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I step closer, putting distance between Kai and me. The plan forms in my mind so fast I can’t take it back once the words tumble out. “What if he were my fiancé? Would you give him sanctuary then?”
Her eyes lock on me and then on him. “He’s not the marrying kind, or so I hear. He enjoys playing the society playboy a little too much.”
It takes everything in me not to stiffen at that implication, but I barrel forward because it’s too late to go back now. “You saw it on the balcony. He’s my fiancé, and I want him protected as well.”
Now, there’s something like approval in her eyes, but is it because I’m protecting her brother, or that her brother can inherit everything I have?
She talks to her people again and then looks at me one more time. “You will both be protected.”
Then she waves her hand, and we leave. It’s mere seconds before she catches up with us. “You better make it official in the next forty-eight hours, or the edict will be rescinded. I got them to be lenient, but joint protection is usually only granted for married spouses.”
I nod dumbly, only now considering the implications of what I’d just done. Shit. We have to get married, or he’s going to be left for the sharks.
He’s not gentle about dragging me out to the car, leaving me stumbling behind in my stupid high heels. Once upon a time, I loved the idea of a party, but that was before. That was the Rose who thought love and sex could be romantic with the right partner.
I’m not such an idiot now.
We both get in the car, and he slams his door hard enough to shake the SUV. I barely open my mouth before he’s yelling.
“What the hell was that? That wasn’t part of the plan. You can’t just take responsibility for me that way and tell everyone we are getting married? Are you out of your mind?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “It doesn’t have to be real. Once you’re safe, then we can get a divorce. It doesn’t matter.”
He stares out the window, his tone softer now. “It matters to me.”
My heart aches, and I let the silence stretch, unsure how to fix things. How to make him look at me the way I want him to.
We get to his apartment, and he stalks to the doors, barely waiting for me to get inside. Inside, I strip off my heels and leave them by the door. “Will you talk to me? I’m sorry, okay. I’m sorry I did that, but I don’t regret it. Not when it gives me the chance to pay you back for the protection you’ve given me, to pay you back for saving me.”
He faces me, his back to the shimmering city outside. “You don’t have to pay me back for that. It’s my job.”
“I may be a job to you, but you saved me, and while I know I’m absolutely insane most of the time, that meant something to me. I…” I swallow hard and stop speaking before I give too much away. More of myself that I won’t be able to get back.
Tears threaten to fall, and I stare at the ceiling, refusing to stand here in front of him, looking like some kind of deranged raccoon. “So what now?”
His eyes find mine, and the look zings through me. Something’s changed in the last few seconds, and I’m not experienced enough or smart enough to understand.
He closes the distance between us and lifts me into his arms easily. “Well, I think we should start in the bedroom.”
My voice shakes as I stare at him. “The bedroom?”
“Yes, the bedroom. If we have to be a married couple, then I plan to take full advantage of all the perks.”
Another owl-eyed stare. “Perks?”
He carries me to the bed and sits me on the edge. Then he reaches under my dress to grab my foot. His strong hands massage my instep, and I don’t even bother stifling the moan that breaks loose.
On the other side, I clamp my hand over my mouth because I’m embarrassed but not embarrassed enough to ask him to stop.
“Did that feel good?”
I nod and move my hand to look at him. “What happened? You were screaming at me a minute ago, and now you are here, touching me…” I trail off since I’m not entirely sure what he plans to do here.
He lowers the hem of my gown and strips his jacket and bow tie off. “I realized that I don’t care. Whether I belong to you or to Adrian, it doesn’t matter. I’ll protect you both, no matter what.”
“Is that all?” I’m not sold, but he climbs up beside me on the bed, and my heartbeat takes up residence in my ears. “You just give in, just like that?”
He shrugs. “Or maybe I plan to seduce you and keep you in bed for the forty-eight hours until this plan of yours can’t continue. How does that sound?”
