He shakes his head. “I’m not agreeing to that.”
“Then this marriage isn’t going to happen.”
“That’s fine. Then Alessia and herex-boyfriend will never have the happily ever after you’re so desperate to see out.”
I clench my teeth, a wave of frustration coursing through me. “Just how long do you think you’re going to be able to use this against me?”
“As long as it takes to make youmine,” he growls out.
The emphasis he put onminehas my spine straightening. It was a possessive lay of claim on me I’ve never wanted in a man, but when Massimo growls it out, it vibrates deep inside me, sparking something I haven’t felt since that first night we kissed.
Ignore it, Liana.
“Well, either you accept condition number four, or we can go our separate ways.”
I’m beginning to understand Massimo a little more. He knows he can use Alessia against me, but if it’s hardball he wants to play, then it’s hardball he’ll get. I’m giving him what he wants, so he’s going to have to give me what I want.
“Fine,” he grunts out. “But if that’s how this meeting is going to go, then negotiations will be had and compromises will be made.”
“This isn’t a?—”
“Liana, I’m willing to compromise with you, the least you can do is compromise with me.”
I nearly laugh at that statement. The nerve of this man when I don’t want anything to do with him. If anyone’s compromising here,it’s me. But fine, if that’s what it’s going to take to get this meeting done and over with, then I’ll listen to what he has to say.
I gesture for him to continue.
“You cannot take touching off the table, but if it’s sex you don’t want…” He pauses, tilting his head from one side to the other, as if trying to release the tension that’s built up in his neck from this conversation. “Then fine. We don’t need to have sex.” His words come out strained, as if he never wanted to say them in the first place. It brings a joyful smile to my face.
Nonetheless, I raise a brow at him, surprised he gave in so easily to that condition. There must be more.
“Not until you beg me,” he finally adds.
“Until I beg you?” I scoff out a laugh. “Please, that won’t be happening. I’d rather stay a virgin for the rest of my life.”
Something passes through Massimo’s eyes. Is that… excitement?
“Virgin?” he says, a smile lifting at his lips.
“Don’t get too excited. That’s how I’ll remain for the rest of my life with you by my side.”
“That’s laughable. A desirable woman like you won’t be able to go the rest of her life without physical contact with a man.”
“I’ve gone all these years without it. I think I’ll be perfectly fine,” I snide.
“You think I don’t notice how your body reacts to mine, Liana? The way your eyes darken when we’re close. The way you internally fight with yourself every time your body betrays your mind? It’s only a matter of time before that beautiful head of yours catches up with your body and you’re begging me to take that sweet virgin cunt of yours.”
My face fumes with an inexplicable heat, but this is exactly what Massimo wants—a reaction—and I refuse to give him one. “You seem to think very highly of yourself, but I assure you, we’ll never be in that situation.”
“We’ll see,” he says, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“No sex and no kissing. If you’re so adamant about physical touch, then a hug or something is permitted.”
“I’m not agreeing to no kissing.”
“Massimo, it’s not going to happen. Kissing and sex are off the table.”
“Absolutely not.”
