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“You won’t want this to end.” His hand glides into the slit of the dress, and with frightening precision, he finds my sex. “Oh, bella. I’m gonna take you tonight, over and over.”
I think he’s going to kiss me, but it’s a short drive to a swanky restaurant in the older part of Astoria. We hover at the end of the block until a signal is given to pull up to the building with a black awning and gold-script lettering. I blink and see a…
A red carpet? Lights flash, and I spin my head toward Kieran. “Who’s having dinner here tonight? Why all the cameras?”
“We are.” He kisses my hand. “They want to see my wife.”
A frown takes over. “You’re showing me off?”
“I sure am. Anything wrong with that?”
I knew someday this would be my life. But with a powerful businessman. Not a don. Andnotin the wake of the tragic loss of my mother and then forcibly married weeks after meeting the don my father chose. No, he didn’t choose Kieran. Kieran chose me.
“And if people want me dead, like you’ve been telling me for weeks, this isn’t making me a target?”
Kieran strokes my cheek. “Not the way I’ll hold you and look at you. This is the show that was robbed from us when the big wedding didn’t happen. This is to make clear to anyone watching that, no matter what happens between your father and Koslov,youare off limits. You aremine,and no onetoucheswhat is mine.” He’s using the date as an opportunity to stake his claim on me.
His words are chilling, but his power is electrifying. Sexy, the way he wants to protect me. Smiling, I say, “Thank you for this.”
He leans in to kiss me, but the door opens. “Good timing, Calder,” Kieran sneers, but it melts into a smile. He’s next to the door, so he gets out and then offers me his hand.
I step out, and I’m immediately blinded by all the lights. Kieran doesn’t address the cameras or the questions, so neither do I. He just holds me close, looking like he adores me as we stroll in. It doesn’t feel fake.
Next, we’re seated in an elevated section of the dining room with no one else around us. Below, the tables are practically on top of each other. Kieran holds out a chair for me and brushes his lips on the back of my neck. It sets my skin on fire. The man is so passionate.
The waiter immediately comes over with menus, ruining the moment.
Kieran orders the wine and then lets me order my dinner first. After, he says, “Is this okay, bella?” He reaches for my hand. “I assumed you like Italian food.”
“Yes, I do.” I swallow hard, and Kieran notices, even though the waiter is showing him the wine bottle.
“What’s wrong? You had a very faraway look.”
“I was thinking of my mother.” I tap the tablecloth. “She cooked authentic Italian.”
“I hope this food is somewhat satisfying.” He takes the first poured glass of wine and hands it to me.
By the smell of garlic and basil, I’m sure I’ll like it. “I’m notthatspoiled, Kieran. I’m just glad you thought of this. For me.” I clink his glass when it’s filled. “We have something in common, you know. We’ve both lost someone we care about.” I thread our fingers together. “I’m sorry about your fiancée. I’m not sure I told you that.”
He quirks a sincere smile. “People will have to stop calling her that, I guess. I’m married now.” He runs a thumb over my ring, and I see he’s still wearing his.
We make small talk over the salad and some shared bread. Before I know it, the waiter creeps back over, and the meal is put down in front of us.
Kieran ordered the beef shank and mushroom-filled pasta with a cabernet reduction, and I ordered the ravioli in a creamy tomato sauce stuffed with taleggio, fontina, ricotta, butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds, and sage.
I cut up a ravioli, which is massive, and hold it across the table. “Want a bite?”
He wipes his mouth and smiles. “I was hoping you’d give me a taste.”
I hold the fork steady and watch him close his lips around the tines. “Kieran, you’re the king. You only have to ask for what you want. Or take it.”
“Like I took you?” His voice gets low. “That I saw you and thought… Her… I wanther.”
I stop cutting up the next ravioli. “What do you mean, yousaw me?”
“That day your house exploded. You were at the courthouse. Strutting in a short skirt and high heels, looking like you owned Astoria.”
I blink, thinking of that day. “A lot happened that day. I don’t remember…”
