A warm body pressed against my back, lips at the junction of my neck. Kai placed a hand on my waist and used his thumb to rub circles into my hip. He was like a damn furnace, heat emanating from him and threatening to set my skin on fire.
“I can assure you I won’t have a problem pretending you’re mine.”
The low rasp danced across my flesh. My nipples hardened, and I closed my eyes briefly, clamping my lips closed as some traitorous noise fought to claw its way up my throat.
Mine.
That word had never evoked the feelings now buzzing through me.
And I hated it. The loss of control when it came to this stranger. Was it because he’d saved my life and also placedhimself between me and his brother twice? Did my subconscious feel like it owed him something?
Whipping around in his arms, what was meant to be a grin faltered when I found myself face to face with his strong, inked body. He tipped my chin again, a gesture that proved he was already a little too comfortable touching me. I wrapped one hand around his wrist and pressed an open palm to his chest. Fortunately, he didn’t resist when I shoved him back.
“Cain, don’t fuck this up.”
“I’m not sure I’m the one you have to worry about,” he said, leaning against the bedpost. “Though I do have a question.” With a sigh, I motioned for him to proceed.
“Does this contract include sex?”
Straight to the point.
“We don’t fuck. Got it?Youdon’t fuck—anyone.”
He scoffed. “Okay, let’s say I humor you. How long?”
“Three years.”
Kai turned and shook his head as he made his way back to the clothes on the bed.
“That’s funny.”
“What? Can’t keep it in your pants?”
“If you think I’m going to be celibate for three goddamn years, you might as well call this off.”
“I think you’re forgetting you’re not here of your own will. Debt is debt. You volunteered to fill in for your brother. So, looks like you’re the man for the job.” I crossed the small distance between us. “Are you in or not?”
“Okay, so you and I don’t sleep together. Fine.” Shrugging, he tugged on his t-shirt. He didn’t need to elaborate. I knew exactly what that statement implied.
“No, you’re not understanding. My family is well known here. People will know who you are. That you’re my husband,and youwon’tembarrass me by hooking up with random whores.”
He laughed. “You’re crazy if you think I’m agreeing to that.”
“You will because you have no choice.”
“I thought you said there was always a choice.”
I flashed him a wry smile. “My words still stand.” Stepping forward, I put a finger to his chest and poked him out of spite. He looked at the digit, then back to my face, his eyes simmering with anger. “You made a choice yesterday, did you not?”
“I don’t follow.”
“You saved my life, even though you had other options. You had the perfect opportunity to rid yourself of this obligation, but you chose to be here.”
His jaw ticked.
“If you’re going to be my wife, then I expect you to act like it.” He traced a slow hand up the side of my cheek, cuffing a tendril of hair and tucking it behind my ear. “Maybe you’re the delusional one here. You think you have me by the proverbial balls, but you couldn’t be more wrong.” I wanted to push him away when his lips feathered against my skin. “You need me just as much as I need you, because you’re out of options and out of time.”
I gripped his bicep, digging my nails into his skin. The edges of his mouth pulled into a grin. “If you dare to—”
