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“Then give it away to charity.”
“Not allowed in my family. I have trusts and contracts, wills mandated from an early age. There are too many complications. I have a family to think about.”
“How very sad. I bet you’ve never considered jumping into a fountain in your bare feet.”
The same shadow of sadness crossed his face like a dark cloud threatening to erupt with hail and violent lightning. Then it passed just as quickly, his masked resolve returning. “You might not believe this, but once when I was a kid, I jumped into a fountain because of all the shiny change. I was maybe six. My parents were mortified but they didn’t try to stop me. However, perhaps you’ll need to show me why that would be considered fun.”
There he went again, making me fall hard for him. Damn it. Just when I thought I could hate him until the end of time.
“Perhaps I would. I’d like that. If you’ll allow me.”
“Maybe I will.”
“Maybe then I can place my trust in you.”
There was something entirely different in the way he was looking at me, even more all-consuming, his eyes turning so dark that I was certain shadows had fallen all around me. For the second time in one day, all time and movement had ceased to exist around us.
Only this time, my heart wasn’t thudding because of desire but something deeper, more classically romantic.
And the most terrifying feeling of all.
I was falling hopelessly, madly in love.
With a beautiful, toxic, heroic man I’d once called a monster.
CHAPTER17
Raven
The intense vibrations of the engine rumbling underneath me were no match for the throbbing between my legs. As the powerful moment continued, all I could do was hold my breath for fear that the beautiful few seconds he was allowing would be shattered.
When Arman lifted his hand, cupping my jaw, I nuzzled against the warmth, closing my eyes briefly.
“Si seulement je pouvais être ton prince.”
His husky whisper, his heated breath cascaded across my face and neck, and I didn’t need to be fluent in French to know what he’d said.
If only I could be your prince.
He pressed his lips against mine, brushing them back and forth ever so lightly. I found myself clutching his shirt, clinging to him as if he was the only lifeline I needed, keeping me from drowning in a sea of dangerous creatures. As the kiss deepened, I allowed myself to be swept up in the moment of passion, longing for so much more. He darted his tongue inside, savoring the sweetness.
I struggled to get to him, still trapped by the tight confines of the seatbelt, arching my back as much as possible. His hold remained firm, just as possessive as before, yet more tender. When he finally backed away, he offered a smile.
There was so much to say but nothing coherent came to mind. He had the ability to block out everything else but the intensity of our shared feelings.
How wonderful.
How petrifying.
As he pulled into the garage, I glanced across the massive structure, the size deceiving from the front. There were at least eight gorgeous, polished to perfection vehicles in his collection, some of them considered classics. They didn’t include the giant SUVs parked out front.
Jesus. His family had more money than God. No wonder they were considered one of the ten most influential families in the world. Not just the United States but the world. Both he and his brother Francois had been on the most eligible bachelor list several times. I understood that my father’s position meant he was at odds with the illegitimate side of Arman’s businesses but why go to this extreme? There had to be a more personal reason.
I couldn’t wrap my head around the situation whatsoever but there was no denying my feelings for him were deepening.
“These all belong to you?” I asked as he cut the engine.
“They do, one of my few hobbies. I tinker with their engines, sometimes bodywork when I have the time. One day I hope to restore a perfectly amazing piece of junk into something special.”
