Michael closed the distance between us, and I backed toward the nearby wooden dock post, my bare upper back resting against the cold wood. When there were only inches between us, he slipped his fingers under my chin and tilted my head so I was forced to look into his eyes. They swirled with limitless emotion under his long eyelashes, like warm chocolate in a cauldron ready to be stirred.
“Let me make something clear, stella,” he said, his voice velvet and rough, all at once. “I’m not afraid of Victor Rossi. He’s a vile man who I plan to bring down once I restore my family’s prominence.”
“That will take years—”
“Yes,” he said with a curt nod. “As previously discussed, time is not on our side. But I feel a deep need to save you, mia. Let me at least try.”
Scoffing, I narrowed my eyes. “By marrying me? Impossible.”
His eyebrows lifted, the gesture both arrogant and endearing. “Impossible for now, but perhaps there is a way that I can extradite you to a place where no one will find you.”
Leaning back against the wooden piling, I allowed myself to truly study him. He gazed at me with the intensity of a man who would move heaven and earth to accomplish his goals, and for some reason, saving me had become his newest aspiration.
“Why do you want to help me?” I whispered. “I don’t even know you.”
He inched closer, pressing his suit-clad body against mine. His lips formed a cocky, knowing smile at my quick inhale.
“There are some things that defy logic, Bianca,” he said, sliding his hand to my neck and gently gripping me there. It should’ve infuriated me, but instead, my body relaxed under his, in tune with his touch as his eyes lit with pleasure.
“You’re young, so you don’t understand how rare this is,” he continued. “The way your pulse beats under my touch...” he ran his thumb over the humming vein in my neck. “The way you respond to me. The indefinable tug we feel toward each other...”
Mesmerized by his words, I tried to unscramble the rapid thoughts swirling in my brain. “You’re not that much older than me.”
“Five years, but it might as well be an eternity. Honestly, I wish I were older so marrying me would be seen as a benefit in your father’s eyes. Sadly, that won’t happen for many years.”
“This is the only life I know, as flawed as it is.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “As bewildered as I am by your efforts to help me, I can’t go into hiding. I’m self-aware enough to admit that I’d fail on my own. All I can hope is that I give Victor a son quickly, and he allows me to live my life in peace.”
“He won’t be faithful to you,” Michael said, his eyebrows narrowing. “Everyone is aware of his proclivities for the women who work at his clubs.”
Grimacing, I breathed a laugh. “God, I hope not. I don’t want his faithfulness. I want to do my duty and give him a son, and then I hope he never touches me again.”
Michael released a long breath, filled with sadness and resignation as it surrounded us in the darkness. Pressing his thumb to my lower lip, he stroked it in a long, soft caress as he gazed at me.
“Are you a virgin, Bianca?”
“None of your—”
Pressing his thumb over my lips, he silenced me. “Are you?”
My nostrils flared as anger and indecision warred within. Part of me wanted to kick him in the balls for asking such a personal question, while the other part wanted to tell him the truth and beg him to kiss me.
“Yes,” I finally whispered.
“He doesn’t deserve to take that from you,” he said, his expression fierce as he contemplated under the moonlight. “I have a solution if you’ll hear me out.”
My eyes darted between his, and even though I knew it was impossible, I nodded.
“It will take me a few years—perhaps even a decade—to rebuild my father’s business. During that time, I can send you toa remote village my grandmother showed me when I visited her in Italy. It’s extremely secluded and I will ensure your protection—”
“Victor will find me,” I interjected. “We both know that.”
“Marry me and let me send you to Italy. We’ll consummate the marriage here, but I’ll keep it secret while you’re in Italy. As soon as I’m powerful enough, I’ll send for you and bring you home. Victor will be furious, but by then, I plan to be head of the most powerful family on the East Coast. It will be impossible for him to defy me.”
An incredulous laugh escaped my throat. “You’re insane.”
“Yes,” he said, shrugging. “I’ve apparently gone completely mad.” Leaning forward, he brushed the tip of my nose with his. “But the thing is, I just can’t seem to fucking help myself. I need to save you.”
My body arched toward his, the movement unconscious as I lost complete control of my muscles. There, surrounded by his sandalwood scent and deep, rumbling voice, I wanted so badly to believe there was a way out of my predicament.
