Bow Out Now

(SASHA)

Tyler's cheeks flush. He looks hot and angry. "You can't just spring that on me now and not expect me to push back.

"Tyler, " I snort. "Trust me, I always expect pushback from you."

"No. We don't have to share a room. I know you can work something out. We may need our privacy sometimes and there's nothing odd about it." He says, rubbing the back of his neck frustratedly. "Just come up with some lie they would believe. It is already difficult enough without sharing a room with you. I'm used to being alone. I like it, so I'll need somewhere to be alone." His eyes glimmer with frustration.

I snicker. "Relax. It's not like I want you in my private space either. I'm only trying to stop the rumours that will start spreading when people learn we don't act like a married couple. At least for now. Once they believe our marriage is real we can work something out."

"I didn't agree to this, Sasha."

I bite my jaw. "So you want to bail out then? You want to cancel the agreement?"

"No," he says, fear shifting through his pretty eyes. "I didn't mention that." This time he makes sure to school his voice.

"Then why are you throwing a teasy fit over sharing a bed? I must have been gravely mistaken to think you'd handle what this job requires of you."

He levels a look at me, running his lithe fingers over his already dishevelled hair. In truth, he is young, and worried about so many things, which makes something soften inside of me, and almost makes me want to take pity on him. But pitying people isn't my thing, and I'm fighting my dire urge to comfort him right now. "If you want out right now, then let me know."

He looks at me scornfully. "You sound like you want me to bail out."

"No. I don't. I want this matter settled, and I can't have you messing things up for me. I need to trust that you can take on uncomfortable things that get thrown your way. This isn't the first and probably won't be the last. You won't be fighting me every step of the way."

"Sasha, I...I'm not fighting you." He says hoarsely. "I...I'm just...Will you still see your threats through and come after me if I bail out?"

"Yes, nothing changes."

A muscle works upon his face. "Then don't act like I have a choice."

"You've always had a choice, Tyler."

"Nonsense. I don't. I either bow to what you want or you follow me and cut my tongue out. How is that a choice?" He blurts out, pacing around and now running his hands through his hair aggressively. "I'm trapped, stop acting like you don't know it."

It's true if he refuses I'll carry on with the threat. But that isn't my true intent. What I want is for him to listen and do what I tell him to do for once without complaining for a change. I want him to get in line, not to quit on me

"What do you me to tell you? You are going to have to live with so many things you don't want, but they will change along the way. Once married, we'll have to sleep together. Maybe then we can negotiate terms. I'm not saying that you specifically, are required to have my heir. All I'm saying is it could be beneficial to you in the future."

He glowers at me. "Sasha, this is supposed to be fake."

"It is fake."

"Not if you're going to try to fucking breed me! It isn't."

I get a thrill in my insides when he mentions that. The idea of breeding him excites me. But I would never show him that. He's already freaked out and I don't want to worsen it.

"See, you're thinking about it all wrong. When surrogates carry babies for others, it is considered business. If we ever conclude that you giving me a child is a necessary evil, then I'll see to it that you're well compensated for it."

"There isn't enough money in the world to pay me for that."

And here he goes again, being all rebellious and fighting me back. What he doesn't know however is that the more he fights me, the more he fires me up. The more my urge to control him grows. All he needs is some proper ramming to fix that attitude problem he has. He is pushing all the wrong buttons, yet isn't even remotely aware that he is.

"We'll discuss that another time."

"I don't know about that. Tell me what is expected of me now."

"I already told you things will change in the course of the years. If you don't want to do it, bow out now."

"So you can kill me?"

"Yes, if you want to die. I already told you nothing changes. So take your pick. You want Miles to show you to your room or do you want to go back to that disgusting bathroom?"

"I suppose I'd rather stay." He says, clenching his fists. " I don't want you to go murdering people I barely know."

"Good choice. You're finally beginning to understand."

Tyler purses. He's so angry and I can see the hate glimmer in his eyes. He looks like he wants to punch my face."

"Follow me and I'll show you your room, Tyler."

He glares at me then hesitates at first and finally follows Miles. He looks agitated at the situation but I don't care.

When my gaze meets Miles', I note that he disapproves. I wonder if he pities Tyler. He tends to feel sorry for people just as much as I do. Which makes me wonder, what does Tyler have on us both?

"Get some sleep. We have a lot to discuss in the morning." I tell Tyler but he ignores me and follows Miles.

I have more perverse feelings of excitement than I'd like to admit. Tyler is here at my home. He could soon be in my bed, who knows?

All I know is he is under my control whether he approves of it or not. He'll sure fight me over many things, but one thing is certain.

He will never win.