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“Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll charm them in no time. The twins will like you.”
“The kids don’t like you either?”
“Well,” I drawl, “I did have their father killed. It’s been hard to breach that gap.”
“Oh, right,” Rosa says under her breath. “And my brother was the one that actually killed him. I guess I’m fucked.”
That makes me chuckle. “Don’t worry, I talked to them and they won’t hold it against you. It might take them a while to open up, but they will. Maria even smiled at me today. And she called my name. Which is progress.”
“Okay,” Rosa nods. “So… what now?”
“I’m not done with my workout,” I inform her. “You could join me if you want. Maybe run on the treadmill. It’s a great way to release tension.”
Her lips purse. “I don’t run unless someone’s chasing me. Or if it’s for charity.”
Charity? Oh, my sweet little rose.
“I can believe that,” I say as my lips twitch. “So what do you do for fun,principessa? Besides pottery and art and charity, apparently. We might as well start getting to know each other.”
“Right now, I’d like to rest. I didn’t sleep well last night. So if you could just throw on a shirt and show me to the bedroom I’ll be using, that would be much appreciated,” she says pointedly.
I consider it for a moment before shrugging. “Come on, then,” I say, leading her out of the gym.
Her heels clack against the floors as she follows me downstairs. There’s a long narrow hallway and I stop in front of the last door, opening it and gesturing for her to walk in.
“Your bedroom, my lady,” I say with mock flourish.
While she takes it in, I head into the closet and grab a shirt to wear. When I return, Rosa’s still looking around wide-eyed.
“Enzo,” she starts, “why does it look like you sleep in here as well?”
“Because I do,” I reply easily. “It’s my bedroom.”
Realization flickers across her blue eyes, followed by subtle horror. “You want me to sleep in the same bed as you.”
“We are going to be married,” I point out.
“Inmonths,” she hisses. “We’re going to be married in months.”
I watch as she moves toward the dark brown suitcase at the edge of the bed. She grips the handle as she stares me down.
“I’m not staying here with you,” she says, her voice hard.
“I’m not sure why this bothers you so much.”
“Are you kidding me? Enzo, you want us to sleep in the same bed! Together.”
“Which is typically what married couples do.”
“We’re not married yet!” she practically screams. “And I’m not doing it. Either give me my own bed in separate room or I’m leaving.”
The threat leaves her mouth on a whisper, and something inside me chills once she’s said it. I move toward her, my steps light but intentional. She freezes, alarm tainting her features. A hard smile slashes across my mouth.
“Let’s go over the ground rules, shall we,principessa?” I ask. “First one, threaten me with that again and I’ll make you regret it. You’re mine. The minute I signed that contract with your brother, you became mine. I won’t tolerate you saying shit like that. Okay?”
She sucks in a breath. The sweet scent of apples fills my nostrils at our proximity. My hand goes up to her wrist, and I can feel her pulse racing as I gently run my finger over it. It’s a lighttouch, but from the way she’s looking at me, one would think I was trying to hurt her.
“What are you planning to do with me?” she asks in a whisper.
