The moment those words left his mouth, everything shifted.
I felt his grip around my waist tighten so hard it hurt, and I could clearly see Ronald’s handsome face twist into something dark and dangerous. That thin layer of anger wasn’t hiding anything—he was furious, ready to explode.
“Isabella,” he grated out, each word dragged out like it was tearing through his teeth, eyes burning into me like I was something he wanted to destroy. “You really have a death wish, don’t you?”
A sharp ache shot through me, and I winced, my whole face scrunched up in pain as I tried to slam my fists against his arm. “It hurts! Let go!”
But he didn’t let go. Instead, without any warning, his hand slipped under my dress, rough fingers brushing along my leg, creeping upward—
My face went ice co
