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He slid a strand of hair out of my face then brushed his fingers down my neck, the action continuing to provide tingles. “Don’t assume I had a soul at that point either,mi dulce gatita. It was beaten out of me long before. However, the moment I heard about his younger sister, I knew I had to help.”
“Beaten out of you. By whom?”
As he slipped his arm around me, yanking me against his chest, I sensed an ugliness from his past that was the real reason ice ran through his veins. “It no longer matters. Tell me, Sierra. Do you still hate me?”
I pressed my hands against his chest, uncertain how to answer his question. “I like the man you showed me on the plane, the one without an agenda. I also like the dark stranger who entered my life. I’m curious about who he is and what makes him tick.”
He lowered his head until our lips were only centimeters apart. As he whispered, the heated air blown across my lips left me breathless. “The dark stranger is a sadist, his tortured dreams threatening to derail the man he’s become. He longs for a partner who desires a taste of his madness.”
As he captured my mouth, I curled my fist around his shirt, rising onto my tiptoes. The words were powerful in their admittance because I knew he was telling me the truth, sharing a part of him he’d kept locked away. My heart thudded rapidly as he placed his hand under my chin, the hold more possessive than any of the others had been. The taste of him was sweet, the hint of cinnamon infusing my senses. I was thrown by how lightheaded the intimate touch made me, the simplicity of the tender moment as freeing as the roughness of our sex.
Every time I was in his arms, it felt as if I was spiraling out of control, no longer able to make sense of my life or a single need. He’d managed to unravel the deepest part of me, subjecting my tender heart to his well-crafted plan. What I’d come to realize was that even though he’d developed the game, acting as puppeteer, I’d created the magic we shared. And now, he couldn’t get free of the stranglehold our electric connection had become any more than I could.
We were two perfect strangers whose destiny was forged in the fires of revenge.
As the kiss became even more powerful, the flow of passion becoming explosive, another barrier of defense had fallen, exposing another portion of my heart. How could this savage man have such an intense effect on every part of me?
He thrust his tongue inside, exploring the dark recesses as his actions became more brutal, the kiss just a taste of his domination. As his scent infused my senses, I realized I was falling for him. There was no rational reason, no sense of why, but it was impossible to lie to myself as much as I’d wanted to.
When he broke the moment of intimacy, he squeezed my jaw as he rubbed his thumb back and forth. “You kiss me as if your life depended on it, my sweet kitten. I hope it doesn’t come to that.” He backed away slowly, his wry smile returning as he held out his hand. “Come, my bride to be. I have some things for you.”
He took me by the fingers, leading me inside and into another room. There were dozens of bags from various stores, only some of which I recognized and of those I did, I’d never been able to afford a single item from any of them. I didn’t feel as if he was flaunting his wealth, merely allowing me a taste of the finer things in life since I’d agreed to his deal.
“I had a girl at my office make some selections for you. If you don’t like them, they can be returned.”
“You do realize I’m a jeans and tee shirt kind of girl.”
“While that may be true, there are certain times that you’ll be required to wear more appropriate attire.”
“Like for our engagement photographs.” I glanced into his eyes, uncertain what I was looking for. Maybe a single spark that told me a small part of him wanted the marriage to be real. What I noticed just confirmed the obvious. This was nothing more than a business arrangement where the perks were powerful as well as all consuming.
He yanked off his jacket, tossing it on one of the chairs. Then he rolled up his sleeves and all the while I studied the black onyx ring on his finger. It was a symbol of his family’s power. It was also a warning to anyone in close proximity.
Don’t fuck with him.
“Whatever makes you comfortable, Sierra. It’s not black tie. You’re aware of the goal.”
“You’re right. I am. A deal made with the devil should be sealed with a blood oath. Don’t you think?” I wasn’t certain why I asked something so ridiculous, but I no longer recognized myself. For a few minutes, I’d fallen into the trap of thinking this was real instead of a twisted fairytale that could only end in a nightmare.
His expression returned to one of amusement. “What you must think of me.”
“You know what I think about you. I don’t mince words.”
“No, you do not, which is something else I adore about you.”
“Something else?”
With smoldering eyes like his, I could easily become lost in the moment, forgetting that this was nothing but a game. “Allow me to correct my statement. Not just something,gatita. Everything. You are an insatiable draw, a light in the darkness. That makes you irresistible.”
I dragged my tongue across my lips, trying to avoid his heated gaze as I thought about how to respond, when a hard rap on the door drew both our attention.
“What is it, Matteo?” Alessandro asked.
“The Feds are here.”
Instinctively, I took a deep breath as I waited for Alessandro’s reaction. The fact that he was smiling put me more on edge than if he’d expressed anger.
“Have them taken to the patio, Matteo. I’ll join them there.”
