“I’ll try.” I won’t lie to my sister’s face.
No, you’ll just do that to your best friend.
“I’m happy for you, and I hope it all works out.”
“Me too,” I say, rubbing at the tightness spreading across my chest long after my sister has exited the room.
18
VALENTINA
I’m almost finished putting everything away in Fiero’s closet when he arrives, sliding up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. My pulse races when he nuzzles his face in my neck and audibly inhales, drinking me in. “I missed you today. Sorry I was gone so long.”
“I’m mad at you,” I say, reminded of earlier. “Why does my cell not work, and why can’t I connect to your Wi-Fi?”
He spins me around in his arms and tips my head up. “We need to keep your presence here a secret. I can’t have you talking to anyone and telling them about the deal.”
“I already told you I wouldn’t tell anyone.” I shove at his chest, needing space. When I’m all wrapped up in him like this, I can’t think straight. He bamboozles me with his explosive touch, panty-melting kisses, and gorgeous face. “In case it’s escaped your notice, I’m not exactly happy youboughtme. It’s not something I’ll be publicizing.”
He squeezes my ass, banding his arms tighter around me. “And I told you I only did that so I could take you with me. I would never haveboughtyou if you were a single woman.”
“No, you’d just have kidnapped me instead,” I snap.
“Maybe.”
I stare at him in horror, and he laughs, the sound doing funny things to my insides.
“I’d have tried to charm you, and if that didn’t work, I’d most likely have kidnapped you,” he admits, and at least he’s honest.
“You’d keep me prisoner, just like you are now.”
He scowls. “You’re not a prisoner, kitten. You’re free to come and go as you please.”
“Right.” I cock my head to one side. “So, I can leave tomorrow when you’re gone all day and go sightseeing?”
“Well, no.” He steps back, clawing a hand through his hair, sending strands of messy blond hair tumbling across his brow. “You have the run of the house and grounds, but you can’t leave my property.”
I huff out a dry laugh. “Like I said, prisoner.” I poke at my chest and storm out of the closet.
“Valentina.” He reaches out, grabbing me from behind, and then I’m up and over his shoulder. He swats my ass. “It’s for your protection. I know it’s frustrating, but it won’t be forever. I just want to keep you safe.”
“Put me down, asshole.” I pound my fists on his back. “You just want to keep me locked up here!”
Fiero throws me down on the bed and crawls over me, stretching my arms above my head and gripping my wrists. His body pins me to the mattress, and his dick hardens against me almost instantaneously. “Fuck, you turn me on so much,” he says, burying his face in the crook of my neck while gyrating his hips against me.
“Stop distracting me with sex,” I rasp, trying to stop my eyes from rolling back in my head as he plants a slew of feather-soft kisses up and down my neck.
“It seems to be the only time you’re reasonable and will listen to me.”
“Reasonable!” I shriek, digging my nails into his back through his white dress shirt. “You’re the most unreasonable man I’ve ever met!”
“Doubtful,” he murmurs, dragging my shirt down a little with his teeth.“Fuck,” he says, staring down at my chest. “I love seeing my mark on your skin. It’s hot.”
“You have issues.”
“Bite me.”
“Okay.” Flashing him a maniacal grin, I stretch up and sink my teeth in his neck, biting hard.
