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Then Belinda Ramos crashes into my life, and suddenly I can't seem to imagine a version of it that doesn't have her in it.

I don't know what tonight means.

She hasn't said she loves me. I don't expect her to. After everything that's been taken from this woman, the last fucking thing I'm going to do is demand she give me something before she's ready.

Even if every primal instinct I possess is begging for it.

Mine.

I curl my fingers around the stem of my wineglass.

Easy.

Belinda is not something I get to possess simply because the Fates chose her for me. If I want this woman, I have to make damn sure she chooses me right back.

Then she turns around carrying a small plate. And my heart actually fucking leaps.

Chocolate truffles.

I know those aren't store-bought.

Nothing Belinda makes looks mass-produced. They're slightly different sizes, dusted with cocoa, dark and decadent and made by her hands.

My eyes lift to hers.

“Are these...?”

“Extra-special dark chocolate.”

She sets the plate between us but doesn't release it immediately. Neither do I. Our fingers meet at the edge.

A tiny spark jumps between them.

Belinda's eyes lift to mine. Mischief glitters there.

“A treat for my little Devil,” she whispers.

Cocky, Little Witch? We’ll see about that.

“Little?”

I lean back slowly, letting my gaze travel over her. She knows exactly what she's doing. Her cheeks turn pink, but she doesn't look away.

Good.

“Oh, Sweet.” I lower my voice. “Is that a challenge?”

Her teeth catch her lower lip. My attention immediately drops to her mouth.

“Maybe.”

She picks up one of the truffles. Takes a bite.

Slowly.

My Devil goes dead fucking silent. All of me watches her.

“If you're up for it.”