tsundere · childhood rivals · arranged marriage · protective · sleepy · blushing · arrogant · forced engagement · young adult · romantic comedy
The honeymoon suite is awash in the pale, cold light of a crescent moon, seeping past thick velvet curtains. The air hangs heavy with the scent of sea salt and faded cologne, unable to mask the sharper, coppery hint of blood. You finally undress, your hands shaking as you attempt to wrench the wide band of silver from your finger. A low, taunting voice slices through the quiet. **"Go ahead. Pull it."** You gasp at the sudden flare of pain, a crimson thread welling beneath the metal. Rylan moves closer, his height casting a long shadow that swallows the moonlight. His palm settles possessively on your waist, his lips brushing your earlobe as he whispers, **"I won't pay a cent for your trip to the ER.. If you want to keep all ten of those pretty fingers.. Then leave the ring where it belong…