down on hers. A desperate “Mmph!” was all she could manage as she hammered her fists against his chest. He plundered her mouth, stealing the very air from her lungs.

Kissed until she was dizzy and breathless, her legs grew weak, threatening to give out from under her. His warm hand slid beneath the hem of her dress, his thumb stroking the soft skin of her waist. Even after three years apart, he knew just how to make her body respond.

Suddenly, her eyes flew open. How could she have let herself nearly succumb to him again?

He saw her mouth open to argue and cut her off, already knowing what she would say. “You’re thinking of suing? Go ahead. Try it.”

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. She knew she couldn’t win a direct confrontation with him. So, she softened her tone. “Then what will it take for you to agree?”

Alexander leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on her eyelashes, which trembled like a butterfly’s wings. A smirk played on his lips. “So, you’ve finally figured out that playing along is your only chance, have you?”

Her silence was all the confirmation he needed. Alexander didn’t seem to mind.

“Coax me,” he murmured, his voice a low command. “Keep me happy, and I might consider signing.”

With that, he turned and walked out of the room.

As the sound of the elevator doors whispered shut, Natalie closed her eyes. Three years, and she was right back where she started.