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I withdraw my hand, my eyes meeting those fierce blue ones. “I guess that depends on how well you behave. I gave you a chance to start this amicably and you threw it away. I know you don’t know me very well, but I pride myself on being reasonable, rational. I entered this match because I felt it was the smart thing to do. I don’t like being wrong. Are you going to prove me wrong, sweetheart?”
She swallows softly and my gaze is drawn to her throat. So… delectable. And distracting. Very slowly, she shakes her head.
“Good. I like that we’re on the same page,” I say with a small smile. “I realize you don’t like me much, and that’s okay. In public, we’ll play the role of a loving couple. I understand you’re very immersed in society. We’ll attend a few events together, smile for the cameras and pretend.”
“I thought you said you didn’t lie,” she whispers.
This close to her, I can take in every inch of her flawless skin. Long dark lashes frame her deep blue eyes, and the curve of her lush lips is just as distracting as the rest of her. Heat spreads from my gut to my stomach at the sight.
“That’s not a lie, Rosa. We’re just going to be putting on a great show,” I tell her, taking a step back. “If you walk out, you’ll find a door right before this room. That door leads to your bedroom.”
She takes in that announcement with a clenched jaw. “You’re a fucking bastard.”
“You could always sleep here, if you’d like. I wouldn’t mind the company,” I say “And before you go off about me lying, I never specifically said you would be sleeping in here.”
She appears to ponder that for a moment. “That’s your thing, isn’t it? Finding loopholes. Bending the rules.”
“I do have a special talent for it. It’s been very important to my survival.”
“Being an asshole has been important to your survival?” she tosses out.
“No,” I grin, “that’s just a nice perk.
“You can go. Dinner’s at seven. Feel free to do whatever it is you’d like until then.”
“Oh thank you, your majesty,” she says sarcastically. Her hand tightens on the handle of her suitcase.
She moves to walk out but then pauses. “Enzo?”
“Hmm,” I reply.
I decide that I like the sound of my name on her lips.
“Have you ever thought that the reason your family hates you so much is because you don’t have a heart?”
“The thought plagues my every waking moment,” I say sarcastically with a mocking smile.
Inquisitive blue eyes trail over my face. I grit my teeth at her perusal.
“You know, I actually thought I would hate you, but the truth is, I don’t. At least, not really. I feel sad for you. The loneliness, the isolation from your family, that scar on your chest. I’ve only been here for a few minutes and I can already see the cracks. You’re quite pitiful, aren’t you?”
I don’t lose my composure very often. I do everything with control. But once in a while, something comes along that makes me slip. And when I slip, it’s never good for the parties present.
Rosa only has time to let out a small squeak as I advance on her. I have her flat on her back on the bed in a matter of seconds. This time when my hand closes over her neck, the touch is anything but gentle. I squeeze. It’s not hard enough to bruise, but it’s just enough to feel the shallowness of her breaths.
My voice drops dangerously low. “I don’t need your fucking pity, Rosa. This is a business arrangement. Nothing more, nothing less. If you’re going to be a bitch, we might as well just ignore each other. I don’t give a damn either way. Is that what you want? For me to stay away?”
She continues to stay silent, so I press a thumb against her pulse. Hard.
“Answer me,” I grit out.
Her eyes flash. “Yes. I want you to leave me alone.”
“Fine,” I say through a clenched jaw.
I climb off the bed and take a step back. Rosa’s eyes briefly flutter shut before she stands, as well. The look in her eyes is mutinous.
“I’ll stay away. But I expect you to be a good little wife. Understand?”
