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Even the thought pisses me off as much as it turns me on.
A breeze of a dark chuckle puffs across my lips, and my tongue sweeps across my bottom lip in hopes of a taste of whatever sin he breathes.
“I’m sure I’d survive your weak throwing skills.”
I lift my chin. “I meant to hit your shoulder.”
“You’re pretty when you lie to me, Tesoro,” he purrs, his voice washing over me like a safety blanket and damn him, I want to roll myself in it to stay warm.
“I’m not lying.” No man will make me surrender, lie or not.
“Of course, you aren’t.” He brushes his thumb across my lip, and I hate the gasp that leaves me, igniting heat in his eyes.
I know there is sexual tension here. Who wouldn’t be attracted to this man? God, especially in this suit? I’d love to take it off piece by piece. I’d love for him to keep it on while he bends me over this counter and takes me.
The thought takes me off guard. I’ve never had thoughts like that about anyone. I’ve never been attracted enough to someone, and I haven’t had time to waste on dating when I needed to focus on supporting my family.
He lets me go and the place where he touched me burns as if he has branded me with his name, stamping that I’m his and belong to him, which I don’t.
“You have three options,” he begins, tugging on his sleeves. “I let Bianchi have you, your family, and let them have their way with you. Second, I turn you in to the cops for the horrible crime you’ve committed.” The condescending tsks irk me. “A pretty woman such as yourself shouldn’t lower to such violent tendencies.”
He’s trying to piss me off and it’s working.
“You’re about to be on the receiving end of those violent tendencies.” My lips curl in rage with every word, my teeth tight as if they are about to crack.
He snags my chin and tilts his head, leaning forward as if he’s about to kiss me. He doesn’t. I’m equally disappointed and relieved. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Tesoro.” Ari lets me go with a slight shove, gentle, yet a bit forced.
“What is the last option?” I ask, pushing an unruly curl from my face.
He watches it bounce in fascination before his eyes land on my face again. “You and I make an agreement. Now that I’m the leader of my family….” He pauses to choose his words carefully “Business.”
“Mafia. You can say it. Don’t treat me like I’m stupid.”
“Fair enough,” he nods. “I’m the leader of the Milazzo Mafia and with that comes responsibilities. I need an heir. You marry me for one year, give me an heir, and I’ll offer you and your family protection against the Bianchi’s. I’ll make sure your family is taken care of financially as well.”
I lift my hand to slap him, but he catches my wrist just as my palm hovers over his cheek. The guards take a step forward, hands going under their jackets to pull out their guns, probably, and my newfound enemy raises a hand to stop them.
“It’s fine,” he speaks calmly, if not with a slightly humorous tone. “I like your fight, Rosie, but I’m not here to fight you.”
“No, you’re here to blackmail me,” I seethe, chest rising and falling in rapid beats as rage fills me. “How dare you? How dare you threaten me as if you haven’t done anything worse. I was protecting my brother.”
“And now I’m giving you the option to do that. What will happen if you don’t take me up on my offer? You’ll get killed. Your entire family first, then they will probably make you watch as your brother is killed. You’ll be the last. You see, vengeance is a sport men like me are professionals in and you do not stand a chance. So tell me, what are you willing to do to keep your family safe?”
I know what I have to do, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.
A playful gleam shines in his eyes like the sun casting rays on the ocean, but I’m not fooled. The ocean is a place that will suck you under and kill you. Aristide Milazzo is Mariana’s Trench, a depth I know I’ll be pulled into whether I like it or not.
“I’m not having sex with you. I’d rather use my knife on myself.”
He exhales with a shake of his head. “What did I tell you about lying to me?”
I flinch. “I’m not lying. I’m not having sex with you.”
“We will see about that, Tesoro. We will see.”
“You’ll see nothing but my hand across your face if you even try,” I state, voice wavering because I really do want to have sex with him. I bet he knows exactly what to do.
I bet he’s the kind of man that coaches you through it and whispers sweet nothings like,“That’s it. You’re doing so good. Good, look at you taking me so well. I knew you could do it.”
