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‘That doesn’t quite give me the answer I require,’ he pressed, his voice deep, insistent.
She looked up into his eyes and everyone in the room ceased to exist. ‘What would you like me to say?’ Her voice wasn’t as steady as she would’ve liked, what with that seismic shift creating impossible waves inside her.
‘Tell me how it makes you feel,’ he said, the words packing more of a punch than she’d expected.
‘Why?’
He faced her with his broad back to the room, blocking everyone else out. ‘Because I find I like knowing how you feel, Genie Valente.’
‘Genie Valente-Merchant. I haven’t made up my mind if I want to give up my name yet.’
His nostrils flared but along with it came a whisper of amusement darting across his face. The small crack in his facade again caused emotion to swell. Enough to soften that vulnerable place around her heart.
Enough to make her glance down at her hand and murmur, ‘I love the ring, Seve. Very much.’
‘And?’ he demanded tightly.
For a fraught few seconds, she didn’t know what he meant. Then she saw it emblazoned, wild and demanding in his eyes.
I won’t touch you until you beg me to...next time...it will mark the beginning of your permanence in my bed.
But would it be demeaning if it was what she...what theybothwanted? They were married now. She had a right to her husband’s body just as much as he had a right to hers. If emotions had crept into the picture, surely it wouldn’t alter the fundamental reason for marrying?
The tiny void in her heart said different. Genie ignored it. For now. Instead she opened her mouth to answer. To offer what they both wanted.
But the words locked in her throat when Seve stiffened. She followed his gaze and met the slightly darker grey version of Seve’s eyes in the older man who’d kept his distance but watched them since his arrival.
Lorenzo Valente was suave and polished, his suit bespoke and sharp. But it was all a carefully cultivated veneer, like his neatly slicked back hair.
He would never attain the sheerpresencehis nephew possessed. Seve didn’t need to announce himself when he entered a room. Lorenzo might inhabit a space, but no one felt his existence until he was right in front of you. Which was probably a dangerous thing.
Judging from the cold lifelessness of his gaze and his reptilian smile when he reached them, she’d do well to remember that.
‘I haven’t had the chance to personally welcome your bride yet, nephew.’ His gaze lingered on her face, then deliberately dropped to her belly. ‘Or to congratulate her on the happy addition to our family.’
‘Your wishes are noted. But as to my wife and child being part of your family, that’ll never happen. You had your chance and you failed at it. Also, your gift will be returned. My wife adores Cardosian diamonds. The tennis bracelet you sent, while beautiful, has questionable sources we’d rather not accept.’
Genie stiffened, then melted against him as her heart swelled. How well he knew her. She hadn’t even seen the gift yet but she would’ve done exactly as Seve was doing.
Even as Lorenzo’s face hardened. ‘You’d do well to show some respect. And while you’re at it, to not poke your nose into matters that aren’t your business. I’d hate to have to engage in unnecessary public squabbling with my own flesh and blood.’
‘Cardosian business is my business. And respect is earned. Enlighten me in what ways you’ve earned mine, Uncle?’
Lorenzo gave a humourless smile that chilled Genie. ‘You’ve been overseas too long. Clearly you’ve forgotten how to respect your elders.’
Seve turned into a pillar of stone. ‘Trust me, I’ve forgotten nothing. Perhaps it’s you who should bear that in mind.’ His arm circled her waist once more and, despite the warmth of his proximity, a shiver raced through Genie. ‘Things have changed andwillcontinue to change. How you deal with it is your problem. Enjoy the rest of the reception, Uncle.’
As he steered her away, Genie couldn’t shake the inkling that she’d just been used to make a specific point. But just what the point was, she couldn’t determine.
Before she could question him, Lita was making a beeline for her.
‘Time for a little rest before the evening’s events, child.’ She cast her grandson a quizzical smile and Genie saw Seve shake his head from the corner of her eye.
Again, she wanted to demand to know what was going on. But he was brushing a kiss on her temple, a second and third on her cheek and corner of her mouth, effectively scrambling her brain.
‘See you shortly,pequeña,’ he murmured, but the edge remained in his voice, the tension in his body.
By the time she’d regained the power of speech, he was halfway across the room, his gaze narrowed on his friend. Again, a silent conversation took place and Genie watched the two men stride towards his study, the tingling at her nape intensifying.
